It’s a long-term condition that, unfortunately, progresses over time. In other words, the heart gradually starts pumping worse and worse, this can have very detrimental consequences for the rest of the body. Complications include an irregular heartbeat, (sudden) cardiac arrest, heart valve problems, kidney damage, and liver damage.
Warning Signs of Heart Failure
There are 4 stages of (congestive) heart failure. It starts with an increased risk of developing this cardiovascular disease to advanced (congestive) heart failure. In the first 2 stages, which are the pre-heart failure stage and tells someone that he or she has an increased risk and that he or she should be checked regularly, there aren’t any symptoms. Symptoms of Stages C & D include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Less able to exercise or move
- Weak legs
- Waking up to urinate
- (Pulmonary) edema
Treatment Options
If you suffer from the above-mentioned symptoms it’s important to contact your professional healthcare provider to check your (heart)health. Your provider will do some tests, like blood tests, x-ray, echocardiograms, and electrocardiograms, to check. In case you do, a treatment plan will be made. Possible treatment options are:
- Lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and drinking alcohol, and regular exercise
- Dietary changes, like sodium/salt-free diets
- High blood pressure treatment
- Heart medication, to help/protect the heart
- Diuretics, to relieve symptoms
- Heart surgery
- Heart transplant
A healthy heart is vital for a healthy body. Having a healthy lifestyle, especially when you’re getting older or has a chronic medical condition, is the best way to do this. This means following a healthy and varied diet, quitting smoking, and keeping a close eye on your blood pressure and making sure it is healthy. For more information about a healthy heart, and heart conditions, continue your search here:
