From an interview with
Dr. Evans Holland
McLeod Cardiology Associates

The body needs the blood pumped by the heart to the body’s cells to function normally. With heart failure, the heart is weakened and cannot supply the cells with enough blood. This condition can make everyday activities a challenge, such as walking, climbing stairs and carrying groceries. McLeod Cardiologist Dr. Evans Holland explains the symptoms and treatment for heart failure:

“Symptoms of heart failure can range from mild to severe. The severity of the symptoms depends on how weak the heart is. Common signs and symptoms of heart failure include:

• Shortness of breath – this can be during an activity, at rest, or while sleeping. Breathing while lying flat may be difficult.
• Persistent coughing or wheezing
• Swelling in feet, ankles, legs or abdomen – may notice shoes feel tight
• Tiredness – feeling tired all the time and having difficulty with everyday activities
• Rapid or irregular heartbeats – heart needs to beat faster to pump enough blood to the body Many patients with heart failure also have diabetes or high blood pressure. These conditions often occur together further worsening a patient’s health, quality of life and health care costs. Controlling hypertension and diabetes is critical for patients with heart failure.

The most common conditions that can lead to heart failure are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and a previous heart attack. If anyone is diagnosed with one or more of these conditions, it is important they are under a physician’s care to help prevent the onset of heart failure.

Patients with heart failure symptoms can also benefit from access to a heart failure disease management program to ensure that their heart failure is correctly diagnosed and managed. McLeod Cardiology Associates offers state-of-the- art heart failure evaluation and management at all five office locations.

McLeod Cardiologists and advanced practice providers work with each patient on a treatment plan. Patients with heart failure are encouraged to be actively involved in managing their condition. This includes avoiding excessive salt intake, maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, not smoking, and being physically active.

Prevention is also important for those at risk for heart failure. The latest guidelines emphasize the importance of managing blood pressure and adhering to a healthy lifestyle to prevent the disease, along with treatment strategies for patients already showing symptoms. It is better if patients at risk are identified and provided treatment early before structural changes or decreased heart function can occur.

Exercise is recommended for all capable heart failure patients to improve quality of life. For those with severe disease, a supervised, exercise-based Cardiac Rehabilitation program should be considered. McLeod has five Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs available. A physician referral is needed so your cardiologist can help locate a program that is most convenient for you.

To help with fluid retention, salt intake should be limited. The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day. The average American consumes 3,400 milligrams daily. To help lower sodium get in the habit of reading food labels.

The main treatment for heart failure is with medications. Depending on the symptoms the patient is experiencing, multiple medications may be needed. Each medication treats a different symptom. It is important that medications are taken exactly as directed by the healthcare provider to be beneficial.

The key to mastering heart failure is early diagnosis and treatment. When it comes to a condition like heart failure, patients can enjoy full lives by building new habits around eating better, tracking and managing their symptoms, and exercising.”

To learn more, speak with a cardiologist near you.