As per the American Heart Association (AHA), over 5 million people in the United States are living with heart failure. Each year, over 550,000 new cases of failure are diagnosed, many of whom suffer from fatal heart attacks in a few years after diagnosis.

Heart failure is an often misunderstood condition, and this article will hopefully help you get the answers to a few common questions.

First of all, a lot of people believe that heart failure means that your heart has stopped or is about to stop pumping blood (i.e., a heart attack). This is false, as it simply means that the heart is not as efficient at pumping blood as it should be.

Because of the reduced efficiency of the heart, there is an inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the blood. This is the reason why people suffering from failure of the heart often feel excessively tired or weak for no apparent causes. Also, it can cause excessive fluid to build up in your lungs, which can cause congestion in the lungs. This is the reason why it is sometimes also called ‘Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)’.

The symptoms of heart failure range from shortness of breath, excessive and frequent coughing, a permanently increased heart rate for no apparent causes, fatigue, tiredness, weakness, inexplicable weight gain accompanied by a loss of appetite, swelling in the legs and ankles due to fluid buildup.

If not treated immediately, it can cause a fatal stroke or lead to permanent heart failure in which case the heart completely stops pumping blood. Usually, a number of intravenous drugs (IV drugs) are used to treat failure. A few of these include diuretics, inotropes and IV vasodilators.

If you feel you suffer from any of the conditions outlined above, please consult your doctor and get treatment as soon as possible. Remember that accurate diagnosis is the first step to treatment.

John has been writing online for several years. Currently, he maintains a blog about growing taller and grow taller exercises.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-heart-failure-1250597.html

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Heart disease is the leading cause, and stroke is the third leading cause, of death in both Connecticut and the United States. Heart disease and stroke are also major causes of disability among adults.1 Healthy People 2010 national objectives for both heart disease and stroke include increasing the proportion of persons who are aware of the early warning symptoms and signs of heart attack (objective no. 12.2) and stroke (objective no. 12.8) and the necessity of calling 911 when persons are suffering from either of these conditions.2 Early recognition and calling 911 increase the likelihood of immediate emergency transport to the hospital and timely medical care that can reduce disability and death.

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey (BRFSS) gathers information about heart attack and stroke awareness in its telephone survey of adults 18 years and older. Findings from the Connecticut 2004 BRFSS suggest that Connecticut adults are likely to recognize some signs of heart attack and stroke but not others. For example, about 96% of adults recognize chest pain or discomfort, but only about 64% of adults recognize jaw, neck or back pain, as symptoms of heart attack (Table 1). About 98% of adults recognize sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, but only 76% recognize severe headache, as signs of stroke.

Heart disease is the leading cause, and stroke is the third leading cause, of death in both Connecticut and the United States. Heart disease and stroke are also major causes of disability among adults.1 Healthy People 2010 national objectives for both heart disease and stroke include increasing the proportion of persons who are aware of the early warning symptoms and signs of heart attack (objective no. 12.2) and stroke (objective no. 12.8) and the necessity of calling 911 when persons are suffering from either of these conditions.2 Early recognition and calling 911 increase the likelihood of immediate emergency transport to the hospital and timely medical care that can reduce disability and death.Heart Attack Symptoms Heart Attack Symptoms Heart Attack Symptoms Heart Attack Symptoms Heart Attack
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey (BRFSS) gathers information about heart attack and stroke awareness in its telephone survey of adults 18 years and older. Findings from the Connecticut 2004 BRFSS suggest that Connecticut adults are likely to recognize some signs of heart attack and stroke but not others. For example, about 96% of adults recognize chest pain or discomfort, but only about 64% of adults recognize jaw, neck or back pain, as symptoms of heart attack (Table 1). About 98% of adults recognize sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, but only 76% recognize severe headache, as signs of stroke

Read More Heart Attack Symptoms…

By : mocowiz – more article about heart attack

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/signs-symptoms-of-heart-attack-1245669.html

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Planning a Low Cholesterol Diet

A high level of cholesterol has been linked with a variety of diseases. A high level of cholesterol in the body can be brought about by a number of things. On of them is by following a diet that is high in saturated fat and LDL or “bad” cholesterol which is the type of diet that most people seem to keep nowadays.

Prolonged regular inactivity or lack of proper exercise, smoking and drinking habits can also contribute to the unhealthy increase of bad cholesterol levels that may lead to heart disease in the long term.

Heart disease is known to be the number one killer in the US. It is important for people to realize that lowering their cholesterol levels can help reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke. This can be done in a variety of ways.

A healthy lifestyle can help a lot in trying to reduce high cholesterol levels and therefore reduce the risk of developing heart disease. The earlier an individual starts such a practice, the less likely he or she will be suffering from the effects of heart disease with age.

Following a healthy lifestyle will include taking part in a regular exercise routine as well as eating a low cholesterol diet. A healthy diet is very important for an individual trying to reduce facing the risks of having high cholesterol levels.

If you are trying to formulate a low cholesterol diet plan, you should be able to have a clear idea of what you will be doing and what it will take. Knowing and understanding your objectives of following a low cholesterol diet will make you more likely adhere to it more sincerely and in the long term and not just as a fad diet that can come and go. Before you begin indulging in any strict diet like a low cholesterol diet program, you should have some idea on why some foods are safe for you to eat and why some are not.

The basic idea behind every low cholesterol diet plan is to try to decrease the total intake of saturated fat, calories, and cholesterol in the body not only to reduce cholesterol and fat levels but also to lose some weight. The different types of foods that will be able to do this for you include mainly fruits and vegetables.

Foods belonging in this group have very high fiber content. Dietary fiber soaks cholesterol like sponge and helps get rid of it by disposing it out of the body. Fruits such as apples, oranges and pears are high in fiber content. This also includes oats and carrots that you can add to your diet.

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