The Latest News in the World of Cardiology
Heart Failure
Left-Sided Heart Failure: Failure of left ventricle (lower chamber of heart) to contract
(systolic failure)
Heart can’t pump with enough force to push blood into circulation
OR
Failure of the left ventricle to relax (diastolic failure)
Heart muscle becomes too stiff and heart can’t fill properly between beats
What Happens?
Blood coming into the left chamber from the lungs starts “backing up” causing
fluid to leak into the lungs (pulmonary edema) as the heart’s ability to pump decreases, blood flow slows down, causing fluid to build up in tissues throughout the body (edema).
Right-Sided Heart Failure: Failure of the right ventricle to contract or relax
What Happens?
The right atrium receives the “used” blood that returns to the heart through the veins, the right ventricle pumps the blood into the lungs to be replenished with
oxygen, right heart failure occurs as a result of left-sided heart failure or lung diseases. When the left ventricle fails, increased fluid pressure is transferred back through the lungs, and ultimately damages the heart’s right side.
Signs & Symptoms
Shortness of breath especially when lying flat
Coughing or wheezing
Swelling of feet, legs, or stomach
Tiredness or fatigue
Decreased appetite or nausea
Confusion
Increased heart rate
Weight gain
How Body Compensates
Heart chambers enlarge: allows for more stretch in an attempt to contract stronger
Heart builds more muscle: allows for stronger pump
Heart pumps faster: allows for faster circulation
Constriction of blood vessels: increases blood to heart and increases blood pressure
Diversion of blood to vital organs (heart and brain)
Ejection Fraction
Measurement used to see how well heart is working
The amount of blood your heart pumps with each beat
Normal 50-60%
Causes
Coronary Artery Disease
Heart Attack
High Blood Pressure
Abnormal Heart Valves
Heart Muscle Disease
Congenital Heart Defects
Severe Lung Disease
Diabetes
Severe Anemia
Hyperthyroidism
Arrhythmia
Alcohol/Other Toxins
Virus/Infection
Medications
Beta-Blockers: block harmful effects of stress hormones on the heart, reduces the heart’s
tendency to beat harder, and decreases risk for heart attack
ACE inhibitors/ARB: relax blood vessels to increase blood flow and oxygen to the heart,
reducing resistance and workload of the heart
Diuretics: causes the kidneys to remove sodium and water from the bloodstream
converting it into urine, decreasing the amount of fluid for the heart to pump
Calcium Channel Blockers: decrease the amount of calcium reaching heart muscle which
decreases the amount of contraction of heart cells, relaxing the muscles to decrease blood pressure and improve circulation
Vasodilators: cause blood vessels to widen to increase blood and oxygen to heart
Potassium: diuretics cause loss of potassium, which needs to be supplemented
Digoxin: improves heart contraction
Spironolactone: block the effects of stress hormone that can make heart failure worse
Lindsay Gibbons MSN RN APRN-BC
Choleserol
What is it?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in the walls of cells. The body uses cholesterol to make hormones, bile acids, vitamin D, and other substances. Cholesterol travels in packages called lipoproteins. There are 2 main kinds of lipoproteins HDL and LDL.
LDL (bad cholesterol)
- It caries cholesterol to the tissues and arteries.
- The higher the level of LDL in the blood the greater your risk for heart disease
HDL (good cholesterol)
- It takes cholesterol from tissues to liver, which removes it from the body.
- A low level of HDL increases your risk for heart disease.
Triglycerides (fats found in blood and food)
- Can increase risk for heart disease
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Cigarette Smoking
High Blood Pressure (140/90 or higher)
Low HDL
High LDL
Family History
Age (men 45 or older/women 55 or older)
Diabetes
Previous Coronary Artery Disease
Obesity
Physical Inactivity
Nutrition Facts
Avoid saturated and trans fats
Fatty cuts of meat
Whole-milk dairy products
Lard
Coconut and palm oils
Margarines
Shortenings
Any hydrogenated substance
Use Unsaturated fats instead
Olive oils
Canola oils
Safflower and Sunflower oils
Corn oil
Soybean oils
Avocados
Fish
Soluble Fiber (reduces LDL)
Whole grains (barley, oatmeal, oatbran, & psyllium seeds)
Fruit (apple, banana, blackberries, citrus, nectarine, peach, pear, plum, & prunes)
Legumes (black, kidney, lima, navy, northern, & pinto beans, lentils, chick peas, & black-eyed peas)
Vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, & carrots)
Plant Stanols and Sterols (reduces LDL)
Naturally occurring in
Soybeans
Fruits
Vegetables
Nuts
Seeds
Cereals
Legumes
