Diagnosis | Symptoms of heart failure

Diagnosis

As an integral part of western society, alcohol is an indispensable part of our everyday life. The negative health effects on our body cannot be denied. The heart muscle can also be affected by alcohol consumption.

Mostly, however, such toxic heart muscle diseases, which can also be caused by heavy drug and medication consumption, are the consequence of very intensive and regular alcohol consumption and are therefore rather rare. In general, however, many studies indicate that not excessive alcohol consumption is not a cause of heart disease such as heart failure. Some American studies even concluded that moderate alcohol consumption should even have a protective effect on the heart.

However, these studies are anything but uncontroversial and have been strongly criticized by many doctors for various reasons. Apart from that, a critical look at one’s own alcohol consumption is certainly recommendable in many respects. The recommendations of the American Heart Association can be used as a guide. This association recommends that women should not drink more than 12 grams of alcohol a day (approximately one glass of wine, beer or schnapps), or 24 grams of alcohol a day for men (i.e. two glasses of wine, beer or schnapps). In addition, even with a low risk of heart failure, alcohol still causes great damage to other organ systems such as the liver and should therefore be consumed in small amounts if at all.

Treatment of heart failure

The treatment of cardiac insufficiency is extensive and lengthy; at best, the disease can only be cured by heart transplantation. The first step in treatment is always the elimination of its causes, whereby a change in lifestyle is especially important for the success of the therapy. For this purpose, blood pressure should be lowered to normal values (below 14090) (see: Lowering high blood pressure) and body weight should be reduced.

Physical activity is also recommended. Limiting the daily amount of food you drink and the amount of salt you eat can also be helpful. The drug therapy of cardiac insufficiency involves a whole range of medications which act directly or indirectly on the heart muscle and are intended to relieve it.

The most widespread are the so-called beta blockers and ACE inhibitors. Diuretics (draining drugs), which ensure that excess fluid is excreted with the urine, also help to relieve the heart muscle. Finally, as a last option for treating heart failure or avoiding serious consequences, various surgical procedures are available depending on the cause of the heart failure. The most common is the implantation of a pacemaker, which is mainly used in cases of cardiac conduction disorders.