Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic, progressive condition that occurs when your heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as well as it should.

A diagnosis of CHF by a cardiovascular disease specialist can stop you in your tracks, but it’s far from the end of your journey.

With early detection and treatment, CHF can be slowed and even reversed. With a later stage diagnosis, treatments such as medications — along with important lifestyle changes such as exercising and reducing your sodium intake — can help you live longer and improve your quality of life.

Could you have CHF? The symptoms include: shortness of breath when you exert yourself or lie down; swelling in your legs, ankles and feet; fatigue; weakness; a rapid or irregular heartbeat; a persistent cough or wheezing; an increased need to urinate at night; rapid weight gain from fluid retention; chest pain; and difficulty concentrating.

To learn more, join Chelif Junor, MD, a cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology specialist with Tanner Heart & Vascular Specialists, as he leads a free discussion about CHF and what you can do to manage your condition.

This free educational event will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. in Classroom 2 at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton, 705 Dixie Street. Seating is limited and registration is required. Light refreshments will be served. Complimentary valet parking is available.

To register for Managing Congestive Heart Failure, visit tanner.org/chf.

For more information on the cardiac services available at Tanner, visit TannerHeartCare.org.

Tanner Health System’s Advancing Your Health Education Series provides residents with access to free health information from the region’s leading health experts on a wide range of topics, including heart disease, orthopedics, digestive health and more. Other upcoming educational opportunities can be found in the Classes and Events calendar at tanner.org/calendar.