What is the primary treatment goal for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction?

The primary treatment goal for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) focuses on symptom management and improving the patient's quality of life. HFpEF is characterized by the heart's inability to fill properly, rather than pump effectively, and patients often experience symptoms like dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention. As there is currently no cure that can completely reverse the condition, the emphasis shifts towards alleviating these symptoms to enhance daily functioning and overall well-being.

This approach may involve the use of diuretics to manage fluid overload, lifestyle modifications, and other medications that can help control blood pressure and heart rate. By targeting symptom relief, healthcare providers aim to improve exercise tolerance, reduce hospitalizations, and ultimately enhance the patient's quality of life, which is crucial in chronic conditions like HFpEF.

In contrast, while medication adherence is important for managing heart failure overall, it is a means to an end rather than a primary goal in itself. Surgical interventions may be considered in specific cases but are not the standard first-line approach for HFpEF. Complete reversal of heart function is not achievable with current treatment strategies and is not a realistic goal in the management of this condition.