What is the first line treatment for heart failure?

First-line drug therapy for all patients with HFrEF should include an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and beta blocker. These medications have been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality.

What can be done for heart failure in the elderly?

All elderly systolic heart failure patients should be treated with an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker, if a patient cannot tolerate an ACE inhibitor due to cough or angioedema. Chronic renal insufficiency is common in heart failure, and should not be a reason for nonuse of these drugs.

What happens when your heart doesn’t pump enough blood?

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as well as it should. Blood often backs up and causes fluid to build up in the lungs (congest) and in the legs. The fluid buildup can cause shortness of breath and swelling of the legs and feet. Poor blood flow may cause the skin to appear blue (cyanotic).

What are the different approaches for treating CHF?

The treatment of heart failure encompasses pharmacological therapy and includes surgical approaches such as revascularization of coronary arteries, mitral valve repair, aortic valve replacement, ventriculectomy, cardiomyoplasty, and left ventricular assist devices with heart transplant.

Which medications are considered first line treatment for heart failure select all that apply?

ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), ARBs, beta-blockers, MRAs and diuretics form the basis of first-line pharmacological management of left ventricular systolic heart failure (HFrEF). Treatment doses should be increased to those shown to be of benefit in the major trials or to the highest tolerated doses.

How long can an 80 year old live with congestive heart failure?

For female patients of mean age 80 years, the life expectancy was 4.5 years (95\% CI 3.6-5.7), compared with 8.5 years for the general population of women of the same age. Conclusion: The presence of chronic heart failure in older patients results in an approximately 50\% reduction in life expectancy.

Can a 90 year old recover from heart failure?

As a clinical condition, yes, heart disease cannot be completely eliminated for patients of any age. However, we have treatments that can make it better. It’s a progressive illness, and it’s not something we can cure, but we can slow it down. It can progress so slowly so it doesn’t seem like it’s progressing at all.

What is a commonly prescribed drug for congestive heart failure?

There are many different types of diuretic, but the most widely used for heart failure are furosemide (also called frusemide) and bumetanide. Possible side effects of diuretics include dehydration and reduced levels of sodium and potassium in the blood.

When should you go to the hospital for congestive heart failure?

Go to the emergency room or call your local emergency number if you have heart failure and have a weight gain of more than 5 pounds in a week, an inability to lie flat, shortness of breath at rest, increased swelling and discomfort in the lower body, or a constant, hacking cough.