Living with Heart Failure and Managing Advanced HF
After the heart failure diagnosis Although it can be difficult living with a chronic condition like heart failure, many people learn to manage the symptoms – and enjoy full lives. People who report greater levels of improvement and emotional well-being often build new habits around eating better, tracking and managing their symptoms and exercising (as directed by their healthcare team). At the American Heart Association, we’re developing quality education and expanding resources to
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)
If you have heart failure and have developed arrhythmia, you may be a candidate for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). What is CRT and how can it help your heart? Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms and can be caused by a variety of reasons, including age, heart damage, medications and genetics. In heart failure patients CRT, or biventricular pacing, is used to help improve the heart’s rhythm and the symptoms associated with the arrhythmia. The procedure involves
Devices and Surgical Procedures to Treat Heart Failure
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) Some people who have severe heart failure or serious arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) may need implantable defibrillators, or ICDs. These devices are surgically placed and deliver pacing – or an electric counter-shock – to the heart when a life-threatening abnormal rhythm is detected. ICDs have saved millions of lives, but are only advisable in certain circumstances. The decision to use an ICD is a shared one by the
Hyperkalemia (High Potassium)
What is hyperkalemia? Hyperkalemia is a higher than normal level of potassium in the blood. Although mild cases may not produce symptoms and may be easy to treat, severe cases of hyperkalemia that are left untreated can lead to fatal cardiac arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms. You may be at risk for hyperkalemia because of: Chronic kidney disease Diabetes Congestive heart failure Medications that disrupt potassium balance, such as certain blood pressure lowering drugs Less common causes can
Medications Used to Treat Heart Failure
Studies have shown that several classes of drugs are best to treat heart failure. Heart failure patients may need multiple medications. Each one treats a different symptom or contributing factor and comes with its own instructions and rules. You and your caregivers should work with your healthcare team to understand the medications and when, how often and in what dosage to take them. It’s important to discuss all of the drugs you take
Cardiac Rehab for Heart Failure
Helping you Rise Above HF Cardiac rehabilitation can be a life-changing step in the journey to recovery from heart failure – playing a critical role in improving quality and length of life. What is cardiac rehab? Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program that includes exercise training, education on heart-healthy living, and in many cases, counseling to reduce stress. It helps patients recover and improve physical, mental and social function. The goal is to
Lifestyle Changes for Heart Failure
Small changes can make a big difference Following recommendations about diet, exercise and other habits can help alleviate heart failure symptoms, slow your disease’s progression and improve your everyday life. In fact, people with mild to moderate heart failure often can lead nearly normal lives as a result. Making some of these lifestyle changes can be easier said than done. But working these changes into your daily routine can make a
Treatment Options for Heart Failure
What can you do about heart failure? Heart failure caused by damage to the heart that has developed over time can’t be cured. But it can be treated, quite often with strategies to improve symptoms. Successful treatment depends on your willingness to get involved in managing the condition. You, your loved ones and your caregivers all play an active role as part of the healthcare team. View an animation of heart failure. Your treatment plan
How Can I Improve My Low Ejection Fraction?
Good news! Many people with a low ejection fraction (or EF) have successfully improved it. Better heart failure management (HF) can lead to a better ejection fraction. By managing your heart failure carefully and following your treatment plan, you may be able to help yourself experience fewer symptoms and achieve a greater sense of well-being. As an added bonus, you may also see an improvement – or even a recovery – of your heart’s ejection
Ejection Fraction Heart Failure Measurement
What is “ejection fraction”? Ejection fraction (EF) is a measurement, expressed as a percentage, of how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction. An ejection fraction of 60 percent means that 60 percent of the total amount of blood in the left ventricle is pushed out with each heartbeat. This indication of how well your heart is pumping out blood can help to diagnose and track heart failure. What’s normal? A normal