Controlling Heart Failure

Understanding Heart Failure | Nutritional Assessment | Medication Tips | Advanced Directives and DNRs | Controlling Heart Failure
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To help control heart failure, you should also consider other medical problems you may have.

Control Your Blood Pressure
Even blood pressure that is normal for some people may be too high for someone with heart failure. The lower the better with heart failure patients, unless you become dizzy, or have symptoms of low cardiac output. If your heart muscle is weak, lower blood pressure will reduce the work of your heart. A good goal blood pressure is about 120/80.

Control Your Blood Sugar, Especially if You Have Diabetes
Poorly controlled blood sugar can cause problems with wound healing and infections. It also can worsen blockages in the blood vessels as well as exacerbate kidney and eye problems. Poorly controlled blood sugar adversely affects overall health, which can worsen heart failure. For these reasons, a healthy hemoglobin A1c level should be less than 6.5 to 7.0.

For more information about achieving a healthy blood sugar,  you may contact the Summit Medical Group diabetes educator at 908-277-8617.

Control Your Cholesterol
High cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in arteries (atherosclerosis). Some blockages can cause the heart muscle to function poorly. To prevent atherosclerosis, follow these recommendations to help prevent atherosclerosis:

• Know your cholesterol level
• Know your risk
• Reduce your cholesterol level depending on your level of risk (your cardiologist can tell you what level is ideal for you)

Risk Category    LDL Goal

High Risk            70 mg/dL to 100 mg/dL
Moderately           <130 mg/dL
Low                      <160 mg/dL

Summary
When the heart does not get enough blood or if heart rhythms are disturbed, the heart does not function properly and heart failure worsens. Effective heart failure treatment includes improving overall heart health as well as strengthening the heart muscle.

Patients can take an active role in improving their overall health by:

• Controlling cholesterol levels
• Taking all medications as prescribed
• Avoiding alcohol
• Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
• Being active
• Not smoking
• Not using recreational drugs