Heart failure is a common heart disease that occurs when the patient's cardiac function declines. As a result, the heart will be unable to pump blood effectively, causing poor blood circulation and impacting overall health. Heart failure can happen on its own or as a complication of other heart diseases. Once patients develop heart failure, it can seriously affect their quality of life and even shorten their lifespan.

Cardiovascular diseases (e.g., myocardial infarction, inflammation, cardiomyopathy, hemodynamic overload) can lead to a decline in the ventricles’ pumping function and other cardiac functions, ultimately resulting in heart failure. Apart from underlying cardiovascular diseases, other factors like respiratory infections, tachyarrhythmia, medication side effects, excessive physical activity, anger, and heart overload can also cause heart failure.

Major symptoms of heart failure

-Coughing

-Chest pressure

-Swollen lower limbs

-Fatigue and trouble breathing

-Loss of appetite

-Irregular heartbeat

-Brain hypoxia, leading to impaired memory, anxiety, and dizziness

Treatment of heart failure

Medication

Medications are currently the preferred method for treating heart failure, as they can effectively control the condition and improve the lives of heart failure patients. Commonly used medications such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics can lower blood pressure, reduce the burden on the heart, and promote urination, hence relieving heart failure symptoms.

Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive treatment method that combines exercise, nutrition, psychology, education and more to help patients improve their physical health, strengthen their bodies, and boost their mental well-being. The core of cardiac rehabilitation is exercising moderately to improve the endurance and function of the heart, ease the burden on the heart, and alleviate heart failure symptoms. Plus, a nutritious diet and emotional support can also help patients better cope with their illness and improve their quality of life.

Pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are effective methods for treating heart failure. They can regulate the heart's rhythm and contractions through electrical signals, thereby improving heart failure symptoms. Pacemakers are mainly used to treat arrhythmias and help the heart maintain a normal rhythm, while defibrillators are mainly used to treat severe arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia by delivering electric shocks to restore normal heart rhythm. Although these two devices are effective in treating heart failure, they also carry certain risks and should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

Heart transplant

For severe heart failure patients who cannot control their condition through medication or other methods, a heart transplant is their last resort. A heart transplant is a complex and risky surgery that requires a suitable donor heart. After the surgery, patients have to take antirejection drugs for their lifetime. Therefore, a heart transplant is generally considered only when other treatments are ineffective.

Points to note for heart failure patients

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Heart failure patients need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, controlling weight, avoiding overworking, and getting good sleep. These habits can help reduce the burden on the heart, relieve heart failure symptoms, and prevent the occurrence of other cardiovascular diseases.

Treat complications actively

Heart failure often comes with other conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, etc. It's important to actively treat these complications to prevent the condition from worsening.

Regular follow-up appointments

Heart failure patients should always pay attention to changes in their symptoms and make regular follow-up appointments at the hospital. This facilitates timely adjustment of treatment plans and monitoring of changes in their condition.

Heart failure has a relatively slow progression, but it is still a disease that poses a significant threat to the patient's life. Although it cannot be completely cured, if patients receive early and strict management of their condition and actively follow the doctor's instructions, they can effectively delay the decline of heart function.

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