In cases of heart failure, treatment will be something that is long term such as lifestyle changes, medication and device implants and often a combination of these but ultimately surgery may be required.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes are the standard recommendations to keep healthy such as stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating a healthier diet, reducing the amount of salt in your diet, losing weight and exercise. These are really important steps to take in the treatment of heart failure as they can lessen or prevent more serious conditions such as stroke and heart attacks.
In respect of medication it is likely that a combination of drugs will be prescribed which cover several different functions to help lessen the symptoms of heart failure and also stop it from getting worse. However, it may take time for the right combination to be worked out to give the best results with the least side effects.
Medication
Drugs that are prescribed to help improve blood flow by relaxing blood vessels and blood pressure can be either Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).
If an ACE or ARB cannot be used due to side-effects then Hydralazine with nitrate will be prescribed instead as it does a similar job.
The treatment of ankle swelling and breathlessness often associated with heart failure is done via diuretic drugs which enable the body to pass more urine, excess fluid and therefore lessening the pressure on the heart.
Digoxin is a medicine that can also be prescribed when treatments from the above drugs are not sufficient and this works by slowing down heart rate and strengthening heart muscle contractions.
oxin is a medicine that can also be prescribed when treatments from the above drugs are not sufficient and this works by slowing down heart rate and strengthening heart muscle contractions.
Pacemakers
There are a number of devices that can be implanted which are generically referred to as pacemakers but vary in the way they work dependent on what sort of heart failure is present. A standard pacemaker uses an electronic pulse to regulate heartbeat.
A Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is specifically used when a patient has problems with the main pumping chamber of the heart and works by improving the pumping by contracting the walls of the chamber all at the same time.
Surgery
If surgery is required to treat heart failure it can be in the form of a heart valve being replaced, an assist device which is placed in the left ventricle to help with pumping or a coronary angioplasty or bypass procedure whereby a blood vessel is replaced or by-passed using healthy vessels from another part of the body.
Of course, ultimately if medication, devices or minor surgery does not assist with heart failure then heart transplant surgery will be advised.