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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Heart Failure Treatments
Introduction
Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently to meet the body's needs. It can result from various underlying conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, or previous heart attacks. Treatment aims to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce mortality.
Treatment Approaches
1. Lifestyle Modifications
- Dietary Changes: Low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention.
- Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce heart strain.
- Exercise: Moderate physical activity as recommended by a cardiologist.
- Smoking and Alcohol Reduction: Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol consumption.
2. Medications
Several classes of drugs are used to manage HF: - ACE Inhibitors & ARBs: Help relax blood vessels and reduce blood pressure. - Beta-Blockers: Slow the heart rate and improve heart function. - Diuretics: Help remove excess fluid, reducing swelling and breathlessness. - Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (MRAs): Reduce fluid buildup and improve survival. - SGLT2 Inhibitors: Originally for diabetes, now proven to benefit HF patients.
3. Medical Devices
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD): Prevents life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT): Improves heart efficiency in certain patients.
4. Advanced Therapies
- Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS): Used for severe cases awaiting transplant.
- Heart Transplantation: Considered in end-stage heart failure when other treatments fail.
Conclusion
Heart failure is a progressive condition, but with proper treatment, patients can have an improved quality of life. Regular follow-ups with a cardiologist are essential to monitor and adjust treatments as needed.
Source recommendations
1. 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35378257/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109721083959
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2022-guideline-for-the-management-of-heart-failure
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109721083947
2. 2021 ESC Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34447992/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-and-Chronic-Heart-Failure
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/36/3599/6358045
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ejhf.2333
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/37/3627/7246292
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.