There are plenty of things that can lead to acute heart failure, meaning an often potentially life-threatening condition. Viruses that attack the heart muscle, allergic reactions, severe infections, the use of certain medications, and even blood clots in the lungs can lead to acute heart failure.
Daily Mail brings some good news, revealing that the medication known as empagliflozin, which is used for high blood sugar in the case of type 2 diabetes, has chances of protecting against heart failure as well. The conclusion comes after a study funded by the British Heart Foundation, as the researchers believe that the medication could stimulate the heart and make it significantly more efficient.
Patients monitored for 12 weeks
Researchers from the University of Leeds recruited 18 patients who were suffering from type 2 diabetes. They took the empagliflozin drug and got monitored for more than 12 weeks. All of the patients had lower-than-normal heart energy levels and weak heart contractions, but none of them had heart failure.
Cardiologist Dr Sharmaine Thirunavukarasu led the study, and he said:
In most patients, [by the end of the trial] we saw a significant improvement in the heart’s energy levels, and also improvements in the amount of blood being pumped by their heart.
“We also saw patients lose weight, their blood pressure came down and generally they told us they had more energy and felt better.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention informs us that although heart failure is a serious condition, it doesn’t imply that the heart must stop beating. Also, among the common symptoms of heart failure, we can remind of having trouble breathing while lying down, shortness of breath, weight gain with swelling in the stomach, legs, feet, or ankles, fatigue, and more.
According to emedicinehealth.com, about half of all the patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive for only five years. About 30% of them will survive for 10 years.
