When a heart attack occurs, it's critical to recognize the signals and respond immediately. About half of all heart attack victims wait two hours or longer before deciding to get help. This reduces their chance of survival, because most heart attack victims who die do so within two hours of when the signals begin. Time is critical. Anyone experiencing the warning signals of a heart attack should be taken immediately to the nearest hospital with 24-hour emergency cardiac care. People who become unconscious before reaching the emergency room may receive emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Most communities have an emergency cardiac care system that can quickly respond to an emergency. This prompt care for heart attack victims dramatically reduces damage to the heart. In fact, 80 percent of heart attack survivors can return to work within three months. Prompt care for heart attack victims isn't the only reason so many people recover so quickly, but it's an important one.
The importance of time cannot be overemphasized. When a coronary artery gets blocked, the heart muscle doesn't die instantaneously - damage increases the longer an artery remains blocked. If a victim gets to an emergency room fast enough, a form of reperfusion therapy (called thrombolysis) sometimes can be performed. lt involves injecting a thrombolytic (clot-dissolving) agent, such as streptokinase, urokinase or tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), to dissolve a clot in a coronary artery and restore some blood flow. These drugs must be used within a few (usually 1-3) hours of a heart attack for best effect. The sooner a drug is used, the more effective it's likely to be.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Angina treatement
How is angina treated?
Angina pectoris can be treated with drugs that affect 1) the supply of blood to the heart muscle or 2) the heart's demand for oxygen. Some drugs, called coronary vasodilators, cause blood vessels to relax. When this happens the opening inside the vessels (the lumen) gets bigger. Then blood flow improves, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the heart muscle. Nitroglycerin is the drug most often used. It relaxes the veins (reducing the amount of blood returning to the heart and thus lessening the work of pumping) and the coronary arteries (increasing the blood supply to the heart).
Alternatively, the heart's demand for oxygen also can be modified. For example, a drug can be prescribed to reduce blood pressure and thus reduce the heart's workload and need for oxygen. Drugs that slow the heart rate achieve a similar effect.
Invasive techniques that improve the blood supply to the heart also may be used. One technique is percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), also known as angioplasty or balloon angioplasty. Another procedure is coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Before performing either of these procedures, a doctor must find the blocked part of the coronary arteries. This is done using coronary arteriography, which is done during a procedure called cardiac catheterization. In this procedure a doctor guides a thin plastic tube (a Catheter) through an artery in the arm or leg and into the coronary arteries. Then the doctor injects a liquid dye visible in X-rays through the catheter. High-speed X-ray movies record the course of the liquid as it flows through the arteries. Doctors can identify obstructions in the arteries by tracing the liquid's flow.
Some newer diagnostic procedures are available to evaluate how well the heart works. These tests may be done before or after a heart attack. Some of these tests are still relatively experimental and are limited to larger medical centers.
PTCA is a procedure designed to dilate (widen or expand) narrowed coronary arteries. In it a doctor inserts a catheter into an artery in an arm or leg and guides it to an obstructed coronary artery. Then a second catheter with a balloon tip is passed inside the first, and the balloon tip is inflated at the arterial blockage. This compresses the plaque, enlarging the inner diameter of the blood vessel so blood can flow more easily. Then the balloon is deflated and the catheters are withdrawn.
Angina pectoris can be treated with drugs that affect 1) the supply of blood to the heart muscle or 2) the heart's demand for oxygen. Some drugs, called coronary vasodilators, cause blood vessels to relax. When this happens the opening inside the vessels (the lumen) gets bigger. Then blood flow improves, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the heart muscle. Nitroglycerin is the drug most often used. It relaxes the veins (reducing the amount of blood returning to the heart and thus lessening the work of pumping) and the coronary arteries (increasing the blood supply to the heart).
Alternatively, the heart's demand for oxygen also can be modified. For example, a drug can be prescribed to reduce blood pressure and thus reduce the heart's workload and need for oxygen. Drugs that slow the heart rate achieve a similar effect.
Invasive techniques that improve the blood supply to the heart also may be used. One technique is percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), also known as angioplasty or balloon angioplasty. Another procedure is coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Before performing either of these procedures, a doctor must find the blocked part of the coronary arteries. This is done using coronary arteriography, which is done during a procedure called cardiac catheterization. In this procedure a doctor guides a thin plastic tube (a Catheter) through an artery in the arm or leg and into the coronary arteries. Then the doctor injects a liquid dye visible in X-rays through the catheter. High-speed X-ray movies record the course of the liquid as it flows through the arteries. Doctors can identify obstructions in the arteries by tracing the liquid's flow.
Some newer diagnostic procedures are available to evaluate how well the heart works. These tests may be done before or after a heart attack. Some of these tests are still relatively experimental and are limited to larger medical centers.
PTCA is a procedure designed to dilate (widen or expand) narrowed coronary arteries. In it a doctor inserts a catheter into an artery in an arm or leg and guides it to an obstructed coronary artery. Then a second catheter with a balloon tip is passed inside the first, and the balloon tip is inflated at the arterial blockage. This compresses the plaque, enlarging the inner diameter of the blood vessel so blood can flow more easily. Then the balloon is deflated and the catheters are withdrawn.
Heart's collateral circulation
Collateral circulation involves small arteries that connect two larger coronary arteries or different segments of the same artery. They provide an alternate route for blood flow to the heart muscle. Everyone has collateral vessels, at least in microscopic form. These vessels aren't open under normal conditions but grow and enlarge in some people with coronary heart disease. When a collateral vessel enlarges, it lets blood flow from an open artery to either an adjacent artery or further downstream on the same artery. Myocardial ischemia stimulates collateral vessels, so they can form a kind of "detour" around a blockage, providing alternate routes of blood flow.
Research has shown that while everyone has collateral vessels, they don't open and become available in all people. Some people have available collaterals; others don't. People who have open collateral vessels are lucky, because collateral vessels help protect heart muscle from tissue death if the normal blood supply is cut off.
Research has shown that while everyone has collateral vessels, they don't open and become available in all people. Some people have available collaterals; others don't. People who have open collateral vessels are lucky, because collateral vessels help protect heart muscle from tissue death if the normal blood supply is cut off.
Silent Heart Attack
A heart attack is a very serious and very sudden condition and occurs when a section of the heart does not receive blood. This lack of blood flow can cause the heart tissue to die and scar. Heart attacks can range from mild to severe affecting areas both small and large areas of the heart. Almost always, heart attacks are life threatening and require immediate attention.
Silent heart attacks can happen to anyone, but people most likely to experience silent heart attacks are those that have had a prior heart attack, individuals who have diabetes, women, men and women over the age of 65 and those prone to strokes. Individuals taking medication on a regular basis may also experience a silent heart attack.
Symptoms of a Silent Heart AttackThe best way to identify this disease is through careful study of medical history, ECG (electrocardiogram; measures heart activity) and testing blood for cardiac enzymes. The most important treatment in silent heart attack is restoring the blood flow to the heart.
Restoring blood flow can be accomplished by dissolving clots found in the artery (thrombolysis) or by pushing the artery open using a balloon (angioplasty). Both thrombolysis and angioplasty may be used at the same time.
It is reported that as much as 25 percent of those having a heart attack and being diabetic never felt any of the common warning signs such as crushing chest pressure, weakness, arm pain or others.
Silent heart attacks and heart attacks in general can damage to nerves that affect the heart (autonomic neuropathy, or AN) could be the culprit.
Symptoms of a silent heart attack can include discomfort in your chest, arms or jaw that seem to go away after resting, shortness of breath and tiring easily. The most common complaint of visitors to the emergency room is Chest Pain which is by far the most symptom you're having a heart attack. Although Chest Pain takes 1st place as an indicator, second place would be given to extreme shortness of breath! Oddly enough, many heart attack victims reported a feeling of overwhelming doom just before an attack.
Identify a Silent Heart AttackThe best way to identify a silent heart attack is through careful study of medical history, ECG (electrocardiogram; measures heart activity) and testing blood for cardiac enzymes. The most important treatment in silent heart attack is restoring the blood flow to the heart.
Restoring blood flow can be accomplished by dissolving clots found in the artery (thrombolysis) or by pushing the artery open using a balloon (angioplasty). Both thrombolysis and angioplasty may be used at the same time.
Fast Treatment of a Heart AttackOne item that is mentioned repeatedly in case studies is aspirin. If you feel you have had a silent heart attack, you may want to take a non-acetaminophen aspirin as studies have shown doing so may help prevent heart damage that can occur from a silent heart attack.
Many people permanently damage their hearts because of pride! If you feel you may be having a heart attack, don't mess around! Seek medical attention immediately and whatever you do, do NOT drive yourself if possible. There is no shame in seeking medical attention for what you believe to be a heart condition. Do NOT be embarrassed if it's a false alarm, it's your life we're talking about!
Silent heart attacks can happen to anyone, but people most likely to experience silent heart attacks are those that have had a prior heart attack, individuals who have diabetes, women, men and women over the age of 65 and those prone to strokes. Individuals taking medication on a regular basis may also experience a silent heart attack.
Symptoms of a Silent Heart AttackThe best way to identify this disease is through careful study of medical history, ECG (electrocardiogram; measures heart activity) and testing blood for cardiac enzymes. The most important treatment in silent heart attack is restoring the blood flow to the heart.
Restoring blood flow can be accomplished by dissolving clots found in the artery (thrombolysis) or by pushing the artery open using a balloon (angioplasty). Both thrombolysis and angioplasty may be used at the same time.
It is reported that as much as 25 percent of those having a heart attack and being diabetic never felt any of the common warning signs such as crushing chest pressure, weakness, arm pain or others.
Silent heart attacks and heart attacks in general can damage to nerves that affect the heart (autonomic neuropathy, or AN) could be the culprit.
Symptoms of a silent heart attack can include discomfort in your chest, arms or jaw that seem to go away after resting, shortness of breath and tiring easily. The most common complaint of visitors to the emergency room is Chest Pain which is by far the most symptom you're having a heart attack. Although Chest Pain takes 1st place as an indicator, second place would be given to extreme shortness of breath! Oddly enough, many heart attack victims reported a feeling of overwhelming doom just before an attack.
Identify a Silent Heart AttackThe best way to identify a silent heart attack is through careful study of medical history, ECG (electrocardiogram; measures heart activity) and testing blood for cardiac enzymes. The most important treatment in silent heart attack is restoring the blood flow to the heart.
Restoring blood flow can be accomplished by dissolving clots found in the artery (thrombolysis) or by pushing the artery open using a balloon (angioplasty). Both thrombolysis and angioplasty may be used at the same time.
Fast Treatment of a Heart AttackOne item that is mentioned repeatedly in case studies is aspirin. If you feel you have had a silent heart attack, you may want to take a non-acetaminophen aspirin as studies have shown doing so may help prevent heart damage that can occur from a silent heart attack.
Many people permanently damage their hearts because of pride! If you feel you may be having a heart attack, don't mess around! Seek medical attention immediately and whatever you do, do NOT drive yourself if possible. There is no shame in seeking medical attention for what you believe to be a heart condition. Do NOT be embarrassed if it's a false alarm, it's your life we're talking about!
How to Survive A Heart Attack when Alone
Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.
Causes Heart Disease
The heart disease is one of the principal causes, because of the modern life styles. Modern medicine developed several effective treatments for the heart disease extending from drugs and the life style. Naturally, the prevention is always better than treatment, thus before we look at some of the symptoms of the cardiac disease, you can help your body to eliminate the risks. healthy life style can reduce the chances to develop cardiac problems. with careful adjustments of our life styles we can improve.
The smoking causes the accumulation of the fatty deposits in the arteries also posing problems of circulation. stop smoking and excessive drinking and do exercise to reduce the weight towards avoiding problems. Palpitations that is strongly and unequally beating heart can be a sign of problems of heart. A feeling of tinkling in the body such as in fingers, toes or lips is often a sign in which your circulation system does not deliver enough oxygen it is a sign of the problems of heart. The sign of the cardiac problems are feeling of pain in the trunk, a condition known under the name of angina. The angina can develop in heart disease. healthy life style will reduce considerably the heart disease.
Age: increase in age the chances for the coronary heart disease occurs. Hereditary factors: It is said that the coronary heart disease occurs because of heredity. This means that person who has family past history is to develop the disease. Sex: research discovered that the men have a greater risk to develop the coronary heart disease than women. Smoking: those who smoke are likely to die due to sudden cardiac death for approximately twice than the nonsmokers. It is the reason basically that people are strongly advised to stop the smoking. cholesterol: When the level of cholesterol increases in the body, there are chances of CHD to develop. This can even lead to hypertension. uncontrolled cholesterol level can lead to the obesity, which is but with one of the greatest causes for heart disease. Inactive life style: people who have greater risks to develop the coronary heart disease are advised to take the regular exercise which can help to increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the body. It can even reinforce the contractions of heart, making your heart to pump more blood without much effort.
Thus such are basically the principal causes of the coronary heart disease. It is wise to note them and understand to identify the best treatment easily. And if you want that the heart disease keeps distance from you, to do something to change the causes. To make your heart healthy which can help to avoid heart disease.
The smoking causes the accumulation of the fatty deposits in the arteries also posing problems of circulation. stop smoking and excessive drinking and do exercise to reduce the weight towards avoiding problems. Palpitations that is strongly and unequally beating heart can be a sign of problems of heart. A feeling of tinkling in the body such as in fingers, toes or lips is often a sign in which your circulation system does not deliver enough oxygen it is a sign of the problems of heart. The sign of the cardiac problems are feeling of pain in the trunk, a condition known under the name of angina. The angina can develop in heart disease. healthy life style will reduce considerably the heart disease.
Age: increase in age the chances for the coronary heart disease occurs. Hereditary factors: It is said that the coronary heart disease occurs because of heredity. This means that person who has family past history is to develop the disease. Sex: research discovered that the men have a greater risk to develop the coronary heart disease than women. Smoking: those who smoke are likely to die due to sudden cardiac death for approximately twice than the nonsmokers. It is the reason basically that people are strongly advised to stop the smoking. cholesterol: When the level of cholesterol increases in the body, there are chances of CHD to develop. This can even lead to hypertension. uncontrolled cholesterol level can lead to the obesity, which is but with one of the greatest causes for heart disease. Inactive life style: people who have greater risks to develop the coronary heart disease are advised to take the regular exercise which can help to increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the body. It can even reinforce the contractions of heart, making your heart to pump more blood without much effort.
Thus such are basically the principal causes of the coronary heart disease. It is wise to note them and understand to identify the best treatment easily. And if you want that the heart disease keeps distance from you, to do something to change the causes. To make your heart healthy which can help to avoid heart disease.
Chest Pain and Heart
Each one at a certain point in their lives will test the chest pain. The majority of people seeking assistance of help are concerned that they can have an attack. The extreme pain of chest, is one of the common symptoms of a heart attack, there are much of other common reasons which can be attributed with the pain of chest, even extreme chest pain. Even minor damage with the some parts of your body can leave you struck with extreme pain of chest.
This does not mean that you should not be concerned if you are struck with serious chest pain and should not seek a medical attention. You should not assume you will die if it arrives at you. Around the nerves in the back can cause part of the pain and it can advance suddenly and can leave you wrinkled more with pain of chest, which can make it difficult to the breath.
In fact of chest pain are not indicators of a problem with any of your vital organs, can be treated with a visit to your doctor and bed rest. However, the chest pain can be a panel of warning of the more serious problems with the vital organs enclosed in your chest. The chest pain can be one of the symptoms of a heart attack and you can have other symptoms with it.
The studies proved that 66 percent of patients who had the chest pain which was not related to the cardiac disorder, but suffered from the backward flow acid syndrome. The researchers studied the possibility that a certain pain of chest, not caused by cardiac or syndrome disorder of backward flow of acid then it can be caused by a intensified sensitivity. The studies proved that in some patients, the muscles of some bodies are sensitive and fast to send signals of pain to the brain. Nobody knows why this occurs, but continuous research.
Once the determination is made that no cardiac disorder is present, Antacids or the inhibitors are generally prescribed. The acid reflux syndrome should carefully be supervised that the stomach acid does not damage the esophagus.
Some prefer to treat the acid reflux syndrome with dietetic and changes or of life style. If those reduce the stomach acid effectively, then they should relieve the acid chest pain. Some changes of life styles which can help to relieve the acid reflux syndrome include giving up the use of tobacco and alcohol and weight loss. Some dietetic changes which can relieve the acid reflux syndrome include more frequent eating meals and to get rid of fried and fatty foods.
There are many herbs which can relieve the acid reflux syndrome and the chest pain. Those include the root of ginger, the chamomile and aloe. These ingredients and others are sometimes combined by herbalists to create a product for the relief of the acid reflux syndrome.
This does not mean that you should not be concerned if you are struck with serious chest pain and should not seek a medical attention. You should not assume you will die if it arrives at you. Around the nerves in the back can cause part of the pain and it can advance suddenly and can leave you wrinkled more with pain of chest, which can make it difficult to the breath.
In fact of chest pain are not indicators of a problem with any of your vital organs, can be treated with a visit to your doctor and bed rest. However, the chest pain can be a panel of warning of the more serious problems with the vital organs enclosed in your chest. The chest pain can be one of the symptoms of a heart attack and you can have other symptoms with it.
The studies proved that 66 percent of patients who had the chest pain which was not related to the cardiac disorder, but suffered from the backward flow acid syndrome. The researchers studied the possibility that a certain pain of chest, not caused by cardiac or syndrome disorder of backward flow of acid then it can be caused by a intensified sensitivity. The studies proved that in some patients, the muscles of some bodies are sensitive and fast to send signals of pain to the brain. Nobody knows why this occurs, but continuous research.
Once the determination is made that no cardiac disorder is present, Antacids or the inhibitors are generally prescribed. The acid reflux syndrome should carefully be supervised that the stomach acid does not damage the esophagus.
Some prefer to treat the acid reflux syndrome with dietetic and changes or of life style. If those reduce the stomach acid effectively, then they should relieve the acid chest pain. Some changes of life styles which can help to relieve the acid reflux syndrome include giving up the use of tobacco and alcohol and weight loss. Some dietetic changes which can relieve the acid reflux syndrome include more frequent eating meals and to get rid of fried and fatty foods.
There are many herbs which can relieve the acid reflux syndrome and the chest pain. Those include the root of ginger, the chamomile and aloe. These ingredients and others are sometimes combined by herbalists to create a product for the relief of the acid reflux syndrome.
Diabetes and Heart Risk
Did you know that if you have the diabetes you could have a greater chance of cardiac disorder? Reason is the high levels of blood of sugar return the walls of your thicker blood vessels and make them to lose their elasticity, which alternatively marks it harder for blood to be passed through.Depression: The depression doubles the risk of a person obtaining the diabetes. After being diagnosed with diabetes a person will pass by the principal changes of life style.
Obesity: Obesity is an important risk factor for the cardiovascular disease and strongly related to the insulin resistance. The weight loss had shown to improve heart-health with the diabetes. Inactivity: The lack of exercise is another principal risk factor. Weight loss and the exercise can help to reduce the blood pressure and the risk of heart attack.
Hypertension: Hypertension was identified an important long time risk factor for the cardiac disorder. If you have high blood pressure and the diabetes your risk doubles for cardiac disorder. A symptom of diabetes is the skin of a diabetic person becomes very dry and heavy dehydration which could have an effect like a coma. Moreover it takes long-standing for wounds to cure. The diabetes is usually accompanied by the sudden loss of weight. There are many things which could not be a symptom of diabetes. If you think that you could have the diabetes, meet your doctor immediately and check your heart at the same time.
We know now that the daily therapy of aspirin lowers the risk of heart attack and clot. Aspirin obstruct the action of coagulation of blood. If blood vessels are previously damaged with a ondition of narrowing due to accumulation of the fat on them, a possibility is there to get clot can on the artery to make a block. This can stop the flow of blood to the brain and causes a heart attack. The therapy of Aspirin reduces the risks and prevents the heart attack and stroke. The majority of cardiologist recommends a daily aspirin magnesium of proportioning 325 now. Increased use of aspirin however can increase the risk of bleeding and can lead to the disturbed stomach. The study suggests that the poor absorption of the pH of the small intestine can be the reason for the enteric aspirin being not as effective as the regular aspirin.
Thus, people who are on the therapy of aspirin to prevent the heart attack should consider the enteric aspirin to prevent the stomach upset or the bleeding of GI, You can note that the enteric aspirin provides unsatisfactory protection for the heart and the brain. It is important, if the patient continue the discussion with the doctor in particular for the intake of the medicine.
Obesity: Obesity is an important risk factor for the cardiovascular disease and strongly related to the insulin resistance. The weight loss had shown to improve heart-health with the diabetes. Inactivity: The lack of exercise is another principal risk factor. Weight loss and the exercise can help to reduce the blood pressure and the risk of heart attack.
Hypertension: Hypertension was identified an important long time risk factor for the cardiac disorder. If you have high blood pressure and the diabetes your risk doubles for cardiac disorder. A symptom of diabetes is the skin of a diabetic person becomes very dry and heavy dehydration which could have an effect like a coma. Moreover it takes long-standing for wounds to cure. The diabetes is usually accompanied by the sudden loss of weight. There are many things which could not be a symptom of diabetes. If you think that you could have the diabetes, meet your doctor immediately and check your heart at the same time.
We know now that the daily therapy of aspirin lowers the risk of heart attack and clot. Aspirin obstruct the action of coagulation of blood. If blood vessels are previously damaged with a ondition of narrowing due to accumulation of the fat on them, a possibility is there to get clot can on the artery to make a block. This can stop the flow of blood to the brain and causes a heart attack. The therapy of Aspirin reduces the risks and prevents the heart attack and stroke. The majority of cardiologist recommends a daily aspirin magnesium of proportioning 325 now. Increased use of aspirin however can increase the risk of bleeding and can lead to the disturbed stomach. The study suggests that the poor absorption of the pH of the small intestine can be the reason for the enteric aspirin being not as effective as the regular aspirin.
Thus, people who are on the therapy of aspirin to prevent the heart attack should consider the enteric aspirin to prevent the stomach upset or the bleeding of GI, You can note that the enteric aspirin provides unsatisfactory protection for the heart and the brain. It is important, if the patient continue the discussion with the doctor in particular for the intake of the medicine.
Feeling Depressed After A Heart Attack
If you have had a heart attack, you may be experiencing depression. Did you realize that your mood can also be affecting your heart health? Depression causes a lot of problems for people with heart disease: more days in bed, more visits to the doctor, more ER visits, less enjoyment of life, more medical complications, and a higher risk of death. Untreated depression can actually double the risk of another cardiac event after a heart attack! How can you tell if you might be depressed? Here are some of the symptoms to look for:
Do you feel sad, down, or blue most of the time?
Have you stopped enjoying activates that you used to enjoy?
Is your energy very low or are you having problems moving at a normal pace?
Do you have problems concentrating?
Has your appetite or sleep patterns changed?
Do you feel worthless or excessively guilty?
Have you been having thoughts about hurting or killing yourself?
If you have been experiencing these symptoms regularly, you may have depression, and depression is bad for your heart.
Depressed people tend to have a poorer diet, use tobacco more, exercise less, have more stress, and don’t socialize as much. All of these contribute to an increased risk of another heart attack. Depressed people also don’t participate in cardiac rehabilitation as much and are three times more likely to not take their medications as prescribed.
Once depression is treated, people tend to have better mood, better quality of life, and take their heart medication more regularly after having and heart attack. There are many medications that are safe and effective for treating depression in people with CHD. For people who don’t want to use medicine, there are forms of therapy that can be equally effective. Some people respond very well to medication or therapy alone, but using both can lead to longer lasting improvement of depression.
People with depression need monitor their heart problems more closely. This may mean more frequent visits to the cardiologist and more frequent blood tests and ECGs. People who are depressed have a harder time taking medications regularly, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about ways to make taking medication easier. Using a weekly pill box makes it easy to see when you’ve taken your medicine. If you have to take several medications daily, your doctor may be able to simplify things by prescribing a combination pill or a medication that only need to be taken once daily. Depression is not uncommon – if you think you have some of the symptoms above, make an appointment with your doctor.
Do you feel sad, down, or blue most of the time?
Have you stopped enjoying activates that you used to enjoy?
Is your energy very low or are you having problems moving at a normal pace?
Do you have problems concentrating?
Has your appetite or sleep patterns changed?
Do you feel worthless or excessively guilty?
Have you been having thoughts about hurting or killing yourself?
If you have been experiencing these symptoms regularly, you may have depression, and depression is bad for your heart.
Depressed people tend to have a poorer diet, use tobacco more, exercise less, have more stress, and don’t socialize as much. All of these contribute to an increased risk of another heart attack. Depressed people also don’t participate in cardiac rehabilitation as much and are three times more likely to not take their medications as prescribed.
Once depression is treated, people tend to have better mood, better quality of life, and take their heart medication more regularly after having and heart attack. There are many medications that are safe and effective for treating depression in people with CHD. For people who don’t want to use medicine, there are forms of therapy that can be equally effective. Some people respond very well to medication or therapy alone, but using both can lead to longer lasting improvement of depression.
People with depression need monitor their heart problems more closely. This may mean more frequent visits to the cardiologist and more frequent blood tests and ECGs. People who are depressed have a harder time taking medications regularly, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about ways to make taking medication easier. Using a weekly pill box makes it easy to see when you’ve taken your medicine. If you have to take several medications daily, your doctor may be able to simplify things by prescribing a combination pill or a medication that only need to be taken once daily. Depression is not uncommon – if you think you have some of the symptoms above, make an appointment with your doctor.
Heart Attack and Pain
The decreased flow of blood to the cardiac muscle or the myocardium can have consequence of the ischemic cardiac disease with the pain of chest and even myocardium or a heart attack. This pain can be along the left, deep chest with the sternum or with the two arms, jaws, neck and back. The persistent pain can be characterized like crushing. No change of the pain occurs with breathing or modifying the position of the patient. A slow heart rate, hypotension, giddiness, disappearing and sweating can be associated it. Sometimes nausea and the vomiting will imitate an abdominal problem.
The heart attack results when a clot of blood completely blocks the blood of coronary artery to the muscle of heart. It will cause the death of the muscle of heart. It is noted that the formation of blood clot during a heart attack is usually of cholesterol on the interior wall of a coronary artery.
A heart attack can cause the pain, the cardiac arrest and instability of the heart. The instability of the heart can then cause the abnormal rhythm representing a danger to the life of heart - also known under the name of arrhythmia.
Normally, one can observe some warnings for a potential victim of heart attack. A person with pain will not be necessarily a victim of heart attack, but the pain or the pressure is indeed a common symptom of heart attack. The cardiac pain of chest is often vague and can be described like pressure or tightening or any other faintness.
The heart attack often occurs early in the late morning. It is due at the higher levels of adrenalin released by adrenals during the hours of morning. The adrenalin increased in blood circulation can contribute to the rupture. The incidence of the heart attacks “quiet” can be much higher for diabetics.
Generally a victim of heart attack can complain about: pressure on chest - sweating -pain of jaw - heartburn and indigestion - higher back pains, pain of arm (generally the left arm, but can be one or the other) and nausea.
The heart attack results when a clot of blood completely blocks the blood of coronary artery to the muscle of heart. It will cause the death of the muscle of heart. It is noted that the formation of blood clot during a heart attack is usually of cholesterol on the interior wall of a coronary artery.
A heart attack can cause the pain, the cardiac arrest and instability of the heart. The instability of the heart can then cause the abnormal rhythm representing a danger to the life of heart - also known under the name of arrhythmia.
Normally, one can observe some warnings for a potential victim of heart attack. A person with pain will not be necessarily a victim of heart attack, but the pain or the pressure is indeed a common symptom of heart attack. The cardiac pain of chest is often vague and can be described like pressure or tightening or any other faintness.
The heart attack often occurs early in the late morning. It is due at the higher levels of adrenalin released by adrenals during the hours of morning. The adrenalin increased in blood circulation can contribute to the rupture. The incidence of the heart attacks “quiet” can be much higher for diabetics.
Generally a victim of heart attack can complain about: pressure on chest - sweating -pain of jaw - heartburn and indigestion - higher back pains, pain of arm (generally the left arm, but can be one or the other) and nausea.
Depression
Overview
Depression is a medical condition that leads to intense feelings of sadness or despair. These feelings do not go away by themselves. They are not necessarily related to a particular life event.
What is going on in the body?
Depression is a disorder of the brain. Researchers believe that chemicals called neurotransmitters are involved in depression. Nerve impulses cause the release of neurotransmitters from one nerve cell to the next. This release allows cells to communicate with one another. Too little or too much of these important neurotransmitters may be released and cause or contribute to depression. Some of the neurotransmitters believed to be linked to depression are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Some of the common types of depression are:
• Bipolar disorder: Also called manic depression, bipolar disorder is a type of depression that has either subtle or extreme "high" periods alternating with "low" periods of depression for years.
• Dysthymia: This type of chronic depression is characterized by ongoing symptoms of depression.
• Major depressive disorder: This type of clinical depression is characterized by a severe lack of interest in the things that were once enjoyed or nonstop feelings of sadness.
• Seasonal affective disorder: This type of depression occurs seasonally and is caused by lack of sunlight.
• Adjustment affective disorder. This type of depression usually occurs after a major loss or negative change in a person's life.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
Some symptoms are common in people of all ages with depression. These symptoms include:
• appetite problems
• decreased energy
• difficulty paying attention or making decisions
• feeling very sensitive emotionally
• feelings of irritability
• feelings of sadness, despair, and emptiness
• inability to feel pleasure
• low self-esteem
• loss of motivation and withdrawal from others
• pessimism, negativity
• sleeping problems
• thoughts about suicide and death
Children, adolescents, or elderly people who are depressed may have other symptoms.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
There are many theories about what causes depression. Depression may be caused by any of these things: certain illnesses certain medicines, including antibiotics and medicines used to treat acne changes in brain chemicals heredity hormonal changes lack of sunlight major stresses negative thinking patterns.
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Depression may not be preventable. However, some of these steps may be helpful in preventing it: avoiding alcohol and illegal drugsavoiding cigarette smokinggetting prompt treatment for other psychiatric disordersseeking effective treatment for chronic diseasestalking with a counselor after experiencing a major trauma.
How is the condition diagnosed?
Screening tests for depression include: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scalethe Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) the Zung Depression Scalethe Hamilton Depression Scale.
Depression is a medical condition that leads to intense feelings of sadness or despair. These feelings do not go away by themselves. They are not necessarily related to a particular life event.
What is going on in the body?
Depression is a disorder of the brain. Researchers believe that chemicals called neurotransmitters are involved in depression. Nerve impulses cause the release of neurotransmitters from one nerve cell to the next. This release allows cells to communicate with one another. Too little or too much of these important neurotransmitters may be released and cause or contribute to depression. Some of the neurotransmitters believed to be linked to depression are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Some of the common types of depression are:
• Bipolar disorder: Also called manic depression, bipolar disorder is a type of depression that has either subtle or extreme "high" periods alternating with "low" periods of depression for years.
• Dysthymia: This type of chronic depression is characterized by ongoing symptoms of depression.
• Major depressive disorder: This type of clinical depression is characterized by a severe lack of interest in the things that were once enjoyed or nonstop feelings of sadness.
• Seasonal affective disorder: This type of depression occurs seasonally and is caused by lack of sunlight.
• Adjustment affective disorder. This type of depression usually occurs after a major loss or negative change in a person's life.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
Some symptoms are common in people of all ages with depression. These symptoms include:
• appetite problems
• decreased energy
• difficulty paying attention or making decisions
• feeling very sensitive emotionally
• feelings of irritability
• feelings of sadness, despair, and emptiness
• inability to feel pleasure
• low self-esteem
• loss of motivation and withdrawal from others
• pessimism, negativity
• sleeping problems
• thoughts about suicide and death
Children, adolescents, or elderly people who are depressed may have other symptoms.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
There are many theories about what causes depression. Depression may be caused by any of these things: certain illnesses certain medicines, including antibiotics and medicines used to treat acne changes in brain chemicals heredity hormonal changes lack of sunlight major stresses negative thinking patterns.
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Depression may not be preventable. However, some of these steps may be helpful in preventing it: avoiding alcohol and illegal drugsavoiding cigarette smokinggetting prompt treatment for other psychiatric disordersseeking effective treatment for chronic diseasestalking with a counselor after experiencing a major trauma.
How is the condition diagnosed?
Screening tests for depression include: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scalethe Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) the Zung Depression Scalethe Hamilton Depression Scale.
Heart Attack Treatment
What are the treatments for the condition?
The sooner treatment begins, the better the chance the person will survive. Taking an aspirin as early as possible after the onset of pain is very important. Aspirin acts as a blood thinner. This helps get oxygen-rich blood to the oxygen-deprived heart muscle. Other medications are used once the person arrives in an emergency department. Powerful medications called thrombolytics ("clot-busters") can sometimes dissolve the clot that is blocking the artery and causing the heart attack. Oxygen will be given to reduce damage to the heart tissue. A medicine known as nitroglycerin (i.e., Nitrolingual, Nitroquick, NitroStat) is given to decrease the work of the heart. Morphine may be given as well to reduce pain and decrease the work the heart has to do. A person who has had a heart attack often undergoes a procedure known as a cardiac catheterization or cardiac angiogram. A contrast agent is injected into the coronary arteries. Using an X-ray procedure, the healthcare professional can watch the blood flow through the heart and see if a blockage has occurred.
Some blockages in the coronary arteries can be opened using a special catheter with a balloon on the end. This balloon is inserted through the narrowed artery and inflated to open the artery and allow blood to flow. This procedure is called balloon angioplasty. If the artery will not stay open, a stent, or hollow tube, can be inserted to hold the artery open. The cardiac catheterization may show blockage in many arteries. If this is the case, heart bypass surgery may be necessary. A blood vessel from another part of the body is grafted onto the coronary artery. The graft provides a new route for blood to get to the heart muscle. After recovery from the acute phase of the heart attack, the person may be enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program. This gradual exercise program will help the person safely resume a healthy lifestyle.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects of medicines can include headache, dizziness, allergic reactions, and upset stomach. Blood-thinning and clot-busting medicines may increase the risk of bleeding and hemorrhage. Heart bypass surgery can be complicated by bleeding, infection, reactions to anesthesia, and, rarely, death.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
After the initial emergency treatment of a heart attack, any underlying disorders will be treated. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity.
How is the condition monitored?
The person will need to visit the healthcare professional regularly so medicines can be adjusted. He or she will monitor blood pressure, weight, and other major factors. Regular stress ECGs may be done to make sure there is proper blood flow to the heart. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare professional.
The sooner treatment begins, the better the chance the person will survive. Taking an aspirin as early as possible after the onset of pain is very important. Aspirin acts as a blood thinner. This helps get oxygen-rich blood to the oxygen-deprived heart muscle. Other medications are used once the person arrives in an emergency department. Powerful medications called thrombolytics ("clot-busters") can sometimes dissolve the clot that is blocking the artery and causing the heart attack. Oxygen will be given to reduce damage to the heart tissue. A medicine known as nitroglycerin (i.e., Nitrolingual, Nitroquick, NitroStat) is given to decrease the work of the heart. Morphine may be given as well to reduce pain and decrease the work the heart has to do. A person who has had a heart attack often undergoes a procedure known as a cardiac catheterization or cardiac angiogram. A contrast agent is injected into the coronary arteries. Using an X-ray procedure, the healthcare professional can watch the blood flow through the heart and see if a blockage has occurred.
Some blockages in the coronary arteries can be opened using a special catheter with a balloon on the end. This balloon is inserted through the narrowed artery and inflated to open the artery and allow blood to flow. This procedure is called balloon angioplasty. If the artery will not stay open, a stent, or hollow tube, can be inserted to hold the artery open. The cardiac catheterization may show blockage in many arteries. If this is the case, heart bypass surgery may be necessary. A blood vessel from another part of the body is grafted onto the coronary artery. The graft provides a new route for blood to get to the heart muscle. After recovery from the acute phase of the heart attack, the person may be enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program. This gradual exercise program will help the person safely resume a healthy lifestyle.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects of medicines can include headache, dizziness, allergic reactions, and upset stomach. Blood-thinning and clot-busting medicines may increase the risk of bleeding and hemorrhage. Heart bypass surgery can be complicated by bleeding, infection, reactions to anesthesia, and, rarely, death.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
After the initial emergency treatment of a heart attack, any underlying disorders will be treated. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity.
How is the condition monitored?
The person will need to visit the healthcare professional regularly so medicines can be adjusted. He or she will monitor blood pressure, weight, and other major factors. Regular stress ECGs may be done to make sure there is proper blood flow to the heart. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare professional.
Long-term effects of Heart Attack
What are the long-term effects of Heart Attack?
Depression can occur following a heart attack. Most people who survive for a few days after a heart attack can expect a full recovery. However, about 10% of people who have a heart attack die within a year.
What are the risks to others?
Heart attacks are not contagious and pose no risk to others.
Depression can occur following a heart attack. Most people who survive for a few days after a heart attack can expect a full recovery. However, about 10% of people who have a heart attack die within a year.
What are the risks to others?
Heart attacks are not contagious and pose no risk to others.
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain, or angina. Angina is often described as a feeling of crushing, pressure, fullness, heaviness, or aching in the center of the chest. These sensations may extend into the neck, the jaw, down the left arm, or occasionally to other places.
Angina is often associated with other symptoms, including:
• excessive sweating
• feelings of apprehension
• nausea
• shortness of breath
• weakness
The type of angina known as stable angina is brought on by exertion and relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. In the type of angina known as unstable angina, the pain is more frequent and more severe. It can occur even when the person is resting. Unstable angina is a medical emergency.
Usually, angina is very uncomfortable. However, in some cases, symptoms are mild enough to be discounted as indigestion. A person may deny the chest pain and delay seeking help. Someone who has diabetes may not experience classic angina symptoms. A person with diabetes can have a heart attack without knowing it.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of heart attacks. Deposits of fat, platelets, and cellular debris build up along the inner wall of the artery. The narrowing of the coronary arteries from atherosclerosis is known as coronary heart disease. It reduces the amount of oxygen-rich blood that can reach the heart.
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Heart attacks cannot always be prevented. It is important to control high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. A person can lower his or her risk by maintaining a healthy body weight. Physical activity and a diet designed to reduce heart disease can help prevent heart attacks.
How is the condition diagnosed?
Diagnosis of a heart attack begins with a history and physical exam. An electrocardiogram (ECG) can help in the diagnosis. Blood tests are done to measure levels of certain enzymes (released by damaged heart muscle) in the bloodstream. Because these enzymes may not rise for several hours after the pain begins, a person with a suspected heart attack is often admitted to a hospital. Rechecks of these levels over a period of time will determine if a heart attack has occurred.
The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain, or angina. Angina is often described as a feeling of crushing, pressure, fullness, heaviness, or aching in the center of the chest. These sensations may extend into the neck, the jaw, down the left arm, or occasionally to other places.
Angina is often associated with other symptoms, including:
• excessive sweating
• feelings of apprehension
• nausea
• shortness of breath
• weakness
The type of angina known as stable angina is brought on by exertion and relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. In the type of angina known as unstable angina, the pain is more frequent and more severe. It can occur even when the person is resting. Unstable angina is a medical emergency.
Usually, angina is very uncomfortable. However, in some cases, symptoms are mild enough to be discounted as indigestion. A person may deny the chest pain and delay seeking help. Someone who has diabetes may not experience classic angina symptoms. A person with diabetes can have a heart attack without knowing it.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of heart attacks. Deposits of fat, platelets, and cellular debris build up along the inner wall of the artery. The narrowing of the coronary arteries from atherosclerosis is known as coronary heart disease. It reduces the amount of oxygen-rich blood that can reach the heart.
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Heart attacks cannot always be prevented. It is important to control high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. A person can lower his or her risk by maintaining a healthy body weight. Physical activity and a diet designed to reduce heart disease can help prevent heart attacks.
How is the condition diagnosed?
Diagnosis of a heart attack begins with a history and physical exam. An electrocardiogram (ECG) can help in the diagnosis. Blood tests are done to measure levels of certain enzymes (released by damaged heart muscle) in the bloodstream. Because these enzymes may not rise for several hours after the pain begins, a person with a suspected heart attack is often admitted to a hospital. Rechecks of these levels over a period of time will determine if a heart attack has occurred.
Heart Attack
Overview
A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction (MI), occurs when the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen to the point that the heart tissue dies.
What is going on in the body?
The left and right coronary arteries are the first branches to leave the aorta, the main artery of the body. The coronary arteries supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. When these arteries do not deliver enough oxygen, a pain known as angina results. If the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen for a long enough period of time, the heart cells begin to die. This is called a heart attack.
A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction (MI), occurs when the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen to the point that the heart tissue dies.
What is going on in the body?
The left and right coronary arteries are the first branches to leave the aorta, the main artery of the body. The coronary arteries supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. When these arteries do not deliver enough oxygen, a pain known as angina results. If the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen for a long enough period of time, the heart cells begin to die. This is called a heart attack.
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