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Help your heart pump properly again

	The symptoms you get can depend on which part of your heart has been damaged. Medications and lifestyle changes can reduce your symptoms and prevent further damage. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find treatments for heart failure that work well.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out which medications rate best for treating heart failure.

If you or someone you know is diagnosed with heart failure, you're not alone. Consumer Reports Health is here to help with the best research about heart failure, and expert evidence and advice about treatment options.

Key points for people with heart failure

• Heart failure is a serious disease, but there are treatments that will make you feel better and prolong your life.
• Drugs called diuretics are one of the main treatments.
• Drugs called ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers canhelp you stay out of hospital and reduce your risk of dying, and most people with heart failure should consider taking them if their doctor recommends them.
• Exercise is great for you, and can make you less short of breath and happier. Just don't overdo it.
• One of the most common reasons that people with heart failure are admitted to the hospital is because they didn't take their medicine or didn’t take it correctly. Talk to your doctor. Don't just stop taking your pills.

Almost 5 million Americans experience heart failure, which is caused by damage to the heart. Things that cause damage to the heart include coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Things that go wrong in your heart can give you heart failure, but sometimes you get heart failure when things go wrong somewhere else in your body.

While there’s no one cure for heart failure, research shows that medicine can keep your symptoms under control and make you feel better. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise can also improve your health. We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about heart failure. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.