I50.22 Chronic systolic (congestive) heart failure

ICD10CM code

#### Name of the Condition
- Chronic Systolic Heart Failure, also known as Chronic Systolic (Congestive) Heart Failure

#### Summary
- Chronic systolic heart failure is a long-term condition where the heart's ability to contract and pump blood is impaired, leading to inadequate blood flow to meet the body's needs. This is often referred to as "congestive heart failure" due to fluid build-up in the lungs and other body tissues.

#### Causes
- The primary causes include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, previous heart attacks, diabetes, and certain lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and excessive alcohol consumption.

#### Risk Factors
- Major risk factors include advanced age, family history of heart disease, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, and hypertension.

#### Symptoms
- Common symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent cough or wheezing, fluid retention (edema) in legs or abdomen, fatigue, weakness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and difficulty concentrating.

#### Diagnosis
- Diagnosis is typically confirmed through a combination of patient history, physical examination, echocardiography, blood tests (such as BNP or NT-proBNP), chest X-ray, and sometimes cardiac MRI or stress tests.

#### Treatment Options
- Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medications (like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, and aldosterone antagonists), cardiac rehabilitation, and in some cases, surgical interventions such as implantable devices like defibrillators or pacemakers. These treatments focus on improving heart function and alleviating symptoms.

#### Prognosis and Follow-Up
- With appropriate treatment, many patients experience symptom relief and improved quality of life. Regular follow-ups with healthcare providers are crucial for monitoring heart health and adjusting treatments as needed.

#### Complications
- Untreated chronic systolic heart failure can lead to serious complications such as kidney damage, liver damage, heart arrhythmias, and possibly death due to heart failure.

#### Lifestyle & Prevention
- Preventive lifestyle changes include maintaining a heart-healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, managing weight, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol use, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

#### When to Seek Professional Help
- Immediate medical attention is necessary if symptoms such as sudden weight gain, severe shortness of breath, or chest pain occur.

#### Additional Resources
- American Heart Association: [heart.org](https://www.heart.org)
- Heart Failure Society of America: [hfsa.org](https://www.hfsa.org)

#### Tips for Medical Coders
- Ensure accurate documentation of the chronic nature and type (systolic) of heart failure.
- Verify the use of I50.22 for chronic systolic (congestive) heart failure, avoiding confusion with other types of heart failure codes.

Medical Policies and Guidelines for Chronic systolic (congestive) heart failure

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