Help Your Failing Heart With Medications

Help Your Failing Heart With Medications

The heart isn’t just the proverbial seat of emotions – it is, more importantly, the complex machine that pumps life-giving blood into the body. Therefore, the diagnosis of congestive heart failure is a cause for concern because of its health complications.

Fortunately, the use of medications can improve the symptoms of congestive heart failure. In addition, these drugs contribute to a better quality of life, even to a longer lifespan, especially with healthy lifestyle habits.

Helpful Medications

Here are the medications that doctors commonly use in congestive heart failure:  

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors

These vasodilators widen the blood vessels resulting in decreased blood pressure and improved blood flow. Symptoms improve by reducing the workload of the heart.

  • Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

These are usually drugs prescribed as an alternative for people with little to no tolerance for ACE inhibitors. These drugs include valsartan and losartan, which have the same benefits as the ACE inhibitors but with a different action mechanisms.

  • Beta-Blockers

These have multiple effects, including slowing down the heart rate, reducing blood pressure, and limiting some of the damage in systolic heart failure. In addition, beta-blockers work by improving the heart’s function, so living longer is possible.  

  • Diuretics

Diuretics work by promoting more frequent urination resulting in less fluid buildup. The proper intake of diuretics also decreases fluid accumulation in the lungs, thus, allowing for easier breathing.

Your doctor will likely change your medications depending on your response and progress. Ideally, it would help if you took note of your symptoms – their onset, frequency, duration, and severity – so that your doctor can make the necessary changes.  

You may also explore other treatment options, including medical devices and surgery. These can include coronary bypass surgery and heart valve repair, which have pros and cons for each person.  

Healthy Lifestyle Habits, Too

But even these medications will be of little to no use when you fail to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Your body needs your help, too, and it starts with taking good care of it, especially in adopting practices that promote better heart health.  

It would be best to eat a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; engage in moderate exercise with your doctor’s approval, and manage stress. Your dedication to taking good care of yourself will translate to a better heart!