How to Treat Heart Failure
The treatment for heart failure varies according to a few factors. The cause and type of failure, how bad the symptoms are and how well the body is able to recuperate are all taken into account by a cardiologist when determining a course of treatment.
- Make lifestyle changes. Many times the doctor prescribes a series of changes you need to make in your life. These include dietary restrictions, quitting smoking, adequate exercise and maintaining healthy weight. If you are overweight, your doctor may mandate you lose a few pounds. Many patients are asked to limit intake of salt and alcohol, and to keep an eye out for diabetes or blood pressure trouble.
- Take medicines prescribed by your doctor. Regular visits with your cardiologist are likely, and common medicines prescribed include a diuretic to reduce blood pressure and fluid buildup, an ACE inhibitor to reduce the amount of work for your heart, and a beta blocker to slow heart rate. Patients unable to take an ACE inhibitor may be prescribed an angiotensin II receptor blocker, known as an ARB. There may be other medications to help treat the underlying cause of the heart failure. It's important to take prescribed medications as indicated.
- In some cases, surgery becomes necessary, especially for cases of heart failure caused by a heart attack; coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty may be the recommended treatment. Severe cases may also be treated with VADS, ventricular assist devices, which help the heart pump blood, or even a total heart transplant.