How to Deal With Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure is a condition where your heart is unable to pump enough blood to your body. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), roughly 5.7 million Americans suffer from congestive heart failure. While congestive heart failure is a lifelong condition, it can be improved with treatment.

Instructions

• 1

  Change your diet. A healthy diet can improve your condition and prevent it from worsening. According to the AHA, a healthy diet includes vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean meats, lean poultry and fish (twice per week). A healthy diet is also low in saturated fats, cholesterol, salt and other forms of sodium.

• 2

  Begin an exercise routine. Exercise can strengthen your heart and reduce the symptoms associated with heart disease. According to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, aerobic exercise is the best exercise for your heart. Aerobic exercise can decrease your heart rate and blood pressure and improve your breathing. Examples of aerobic exercise include walking, jogging, cycling and cross-country skiing. Consult with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

• 3

  Consider medication. Certain medications can reduce the symptoms associated with congestive heart failure. These medications include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, digoxin, beta blockers, diuretics and aldosterone antagonists. Often, an individual with congestive heart failure will be prescribed a combination of these medications.

• 4

  Consider surgery. Depending on your specific condition, surgery may be an option to treat your heart failure. One of the more common surgical options involves an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). An ICD is implanted under the skin and attached to the heart with wires. The ICD regulates the heart rhythm through the use of small electrical shocks. Another common surgery involves implanting a pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses to different parts of the heart in order to ensure that the heart pumps in a synchronized and efficient manner. In some more serious cases, an individual with congestive heart failure may need to have his entire heart replaced with a healthy donor heart. The survival rate for patients who undergo a heart transplant is almost 90 percent after one year and 72 percent after five years, according to the Mayo Clinic.

• 5

  Make a few simple lifestyle changes to alleviate many symptoms and slow the progression of congestive heart failure. For example, the AHA recommends that you quit smoking, avoid alcohol and caffeine, lose weight and manage your stress. Keep a journal of your symptoms so you can treat problems quickly as they arise and help your heath care professionals do their job more effectively.