Archive | Heart Health
16
Aug

Arrhythmia Symptoms

Arrhythmia Symptoms   Some arrhythmias can occur without even knowing it, while others may cause the feeling of the lightheadedness, heart “racing,” or dizziness.   At some point, many adults have had short lived heart rhythm changes. Certain heart rhythms, especially the ones that last long enough to affect the function of the heart, can be serious [...]

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13
Aug

Substances & Heart Rhythm Disorders

Substances & Heart Rhythm Disorders There are many substances that may affect the electrical system of the heart and change its ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body.   Many prescription, over-the-counter and illegal drugs, as well as tobacco, certain foods, alcohol and other substances, may affect the heart’s electrical signals that trigger it [...]

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10
Aug

Heart Failure

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is a common and serious condition that is usually due to weak heart muscle pumping.   Ineffective heart pumping function can cause swelling legs, fatigue, difficulty breathing  and trouble exercising.   Heart surgery, lifestyle changes, and medications can sometimes help with symptoms, but because many individuals with heart failure also [...]

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07
Aug

Sick Sinus Syndrome

Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is not a relatively common heart rhythm disorder.    SSS isn’t a specific disease, but rather a group of symptoms or signs that indicate the sinus node, the heart’s natural pacemaker, isn’t functioning properly.   An individual with SSS may have a heart rhythm that is beating too slow (bradycardia), too fast (tachycardia), or a [...]

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04
Aug

Heart Block

Heart block is a heart rhythm where the heart beats slower than normal (bradycardia).  In this condition, the electrical impulses that inform the heart to contract are totally or partially blocked between the atria and the ventricles.   This is why heart block is also called atrioventricular block (AV block).   What is Heart Block? In normal [...]

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01
Aug

Atrial Flutter

Atrial Flutter   Atrial flutter (AFL) is a common abnormal heart rhythm, that similar to atrial fibrillation, is a supraventricular (ie. above the ventricles) tachycardia (rapid heart beats).   In AFL, the upper chambers (atria) of the heart beat fast, resulting in atrial muscle contractions that are out of sync and faster than the lower chambers (ventricles).     What is Atrial Flutter? [...]

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28
Jul

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Part II of II

Every Minute Counts During SCA, the amount of time it takes to get treatment and help is the difference between life and death.   95% of individuals who experience SCA die because life-saving defibrillation is not received within four to six minutes, before brain and permanent death occur.   If a SCA emergency is suspected, these steps should be followed:   [...]

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25
Jul

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Part I of II

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Part I of II Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart stops beating, without warning in an abrupt manner.   If this occurs, blood stops flowing to vital organs and the brain.   Further, if the heartbeat is not restored with an immediate electrical shock, death follows within minutes.   More [...]

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22
Jul

Atrial Fibrillation Part II of II

Atrial Fibrillation Part II of II     Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation   Many people with AFib don’t feel any symptoms.   Others are able to tell the moment it occurs.   The symptoms associated with AFib are different for everybody.   The symptoms depend on the cause of the AFib (such as heart problems [...]

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19
Jul

Atrial Fibrillation Part I of II

Atrial Fibrillation Part I of II   The most common abnormal heart rhythm is atrial fibrillation (AFib).   Normal hearts have the four chambers beating in a rhythmic steady pattern.   AFib is an irregular rhythm where the atria (upper chambers of the heart) fibrillate (twitch or quiver quickly).     This irregular heart rhythm may lead to [...]

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