Living with Advanced Heart Failure: My Medication and Supplement Routine

Living with advanced heart failure is a challenging journey, one that requires a complex regimen of medications and supplements to manage the condition and improve quality of life. As someone navigating this path, I’ve learned that a carefully tailored treatment plan can make a significant difference. Here’s an insight into the medications and supplements I use to help treat my heart failure.

Prescription Medications

1. Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan)
Entresto is a key part of my treatment. It helps to relax blood vessels, improve blood flow, and reduce the strain on my heart. It has significantly improved my heart function and reduced hospitalizations.

2. Jardiance (empagliflozin)
Originally used for diabetes, Jardiance also has benefits for heart failure. It helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization by promoting the removal of excess glucose through urine.

3. Amiodarone
This antiarrhythmic medication helps control abnormal heart rhythms, which is crucial for preventing serious complications like atrial fibrillation that can exacerbate heart failure.

4. Eliquis (apixaban)
Eliquis is an anticoagulant that reduces the risk of stroke and blood clots, which are higher in heart failure patients, especially those with atrial fibrillation.

5. Atorvastatin
As a statin, Atorvastatin helps manage my cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of further cardiovascular disease by preventing the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

6. Furosemide
This diuretic, commonly known as a water pill, helps reduce fluid retention and swelling, which are common symptoms of heart failure. It helps me breathe easier and reduces the workload on my heart.

7. Metoprolol
A beta-blocker, Metoprolol slows down my heart rate and lowers blood pressure, which helps reduce the strain on my heart and improve its efficiency.

8. Spironolactone
This medication is a potassium-sparing diuretic that helps manage fluid retention and also provides protective effects on the heart muscle, reducing the risk of worsening heart failure.

9. Repatha SureClick (evolocumab)
This injectable medication helps lower LDL cholesterol levels dramatically, which is crucial for preventing further cardiovascular events.

10. Sildenafil
Commonly known for treating erectile dysfunction, Sildenafil also helps improve exercise capacity and symptoms in certain heart failure patients by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow.

11. Alprazolam
Managing anxiety is crucial for overall heart health. Alprazolam helps me manage anxiety, which can otherwise exacerbate heart failure symptoms.

12. Fluoxetine
This antidepressant helps manage my depression, which is important because mental health significantly impacts physical health and heart failure management.

Supplements

1. Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps the heartbeat steady. It’s especially important because some heart failure medications can lower magnesium levels.

2. Vitamin C
As an antioxidant, Vitamin C helps protect my cells from damage and supports overall cardiovascular health.

3. Vitamin D-3 Priority™
Vitamin D-3 Priority™ is a potent whole-body health nutrient formula. Vitamin D-3 is considered the most bioavailable form of vitamin D for the human body. Vitamin D-3 is both a vitamin and a hormone. It acts as a vitamin when it binds with calcium for proper absorption. Humans cannot digest calcium without adequate amounts of vitamin D-3.

4. Omega-3 Priority™
 Omega-3 Priority™ offers higher levels of EPA and DHA while having minuscule amounts of saturated fats, which are found in raw or low-grade fish oil. Pure, concentrated, pharmaceutical-grade fish oil with 400 mg of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 200 mg of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is what each Life Priority Omega-3™ capsule offers.

5. Aspirin
Aspirin is a blood thinner that helps reduce the risk of blood clots, which is crucial in preventing strokes and heart attacks in heart failure patients.

6. Muscle Memory (L-Arginine)
Provides nutrients to enhance the production of nitric oxide, support a healthy cardiovascular system, and promote sexual function.* New Improved Muscle Memory™ is a Life Priority – Designer Food Formula by Life Extension Scientists Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw.

7. Mind
Mind™ is great-tasting lemon-lime citrus cooler containing choline and essential nutrient cofactors. Choline, which is also known as “brain food”. Mind™ is a Life Priority-Designer Food Formula by Life Extension Scientists Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw.

8. Lift™ Powder
Lift™ Powder is a Life Priority-Designer Food™ Formula by Life Extension Scientists Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw. Lift is an energy-boosting nutritional supplement to help you fire up your brain naturally and add key nutrients to help eliminate mental fatigue.

Conclusion

Managing advanced heart failure requires a multifaceted approach that includes a combination of medications and supplements. Each of these components plays a critical role in maintaining my heart health and improving my quality of life. It’s essential to work closely with healthcare providers to tailor a treatment plan that addresses individual needs and circumstances.

While this regimen helps manage my heart failure, it’s also important to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, avoiding smoking, and managing stress. Every day is a challenge, but with the right combination of medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes, it’s possible to live a fulfilling life even with advanced heart failure.

If you or a loved one are dealing with heart failure, I encourage you to have open conversations with your healthcare providers about your treatment options. Each person’s journey is unique, and finding the right combination of therapies can make all the difference.