Congestive heart failure is an acute condition wherein the heart cannot supply the organs of the body with sufficient amounts of blood. According to the American Heart Association, it can be brought on by narrowed arteries, scar tissue that interferes with the blood flow, high blood pressure, heart valve disease or an infection of the heart valves. When it has been diagnosed, there are several treatment options available.
Medications
When you get diagnosed with congestive heart failure, your doctor may prescribe angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to help lower blood pressure and decrease the amount of work the heart must do. Examples of these include Lisinopril, Captopril and Enalapril.
Beta blockers are also prescribed. They help reduce blood pressure and reduce the risk of certain abnormal heart rhythms, and they slow down the heart rate. Examples of these include Cartrol, Betapace, Lopressor and Sectral.
Digoxin, also called digitalis, is a type of prescription drug that slows down your heart rate and makes heart muscle contractions stronger.
Diuretics, also known as water pills, prevent the build-up of fluid in the body by promoting frequent urination. Using these drugs can also help you breathe easier by eliminating excess fluid in the lungs. Two examples of these are Furosemide and Bumetanide.
Lifestyle Adjustments
The Mayo Clinic has set up some suggestions on lifestyle adjustments you can make to help treat congestive heart failure. Examples of these include, avoiding or quitting smoking, cutting your alcohol intake down to one drink two to three times a week, avoiding or limiting caffeine, exercising regularly and losing weight if you are overweight.
DASH
The acronym "DASH" stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This is a diet plan that was set up to treat and prevent high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for congestive heart failure. To follow this plan, avoid high amounts of trans fats, saturated fats and sodium. Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and small amounts of lean meats and fish.
Bypass
Coronary bypass surgery is an open heart procedure that is designed to detour blood flow around a severely clogged artery. A blood vessel from another part of the body is taken out and transplanted around a blocked artery and blood is then enabled to flow to the heart and provide it with nutrients and oxygen.
Heart Repairs
Your doctor may suggest other types of surgeries for specific situations. If you have a damaged valve in your heart, it can be repaired or a replacement valve can be put in.
Biventricular cardiac pacemakers send electrical signals to the lower chambers of the heart, which make it beat at a steady pace.
A heart pump, such as a ventricular assist device, is attached to the heart and implanted in the abdomen, and it serves a few purposes. It can assist with circulation for several years, for people who are awaiting a transplant; and it can be used to allow the heart a chance to recover if you have a reversible form of cardiac failure.
When the congestive heart failure is too severe to be treated with any other remedy, a heart transplant can be done with the heart of a donor.
