Treatment methods for chronic heart failure

Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
Updated on September 21, 2024
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The treatment of heart failure mainly includes the following points. The first major category is etiological treatment, where we should actively manage all common diseases that may impair cardiac function, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, etc. The second category is to eliminate the factors that lead to heart failure, such as infections, especially respiratory infections. The third major category is for patients to pay attention to rest, control physical activity, avoid emotional excitement, and control sodium intake to reduce blood volume. The fourth category is drug therapy, which commonly includes the use of diuretics, ACE inhibitors, positive inotropic drugs, and β-blockers in clinical practice. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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How to check for heart failure?

Heart failure is a relatively common cardiac disease in our daily lives, and patients often exhibit symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. So, how should heart failure be diagnosed? Generally, the following are common tests: First, an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram is a very practical and non-invasive test that can determine the presence of heart valve diseases, cardiomyopathy, and other conditions, as well as assess the heart's pumping function; Second, blood tests. For example, blood tests for electrolytes and BNP, or brain natriuretic peptide, can determine the presence of heart failure; Third, chest CT or X-rays. These can identify manifestations of pulmonary congestion caused by heart failure.

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Written by Liu Ying
Cardiology
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Can people with chronic heart failure smoke?

Patients with chronic heart failure should not smoke, as smoking can enhance the excitability of the sympathetic nervous system. Increased excitability of the sympathetic nervous system releases norepinephrine, elevating norepinephrine levels. This can cause peripheral vasoconstriction, increase the afterload on the heart, and accelerate heart rate. Both of these effects can increase myocardial oxygen consumption. Furthermore, norepinephrine has a direct toxic effect on myocardial cells, promoting myocardial cell apoptosis and participating in the pathological process of ventricular remodeling. Moreover, excitement of the sympathetic nervous system can also enhance myocardial stress, potentially promoting the occurrence of arrhythmias. Therefore, patients with chronic heart failure should not smoke.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Clinical manifestations of chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure primarily includes left heart failure, right heart failure, and total heart failure. Left heart failure can present with varying degrees of respiratory difficulty, such as exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, etc. Secondly, symptoms can include coughing and expectorating, coughing up pink frothy sputum, and patients may experience fatigue, dizziness, and palpitations, among others. Right heart failure mainly manifests as gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal distension, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, etc. Total heart failure encompasses the clinical manifestations of both right and left heart failure.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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What are the causes of chronic heart failure?

Chronic heart failure is also relatively common in clinical settings, mainly referring to patients with existing heart diseases. If a patient with a long history of hypertension experiences lung infection and fatigue, it can trigger an acute episode of chronic heart failure. At this time, the patient may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing and fatigue. It is crucial to seek prompt medical attention, where common clinical treatments include cardiotonic, diuretic, and vasodilator therapies. For chronic heart failure, treatment should also actively address and remove the underlying causes and treat the primary disease to save the patient's life.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
51sec home-news-image

Treatment methods for chronic heart failure

The treatment of heart failure mainly includes the following points. The first major category is etiological treatment, where we should actively manage all common diseases that may impair cardiac function, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, etc. The second category is to eliminate the factors that lead to heart failure, such as infections, especially respiratory infections. The third major category is for patients to pay attention to rest, control physical activity, avoid emotional excitement, and control sodium intake to reduce blood volume. The fourth category is drug therapy, which commonly includes the use of diuretics, ACE inhibitors, positive inotropic drugs, and β-blockers in clinical practice. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a doctor.)