Stage A
Also called class 1 [1] or pre-heart failure, stage A congestive heart failure occurs without symptoms. This is usually used to describe people who are at risk of heart failure because of their family history or other medical conditions. You may have weakness in your heart but there is no major damage yet.
If you have any of these medical conditions or risk factors [2], doctors may place you in stage A:
- Coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- History of rheumatic fever
- Metabolic syndrome
- Family history of cardiomyopathy
- Diabetes
At this stage, management often includes lifestyle changes and the use of medication for predisposing medical conditions. Your doctor may ask you to exercise regularly and avoid smoking and alcohol. You may be required to change your diet: cut down on high-sodium foods and foods rich in high in fats and cholesterol.
Your doctor may prescribe medications used to control cardiovascular conditions like beta-blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I). Discuss with your doctor before using any of these drugs.