Being a chronic, progressive disease, congestive heart failure requires constant management. With the right medications and treatment methods, its symptoms can improve and the heart may become stronger. This reduces the chances of an early death due to the condition and also improves the quality of life of the patient.
Treatment methods involve the use of one or a combination of medications such as blood-thinning medication, a statin to lower cholesterol, and nitrates for chest pain. One’s medical provider will adjust the concentration of the medications as required and if the condition worsens, different approaches to treatment are looked into. In this condition, doctors also try and correct the underlying cause of heart failure such as arrhythmia or a malfunctioning valve. One of the most important things for patients with congestive heart failure is to have firm control over their diet and lifestyle since this plays a huge role in improving their overall health. As the disease cannot be fully cured, one’s best option is to manage it.
Congestive heart failure is diagnosed by carrying out various tests such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, MRI scan, stress test, blood test, and cardiac catheterization. These enable the doctor to know the stage of the disease and gives them an idea of how to carry out the treatment.
The treatments for congestive heart failure depend on how far the condition has progressed and the overall health of the patient. In many cases, individuals cannot withstand the risks and side-effects of certain medications and surgeries.
Surgical treatments for congestive heart failure
Aside from treatments for congestive heart failure such as diuretics, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors, the disease can also be treated via surgeries. Given below are certain surgical treatments for the condition.
- Heart transplant is the last resort and is opted for when the patient does not respond to any therapy but their overall health is stable and they can undergo the surgery.
- LVAD or implantable left ventricular assist device is another method for a congestive heart failure patient who does not respond to other treatments and are hospitalized due to systolic heart failure. This device helps the heart pump blood in the body and allows one to remain movable until heart transplant.
- Heart valve surgery is for diseased heart valves which can be treated surgically and non-surgically. It can also be called balloon valvuloplasty.
- Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is the most common surgery for congestive heart failure, but it is a risky treatment method.
Medications to be avoided by patients with congestive heart failure
The following list of medications increases the chance of congestive heart failure worsening and must not be taken by its patients unless explicitly advised by the doctor.
- Avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for fever, aches, and pains.
- Avoid antiarrhythmic agents
- Avoid calcium channel blockers in the case of systolic heart failure.
- Avoid supplements for nutrition, salt and growth hormones
- Avoid salt-containing antacid
- Avoid decongestants
