Congestive heart failure striking younger Americans

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Congestive heart failure is the most common diagnosis in elderly hospital patients, but more than a million of the 5 million Americans suffering from this condition are under 60.

Craig Young, 59, learned four years ago his heart wasn't pumping right. When doctors told the competitive weightlifter he was suffering from congestive heart failure, he was blown away.

"When I was strong and was lifting the heavy weight, I felt like I could walk out in front of a semi, and I thought, 'You know what, you're not going to hurt me,'" said Young.

Doctors say a virus may have weakened Young's heart. It was pumping like that of an 80-year-old with a weak heart.

"It's a lot younger than we typically see. Most of the time, congestive heart failure is a disease of people who are over 65," said Dr. David Rawitscher, medical director of the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic in Plano, Texas.

But not always. Congestive heart failure is present in 2 percent of all Americans age 40 to 59. And experts say those numbers have been steadily on the rise. That's why doctors say everyone should know the symptoms: coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, difficulty exercising and difficulty sleeping.

Young also made dietary changes, including reducing his salt intake to stop fluid build-up in his lungs.

Young is determined to stay on top of what he eats, and he'll keep pumping iron to help his heart stay strong.

Researchers say there are half a million new congestive heart failure cases each year. Half of those patients are hospitalized again within six months.