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This allows the blood to bypass the blocked, damaged artery and flow through the new one. Your doctor may also suggest an angioplasty. In this procedure, a catheter with a small balloon attached is inserted into the blocked or narrowed artery. Once the catheter reaches the damaged artery, your surgeon inflates a balloon to open the artery. Your surgeon may need to place a permanent stent, or wire mesh tube, into the blocked or narrowed artery. A stent permanently holds your artery open and can help prevent further narrowing of the artery.
Other people with heart failure will need pacemakers to help control heart rhythms. These small devices are placed into the chest. They can slow your heart rate down when the heart is beating too quickly or increase heart rate if the heart is beating too slowly. Pacemakers are often used along with bypass surgery as well as medications. Heart transplants are used in the final stages of heart failure, when all other treatments have failed. During a transplant, your surgeon removes all or part of your heart and replaces it with a healthy heart from a donor.
A healthy lifestyle can help treat heart failure and prevent the condition from developing in the first place. Losing weight and exercising regularly can significantly decrease your risk of heart failure. Reducing the amount of salt in your diet can also lower your risk. Untreated heart failure can eventually lead to congestive heart failure CHF , a condition in which blood builds up in other areas of your body. In this potentially life-threatening condition, you may experience fluid retention in your limbs as well as in your organs, such as the liver and lungs. Call or your local emergency services right away if you have these symptoms :.
Heart failure is usually a long-term condition that requires ongoing treatment to prevent complications. When heart failure is left untreated, the heart can weaken so severely that it causes a life-threatening complication. You should take lifelong preventive measures to stay healthy. Always contact your doctor if you suddenly have any new and unexplained symptoms that may indicate a problem with your heart.
Because heart failure is most often a chronic condition, your symptoms will likely get worse over time. Medications and surgeries can help relieve your symptoms, but such treatments may not help if you have a severe case of heart failure. In some cases, heart failure can even be life-threatening.
Early treatment is key in preventing the most serious cases of heart failure. Cardiomyopathy is a disease in which your heart muscle weakens and has difficulty pumping blood. Read about its causes, risk factors, treatment, and…. Heart disease is one of the leading health risks facing men today. Here's how to recognize common signs and see if you're at high risk of developing…. Congestive heart failure CHF is a chronic condition that affects the pumping power of your heart muscles.
New Patient Appointment. Patients with chronic heart failure have an increased risk of mortality, and many of the aforementioned medications will attenuate this effect. You may be approached to participate in the biobank for future research www. In general, early treatment focuses on lifestyle changes and optimization of basic medical therapies. Breathlessness or Shortness of Breath Dyspnea — When the heart begins to fail, blood backs up in the veins attempting to carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
Studies suggest that replacing high-fat meats with more heart-healthy proteins like fish, beans, poultry, nuts and low-fat dairy may help prevent…. Heart disease affects the blood vessels and the heart. A person with heart disease must change their lifestyle or risk potentially fatal complications.
Acute heart failure happens suddenly and without warning. Learn what causes this, how to recognize the symptoms, and more. Myocarditis is a heart condition caused by a virus, such as rubella, Epstein-Barr, or adenovirus. Learn about its symptoms and how to properly treat…. All types of heart disease share common traits and have key differences. Learn about the different types, including coronary, ischemic, and congenital. From the information you need, to personal stories of surviving cardiac events, these are the best blogs about heart disease on the web.
Some heart problems affect children, including congenital heart disease, arrhythmias, pericarditis, and Kawasaki disease.
Heart Failure. What are the symptoms of heart failure? What causes heart failure? What are the different types of heart failure? What are the risk factors for heart failure?
They then guide it into the heart. This test can show how much blood is currently flowing through the heart. Holter monitoring Electrode patches are placed on your chest and attached to a small machine called a Holter monitor for this test. The machine records the electrical activity of your heart for at least 24 to 48 hours.
How is heart failure diagnosed? How is heart failure treated? How can you prevent heart failure? What are the complications of heart failure? Read this next. The Best Heart Disease Blogs of the Year From the information you need, to personal stories of surviving cardiac events, these are the best blogs about heart disease on the web.
A very small dose of radioactive material is injected into your body to create images of the chambers of your heart. In this type of X-ray exam, the doctor inserts a catheter into your blood vessel, usually in the groin or arm. High blood pressure.
Your heart works harder than it has to if your blood pressure is high. Coronary artery disease. Narrowed arteries may limit your heart's supply of oxygen-rich blood, resulting in weakened heart muscle. Heart attack. A heart attack is a form of coronary disease that occurs suddenly. Damage to your heart muscle from a heart attack may mean your heart can no longer pump as well as it should. Having diabetes increases your risk of high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
Some diabetes medications. The diabetes drugs rosiglitazone Avandia and pioglitazone Actos have been found to increase the risk of heart failure in some people. Don't stop taking these medications on your own, though. If you're taking them, discuss with your doctor whether you need to make any changes. Certain medications. Some medications may lead to heart failure or heart problems. Medications that may increase the risk of heart problems include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs ; certain anesthesia medications; some anti-arrhythmic medications; certain medications used to treat high blood pressure, cancer, blood conditions, neurological conditions, psychiatric conditions, lung conditions, urological conditions, inflammatory conditions and infections; and other prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Heart failure, sometimes known as congestive heart failure, occurs when your heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Certain conditions, such as . Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition that affects the pumping power of your heart muscles. Often referred to as “heart failure,”.
Don't stop taking any medications on your own. If you have questions about medications you're taking, discuss with your doctor whether he or she recommends any changes. Sleep apnea.
The inability to breathe properly while you sleep at night results in low blood oxygen levels and increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms. Both of these problems can weaken the heart. Congenital heart defects. Some people who develop heart failure were born with structural heart defects. Valvular heart disease. People with valvular heart disease have a higher risk of heart failure. Alcohol use. Drinking too much alcohol can weaken heart muscle and lead to heart failure.
Irregular heartbeats. These abnormal rhythms, especially if they are very frequent and fast, can weaken the heart muscle and cause heart failure. If you have heart failure, your outlook depends on the cause and the severity, your overall health, and other factors such as your age. Complications can include:.
Some people's symptoms and heart function will improve with proper treatment. However, heart failure can be life-threatening. People with heart failure may have severe symptoms, and some may require heart transplantation or support with a ventricular assist device.