Heart

If your blood pressure readings suggest that you have high blood pressure, your doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation of your health status. In order to determine the best course of treatment for you, your doctor will look for answers to the following questions: Is there an identifiable cause of the hypertension? Are other risk […]

Although high blood pressure can nearly always be brought down to safe levels, your doctor cannot do it alone. You need to become a partner in your own care. What Are The Guidelines For Treating High Blood Pressure? Treatment for high blood pressure consists of lifestyle modifications and drug therapy. To help doctors identify appropriate

Lifestyle changes play an important role in managing high blood pressure. Although permanent changes in lifestyle and diet are sometimes difficult to achieve, they may eliminate the need for drug treatment or allow reductions in the dosages of medications. A recent study showed that well-motivated individuals with Stage 1 and 2 hypertension were able to

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 disease. American Dietetic Association  Phone: (800) 877-1600 http://www.eatright.org American Heart Association  Phone: (800) 242-8721 http://www.americanheart.org National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute  Phone: (301) 251-1222 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

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

Heart failure does not mean that the heart has failed. It simply means that the heart does not pump as powerfully as it used to, and is not working efficiently enough to meet the body’s needs for oxygen-rich blood. In heart failure: The contractions of the heart muscle are less powerful than they used to