Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors of Ventricular Fibrillation

Ventricular Fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that occurs when the ticker beats with rapid, erratic electrical impulses that causes the ticker’s pumping chambers- the ventricles- to quiver uselessly, instead of pumping oxygen-rich blood. Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening emergency necessitating immediate attention, it causes the person to collapse within seconds. It is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death. Emergency treatment options include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shocks to the heart with a device called an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Symptoms:

Unconsciousness (loss of consciousness) is the most common sign. Ventricular fibrillation can also occur due to ventricular tachycardia (VT) - a condition in which the lower chambers of your heart beat too rapidly. Signs and symptoms of VT include chest pain, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness.

When to Seek Medical Help:

Seek medical help with immediate effect if you or someone else is experiencing the above signs and symptoms.

1.      Dial 911 or the emergency number in your area.

2.      Check for a pulse if the person is unconscious.

3.      Perform CPR to help maintain blood flow to the organs until an electrical shock (defibrillation) can be given by staring with pushing hard and fast on the person's chest — about 100 compressions a minute. Only if you are trained in CPR that you check the person’s airway or deliver rescue breaths.

4.      Get hold of an AED device that is available in an increasing number of places, such as in airplanes, police cars and shopping malls. AEDs can deliver an electrical shock that may restart heartbeats.

Causes of Ventricular Fibrillation:

The cause isn’t always known with the most common cause of Ventricular Fibrillation being a problem in the electrical impulses traveling through your ticker after a first heart attack or problems resulting from a scar in your heart's muscle tissue from a previous heart attack. VF sometimes begins as a rapid heartbeat called ventricular tachycardia (VT), which again is caused by abnormal electrical impulses that start in the ventricles. VT mainly occurs in people with a heart-related problem, such as scars or damage from a heart attack, it can last 30 seconds and may not cause any symptoms, at the same time VT may be a sign of more-serious heart problems. Palpitations, dizziness or fainting will occur if VT lasts more than 30 seconds. If left untreated, VT often leads to ventricular fibrillation. Most VF cases are tied with some form of heart disease.

Risk Factors:

1.      Previous heart attack

2.      Previous episode of ventricular fibrillation

3.      Congenital heart disease (heart defect one is born with)

4.      Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease)

5.      Injuries causing damage to the heart muscle, such as electrocution

6.      Electrolyte abnormalities, such as with potassium or magnesium

Prevention:

Talk to your doctor regarding genetic screening if you have a first-degree relative with an inherited heart condition because early identification of an inherited heart issue can guide preventive care and reduce your risk of complications.

For CPR training, make sure to select a certified training site, such as the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Certified instructors conduct the classes through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice. Become AHA certified at the end of training classes after successfully passing a skills test and written exam. Contact CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316 to register for a course. 

Treatment, Symptoms and Causes of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular or circulatory system supplies the body with oxygen-rich blood and consists of the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries. There are several types of cardiovascular disease such as angina (both a cardiac and vascular disease), congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease (affects the arteries that feeds the heart muscle), heart attack (myocardial infarction), dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure (HF- when the ticker doesn’t work properly), arrhythmia (there’s an irregular heartbeat or heart rhythm), mitral regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse, pulmonary stenosis, rheumatic heart disease (it can be a complication of strep throat).

Vascular diseases like peripheral artery disease, atherosclerosis, aneurysm, renal artery disease, peripheral venous disease, Raynaud's disease (rare disorder of the blood vessels, usually in the fingers and toes), Buerger's disease (inflammation and thrombosis in small and medium-sized blood vessels, typically in the legs and leading to gangrene), stroke, venous blood clots, blood clotting disorders- affect the blood vessels (the arteries, veins and capillaries).

Causes:

Atherosclerosis, when fatty deposits accumulate in the arteries- is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular disease. Circulatory system damage can also result from diabetes and as the result of other health conditions, such as a virus, an infection, or a structural problem that the individual was born with that often involves high blood pressure, which again can be both a cause and a result of cardiovascular disease.

Risk Factors:

High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, radiation therapy, smoking, inadequate sleep, diabetes, diets high in fat combined with carbohydrates, physical inactivity, consumption of too much alcohol, air pollution, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and reduced lung function and stress are some of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis and hypertension are the most common cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Symptoms:

Symptoms vary depending on the specific type of disease a patient has with some typical symptoms of an underlying cardiovascular issue being chest pain or pressure which may indicate angina, shortness of breath, nausea and fatigue, light-headedness, cold sweat, pain discomfort in the arms, the left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back. These are the most common symptoms although symptoms vary and are specific to the condition and the individual.

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the type of condition the person has. Main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, prevent complications and reduce the risk of the condition recurring or worsening. Treatment options include medication, for instance, to reduce LDL cholesterol or blood pressure; surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); lifestyle changes, such as exercising, quitting smoking and dietary changes and cardiac rehabilitation. Treatment may also aim to stabilize heart rhythms, reduce blockages, and widen the arteries to enable a better flow of blood depending on one’s condition.

Prevention:

Fortunately, majority of CVDs are preventable. You need to address your risk factors. For example, reduce salt intake (higher risk for hypertension), consume less alcohol and tobacco, avoid sedentary lifestyle and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Having cardiovascular disease increases the risk of life-threatening cardiac emergencies like a cardiac arrest or heart attack. Get CPR trained and face these emergencies efficiently. To join a CPR course, contact CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking for your Heart

You can do your heart a huge favor by saying goodbye to tobacco regardless of whether you’re a longtime smoker or have just picked up the habit. Remember it’s never too late to quit as far as your heart is concerned because the body starts to heal as soon as you smoke your last cigarette.

The heart rate and blood pressure goes up temporarily every time you inhale cigarette smoke which puts extra stress on the heart thus forcing it to work harder. Some of the other ways that smoking damages over time is it clogs arteries, fills lungs with tar, thickens blood, weakens bones, increases clotting and inflammation and weakens the immune system. See fast results, as fast as just 20 minutes after you stop, your blood pressure and heart rate will go down. Your blood flow will start getting better in 2-3 weeks. Furthermore, your odds of heart disease will go down.

How Smoking Harms your Ticker:

The chemicals in the cigarettes harm the ticker in many ways.

1.      Carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas) enters the lungs and then the bloodstream that steals oxygen from the red blood cells thus less of oxygen gets to your organs and tissues. It also hardens and stiffens the artery walls which can lead to a heart attack.

2.      Nicotine found in both tobacco and e-cigarettes narrows the blood vessels increasing blood pressure and heart rate causing the ticker to pump harder and faster than normal.

3.      Chemical changes in the body is another ill-effect of smoking. Cells in your bloodstream called platelets clump together when they react with toxic cigarette ingredients that makes the blood thicker and stickier making it harder for your heart to push it through your blood vessels.

4.      Smoking raises levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, and a blood fat called triglycerides that cause build up of waxy plaque in your arteries. Simultaneously, it lowers HDL, or "good" cholesterol -- the kind that prevents plaque from forming.

5.      Arteries get stretched and scarred when blood pressure is high like while smoking. Their lining gets damaged that lets growth of plaque and combine with sticky blood cells which raises risk for blood clots that can block oxygenated blood flow to your ticker or other vital organs. That can eventually cause heart attack and strokes.

6.      Apart from damaging lungs, smoking makes it harder to breathe too that can keep you from the usual exercising that is required.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking:

Fortunately, most of the damage caused by tobacco is reversible. The risk of blood clot gets lower when you quit. Your “good” cholesterol will go up and “bad” cholesterol will go down that’ll slow down the buildup of new plaque deposits. Within two weeks after quitting, you’ll come to realize it's easier to exercise without feeling short of breath. You’ll be able to breathe deeply again over the next few months. Many individuals swap food for smoking when they first quit that may lead to putting on a few pounds first. Do not worry about it, your body will get accustomed to a smoke-free life after a little while. You’d easily be able to get your weight under control with regular exercise and following a healthy diet.

Cut your risk of having a second heart attack in half if you give up cigarettes after a first one. After a bypass surgery, you can keep your arteries healthy and help prevent further clogs and disease by quitting smoking. Furthermore, you'll also protect your friends and family from the health risks of secondhand smoke.

Consult with your doctor for suggestions on how to end your tobacco habit.

Proper application of the CPR procedure can contribute towards the safety of cardiac arrest victims. Select a certified training center for acquiring training such as, AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. For more information, or to sign up for a course, contact CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316.

Symptoms, Risks and Treatment Options for Heart Valve Problems

Any problem related to your ticker can seem overwhelming at first, but recovery statistics are very good for individuals who receive timely treatment. According to the American Heart Association, each year about 5 million Americans are diagnosed with heart valve disease which occurs when the valves do not work the way they should. At the exit of each of your four heart chambers lies the heart valves that maintain one-way blood flow through your ticker. The four valves ensure that blood always flows freely in a forward direction and that there is no backward leakage.

Types of Cardiac Valve Disease:

Valvular Stenosis which occurs when a valve doesn’t open fully due to stiff or fused leaflets and valvular insufficiency, also called regurgitation, incompetence, or "leaky valve," which occurs when a valve doesn’t close tightly.

Causes:

Cardiac valve disease can develop before birth or can be acquired sometime in one’s lifetime. Sometimes, the cause is unknown. Some causes of valve disease include coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), high blood pressure, aortic aneurysms, and connective tissue diseases.  Less common causes include tumors, some types of drugs and radiation.

Acquired Valve Disease- The disease includes problems that develop with valves that were once normal which mostly involves changes in the structure of the valve which can be due to several diseases or infections, such as rheumatic fever or endocarditis.

Congenital Valve Disease- The aortic or pulmonic valve gets affected.

Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease- This congenital valve disease affects the aortic valve. The bicuspid aortic valve has only two leaflets or cusps instead of the normal three leaflets or cusps. The valve may be stiff or leaky without the third leaflet.

Heart Valve Disease Symptoms:

Symptoms can include

Shortness of Breath- You may experience shortness of breath when you are active or just lying down flat in bed.

Chest Discomfort- With activity (doing your normal daily activities) or when going out in cold air, you may feel a pressure or weight in your chest.

Palpitations- Palpitations are felt like a rapid heart rhythm, irregular heartbeat, skipped beats, or a flip-flop feeling in your chest.

Sudden Weight Gain- You may gain weight of one or three pounds in one day.

Dizziness- Dizziness can occur and passing out may be a symptom, in some cases. You may feel weakness in carrying out your normal routine activities.

Swelling- Swelling of your ankles, abdomen, or feet is called edema. Swelling in your belly may make you feel bloated.

Heart valve disease symptoms do not always relate to the seriousness of your condition as you may have no symptoms at all and have serious valve disease, necessitating prompt treatment.

Risks:

Valvular disease has become an increasing problem in the recent years although the population of people affected by valvular disease is considerably smaller than the number of people who’ve more common conditions like coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, etc.

Valvular disease is more common among older people as with age, our heart valves can become lined with calcium deposits that can cause the valve flaps to thicken and become stiffer. Today people are living longer in the face of increased attention on prevention and improved quality of medical care. Heart problems that increases the likelihood for developing valve problems include a heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmia, or previous heart valve conditions from birth (called congenital heart defects). People who have had rheumatic fever or a case of infective endocarditis are also at higher risk.

Treatment Options:

Some people go on living long and full lives with mild valvular problems without requiring surgery. But a heart valve is likely to require a repair or replacement once a valve starts to affect the ticker’s ability to pump blood. The available treatment options for a diseased heart valve include valve repair or replacement. A doctor may prescribe medications to treat your symptoms and to lessen the chance of further valve damage.

Hope, you find this information to be useful.

To learn the life-saving CPR procedure for efficiently facing cardiac emergencies, either register online or call CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316 to join a course.