How To Treat Heart Failure

Heart failure, which is sometimes referred to as congestive heart failure, is a chronic progressive condition where the heart muscle cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. Overall, the heart is unable to keep up with its normal workload. The human body depends on the heart’s pumping ability to carry oxygen and blood rich in nutrients to the body cells. When the body cells are nourished properly, the body can then function normally. Heart failure often develops because of other conditions that damage the heart or when the heart has become too stiff (the main pumping chambers of the heart become too stiff and do not fill properly between beats). Start reading now to understand the major ways in which heart failure can be treated.

Medication

Heart failure patients may need several treatments as each one treats different symptoms and comes with its own instructions. Some of these therapies are given depending on the severity of the condition. These include treatments that help reduce chest pains, pressure caused by blockages in the hearts arteries, and provides blood pressure support that helps increase the blood pressure when it’s low. The methods used include vasodilators to aid in widening the blood vessels, antihypertensive medication, diuretics to remove excess water and salt through increased urine production, ACE inhibitors to relax the heart vessels and lower the blood pressure and prevent the patient from having kidney damage related to diabetes. Beta blockers are also used to slow the rate at which the heart is beating and lower blood pressure. Dietary supplements are also used and can either work alone or alongside other therapies to promote the patient's overall health.

Surgery

Surgery is the medical procedure done to rectify heart injuries or disorders by incision or manipulation. In heart failure patients, it is aimed at stopping further damage to the heart and improving the heart’s function. Most patients with heart failure do not require this procedure, and hence it is not used as a common remedy for the condition and is instead treated with medication. It is only pursued when doctors think it will improve a problem with the heart valves or the supply of blood to the heart, and only done if the heart of the patient is strong enough. Mostly, it does not cure heart failures but improves the condition. Surgery done to improve heart failure is a coronary artery bypass graft, which is done to improve blood flow to the heart. A valve replacement is performed to replace certain heart valves. Doctors may also recommend a heart transplant in serious cases. The success or failure of heart surgery depends on the team of experts and the kind of facilities provided by the hospitals. If it is successful, heart surgery can relieve symptoms and prolong the patient's life.