Heart Failure
Prevention

For many people, heart failure may be avoided with the same strategies that reduce the risk of heart disease and other health problems. This approach, called "primary prevention," includes:

A healthy lifestyle. Individuals reduce their chance of developing heart failure if they live a healthy life that includes such things as regular exercise, a healthy diet, maintaining a desirable weight, and not smoking.

Treating and monitoring underlying diseases and conditions that may contribute to heart failure, such as coronary artery disease, heart valve damage, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and thyroid disease.

Regular physical examinations to detect heart failure before symptoms appear, and early treatment to control the condition before it is a threat to life or interferes with normal activities.

Early treatment of underlying problems such as cardiovascular disease, abnormal heart rhythms, thyroid disease and anemia before significant damage is done to the heart.

For more information on secondary prevention, see treatments.