1. Make Lifestyle Changes
Regardless of the severity of your heart failure, lifestyle changes are always a part of treatment for heart disease, before or after a heart attack. Common lifestyle changes recommended by doctors include a reduction in sodium, saturated-fat and cholesterol intake. It's also strongly recommended that those suffering from heart disease or potential heart failure quit smoking immediately and limit the intake of alcohol. These changes are physiological, but there are also some psychological changes that are commonly recommended for treating heart failure. Better stress management is key. Stress management techniques include everything from meditation to better sleep hygiene. More drastic steps can also be taken, such as a change in employment from a high-stress work environment to a low-stress one.
2. Try Medication
There are numerous medications that treat heart failure or help prevent a second heart attack. The medication used depends on the severity of the heart failure and its cause. Beta blockers are prescribed for those who are suffering from high blood pressure while ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors are used for those who have arterial disease like atherosclerosis and for those with other cardiovascular diseases or diabetes. Additional medications related to the treatment of hardened arteries (atherosclerosis) include those that address high cholesterol like Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin) and Zetia (ezetimibe). Your doctor will be able to tell you which medication is ideal for your particular type of heart failure.
3. Undergo Heart Surgery
Surgery is not uncommon for those suffering from heart failure. Heart surgery options include everything from bypass surgery to a full transplant. Bypass surgery involves rerouting blood vessels and arteries beyond regions that have been damaged, typically as a result of atherosclerosis. Implantable devices such as cardiac defibrillators or biventricular pacemakers are also a possibility for keeping your heart working with proper care and medical attention. As a last resort, a heart transplant can be performed to give you a new heart, although there are numerous complications associated with transplants, including rejection and infection.
