Living with heart failure symptoms, testing and treatment
May 17, 2023By: Noor Subah, MD
Categories: Heart Care
Heart failure affects millions of Americans. Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood and oxygen to the body’s organs. There are two types of heart failure:
- Systolic - the heart has trouble pumping blood out efficiently.
- Diastolic - the heart has trouble relaxing to let blood in.
You may have also heard of the term congestive heart failure.
“Congestive heart failure is more of an older term,” said Dr. Subah. “It referred to patients with symptoms of volume overload, such as shortness of breath or swelling in the legs.”
Symptoms of heart failure
Heart failure symptoms include:
- Fatigue.
- Inability to lay flat on your back.
- Swelling in the lower extremities.
- Shortness of breath.
Swelling can take a couple of days to notice and does not improve upon raising your feet. Seek treatment if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Risk factors of heart failure
Risk factors for heart disease can include:
- Age.
- Coronary heart disease.
- Diabetes.
- Heart rhythm problems.
- Illicit drug use.
- Sleep apnea.
- Viral illness like COVID-19.
Leaving pre-existing health conditions untreated raises the risk for heart failure. Following your treatment plans for the above conditions can help lower your risk.
Treatment for heart failure
To diagnose heart failure, your provider may issue a variety of tests, including an echocardiogram, which measures how well the heart is pumping and relaxing while looking for abnormalities. Other tests include CT scans, cardiac MRIs and lab testing, such as thyroid and lipid panels.
After a diagnosis, your cardiologist will prescribe medications. Treatment can include diuretics to remove excess fluid and heart failure medication to improve blood flow. While heart function improves under treatment, you will always be at risk for heart failure.
“You need to always follow your medication directions, even once you start feeling better,” says Dr. Subah.
Life changes after heart failure
Managing heart failure requires lifestyle change, like:
- Regular visits to your cardiologist.
- Finding a safe level of physical activity that is approved by your health care provider.
- Following a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
- Moderate salt and water intake.
“We notice patients really struggle to control their salt and water intake around the holidays,” Dr. Subah says. “It’s understandable. It can be hard to stay away from holiday foods, but patients with heart failure must be more cautious with their diet.”
By making these small lifestyle changes you will be treating any underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
