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How to detect heart failure — plus the latest life-changing treatments

A breakthrough therapy is currently revolutionizing the treatment of heart failure. The latest treatments and surgical advances, combined with a healthy lifestyle, can reduce symptoms, slow disease progression, and help people with this disease live longer and healthier lives. Some of the latest advances are driven by the benefits of new treatments for diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure, which are major risk factors for heart failure.

New expectations in heart failure treatment

Twenty years ago, patients with advanced heart failure had only a 10% chance of surviving one year. That rate is now 90%, thanks to a better understanding of the condition and the use of modern drugs, surgical advances, and innovative devices to assist failing hearts.

latest treatments

Diet and a healthy lifestyle are the cornerstone of heart failure treatment, but newer medications are changing the way we approach heart failure.

SGLT2 inhibitors: Originally developed to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics, these drugs show amazing results when given to heart failure patients, including controlling blood pressure and significantly improving blood vessel and heart muscle function in patients with and without diabetes. It had a good effect.

GLP-1 agonist: These drugs have received a lot of attention for helping diabetic and obese people lose weight and maintain a normal weight, but they are now being used to improve the heart’s metabolism and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. It has also been shown to help people suffering from heart failure by reducing . .

ARNI: These drugs are replacing ACE inhibitors because they help control blood pressure by preventing blood vessels from constricting, reducing the risk of hospitalization as well as heart failure-related death by more than 20%.

Advances in surgery and devices

When a healthy lifestyle and medications are not enough, new surgical options are available to help heart failure by correcting abnormal rhythms and repairing damaged valves.

ICD: An implantable cardiac defibrillator is a small device that a cardiac surgeon can place in the chest to maintain a regular heart rhythm.

Ablation: This technique “zaps” tissue within the heart to block faulty electrical signals that cause arrhythmias.

Mitral valve clip: A new technique that helps when heart failure is caused by a damaged or leaky mitral valve, where a clip is placed during a minimally invasive procedure to restore proper blood flow.

How to detect heart failure

Unlike a heart attack, which is caused by clogged arteries, heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump efficiently enough to meet the body’s needs. Although it can occur during a heart attack, it is often a chronic, long-term condition. Heart failure is most often caused by damage from a heart attack, coronary artery disease, chronic high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), arrhythmia, drug abuse, or alcohol abuse. If the heart is not pumping efficiently, the body’s organs may not get the blood they need, and heart failure leads to further complications such as kidney disease, liver damage, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Treatment is essential because of the possibility. And the risk of stroke increases.

Because heart failure develops so gradually, early symptoms are often overlooked. If you notice any of these common symptoms, consult your doctor as they may indicate that your heart is not beating normally.

  • Shortness of breath during activity or at rest
  • persistent cough or wheezing
  • Swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, fingers, etc.
  • fatigue or malaise
  • Nasua or loss of appetite
  • confusion
  • Unexplained weight change

Call 911 or emergency medical help if any of the following occur:

  • chest pain
  • Fainting or severe weakness
  • rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting
  • Sudden severe shortness of breath and coughing up foamy mucus

These symptoms can be due to heart failure, but they can also be signs of other illnesses. Instead of trying to diagnose yourself, see a doctor.

Know the causes and symptoms

Fatigue, shortness of breath, and swollen legs are signs that your heart may be weak and less able to pump blood efficiently. If you have these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about being screened for heart failure. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Heart failure is most common in people over the age of 65 because the heart muscle can weaken with age, and people often have long-standing health conditions that contribute to heart failure. The main contributing factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiometabolic disorders, heart rhythm disorders, cardiac inflammation, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease.
  • African Americans are more likely to suffer from heart failure and develop symptoms at a younger age than other races. They have more hospital visits for the disease and are more likely to die from heart failure.
  • People who are overweight have a higher incidence of heart failure because being overweight makes the heart work harder. They are also more likely to have type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which can lead to heart failure.
  • People who have had a heart attack, which damages and weakens the heart muscle, are more likely to develop heart failure as a result.
  • Family history is very important, so tell your doctor if you have a close family member with heart failure. At the same time, it is important for your family to know if you have been diagnosed with heart failure and share this information with your health care provider so they can get tested.

A healthy lifestyle can help slow the progression of heart failure

If you are at risk for heart failure or have already experienced heart failure, you can take the following steps to optimize your care and slow the progression of heart failure.

  • Control of high blood pressure. This is your top priority.
  • Eating a low-sodium diet helps control blood pressure and reduces fluid retention.
  • Engaging in regular physical activity contributes to your overall health and benefits your heart.
  • Both diabetes and excess weight can damage or weaken the heart.
  • Minimize alcohol consumption and eliminate smoking

Making healthy lifestyle choices and maintaining your overall health are important components of your heart failure treatment plan. Talk to your doctor to determine the plan that is best for you.

Montefiore Einstein ranks in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for heart and vascular care. US News & World Report

The nationally recognized Montefiore Einstein Center for Cardiovascular Care leads the fight against heart failure with its Advanced Cardiac Care Center, providing individualized treatment to each patient using an integrated team approach. and continues to expand its cardiac surgery program worldwide. This area includes Montefiore and his Einstein Heart Surgery Program at White Plains Hospital in Westchester.

The Montefiore Einstein Advanced Heart Failure Program is one of only 15 locations nationwide to participate in the American College of Cardiology’s Patient Navigator Program, which supports a team of caregivers who assist each patient during and after their hospital stay. to facilitate recovery and reduce the risk of readmission. Improves long-term health. Medical and surgical advances, including implantable devices that assist heart function, are available, along with access to unique research on promising new treatments for advanced heart disease. Our world-renowned surgeons provide a full range of surgical treatments for advanced heart failure, including state-of-the-art treatments using ventricular assist devices (VADs) to treat heart failure.

Our Center for Cardiovascular Care is an international referral site for heart failure, arrhythmias, and mechanical circulatory support (including procedures such as cardiac device implantation and catheter ablation), performing more than 1,300 ablation procedures annually. Masu. Our center also serves as a rigorous educational facility for medical fellows and takes great pride in developing the next generation of innovative electrophysiologists.

Montefiore Einstein restores the lives of patients every day through innovative cardiac care. Our unique patient care model provides comprehensive, personalized treatment. We also leverage the vast resources available to our experts, including groundbreaking original research and cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technologies.

Developing the first transvenous cardiac pacemaker and performing the first coronary artery bypass surgery were just the beginning of Montefiore Einstein’s more than 60 years of leadership in cardiac care. And we will not stop moving forward.

USA TODAY Network’s editorial and news staff were not involved in the creation of this content.

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