Heart

High blood pressure is a dangerous condition, and it should be treated appropriately. Over a period of time, once damage to the heart or other organs has begun, it is often irreversible. Uncontrolled high blood pressure damages the heart and other organs, accelerates hardening of the arteries and build-up of cholesterol-laden plaques on arterial walls, and […]

In 90 to 95 percent of people with high blood pressure, doctors do not know what causes it. High blood pressure with an unknown cause is called essential, or primary, hypertension. Sometimes, an underlying disease or other condition is found to be the cause of the high blood pressure. This type, called secondary hypertension, only

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A typical normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, or “120 over 80.” The first number represents the pressure when the heart contracts and is called the systolic blood pressure. The second number represents the pressure when the heart relaxes and is called the diastolic

Medication can do a number of things for heart failure: Help the heart maintain a strong, regular heartbeat Open up (dilate) the blood vessels, to reduce the heart’s workload Remove excess fluid from the body Correct the balance of sodium and potassium in the body Medications your doctor may prescribe for heart failure include: Diuretics(water

Here’s how to get the most out of your medication: Medications for heart failure need to be taken every day, as prescribed by your doctor. Remember to take all doses, even if you feel better. Don’t be tempted to skip doses even if you feel “cured.” If you stop taking your medications, the symptoms probably

It’s very important to talk with your doctor about the amount of exercise you need and whether you should limit any of your normal activities. For example: Can you go for a walk or swim, ride a bike, cut the grass, play golf? Is it okay to return to work, either full time or part

When you have heart failure, what you eat and drink can definitely affect the health of your heart. Your doctor may want you to do some or all of the following: Reduce your sodium (salt) intake. Sodium causes your body to retain fluid. We get most of our sodium from salt, though we also get it

You can help your heart by keeping excess fluid out of your bloodstream. Although diuretics may be doing the job on their own, some people may be advised by their doctor to cut down on the amount of liquid they drink. Ask your doctor if you should set a limit for your daily fluids. If

Your doctor may advise surgery for heart failure under certain circumstances. For example: If you have coronary artery disease (blockage in the coronary arteries of the heart). It may be possible to improve the circulation to your heart with bypass surgery during which a vein from the leg or chest is used to “bypass” the blocked part of

Family and friends can be a great help. Here are some of the things they can do: Give gentle reminders about taking medication. Help get prescriptions refilled on time. Research good ways of preparing food without salt or excess fat. Keep up to date on the latest information about heart failure. Research information from the

Here are some frequently asked questions related to heart failure. Q: My brother was just diagnosed with heart failure. How can he continue his normal activities if his heart has failed? A: Heart failure does not mean that your brother’s heart has failed. It simply means his heart is not working as efficiently as it should,

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to heart failure. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has failed. It simply means that the heart is not pumping as powerfully as it used to. Symptoms of heart failure may include fatigue, shortness of breath (especially when lying down), and swelling