Follow your health care provider's treatment recommendations and take all medications as directed.
Keep your blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol under control as recommended by your doctor. This may involve exercise, a special diet, and medications.
Other important treatment measures :
- Do not smoke.
- Do not drink alcohol.
- Reduce salt intake.
- Exercise as recommended by your health care provider.
Your doctor may consider prescribing the following medications :
- ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, and ramipril to open up blood vessels and decrease the work load of the heart
- Diuretics including thiazide, loop diuretics, and potassium-sparing diuretics to help rid your body of fluid and sodium
- Digitalis glycosides to increase the ability of the heart muscle to contract properly and help treat some heart rhythm disturbances
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as losartan and candesartan to reduce the workload of the heart; this class of drug is especially important for those who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors
- Beta-blockers such as such as carvedilol and metoprolol, which are particularly useful for those with a history of coronary artery disease
If you have sudden (acute) heart failure, you may be admitted to the hospital. Treatment may involve :
- Oxygen
- Medicines given through a vein, including dobutamine or milrinone, which help the heart pump blood
- A medication called nesiritide (Natrecor) to help dilate blood vessels
Swan-Ganz catheterization may be needed in some cases. If excessive fluid has gathered around the sac surrounding the heart (pericardium), pericardiocentesis will be done.
Severe heart failure may require the following treatments :
- Thoracentesis to remove excess fluid
- Implanted devices such as the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and the left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
These devices can be life-saving, but they are not permanent solutions. Patients who become dependent on circulatory support will need a heart transplant.
Heart failure symptoms may be improved with biventricular pacemaker or cardiac resynchronization therapy. Ask your provider if you are a candidate for this type of treatment.
