Your heart is responsible for pumping blood and oxygen to all the different organs in your body, meaning it is constantly at work. When your heart struggles to properly circulate blood and oxygen, it can cause serious issues. Heart failure — when the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs — affects more than six million Americans. It may happen if your heart can’t fill up with enough blood. It can also happen if your heart becomes too weak to pump correctly.
While heart failure doesn’t mean your heart has stopped pumping, it is a serious condition that requires ongoing treatment and care.
Who Is At Risk For Developing Heart Failure?
According to David Lanfear, M.D., a cardiologist at Henry Ford Health, as you get older, your risk of heart failure increases. Men over age 45 and women over 55 are at a greater risk.
“Besides age, there are many factors that increase your risk for heart failure,” says Dr. Lanfear. “It is important to remember that heart failure often develops because of another medical condition that places strain on the heart.”
Health conditions that can put you at increased risk for heart failure include:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- A history of heart disease, such as past heart attacks or coronary artery disease
- Untreated heart valve disease
Symptoms of Heart Failure
Your heart health should always be assessed – especially if you are at a greater risk of a heart condition. Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Swelling in your legs
- Rapid weight changes (as much as 5 pounds in a day)
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
People often tend to ignore symptoms that may signal heart failure. For example, pain in your chest, arms or neck may not be common with heart failure, but they could be signs of other types of heart disease. Be sure to always disclose changes in your health with your doctor.
Additionally, be sure to tell your doctor about relatives (parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, siblings or children) with a history of heart failure or heart disease. This information can help identify preventive screening tests you may need to monitor your heart health.
If your doctor has concerns, he or she might order an echocardiogram – ultrasound images of your heart in action. This can be used to assess the heart’s squeezing function as well as valves and other potential issues.
How Your Doctor Can Help Manage Your Risk For Heart Failure
“If you already have heart disease, regular follow-up care with your cardiologist is essential to prevent heart failure,” says Dr. Lanfear. “With proper treatment, many heart conditions can be managed to reduce heart damage.”
The good news is there are steps your provider can take to help you reduce your risk for developing heart failure in the future. This may include:
Heart Failure Treatment
- Medication. Your cardiologist may recommend medications that you can take to help improve heart function. These medications have been proven to increase survivorship and reduce hospital visits among people with heart failure. It is also important to set up a medication schedule to help you manage health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, that can increase your risk of heart failure and heart disease.
- Cardiac rehab. A cardiac rehabilitation program is a great way to learn more about heart health while gaining new skills to help you adjust to your new normal. You’ll work with exercise physiologists, registered dietitians and other experts to gain the confidence to make permanent heart-healthy lifestyle changes.
- Understanding your numbers. It’s important to maintain good blood pressure, blood sugar (glucose) and cholesterol levels – even if you aren’t at risk for heart disease. Talk with your doctor about additional ways to keep your numbers in the optimal range.
- Regular follow-up visits. Through regular visits, your doctor can monitor your heart function and overall health. Your doctor can also provide support and resources to help you adopt more healthy habits that further reduce your heart disease risk.
Lifestyle Changes To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Failure
Heart failure is a chronic condition – meaning there is no cure.
“Although heart failure is dangerous, it can also be very well treated, and people can live normal, vibrant lives after a diagnosis, especially when they make lifestyle changes that promote heart health,” says Dr. Lanfear.
So how should you get started? Dr. Lanfear shares these recommendations:
- Eat a heart-healthy diet. Worried that a heart-healthy diet will be boring and tasteless? There are many ways to reimagine your favorite recipes with healthy swaps. Try adding more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains to your meals. Avoid ultra-processed foods that contain excessive amounts of sodium, saturated fat and sugar.
- Get moving with exercise. You don’t need to join a gym to get into good physical shape. Build exercise into your daily routine by taking walks, biking or hiking. Adding snack-size segments of exercise throughout your day adds up, too.
- Put sleep on your priority list. When reviewing your daily habits to improve your health, don’t forget to include getting a good night’s sleep. Sleep can improve your physical and mental health. Adopt healthy sleep habits so you get the restorative rest you need.
- Seek help to stop smoking. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk for all types of heart disease, including heart failure. Talk with your doctor to identify the best options for smoking cessation programs and support.
- Take time to relax and recharge. Ongoing stress can increase your risk for heart disease. Find ways to reduce stress and recharge. Yoga, meditation and exercise can reduce anxiety and help you manage daily challenges.
Living with heart failure and adjusting your lifestyle does take time and is a serious commitment. But with proper resources and care, it is possible to manage your condition and live a full life.
Reviewed by Dr. David Lanfear, a cardiologist specializing in advanced heart failure and heart transplant who sees patients at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and Henry Ford Medical Center – Royal Oak.
