Taking the Fear Out of Heart Failure Diagnosis

(ARA) - The words "heart failure" may be among the most frightening you can hear from your doctor. But if you are among the greater than 5 million Americans affected by heart failure, this diagnosis by your doctor is not as desperate as it sounds. Recently, there has been much "success" with heart failure and it now means you can take control of your disease and still live a full, active, normal life.

Despite its ominous sound, heart failure doesn't mean your heart has stopped working or that you're about to die, according to the Heart Failure Society of America. Heart failure is a common condition in which the heart muscle has changed. Either it has weakened or become very stiff and needs to work harder to keep blood flowing through the body. Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in people older than 65. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you manage the disease and its symptoms.

"Many people with heart failure can lead relatively normal, active lives. The key is early diagnosis and treatment," says Dr. Barry Greenberg, HFSA President, and the Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Treatment Program at the University of California, San Diego. "New treatments can be very effective in slowing and stopping the progression of the disease, and in some cases can even reverse the process."

Here are some answers to questions frequently asked about heart failure.

Question: What causes heart failure?

Answer: Heart failure develops following an injury to the heart. Heart attacks, long-term untreated high blood pressure or an abnormality of one of the heart valves can all cause the damage that leads to heart failure. You are also at increased risk if you have a history of a heart murmur, suffer from enlargement of the heart or have a family history of enlarged hearts, or if you are diabetic. In some cases, the exact cause of heart failure is not known.

Question: What symptoms should I watch for?

Answer: Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath even when the activity you are engaging in is not strenuous; difficulty breathing in a laying down position; weight gain and fluid retention that leads to swelling in the legs and ankles; and general fatigue and weakness. Of course, many other health problems may share some of these symptoms, so it's important to talk to your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital.

Question: I've been diagnosed with heart failure. What do I do now?

Answer: Take charge. Working with your doctor, you can find a treatment plan that will help you live the healthiest life possible for you. Your treatment will include diet modifications, an exercise plan and certain medications. Limit your salt and alcohol intake. If you smoke, quit. Lose weight if your doctor advises it and exercise regularly. And be sure to weigh yourself daily and report any sudden weight gain or swelling to your doctor.

Once you've been diagnosed with heart failure, it's important to take good care of yourself and to enlist the support of family and friends. To learn more about how to live well with heart failure, visit www.abouthf.org to download information or request to have complimentary materials mailed to you. All the information on this site is designed for patients and is easy to read and understand.

Courtesy of ARAcontent