Heart Failure Treatment
Early-Stage Heart Failure Treatments
Drug Therapies
In the very early stages, simple lifestyle changes and treating the underlying cause can be enough to reverse heart failure symptoms. However, for most patients, medication is also necessary.
Several types of medications are used to treat heart failure. Your physician may prescribe ACE inhibitors, Beta-blockers, blood thinners and diuretics, among others. A combination of heart medications is typically required.
ACE inhibitors block angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE), allowing the blood vessels to relax. When the blood vessels relax, blood pressure drops and the heart does not have to work as hard. ACE inhibitors improve long-term survival for people who have suffered a heart attack, and they can reduce the incidence of heart failure, recurrent heart attacks, stroke and sudden death.
- Potential side effects: Cough, dizziness and worsening of some types of kidney disease.
Beta-blockers work by blocking the effect of adrenaline on the heart, slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure. Beta-blockers can significantly improve the survival of patients with heart failure, reduce the risk of chest pain in patients with coronary artery disease and lower the risk of death in patients after heart attacks.
- Potential side effects: Decreased ventricular function, slow heart rate and worsening of symptoms due to asthma.
Diuretics (water pills) help the body release water and sodium. This helps lower blood pressure, easing the workload for the weak or damaged heart. Diuretics also can decrease fluids in the lungs, which can help make breathing easier.
- Potential side effects: Dizziness, leg cramps, high blood sugar levels and increased cholesterol levels.
Digoxin, also known as digitalis, increases the effectiveness of heart muscle contractions and tends to slow the heartbeat.
- Potential side effects: Nausea and altered heart rate.
Warfarin, also known as Coumadin®, is a blood thinner that helps prevent blood clots from forming, which can occur when blood moves too slowly or the heart's valves are damaged.
- Potential side effects: Bleeding.
