How to Treat Congestive Heart Faliure

Congestive heart failure is a serious disease and if not treated effectively, can be life threatening. Heart disease is described as a condition where the heart is not pumping enough blood through the heart's arteries and into the body's other vital organs. When the organs are deprived from the necessary nutrients and oxygen it needs to function properly, then symptoms can occur.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Heart disease is a serious condition, but like all heart related illnesses, with proper medical attention and diet, you can reduce the symptoms and improve the health of your heart. One of the first things that you can do to reduce your symptoms is to live a stress free life. While this may be difficultly, it is imperative that you try your best to lower daily stress habits because ultimately, your life depends on it.
   
   Participate in stress relieving exercises like yoga and meditation. These two healthy outlets can greatly impact your heart health because not only are you increasing strength and flexibility, your also calming your mind and spirit. When you mental activity is shut down and focused on breathing, your heart rate decreases and your arteries and muscles relax. Tension builds up in the body effects tension in your mind. So doing these relaxation techniques can force your mind and body to slow down.

2. . Eat a proper diet. If you have congestive heart failure, then saturated fats need to be eliminated from your diet, not reduced. Sodium, processed and refined foods are a huge no no. Instead of focusing on weight goals (which you can, but not to stress you out), focus on creating a healthier eating life style (not a diet). This means, switch to whole grain foods, organic when possible, and up your vegetable intake (preferably raw). Omega 3 fatty acids is an essential DHA fat that has been significantly proven to prevent and improve heart related illnesses. So increase your fish intake and use supplements like flaxseed or fish oil to get the full daily requirement of omega 3.

3. Cook on the Mediterranean diet. This means you can no longer use vegetable oil which is considered artery clogging and horrible for your heart health. Instead, cook with extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, or almond oil because these oils, which are monounsaturated, increase HDL levels (which are responsible for clearing out bad artery clogging fats in the heart).

4. Make sure you have an honest and frank conversation with your doctor. Doctor Oz, media medical doctor specialist, talks about the importance of being comfortable with your personal doctor. Make sure that you feel as though you can trust them and never be afraid to ask questions. Find a doctor that is right for you will make you more comfortable and willing to improve your heart's health. Familiarize yourself on the types of medications that are out there like beta blockers, diuretics, ACE, and asodilators to see which options are best for you.