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Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms and treating the underlying cause of the condition. Hospitalization may be required when the symptoms are severe.
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There have been many major studies in this area, because this condition is so common and serious. Several types of medications have been found to help patients live longer with this disorder. They are ACE-inhibitors (e.g., captopril, lisinopril, etc.), beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol, carvedilol, etc.), and aldosterone. In addition to these, diuretics ("water pills") and digoxin are frequently used.
Patients with this disorder usually will have a cardiac catheterization performed to see if they are candidates for bypass surgery or angioplasty ("balloon procedure"). The goal of these treatments is to improve blood flow to the damaged or weakened heart muscle.
A number of studies have shown that heart failure symptoms can be improved with a special type of pacemaker. It paces both the right and left sides of heart. This is referred to as biventricular pacing or cardiac resynchronization therapy. Ask your provider if you are a candidate for this.
A heart transplant may be recommended for patients who have failed all the standard treatments and still have very severe symptoms. Recently, implantable, artificial heart pumps have been developed. At this point, very, very few patients will be able to undergo either of these advanced treaments.
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