Cardiomyopathy Prevention Tips And Treatment Measures And AHA CPR Nashville Classes

Individuals who have cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) but no signs and symptoms may not need treatment. There are different types of cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy that come on suddenly sometimes, may even go on its own. Treatment is needed in other instances that depends on a few factors including the type of cardiomyopathy, severity of symptoms and complications, your age and overall health. The objectives when treating the condition includes stopping the disease from worsening, managing conditions that cause or contribute to the disease, lowering complications and the risk of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), controlling symptoms in order to live as normally as possible.

You cannot predict the occurrence of a sudden cardiac arrest. What you can do is stay prepared to handle such emergencies efficiently. Proper application of the CPR procedure (a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths) can restore the life of a cardiac arrest victim. To sign up for an American HeartAssociation CPR class Nashville, don’t look beyond the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Classes are conducted through a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice.

Treatments for Cardiomyopathies:

Lifestyle Changes:

1.      A healthy lifestyle includes a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Your diet should include a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains where half of your grains should be coming from whole-grain products. Go for foods that are low in saturated and trans fats with some healthy choices being lean meats, poultry without skin, non-fried fish, beans as well as fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. Prepare foods with little salt as too much salt can raise your risk of high blood pressure. Opt for foods and beverages that are low in added sugar. Avoid alcohol. Maintain a healthy weight by staying within your daily calorie needs. Be as physically active as you can, talk to your doctor with regards to the most appropriate activity for you.

2.      Quit smoking

3.      Avoid alcohol and illegal drugs

4.      Reduce stress

5.      Get enough sleep

6.      Treat underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes

Medications:

1.      Medicines that lower blood pressure include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers.

2.      Medicines that slow the heart rate include beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin.

3.      Antiarrhythmics, help prevent arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).

4.      Prevent blood clot formation if you have dilated cardiomyopathy with Anticoagulants (PDF), or blood thinners.

5.      Medications like corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation.

6.      Remove excess fluid and sodium from the bodywith Diuretics, or “water pills”.

Surgical and Nonsurgical Procedures for Cardiomyopathy:

1.      Septal Myectomy- This open-heart surgery is considered for people who have obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and severe symptoms.

2.      Surgically Implanted Devices-Surgeons can implant several types of devices in the body to help the ticker work better, including pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), left ventricular assist device, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device.

3.      Heart Transplant- This is a last resort for individuals who’ve end-stage heart failureduring which a person’s diseased heart is replaced with a healthy heart from a deceased donor.

Preventing Cardiomyopathy:

Inherited types of cardiomyopathy cannot be prevented. But there are steps you can take to lower your risk for conditions that may lead to (or complicate) cardiomyopathy, such as coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and heart attack. An underlying disease or condition can also lead to the condition. You can prevent complications presented by cardiomyopathy by treating the initial problem early enough.

Get regular checkups with your doctor, follow your healthcare provider’s advice about lifestyle changes, take your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor- to control the underlying conditions of high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol.

For more information or to sign up for a CPR course at CPR Nashville, call us on 615-397-9316.

Basics of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator and AHA CPR Nashville

An ICD or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator is a small device that can treat individuals with dangerously abnormal heart rhythms by sending impulses to synchronize abnormal heart rhythms, particularly those that can cause a cardiac arrest and ones that can be dangerous. There’s an electrical signal that follows through your ticker with every heartbeat making the ticker contract and pump blood. One may need an ICD fitted when this process doesn’t happen properly which can lead to an abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia.

ICD is required for individuals who’ve already had a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm and are at risk of having it again; individuals who have another heart and circulatory condition, such as heart failure, and have had or are at risk of having a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm; and people who haven’t had a life-threatening heart rhythm, but tests show they are at risk of one in the future which can be due to a condition such as Cardiomyopathy, Long QT syndrome or Brugada syndrome or faulty genes that one may have inherited.

Work of ICD:

Doctors insert ICDs under local anesthetic, but with sedation which can take anything from an hour to three or more (timing depends on the type of device one is having). A patient might need to stay overnight in hospital and ICD is checked thoroughly before leaving. ICD looks similar to a pacemaker and is inserted just under the collar bone, and is made up of a pulse generator and one or more electrode leads, which are placed into the ticker through a vein. For some people, a different type of ICD by the name of subcutaneous (under the skin) ICD – or SICD for short- may be appropriate. The only difference between SICD and ICD is that the former is inserted under the skin of the chest (outside of the ribcage) and there are no leads placed into the ticker.

ICD monitors the rate of heart with thin wires connecting it to the ticker. The device delivers treatments like pacing (series of low-voltage electrical impulses (paced beats) at a fast rate to try and correct the heart rhythm), cardioversion (one or more small electric shocks to try and restore to a normal rhythm) and defibrillation (larger electric shocks to try and restore the heart to a normal rhythm)- if it notices a dangerous rhythm.

Living with an ICD:

Regular follow-up appointments (can be every 3-12 months depending on the type of ICD) at your ICD clinic is necessary, so you can have your ICD checked. You’ll be required to have follow-up appointments for the rest of your life. It’s important to make lifestyle changes if you drive or take part in contact sports. Discuss everything with your doctor and clear all your queries before getting ICD fitted. You are bound to feel worried after having an ICD fitted and it often helps to talk about your feelings with someone close to you or with a healthcare professional.

If you are on the lookout to sign up for a CPR class in Nashville, don’t look beyond the AHA certified CPR Nashville inTennessee. There are courses for healthcare as well as non-healthcare providers. Learn more by calling CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316.

Facts about Silent Atrial Fibrillation and AHA Certified CPR Nashville in TN

When it comes to the symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib), they are so subtle and signs can be so vague that you you’ll never think they’re caused by a heart condition. But, you could have atrial fibrillation and not even know it as some people have no symptoms at all, it is called silent A-fib.
A-fib Diagnosis:

Your heart’s upper chambers can’t fill up all the way with blood when you have A-fib (a common type of irregular heartbeat) which can lead to formation of clots and then travel to your brain to cause a stroke. Doctors are likely to pick up A-fib signs at regular physicals. Tests like electrocardiogram that track the electrical signals your ticker makes as it beats- are used to diagnose this condition. A-fib can go away on its own for some people whereas others will need treatment to prevent blood clots and strokes.

Symptoms:
Out of the many possible A-fib symptoms, some are so subtle that they may be confusing. Fatigue or lack of energy, shortness of breath, weakness, quick or uneven pulse, sweating; pain, pressure or tightness in your chest; heartbeat that races, pounds or flutters- could be signs of A-fib.
A-fib Risk Factors:

You are more likely to get A-fib if you have risk factors, such as obesity, older age, high blood pressure, family history of the condition, previous heart surgery, diabetes, thyroid problems, chronic kidney disease, lung disease, sleep apnea, alcoholism and other heart conditions like heart disease, heart valve problems, or heart failure (HF).

If left untreated, the condition can lead to blood clots that could cause a stroke. The rapid heartbeat of A-fib can weaken your heart muscle which can lead to HF which is when your ticker can’t pump enough blood to your organs. HF causes severe fatigue, weakness, and fluid buildup in your legs and feet. Treating the condition can help you reset your quick or irregular heartbeat which may help prevent blood clots and lower your risk of stroke.

If you have symptoms that could be A-fib especially if you have any risk factors, immediately fix an appointment with your doctor who can diagnose the condition and prescribe any treatments you need. Do not ignore chest pain or pressure, it could be a heart attack. Call 911 and go to the emergency room with immediate effect.

Tools to Check for A-fib Signs:
Healthcare providers test the rate of heart and rhythm to diagnose atrial fibrillation. You may be required to wear a heart monitor for a few days, weeks, or all the time to track your ticker’s activity. Newer devices such as heart rate trackers, heart-smart watches, smartphone apps, etc.- could be worn on the wrist or slipped into the pocket which can alert you and your doctor to possible AFib.

The best way to handle out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases is by joining a CPR class and getting trained in the life-saving technique. Select a certified training site for acquiring training, such as the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Call on 615-397-9316 to sign up for a course.