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Handling The Challenges Of Heart Failure

November 27th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

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Over the past 20 years, the number of people aged 65 and older who are hospitalized for heart failure has risen roughly 30%, which is putting a tremendous strain on the current Medicare system. In 1998, the system paid $3.7 billion for costs related to failure of the heart. The American Heart Association says that the burden on individual families is even worse. In 2002, Americans paid a whopping $21.4 billion in direct costs and an additional $1.8 billion in indirect costs associated with failure of the heart. Given those statistics, maybe preventative methods of cholesterol lowering and monitoring heart health aren’t so bad after all!

Coronary Heart Disease is the leading cause of heart failure today. CAD is a manifestation of atherosclerosis, which results from smoking, high cholesterol, hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes. Sometimes a viral infection, exposure to toxins like lead or alcohol, or genetics can cause a disease in the actual heart muscle, also known as cardiomyopathy. Diabetes, high salt intake, sustained rapid heart rhythms, alcoholism and marked obesity can all be contributors to chronic failure of the heart.

To check if you may have heart health problems, your general practitioner can run several tests to be sure. Many people avoid getting tested in advance because they fear invasive pokes and prods, but most of these screening tests are very non-invasive. For instance, one test, which is a “stress test,” has you walking on a treadmill for a specific interval of time through several intensity levels, while an IV-injected tracer moves through the blood, indicating possible obstructions or strain. Another test, the EKG, simply monitors your heart rhythms through electrical wires with adhesive ends stuck to your chest, arms and legs. An “Echocardiogram” is simply an ultrasound image taken of your chest, which is as painless as a photograph. Most people are familiar with the usual hypertension/blood pressure test done with a cuff around your bicep. The most invasive test, which is recommended for people with a genetic predisposition, is the “Catheriterization,” which is a small tube inserted into the artery, which may open an obstruction or insert dye to see where the problem spots are.

If you’ve been diagnosed with heart failure, then you’ll need to adjust your diet considerably. An overwhelming amount of evidence suggests the importance of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil supplements. Dr. James O’Keefe of the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas recommends at least 1 gram of fish oil per day and as much as 4 grams for people with high triglyceride levels. “Research shows that this dosage lowers triglyceride levels by 20 to 50 percent,” he explains. In addition, you’ll be trading in eggs for oatmeal, red meat for fish and hummus instead of chip dip.

As we become older there are all-important numbers that begin to weigh to a great extent upon us. We have to worry about our weight, levels of cholesterol, as well as our blood pressure. Things we may have ignored our entire lives now all of a sudden they have significant importance. However these are some of the thing that should not have been ignored. A lifetime of abuse on the body yields simply unfavourable things when left unchecked.

Your cholesterol level is without question critical if you wish to stay in good health and your body working properly. High levels has the ability to lead lead to heart attacks as well as stroke, both things you do not want to have to deal with. Being concerned when it comes to your cholesterol level is not simply for the elderly. It is something both young and older people have to worry as well as be cognizant of if they hope to to lead a healthy life. In this article we will cover the fundamental principles of cholesterol and hopefully you will understand just how significant a healthy level is to your body as well as peace of mind.

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What is good cholesterol?

Good cholesterol is called HDL which is high-density lipoproteins. Doctor’s believe that the high levels of HDL can actually protect your heart whereas low levels of HDL can increase your risk of heart disease. It is thought that HDL can carry cholesterol away from your arteries and back to the liver where it is passed from the body.

How can you keep from getting high cholesterol?

You can help take steps against having too much LDL cholesterol in your body by exercising, not smoking and eating right. These three things are the primary reasons why people have excessive LDL. Yes, some of your cholesterol levels have to do with family history but doctors have proven time and time again that a diet rich in fish and Omega-3 along with a healthy weight will reduce the overall LDL numbers. The body needs to have plenty of exercise as well.

How is the obstruction from the arteries withdrawn?

The initial stage is through medicines but if there is a life-threatening narrowing or blockage in the artery or blood vessel then a somewhat more invasive operation is necessary. The actual procedures may vary however one frequent method is through a balloon angioplasty. The mechanical device is inserted into the artery and navigated to the where the blockage is located where the build up of plaque has occurred. The balloon is then inflated to clear the passage. Nowadays the operation is minimally invasive and the majority of patients are capable of going home that day.

What is the normal range for a healthy cholesterol level?

The American Heart Association has guidelines established for what is considered a healthy range of cholesterol levels. A total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL is considered to be a desirable level since it puts you at a lower risk of having heart disease. Here is the trick though. It is not just about total cholesterol. Your HDL levels should be over 60 mg/dL and your LDL should be lower than 100 mg/dL. Mg/dL means it is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood.

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