Heart failure – Diagnosis and treatment

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a chronic illness that becomes worse over time It refers to a medical condition where the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively is diminished.

The body attempts to compensate for this condition in several ways. Initially, the heart beats faster to minimize the time between contractions, but over time, this can lead to reduced blood flow and may cause heart palpitations due to the added strain. As the heart’s pumping efficiency diminishes, organs may sustain damage, and fluid accumulation in the lungs can occur. Heart failure is generally progressive, meaning it worsens over time regardless of treatment interventions.

Pre-Procedure Preparations

The usual plan that people follow in the early stages of heart failure:

• Regular exercise, being active, and daily walks are all recommended.
• Eliminating the use of tobacco products.
• Consuming a diet that is minimal in fat and salt.
• Treatment for high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
• You may be advised by your heart team to cease taking specific drugs up to one week before the treatment.
• Avoiding crowded places, sick individuals, huge crowds, and plane travel are all wise choices.
• Various blood tests, X-rays, electrocardiograms, or other procedures will be performed.

Benefits of Getting Heart Failure Treatment

• Your heart muscle will recover from the shortage of oxygen during the attack, which will aid in the prevention of another heart attack.
• Helps you recover from a heart attack by lowering your blood pressure.
• The regulation of calcium levels reaching muscle cells in your heart and blood vessels will be managed.
• Blood vessels loosen up, and the heartbeat becomes less vigorous.
• You can expect a reduction in LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels and an elevation in HDL or “good” cholesterol.

Eligibility

Your doctor will analyse your situation by doing a few medical and clinical tests before deciding whether or not you are a good candidate to begin treatment. A physical examination and a thorough review of your medical history will be the initial steps taken by your doctor. Following this assessment, your doctor may recommend additional tests, such as those listed below:

• Exercise Test – Your doctor may want to know how the heart performs under intense conditions such as exercise or stress. While you are performing a physical activity, such as walking on a treadmill, your doctor will measure your heart rate.
• Heart Catheterisation – To study blood flow, your doctor will insert a dye into your bloodstream using a tube called a catheter. This test can correctly detect clogged arteries.
• Blood Test –The elevated amounts of certain substances in your blood, which are a result of heart failure, demonstrate that certain key organs are under more stress. These variations that hint at heart failure or certain disorders that induce heart failure can be found via blood testing. A BNP test that evaluates both N-terminal-pro-BNP and B-type natriuretic peptide levels may be recommended by your doctor.
• Echocardiogram – With an ultrasound, a video picture of the heart is created that is more advanced than the standard exams. The picture depicts the tiny alterations in the heart’s structure and the pumping movement that may indicate cardiac failure. To further enhance the assessment of blood flow, your doctor may also perform additional tests such as Doppler ultrasonography and Color Doppler in combination with the echocardiography.

Who may not be eligible?

• Individuals aged 70 years or older.
• Those with a severe systemic illness.
• Patients with a history of cancer within the past five years, except for localized skin cancer (non-melanoma) or stage I breast or prostate cancer.
• Active smokers or those who have not quit smoking for more than six months.
• Individuals with a serious local or systemic infection.
• Those experiencing major mental illness or active substance abuse that cannot be sufficiently controlled to ensure safe post-treatment care.
• Patients diagnosed with HIV.
• Individuals with any form of kidney or liver disease.

Metro Hospital’s Department of Cardiac Sciences includes the top cardiologists and medical experts that specialise in the treatment of heart problems. Our specialists ensure that the patients’ experiences while they stay here are positive. Rest assured that we are committed to ensuring your rehabilitation is comfortable and that you are under the care of highly skilled professionals.