The treatment of CHF often has to be modified for the elderly.

Designing a treatment program must begin with ascertaining the patient's personal values as given by the patient or someone who is in a position to know them. Treatment of a chronic disease such as CHF requires a permanent change in lifestyle. There is no point in outlining a complicated medical regimen if the patient's wishes are only for comfort care.

For details of treatment (doses, frequency, adverse effects, interactions) click here. We will emphasize points that are particularly important in the care of older people.

General measures for treatment of congestive heart failure, such as fluid restriction, if any, sodium restriction, oxygen, anticoagulants and exercise, are complex enough; imagine the difficulty older patients and their families have when 3 or 4 other treatments are added.

Treatment of CHF due to systolic dysfunction differs from treatment of CHF due to diastolic dysfunction:

Treatment of CHF due to diastolic dysfunction

• Diet
• Exercise
• Diuretics
• Other Pharmacologic Considerations

Treatment of CHF due to systolic dysfunction

• Diet
• Exercise
• Diuretics
• ACE Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists
• Digoxin
• Vasodilators
• Beta-Blockers

See Also:

• Pharmacology
• Admission Indications for Patients with CHF