Treatment methods for chronic heart failure

Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
Updated on September 21, 2024
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The treatment of heart failure mainly includes the following points. The first major category is etiological treatment, where we should actively manage all common diseases that may impair cardiac function, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, etc. The second category is to eliminate the factors that lead to heart failure, such as infections, especially respiratory infections. The third major category is for patients to pay attention to rest, control physical activity, avoid emotional excitement, and control sodium intake to reduce blood volume. The fourth category is drug therapy, which commonly includes the use of diuretics, ACE inhibitors, positive inotropic drugs, and β-blockers in clinical practice. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Liu Ying
Cardiology
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Symptoms of chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure can be divided into left heart failure, right heart failure, and total heart failure. The symptoms of left heart failure primarily manifest as congestion in the pulmonary circulation, that is, a reduction in cardiac output. Patients may experience varying degrees of breathing difficulties, starting with exertional dyspnea, then orthopnea, followed by paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and eventually acute pulmonary edema. Additional symptoms may include coughing, expectoration, hemoptysis, fatigue, tiredness, dizziness, reduced exercise tolerance, and symptoms of insufficient blood supply to organs and tissues, including oliguria and kidney damage. The symptoms of right heart failure can present as gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal distension, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and also exertional dyspnea. When both left and right heart failures occur, it is referred to as total heart failure. In cases of total heart failure, symptoms of both left and right heart failures may be present.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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How is heart failure treated?

Heart failure is very common in clinical settings. The main treatments include strengthening the heart, diuresis, and vasodilation for symptomatic treatment. A mask or high-flow oxygen can be used if the patient's heart failure symptoms are difficult to correct, or if cardiogenic shock occurs. Aortic balloon counterpulsation and tracheal intubation can be adopted, with ventilator support for ventilation, and blood dialysis and other symptomatic supportive treatments can be used. Another point is to actively control or eliminate the causes of heart failure, etc.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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How to check for heart failure?

Heart failure is a relatively common cardiac disease in our daily lives, and patients often exhibit symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. So, how should heart failure be diagnosed? Generally, the following are common tests: First, an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram is a very practical and non-invasive test that can determine the presence of heart valve diseases, cardiomyopathy, and other conditions, as well as assess the heart's pumping function; Second, blood tests. For example, blood tests for electrolytes and BNP, or brain natriuretic peptide, can determine the presence of heart failure; Third, chest CT or X-rays. These can identify manifestations of pulmonary congestion caused by heart failure.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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The basic etiology of chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure is one of the most common complications of various organic heart diseases, and there are many causes of chronic heart failure. The main reason is due to primary diseases that have not been effectively treated. Long-term myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, excessive fatigue, emotional excitement, overeating, too full, constipation, and other reasons increase the cardiac burden, leading to chronic heart failure. People with organic heart disease must treat the primary disease under the guidance of a doctor. At the same time, pay attention to rest, avoid emotional excitement, eat easily digestible food, maintain a low-salt, low-fat diet, and ensure smooth bowel movements to prevent increasing the cardiac burden and causing heart failure.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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"Heart failure"

Heart failure is one of the most common complications of various organic heart diseases. It occurs when the heart's contractile force or diastolic function is impaired, preventing blood from being delivered to vital organs and throughout the body, leading to clinical symptoms caused by venous congestion and arterial ischemia, called heart failure. Diseases that can cause heart failure include coronary heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, and viral myocarditis. Patients with heart failure need to use effective medications to treat the diseases causing heart failure while minimizing the burden on the heart. They should adhere to a low-fat and low-salt diet, ensure sufficient rest, maintain regular bowel movements to prevent the acceleration of heart failure. (Specific medications should be administered under the guidance of a physician.)