Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting millions of adults and placing an enormous burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Two of the most critical concerns within this category are heart failure and high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
Whether you’ve already been diagnosed or have been told you're at high risk, it’s essential to understand what’s happening in your body, and what new treatment options are available. Clinical trials offer access to groundbreaking therapies that may improve quality of life and help prevent more serious complications.
What Is Heart Failure?
Despite how it sounds, heart failure doesn’t mean your heart has stopped. Rather, it means your heart isn’t pumping blood as effectively as it should. This leads to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body, causing a wide range of symptoms that can worsen over time.
There are two main types of heart failure:
- Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF): The heart muscle is too weak to pump effectively.
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF): The heart is stiff and doesn't fill properly between beats.
Common Symptoms of Heart Failure
Symptoms can develop gradually or come on suddenly. If you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s crucial to speak with a healthcare provider:
- Shortness of breath during daily activities or while lying down
- Persistent fatigue or weakness
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Increased need to urinate at night
- Difficulty concentrating or confusion
Many people mistake these symptoms for signs of aging, stress, or other conditions, which is why heart failure is often underdiagnosed—especially in early stages.
What Does "High Cardiovascular Risk" Mean?
You don’t have to be in heart failure to be at risk. High cardiovascular risk refers to individuals who are more likely to develop heart disease, stroke, or heart failure due to a combination of factors, such as:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol levels
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity or metabolic syndrome
- Smoking
- Family history of heart disease
- Sedentary lifestyle or poor diet
People with multiple risk factors may not yet have heart disease—but they’re on a path that could lead there unless proactive measures are taken.
Diagnosing Heart Failure and Cardiovascular Risk
Early diagnosis is essential to slow progression and reduce complications.
- Blood tests can detect heart damage markers or related conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol.
- Echocardiograms (ultrasound of the heart) help assess the heart's function and structure.
- Electrocardiograms (EKG/ECG) check for irregular rhythms or previous damage.
- Stress tests, CT scans, or MRIs may be used to evaluate blood flow and artery health.
For high-risk patients, regular screenings are vital even if symptoms aren’t present.
Current Treatment Options
Treatment for heart failure and high CVD risk typically includes lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes surgical interventions.
Lifestyle Modifications:
- Low-sodium, heart-healthy diet (DASH or Mediterranean-style)
- Daily exercise (as tolerated)
- Smoking cessation
- Weight loss and diabetes management
Common Medications:
- ACE inhibitors or ARBs
- Beta blockers
- Diuretics (“water pills” to reduce fluid buildup)
- SGLT2 inhibitors (recently approved for heart failure)
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins)
- Antiplatelet or blood-thinning agents
Despite these options, not all patients respond to standard treatments—or they may experience side effects that limit effectiveness. This is where clinical trials can offer a powerful alternative.
Clinical Trials: Advancing the Future of Cardiac Care
Clinical trials are designed to test new therapies, medical devices, and treatment strategies that could be more effective, safer, or better tolerated than existing standards.
In heart failure and high CVD risk, clinical trials may involve:
- Next-generation heart failure medications that improve survival and reduce hospitalizations
- Anti-inflammatory drugs targeting vascular inflammation, a root cause of CVD
- Advanced cholesterol therapies (e.g., PCSK9 inhibitors, siRNA-based drugs)
- Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies for damaged heart tissue
- Wearable devices that monitor heart activity and help manage care in real time
By participating, patients gain access to leading-edge care and contribute to discoveries that can benefit future generations.
Who Can Join a Clinical Trial?
You may qualify for a clinical trial if:
- You’ve been diagnosed with heart failure (HFrEF or HFpEF)
- You have a history of heart attack, stroke, or blocked arteries
- You have high cholesterol, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes
- You are overweight or obese and have been told you’re at high cardiovascular risk
- You are not responding well to current medications or have had adverse side effects
Every study has specific eligibility requirements. A short pre-screening process can help determine whether a trial is a match for your health profile.
Why Consider Participating?
Benefits of joining a clinical trial may include:
- Access to cutting-edge therapies not available to the general public
- Comprehensive, personalized medical care during the study
- Close monitoring by a team of cardiovascular specialists
- Potential compensation for time, travel, and participation
- The opportunity to contribute to medical advancements that could save lives
Most importantly, participants often feel empowered knowing they’re playing a role in shaping the future of heart health.
Take the First Step Toward a Healthier Heart
If you’ve been diagnosed with heart failure, or if you’re living with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, it’s time to explore every option for better care and better outcomes.
Our platform connects patients like you with actively enrolling clinical trials focused on heart failure and high cardiovascular risk. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking for alternatives to current treatment, clinical trials may offer the breakthrough you need.
Be part of the next generation of heart care.
👉 [Find Heart Health Clinical Trials Near You]