Read up on Heart failure treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Heart failure

Key points about treatments

The good news about heart failure is that there are treatments that work. There's lots of research that shows that medicine can keep your symptoms under control and make you feel better. But there's no cure for heart failure.

Doctors sometimes describe heart failure as being either systolic or diastolic. The treatments we look at here have mainly been studied in people with systolic heart failure. There hasn't been much research on treatments for diastolic heart failure, although there has been some on drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers. See More about diastolic heart failure.

To learn more about the different types of heart failure, see What is heart failure?

Key points about treating heart failure

Drugs called diuretics help your body get rid of extra fluid. They are one of the main treatments for heart failure.
Drugs called ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers can help you stay out of the hospital and may help you live longer.
Your doctor may suggest that you take diuretics, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers.
One of the main reasons that people with heart failure end up in the hospital is because they stop taking their pills or don't take them correctly. Don't stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first.
Getting a moderate amount of exercise can stop your heart failure from getting worse and help keep you out of the hospital. Talk to your doctor if you are not sure how much exercise to do.
Getting support and advice from a health professional about food and exercise can help keep you out of the hospital.
If you have heart failure, you probably shouldn't take a group of painkillers known as

NSAIDs
NSAID stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs help with pain, inflammation and fever. They are called 'nonsteroidal' because they don't contain any steroids. Aspirin and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs.

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They can make your heart failure worse. Ibuprofen is the most common NSAID. If you're not sure whether you're taking an NSAID, talk to your doctor.

This information was last updated on Jul 10, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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