In addition, people are surviving other medical problems, such as heart attacks, which increase the risk for congestive heart failure. However, advances in treatment may help people with the disease live longer, according to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. With congestive heart failure, your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs. Less blood leaves your heart, and the blood returning to your heart backs up. As back pressure builds, fluid from your blood can collect in your vital organs, including your lungs and liver.
Fluid also can seep into surrounding tissues, causing swelling.
Congestive heart failure is often the result of other cardiovascular problems, and treatment may focus on these problems. However, many times, underlying causes cannot be corrected. Then, treatment focuses on preventing further damage to your heart and helping your heart pump as efficiently as possible. Diuretics make you urinate more often and keep fluid from collecting in your body. It reduces heart failure symptoms, but doesn't improve survival rates.