Heart

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,

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 is a summary of the important facts and information related to heart disease. Heart-healthy changes in diet and lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), and it is never too late to make these changes. Major risk factors for coronary heart disease include high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, inactivity,

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

Here are definitions of medical terms related to heart disease. Angina pectoris: Pressure, tightness, or constricting pain in the chest that occurs due to inadequate blood flow to heart muscle; is usually associated with significant coronary artery disease. Antioxidants: Substances in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds that can help prevent or slow build up of

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to heart attack. A heart attack or myocardial infarction happens when heart muscle cells die because they do not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Most heart attacks are caused by a formation of a blood clot (thrombus) that completely blocks a coronary artery that supplies blood to