Some people with risk factors for heart failure are people with coronary heart disease or a history of heart attack/coronary intervention (heart stent placement)/heart surgery (bypass), chronic hypertension (especially uncontrolled), long-standing or uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, advanced chronic kidney disease, and several other conditions.
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Heart Failure Examination and Treatment
Dr. Easter said there are several stages of examination for heart failure conditions. The examination includes a physical examination to assess complaints and typical signs, a heart record examination (ECG) for suspected heart abnormalities, and a heart echocardiography examination to assess the structure and function of the heart.
Furthermore, there are other examinations that must be done, namely blood laboratory tests. This examination aims to support the diagnosis (NTproBNP or BNP) as well as to assess various associated disorders (e.g. kidney function, diabetes mellitus, anemia, thyroid function, iron levels, and so on).
The imaging examination is a follow-up examination in the form of transesophageal echocardiography (through the esophagus)/ cardiac MRI/nuclear imaging/CT scan of the heart. This can be done to confirm the diagnosis and determine the exact cause of heart failure.
Therapies that can be used for heart failure conditions include changing to a healthy lifestyle. For example, a low-salt diet and restriction of fluid intake from both drinking and food, efforts to lose weight, increase exercise capacity and exercise.
In addition, doctors will identify and treat the underlying causes of heart failure. For example, if there is severe coronary heart disease, the doctor will intervene with stenting or even bypass surgery.
The doctor will also combine specialized heart failure medications that need to be taken regularly for the long term. If the heart failure is already at an advanced stage, special procedures are needed to minimize it.
