Heart failure is a chronic disease which requires lifelong management. However, given the right treatment, signs and symptoms of heart failure can improve, and in some cases the heart sometimes becomes stronger. Active management of your disease may help you live longer and reduce your chance of sudden death.
Some underlying causes of heart failure are treatable. For example, in a patient with a faulty heart valve, repairing the heart valve may reverse heart failure. The same is true for someone with tachycardia: controlling the fast heart rhythm may reverse his/her heart failure.
But for most people, the treatment of chronic heart failure involves the balance of the right medications and, perhaps the use of devices that help the heart beat and contract properly.
Depending on your symptoms, Dr Khoo may prescribe one or more of these medications : angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta blockers, anti-coagulants (blood thinners), diuretics, aldosterone antagonists, inotropes and digoxin, nitrates or statins. Doses will also be adjusted according to your prevailing condition.
As mentioned, surgery may be recommended for some conditions for the right candidate. Such treatments may include: coronary bypass surgery, heart valve repair or replacement, pacemakers and other implantable devices and in the extreme case, a heart transplant.
