Heart

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

Here are definitions of medical terms related to heart failure. Angina: A condition in which the heart does not get enough oxygen, resulting in chest pain and a feeling of suffocation. Arrhythmia: Any rhythm that is not the normal rhythm of the heart; it may mean a slow or fast heart rate or an irregular rhythm. Cardiomyopathy: Any

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on heart failure. American Heart Association  Phone: 800-242-8721 www.americanheart.org They will advise you of the location of the nearest chapter in your area. They’ll also offer you information about local rehab groups. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute  Phone: 301-251-1222 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

Treatments for a heart attack can be broadly divided into four broad categories: Cardiovascular medications Angioplasty Coronary artery bypass surgery Lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of a repeat heart attack or other heart problems, called secondary prevention Medications used to treat heart attacks include those used in the hospital as well as after hospital

In some cases, medical therapy for a heart attack is not enough. These patients usually undergo surgical treatments for a heart attack including: Angioplasty Coronary artery bypass surgery Angioplasty Angioplasty refers to the re-opening or unclogging of a blood vessel that is significantly narrowed by plaque. It is most often used in patients with obstruction(s) in

Simply surviving a heart attack is just the beginning of a long process of recovery. Heart attack survivors now require shorter hospitalizations than years ago. Most heart attack survivors remain free of complications and are discharged from the hospital five to seven days after admission. Improved medical treatments, such as the early use of clot

Here are some frequently asked questions related to heart attack. Q: I’ve heard I should eat more fish and try to cook with vegetable oils like canola. Why? A: Cold-water varieties of fish, such as salmon, herring, and tuna – as well as certain vegetable oils like canola oil and soybean oil – are rich in