http://www.MyWebSite.com/ WebMD provides valuable health information, tools for managing your health, and support to those who seek information. You can trust that our content is timely and credible. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:04:39 -0800 Stress is a normal part of life. But, if left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological and even physical problems, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, chest pains or even irregular heart beats. To manage stress, you must first identify what is causing your stress.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/heart-failure-easing-stressWed, 18 Feb 2009 03:04:39 -0800 Conventional thinking has been that dialysis patients with heart failure couldn't withstand a kidney transplant. The reverse may be true.http://www.webmd.com/video/kidney-heart-connectionWed, 18 Feb 2009 03:03:41 -0800 Although the number of older Americans newly diagnosed with heart failure has declined slightly in recent years, a new study shows more people are living with the disease.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/news/20080225/more-elderly-living-with-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 03:03:00 -0800 One in five with chronic heart failure die within a year of diagnosis. A breakthrough therapy shows promise for reducing the death toll.http://www.webmd.com/video/new-heart-failure-treatmentWed, 18 Feb 2009 03:01:34 -0800 Medicines do not cure heart failure. But they can make you feel better, help your heart work better, and help you live longer.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/taking-your-medicines-properly-when-you-have-heart-failure#tp16951Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:00:55 -0800 Thousands of people in this country will die from heart failure each year despite the best efforts of doctors and modern medicine. Since the disease can quickly progress to a more severe form, many people (and their families) are unprepared for decisions that they must make regarding the type of care they wish to receive at the end of their lives.http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/heart-failure-preparing-for-end-of-life-issuesWed, 18 Feb 2009 03:00:20 -0800 Some families need outside help to care for a loved one with heart failure. If all of your family members work, it may not be possible to care for your loved one at home. Some people with heart failure require more care than their family can reasonably be expected to provide. In these cases, you may consider placing your loved one in a long-term care facility. http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/heart-failure-long-term-care-and-end-of-life-issues-for-family-membersWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:59:40 -0800 For many people, eating out is something they do to relax and socialize. You don't have to give this up when you are on a low-sodium diet, but it is important to be more careful about what you order in a restaurant. Sodium is not just in table salt. You can also find it in sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Asian foods often have MSG as well as soy sauce, which is also very salty. But with some planning and helpful tips, you can still enjoy eating out while limiting the sodium in your diet. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/eating-out-when-you-are-on-a-low-sodium-diet#uz1671Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:58:59 -0800 People with heart failure need to track their weight carefully. Checking your weight lets you know how much extra fluid your body is holding on to. Sudden weight gain may mean that fluid is building up in your body because your heart failure is getting worse. Knowing how your weight is changing helps you manage your heart failurehttp://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/checking-your-weight-when-you-have-heart-failure#av2019Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:58:17 -0800 Too much fluid in your body can make it harder for your already-weakened heart to pump. Your doctor may prescribe a diuretic to help get rid of excess fluid. He or she may also suggest that you limit liquids so that your body can get rid of the extra water and sodium.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/watching-your-fluid-intake-when-you-have-heart-failure#tp16907Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:57:34 -0800 When you have heart failure, you need to eat less sodium, which is a component of salt. You will feel better and will lower your risk of being hospitalized by following the suggestions in this Actionset.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/eating-less-sodium-when-you-have-heart-failure#tp16931Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:56:38 -0800 People who have heart failure sometimes have an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death. This means that their heart stops and they will die unless the abnormal rhythm is fixed right away. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (also called an ICD) is a device that gives the heart a shock to stop a deadly rhythm and return the heart to a normal rhythmhttp://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/should-i-get-an-implantable-cardioverter-defibrillator-icd-for-heart#uf9848-IntroWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:55:45 -0800 People who have heart failure with chest pain (angina) or who have had a heart attack in the past may benefit from coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty to open clogged arteries. Some people may have surgery to repair specific causes of heart failure, such as damaged valves. In cases that have a specific treatable cause, surgery sometimes can greatly improve or eliminate heart failure symptoms.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/heart-failure-surgeryWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:54:55 -0800 When you have heart failure, the lower chambers of your heart (the ventricles) aren't able to pump as much blood as your body needs. Sometimes the heart has a problem with the electrical system that controls the pumping. This means the ventricles don't pump at the right time or the heart has an abnormal rhythm. A pacemaker for heart failure can help the heart pump blood better.http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/pacemakers-for-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:54:14 -0800 When you have heart failure, it is very important to exercise regularly. If you are not already active, your doctor may want you to begin an exercise program. Of course, a safe level of exercise will depend on your specific diagnosis and stage of heart failure. But even if you can only do a small amount of exercise, it is better than not doing any exercise at all.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/activity-and-exercise-for-heart-failure#tp16875Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:53:33 -0800 * Sudden heart failure can be prevented by avoiding the triggers that cause it. * Not all people are sensitive to or react to the same triggers. What may cause sudden heart failure in one person may not cause another person any difficulty. * To avoid sudden heart failure: * Pay attention to your symptoms. Changes in your weight, difficulty breathing, decreased appetite, and swelling (usually first noticed in the feet and legs) may be signs that your heart failure is getting worse. * 8 Keep your diet, exercise, and medicine routine as close to the same schedule as possible. * Avoid things that you know can trigger heart failure, such as eating too much salt. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/avoiding-triggers-for-sudden-heart-failure#tp16893Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:51:59 -0800 When you arrive at a hospital or emergency room in the middle of a sudden flare-up of heart failure, your doctor will first try to stabilize your condition. The doctor will immediately prescribe drugs such as diuretics, nitrates, and/or morphine (see table below) to help you breathe more easily and to control your pain or anxiety. These drugs should quickly relieve your symptoms. http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/medical-treatment-for-a-sudden-flare-up-of-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:51:20 -0800 A sudden (acute) episode of heart failure is most often the result of heart function that gets worse. You may become much more short of breath, have much more fluid buildup (edema) than usual, and find that your ability to exert yourself is significantly reduced. If the episode is very severe, you may also develop symptoms of low cardiac output such as lightheadedness, profound fatigue, or decreased urine output. What sets an acute flare-up apart from the expected gradual worsening of your heart failure over time is that the change in symptoms occurs over a very short time. http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/acute-flare-up-of-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:50:39 -0800 Heart failure is most often a lifelong illness that will require frequent changes in your medicine schedule and regular follow-up with your doctor. Over the years, many factors will affect the course of your disease, including other illnesses that you develop, your age, your diet, your ability to tolerate and comply with your treatment, and hopefully the development of new drugs to treat heart failure.http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/monitoring-and-medicines-for-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:50:00 -0800 One of the most important decisions you will make after you have been diagnosed with heart failure is whom you choose to be your doctor. Your doctor will confirm the diagnosis and design a treatment plan for your heart failure and will be responsible for monitoring the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatments. It is very important that you choose a doctor who is qualified to manage your heart failure. It is also important that you have a doctor with whom you feel comfortable sharing information about your symptoms and experiences. http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/should-i-see-a-specialist-for-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:49:18 -0800 Heart failure occurs when your heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently. Decreased pumping function by the left ventricle occurs in two major ways: * Systolic heart failure. Your ventricle does not squeeze forcefully enough during systole, which is the phase of your heartbeat when your heart pumps blood. * Diastolic heart failure.Your ventricle does not relax properly during diastole, which is the phase of your heartbeat when your heart fills with blood. http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/types-of-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:48:40 -0800 An echocardiogram (also called an echo) is a type of ultrasound test that uses high-pitched sound waves that are sent through a device called a transducer. The device picks up echoes of the sound waves as they bounce off the different parts of your heart. These echoes are turned into moving pictures of your heart that can be seen on a video screen.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/echocardiogram#tp17336Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:47:57 -0800 How often you see your doctor mostly depends on how far your heart failure has progressed and how severe your symptoms are. If you have class I or II heart failure, you may see your doctor only 2 or 3 times a year to assess the status of your heart, evaluate your overall health, and review important issues about your diet and lifestyle. You might speak with a nurse or physician assistant in your doctor's office more often to answer basic questions between visits.http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/how-often-will-i-see-my-doctor-if-i-have-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:47:08 -0800 Your doctor will probably use several tests to learn more about the structure and function of your heart. The goals of these tests are to: * Confirm the diagnosis of heart failure. * Determine the type of heart failure you have. * Determine its cause. * Assess the severity. * Identify any complications you may have. * Help predict the course of your heart failure. http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/goals-of-tests-to-evaluate-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:46:20 -0800 Heart failure is a complex medical condition. There are several types of heart failure and a variety of causes. For these reasons, you will likely have several different tests over a period of time to help diagnose the cause of the disease and find out how severe it is. In some cases the cause of heart failure can be fixed (such as a heart valve defect) or is easily treatable (such as a thyroid problem), but this is usually the exception.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/heart-failure-exams-and-testsWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:45:32 -0800 Chest pain that has not gone away within 5 minutes after taking one nitroglycerin dose and/or resting, especially if the pain is pressing or crushing and occurs with shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/heart-failure-when-to-call-a-doctorWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:44:30 -0800 The number of people who have heart failure is growing, especially in developed countries such as the United States. Two of the reasons for this growth are that people in general are living longer and people who already have heart failure are also living longer. The risk of heart failure rises as a person gets older. So more and more people are expected to have heart failure as the population gets older.http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/who-is-affected-by-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:43:34 -0800 Heart failure is generally the result of another disease, often coronary artery disease. Anything that increases your risk for developing that underlying disease is a risk factor for heart failure.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/heart-failure-what-increases-your-riskWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:42:42 -0800 In the earliest stages of heart failure, you may not have any symptoms. Shortness of breath with exertion and fatigue often develop when the weakened heart is not pumping enough blood to meet your body's needs for oxygen and nutrients.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/heart-failure-symptomsWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:41:13 -0800 While there are certain symptoms that people with heart failure experience more commonly, there are many other symptoms that heart failure can cause. These symptoms are typically less common because they often result from more severe heart failure, when the body can no longer compensate properly for the failing heart.http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/less-common-symptoms-of-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:40:36 -0800 The main problem with heart failure is usually that the pumping function of the heart is diminished. To compensate, the heart can increase the amount of blood pumped with each beat by increasing the blood pressure in the heart. This increased blood pressure in the heart can cause blood to back up into the lungs and other parts of the body, causing watery fluid from the bloodstream to leak out into the airspace of the lungs. Over time, your lungs and other parts of your body may become congested with this leaking fluid. http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/why-is-it-sometimes-called-congestive-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:39:40 -0800 Hypertension is high blood pressure in your arteries, which carry blood from your heart to every part of your body. Hypertension makes it harder for your heart to pump blood because of the increased pressure in the arteries. Over time, this increased pressure can lead to heart failure. http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/how-hypertension-causes-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:38:52 -0800 Coronary artery disease (CAD) can prevent your heart muscle from getting enough blood flow and oxygen. Over time, your heart muscle may be weakened or damaged because of reduced blood flow, which can lead to heart failure. http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/how-coronary-artery-disease-causes-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:38:10 -0800 The most common cause of right-sided heart failure is actually left-sided heart failure (either systolic or diastolic heart failure).http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/causes-of-right-sided-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:36:28 -0800 High-output heart failure occurs when the normally functioning heart cannot keep up with the dramatically increased demand for blood flow to one or more organs in the body. Although a number of conditions can cause the increased demand for blood and oxygen that results in high-output heart failure, overall, high-output failure is not a common cause of heart failure.http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/causes-of-high-output-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:36:27 -0800 By far the most common cause of systolic heart failure is coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD can cause systolic heart failure by causing injury to the heart muscle because of poor blood flow in the coronary arteries or by causing the death of various areas of the heart muscle because of prior heart attacks. http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/causes-of-systolic-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:25:04 -0800 Heart failure is caused by diseases or other factors that affect the pumping ability of the heart, specifically the left lower chamber (left ventricle). When the heart cannot pump well, it is called systolic heart failure. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/heart-failure-causeWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:25:03 -0800 With each beat of the heart, blood is pumped out of the heart into the blood vessels, which carry blood throughout your body. Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure or force inside your blood vessels (arteries) with each beat of the heart. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means the pressure in your arteries is above the normal range.http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/blood-pressure-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:23:30 -0800 You probably will need to take a combination of medicines to treat heart failure, even if you do not have symptoms yet. Medicines do not cure heart failure. But they can help you manage your symptoms. The goals of drug treatment are to relieve or control symptoms of heart failure, improve daily function and quality of life, slow the progression of the disease, and reduce the risk of complications, hospital stays, and premature death. Medicines are used to treat the problems associated with heart failure, including: * Fluid buildup, swelling, and water retention (edema). * The reduced pumping ability of the heart. * The effects of the body's attempt to compensate for heart failure. * Other conditions that can lead to heart failure, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes. * Prevention of complications, such as stroke. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/heart-failure-medicationsWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:23:29 -0800 Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. Rather, it means that the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. With heart failure, blood moves through the heart and body at a slower rate, and pressure in the heart increases. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs. The chambers of the heart respond by stretching to hold more blood to pump through the body or by becoming more stiff and thickened. This helps to keep the blood moving for a short while, but in time, the heart muscle walls weaken and are unable to pump as strongly. As a result, the kidneys often respond by causing the body to retain fluid (water) and sodium. If fluid builds up in the arms, legs, ankles, feet, lungs or other organs, the body becomes congested, and congestive heart failure is the term used to describe the condition.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/heart-failure-overviewWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:21:25 -0800 Exercise is good for you, but overdoing it may temporarily sap muscles of calcium and strength, a new study shows. "The study does not mean exercise is bad for you," Columbia University's Andrew Marks, MD, says in a news release.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/news/20080211/leaky-muscles-sap-strength-study-showsWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:21:25 -0800 Doctors diagnose heart failure by taking a medical history and conducting a physical exam and tests. During the medical history your doctor will want to know if: * You have any other health problems such as diabetes, kidney disease, angina (chest pain), high blood pressure, or other heart problems. * You smoke. * You drink alcohol and if so, how much? * You are taking medications. * Any of the symptoms listed in section above for heart failure.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/understanding-heart-failure-treatmentWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:21:24 -0800 The symptoms of heart failure are related to the pooling of fluid in the body or can be secondary to the decreased blood flow to the body. Sometimes, people with heart failure do not have any symptoms. The most common symptoms of heart failure are: * Shortness of breath with exercise or difficulty breathing at rest or when lying flat. * Swollen legs, ankles, or abdomen. * Dry, hacking cough, or wheezing. Other symptoms include: * Fatigue, palpitations, or pain during normal activities. * Weight gain from fluid retention. * Increased need to urinate during the night. * Dizziness or confusion. * Rapid or irregular heartbeats. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/understanding-heart-failure-symptomsWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:20:31 -0800 Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can't pump blood effectively to the lungs or the rest of the body. This can be because the person has developed a weakened heart muscle or because the heart muscle has thickened, making it difficult to fill the heart, backing up blood into the lungs.http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/understanding-heart-failure-basicsWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:19:38 -0800 Common painkillers raise the risk of heart failure-related hospitalization in people over 60, a new study shows. The risk is even greater for those who already have heart failure. And even very short-term painkiller use can be dangerous, the study finds -- especially for people taking blood-pressure-lowering medications. The drugs are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Those implicated in the study are: * Indocin tripled the risk of heart failure-related hospitalization. * Naproxen (brand names include Aleve and Naprosyn) doubled the risk of heart failure-related hospitalization. * Ibuprofen (brand names include Advil and Motrin) increased the risk of heart failure-related hospitalization by 43%. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/news/20060522/painkillers-heart-failureWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:18:47 -0800 People who have a cluster of common medical conditions may be nearly twice as likely to develop heart failure by middle age. A new study followed more than 2,300 Swedish men for more than 20 years and found those who had the cluster of common health risk factors, known collectively as metabolic syndrome, were almost twice as likely to develop heart failure by age 70 as those without it. Researchers say that increased risk was independent of any other established risk factors for heart failure, such as heart disease, a previous heart attack, smoking, and damaged heart valves. The results of the study were published online today ahead of scheduled print publication in the journal Heart.http://www.webmd.com/heart/metabolic-syndrome/news/20060522/metabolic-syndrome-hurts-heartWed, 18 Feb 2009 02:16:47 -0800 People with heart failure are much more likely to suffer bone fractures than other cardiac patients, in part because they're less likely to exercise, a new study says. However, "these patients can go through cardiac rehabilitation and increase their exercise capacity, reducing risk of weak bones and fracture," Justin Ezekowitz, MD, lead author of the study, tells WebMD. Ezekowitz, director of the Heart Function Clinic at the University of Alberta in Canada, also says people with heart failure should eat bone-strengthening diets and be screened for osteoporosis. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/news/20081020/heart-failure-boosts-bone-fracture-risk Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:03:37 -0800 Many people with heart failure may be overly optimistic when it comes to estimating how long they have left to live. A new study shows nearly two-thirds of people with congestive heart failure overestimate their remaining life expectancy by an average of 40% compared with what's realistic based on their prognosis. Heart failure, which occurs when the heart is too weak to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, causes 55,000 deaths each year and indirectly contributes to 230,000 more deaths annually in the U.S. Although there have been recent improvements in congestive heart failure treatment, researchers say the prognosis for people with the disease is still bleak, with about 50% having an average life expectancy of less than five years. For those with advanced forms of heart failure, nearly 90% die within one year http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/news/20080603/heart-failure-patients-too-optimistic Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:03:37 -0800 Getting an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) doesn't hamper quality of life for patients with stable heart failure, a new study shows. Heart failure doesn't mean the heart totally fails; it means it doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Patients with heart failure are at higher risk of developing dangerous heart rhythms. ICDs are surgically implanted devices that don't actually cure heart failure, but shock the heart back to a normal rhythm when needed. The new study builds on previous research showing lower death rates among heart failure patients who get ICDs. But receiving a defibrillator shock can be unsettling and uncomfortable, and even though patients live longer, their quality of life may be affected. According to a new study, getting an ICD "does buy some time and that this time is worthwhile to patients," states an editorial published with the study in tomorrow's edition of The New England Journal of Medicine. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/news/20080903/heart-device-may-not-hurt-life-quality Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:03:37 -0800