the ER for acute chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or a high heart rate.
Heart attacks are usually emergencies. Heart failure progresses slowly. However, Dr. Stempien-Otero explains that people with early heart failure symptoms typically slow down without recognizing it, requiring rapid treatment.
Heart attacks need clearing of the clogged artery. An angioplasty employs a catheter to implant a tiny, deflated balloon in the blockage and inflate it to expand the blood artery and return blood to the heart. The US National Library of Medicine says stents may keep blood vessels open. This technique reduces cardiac damage if done quickly. Dr. Teuteberg explains, “If you’re not near a location that can conduct [an angioplasty], sometimes they’ll give you a powerful blood thinner by IV in the hopes that it breaks up that blood clot to restore blood flow.” Depending on the clot, this may be your sole treatment or a stopgap until you can go to an angioplasty clinic.
ACE drugs, beta-blockers, and diuretics help treat heart failure. Dr. Stempien-Otero thinks they work well in early heart failure. “I’ve treated individuals with heart failure drugs for 20 years, and they’re doing great.” The Mayo Clinic suggests surgery to enhance blood flow, restore heart valves, or treat heart failure problems in severe situations.
How To Keep Your Heart Healthy
You may take various steps to reduce your risk of heart attack and heart failure.
Choose an exercise: Dr. Stempien-Otero urges exercising. Exercise is excellent even if you’ve had a heart attack or heart failure. She claims exercise benefits even severe heart failure. According to SELF, 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week—ideally with at least two days of strength training—can enhance heart health. Moderate-intensity exercise includes SELF’s at-home aerobic routines, walking, swimming, cycling, and tennis.
Eat healthily: Dr. Stempien-Otero believes a heart-healthy diet doesn’t require cutting major food categories. As SELF notes, eating colorful fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich grains, and limiting salt, added sugar, and alcohol may help.
Checkups: Now’s the time if you haven’t scheduled your annual checkups. Work with your doctor to lower elevated markers, which may need multiple visits or at-home testing. Dr. Teuteberg explains, “The more you treat them effectively, the less likely you’ll have a heart attack or heart failure.”