Receive the best care for your heart and stay safe with DispatchHealth
Anyone with a history of heart disease knows the stress associated with this condition. What seems like minor symptoms for others, such as fatigue, can be especially scary when you’re constantly on the lookout for symptoms related to your illness. When it comes to your heart, you should be assessed if you think something is wrong. DispatchHealth offers a better solution than travelling to an urgent care facility for non-life-threating situations. When heart failure exacerbations occur, DispatchHealth will come to you and evaluate the situation. Our experienced medical staff has the ability to use an EKG to assess heart rhythms and develop a treatment plan. To schedule an appointment, you can call, click here, or download our app.
If this is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Heart failure exacerbations: definition, cause, & effect
A heart failure exacerbation is any abnormality associated with the muscles of the heart and/or its function. As a result, patients can experience a variety of symptoms that indicate the heart is compromised. The most common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue and weakness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Excess coughing
Treatment for heart failure exacerbations includes the use of medications to improve the functionality of the heart. Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and vasodilators are common drugs used in the immediate treatment of heart issues. Long-term treatments may include the use of dietary supplements, diet modification, and any combination of vasodilators. Regular exercise may also reduce the risk of heart failure.
If left untreated
Untreated heart issues can result in death. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, but proper treatment will reduce your risk of serious complications or mortality. DispatchHealth can help your heart today – contact us to learn more.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Phil Mitchell MD, MS on July 24th, 2019