Weight Loss
Excess body weight forces the heart to work harder than it should.
This doesn’t mean it’s necessary to become a marathon runner.
The amount of exercise associated with improved heart health and function may also surprise you.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
To lose weight, the guidelines advise getting twice that, or 300 minutes.
The AHA lays out simple guidelines for choosing foods that can help improve your heart health.
It is based on the eating habits of people in countries of the Mediterranean region, especially Greece.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
The AHA also advises limiting caffeine to no more than one to two cups per day.
Bringing elevated blood pressure down to normal levels can help to prevent diastolic dysfunction from progressing to heart failure.
At the same time, less oxygen-rich blood is flowing through your body.
After a year of not smoking, your risk of having a heart attack will be lessened by half.
If you get the OK, stick with any limits on drinking they advise.
Controlling Hypertension
Hypertension is a major underlying cause of diastolic dysfunction.
If such changes are not enough to reduce blood pressure, you may need to take medication as well.
Prescriptions
Treatingdiastolic dysfunction can be a challenge.
There are no medications that treat diastolic heart failure, with the possible exception of the diuretic drugspironolactone.
Diuretics
In addition to dietary changes, high blood pressure can be treated with medications calleddiuretics.
(The drug did not, however, lower the rate of death due to diastolic heart failure).
Diabetesandobesityare both tied to coronary artery disease and, in turn, diastolic dysfunction.
An ARB may be considered for some people to help decrease hospitalizations.
Sacubitril is a neprilysin inhibitor, which causes an increase in levels of natriuretic peptides.
This helps regulate blood pressure, along with salt and fluid levels.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea conditionsare common among people with diastolic dysfunction.
The most effective treatment for sleep apnea is acontinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) rig.
It’s also more likely insurance will cover a healthcare provider-prescribed CPAP machine.
Cardioversionrefers to any treatment targeted at bringing AFib under control.
The procedure is safe and almost always works.
Angioplasty
This minimally invasive surgical procedure is performed to widen blood vessels blocked byatherosclerotic plaque.
Angioplasty is sometimes referred to as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or percutaneous coronary intervention.
The replacement vessels reroute blood that otherwise would not be able to flow freely.
Depending on the extent of the problem, up to four blood arteries may be bypassed.
for facilitate recovery and to prevent further problems, it’s important to incorporate the lifestyle changes describedabove.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
These lifestyle modifications are guaranteed to lower your risk of other chronic conditions.
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