Diabetes.
People with diabetes often develop high blood pressure
and plaque buildup.
Other conditions that may contribute to heart failure include struc-
tural defects of the heart; heart valve problems; cardiomyopathy (heart
muscle damage that may be present at birth or caused by an injury or
infection); and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
Occasionally, other factors—such as cancer treatment, thyroid disor-
ders and use of alcohol or illegal drugs—can also play a part.
LIVING WITH HEART FAILURE
Once heart failure is diagnosed, doc-
tors focus their attention on four areas:
●
●
Treating the condition’s underlying cause.
●
●
Reducing symptoms.
●
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Preventing heart failure from getting worse.
●
●
Helping you live longer—and better.
Specific treatment will depend on the cause of your heart failure and
how severe it is. Generally, treatment includes making lifestyle changes,
taking medications and
getting ongoing medi-
cal care.
Lifestyle changes.
A
person’s behaviors often
have a big impact on
heart failure, so lifestyle
changes are an essen-
tial part of treatment,
reports the American
College of Cardiology.
For instance, it’s im-
portant to lose weight
if you’re overweight
and to quit smoking if
you smoke. Also, you should get adequate rest and regular physical
activity—with a doctor’s guidance.
A healthy diet will be important as well. It includes a variety of fruits
and vegetables; whole grains; fat-free or low-fat dairy products; and pro-
tein foods such as lean meats, poultry without skin, beans, nuts and seeds.
Other dietary goals typically include:
●
●
Cutting back on sodium, something that can cause your body to
retain extra fluid and raise blood pressure.
●
●
Limiting added sugars, refined grains, and foods high in saturated fat
and trans fat, which are the main sources of artery-clogging cholesterol.
●
●
Getting adequate—but not excessive—potassium, a nutrient found
in potatoes, spinach, bananas and other foods that can be depleted in
the body by some heart failure medications.
●
●
Avoiding alcohol.
●
●
Monitoring fluid intake based on your doctor’s advice. Drinking too
much may worsen your condition.
Medication.
Typically, a combination of medicines is used to address
the underlying conditions causing heart failure and to slow progression
of the disease. Among them are:
●
●
Diuretics, which eliminate excess fluid in the body. This may help
reduce congestion and swelling.
●
●
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (called ACE inhibitors),
which lower blood pressure and lessen strain on the heart by reducing
how much angiotensin—a substance that causes blood vessels to
narrow—is made in the body.
●
●
Angiotensin receptor blockers, known as ARBs, which limit or stop
angiotensin’s effects on blood vessels.
●
●
Beta blockers, which slow heart rate and reduce blood pressure. This
can be helpful because as the heart weakens, it tends to beat faster.
●
●
Vasodilators, which help blood vessel walls widen or relax so blood
can move more easily and the heart doesn’t have to work so hard.
●
●
Aldosterone antagonists, which aid the body in getting rid of salt and
fluid. That can help reduce the volume of blood the heart must pump.
●
●
Digoxin, which makes the heart beat stronger and pump more blood.
Keep in mind that certain medicines, including over-the-counter
drugs and herbal products, can make heart failure worse or produce
dangerous interactions with heart failure medications. Be sure to inform
your doctor of all medicines you take.
Ongoing medical care.
Of course, working closely with your doctor
is essential in all aspects of treatment.
It’s important to discuss how often you should have checkups as well
as what potential problems you should watch for at home and which
ones you should bring to your doctor’s attention.
For example, your doctor may ask you to monitor your blood pres-
sure and to weigh yourself daily to identify increased fluid retention. If
you spot a problem early, you may be able to take steps that will keep
it from getting worse.
Your doctor can guide you through other things as well, including
getting flu and pneumonia vaccines and managing your emotional
health in addition to your physical well-being. Living with heart failure
can be a big adjustment.
TAKE CHARGE
Heart failure requires close attention and careful manage-
ment. But remember, it’s a condition that, to a great extent, allows you to
stay in charge. When you do, your rewardmay be a longer—and better—life.
Lowest STEMI
door-to-
balloon time
Glendale Adventist Medical
Center (GAMC) has been
identified as the Number
One Top Performer for its
STEMI (ST-segment eleva-
tion myocardial infarction,
or heart attack) Receiving
Center (SRC). From Jan. 1 to
Dec. 31, 2013, GAMC had
the lowest door-to-balloon
time out of 34 L.A. County
hospitals—ranging from 42 to
75 minutes. Door-to-balloon
time is the amount of time it
takes for a person entering
the Emergency Department
with a heart attack to have
their arteries opened in the
Cardiac Catheterization Lab.
The shorter the time, the less
damage the heart muscle suf-
fers during the heart attack.
“Glendale Adventist is
committed to providing this
top-quality heart care to
our community,” says Karen
Brandt, vice president/chief
nursing officer. “With the
organized response between
paramedics and the hospital,
we are providing a higher
level of excellence in heart
attack treatment for our
community.”
“This designation is a
testament to the dedica-
tion and coordination of the
physicians, Cardiac Cath Lab,
emergency personnel and
fire/rescue,” says Joseph
Lee, MD, cardiologist and
medical director of the Chest
Pain Center at GAMC.
As an SRC, when emer-
gency medical personnel con-
firm a heart attack/STEMI
diagnosis, they will bypass
other non-SRC hospitals and
bring a patient directly to the
GAMC Emergency Depart-
ment for treatment. The
hospital has had this program
designation from the county
for the past six years.
Glendale Adventist Medical
Center is proud to announce
the opening of the Heart &
Vascular Institute, a brand-
new outpatient clinic for
heart and vascular care.
Some of the area’s
top physicians are part of
the new Heart & Vascular
Institute, bringing you the
most advanced treatment
options available in cardiol-
ogy, cardiovascular disease,
cardiac surgery and more.
The new clinic features
4,500 square feet with
10 exam rooms, a nuclear
camera, a treadmill and
echocardiogram room,
as well as a spacious
reception area and
physician offices. Services
offered and conditions
treated include:
■
■
Arrhythmias.
■
■
Heart failure.
■
■
Valve disorders.
■
■
Coronary artery disease.
■
■
Chronic care management
including cholesterol and
blood pressure management.
■
■
Cardiac and vascular
screenings.
■
■
Population health
screenings.
The Heart &
Vascular Institute
is the first of its
kind in the
Glendale, Burbank and
Pasadena areas. To learn
more or to make an
appointment with one of our
cardiologists, call
(818)
863-4099
.
Need treatment for heart failure?
Call (818) 863-4099 to make an
appointment with one of our Heart
& Vascular Institute cardiologists.
Expanding your heart care
options:
Announcing the
Heart & Vascular Institute
H Q
•
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