Heart Concerns Questions

1. Does more frequent and longer lasting jaw pain mean a blockage is worsening?

   One thing that this question brings up is that angina isn't always chest pain. And it's more common for women especially to have atypical presentations of angina, and jaw pain is one of those. If jaw pain is how your mother's angina presents and it's getting worse, then it's absolutely an indication that her blockage is getting more severe...
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2. What Is EECP, and Is It a Good Treatment Option for Angina?

   EECP (enhanced external counterpulsation) is a noninvasive treatment that improves the flow of healthy, oxygenated blood to the heart by opening or forming small (collateral) blood vessels, which can create natural bypasses around narrowed or blocked arteries. It's becoming more popular as an alternative to bypass surgery, angioplasty, and stents...
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3. FAQ: How Do I Know if My Loved One's Heart Failure Is Getting Better?

   Start by making sure your loved one's heart failure has at least stabilized. The best way to tell is by watching for improved symptoms, such as decreased shortness of breath and decreased swelling of the legs and belly. For some people, their appetite will improve, they'll sleep better, and they'll have more energy...
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4. FAQ: How Do I Know if My Loved One's Heart Failure Is Getting Worse?

   If you're worried that your loved one's heart failure is worsening, watch for signs that his or her heart isn't pumping well and isn't delivering oxygen to the tissues. These symptoms include cold extremities, confusion, irritability, fatigue, and decreased urination.
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5. FAQ: What Is Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)?

   Atrial fibrillation, also known as A-fib, is a relatively common condition in which the upper chambers of the heart (known as the atria) beat irregularly, or "fibrillate." That causes the heart's overall beat to become irregular, and sometimes to beat very fast.
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6. FAQ: How Is Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) Diagnosed?

   Atrial fibrillation, also sometimes called A-fib, is usually diagnosed with an electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG is a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that uses electrodes taped to the skin on the chest to measure the electrical activity within the heart. This information creates a tracing, which can be printed on paper or viewed on a monitor...
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7. FAQ: What Are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)?

   Symptoms of atrial fibrillation, also called A-fib, can vary. The most common ones are:
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8. FAQ: What Causes Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)?

   Atrial fibrillation, also sometimes called A-fib, can be triggered by underlying problems affecting the heart, by other illnesses affecting the body, or by a combination of factors. Common causes of atrial fibrillation include the following:
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9. FAQ: How Is Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) Treated?

   The treatment of atrial fibrillation, also known as A-fib, depends on a person's medical situation. These three aspects are especially important:
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10. FAQ: What's the Best Blood Thinner to Use for Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)?

    Deciding which anticoagulant (commonly referred to as a "blood thinner") to use depends on a person's particular risk of stroke, as well as his or her risk of side effects.
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11. FAQ: What's My Risk of Bleeding Caused by My Blood Thinner?

    In a 1998 study, the risk of bleeding when on a blood thinner such as warfarin (often used to help treat atrial fibrillation) was found to go up with the following factors:
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12. FAQ: Can Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) Be Cured?

    In some cases it's possible to cure atrial fibrillation (also called A-fib) -- meaning that the heart's rhythm permanently stays out of atrial fibrillation -- by means of either radio-frequency ablation or heart surgery. This is usually only considered after the use of medications to manage A-fib has been unsuccessful...
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13. FAQ: Can Atrial Fibrillation Be Treated With a Pacemaker?

    Yes, atrial fibrillation is sometimes treated with a pacemaker.
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14. FAQ: What's Atrial Flutter, and How Is It Different From Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)?

    Atrial flutter is an arrhythmia in which the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat very quickly but regularly. This tends to cause a racing heartbeat, with symptoms like those of atrial fibrillation. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness...
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15. FAQ: How Is Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) Classified or Staged?

    Experts now classify atrial fibrillation, also called A-fib, into the following types:
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16. Which stage of heart failure am I in?

    The stages of heart failure are determined by how much shortness of breath you have, related to the amount of activity you can do without symptoms. For instance, some people can completely take care of themselves, such as dressing or bathing, with minimal shortness of breath. This would be Stage 1...
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17. Is congestive heart failure hereditary?

    Congestive heart failure (CHF) is not really a hereditary condition. However, many of the diseases that can cause CHF do run in families. Examples of diseases that can lead to CHF and are hereditary include heart valve abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and hypertension (high blood pressure)...
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18. Is a symptom of congestive heart failure coughing blood?

    Coughing up blood (hemoptosis) is usually not associated with CHF. More than likely, people will cough up blood if they are really coughing hard and are taking too much blood thinner medication. Blood can also come from the lungs, but it is usually darker in color (like rust). Also, you may also be right that the blood could be coming from the nose...
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19. FAQ: How Is Heart Failure Different From COPD?

    Both heart failure (formerly known as congestive heart failure) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) can cause shortness of breath and chronic cough, so it can be hard to tell the difference based only on those symptoms. However, the fluid retention associated with heart failure causes additional...
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20. FAQ: What's the Difference Between Systolic and Preserved Systolic Heart Failure, and Why Is It Important?

    Heart failure (formerly called congestive heart failure) can be classified in a number of ways, but one important distinction -- having to do with the difference between systolic and preserved systolic function -- refers to how the structure of the heart has been affected.
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