“With a diagnosis of heart failure, it is very important to follow through on regular monitoring with a physician,” says Benita Philip, DO, a board certified cardiologist on the Medical Staff of Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “In addition to regular checkups, if you experience any sudden physical changes, particularly sudden weight gain (which can mean water retention), swelling, or breathing changes, you should contact your doctor immediately. Heart failure can worsen very quickly, and it is crucial to seek medical attention in an attempt to prevent hospitalization.”
Finding the Cause
Heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity are part of the causes of heart failure. Treating those conditions, with medication or other medical interventions such as surgical procedures to open blocked arteries, if required, can help alleviate the symptoms and in some cases reverse heart failure. Medications to help improve blood flow, heart arrhythmias, and reduce fluid retention are important when treating heart failure.
“It is key to determine if a reversible cause can be identified and to consider optimal medical therapy,” says Dr. Philip. “Also, lifestyle modifications are imperative regardless of the cause.”
Lifestyle changes include watching sodium and fluid intake, not smoking or consuming alcohol, eating a heart-healthy diet, and monitoring your weight. With the proper care, living a full life with heart failure is possible.
To find a physician on the Medical Staff of Princeton Health, call 888.742.7496, or visit princetonhcs.org.
6 Key Signs of Heart Failure |
|
|
|