What is Cardiac Oedema? –

What is Cardiac Oedema? –

Abstract -

A condition when there is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in cardiac tissues due to high venous and capillary pressures as in case of congestive heart failure (CHF), it is called as cardiac oedema.

Cardiac edema is a buildup of fluid in the interstitial tissues and cavities of the body as a result of congestive heart failure, and presents as fatigue or weakness, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath and weight gain caused by fluid retention and often can be confusing with other conditions and hence needs an urgent attention of a physician.

The part of the heart that is affected by the oedema defines which part of the body gets affected.

Lower left chamber of the heart, or the left ventricle – pulmonary oedema -  blood is not pumped out to the body as fast as it returns to the lungs.

In case of cardiac tissue, the prakruti shift towards parthivo-jalaja may be seen as fibrosed myocardial tissue which retains water possibly due to impaired drainage across the capillary channels, hence resulting in oedema. The important point to be noted –

Loss of heat symbolic of reduced pitta and also shows up in reduced cardiac output as along with it cardiac vata balance is impaired. We must remember that the heart is capable of functioning upto 6 times its capacity and hence much of it may not be realized until a major part of it is compromised.

Increase of jal symbolic of increasing kapha and slow cardiac output.

Cardiac oedema is less noticeable though in the cardiac muscles and shows more often as pulmonary congestion or peripheral oedema.