Heart Failure > Treatment Options

Heart Failure Treatment

Heart failure cannot be cured though there is a range of treatment options available to manage and improve quality of life.

Treatment Methods for Heart Failure

 

Pharmacological Management

Pharmacological management of patients with chronic heart failure is complex and may require regular medical review to assess the effectiveness of therapy. This may be further complicated by the presence of other co-morbidities such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Chronic airways disease etc. The classification of the type of HF may also necessitate varying treatment modes as well as tolerance to medication by individual patients.

Much of the early treatment of heart failure relates to the treatment of the symptoms of heart failure such as diuretics, once acute symptoms are under control, then longer-term strategies are considered. Below is an example of suggested pharmacological management of HFrEF patients.

 

Treatment of Heart Failure 1
Source: Heart Lung Circ

 

Initial Medical Management for Patients with Heart Failure

Many patients with heart failure may require several different classes of medication to aid in the management of this complex condition process.

These classes may include (but are not limited to):

  • Loop diuretics
  • Beta Blockers (BB)
  • Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB’s)
  • Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors)
  • Low dose Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (MRA’s)
  • Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNI’s)
  • Hyperpolarisation Activated Channel Blockers (HCN’s)1.

 

These medications may require frequent ongoing medical review to assess the interaction/ effectiveness of medical treatment and monitor for the effects on a wide variety of biochemical markers (i.e. Serum Potassium levels)2.

 

When to consider medications for your Heart Failure patient?

 

When should a GP consider initialising therapy for heart failure?

 

Managing heart failure patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

 

What should a GP be considering when reviewing heart failure patients?

 

Multidisciplinary Heart Failure Teams

Heart Failure teams may consist of (but may not be limited to):

  • Cardiologists
  • Heart Failure Specialists/ Physicians
  • Physiotherapists
  • Registered Nurses
  • Pharmacists
  • Exercise Physiologists
  • Dietitians
  • Psychologists
  • Palliative Care Physicians3.

Patient Disclaimer: All content on the Hope For Hearts site is created and published online for general information purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Please see your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.