Treatment
The treatment of the so-called “cardiac cough” is mainly based on the treatment of cardiac insufficiency. A cardiac insufficiency can be temporary or chronic, depending on the underlying disease and the extent of damage to the heart muscle cells. This is often caused by diseases of the coronary arteries, which are due to risk factors such as smoking, overweight and diabetes. Controlling these risk factors plays a crucial role in maintaining heart health.In the treatment of an existing chronic heart failure, a healthy diet and moderate exercise can also slow down the progress of the disease. For the symptomatic treatment of heart failure, various drugs can be used to reduce the heart action, decrease blood volume and prevent potential complications.
Duration/Prediction
It is difficult to predict the duration of the cough, as the cough can be a fluctuating symptom of chronic heart failure. During the course of the disease, the cough can be temporary and subside on its own. In many cases, heart failure is a chronic disease that can be accompanied by symptom-free intervals and, on the other hand, by acute so-called “decompensation”. In the long term, heart failure limits life expectancy. Coughing during heart failure indicates an advanced congestion of blood in the pulmonary circulation in an advanced stage of the disease.
Course of disease
The course of the disease can be very variable. It can develop slowly over years, apparently without cause, or it can be traced back to a specific event such as a heart attack. The heart weakness is usually conspicuous by increased shortness of breath during low physical activity.
Over the years, heart failure can worsen and be accompanied by temporary symptoms such as shortness of breath, rales, leg edema, abdominal fluid and coughing. In the long term, this can cause severe damage to the lungs and liver. Advanced heart failure is associated with a significantly reduced life expectancy, as life-threatening pulmonary edema can occur. Only a heart transplant can cure the chronic stage of the disease.
