Do I need to be worried about heart failure?
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Q: Do I need to be worried about heart failure?
A: Heart failure is more common than most people think, especially as we get older. Heart failure occurs when our hearts cannot pump blood properly. Nearly 6.5 million Americans over the age of 20 have heart failure according to the Heart Failure Society of America. While you do not need to worry about heart failure on a daily basis, you do need see a doctor immediately if you start experiencing symptoms associated with the disease. Early symptoms include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, ankle swelling or dizziness. High blood pressure, diabetes and a family history of heart problems increase your risk factors. If you are concerned about your risk factors, it is a good idea to get your heart checked regularly. The earlier you catch heart disease of any kind, the easier it is to manage.
Heart failure can be managed, and, with the proper treatment, people can continue to lead full, happy lives.
Q: How can I treat heart failure?
A: The first step in treating heart failure is understand what is going wrong. Heart failure can occur when the heart’s pumping function is weakened, known as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), or when the heart cannot fill properly with blood, known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). While the conditions are different, treatment plans will most likely include medications, changes to diet and exercise and medical interventions, such as valve replacement, bypass surgery or a heart transplant.
If you have heart failure, regular doctor visits will become critical. This will allow a doctor to closely monitor your condition, changes in symptoms and allow them to help you stick to your treatment plan.
Q: Can lifestyle changes really help with heart failure?
A: Yes! Making lifestyle changes is a huge part of managing heart failure. While medications and treatments are important, what you do day-to-day can make a big difference. A diet low in salt and saturated fats helps prevent fluid buildup and lowers your blood pressure, which takes the strain off your heart. Regular exercise helps keep your body strong and your heart working properly. And getting enough sleep and finding ways to manage stress can lower your risk of complications. But talk to your doctor first about what’s safe for you, especially if you already have a heart condition. Your doctor can develop a customized plan for you and support you as you make lifestyle changes.
Q: Is there a specific time of year when heart failure is most prominent?
A: There’s no season for heart failure—it’s something that needs to be managed consistently, no matter what time of year it is. Weather conditions do not affect heart failure itself, but it is important to keep exercising and active, take your prescribed medications per your doctor’s advice and use common sense. Extreme weather can be difficult on different people for different reasons.
Keeping up with your treatment plan and staying alert to changes in your body is crucial, no matter what the weather’s like.
Dr. Wachter is an advanced heart failure heart transplant specialist and is dedicated to providing proactive and reactive care to all her patients.
This column does not establish a provider/patient relationship and is for general informational purposes only. This column is not a substitute for consulting with a physician or other health care provider.
Ask the Doctor is brought to you by Mountain View Hospital and Idaho Falls Community Hospital. Mountain View Hospital is proud to offer the community compassionate surgical, labor and delivery, NICU, diagnostic and rehabilitative services. And when the seconds count, count on Idaho Falls Community Hospital for emergency care. With around-the-clock trauma services, state-of-the-art technology, and a highly-skilled team, Idaho Falls Community Hospital is always ready to provide patients with the best possible treatment.
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