How to Avoid Heart Failure in Cardiac Patients

Heart failure (HF) is a major medical condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood the body needs to function properly. Especially in people with chronic heart diseases, preventing the advancement of a heart condition to heart attack or cardiac arrest becomes quite important to sustain quality of life and prolong life expectancy.

Fortunately, due to early intervention, proper medication, and lifestyle changes, heart failure can be avoided, or its progression may be slowed down. Heart failure is not a disease itself but a condition that results from other multiple conditions that affect the heart function. They may broadly be divided into two major types:

· Systolic Heart Failure (HFrEF) – It occurs when the left ventricle of the heart could not contract enough to pump blood effectively. This is the most common type of heart failure.

· Diastolic Heart Failure (HFpEF) – This occurs when the heart muscle is stiff and does not fill blood properly between beats, thus reducing the ability of the heart to pump effectively.

Common causes of heart failure include coronary artery disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, obesity, and a history of minor heart attacks. Cardiac patients may be at higher risk for heart failure if they have any of these underlying conditions.

One of the most effective ways to avoid heart failure is early diagnosis of any problem related to heart or that limits the cardiovascular functionality. Regular checkups with a healthcare provider, especially in people with a history of heart disease, are important for monitoring heart health. Early detection can also lead to quick intervention, which may prevent progression to heart failure.

Top Strategies for Avoiding Heart Failure

1. Control High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for heart failure. It can damage the blood vessels in the heart and cause the heart to put forth more effort than required. Over time, heart failure is caused by this increased effort. Therefore, controlling blood pressure is one of the ways of preventing heart failure.

· Continuous Monitoring: Monitoring blood pressure for abnormal spikes or trends at intervals in between checkups is essential. The American Heart Association considers optimal blood pressure to be below 130/80 mmHg.

· Prescription Medications: Antihypertensive medication should be taken regularly as per the prescribed dosage. This might include the use of ACE-inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, or calcium channel blockers, depending on the individual’s condition.

· Lifestyle Changes: Reduce salt intake, do regular physical activity, and focus on stress management for blood pressure control.

2. Manage Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of heart failure. When the major arteries supplying the blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or obstructed due to plaque deposits, the heart may suffer from oxygen deficit, thus leading to dysfunction.

· Regular screening: Those at any risk for CAD would need regular tests such as ECG, echocardiogram, or angiogram to assess the functioning ability of arteries.

· Angioplasty/ Stenting: Stenting or angioplasty may need to be carried out in cases of major blocking to restore the normal blood flow to the heart. In cases of severe CAD, CABG is needed to bypass blocked arteries.

3. Control Diabetes

Diabetes is a strong risk factor for heart failure. Over time, high blood sugar damages blood vessels, increases blood pressure, and encourages plaque to deposit inside the arteries. All this may eventually stress the heart functionality and ultimately lead to heart attack.

· Glucose Monitoring: Blood glucose monitoring should be frequently conducted since it helps in managing diabetic conditions, ensuring that blood glucose levels are maintained to reduce the risk of heart damage.

· Insulin Therapy: Medications or insulin may be needed to treat diabetes, especially in those patients who are unable to modify their risk factors by lifestyle alone.

· Healthy Diet: A healthy diet with high fiber, limited processed sugars, and healthy fats can assist in controlling blood sugar and reduce the strain on heart.

4. Maintain a Healthy Weight

The other big contributor to heart failure is obesity. Extra weight puts extra stress on the heart, raises blood pressure risk factors, and increases the chances of diabetes. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the effective ways of reducing the risk of heart failure.

· Caloric Balance: For those trying to manage weight, a combination of lower calorie intake and increased physical activity is essential.

· Healthy Eating: A diet containing vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains can help control weight, which indirectly benefits the heart.

· Physical Activity: Regular physical activity is important for weight loss and heart health. Aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, cycling, and jogging strengthen the heart.

5. Exercise Regularly

Exercise boosts heart health. Regular physical activity strengthens the heart muscle, lowers high blood pressure, increases circulation, and helps keep the weight in check.

· Begin Slowly: For individuals with heart conditions, start gradually with low-impact activities and build stamina under the guidance of an online health coach.

· Make Exercising A Routine: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise for at least four days a week, including walking, swimming, cycling, or low-impact aerobics.

· Do Not Overdo It: Avoid strenuous physical exertion, especially if you are suffering from any pre-existing heart conditions.

6. Reduce Alcohol Intake and Quit Smoking

Alcohol intake and smoking contributes to heart failure. They can increase one’s blood pressure, cause arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, and add to its aftereffects. Smoking leads to an increased risk for heart attack and heart failure by damaging the blood vessels and decreasing the oxygen content in blood.

· Quit Smoking: The best thing one can do to reduce the chances of heart failure is to quit smoking altogether. Cessation programs and support groups can help in achieving this.

· Limit Alcohol Consumption: For those who are inclined to drink, moderation is advised.

7. Eat a Nutritionally Balanced Diet

A diet rich in heart healthy foods can reduce the risk of heart failure to a great extent. Consider including nutrient-dense foods in your diet that are low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium, but rich in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids.

· Add More Fiber-Rich foods: Fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and legumes lower cholesterol and enhance cardiovascular health.

· Munch on Healthy Fats: Unsaturated fats from oils, nuts and seeds should be the main fats consumed, whereas saturated fats and trans fats should be restricted.

· Intake Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Consume omega-3 fatty acids from food sources such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, and sardines) that are beneficial for heart health.

8. Monitor and Manage Stress

Chronic stress is a risk factor for heart disease. Stress can lead to high blood pressure, inflammation, and poor lifestyle habits such as excessive eating or smoking. It’s important to keep your chronic stress in check to avoid heart problems.

· Relaxation Techniques: Practices, like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or mindfulness may induce relaxation and rescale stress levels.

· Work-Life Balance: Having a healthy work-life balance might also help in reducing one’s stress levels as it helps in taking out some time for rest and relaxation.

Conclusion

While being diagnosed with heart failure may be terrifying, it is worth remembering that heart failure can actually be avoided or delayed by being proactive about care and lifestyle changes. Cardiac patients can lower the risk of developing heart failure by controlling the underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease while focusing on weight control, exercise, following a heart-healthy diet, and stress management.

Another essential aspect of maintaining your cardiac health is scheduling regular appointments with cardiologists or online heart specialists who can monitor your progress and guide you towards good health. MDChronic is a leading online cardiac care platform assisting heart patients in improving their condition and avoiding potential risks of heart failure or cardiac arrest.

Implementing these strategies in day-to-day life not only helps in avoiding heart failure but also works wonders for overall well-being and improves the quality of life. Schedule a free demo of our online health platform to find out how our health coaches are help you achieve your optimal cardiac health goals