Health A-Z

Medical Content Created by the Faculty of the
Harvard Medical School

Heart Failure

Treatment

The treatment of heart failure focuses on:

• Lessening symptoms

• Decreasing hospitalizations

• Improving life expectancy

To accomplish these goals, your doctor will advise a low-salt diet and medication.

Medications may include:

• A diuretic to remove excess body fluid by increasing urine output

• An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker to help the heart work less hard

• A beta-blocker to help the heart work less hard

• Digoxin (Lanoxin) to strengthen the heart's contractions

• A potassium-sparing diuretic, which can help people live longer when taken in low doses

Sometimes, anticoagulants (blood thinners) also are prescribed to prevent blood clots. These are particularly important if the patient requires a long period of bed rest.

Your doctor also will address the underlying cause of your heart failure. Heart failure related to coronary artery disease may require additional medications, angioplasty or surgery. When heart failure is caused by a poorly functioning heart valve, your doctor may advise surgical repair and valve replacement.

For some heart failure patients, losing weight or avoiding alcohol can dramatically improve symptoms. Your doctor will tell you how much exercise is appropriate. Balancing physical activity with rest is important in more advanced stages of heart failure.

Eventually medications and self-treatment may no longer be helpful. At this point, a heart transplant may be considered. This treatment option is limited by a shortage of donor hearts. It usually is reserved for patients younger than 65.