How to Treat Your Heart Disease
There
are about 5 million Americans with heart failure. This is one of the
leading causes of hospitalization in older adults. The heart
continues to pump, but not efficiently and reduces the circulation of
blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. The heart itself will
stretch and reduces the elastic nature of the cardiac muscles. Many
times patients will have swelling in their hands, feet, or face.
Heart failure does get worse over time.
There
are different causes of congestive heart failure including:
- blocked arteries
- a heart attack which destroys part of the heart muscle
- cardiomyopathy or an enlarged heart
- high blood pressure
- heart valve problems
- thyroid problems
- kidney problems
- diabetes
- heart defects
Your doctor may do testing such as bloodwork, chest x-rays, will an echocardiogram to measure the heart's pumping ability, and an EKG to see the heart's electrical activity.
The
treatment for heart failure is to reduce stress on the heart and keep
the blood pressure normal. Patients also have to avoid salt and other
foods that are known to increase blood pressure. Patients will check
their weight every day and call their doctor if they gain more than 1
or 2 pounds within a few days. This weight actually comes from fluid
that is not being circulated properly.
If
you think you have heart failure for a family member has signs of
heart failure, make an appointment to see your doctor right away.
Early treatment is the best option to control the symptoms and
prevent hospitalization.
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