- Heart failure is a severe condition concerning how well the heart can pump blood throughout the body.
- The management of heart failure involves lifestyle modifications and the use of certain medications.
- A recent study tested the hormone acyl ghrelin among people with chronic heart failure.
- It found that acyl ghrelin was effective in increasing cardiac output, which may lead to more research into the usefulness of this treatment.
Heart failure is a potentially dangerous condition where the heart cannot pump an adequate amount of blood throughout the body. Finding medications that effectively improve heart function is one area of interest.
A study recently published in the European Heart Journalexamined the use of the peptide hormone acyl ghrelin to improve cardiac output among people with heart failure.
Researchers found that acyl ghrelin increased cardiac output, or the heart’s pumping capacity, among participants without producing negative side effects like low blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythms.
It can also lead to serious complications like kidney damage or sudden cardiac arrest.
Heart failure affects over
For example, people with coronary artery disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure are at a higher risk for heart failure. Lifestyle choices like low physical activity or a diet with a lot of sodium can also increase risk.
Management of heart failure involves a combined approach, often using medications and lifestyle changes.
Dr. Kulpreet Barn, cardiologist, and medical director of the Advanced Heart Failure Program at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, who was not involved in the current study, explained to Medical News Today:
“Left untreated, heart failure can be a lethal diagnosis….
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