Heart Failure
Heart failure develops slowly and may lie dormant for years without being noticed.
When you think about heart failure you might think of a sudden heart attack but heart failure is really quiet different. After a heart attack the heart is weakened and may not pump enough blood through the body fast enough. As a result the brain gets less blood which reduces oxygen and causes dizziness. The kidneys are unable to get rid of all the fluid build-up in the lungs and shortness of breath occurs. Swelling also appears in the stomach, feet, and legs.
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Heart attack is not the only reason for heart failure. Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, drinking, viral infections, and toxic drugs can all be the culprits. Cocaine, can cause heart failure, and also chemotherapy can weaken the heart. It may take many years for heart failure to cause any symptoms and you may have lived with it for years without knowing it. You will first notice a shortness of breath, dizziness, and a loss of energy, then swelling of the feet and legs.
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Up to five million in the US have heart failure and more are expected in the future. Doctors usually prescribe diuretics and drugs to keep the heart beating regularly and control blood pressure. Kidney failure is also common with heart failure and diet restrictions may be called for. You will see your doctor regularly and it’s in your best interest to follow his recommendations. Many hospitals have therapeutic groups who meet and talk about their progress and offer encouragement to each other. It’s always helpful to have people to talk to who have the same problems and everyone is encouraged to express their feelings.
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Weight loss, restricting salt, fluids, alcohol, and getting into a good exercise program will all be helpful. Two alcoholic drinks a day is all right for a man and one drink for a woman. Of course, smoking is prohibited. Many will live into old age with heart failure. It progresses slowly and with medication and under a doctor’s care you can still have many years of a good,happy life.
http://healthmad.com/Nutrition/Salt-and-Hypertension/
http://healthmad.com/Addiction/10-Ways-to-Stop-Smoking.291541
http://healthmad.com/Condition-and-Diseases/Heart-Surgery-Anyone.614791
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deep blue | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
A very comprehensive subject about heart illness. I find a wealth of information from this. Well done Ruby.
Southgate | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Quite useful article and nicely explains the difference between heart attack and heart failure.Thanks a lot.
Daisy Peasblossom | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Good article.
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Very good article with lots of relevant info.
ken bultman | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Well done and timely for some of us.
CHAN LEE PENG | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
A very comprehensive article as usual. Heart failure is another disease that is treatened human’s life. Thanks and have my liked it.
Eunice Tan | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
My uncle passed away because of heart failure some years a go. Your article gives more informations about his condition at that time.
Darla Smith | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Very informative article.
Christine Ramsay | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for a comprehensive article. Many members of my family have suffered from heart failure in the past. If they had understood how to avoid it life could have been so different for them.
Christine
AngelicaRaene | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Ruby, thank you for this article. It is a subject that holds very special meaning to me. I have lost a few of my loved ones to this disease. There is a very good chance that they would still be here with us had they been more informed before it was too late. There isn’t a day that goes by that I do not miss both of my Grandfathers, and my uncle. Anyone who reads this, please know that it is very real. Please, make sure that your loved ones are well informed so that you may be with them longer in life. It is a horrible feeling when you actually pick up the phone to call someone because you need them, just to realize they are not there anymore.
Uma Shankari | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Very useful info. Hope every one reads this and benefits.
David Crerand | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Well written, and very informative. What’s the impact of banking “alcohol’ credits and instead of drinking 2 a day saving until you’ve got a 12 pack in your bank and having a party?
hfj | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Very informative. Well written, and well done.
CA Johnson | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
This is a very helpful article, ruby. This is information we all need to have about heart failure. Thanks for the tips.
Mystify | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Wonderfully in depth, well written subject as always Ruby.Excellent work!
cebuanaeyez | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
very informative and useful article! thank you for sharing
Phill Senters | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Well done and helpful information.
valli | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
An informative and comprehensive piece.
PR Mace | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Well researched, Ruby. You are at the top of your game.
Judy Sheldon | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Well written, Ruby, thanks for sharing.
DA Cournean | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Very well done Ruby.
Inna Tysoe | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Good article. Thank you.
Inna
George W Whitehead | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Nice article, Ruby. I’ve had a couple of cardiac infarctions (how I love that word) in my little life!
BeatsMe | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Nice article. Thanks for the warning. For most of us, we think that heart failures come up suddenly.
Lostash | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
It gave me heart failure reading this…..I’m not terribly healthy and should follow some of your very sound advice!
chitragopi | Aug 6, 2009 | Reply
Informative and useful. Thank u
Ruby Hawk | Aug 8, 2009 | Reply
Thank you my dear friends for your participation. Our hearts are not something we can neglect. It takes years to feel the real force of heart failure but with good care we can still have a good life for many years.
Mr Ghaz | Aug 10, 2009 | Reply
Well done! very informative article. very useful. Thanx for sharing this great infos.
CutestPrincess | Aug 13, 2009 | Reply
Very informative article, well researched with great use of photos.