There is no absolute necessity to use drugs in the treatment of patients with heart failure, and it is necessary to select and match them according to individualization. Clinical treatment of heart failure usually includes diuretics, beta-blockers, and cardiotonic drugs.
1. Diuretics: are the cornerstone of heart failure treatment to improve symptoms, but usually not a single application. One of them, spironolactone, is a potassium-preserving diuretic that inhibits cardiovascular remodeling and improves the long-term prognosis of heart failure. However, attention must be paid to the monitoring of blood potassium, and its use is contraindicated in those with recent renal insufficiency, elevated blood creatinine, or hyperkalemia.
2. β-blocker: it can inhibit the unfavorable effect of sympathetic activation on heart failure compensation, long-term use can reduce symptoms and improve prognosis. However, bronchospasm and severe acute heart failure patients are strictly prohibited. The drug should be used in small doses. Liver and kidney function as well as heart rate should be monitored at all times. Long-term use of the drug should not be suddenly stopped.
3. Cardiotonic drugs: Cardiotonic drugs such as digoxin can significantly reduce the clinical symptoms of patients with mild to moderate heart failure, improve the quality of life, improve exercise tolerance, and reduce the hospitalization rate, but there is no significant change in the survival rate. Adverse effects such as digitalis toxicity, arrhythmias, and nausea and vomiting should be guarded against during use. Ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, etc. are prohibited.
Patients are advised to go to regular hospitals to improve the relevant examination and follow the doctor’s instructions for treatment.