How Do I Know If I’m at Risk of Heart Failure?
See My Heart - by The American Society of EchocardiographyEvery year, 450,000 Americans die as the result of Sudden Cardiac Death. But a safe, non-invasive procedure could save lives. Widely available heart ultrasounds are as easy on the patient as taking a blood pressure reading. The ejection fraction, or EF, measures the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat. Recent medical research shows that people with hearts that pump poorly - that is, have a low EF - are at increased risk for Sudden Cardiac Death.
Related QuestionsHow do I know whether I’m at high risk for a stroke?
All About Stroke - All About Diabetes - American Diabetes As...You can’t change your family history, but taking care of your diabetes and the conditions that come with it can lower your chances of having a stroke. It’s up to you.
Related QuestionsWhat is heart failure?
Facts About Heart FailureHeart 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.
Related QuestionsPatients' Frequently Asked Questions (PFAQ) - Heart & Circul...Heart failure is a clinical syndrome said to present when the heart fails to adequately pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. The terms congestive heart failure or "CHF" are also used to describe this syndrome. Symptoms a patient may experience include exertional fatigue, shortness of breath with activity, shortness of breath lying down, and shortness of breath at rest.Related Questions
Saint John's Health Center - Frequently Asked QuestionsHeart failure occurs when the heart's ability to pump blood becomes significantly weaker than normal, causing the blood to move through the body at a slower rate. Symptoms of heart failure include rapid or irregular heartbeats; shortness of breath; fluid and water retention (i.e., swelling); weakness, fatigue and dizziness or confusion.Related Questions
Patient Freqently Asked QuestionsHeart failure (also called congestive heart failure, HF or CHF) occurs when the heart is no longer able to pump blood efficiently to the vital organs and throughout the body. Because of disease or injury to the heart, the primary pumping chamber of the heart (the left ventricle) can’t provide enough oxygenated blood to the body. As the body tries to compensate for the decreased blood flow, the heart increases in size, making it even less efficient.Related Questions
Boston Scientific ::Heart failure is a common and serious medical condition. Despite its misleading name, "heart failure" does not mean your heart suddenly stops working. Instead, heart failure develops slowly over time as your heart muscle gradually weakens (Play Video). The "failure" refers to your heart's inability to pump enough blood to meet your body's needs.Related Questions
Why are African Americans at greater risk for heart failure?
Frequently Asked QuestionsTwo well-known contributors to the increased risk are much higher rates of high blood pressure and diabetes in the black community. Other potential risk factors being explored are African Americans’ lower access to and use of health care services, greater exposure to environmental pollutants, and greater tendencies to be overweight and to get less exercise.
Related QuestionsWhat about the increased risk of heart failure?
The official PROactive results websiteincrease in signs of heart failure and serious heart failure were noted with pioglitazone versus placebo. There was, however, no difference between groups for death due to heart failure. Other ECG studies have shown that there is no evidence for direct damage of the cardiac muscle by pioglitazone. Back to the Top
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Penta Water - Taste and Feel the Difference!Dehydration causes many common health complaints. Research indicates that approximately half of Americans are dehydrated. Here are some of the signs that may indicate you’re dehydrated: Mental fogginess (A mere 2 percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.) Even if you’re only suffering mild dehydration, your metabolism will slow down as much as 3 percent.
Related QuestionsWhat is Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)?
Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia PC :: CCPdocs.comOne of the reasons your physician would check for edema (fluid around the extremities) during an office visit is to assess the level of excess fluid not circulating through your body. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the usually demands of the body. This can cause back pressure of blood flow to other parts of the body. Once this happens, the organs in the body get (congested) with fluid as a result of backpressure, known as congestive heart failure.
Related QuestionsHeart Care FAQ - Heart Failure Institute | Advocate Christ M...If your doctor has told you that you have congestive heart failure, you are not alone. You are one of nearly five million Americans who have heart failure. It is the most common cause for hospitalization in people older than age 65. It simply means that your heart doesn’t work as well as it should. It can make it more difficult for you to do things that may have been easy for you in the past.Related Questions
What is Congestive Heart Failure?
Congestive Heart FailureCongestive Heart Failure results from an enlargement (dilation) of the left ventricle or the main pumping chamber of the heart and a loss of the heart's effective pumping action. There are two types of heart failure. The first type involves an overall dilation of the left ventricle. This type of heart failure is typically not caused by a heart attack.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of Heart Failure?
Congestive Heart FailureSome of the symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath, fatigue or weakness, persistent coughing or wheezing, swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet, lack of appetite, confused thinking, and increased or irregular heartbeat.
Related QuestionsWhat is the outlook for people with heart failure?
Facts About Heart FailureYour prognosis or outlook for the future will depend on how well your heart muscle is functioning, your symptoms, and how well you respond to and follow your treatment plan. With the right care, heart failure will not stop you from doing the things you enjoy.
Related QuestionsWhat is end-stage heart failure?
SynCardia Systems, Inc.End-stage heart failure, also known as chronic heart failure, is a condition in which a weakened heart slowly loses its ability to pump blood through the body efficiently. The weakened heart has to work harder in an attempt to pump the proper amount of blood. To compensate for the higher workload, it may beat faster and enlarge. While this corrective mechanism can temporarily increase pumping capacity, it eventually accelerates the progression of heart failure.
Related QuestionsFAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) - Texas Heart Institute Hea...Heart failure means your heart is not pumping as well as it should to deliver oxygen-rich blood to your body's cells. Congestive heart failure (CHF) happens when the heart's weak pumping action causes a buildup of fluid (called congestion) in your lungs and other body tissues. CHF usually develops slowly. You may go for years without symptoms, and the symptoms tend to get worse with time.Related Questions
What are the signs and symptoms of heart failure?
Patient Freqently Asked QuestionsThe symptom most commonly reported is constant fatigue, followed by shortness of breath. Other problems associated with heart failure are edema (swelling), most often in the legs. Cough, weight gain as a result of fluid retention, chest pain and acute pulmonary edema are often present as well.
Related QuestionsHow do I know if I’m overweight or obese?
Obesity And Weight LossObesity is measured with a body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Individuals with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while individuals with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. You can find out your BMI using the calculator at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi, or the chart at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.htm.
Related QuestionsHow do I know if I’m experiencing hearing loss?
Frequently Asked QuestionsHearing loss is often a gradual process, happening over a number of years. Perhaps you've noticed that everyday sounds are harder to hear. Perhaps you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves more frequently. Or maybe you've had comments from family and friends - even jokingly - about your hearing.
Related QuestionsWhen will I know if I’m accepted?
New Organizing InstituteWe'll notify you by January 20 if you're accepted. The Winter week-long training will take place February 24-March 4; you'll be sent to a campaign immediately or very soon after that, where you'll work through Election Day (November 7, 2006).
Related QuestionsHow do I know I’m ready?
U-transform - Inspiring a new youThe fact that you’re here is a good indication that you may be ready. Has something become so uncomfortable that you know it has to change? Or maybe it’s just not enough struggling through life, working hard, achieving little or no results. Are you being ‘called’ to action? Try our U-ready questionnaire.
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