Coronary Artery Disease Management
Coronary artery disease occurs when the coronary arteries become diseased or damaged due to the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. The coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart. The buildup of plaque causes the coronary arteries to become narrow, which reduces blood flow to the heart.
Coronary artery disease typically develops overtime, and can go unnoticed until a heart attack strikes. Symptoms of coronary artery disease include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Heart attack
High blood pressure and cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes can cause coronary artery disease. Risk factors for coronary artery disease include lack of exercise, obesity, and a family history of heart disease.
Treatment for coronary artery disease consists of medications and procedures to improve or restore blood flow to the heart. Lifestyle changes, such as daily physical activity, eating healthier and managing blood pressure and cholesterol can prevent or slow down the progression of coronary artery disease.
Cardiac Arrhythmia Management
Cardiac arrhythmias are a disturbance in the natural rhythm of the heart. They can be harmless or life-threatening medical emergencies. In normal adults, the heart beats regularly at a rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute. When the heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute, the arrhythmia is referred to as a tachycardia. When the heart rate is slowed and does not achieve 60 beats per minute, the arrhythmia is known as a bradycardia. Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia include shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting.
Heart Failure Management
Congestive heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart is unable to adequately pump enough blood to the entire body to meet the body's needs.
Symptoms of heart failure include:
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Swelling of the legs and feet
- Chest pain
Heart failure is often successfully treated with medications that improve symptoms. Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy, getting exercise and managing your level of stress, can improve your quality of life. Chronic high blood pressure and cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and diabetes can increase your risk of congestive heart failure.
Hypertension Management
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a very common, serious condition. Blood pressure is the amount of force applied to the interior walls of arteries as the heart pumps blood. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), and a reading is given in fraction form with two numbers: the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure, which is listed above diastolic pressure, indicates the pressure created in your arteries when your heart beats. Diastolic pressure indicates the pressure in your arteries or blood vessels when your heart is at rest in between each beat. For an adult, a normal blood pressure should be below 120/80 mmHg. If one or both of these numbers is too high, this is known as hypertension.
Hypertension can occur without any identifiable cause. This is the most common type and is referred to as essential hypertension. High blood pressure that develops due to kidney or thyroid problems, certain medications or other conditions is known as secondary hypertension.