Aortic Dissection : In Depth - Other Heart Problems
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Heart failure can happen in two ways. The heart muscle may become weak and enlarged (systolic dysfunction). The weakened muscle doesn't pump enough blood forward when the ventricles contract. Or, the heart muscle may become stiff (diastolic dysfunction). The stiff muscle can't relax between contractions, which keeps the ventricles from filling with enough blood.
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Once you have heart failure, flare-ups can happen. Gaining weight is often the first warning sign of trouble. That's why you need to weigh yourself each day. But there are other signs of trouble, too. Here are some things to watch for.
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Being active doesn't mean that you have to wear yourself out. Even a little movement each day helps to strengthen your heart. If you can't get out to exercise, you can do simple stretching and strengthening exercises at home.
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When you have heart failure, excess fluid is more likely to build up in your body. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood. Controlling the amount of salt (sodium) you eat may help prevent fluid from building up.
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Medicines can help your heart work better. But they can't do their job unless you take them exactly as directed by your doctor. Some results: Medicines help you feel better. They help your heart work better. They can help you stay out of the hospital.
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Certain procedures may help in some cases of heart failure. They are done to treat health problems that are affecting your heart. Here are some examples.
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If you have CHF, it's important to stick with your treatment, even when you're feeling better. You also need to maintain healthy habits.
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Sometimes problems with the heart's electrical signals lead to a fast heart rhythm. Too many signals may make the heart beat very fast (tachycardia). Or signals may be sent so rapidly and irregularly that the heart muscle sometimes quivers and doesn't beat at all (fibrillation).
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Electrical system problems of the heart may make the atria beat faster than normal. If the atria beat quickly, but still evenly, it is called atrial flutter. If the atria beat very quickly and unevenly, it is called atrial fibrillation.
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An ICD is a device that is placed permanently inside your body. An ICD monitors your heart rhythm (the speed and pattern of your heartbeat). If this rhythm becomes too fasst or too slow, the ICD sends out electrical signals that help bring the rhythm back to normal.
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ICDs are well protected. Most machines and devices will not interfere. Microwave ovens and other appliances should not cause problems. Neither should computers. Signals from a few devices might cause problems with your ICD, though. Take care to avoid these potential problems.
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A pacemaker is a small electronic device that helps your heart's electrical system beat at the right pace. Inserting the pacemaker into your body is called implantation. You stay awake during the procedure.
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You can usually do almost everything you did before you got your pacemaker. See your doctor regularly to help ensure that you remain healthy and feeling good. Here are some things to avoid.
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An EPS closely monitors your heart rhythm. EPS can help determine exactly what your rhythm problem is and what can be done to control it. A specially trained doctor (electrophysiologist) performs the procedure in an EPS lab.
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If you have cardiomyopathy, you have a problem with the muscle tissue that makes up your heart. Cardiomyopathy means "heart muscle disease.” Your heart may not be pumping as well as it should.
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If you have cardiomyopathy, you have a problem with the muscle tissue that makes up your heart. Cardiomyopathy means "heart muscle disease.” Your heart may not be pumping as well as it should.
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Medications can help you to both feel better and stay as healthy as you can. Take your medications exactly as instructed. Never stop taking medications or change dosage unless told to by your doctor, even if you feel better. Here are some capsule definitions of medications that might be prescribed.
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Your doctor will outline a treatment plan to help you live better with cardiomyopathy and stop it from getting worse. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions. You can also make some lifestyle changes that will help your heart.
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The heart contains four valves. The valves open and close to keep blood moving in the right direction through the heart. As the heart beats, blood moves through it. With each squeeze, the valves open and close to keep blood moving forward.
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Valve disease occurs when a valve doesn't open or close the way it should. If a valve doesn't open all the way, the heart has to push blood through a smaller opening. If the valve doesn't close tightly, some blood will leak backward.
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A problem with a heart valve will usually cause the heart to make a noise. Your doctor can hear this noise, called a murmur. But you can have a heart murmur and not have valve disease or any other heart problem. Other tests can help confirm the diagnosis of valve disease.
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Aortic stenosis means your aortic valve has a problem opening. The left ventricle has to work harder to push the blood through the valve. In some cases, this extra work will make the muscle of the ventricle thicken. This type of stenosis can quickly get worse.
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Aortic insufficiency means your aortic valve has problems closing. Blood leaks back through the valve. Extra blood may cause the ventricle to stretch. A stretched ventricle doesn't squeeze as well. In time, the heart won't move blood the way it should.
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Mitral valve prolapse is the most common heart valve problem. With this problem, the valve bulges slightly back into the atrium when it closes. This may allow a tiny amount of blood to leak.
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Mitral insufficiency means your mitral valve has problems closing, letting blood leak back through the valve. Mild cases of mitral insufficiency, when a small amount of blood leaks, rarely lead to problems. But severe cases can cause damage to the ventricle and heart muscle.
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Mitral stenosis means the mitral valve stiffens and doesn't open right. Blood must move through a smaller opening. In severe cases, fluid can build up in the lungs, leading to coughing and breathing problems.
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If you are having symptoms, certain medications can ease them. Other medications help prevent problems that may occur due to valve disease. Your doctor can discuss what medications might be right for you. Here are some types of medications that may be prescribed and what they do.
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During heart valve surgery, one or more heart valves can be repaired or replaced. The decision whether to repair or replace a valve often can't be made until after surgery has begun. If a valve can't be repaired, it may be replaced with a prosthetic valve.
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