simple>
An angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (called an "ACE inhibitor " �) " � This medicine can relax blood vessels and make it easier for the heart to pump. It sometimes lowers blood pressure. If you can't take an ACE inhibitor, your doctor might prescribe an angiotensin receptor blocker (called an "ARB " �) or other medicines.A beta-blocker " � This medicine can slow the heart rate down and sometimes lowers blood pressure. It can reduce the amount of work the heart has to do. When you start taking a beta-blocker, you might feel a little worse. But after your body gets used to the medicine, you might start to feel better.A diuretic (water pill) " � This medicine helps the body get rid of extra salt and fluid. It can reduce the fluid in your lungs or swelling in your legs or belly.An aldosterone receptor antagonist " � This helps the body get rid of extra salt and fluid. But it also helps the body hold onto a mineral called potassium. That's important, because the body needs potassium to work normally. Other diuretics sometimes make the body lose potassium. An aldosterone receptor antagonist might also block harmful effects of aldosterone on the heart.Treating your coronary heart disease (if you have it) " � In coronary heart disease, the arteries that supply blood to the heart get clogged. Treatment can include medicines, a procedure to unblock a clogged artery, or surgery.
Other treatment for systolic heart failure sometimes includes: � �
- A device to help the heart pump with more force or beat at the right rhythm
- A pump attached to the heart to increase blood flow to the body and reduce the work the heart needs to do
- Heart transplant surgery " � This is surgery to replace your diseased heart with a healthy heart. It is done only when all other treatments do not work.
What else can I do on my own to protect my heart? " � To help feel better and reduce the chances that you will need to go to the hospital, you can do the following: � �
- Call your doctor or nurse if you are dizzy or weak, or if you lose or gain weight suddenly. Weigh yourself every morning after you urinate but before breakfast. Call your doctor or nurse if your weight goes up by 2 or more pounds (1 kilogram) in 1 day, or 4 or more pounds (2 kilograms) in 1 week.
- Follow the action plan your doctor gives you. An action plan is a list of instructions that tells you what to do if your symptoms change. To use an action plan, watch your symptoms closely and weigh yourself every day. If you do not feel well or if you lose or gain weight suddenly, look at your action plan to see what to do (figure 1 and figure 2).
- Call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, dial 9-1-1) if you have chest pain or other signs of a heart attack (figure 3).
- Lose weight, if you are overweight.
- Stop smoking.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. If you are a woman, do not have more than 1 drink a day. If you are a man, do not have more than 2 drinks in a day.
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 86147 Version 2.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
figure 1
Heart failure action plan - page 1
Graphic 72459 Version 2.0
View Originalfigure 1
Heart failure action plan - page 1
Graphic 72459 Version 2.0
View Original
figure 2
Heart failure action plan - page 2
Graphic 75501 Version 2.0
View Originalfigure 2
Heart failure action plan - page 2
Graphic 75501 Version 2.0
View Original
figure 3
Heart attack symptoms
This picture shows the main symptoms of a heart attack. People who are having a heart attack often have only some of these symptoms. The pain, pressure, and discomfort caused by a heart attack mostly affect the left side of the body (shown in darker red) but can also affect the right. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 for an ambulance. Do not try to get yourself to the hospital.
Graphic 52579 Version 1.0
View Originalfigure 3
Heart attack symptoms
This picture shows the main symptoms of a heart attack. People who are having a heart attack often have only some of these symptoms. The pain, pressure, and discomfort caused by a heart attack mostly affect the left side of the body (shown in darker red) but can also affect the right. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 for an ambulance. Do not try to get yourself to the hospital.
Graphic 52579 Version 1.0
View Original
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. � �2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
Copyright
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �