As the name suggests, heart failure is a term used to describe what happens when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as it should. The condition can occur because other illnesses have damaged the heart in some way. Since Blacks are more likely to be diagnosed with heart failure than other ethnicities, it’s important to know how to live well with the disease. Here are a few of the ways your life can change after your diagnosis.
1. The Disease Needs To Be Staged
Unlike a heart attack, heart failure usually happens gradually. That means the illness has different stages and your doctor will need to determine where you are so you can be treated effectively.
The disease is staged from A to D, which marks how poorly your heart is performing. Once the doctor knows the stage of your heart failure, they will recommend a treatment to prevent the progression of the disease.
2. Monitoring Will Continue
Though the doctor will implement measures to prevent your heart failure from getting worse, it doesn’t always work in the long term. Additionally, heart failure can affect your other organs and systems. To ensure that you’re healthy, the doctor will continue to monitor your heart and overall health with regular visits.
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3. The Root Cause Must Be Determined
As mentioned previously, heart failure can be caused by different issues. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, thyroid problems, or a congenital heart defect can affect the heart. If you’ve had a heart attack or deal with myocarditis, these can also be the source of heart failure.
In rare circumstances, a sudden illness or infection can cause heart failure as well. Regardless of the cause, one key element to treating heart failure will be taking care of what caused the issue in the first place.
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4. You’ll Have A Medical Regimen
The medications used to treat heart failure can vary widely depending on the cause and stage of the condition.
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However, some of the likely drugs include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and aldosterone antagonists. It’s important to stick to your regimen and let your doctor know if the medications are becoming less effective or the side effects have gotten worse.
5. Exercise Will Be Important
Doctors recommend physical activity because it helps strengthen your heart. If you maintain a healthy weight, it will also reduce the stress on your heart as it pumps blood around the body.
It’s best to consult with your doctor before starting an exercise routine, especially if you weren’t active before being diagnosed. In many cases, short walks or swimming can be a good place to start.
6. Diet Changes Can Help
Another way to help your heart remain healthy is to eat well. Foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar can be bad for heart health. On the other hand, fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help with your heart issues. It’s also best to cut down on drinking alcohol or stop altogether.
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7. You’ll Need To Know What An Emergency Looks Like
In some cases, heart failure can affect your body badly enough to cause other illnesses. For example, it can damage your liver and kidneys. As a result, it’s a good idea to know what the symptoms of these diseases can look like. One early sign of kidney disease is uncontrolled high blood pressure while liver damage can start with persistent abdominal pain.
8. A Support System Is Essential
Even while you’re getting treatment, you might not be able to carry out certain tasks by yourself anymore. The limitations can include walking or standing for long periods, lifting heavy loads, and undertaking strenuous activities.
It’s best to ask for help when needed and assign the work that you can’t manage to others. While you’re living with heart failure, you’ll need to rest more than you might be used to.
While heart failure is considered to be a chronic illness that you’ll need to manage for the rest of your life, it’s possible to have a good life with the disease. To do this, you’ll need to stick to your medical regimen, change your lifestyle, and keep in contact with your doctor as needed. It’s also important to make sure that any other chronic condition is under control.
