Heart Failure Treatment Options
Medication
Most people with heart failure need to take several medications. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to:
- Help keep heart failure from getting worse. These may include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, and vasodilators like hydralazine and nitroglycerin.
- Reduce symptoms so you feel better. These include diuretics (water pills) digoxin, and/or potassium.
- Treat the problem that caused your heart failure.
Lifestyle Modification
Lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment. They can help slow down the disease. Some of the changes recommended may be:
- Eat less salt to reduce water retention. Possibly reduce fluid intake
- Get regular exercise. Consult physician before starting any exercise plan.
- Take rest breaks during the day
- Lose weight if you are overweight.
- Stop smoking to reduce heart damage and increase the ability to exercise.
- Limit alcohol
Circulatory Support Device
Patients with advanced heart failure may require an Artificial Heart or Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices, sometimes referred to as Ventricular or Heart Assist Device. They are designed to provide short or long term cardiac support for patients whose hearts are to damaged or diseased to provide adequate blood flow. Please see the Mechanical Circulatory Support Device page for more information.
Heart Transplant
For patients with severe progressive heart failure, a heart transplant may be the best option. Please see the Heart Transplant page for more information.
