Reversing Congestive Heart Failure

Reversing congestive heart failure is a difficult road to follow, but provides renewed hope and health to previous sufferers of cardiac disorders. While some medical professionals do not believe in the actual reversal of a person’s chances of having repeated problems, others confidently prescribe medication and lifestyle changes that are proven to improve an individuals overall life. Such suggestions include increased diet change, strict exercise programs, medication, and even surgery. It is important to determine the type and intensity of problem that is being treated. If a scar has already been made on the tissue or a person has already had a cardiac attack, then the success in reversing coronary heart disease is next to impossible; however, people who have encountered blockage of the arteries can remain hopeful. Birth defects and the onset or improper management of infection can also lead to cardiac problems. Reversing coronary heart disease may need to be treated with a much higher rate of management including healing for hypertension, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Cardiac problems are often the result of another condition; therefore if that condition is not treated then success in reversing congestive heart failure is not possible. When a person is diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) the diagnosis should include information about the underlying causes. Some of these causes may include a faulty valve or a weakened cardiac chamber. Though these causes are not the fault of a person’s lifestyle, they can be improved on by changes in current lifestyle. These changes include diet change, supplementation of vitamins, taking medication, and surgery. Other causes that are controllable include smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, family history, and hypertension. Causes of hypertension include stress and genetics for the most part. Controlling hypertension can eliminate the occurrence of many other health problems and possibly attribute to reversing congestive heart failure symptoms. In addition to hypertension, diabetes can have an effect on a person’s risk for developing cardiac problems. Reversing coronary heart disease can be attributed to the careful management or avoidance of diabetes.

Again, lifestyle changes can aid in controlling or preventing diabetes. Introducing omega-3 fatty acids to a person’s diet can aid in the prevention and natural management of many diseases, including efforts toward reversing congestive heart disease. Minimal intake of trans fat, vegetable oil, and refined sugar can dramatically help in efforts toward a healthier body. Concentration of foods high in fiber or fiber supplements can also help. The supplementation of CoQ10 has shown to have beneficial effects on the management and efforts in reversing congestive heart failure. Consequently these steps toward better health also affect diabetes and hypertension prevention. The avoidance of smoking and alcohol consumption is key to successfully reversing congestive heart disease among other diseases. Smoking can increase cardiac rate, blood pressure, and oxygen demand as well as reduce the amount of energy a person has to exercise making it a double negative in the aspect of reversing coronary heart failure. Likewise, alcohol consumption affects the entire cardiac system to the point of total shutdown if too much is consumed. If someone has been diagnosed with an extreme case of congestive cardiac failure, total bed rest may be prescribed, but in general moderate, regular exercise is crucial to overall health and wellness including efforts in reversing congestive heart failure. In addition to congestive cardiac disease causing other diseases, poor nutrition can actually cause cardiac problems. Due to the body’s inadequacy to function properly, poor appetite can occur which leads to malnutrition. In addition, stress and some medications may cause the same problems.

While poor appetite is a concern, obesity is equally (if not more) dangerous and can cause a multitude of other problems. Surgery is an option, but usually only tried when all other efforts have failed. Some symptoms of chronic cardiac problems include fatigue, swelling of any part of the body, loss of appetite, nausea, persistent cough, and trouble sleeping. Though these symptoms seem unrelated to cardiac function they can be signs that help save a life. It is important to seek professional help and testing if these symptoms occur. Keep in mind that these symptoms could also indicate a number of other problems not related to cardiac problems. Likewise, other problems could lead to congestive cardiac failure as mentioned above and are equally as important in preventing and treating. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalm 42:11)

Treatment centers designed to help people overcome the debilitating effects of cardiac problems are available all over the country. These programs offer help in regaining normal everyday function after the event of cardiac arrest or even mild cardiac problems. These programs help people learn to do basic tasks at their job and independent living including relearning how to dress oneself and even cook meals. Learning how to cook meals accomplishes two goals: regaining skills and learning to live a healthier life to ensure continued health. In addition, these programs which help people in reversing coronary heart disease develop a realistic and successful exercise program which will aid in the strengthening if all body functions as well as provide a pastime that may replace other bad habits or pastimes such as smoking, drinking, and immobility. All of these items lead to continued cardiac problems and the risk of developing heart problems as well as a number of other diseases including diabetes, stroke risk, and hypertension.