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Heart to Heart: Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79, Sparking Questions About Congestive Heart Failure

We give you some must-know facts about the heart condition that was responsible for the death of a Hollywood icon.

Elizabeth Taylor may be remembered for things like her numerous marriages and her unique relationship with Michael Jackson, but in recent years, her failing health drew the attention of many.

Taylor, who died at 79, began suffering from heart failure as early as 2004 before finally succumbing to it on Wednesday. While congestive heart failure may not be completely avoidable, it is possible to prevent it, or at least prevent it from getting worse. We’ve got the facts on congestive heart failure and what you can do to protect you and your family from this silent killer.

Barry M. Greenberg, M.D., director of the Advanced Heart Failure Treatment Program at the UCSD Medical Center, said that while there are many causes of congestive heart failure, like congenital heart defects and narrowed arteries, there are two main causes for us here in the states.

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“In the U.S., the most common cause of congestive heart failure is long-standing high blood pressure or heart attack,” Greenberg said. “But there are many causes. Somewhere up to 10 percent of cases is genetic.”

What Is Congestive Heart Failure?

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The American Heart Association describes congestive heart failure as “a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs.” Greenberg said the “congestive” part comes in when fluid gets backed up in the body’s tissues. In most cases, the heart continues to work, but not as efficiently as possible.

Though the condition affects both men and women, Greenberg said that, generally speaking, each gender tends to have one kind of failure over the other.

“We see weak heart muscles in men," Greenberg said. "And in women, it’s more common that the heart gets stiff.”

What Are the Signs of Heart Failure?

Knowing what to look for and recognizing changes in your body plays an important part in preventing any further damage to your heart.

“Getting medical attention, first and foremost, is the best thing you can do,” Greenberg said. “We’ve gotten so good at improving the quality of life.”

Things to watch for are swollen legs, weight gain and difficulty breathing.

“The most common sign is that people can’t do what they used to do,” Greenberg said. “The swelling of ankles and the need to prop yourself up are both signs of increased fluid retention.”

Greenberg also said to pay extra special attention to your family’s health history.

“A lot of times people just think they’re getting older, and most of the time they’re right," he said. "But if you or your family has a history of heart attacks, be cautious.”

What Are the Treatments?

Thanks to modern medicine, there are numerous options available for treating congestive heart failure. Proper diet, like one low in sodium, plenty of rest and modified daily activities are all simple “at-home” ways to treat the heart condition. According to the American Heart Association, prescribed drugs like beta blockers, which improve how well the heart's left lower chamber pumps, or ACE inhibitors, which expand blood vessels and decrease resistance, are commonly used.

“There are varying treatments, ranging from diuretics for relieving the congestion, to pacemakers, which have saved countless lives,” Greenberg said. “And for advanced failure, there are heart transplants.”

He also said options depend on the particular patient and that treatments are often used in conjunction with each other.

How can I prevent it?

While genetics may play a part in your heart health, there are certain measures to take in preventing heart failure.

“Get your high blood pressure and high cholesterol taken care of (with the necessary medication),” Greenberg said. “Exercise and don’t smoke. These simple things can be very effective.”

To jumpstart your healthy heart habits, you can  visit UCSD's newest addition, the Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center (SCVS), this Saturday for its community open house. Kim Edwards, spokesperson for the SCVC, said there will be lots to do, and even more to learn.

“It’s free and it includes health screenings and healthy snacks and exercise demos," Edwards said. “Tours of the new facility before it opens to patients (will be available).”

The open house begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m.

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