HEART-FAILURE

Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects more than 2 million Americans a nd requires greater than 900,000 hospitalizations each year. The incid ence of CHF is increasing because of the increasing age of the America n population and tile use of newer medications and technologies that h ave increased survival at the expense of increased morbidity. Physical therapists are treating many patients who have varying degrees of CHF . Recent research has demonstrated the importance of exercise conditio ning in patients with CHF. This article will review the pathophysiolog y, compensatory mechanisms, and signs and symptoms of CHF as well as p rovide a discussion of the role of physical therapy in the treatment o f patients with CHF.