How can you prevent chf

Having fluid around your lungs is a sign of congestive heart failure. An MRI can indicate any possible damage your heart might have, which can lead to the diagnosis. Blood tests can also indicate if you have any infections or an abnormal blood cells count.

This test can show if there are any blockages in your coronary arteries. With advancements in science, there are several treatment options available for people who suffer from congestive heart failure. There are several medications that you can take. These medications are prescribed according to the advancement of the disease.

If you are not a candidate for medications, there are several surgical procedures that will help with congestive heart failure. Angioplasty is the procedure performed to remove the blockage from your arteries. The main goal of these treatments is to keep you healthy so that heart failure could be avoided. It is possible to reverse congestive heart failure.

Once the condition of your heart is assessed, the physician will take further steps to treat your congestive heart failure and start appropriate treatment. This treatment starts with medications and then other procedures may be done to attempt to help the heart get stronger. There are a lot of medications available that will help in improving the quality of your life. Cardiac viability tests should be done prior to any invasive procedures, to make sure the heart condition is reversible and to see if the invasive procedure is truly needed.

For reversal of this disease, early diagnosis is very important. Cardiac PET provides one of the best and easiest ways to assess for cardiac viability in all individuals. People who suffer from congestive heart failure can live a long life. Diet change is very important in patients with congestive heart failure. People who have this disease must keep an eye on their sodium levels. A few other things that can prove to be beneficial are:.

These things will have a positive effect on your condition and treatment. When the patient takes appropriate measures, congestive heart disease can be treated easily; in fact it can even be reversed. There are several things that you can do that will lower your chances of getting congestive heart failure.

Here are a few things that you can do that will prove to be helpful:. Because sleep apnea—a condition in which the muscles that allow air into the lungs briefly collapse—is linked to heart failure, you may be evaluated and treated for it. Johns Hopkins researchers are on the forefront of the study of congestive heart failure.

Among their recent findings:. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. Steven Jones. Prevention The best way to avoid congestive heart failure is to avoid the conditions that contribute to it, or to carefully manage these conditions if they develop, says Jones.

Among the components of a treatment plan: Lifestyle changes. According to Jones, the types of medications typically prescribed include these: Vasodilators expand blood vessels, ease blood flow, and reduce blood pressure. Diuretics correct fluid retention. Aldosterone inhibitors help with fluid retention and improve chances of living longer. Anticoagulants or antiplatelets such as aspirin help prevent blood clots.

Beta-blockers improve heart function and chances of living longer. Tranquilizers reduce anxiety. Living With Heart failure worsens over time, so you need to be familiar with changes in your body. Some of these can be addressed with different medications. Weighing yourself daily is one of the easiest ways to track fluid retention, indicated by a sudden gain. Swelling in the legs and feet can also mean more fluid is accumulating. This includes testing for blood count, kidney function, and liver function.

They can also check the level of BNP , a hormone that rises with heart failure. Chest X-rays can be used to asses heart size and fluid build up in the lungs and blood vessels. This is usually one of the first tests your doctor will recommend. That could be a warning sign for a heart attack.

Stress tests show how well your heart performs under different levels of stress. Cardiac catheterization can show blockages of the coronary arteries.

Your doctor will insert a small tube into your blood vessel and thread it from your upper thigh groin area , arm, or wrist. At the same time, the doctor can take blood samples, use X-rays to view your coronary arteries, and check blood flow and pressure in your heart chambers.

An MRI takes pictures of your heart. There are several things you can do to lower your risk of heart failure, or at least delay onset. Secondhand smoke is also a health hazard. If you live with a smoker, ask them to smoke outdoors. A heart healthy diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. You also need protein in your diet. Things to avoid include:. As little as 1 hour of moderate aerobic exercise per week can improve your heart health.

Walking, bicycling, and swimming are good forms of exercise. If you feel unmotivated to work out alone, consider taking a class — it can even be online — or sign up for personal training at a local gym.

Having obesity or overweight can be hard on your heart. Follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. You can also consult a dietitian or nutritionist. Drink alcohol only in moderation and stay away from illegal drugs. Be sure to ask your doctor how much physical activity is safe and if you have any other restrictions. See your doctor regularly to monitor your condition and report any new symptoms right away.

Your condition may improve with medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes. Your outlook depends on how advanced your CHF is and whether you have other health conditions to treat, like diabetes or high blood pressure.

The earlier your condition is diagnosed, the better your outlook. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. January Tamara B. Fonarow, MD. Article Information. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA Cardiology suggests that you consult your physician.

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