How can I prevent heart failure from getting worse?

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Posted by Professor, Doctor, Doctor Do Doan Loi - Senior Advisor of Cardiology Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital
You can prevent heart failure from getting worse by making changes to your nutrition and lifestyle habits. Factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity....not only increase the risk of cardiovascular disease but also promote the progression of more severe disease.

1. Causes of heart failure

There are many causes of myocardial damage leading to heart failure, including:
Myocardial infarction : Occurs when one or more coronary arteries are suddenly blocked, resulting in no blood to the heart muscle. The consequences of myocardial infarction are myocardial necrosis, forming scar areas if coronary artery revascularization is not timely intervention.
Cardiomyopathy: Is damage to the heart muscle not due to coronary arteries, but due to other causes such as: infection, alcohol abuse, drugs.
Coronary artery disease: Coronary artery disease is a disease of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. If these blood vessels become blocked or severely narrowed, the heart will be deprived of oxygen and nutrients.

Causes of overactive heart: High blood pressure, heart valve disease, thyroid disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or congenital heart structural abnormalities can all cause heart failure. . In some cases, heart failure can occur when several diseases or conditions work together.

2. How to slow the progression of heart failure?

Slowing down the progression of heart failure helps the treatment of heart failure achieve better results. You can slow the progression of the disease in the following ways:
Optimal blood pressure regulation In heart failure, the release of mediators leads to vasoconstriction, which increases blood pressure. This causes the heart to work harder to pump blood through the constricted blood vessels. Good control of blood pressure is very important for the heart to work more efficiently
Monitor your symptoms closely Check for changes in your fluid status such as daily weight checks and symptom detection edema. Call your doctor if you are gaining weight uncontrollably (gaining more than 1.3kg/day or 222kg/week) or if your swelling increases.
Maintain water balance .

Your doctor may ask you to keep a record of how much water you drink or eat and how often you urinate. Remember: too much fluid in the circulatory system makes the heart work harder. Limiting the amount of water you use during the day to less than 2 liters will help you reduce the burden on your heart and prevent symptoms from recurring.
The amount of salt you should use: Salt is in the ingredients of many natural foods we use every day. It can add flavor and help preserve food longer. If you follow a salt-restricted diet, you will retain less water, have less swelling, have less heart failure, and breathe easier.
Track your weight and lose weight if needed Track your weight at the same time of day, usually in the morning, with the same clothes, after urinating but before breakfast and with the same scale . Record your weight in a notebook or calendar. If you gain unusual weight, call your doctor. Your doctor will adjust your prescription.
Monitor your symptoms: Call your doctor if new symptoms of heart failure appear or if symptoms worsen. Don't wait until your symptoms become so severe that you need emergency care.
Take prescription medication: Drugs are used to improve the heart's ability to pump blood, reduce the burden on the heart, reduce the progression of heart failure, and prevent fluid retention. Many heart failure medications are used to reduce the release of harmful hormones. These medications will cause your blood vessels to dilate (thus lowering blood pressure)
Schedule regular doctor visits:

During your follow-up, your doctors will keep you in good health and keep your heart failure from getting worse. Your doctor will ask you to review your weight log and your prescription. If you have any questions, make a note of it and bring it to your follow-up visit. Call your doctor if you have urgent questions. Inform all your doctors about heart failure, medications you are taking, and any restrictions. Likewise, talk to your cardiologist about any new medications prescribed by another doctor. Keep records, tests, and prescriptions with you at every follow-up visit.

3. How can I improve my quality of life if I have heart failure?

There are several things you can do to improve your quality of life if you have heart failure. Some of them are:
Healthy regimen: Limit salt intake to less than 2000 mg (2g) per day. Eat foods with a high fiber content. Limit foods high in saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and sugar. Reduce total daily calories for weight loss if necessary.
Exercise regularly: A regular program of cardiovascular exercise, recommended by your doctor, will help improve your health and make you feel better, and it also helps slow the progression of your diabetes. heart failure.

No exertion: Workout plans and include rest periods during the day. Certain activities like lifting or pulling heavy objects can harm your heart and cause symptoms.
Prevention of respiratory infections : Ask your doctor about flu and pneumonia vaccines.
Take prescribed medication. Do not stop medication without consulting your doctor.
Seek emotional and psychological help if you need it. Heart failure can be difficult for your whole family. If you have any questions, ask your doctor and nurse. If you need emotional support, social workers, psychologists and heart failure support groups will contact you right away. Consult your doctor and nurse for the right direction.
Heart Center - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital is one of the few specialized heart failure clinics built the earliest in Vietnam. Vinmec Heart Failure Clinic has referenced the model of the US and Singapore, bringing hope of effective treatment for patients with heart failure. In addition, customers who have risk factors for heart failure, have indications for medical examination, and customers in need can refer to the HEART FUNCTION PACKAGE to help detect the condition early, from which the doctors will advise. a treatment plan that is right for your health.
If you have a need for consultation and examination at Vinmec Health System Hospitals nationwide, please book an appointment on the website for service.

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