When a person is predisposed to heart failure, then anything that increases stress to the heart may result in acute symptoms. Other risk factors include smoking , obesity , excess alcohol consumption , and eating a diet high in fat and salt. Follow dietary guidelines, and minimize or eliminate smoking and alcohol consumption . A heart murmur may be present. The goals of treatment include reduction of cardiac work load, control of symptoms, and improvement of heart functioning.
Heart failure requires monitoring of the condition by the health care provider.
Hospitalization may be required if symptoms are severe or unstable, difficulty breathing occurs at rest or with minimal activity, or there is failure to respond to initial treatment. Underlying disorders and precipitating factors should be treated. This may require medications, surgery, or behavior modification. Digitalis may be given to help the heart muscle contract more vigorously. Intravenous medications may be used to give a faster response, including inotropic drugs, vasodilator drugs, and diuretics.