CPR Class Memphis

  A maze procedure is one option for treating atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib) that is used to control the irregular heartbeat and restore the normal rhythm of the heart. Doctors may recommend the maze procedure to those for whom atrial fibrillation isn't controlled by medication, or who can't take medication or anticoagulants, and who also require heart surgery. While conducting the surgery, doctors make tiny cuts in the heart muscle that scar as they heal. These cuts that the surgeon makes in the atria prevent the spread of irregular electrical signals (through the heart muscle causing AF) by giving the heart new pathways for them. Not everyone is a good candidate for maze procedure. It is only if you meet your surgeon’s criteria that you’ll be sent for a pre-surgery evaluation that typically involves several tests, including complete physical, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, stress test or nuclear stress test, Holter Monitor, computed tomography (CT) scan, transes...

  Coronary angioplasty is one of the most common procedures in the management of blocked coronary arteries and involves insertion of a catheter through a blood vessel in either your groin or your arm. The procedure helps treat coronary blockages by placing a stent (tiny-wire mesh tube) inside the artery. However, there is a lack of awareness about post-procedure practices. So take a look at what you can expect for coronary angioplasty recovery, including how long until you can get back to your normal routine: Post Operation - If it is a planned coronary angioplasty (in case just to relieve symptoms of clogged arteries), you'll probably be discharged from the hospital the same day or the following day. The length of your stay in the hospital will depend on the reason for your angioplasty. For example, if it is an emergency angioplasty for a heart attack, you’ll have to spend a few days in the hospital before returning home. Before leaving the hospital, make sure to note any medi...

Atrial Fibrillation, often called AFib, is the most common type of heart arrhythmia that prevents the top chambers of the heart from contracting normally. If you have AFib, you are not alone, as more than 2.7 million people have AFib in the United States, and that number continues to increase as the population ages. The sooner this irregular heartbeat (AFib) is diagnosed, the more likely you are to get appropriate treatment. So look out for the most common symptoms, including heart palpitations, irregular pulse, dizziness, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and trouble breathing or fatigue (the most common symptom). The best way to fight AFib and other heart conditions is by giving your lifestyle a healthy boost, which includes eating heart-healthy foods that are low in sodium and fat, maintaining a healthy weight and staying active. It is as much important that your known health problems are being actively addressed and kept in check. Treatment options for individuals diagnos...

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease caused by a lack of insulin (the hormone that helps get sugar out of your blood and into your cells) or a resistance to insulin leading to rise in blood glucose (sugar) levels. High glucose levels, over a period of time can damage you body, by affecting the various vital organs like your heart and how efficiently it beats. Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart condition that results in an arrhythmia (an abnormal heart rhythm). Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia with 2.7 and 6.1 million people in the United States having this condition. Some of the risk factors of AFib include age, obesity, hypertension, valvular heart disease, heart failure (HF), and obstructive sleep apnea. Some studies have reported diabetes mellitus (DM) to be an independent risk factor for AFib. Your heart rhythm in Atrial Fibrillation : It is the electrical impulses that pass through the walls of the four chambers of the hea...

Heart failure (HF) can take a toll on your sleep health, and night after night of not getting quality slumber can leave you feeling lifeless, irritable, unable to concentrate, etc. You might even feel weak and fatigued during the day and this daytime tiredness might be in part the result of sleep problems aggravated by or occurring in conjunction with heart failure. If you wake up feeling exhausted or you have daytime sleepiness or if you need to cut down your daytime activity because of lack of energy, these could be signs of disturbed sleep. Its far reaching impacts can range from interfering with your ability to work (might even become hard to perform the simple day-to-day tasks) and lowering our immune systems, to making us more vulnerable to depression. Connection between heart failure and sleep : No matter your heart is healthy or otherwise, a good night’s sleep is important for your heart as well as your energy levels, thinking skills and overall health. If you can d...

Heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrests usually appear after cholesterol-rich plaque has suppurated for decades in arteries nourishing the heart and brain. It is a TRIGGER that makes one (a life-threatening event) happen at a particular time. When it comes to heart attacks, many of us are aware of the causes most likely to trigger a problem, which include obesity, inadequate physical exercise, high blood pressure, stress and smoking. But new research is finding other, unexpected triggers (less common factors) that can also put your heart at risk, ranging from anger and earthquakes to simply waking up in the morning. The ongoing search for triggers is paving ways to prevent potentially life-threatening cardiovascular events. Some triggers cause a sudden rise in blood pressure, while some make the heart beat faster and harder. Some might as well promote blood clot formation, constrict blood vessels, or cause bursts of inflammation. Any of these changes can set off proce...

It’s high time you moved over breast cancer as there’s a bigger, more dangerous killer around that has wreaked havoc on the world. We are talking about heart disease. Heart disease isn’t just a man’s problem, women are six times more likely to die of heart disease than other leading causes of death, including breast cancer. Heart disease is the number one cause of death of women across the United States. According to the American Heart Association, women are at an increased risk than men for heart disease and conditions associated with the disease. Still, many believe it’s a “man’s illness,” which is why many women don’t know the signs or skip the life-saving exams that could diagnose heart disease when it comes to health of their heart. It’s extremely important for women to understand how heart disease affects them and avoid these common heart health mistakes: Skipping Blood Pressure Screenings - Many women neglect their preventive health exams, including routine blood pres...