Therapies For Heart Failure

Heart failure is actually a wide term which means your heart isn’t working exactly as it should. It usually happens when the heart has become too weak or stiff and ranges from a mild condition to the most advanced form of the disease occurring at any age but older people are more prone to heart failure.

Early treatment and therapies for heart failure is essential as it tends to gradually get worse over time. Getting high-quality treatment for all types of heart failure from the best cardiology hospital like MK Heart Clinic in Chennai helps you to live longer and lead a better quality of life.

Symptoms of Heart Failure

Detecting the symptoms of heart failure at any early stage is significant because it can develop quickly (acute heart failure) or it can increase gradually over weeks or months (chronic heart failure). Some of the symptoms which require therapies for heart failure include

Feeling exhausted over time
Dizziness or lightheaded
Breathlessness at rest or after activity
Swollen ankles and legs
Fast heart rate
Persistent cough

Causes of Heart Failure

Heart failure treatment with therapies for heart failure is essential when these conditions lead to or worsen heart failure that include

Obesity
Anaemia
Alcohol intake
Cardiomyopathy
High blood pressure
Coronary heart disease
Congenital heart disease
Heart palpitations
Damage or other problems with heart valves

Therapies for Heart Failure

Although heart failure is a crucial condition that progressively worsens over time, certain cases can be reversed with heart failure treatment. Even when the heart muscle is impaired, there are a number of therapies for heart failure that can relieve symptoms and slow or stop the gradual worsening of the condition.

The therapies for heart failure may depend on the type, cause, symptoms and severity of the disease. Sometimes more than one therapy is also used with an aim to achieve the goals like reducing or relieving symptoms, improving the quality of life, slowing off the disease progression, reducing hospitalization and aiding people to live longer.

The heart failure treatment may range from surgery or angioplasty to patients with coronary heart disease and also include medications prescribed by the Cardiologist to reduce the symptoms of the disease like dilate blood vessels, reduce water and sodium in the body to lessen workload to the heart and strengthen the heart’s pumping action.

Types of Medication for Heart Failure Treatment

Heart failure is often related to other types of heart conditions which limit the heart’s ability to pump blood. At MK Heart Clinic, we offer the most advanced heart care in various form of medications for therapies for heart failure to treat the causes of heart failure that include:

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors – To dilate or widen the arteries by improving the blood flow and counteract the action of certain compounds formed by the human body to regulate failure but at the same time it contributes disease progression.

Angiotensin-2 Receptor Blockers (ARBs) – These therapies for heart failure are used as an alternative to ACE inhibitors because it works in a similar way by reducing blood pressure and relaxing blood vessels.
Antiarrhythmic Drugs – Treat abnormal heart rhythms for heart failure treatment.
Beta Blockers – Lowers blood pressure and decreases and blocks the harmful hormones’ effect that can cause disease progression.
Diuretics or Water Pills – These therapies for heart failure help the kidneys to produce more urine and get rid of excess fluid from the body which can stress the heart.
Digoxin – Makes the heart beat slower and stronger and also regulates the heart’s rhythm of its contractions.
Hydralazine with Nitrate – Hydralazine when combined with nitrate can help relax and open up blood vessels. These therapies for heart failure are for patients who are unable to take ACE inhibitors or ARB.
Ivabradine – Helps to slow your heart down and is used as an alternative to beta blockers.
Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (MRAs) – These therapies for heart failure make you pass more urine, lowers blood pressure and reduces fluid around the heart but doesn’t reduce potassium levels.
Potassium and Magnesium Supplements – These are often prescribed with diuretics during therapies for heart failure to replace these minerals which are excreted in urine.

Surgical Options to Treat Heart Failures

Medicines are considered main for heart failure treatment but for some people surgery may help. Heart failure treatment usually depends on what’s causing it. Besides medications, MK Heart Clinic pinpoints the underlying cause and assess the heart function by providing various surgical options for patients with heart disease with certain therapies for heart failure that include:

CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) – During the bypass surgery of these therapies for heart failure, blood vessels are taken from another part of the body usually the leg and are attached to the clogged artery to make a detour around the blockage which is done through open-heart surgery but some can go for minimally invasive CABG.
Angioplasty – These therapies for heart failure include a thin flexible tube called a catheter which is inserted through a small incision in the neck or groin into a blood vessel. It has another procedure where a balloon is introduced and inflated through the catheter into the centre of the blocked blood vessel to remove blocked arteries.
Heart Reconstruction Procedures – These therapies for heart failure address the disease by reconstructing parts of the heart to normalize its shape and make it easier to receive the electric signals during the heart failure treatment to trigger heartbeats.
Heart Transplantation – It can be one of the best options while considering the therapies for heart failure because it treats most severe types of heart failure. But it is a complex procedure and is available only to a small number of people because of the shortage of donor hearts.
Implantation of Pacemakers and Other Devices – It is implanted under the skin of the patient by a Cardiologist in the therapies for heart failure to monitor the heart rate continuously and send electrical pulses to the heart to ensure the heartbeat is regular and at the right speed.
LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Devices) – The mechanical pumps are implanted in the chest to increase the heart pump. These therapies for heart failure can be used as a permanent treatment if a patient can’t have a heart transplant or also used as a temporary measure while waiting for a transplant.

Apart from these therapies for heart failure, there are several methods of heart failure treatment. But it is also important for the patient to have a healthy lifestyle, include a balanced diet, perform regular exercise and avoid smoking or intake of alcohol as it can help with the symptoms of the heart problems or disorders and reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill.

If you or your loved one wish to get a comprehensive treatment for complex diseases of the heart, blood vessels and circulatory systems, MK Heart Clinic would be the right choice as it is one of the leading cardiovascular care centers in Chennai offering patients the most advanced heart failure treatment with therapies for heart failure besides dealing with a broad range of cardiovascular conditions using the state-of-the-art technology.

Heart Failure Treatment Guideline

The heart failure treatment guidelines developed by leading medical organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) provide a roadmap for healthcare professionals to ensure consistent and evidence-based care for heart failure patients. These guidelines recommend a multi-faceted approach to treatment that includes pharmacologic therapies, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, surgical interventions.

1. Pharmacologic Therapy

The cornerstone of heart failure treatment guidelines is the use of medications to alleviate symptoms and improve heart function. Some of the most commonly prescribed medications include:

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: These drugs help relax blood vessels, reduce strain on the heart, and lower blood pressure.
Beta-blockers: These medications help to slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure, improving the heart’s ability to pump blood.
Diuretics: Often prescribed to reduce fluid buildup, which can relieve symptoms like swelling and shortness of breath.
Aldosterone antagonists: These drugs help prevent salt and water retention, which can worsen heart failure.
ARNI (Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitors): A newer class of drugs that combines two mechanisms to help relax blood vessels and reduce heart strain.

2. Lifestyle Changes

While medications play a significant role in heart failure management, lifestyle modifications are equally important. Patients are encouraged to adopt heart-healthy habits, including:

A low-sodium diet: Reducing salt intake can help manage fluid retention, a common problem in heart failure.
Regular physical activity: Gradual, supervised exercise can help strengthen the heart and improve overall well-being.
Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight can ease the burden on the heart and reduce complications.

3. Surgical and Device-Based Therapies

In more severe cases of heart failure, surgical options may be considered. These include heart transplantation, ventricular assist devices (VADs), and, in some cases, surgeries to repair or replace damaged heart valves. Additionally, implantable devices like pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may be recommended to regulate heart rhythm and prevent sudden cardiac arrest.

Heart Failure Treatment in Elderly

Heart failure treatment in elderly patients requires special consideration due to the presence of comorbidities, age-related physiological changes, and the increased risk of complications. The treatment approach in this demographic must be personalized and carefully managed to minimize risks.

1. Medication Adjustments

Elderly patients often have multiple chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, which require careful medication management. Heart failure treatment in elderly individuals may involve adjusting doses or selecting medications that are less likely to cause side effects, such as dizziness, kidney problems, or interactions with other drugs.

Low doses of ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers are commonly started to avoid exacerbating side effects.
Diuretics may need to be used cautiously to avoid electrolyte imbalances or dehydration in older adults.

2. Managing Comorbidities

In elderly individuals, heart failure is often accompanied by other health conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or arthritis. A comprehensive treatment plan will address these comorbidities to ensure the best possible outcome. For example, managing diabetes carefully is essential for elderly heart failure patients to avoid complications.

3. Frailty Considerations

Frailty is a significant concern in elderly patients with heart failure. It can limit the ability to undergo aggressive treatments like surgery or intense exercise regimens. In these cases, heart failure treatment in elderly patients often focuses on improving quality of life through symptom management and reducing hospital admissions. This may involve:

Palliative care: In some cases, focusing on symptom control and enhancing comfort is prioritized, especially when heart failure is advanced and other treatments are not feasible.
Caregiver support: Providing family members or caregivers with the tools and knowledge they need to help manage the patient’s condition.

4. Exercise and Physical Therapy

While elderly patients may not be able to engage in intense physical activity, supervised and tailored exercise programs are beneficial in managing heart failure symptoms. Physical therapy can help improve mobility, balance, and endurance while reducing the risks of hospital readmission.

Conclusion

Effective management of heart failure requires a comprehensive approach, including medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes advanced therapies or surgeries. Personalized treatment plans, guided by the latest therapies for heart failure, ensure optimal care. Adjusting treatments based on age and individual health is crucial, especially for the elderly. With the guidance of experts like Dr. M Kathiresan, individuals can lead healthier lives, minimizing complications and hospitalizations. Proper care is key to achieving the best outcomes in managing heart failure.