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.