Heart failure "cured"?

  Can anyone ever be considered "cured " of heart failure?
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Dear Lisa:
Most types of heart failure require lifelong medication and therapy.  Occasionally, certain causes of heart failure, such as drugs, alcohol, medicines, or pregnancy, can be entirely or partially reversible.  The vast majority of causes of heart failure cannot be cured.  However, the proper medications can control many of the symptoms of heart failure and restore function.  In addition to the standard medicines for heart failure, there are all sorts of experimental medications, as well as surgery.  
I hope this answers your question. If you have heart failure, do not despair.  The diagnosis, though a serious one, is not as bad as the name implies.  Just make sure you seek treatment from a good cardiologist.  Good luck.
If you wish to be evaluated here at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a heart failure cardiologist at desk F25.  Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only.  Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your doctor.