Prompt diagnosis and close follow-up provide the best results in heart failure. Staff members follow patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings to provide consistent, high quality care that leads to improved patient satisfaction. The Heart Failure Treatment Program strives to prevent hospitalizations and decrease length of stay in the hospital. Below given are Frequently Asked Questions regarding Heart Problems:
A heart attack occurs when plaque and blood clots block an artery and stop blood flow to areas of the heart muscle. The heart muscle then becomes deprived of oxygen. This can cause permanent damage to the muscle.
Not all heart disease is hereditary. Some forms of heart problems are congenital, which means you were born with it. Other heart problems are a result of viral infections, toxic medications or alcohol related. Frequently though, heart problems can have a base in family history that may predispose an individual to developing heart disease. There are also lifestyle factors such as smoking, cocaine use and an unhealthy diet that can increase the risk of heart disease.
High blood pressure (or hypertension), increases your risk for developing heart disease and experiencing a heart attack as well as increasing your risk of stroke. This is why treatment for hypertension by a medical professional is important. Maintaining control of your blood pressure through diet, regular exercise and a reduced stress level are key to keeping blood pressure at a healthy level.
For routine procedures, such as catheterization, general activities may be resumed within 24-48 hours after the procedure. Work that includes unusually heavy lifting or exertion may require 2-3 days of additional rest at the discretion of your physician. Invasive procedures can be done as an outpatient. After any procedure, you will have approximately 6 hours of bed rest in the recovery unit, and may be discharged home. Usually you only need 1-2 days of "taking it easy" before resuming normal activities. If procedures such as angioplasty or stent are performed, then an overnight stay in the hospital is required. Your doctor will give you full information regarding your recovery after a specific procedure.
When you think of cardiovascular disease, usually people think of coronary artery disease (narrowing of the arteries leading to the heart), but coronary artery disease is just one type of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease includes a number of conditions affecting the structures or function of the heart and blood vessels. They can include:
It is important to learn about your heart and blood vessels to help prevent future disease. If you have cardiovascular disease, you can live a healthier, more active life by learning about your condition, treatment and how to become an active participant in your care.
Diagnostic tests and procedures are used to determine if a person has heart disease, the type of disease, the severity, and the most effective treatment methods.
In the past years, diagnostic procedures have become more precise and sophisticated, providing the information that is needed for treatment tailored to an individual's particular condition.
The tests listed to the left are categorized by the type of testing or technology used. For example: