Swollen legs and stomach are signs of congestive heart failure!

Heart failure is the term used for the condition describing the inability of the heart to keep up with the demands on it, specifically the failure of the heart to pump blood with normal efficiency. When this occurs, the heart is unable to provide adequate blood flow to other organs such as the brain, liver and kidneys. Heart failure may be due to failure of the right or left or both ventricles. When the blood flowing out of the heart is slower in comparison to the blood being brought in through the veins, the blood starts backing up causing congestion in the tissues and organs of the body. Due to this, different parts of the body such as the liver, abdomen, legs may develop swelling or edema. Heart failures that cause this congestion are known as congestive heart failure. Reduce or blockage in regular ventricular function is characteristic of congestive heart failure.

“The most common symptoms of congestive heart failure are shortness of breath, swelling of legs especially in the evening, swelling of the abdomen or ascites, chest pain, and excessive tiredness. This condition can be caused by ailments such as coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, or primary muscle disease,” said a Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiologist. Additionally, conditions like myocardial infarctions can compromise heart function, leading to the development of this condition. Risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and excessive intake of alcohol and tobacco can increase the chances of a person developing this condition. If left untreated, this condition could bring upon further complications such as kidney damage, liver damage, and cardiac problems. 

When treating this condition, the medical team must first address and manage the primary cause. General treatment includes a salt restricted diet and fluid restricted diet. Specific therapy, depending on the symptoms and severity include administration of drugs like ACE inhibitors, Beta blockers, Aldosterone antagonist. A pacemaker like device called cardiac resynchronization device therapy (CRT) is now available to improve the heart function. This implantable device delivers synchronized electrical stimulation to three chambers of the heart, enabling the heart to pump blood more efficiently throughout the body. Modern medical science has also facilitated the transplantation of a heart from brain-dead donors, which is a definitive way of treating congestive heart failure.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.   

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Premature babies at higher risk of heart disease

Babies born prematurely may be at risk for structural heart abnormalities which can increase their odds of developing cardiovascular disease later in life, according to a new research.

Researchers tracked 102 premature babies from birth into their 20s. Compared to 132 people born at full-term, the study showed that in adulthood, the right lower heart chamber – the right ventricle - in the former preemies' was smaller but heavier, with thicker walls and less pumping capacity.

The earlier the birth, the greater the impact was on right ventricle size and function, according to the study. "Up to 10 per cent of today's young adults were born prematurely and some have an altered higher cardiovascular risk profile in adult life," said the group of researchers.

"We wanted to understand why this occurs so that we can identify the small group of patients born premature who may need advice from their healthcare provider about this cardiovascular risk. The changes we have found in the right ventricle are quite distinct and intriguing," Leeson said.

Previous research  showed similar, slightly smaller differences in size and function in the heart's left ventricle. In older adults, changes in the right ventricle's structure and function may increase risks of heart failure and cardiovascular death.

However, the researchers are keen to reassure those born prematurely that there was no evidence of these problems in the young people who participated in the current study.

The researchers followed a group of premature babies born in the 1980s until they were average age 25. In this study, a baby born before the 37th week of pregnancy was considered premature. Those adults were compared with similar aged adults born at full-term.

The researchers conducted standard heart health evaluations including blood pressure and cholesterol but also used more sophisticated magnetic resonance imaging techniques to measure participants' hearts and blood vessels. With the help of computer programmes they developed models of the hearts to analyse their unique structure and work out how much blood is being pumped.

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Ever Felt your Heart Skipping a beat?

Ever felt your heart skipping a beat? A missing beat by itself 

might not be significant but if you notice other symptoms 

like fatigue, weakness, fainting spells, and an inability to 

cope with the normal routine then you need to see your 

cardiologist for a complete assessment of your heart’s 

functions.

A lady  in her sixties, an active woman who could multi-task 

with ease. But episodes of irregular heartbeats was taking 

an toll of her life. Her cardiologist put her on a holter, which 

records one’s ECG for 24 hours during normal activity and 

the pulse as well. To her horror, the doctor told her that she 

needed a pacemaker. Apart from irregular heartbeats, she 

also bradycardia (slow heartbeat), which could be 

dangerous, with her pulse dipping to 35 at night when she 

was asleep. She was traumatised and terrified but felt better 

after her doctor explained what was happening.

When the heart’s two upper chambers, the atria, contract, 

blood is pumped into the two lower chambers, the ventricles. 

The ventricles then contract and pump blood to the rest of 

the body. The combined contraction of the atria and 

ventricles is a heartbeat. The heart has its own internal 

electrical system to control the rate and rhythm of 

heartbeats. With each heartbeat, an electrical signal spreads 

from the top of the heart to the bottom.

Each electrical signal normally begins in a group of cells 

called the sinus node or sinoatrial (SA) node. As the signal 

spreads from the top of the heart to the bottom, it 

coordinates the timing of heart cell activity. Faulty electrical 

signal in the heart causes arrhythmias.

Pacemakers use low-energy electrical pulses to overcome 

this faulty electrical signalling.

A pacemaker is a small device that is placed in the chest or 

abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms. This 

device uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a 

normal rate. Pacemakers are used to treat arrhythmias. A 

fast heartbeat is called tachycardia A slow heartbeat is 

called bradycardia. During an arrhythmia, the heart may 

not be able to pump enough blood to the body. This can 

cause symptoms such as fatigue (tiredness), shortness of 

breath, or fainting. Severe arrhythmias can damage the 

body's vital organs and may even cause loss of 

consciousness or death.

Pacemakers can be temporary or permanent. Temporary 

pacemakers are used to treat short-term heart problems, 

such as a slow heartbeat that is caused by heart attacks, 

surgery or an overdose of medicine. They are also used 

during emergencies. They might be used until your doctor 

can implant a permanent pacemaker or until the temporary 

condition goes away.

When is a pacemaker recommended? “Due to an atrio-

ventricular block the heart rate may be low or absent 

resulting in momentary block or loss of consciousness, 

occasionally even seizures. Then pacemaker implantation is 

mandatory. A pacemaker is also useful when the pumping 

efficacy of heart is low,” says a Dr. 

Ageing or heart disease damages your sinus node’s ability to 

set the correct pace for your heartbeat. This can cause 

slower than normal heartbeats or long pauses between 

heartbeats. This condition is called sick sinus syndrome and 

also warrants implantation of a pacemaker. 

What precautions are advised post-surgery?

“Since we keep our patients for a week following the 

procedure, we make sure the wound is healing well, and 

dressed regularly,” says  the Dr. “The patient is advised not 

to shower for the first two or three days, and not lift the arm 

above the head or carry even small weights, or stretch the 

arm for about six weeks. After a month, if there is any 

discomfort it should be reported.”

Regular check ups once in 4-6 months are advised. The 

patient is advised to get into mainstream activity gradually 

like travelling, driving the car, swimming, resuming the job, 

golfing, and walking which will make you return to normal. 

Even sex is not barred. But there are some things to be 

avoided like entering an electromagnetic field. One should 

keep away from transformers, electric arc welding 

equipment and airport screening devices. The pacemaker 

identification card helps. MRIs are definitely to be avoided.

“Generally, we tell patients to avoid induction cooking, but 

the risks I believe are fairly small,” says Dr. , “but you can 

check with the manufacturer of the device.”

“You should use the mobile phone on the opposite ear, and at 

least six inches away from the implant,” says the Dr. 

 “Other household appliances like microwave oven, electrical 

appliances, computers can be safely used.”

Pacemakers do improve the quality of life and the implant is 

a small procedure, but check with the doctor before taking 

any decision.

What does a pacemaker do?

Relieves arrhythmia symptoms, such as fatigue and 

fainting

Helps a person with abnormal heart rhythms 

resume a more active lifestyle

.

Monitors and records heart's electrical activity and 

rhythm

.

Newer pacemakers also monitor blood temperature, breathing rate, and other factors and also adjust heart rate to changes in activity.


ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

ps- those interested in recipes are free to view my blog-

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

for info about knee replacement, you can view my blog-

http://Knee replacement-stick club.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com/

I've not given details about designs, but those interested are free to mail me for the same.