What are the treatment options for heart failure?

Heart failure means the heart is not pumping or relaxing well enough for the body’s needs. Treatment depends on the type, severity, cause, kidney function, blood pressure and other health conditions. Medicines may help the heart pump or relax, remove excess fluid, control rhythm or reduce strain on the heart. Some people also need treatment for an underlying valve, artery or rhythm problem.

Take medicines consistently and keep review appointments so symptoms, blood pressure, kidney function and treatment effects can be checked. Track changes such as increasing breathlessness, swelling around the ankles, reduced exercise tolerance or rapid weight change, and report them promptly. A chronic disease review can help coordinate medication checks, vaccinations, activity advice and a personal action plan. An ECG may help assess rhythm or other cardiac clues.

Get emergency help for severe breathlessness at rest, blue or grey lips, chest pain, fainting, new confusion or coughing pink frothy mucus. Contact your clinical team promptly if swelling or breathlessness is clearly worsening, you cannot lie flat comfortably, or your usual medicines are not controlling symptoms.

Ask which type of heart failure you have, what each medicine does, which symptoms need a same-day call, how to monitor fluid changes, and whether a device or specialist procedure should be considered.