Being aware and informed is the first step towards living a heart-healthy life
How is heart failure managed?
Heart failure can be very well-managed , especially if you are diagnosed and initiated on treatment early. Your doctor will decide the best course of treatment for you. It could any or all of the following :
- Medications
- Reduced salt and oil in diet
- Drinking less water , tea/coffee or juices
- Use of devices to remove excess salt and water from your body
- Surgical options like heart/lung transplant
- Regular exercise
Additionally, you may be required to track your symptoms and report them to your doctor immediately in case of any alarming signs.
Here is a self-guide from the American Heart Association which can help you track our symptoms:
Heart failure is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a condition that causes the heart to weaken, leading to difficulty in pumping blood to the rest of the body. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs and feet. While there are many treatments available for heart failure, in some cases, surgery may be necessary to improve the patient’s quality of life.
Heart failure surgery is a term used to describe a range of surgical procedures that can be used to treat heart failure. The type of surgery recommended will depend on the individual patient’s needs and the severity of their condition.
What is surgery for heart failure?
All of your body’s tissues and organs receive blood from your heart. Your heart cannot pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs if you have heart failure (also known as congestive heart failure or CHF).
Treatment for heart failure typically begins with lifestyle changes and medication. These medicines are many times exceptionally successful, yet certain individuals need a medical procedure. Medical procedure can assist with further developing your heart’s capability and function. It can also help you live a longer and more satisfying life.
When is congestive heart failure surgery needed?
- Surgery for heart failure may be recommended by your doctor for:
- Address the underlying ailments that have resulted in heart failure.
- Improving your heart’s performance and function.
- When lifestyle changes and medications haven’t worked, offering lifesaving treatment for advanced heart failure.
What kinds of heart failure surgery are available?
Heart failure can be treated with a variety of surgical options. They range from open-heart surgery and heart transplants to minimally invasive procedures.
Here are some of the most common types of heart failure surgery:
1. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
CABG is a surgical procedure that is used to bypass blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. This procedure involves taking a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body, such as the leg, and using it to bypass the blocked or narrowed artery. By doing this, the blood flow to the heart muscle can be restored, reducing the symptoms of heart failure.
2. Heart Valve Repair or Replacement
In some cases, heart failure may be caused by a faulty heart valve. If this is the case, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace the valve. This can improve the heart’s ability to pump blood and reduce the symptoms of heart failure.
3. Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices
A mechanical device is implanted into the chest and connected to the heart. It helps the heart pump blood to the rest of the body. Implantation is often recommended for patients with severe heart failure who are waiting for a heart transplant or who are not eligible for a transplant.
4. Heart Transplantation
A heart transplant is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a patient’s damaged heart with a healthy heart from a donor. This is typically reserved for patients with end-stage heart failure who have not responded to other treatments.
Mechanical circulatory support (MCS)
MCS Some conditions, such as heart failure and severe lung damage, necessitate the assistance of cutting-edge medical devices in order to assume control of the heart and/or lungs. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices are those that temporarily or permanently perform the functions of the heart and/or lungs. Either therapy or mechanical circulatory support can be used as a bridge between transplant and therapy.
Who requires an MCS device?
Heart transplant candidates include those with heart failure. While they are on the waiting list for the donor heart, a few people might require temporary MCS support prior to the heart transplant.
A heart transplant is not an option for every patient with end-stage heart failure. These patients may require additional long-term care.
One of two goals can be accomplished with the help of MCS devices. They can either serve as a long-term destination therapy or as a bridge to transplantation.
Bridge to transplantation
A MCS device can serve as a bridge to transplant for a patient while they wait for a donor heart, which can take some time. It assumes control over crafted by the heart before a heart relocate.
Long-term destination therapy
These devices can help the heart function over time if the patient is not a candidate for a transplant.
Types of Mechanical circulatory support devices (MCS)
MCS devices can last for a long time or for a short time. The patient’s symptoms and the severity of their condition are taken into consideration when selecting the appropriate device.
The right device is chosen based on the symptoms of the patient and the seriousness of their condition.
Short-term devices are used to support patients during recovery or allow time for doctors to provide a prognosis and guide treatment. Temporary MCS devices include the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP), Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and Impella devices.
Long-term devices provide long-term support for months to years. These are implantable devices. Ventricular assist devices (VAD), like Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), Right Ventricular Assist Device and Biventricular Assist Device (BiVAD), and Total Artificial Heart are types of long-term MCS devices.
