How To Prevent Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure can be the ultimate result of a number of diseases, or lifestyle choices, that damage the heart. Some of these can be prevented. Others cannot be prevented but can be treated successfully.

Exercise like jogging can
prevent CHF

Some examples of illnesses or lifestyle choices that can lead to congestive heart failure are as follows:

Coronary heart disease (coronary artery disease), including heart attack

·         Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)

·         Uncontrolled high cholesterol

·         Diabetes

·         Congenital heart disease (a heart condition that one is born with)

·         Infection (particularly some common viruses that can rarely severely affect the heart and cannot be reliably predicted or prevented)

·         Damage to the heart valves (possibly from IV drug use)

·         Alcoholism

·         Smoking

In some cases, a family history of heart failure can be present. Many cases are a combination of factors, and in other cases, the cause is unknown.

If you have congestive heart failure, you are at increased risk of developing pneumonia. You probably should receive both the pneumonia vaccination and annual flu shots. Ask your health care provider to be sure.

source: emedicinehealth

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Medical Therapy of Congestive Heart Failure

This article is continuation of my previous article, Non-Medical Therapy of Congestive Heart Failure

Surgery

Heart valve repair or replacement. Cardiologists may recommend heart valve repair or replacement surgery to treat an underlying condition that led to congestive heart failure. Heart valve surgery may relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Coronary bypass surgery. Cardiologists may recommend coronary bypass surgery to treat your congestive heart failure if your disease results from severely narrowed coronary arteries.

Heart transplant. Some people who have severe congestive heart failure may need a heart transplant.

Myectomy. In a myectomy, the surgeon removes part of the overgrown septal muscle in your heart to decrease the blockage that occurs in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Surgeons may perform myectomy when medication no longer relieves your symptoms.

Medical devices

Ventricular assist device

Ventriculaar Assist Device

Ventricular assist device (VAD). When your weakened heart needs help pumping blood, surgeons may implant a VAD into your abdomen and attach it to your heart. These mechanical heart pumps can be used either as a "bridge" to heart transplant or as permanent therapy for people who aren't candidates for a transplant. Mayo Clinic offers VADs to many people who may have no other options.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy device

Cardiac resynchronization therapy device

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device (biventricular cardiac pacemaker). A cardiac resynchronization therapy device (biventricular cardiac heart pacemaker) sends specifically timed electrical impulses to your heart's lower chambers. CRTs are suitable for people who have moderate to severe congestive heart failure and abnormal electrical conduction in the heart.

Internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD). Doctors implant ICDs under the skin to monitor and treat fast or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), which occur in some people who have heart failure. The ICD sends electrical signals to your heart if it detects a high or abnormal rhythm to shock your heart into beating more slowly and pumping more effectively.

Source: mayoclinic.org

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