Can Congestive Heart Failure Be Reversed?

Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MDMedically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD

Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart has trouble pumping blood the way it should, often due to damage, inflammation, or weakness in the heart muscle. There is no known cure for CHF—and it's not always possible to reverse the condition.

However, experts believe that certain changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, and practicing meditation, can improve your quality of life and slow down the progression of heart failure.

Potential Ways To Reverse CHF

At this time, there isn't a known cure for CHF. However, there are some things you may consider trying to better your quality of life and slow down the progression of congestive heart failure.

Experts recommend these strategies:

• Follow your treatment plan: Take your CHF medications as prescribed. If you're experiencing side effects, talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms. They may adjust your dose or switch you to medications with fewer side effects.

• Make heart-healthy lifestyle changes: Consider eating a heart-healthy diet (low in sodium and sugar, high in fiber and protein) and staying physically active. Your provider may also recommend practicing meditation, managing stress, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and getting enough sleep. These lifestyle changes can also treat other health conditions you may have that can potentially worsen CHF, like obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

• Keep in contact with your healthcare provider: Watch for signs that CHF is getting worse. Gaining unexpected weight, experiencing swelling in your ankles, or having increased trouble breathing are all signs of fluid building up in your body. If you notice these changes, tell your healthcare provider about them. They'll prescribe medications or recommend lifestyle changes to help minimize these symptoms.

Congestive Heart Failure Treatment

Following your treatment plan is an essential way to keep CHF symptoms at bay and reduce the risk of complications. Treating CHF may include a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, therapies, and surgeries.

Lifestyle Changes

Your healthcare provider will likely recommend lifestyle changes for CHF before adding additional treatment measures.

They may recommend that you:

• Manage obesity

• Avoid or quit smoking

• Stay physically active

• Get enough rest

• Manage stress

• Limit fluid intake

• Eat a heart-healthy diet

• Reduce alcohol intake

Medications

Several classes of medications can help treat CHF, such as:

• ACE inhibitors: Relax blood vessels by blocking the production of a hormone that causes them to narrow

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): Block the effects of a hormone that tightens blood vessels, helping relax your blood vessels

• Beta-blockers: Slow your heart rate and lower blood pressure by blocking the effects of adrenaline, helping the heart pump more efficiently

• Diuretics: Help your body get rid of extra fluid and salt through your urine, reducing swelling and easing the workload on the heart

• Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors: Remove excess sugar and sodium from your kidneys through your urine, reducing blood sugar and the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that can help you improve your physical, mental, and social health. It includes personalized exercise plans, nutrition counseling, education on managing CHF, and emotional support. The goal is to improve your heart health, reduce symptoms, and lower the risk of complications.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), also called biventricular pacing, is a treatment for some people with CHF who also have an irregular heartbeat.

This therapy involves placing a small pacemaker under the skin near the collarbone. The pacemaker has three wires that send electrical pulses to the heart, which helps it beat in a more coordinated way. CRT also improves heart function and reduces symptoms like shortness of breath.

Procedures and Surgeries

In the event that you have an advanced stage of CHF, your healthcare provider may discuss other treatment options to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. These include:

• Using a pacemaker to help both sides of your heart work together

• Trying a mechanical heart pump to help the heart when it can't pump enough blood on its own

• Wearing an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) under the skin to monitor irregular heartbeats, send electrical pulses to correct them, and prevent cardiac arrest

• Getting a heart transplant to replace your heart with a healthy heart from a donor

How To Manage CHF

It is essential to manage the symptoms of CHF and keep in touch with your healthcare provider if you notice changes in your health. You know your body best, so if you're experiencing new or worsening symptoms, communicating these changes with your healthcare provider can help you get additional treatment.

Living with congestive heart failure can be challenging. It's common to experience a wide range of emotions, from fear to frustration, which can affect your mental health alongside your physical well-being. Consider these strategies to help you manage your well-being:

• Ask for support from your loved ones when you need it

• Engage in hobbies and stress management techniques that you enjoy doing

• Eat foods that are both nutritious and tasty

• Talk to your healthcare provider about a referral to a mental health professional for additional support with your mental health

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Congestive heart failure is a chronic and serious condition. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of CHF or already have a diagnosis for this condition, it's important to keep in touch with your healthcare provider. It may be a good time to set up an appointment with your provider urgently if you:

• Rapidly gain weight

• Experience shortness of breath

• Notice swelling in your legs and ankles

• Feel dizzy or faint frequently

• Have chest pain

Keeping your healthcare provider updated throughout your treatment journey is also important. It's a good idea to tell them about any side effects you're experiencing and if symptoms are improving or worsening with the medications you're currently taking.

A Quick Review

Congestive heart failure is a condition that occurs when your heart is unable to pump enough blood to the rest of your body. Generally, this disease worsens over time, and researchers have not yet found a cure for CHF.

While many cases of CHF can't be completely reversed, treatments and lifestyle changes can help slow down the progression of CHF and improve your symptoms and overall quality of life.

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