Heart failure occurs more and more with age. This is often the result of certain triggering factors. These are sometimes already present at a younger age. A timely approach to these triggering factors can sometimes prevent or postpone heart failure at a later age.

However, heart failure can have many different causes, which cannot always be prevented (genetic predisposition , viral infections, electrical heart disorders, valve problems, etc.).

The most important preventable causes of heart failure are:

• A heart attack or damage to the heart muscle due to oxygen deficiency to the heart muscle due to constrictions or blockages in the coronary arteries. The risk of this is increased by smoking, unhealthy diet, high LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, being overweight or obese, little exercise and therefore sitting still a lot (sedentary lifestyle), diabetes, ...
• Heart failure with preserved left ventricular pumping function ( HFpEF ) due to stiffening of the heart muscle and/or the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation (AFib). The risk of this is increased by, among other things, high blood pressure, being overweight or obese, little exercise and therefore sitting still a lot (sedentary lifestyle), diabetes, ...

All these causes are the classic cardiovascular risk factors. These forms of heart failure can therefore be partially prevented by good cardiovascular prevention. Good health in old age starts with good care for the body, the arteries and the heart muscle from a young age.

International guidelines on cardiovascular prevention recommend these targets:

• Do not smoke and limit alcohol consumption.
• Daily exercise:
  • As much physical activity as possible during daily activities (for example, walking or cycling a lot, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, etc.).
  • If possible, aim for 150-300 minutes of light to moderate intensity sports activity each week, or 75-150 minutes of vigorous exercise.
• Healthy food:
  • Mediterranean diet.
  • Regular meals at fixed times, without skipping meals. Dinner should not be eaten too late (not within 2 hours before going to bed).
  • A varied diet.
  • Healthy snacks.
  • Lots of vegetables, fruits and unprocessed nuts.
  • Limit fat, cholesterol, sugar and salt.
  • Limit saturated fats: fatty meats, palm and coconut oil, cheese, butter, pastries, fried foods, etc.
  • More unsaturated fats: olive oil and other oils (sunflower, corn, soy), avocado, fish, walnuts,...
  • As much pure food as possible. Limit processed food or fast food.
  • Limit meat. Preference for poultry over red meat (pork and beef).
  • Limit fast sugars (these are quickly absorbed and cause a spike in blood sugar levels): soft drinks, fruit juices, white bread, pasta, pastries, cookies, snacks, etc.
  • More slow sugars (starches - these are absorbed more slowly and gradually): whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, legumes, potatoes, milk.
  • Also read: Dietary adjustments for heart failure.
  • Also read: Healthy eating: how do you do that? | Healthy Living

• A normal body weight. Target: body mass index (BMI) 20-25 kg/m ² and avoidance of abdominal obesity.
• Aim for a normal blood pressure of an average of 120-130/80 mmHg, if necessary through lifestyle adjustments (more exercise, low-salt diet, weight loss if necessary) and, if necessary, blood pressure-lowering medication.
• Aiming for a sufficiently low LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol):
  • General: LDL cholesterol < 100 mg/dl.
  • High to very high risk patients (diabetes, reduced kidney function, etc.): LDL cholesterol < 70 mg/dl to < 55 mg/dl respectively.
  • Very high risk patients with confirmed atherosclerosis (for example after a heart attack, stent placement, bypass surgery, narrowing of arteries elsewhere in the body, etc.): LDL cholesterol < 55 mg/dl and a reduction of > 50%. In the event of a new problem with one of the arteries within 2 years, sometimes even aiming for an LDL cholesterol < 40 mg/dl is recommended.
• If you have diabetes: aim for good control of the average blood sugar levels with an HbA1c < 7.0% through sufficient physical activity, diet, weight loss if necessary and medication.