Recommendations for patients with heart failure
What is heart failure?
It is the heart's inability to pump blood adequately to the entire body. Because of this, the muscles and other organs receive less blood, and fluids tend to be retained in the lungs, legs, and abdomen. As a result, the body tires more easily and may swell.
This disease worsens over time and cannot be cured, but it can be controlled by making lifestyle changes and with appropriate treatment.
Main causes
- Coronary artery disease: narrowing of the arteries of the heart (ischemic heart disease).
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- Heart valve disease (valvulopathy).
- Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy).
Treatment
There are tools for managing heart failure, with the goal of extending and improving quality of life, reducing hospitalizations, and allowing for active patient participation. These include dietary changes and fluid management, physical activity, and the use of certain medications.
