Diagnosis of heart failure: what you need to know now
A diagnosis of heart failure (cardiac insufficiency) can cause anxiety and, above all, raise many questions. What course of the disease can I expect? What do I need to consider in everyday life? Am I even allowed to drive? Our article provides answers.
How does heart failure actually develop?
Heart failure (HF ) can result from various underlying diseases. If, for example, coronary heart disease(CHD) is present, i.e. a narrowing of the coronary arteries, the inadequate blood flow to the heart and thus the poorer supply of oxygen to the heart muscle can reduce the pumping power. Other common causes of heart failure can be a heart attack, cardiac arrhythmia, heart valve disease (heart valve insufficiency, heart valve stenosis), high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes mellitus. Permanent psychological strain and stress can also have a long-term negative effect on your heart.
How is heart failure treated?
Because heart failure usually occurs as a result of another underlying disease, it is very important to treat this as well. If, for example, severe overweight (obesity) is the trigger, weight loss is essential. If cardiac arrhythmia is present, this should also be clarified and treated. Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and diuretics, for example, can be used as supportive drug therapy for heart failure to relieve the heart and alleviate symptoms. In order to improve or at least maintain quality of life, it is also advisable to engage in light sporting activities or take part in targeted cardiac exercise programs. This is because adapted endurance and muscle training can also increase physical resilience in the case of heart failure.
Can heart failure be cured?
No, unfortunately heart failure cannot be completely cured. However, the progression of the disease can be slowed down by treating the underlying disease, adapting your lifestyle and undergoing targeted therapy. It is particularly important that you regularly take the medication prescribed by your doctor to treat your heart failure. This will give you a good chance of staying fit for as long as possible.
Do I really have to stop smoking?
The answer here is clearly yes. Studies show that giving up nicotine is one of the most effective measures against worsening heart failure. To illustrate: two years after quitting smoking, the course of the disease in former smokers was already just as favorable as that of patients who had never smoked before. Smoking is a major burden in the case of existing heart failure, which is associated with an undersupply of oxygen in the body. This is because the carbon monoxide contained in the smoke binds so tightly to the red blood cells that they can no longer absorb enough oxygen and transport it into the body. Symptoms of heart failure such as shortness of breath and tiredness are therefore exacerbated by smoking. In addition, smoking also attacks the blood vessel walls, making it easier for fats and calcium to accumulate on the vessel walls, causing them to constrict. As a result, heart failure worsens and the risk of a heart attack increases.
And what about e-cigarettes?
In recent years, e-cigarettes have been on the rise as a supposedly "healthier" alternative to smoking. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) also classifies e-cigarettes as harmful to health. Studies show that they increase blood pressure and heart rate and contribute to stiffening of the arteries. As a result, they also increase the risk of thrombosis, vasoconstriction and heart attacks. According to the latest studies from the USA, e-cigarettes are just as dangerous for the heart as traditional cigarettes, especially when nicotine is involved and a so-called pod system is used, and are therefore unfortunately not an alternative.
Can I still drive if I have heart failure?
There is no clear answer here, as it depends on your symptoms, among other things. Heart failure can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, concentration problems or cardiac arrhythmia, so the question of road safety must be considered carefully. Your fitness to drive should therefore be checked by a doctor. If you have no or few symptoms, your heart is still pumping well and you take your medication regularly, driving is usually not a problem - even at work. If symptoms occur regularly and even at rest, you should no longer drive in order to avoid endangering yourself and other road users. If you have an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator), you may no longer work as a professional driver. Privately, you must ensure that you have a recovery period of two to twelve weeks after the ICD has been implanted, after an electric shock or after changing the unit before you get behind the wheel again.
Do I have to watch my diet?
Basically, the same applies to people with heart disease as to healthy people: the diet should be balanced, with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, high-quality fats and oils and as little meat and convenience products as possible. Salt and alcohol consumption should be adapted to the symptoms. If you do not suffer from any other symptoms in addition to heart failure, the same alcohol consumption recommendations apply as for healthy people: for men, a maximum of one glass of wine (230 milliliters) or beer (500 milliliters) per day, for women half that amount. This does not apply if the heart failure was caused by excessive alcohol consumption or if you were once addicted to alcohol: then, of course, you should not drink alcohol. The amount of water you drink depends on your symptoms. Drinking too little water can cause confusion, falls and a rapid heartbeat, as well as impairing kidney function. However, if existing water retention leads to severe symptoms such as high blood pressure and shortness of breath, it may make sense to temporarily reduce the amount of water you drink. Your doctor is the right person to advise you on this.
Should I take dietary supplements?
Patients with heart failure usually take three to four medications, which is why experts generally advise against taking dietary supplements. Studies show that the more active ingredients you take, the harder it is to take them correctly. With a heart-healthy diet, you can also ensure that you get all the important minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids such as omega-3.
Does heart failure change my love life?
In principle, of course, there is nothing wrong with an active love life even if you have a heart condition. However, there are a few things you should bear in mind: If you suffer from severe symptoms, you should refrain from sexual activity until your condition has stabilised. However, if you can, for example, walk up two flights of stairs without getting short of breath or feeling pain in your chest, your sex life should hardly need to be restricted. If in doubt, talk to your doctor about it and also involve your partner in confidence. This can help reduce the pressure to perform and prevent disappointment - because shame is unfounded here and your health should be the priority. As with many other occasions, it can help to "shift down a gear" and adapt the circumstances to the heart condition, for example by taking plenty of time for foreplay and making sure you are in a comfortable position.
What influence does my heart failure have on a pregnancy?
Most women with heart failure have a good chance of having a healthy pregnancy and a normal birth. However, there is a slightly higher risk of cramps, premature labor or bleeding after birth. It is therefore advisable to discuss a planned pregnancy with your gynecologist and cardiologist in advance in order to assess the personal risks. Due to the higher body weight and the larger volume of blood during pregnancy, the expectant mother's blood pressure increases and the heart has to work harder, even at rest, to supply the mother and child with sufficient blood. Pregnancy should therefore always be accompanied by regular medical check-ups by the gynecologist and cardiologist if heart disease is present.
What do I need to look out for when using contraception?
Women with heart defects or heart failure should always seek advice from their gynecologist on the most suitable contraceptive measure for them, as there are contraceptives, particularly in the area of hormonal contraception, that are not suitable.