5 Crucial Questions on Heart Failure
Whether you are at risk of heart failure or just taking precautions, it is essential to be aware of the threat posed by heart problems. It is no longer news that heart-related diseases are the number one cause of death among males and females in the United States. It is also among the most dreadful diseases everywhere in the world. Among all heart-related diseases, heart failure is the fastest killer. Therefore, it will be an excellent and beneficial decision to take all precautions to avoid this ailment. If you are at a high risk of heart problems, you have more reasons to be curious about the causes, prevention, and treatment of this condition. This article will discuss five vital questions everyone should curiously ask about heart failure.
#1 What causes heart failure?
The primary function of the heart is to pump blood. Heart failure is the inability of the heart to perform this function effectively. The following can lead to it:
Coronary Artery Disease:
Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart failure. The coronary artery takes oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the heart. If there is damage to the inner wall of this artery or the cholesterol in the blood is too high, there can be deposits of plaques in the coronary artery. This will cause narrowing of the arteries and decreased blood flow, resulting in a reduced supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart, and consequently a heart attack, which may later lead to heart failure.
High Blood Pressure:
High blood pressure means the heart is using more energy to pump blood. This consequently weakens the heart. If the condition is allowed to stand for a long time, the heart may become too weak to function appropriately. This may lead to heart failure.
Inflammation:
Some viruses can cause inflammation of the heart. This condition is called myocarditis. If it is not treated early, it can lead to heart muscle damage, arrhythmias and failure of the left side of the heart and rarely the right side of the heart.
Damaged Valves:
heart valves control the direction of flow of the blood. If one or more of these valves become damaged, the heart may have to do extra work. This will weaken the heart and may make it fail eventually.
Cardiomyopathy:
Cardiomyopathy is a condition in which part of the heart muscle is damaged. This may be due to infections, drug abuse, medication, or alcoholism. If the heart muscle is severely damaged, then the heart may fail.
Chronic Diseases:
Chronic diseases like HIV, COVID-19, and diabetes may lead to heart failure.
Genetic causes:
Unfortunately, some people were born with heart defects, also known as congenital heart diseases (CHD). If some parts of the heart are not working correctly, that will put a burden on the parts that are fine. Over the years, those parts may get weakened, leading to heart failure. Some cases of cardiomyopathy are also genetic.
#2 What Can I do to lower the risk of developing heart failure?
The primary cause of heart failure is coronary artery disease. Unfortunately, this condition develops over a long period. Therefore, precaution against it and other heart failure causes should be taken all the time. The following actions can lower your risk of developing the disease :
Healthy lifestyle:
The best way to lower the risk of heart failure is to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Alcoholism, smoking, and drug abuse can cause damage to the coronary artery; hence, they must be avoided. You must also eat a balanced and healthy diet and have adequate sleep.
Exercise Regularly:
Regular exercise is good for the heart. You must exercise regularly and avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
Avoid high cholesterol intake:
High levels of bad cholesterol in the blood can also cause heart failure. Therefore ensure you limit your consumption of food that has a high level of cholesterol.
Watch Your Weight:
Being obese can increase the risk of diabetes and hypertension, thereby increasing the risk of heart failure.
Treat High Blood Pressure As Soon As Possible:
If high blood pressure is left untreated, it can cause heart failure, therefore, treat it as soon as it is discovered.
Avoid Stress:
Too much stress may put pressure on the heart. Therefore, manage stress properly.
Use Proper Medication:
If you discover any heart problem or issues related to the circulatory system, use the proper medications prescribed by medical experts as soon as possible. Drugs can also be used to manage stress and other risk factors.
#3 How can heart failure be treated?
Treatment of heart failure depends on the severity of the condition. Unfortunately, most cases of heart failure are critical. The earlier heart failure is treated, the higher the chance of successful treatment. The following are the possible ways of treating heart failure:
Medication:
Medications can be taken to relieve the symptoms of heart failure and prevent it from becoming more critical. The drug can also reverse some underlying conditions. Medication can be taken to reduce blood cholesterol levels, blood clots and to enhance the blood pumping power of the heart.
Coronary Bypass Surgery:
If heart failure is caused by coronary artery disease, the doctor may attach a new artery so that the blood will bypass the damaged artery and pass through the new artery.
Angioplasty:
This involves putting a stent in a blocked coronary artery to open it so that blood can flow properly in it. This medical procedure is also called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Heart Transplant:
A heart transplant is usually the last option when other treatments fail or are simply inadequate. In this case, the damaged heart is removed and replaced by a healthy heart from a donor.
#4 What to do if I am diagnosed with heart failure?
The first thing is to talk with your doctor. He will tell you more about your condition, how severe it is, and the best treatment options. He will also advise you on the lifestyle changes that will be best for you. You should start treatment immediately and adopt the new lifestyle recommended by the doctor. If you need further tests or periodical tests, make sure you do them at the appropriate time. The worst case of is when you need a heart transplant. In that case, your doctor will have to put you on the waiting list for a heart donation. While you wait, you will be placed on medications that will relieve your symptoms. You can also join a support group to help cope with the emotional distress usually associated with the condition.
#5 How does heart failure affect my daily activities
If you are diagnosed with heart failure, you may be worried about how it will affect your daily activities while undergoing treatment or waiting for a heart donor. For instance, many patients are unsure if it is safe for them to have sex, get involved in rigorous exercise, or drive a car. It is essential to seek your doctor’s opinion before embarking on any activity that can strain you. However, except if you are at a critical stage, you will be able to do most of your usual daily activities. Many patients can safely engage in sexual activities, although some of the medications used in treating the condition may affect sexual performance. You can also drive a vehicle successfully if you are not under the influence of the side effects of any medication and also if your symptoms don’t hinder you from driving.
We Can Help you
Although heart failure is a critical condition, you can cope with it. With proper treatment and support, you can live an enjoyable life. If you live with any heart disease and need medical or emotional assistance, we can help you. We have a team of medical professionals that specialize in heart-related cases. Therefore, stop suffering in silence. Contact us today, and we will give you all the support you need to overcome the predicament.
Conclusion
Heart failure is one of the leading causes of death globally. We discussed five crucial questions that everybody should seek answers to regarding this deadly disease. Also, we talked about comprehensive answers to the questions. We believe it will help every individual to understand how to ensure proper heart health and live healthily.
