If you have any questions about any part of your treatment plan, ask a member of your healthcare team.
Stage A is considered pre-heart failure. It means you are at high risk of developing heart failure because you have a family history of heart failure or you have one of more of these medical conditions:. Stage B is considered a pre-heart failure. It means you have been diagnosed with systolic left ventricular dysfunction but have never had symptoms of heart failure. Patients with Stage C heart failure have been diagnosed with heart failure and have currently or had previously signs and symptoms of the condition.
If the treatment causes your symptoms to get better or stop, you still need to continue treatment to slow the progression to Stage D. This is the final stage of heart failure. It is up to you to take steps to improve your heart health. Take your medications as instructed, follow a low-sodium diet, stay active or become physically active, take notice of sudden changes in your weight, live a healthy lifestyle, keep your follow-up appointments, and track your symptoms.
Talk to your healthcare team about questions or concerns you have about your medications, lifestyle changes or any other part of your treatment plan. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.
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We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Appointments How is heart failure treated? What are the stages of heart failure? Stage A Stage A is considered pre-heart failure. It means you are at high risk of developing heart failure because you have a family history of heart failure or you have one of more of these medical conditions: Hypertension.
Coronary artery disease. Metabolic syndrome. History of alcohol abuse. History of rheumatic fever.
5 Action Steps for Early Heart Failure
Family history of cardiomyopathy. History of taking drugs that can damage the heart muscle, such as some cancer drugs. Stage A treatment The usual treatment plan for patients with Stage A heart failure includes: Regular exercise, being active, walking every day. Quitting smoking. Treatment for high blood pressure medication, low-sodium diet, active lifestyle.
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Treatment for high cholesterol. Not drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs. Medications: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ACE-I or an angiotensin II receptor blocker ARB if you have coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or other vascular or cardiac conditions. Beta-blocker if you have high blood pressure. Stage B Stage B is considered a pre-heart failure. Possible surgery or intervention as a treatment for coronary artery blockage, heart attack, valve disease you may need valve repair or replacement surgery or congenital heart disease.
Looking after yourself
Stage C Patients with Stage C heart failure have been diagnosed with heart failure and have currently or had previously signs and symptoms of the condition. There are many possible symptoms of heart failure. The most common are: Shortness of breath. Feeling tired fatigue.
You can do this by simply writing it down on paper or in a notepad. Some patients with heart failure need to limit their fluid intake because too much can affect their condition. Ask you doctor about how much fluid you can have. Drinking too much fluid puts more stress on your heart and can cause swelling or edema, weight gain, and shortness of breath.
There are two easy ways to track your fluid intake using a water pitcher or 2 liter soda pop bottle:. Rinsing foods removes some sodium, but we do not know exactly how much. It is safer to choose low-sodium foods. Appointments Food Labels Being able to read a food label is one of the most important steps in starting your low-sodium diet.
Low-Sodium Foods It is easiest to follow a low-sodium diet when you start with low-sodium foods, such as: Fresh or frozen fruits, vegetables, beef, poultry, pork, and seafood that do not have sauces Unsalted snacks, like pretzels and nuts Oats and cereals that have less than mg sodium per serving High-Sodium Foods You can still enjoy some foods that have higher levels of sodium.
Some smart phones have applications that allow you to track sodium intake. Fluid Restrictions Some patients with heart failure need to limit their fluid intake because too much can affect their condition. Why limit fluid intake? What counts as a fluid? Make a grocery list so you know what to buy before you go shopping.
Shop the perimeter of the store, where most fresh and frozen foods are found. Choose fresh or frozen foods Fresh foods have the least amount of sodium. Frozen foods are often very low in sodium if they are not precooked, seasoned, covered in a gravy or sauce, or injected with a saline or salt solution often poultry. Use sodium free seasonings such as: Mrs. Thyme Basil Oregano Cumin Curry. Dining Out Difficult, but not impossible! Follow these tips: Appetizers - Avoid soups and broths Salads - Avoid pickles, cured meats, cheeses, and salted nuts.
Order salad dressing on the side or use a sodium-free dressing like oil and vinegar. Main Courses - Choose items that are grilled, baked, broiled or roasted. Ask that food be prepared without butter, salt, MSG, or dressings. Order condiments, sauces and dressings on the side.