Medtronic lead recall lawyer, Williams Kherkher

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF), or heart failure, is a condition of the heart in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to the body’s other organs. This condition can be attributed to a variety of conditions, including:

• Coronary artery disease
• Previous heart attack that causes scar tissue which interferes with the heart’s ability to function normally
• High blood pressure
• Heart valve disease
• Primary disease of the heart itself
• Congenital heart defects
• Infection of the heart valves and heart itself

People who have congestive heart failure are unable to exert themselves as they used to be able to do. This is because the heart is still pumping blood, but is unable to pump as much as the body needs. It is working but not as efficiently as it should. As a result, people with CHF become short of breath and tired more easily.

Because blood flows out of the heart at a slower rate, the blood returning to the heart through the veins backs up. This causes congestion of blood in the tissues. Swelling, called edema, is a common result. This swelling occurs most frequently in the legs and ankles but can be present in other parts of the body as well. In some cases, fluid collects in the lungs and interferes with breathing. This is particularly common when the person afflicted with CHF is lying down. It results in shortness of breath.

In addition, CHF also affects the kidneys’ ability to dispose of sodium and water. The retained water increases the edema.

Contact a Medtronic Lawyer

If you have had a Medtronic defibrillator with Sprint Fidelis leads implanted, you could be at serious risk. Contact a Medtronic lead recall lawyer of Williams Kherkher at 800-761-3187 to discuss the medical risks of your ICD and to determine your legal options.