Heart failure is a chronic condition with no cure, but treatment can help relieve symptoms and slow disease progression. A tailored approach—based on the type and severity of heart failure, underlying conditions, and individual patient needs—often includes lifestyle changes, medications, and advanced procedures.

Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Doctors recommend many of the same lifestyle changes for both preventing and managing heart failure. These include:

✔️ Reducing Sodium Intake: Excess salt can lead to fluid retention, worsening symptoms.
✔️ Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Losing extra weight can ease the burden on the heart.
✔️ Staying Active: Exercise strengthens the heart. A cardiac rehabilitation program may be recommended.
✔️ Quitting Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels and increases the risk of complications. Call 1-877-448-7848 for free smoking cessation help.
✔️ Limiting Alcohol and Caffeine: These substances may worsen heart rhythm irregularities.
✔️ Managing Stress: Relaxation techniques, therapy, and support groups can help.
✔️ Improving Sleep: Sleep apnea and other disorders are common in heart failure patients. Treating them may improve symptoms.
✔️ Managing Underlying Conditions: Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes can slow disease progression.

Medications for Heart Failure

Most people with heart failure require a combination of medications. The exact prescription depends on the type of heart failure and symptom severity.

Common Medications:

• ACE Inhibitors & ARBs: Help relax blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump.
• Beta Blockers: Slow the heart rate and improve function over time.
• Diuretics & Aldosterone Antagonists: Remove excess fluid and sodium to reduce strain on the heart.
• Vasodilators: Expand blood vessels to ease circulation and lower blood pressure.
• Digoxin: Strengthens heart contractions. Used for severe cases when other treatments fail.
• SGLT-2 Inhibitors & GLP-1 Agonists: Originally for diabetes, these medications can help reduce heart failure hospitalizations.
• Anticoagulants & Antiplatelets: Reduce the risk of blood clots.
• Ivabradine: Helps slow the heart rate in patients with persistent symptoms.
• Sacubitril/Valsartan: A newer combination drug that improves heart function.
• Tranquilizers: Sometimes used to reduce anxiety associated with heart failure.

Patients may need to try different combinations to find the most effective treatment with minimal side effects. It’s crucial to take prescribed medications consistently, even when symptoms improve.

Medical Devices & Surgical Procedures

For severe heart failure cases, medical procedures or devices may be required to improve heart function and prevent complications.

Implanted Devices:

• Pacemakers: Help maintain a normal heart rhythm when the heart beats too slowly.
• Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT): A specialized pacemaker that coordinates contractions in the heart’s ventricles.
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs): Monitor heart rhythms and deliver electrical shocks if life-threatening arrhythmias occur.
• CRT-D (Combination of CRT & ICD): A device for patients needing both resynchronization and defibrillation.
• Pulmonary Artery Pressure Sensors: Monitor pressure changes to guide treatment adjustments and reduce hospitalizations.

Surgical Interventions:

• Heart Valve Surgery: Repairs or replaces damaged heart valves to improve blood flow.
• Coronary Angioplasty & Bypass Surgery: Opens or reroutes blocked arteries to improve circulation.
• Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs): Mechanical pumps that help the heart circulate blood.
• Heart Transplant: A last resort for severe heart failure when other treatments fail. Success rates are about 88% after one year and 75% after five years.

Emerging Treatments

• Electrical Muscle Stimulation: Used to strengthen muscles in patients unable to exercise.
• New Drug Therapies: Ongoing research is developing innovative medications to improve heart failure outcomes.

Managing Heart Failure for a Healthier Life

While heart failure is a serious condition, advancements in treatment offer hope. By following a comprehensive care plan—including lifestyle modifications, medications, and potential medical procedures—patients can improve their quality of life and manage symptoms effectively. If you or a loved one has heart failure, work closely with your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment strategy.

Dr. Bobish

Dr. Bobish and her team’s goal is to help you reduce your risk of heart disease. Helping you to understand your risk factors and make healthful lifestyle changes.

Remember regardless of age or current state of health it is never too late to start protecting your heart. It is also never too soon and the sooner you act the better. Follow us on Facebook to see our latest post helping to keep you heart healthy. You can also explore all our articles that offer diet and exercise tips, recipes and information on procedures and heart disease.

Dr. Bobish and her team focus on preventative care and are here to support you. Alpine Cardiology provides patients with education as well as compassionate care and treatment. We are committed to keeping you healthy and heart smart! Request an appointment at 989-448-7002