Treating Heart Failure

Importance of Treatment

The common Symptoms of Heart Failure, such as breathlessness, swelling (oedema) and fatigue, can make it difficult to live a normal life.

Most people have symptoms that can be controlled with medical treatment for long periods of time. Others have severe symptoms that may require surgery or even a heart transplant.

Heart failure is a life-threatening condition and can lead to sudden death, so it is important that you get the right treatment.

Effective treatment for heart failure has the following benefits:

It can help make the heart stronger
It should improve symptoms
It reduces the risk of a flare-up or worsening of symptoms
It should allow you to live a longer and fuller life

Finding The Right Treatments

For most people, heart failure is a long-term condition that cannot be cured.

However, in cases where there is a specific cause of heart failure, such as damaged valves, surgery may be possible to replace the valves.

People with an abnormal heart rhythm may be able to have treatment, such as a pacemaker, to correct the problem.

In most cases of heart failure, the aim is to find a combination of treatments involving lifestyle changes, medicines, devices, or surgery that will help the heart pump properly.

Treatment will usually need to continue for the rest of your life. You and your doctor will need to work together to find a balance of effective treatments that you can manage in the long term so you have the best quality of life possible.

It is important that you tell your doctor if familiar symptoms, such as fatigue or breathlessness, recur or worsen. Your treatment may need changing. Your doctor will review your treatment regularly to ensure it is working properly.

Heart failure increases the risk of developing other dangerous conditions, such as stroke, heart attack, and blood clots in the leg veins and lungs (thrombosis). Treatment for heart failure aims to reduce the risk for all these conditions.

If you have been diagnosed with heart failure, you can reduce your risk of further episodes by making simple lifestyle changes.
Stopping smoking (if you smoke) will quickly reduce your risk of having a heart attack to near that of a non-smoker.
Other lifestyle changes – such as eating healthily, moderating your alcohol and salt intake, and taking regular exercise – will also improve your symptoms and reduce the pressure on your heart. Read more about lifestyle changes and Preventing Heart Failure.

Rehabilitation Programmes

You may be given an opportunity to attend a heart failure rehabilitation programme. These programmes vary widely throughout the country, but most will cover basic areas, including:

Exercise
Education
Relaxation and emotional support

After completing your rehabilitation programme, it is important that you continue to take regular exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle to protect your heart and reduce the risk of further heart-related problems.

Source: NHS UK

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Heart-failure/Pages/Treatment.aspx