There are
several myths surrounding heart failure and atrial fibrillation, even their
names tend to confuse. But either can be treated or managed and you can go on
to enjoying a full life.
Myth- As the name suggests, heart failure
(HF) means the ticker doesn’t work anymore and will very soon stop beating.
Fact- Your ticker is a muscle, HF
indicates that your muscle has weakened immensely or stiffened to pump blood in
and out of your ticker the way it should. Never will your ticker suddenly stop.
Myth- We cannot treat HF.
Fact- You can treat HF with medication
that can make your ticker stronger. Surgery can also be beneficial in helping
blood go around clogged arteries and get to your ticker. For instance, your
doctor can replace heart valves that cause the problems. Heart pumps and
implants can make your ticker beat stronger or stay in a normal, regular
rhythm.
Myth- You cannot determine if you have
HF.
Fact- You can easily spot a few early
signs like you may feel tired without any reason, you may feel out of breath or
cough or wheeze when you lie down, weight gain or swelling of lower legs, feet, or ankles due to
fluid buildup, a feeling of confusion and nauseous from time to time. If you
spot these signs, immediately see your doctor.
Myth- HF cannot be prevented.
Fact- Although you cannot prevent heart
failure altogether, but you can significantly lower your chances by staying
active and at a healthy weight; cutting back on alcohol, and quitting smoking;
getting health conditions that may affect your heart, such as diabetes,
coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and obesity under
control and dealing well with stress.
Myth- Heart attack (myocardial
infarction) is the biggest danger of Atrial Fibrillation.
Fact- The condition (A-fib) is a problem
with your heart’s valves that don’t push blood through the four chambers of
your heart as well as they should that can result in blood backing up in your
ticker and causing clots increasing the chances of stroke (clot blocking an
artery in the brain thus cutting off blood flow to the part of your brain).
You can lower your chances of
having A-fib with medicine, regular exercise, diet, and a healthy lifestyle.
Myth- An irregular heartbeat caused by
Atrial Fibrillation can easily be felt.
Fact- Some people with A-fib have no
recognizable symptoms and one may feel their ticker race or flutter and an
individual also might feel dizzy or lightheaded. A doctor conducts a heart test
called an electrocardiogram to know if one has A-fib.
Myth- You shouldn’t drive a car if you
have A-fib.
Fact- Only if you don’t get faint or have
dizzy spells that you drive a car. It’s better to talk to your doctor about
driving. Make sure that your A-fib is under control if you are thinking about
taking a trip by car. Also consult with your healthcare provider before making
a long drive in extreme temperatures or at high altitudes like in the
mountains.
Hope, we’ve
been able to clear your understanding in relation to heart failure and atrial
fibrillation.
Sign up for
a CPR course in order to face life-threatening cardiac emergencies efficiently.
If you are on the lookout for a CPR class in Tampa, don’t look beyond the AHAcertified CPR Tampa in Florida, call on 813-453-9974. Go through the class
schedule and choose the most appropriate program according to your professional
background. There are CPR courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare
providers. If timing of your program isn’t convenient, you can sign up at our
Palm Harbor CPR Tampa training site (36141 US Highway 19 North, Palm Harbor, FL 34684).
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