Medication
Successful treatment depends on your willingness to get involved in managing the condition. You, your loved ones and your caregivers all play an active role as part of the healthcare team. View an animation of heart failure . Your treatment plan may include: Lifestyle changes Medications Devices and surgical procedures Ongoing care
Procedures
The usual treatment plan for people who have Stage D heart failure includes treatments listed in Stages A, B and C. In addition, it includes evaluation for more advanced treatment options, including: Heart transplant. Ventricular assist devices. Heart surgery. Continuous infusion of intravenous inotropic drugs. Palliative or hospice care.
Nutrition
Most people with heart failure are treated with medication. Often you'll need to take 2 or 3 different medicines. Some of the main medicines for heart failure include: ACE inhibitors angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) beta blockers mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists diuretics ivabradine sacubitril valsartan hydralazine with nitrate digoxin
What are some natural remedies for heart failure?
Surgical Options. When you're talking about treatment, if your heart failure is due to a bad valve or a blockage, obviously we work on that, too. That's where surgery, say a valve replacement or ...
What is the best medicine for heart failure?
Feb 09, 2021 · Here are some ways to help cope with heart disease or improve your condition: Cardiac rehabilitation. For people who have cardiovascular disease that's caused a heart attack or has required surgery... Support groups. Turning to friends and family for support is essential, but if you need more help, ...
What are the phases of treating heart failure?
Aug 22, 2020 · Among them: Eat a healthy diet. Limit your consumption of sodium (salt) to less than 1,500 milligrams (1 1/2 grams) each day. Eat... Exercise regularly. A regular cardiovascular exercise program, prescribed by your doctor, will help improve your... Don't overdo it. Plan your activities and include ...
What is the best diet for heart failure?
Dec 08, 2020 · Several different medications are typically used to treat heart disease and may need to be adjusted when CHF develops. Surgery may be recommended if there is a structural abnormality in the heart that can be repaired. A low-sodium diet can also be helpful. Most cases of left-sided CHF are treated with diuretics.
How long do you live after being diagnosed with heart failure?
Although there have been recent improvements in congestive heart failure treatment, researchers say the prognosis for people with the disease is still bleak, with about 50% having an average life expectancy of less than five years. For those with advanced forms of heart failure, nearly 90% die within one year.Jun 2, 2008
Can you recover from heart failure?
There is no cure for heart failure. Damage to your heart muscle may improve but will not go away. There are many causes of heart failure. Common causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, high blood pressure and cardiomyopathy.
What are the chances of surviving heart failure?
Survival rates in patients with heart failure were 75.9% (95% confidence interval 75.5% to 76.3%) at one year, 45.5% (45.1 to 46.0) at five years, 24.5% (23.9 to 25.0) at 10 years, and 12.7% (11.9 to 13.5) at 15 years. Table 3 shows survival rates by age and sex.Feb 13, 2019
What happens when you are diagnosed with heart failure?
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Blood often backs up and causes fluid to build up in the lungs (congest) and in the legs. The fluid buildup can cause shortness of breath and swelling of the legs and feet. Poor blood flow may cause the skin to appear blue (cyanotic).Dec 10, 2021
Is heart failure a death sentence?
Although it can be a severe disease, heart failure is not a death sentence, and treatment is now better than ever. When this happens, blood and fluid may back up into the lungs (congestive heart failure), and some parts of the body don't get enough oxygen-rich blood to work normally.Feb 15, 2021
What is the most common cause of heart failure?
The most common conditions that can lead to heart failure are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and previous heart attack. If you've been diagnosed with one of these conditions, it's critical that you manage it carefully to help prevent the onset of heart failure.May 31, 2017
What are the signs of worsening heart failure?
Signs of Worsening Heart FailureShortness of breath.Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.Weight gain of three or more pounds in one day.Weight gain of five pounds in one week.Unusual swelling in the legs, feet, hands, or abdomen.A persistent cough or chest congestion (the cough may be dry or hacking)More items...
What are the 4 stages of heart failure?
There are four heart failure stages (Stage A, B, C and D). The stages range from "high risk of developing heart failure" to "advanced heart failure."...Stage CShortness of breath.Feeling tired (fatigue).Less able to exercise.Weak legs.Waking up to urinate.Swollen feet, ankles, lower legs and abdomen (edema).Jan 21, 2022
Can you live a long life with heart failure?
It is possible to lead a normal life, even if you have Heart Failure. People who understand their condition make better decisions, live a longer life and feel better. How does a healthy heart work?
Is heart failure a terminal illness?
Over the last 10 years, there has been a realisation that heart failure (itself the final common pathway of several aetiologies such as hypertension, ischaemic and valvular heart disease, and cardiomyopathy) is a terminal illness....Other symptoms.DrugProblemSteroidsSame as for NSAIDs3 more rows
Is heart failure painful?
Abstract. Background: Patients with advanced heart failure (HF) have high rates of pain and other symptoms that diminish quality of life.
Does heart failure make you tired?
People with heart failure may feel constantly tired and have difficulty performing daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs or carrying groceries. Exercise intolerance and fatigue are often the most common symptoms of heart failure.
What is clinical trial?
Clinical trials. Clinical trials are scientific studies that determine if a possible new medical advance can help people and whether it has harmful side effects. Find answers to common questions about clinical trials in our Guide to Understanding Clinical Trials.
Can heart failure be cured?
Heart failure caused by damage to the heart that has developed over time can’t be cured. But it can be treated, quite often with strategies to improve symptoms. Successful treatment depends on your willingness to get involved in managing the condition.
What type of pacemaker is used for congestive heart failure?
Some congestive heart failure patients are candidates for a type of pacemaker called biventricular pacing therapy , which helps both sides of the heart work in concert, or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, which shocks the heart into converting a potentially fatal fast rhythm to a normal one.
What is the difference between a chest X-ray and a BNP blood test?
Chest X- ray: A picture of the heart, lungs and other chest structures that reveals whether the heart is enlarged or there are signs of lung damage. BNP blood test: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone that is a marker of severity and prognosis of heart failure. Echocardiogram: An ultrasound image of the heart.
Why are African Americans at increased risk of congestive heart failure?
Among their recent findings: African-Americans are at increased risk of congestive heart failure. This is due to diabetes and high blood pressure, rather than race alone.
How many people have congestive heart failure?
With or without treatment, heart failure is often and typically progressive, meaning it gradually gets worse. More than 5 million people in the United States have congestive heart failure. It’s the most common diagnosis in hospitalized patients over age 65. One in nine deaths has heart failure as a contributing cause.
What is congestive heart failure?
Dr. Steven Jones. Congestive heart failure (also called heart failure) is a serious condition in which the heart doesn’t pump blood as efficiently as it should . Despite its name, heart failure doesn’t mean that the heart has literally failed or is about to stop working. Rather, it means that the heart muscle has become less able to contract ...
Why does my heart beat so fast?
The heart beats faster to take less time for refilling after it contracts—but over the long run, less blood circulates, and the extra effort can cause heart palpitations . The heart also enlarges a bit to make room for the blood. The lungs fill with fluid, causing shortness of breath.
What is the difference between echocardiogram and Holter monitor?
It’s different from another test, a Doppler ultrasound, which gives a picture of blood flow to the heart and lungs. Holter monitor: A measurement of your heart’s electrical activity, taken by a portable device that you wear for a day or two.
What is the term for a heart muscle that is damaged by a virus?
Cardiomyopathy . Cardiomyopathy is a term that describes damage to and enlargement of the heart muscle not caused by problems with the coronary arteries or blood flow. Cardiomyopathy can occur due to many causes, including viruses, alcohol or drug abuse, smoking, genetics and pregnancy (peripartum cardiomyopathy).
What is the normal LVEF?
Normal Heart. A normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ranges from 55% to 70%. An LVEF of 65%, for example means that 65% of total amount of blood in the left ventricle is pumped out with each heartbeat. Your EF can go up and down, based on your heart condition and how well your treatment works.
Why can't the ventricles relax?
Because of this, the ventricles can't relax properly and fill up all the way. Because there's less blood in the ventricles, less blood is pumped out to the rest of the body when the heart contracts. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.
What is the EF of the left ventricle?
The left ventricle is the heart's main pumping chamber. Your EF is expressed as a percentage. An EF that is below normal can be a sign of heart failure. If you have heart failure and a lower-than-normal (reduced) EF (HF-rEF), your EF helps your doctor know how severe your condition is.
What does it mean when your blood pressure is high?
If you have high blood pressure, it means the pressure in your arteries is higher than normal. When blood pressure is high, your heart has to pump harder to move blood to the body.
What happens when your kidneys don't filter enough blood?
Swelling in your ankles, legs and abdomen; weight gain. When your kidneys don't filter enough blood, your body holds onto extra fluid and water.
Why is it important to know your EF?
If you have a heart condition, it is important for you and your doctor to know your EF. Your EF can help your doctor determine the best course of treatment for you. Measuring your EF also helps your healthcare team check how well our treatment is working. Ask your doctor how often you should have your EF checked.
What are the main medications for heart failure?
Some of the main medicines for heart failure include: ACE inhibitors. angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) beta blockers. mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. diuretics. ivabradine.
Why do you need a pacemaker?
You may need to have a pacemaker fitted if your heart beats too slowly. A pacemaker monitors your heart rate continuously, and sends electrical pulses to your heart to keep it beating regularly and at the right speed. The pacemaker is implanted under the skin by a cardiologist, usually under local anaesthetic.
What are some examples of ACE inhibitors?
Examples of ACE inhibitors include ramipril, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril and perindopril.
What are the side effects of taking a diuretic for heart failure?
Possible side effects of diuretics include dehydration and reduced levels of sodium and potassium in the blood.
How to reduce risk of heart failure?
You should be offered an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programme. Find out more about living with heart failure.
What are the side effects of beta blockers?
Possible side effects include dizziness, tiredness and blurred vision. But most people taking them have either no or very mild side effects that become less troublesome with time.
How often should a heart failure care plan be reviewed?
plans for managing your heart failure, including follow-up care, rehabilitation and access to social care. The care plan should be reviewed at least every 6 months by your GP.
Michael Balk, MD
We have important data that these comorbidities -- conditions that are present with another condition -- affect the survival rates of people with heart failure. If you treat the obesity, treat the sleep apnea, treat the high blood pressure, you're likely to live longer.
Different Paths
We break treatment down into categories. First, there's going to be the lifestyle modification category. Then there's the medication category. In particular, we use the term "Guideline Medical Therapy" to describe medications that have clearly been shown to improve survival, make people live longer, and lower the chances of hospitalization.
A Change in How You Live
Diet is so important. Of course, how much salt you eat is the big one. We have a sort of general limit of 1,500 milligrams of sodium that we want people on. Lowering the salt lowers the amount of fluid that stays inside your body, lowers blood pressure, and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood.
Finding the Right Medications
There are many types of medicines that doctors use to treat heart failure, including:
Surgical Options
When you're talking about treatment, if your heart failure is due to a bad valve or a blockage, obviously we work on that, too. That's where surgery, say a valve replacement or an angioplasty, will sometimes help.
Hope for Those With Heart Failure
Just in the last 30 years, there's been a fundamental change in how we approach heart failure, especially with respect to beta blockers. Seeing the heart work better … it used to blow our mind when we'd see an ejection fraction (a measurement of how well the heart is working) of 5 or 10%, something really bad.
Why is physical activity important?
Physical activity helps you achieve and maintain a healthy weight and control diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure — all risk factors for heart disease. If you have a heart arrhythmia or heart defect, there may be some restrictions on the activities you can do, so talk to your doctor.
What should your LDL be if you have diabetes?
If you're at very high risk of heart disease — if you've already had a heart attack or have diabetes, for example — aim for an LDL level below 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L). Keep diabetes under control. If you have diabetes, tight blood sugar control can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Exercise.
What is the recommended LDL level?
Most people should aim for a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level below 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 3.4 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). If you have other risk factors for heart disease, you should aim for an LDL level below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L).
What tests are needed to diagnose heart disease?
The tests you'll need to diagnose your heart disease depend on what condition your doctor thinks you might have. Besides blood tests and a chest X-ray, tests to diagnose heart disease can include: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). An ECG is a quick and painless test that records the electrical signals in your heart.
What is the noninvasive exam that shows how your heart beats and pumps blood?
Echocardiogram. This noninvasive exam uses sound waves to produce detailed images of your heart's structure. It shows how your heart beats and pumps blood. Stress test. This type of test involves raising your heart rate with exercise or medicine while performing heart tests and imaging to check how your heart responds.
How to help a heart attack?
Here are some ways to help cope with heart disease or improve your condition: Cardiac rehabilitation. For people who have cardiovascular disease that's caused a heart attack or has required surgery to correct, cardiac rehabilitation is often recommended as a way to improve treatment and speed recovery.
How much weight can I lose to prevent heart disease?
Being overweight increases your risk of heart disease. A body mass index (BMI) of less than 25 and a waist circumference of 35 inches (88.9 centimeters) or less is the goal for preventing and treating heart disease. Manage stress. Reduce stress as much as possible.
What is the purpose of stress test for congestive heart failure?
Stress Test. Noninvasive stress tests provide information about the likelihood of coronary artery disease. Other tests may be ordered, depending on your condition.
What is stage B in beta blockers?
Stage B. People diagnosed with systolic left ventricular dysfunction but who have never had symptoms of heart failure (pre-heart failure), including people with: Prior heart attack. Valve disease.
What causes heart failure?
Heart failure is caused by many conditions that damage the heart muscle, including: Coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease (CAD), a disease of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart, causes decreased blood flow to the heart muscle.
What are the questions asked in a heart failure test?
You’ll be asked if you smoke, take drugs, drink alcohol (and how much you drink), and about what drugs you take.
What tests can be done to determine if you have heart failure?
Your doctor may also order other tests to determine the cause and severity of your heart failure. These include: Blood tests.
Why is it important to keep your blood pressure controlled?
It's important to keep your blood pressure controlled so that your heart can pump more effectively without extra stress. Monitor your own symptoms.
What causes scarring in the heart?
A heart attack damages the heart muscle, resulting in a scarred area that doesn’t work the way it should. Cardiomyopathy. Damage to the heart muscle from causes other than artery or blood flow problems, such as from infections or alcohol or drug abuse. Conditions that overwork the heart.
What is the best treatment for left sided CHF?
A low-sodium diet can also be helpful. Most cases of left-sided CHF are treated with diuretics. Other heart medications may be used as well. In right-sided CHF, excess fluid may be manually removed, or "tapped," from the abdomen and/or chest cavity.
What tests are used to diagnose heart disease?
Diagnostic tests used to detect and monitor heart disease include the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), and thoracic radiographs (chest X-rays). Your vet will need to periodically repeat these tests to assess the severity of heart disease. Treatment of CHF is aimed at managing the underlying heart disease ...
Why does my dog's left sided CHF collapse?
Dogs with left-sided CHF may collapse because obstructed blood flow leads to low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, and decreased oxygen supply to the brain. Conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy, ...
What is the condition that can affect dogs, cats, and humans?
Congestive heart failure is a severe condition that can affect dogs, cats, and humans. CHF occurs as a complication of heart disease. Prompt treatment is necessary to relieve discomfort, ease breathing, and prevent death.
Why does my dog have difficulty breathing?
These dogs can experience difficulty breathing due to pressure around the lungs. Ascites causes a bloated appearance to the abdomen. The pressure in the abdomen can affect breathing, digestion, and organ function. Limb swelling (peripheral edema) may also be seen when a dog has right-sided CHF.
Why do dogs need chest taps?
These dogs often need regular taps of the fluid to maintain a good quality of life.
How does the heart work?
The heart is comprised of four chambers: the right atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium, and the left ventricle. There are valves between these chambers that regulate blood flow through the heart. In a normally functioning heart, the veins of the body deliver deoxygenated blood through the right atrium into ...
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Coping and Support
Specialist to consult
Preparing For Your Appointment
- To diagnose heart failure, your doctor will take a careful medical history, review your symptoms and perform a physical examination. Your doctor will also check to see if you have risk factors for heart failure, such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease or diabetes. Your doctor can …