Category: Heart Disease

Controlling and managing your stress can, and should, be a tool to help manage your heart health.

It is no secret that stress is a part of life. As most have experienced at one time or another, stress, in small doses, can actually be beneficial. When we are faced with an urgent situation, our body’s “alarm system” goes off, causing us to think and act more quickly.

But what happens when we are stressed for long periods of time? When we are constantly in a state of stress, our body is unable to turn this alarm off, which ends up wearing down our mental and physical health over time.

This guide will provide you the tools you need to not only control the level of stress in your life but also help you effectively tackle the stresses you may encounter on a daily basis.

Effects of Chronic Stress

Did you know that chronic stress is very harmful? It causes your body to stay on high alert, flooding it with persistently high levels of stress hormones. Over time, these stress chemicals wear down the body, worsening the chronic conditions you may already have and causing a number of other health problems.

Effects of Chronic Stress on Your Health

• Increases fatigue
• Raises blood pressure
• Worsens or increases risk of depression
• Worsens chronic pain
• Causes migraines
• Causes acid reflux (heartburn) and ulcers
• Weakens the immune system
• Lowers your metabolism

While it is not always possible to control the sources of your stress, you can control the way your mind and body react to it. This guide will cover several Stress Management techniques that have been proven to work in both lowering your stress level and decreasing its harmful effects.

Step 1: Identify Sources of Stress

Of course, every person is different and each has his or her own personal stressors. Sometimes the sources are obvious, such as a new job, financial hardship, or taking care of a sick loved one. Other times, the causes of stress are less obvious, such as having to cook, clean, or mow the lawn, routine tasks that take up time and energy. Thus, the first step to effectively controlling your stress is to know exactly what is causing it. One of the best ways to do this is to start a Stress Journal. The purpose of a Stress Journal is to help you identify the specific stressors in your life as well as how you deal with them. Each time you feel stressed, write it down in your journal. Over time, try to find patterns and common themes.

What to Write in a Stress Journal

1. Stressor: The cause of your stress
2. Effect: How it made you feel, physically and emotionally
3. Coping Strategy: What you did to make yourself feel better

Step 2: Identify Unhealthy Habits

Coping habits that are unhealthy are those that may help you feel better temporarily, but that either does not effectively deal with the stressor or that harm your health in the long run.

Examples of Unhealthy Coping Habits:

• Smoking
• Using pills or drugs to relax
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Binging on junk or comfort food
• Procrastinating
• Zoning out for hours looking at your phone
• Filling up every minute of the day to avoid facing problems
• Sleeping too much
• Taking out your stress on others

Step 3: Make Time for Relaxation

One important component of stress management is to set aside “me” time. Remember, nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors.

• Schedule in leisure time. Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule, even write it down on your calendar. Don’t allow other obligations to encroach. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and recharge your batteries.
• Do something you enjoy every day. Create a Stress Relief Toolbox with small activities that you enjoy doing. Make an effort to do one of those things every day.
• Keep your sense of humor. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The very act of laughing has a therapeutic effect on your body and mind.
• Do relaxation techniques on a regular basis. Activities such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing activate your body’s relaxation response.

Step 4: Practice the 4 A’s

1. AVOID Unnecessary Stress

This includes learning to say “No” and making a conscious decision to prioritize your To-Do List.

2. ALTER the Situation

If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try altering it by taking control of your environment. Make an effort to find alternative solutions to stressful tasks.

3. ADAPT to the Stressor

If you can’t change the stressor, try adjusting yourself by adapting to it. You will find that many things are not as stressful as they appear when you change your expectations and attitude.

• Reframe problems: Try viewing things from a more positive perspective.
• Look at the bigger picture: Ask yourself: “Is it even that important in the long run?”
• Adjust your standards: Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress. Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection. Set reasonable standards for yourself and others, and learn to be okay with “good enough.”
• Practice gratitude: When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in perspective.

4. ACCEPT the Things You Can’t Change

Some stressors, such as illness, the death of a loved one, the economy, are simply unavoidable. In such cases, the best way to cope with stress is to accept things as they are. Acceptance may be difficult, but in the long run, you will see how much energy and frustration it saves.

• Discover a way to benefit from each situation. When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth.
• Learn to forgive. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and that people make mistakes. Let go of bitterness and resentments. Free yourself from negative energy by forgiving and moving on.

If you’re like most people, chances are you have already been told of the harmful effects of tobacco use.

But regardless of where you might be today–whether you have a desire to quit or have no intention of cutting down–it’s never too early to think about it…nor is it ever too late to start making a plan to quit smoking.

The purpose of this guide is to equip you with the essential knowledge of creating a personal plan to quit smoking so that if and when you are ready to take the next step, you will have the confidence to know exactly what to do and where to go.

Step 1: Know Your Reasons to Quit Smoking

Identify your reasons for wanting to make your plan to quit smoking (for example, to maximize the benefits of EECP, to save money, to be healthy, etc…)

• Make a list. Take a moment to contemplate all your reasons for quitting and write them down.
• Remind yourself. Keep the list in a visible place and review it every time you have the urge to smoke.

Step 2: Pick Your Date to Quit Smoking

This is very important. When it comes to picking and making a plan to quit smoking, pick a day (within 2-3 weeks is reasonable) that will give you time to adequately prepare to be tobacco-free.

• Choose wisely. Avoid choosing a day where you know you will be stressed, overly busy, or tempted to smoke (e.g., a night out with friends, etc…)
• Circle your quit day on your calendar. Write it out where you can see it constantly so that it will remind you and motivate you to prepare.

Step 3: Tell Someone You are Quitting

Because quitting tobacco is much easier when there is support from your loved ones, it is a good idea to let important people in your life know about your desire to quit and that you have made a plan to quit smoking.

• Be specific. Tell your friends and family what they can do to help (for example, not to smoke in front of you, etc…)
• Focus on those who can help. If a certain friendship only discourages your efforts, don’t be afraid to put yourself first by letting them know or by letting go.

Step 4: Toss Those Lighters 

Getting rid of smoking reminders (such as your cigarettes, matches, ashtrays, lighters, etc…) can make a big difference in keeping you on track.

• Throw (or give) them away. Don’t just hide your ashtrays in a drawer. Resist the temptation to save a pack of cigarettes ‘just in case.’
• Freshen it up with Febreze. Even the lingering smell of tobacco in your car or home can trigger cravings.

Step 5: Identify Triggers 

As your brain has already linked certain emotions, people, and activities to your smoking, it is important to anticipate these smoking triggers ahead of time and develop ways to deal with them.

• Identify the triggers. Write down everything you can think of that makes you feel like smoking.
• Develop the solutions. Think of ways you can avoid these triggers and how you can deal with them if they are unavoidable. Write them down and keep the list nearby.

Step 6: Prepare Your Armory 

As the body starts to adjust to the absence of nicotine in the system, some people will experience withdrawal symptoms. Prepare yourself ahead of time by developing strategies to manage those unpleasant feelings.

• Invest in proper tools. Buy some nicotine gum or patches and have them on your Quit Day.
• Be encouraged. Realize that these symptoms are only temporary and that soon you will be feeling better than you have in a long time.

Step 7: Know Your Resources 

Many people are not aware of the storehouse of effective resources available to them at their fingertips. Take a moment now to try out some of them (for example, download the phone app, etc) to see the many things they can offer you.

QuitSTART free phone app: This will help you prepare to quit, provide support, and track your progress. As there are many different apps for this purpose, play around with them to see what works best for you.

SmokefreeTXT: For motivational texts tailored to your needs. Sign up at smokefree.gov/smokefreetxt 

Quitlines: Feeling discouraged? Get instant access to a counselor by calling:

• 1–800–QUIT–NOW or
• 1–800–784–8669

Step 8: Set Your Rewards 

Quitting tobacco is hard, so you should be proud of not only your accomplishments, but even the fact that you are making the decision to quit.

• Think of some rewards. Plan out your milestones ahead of time and set up a smokefree reward for each one.
• Take it a minute/an hour/a day at a time and reward yourself throughout the process.
• Celebrate individual milestones (such as being 24 hours smokefree, 1 week smokefree, and 1 month smokefree…)
• Be proud of yourself. You should be proud every time you hit a milestone. Remember–you are stronger than tobacco. You can do it! 

Timeline of Benefits After Quitting

Explore additional Flow Therapy resources

• How to take control of chronic pain
• How to better manage your diabetes
• Treating angina and heart failure with EECP Therapy
• Natural angina treatment options

Getting regular physical activity is important for your health and is particularly important when you have heart disease.

Many people with heart conditions are often hesitant or apprehensive when it comes to exercising, as they fear that it will trigger their symptoms or make them feel worse. If you currently have concerns about exercising or have not been physically active for a long time, there is no need to worry! It is never too late to increase your physical activity. The key is knowing how to exercise with your heart condition safely and effectively.

This guide will equip you with the tools you need to confidently plan and achieve your personal fitness goals and help you to exercise with your heart condition safely.

Why is Exercise Important for my Heart Condition? 

When living with heart disease, it can be a real challenge to remain physically active. But physical activity is crucial–especially when you have heart disease. This is because exercising not only helps strengthen the heart muscle, but it can, among other benefits, actually improve the symptoms of angina or heart failure that you experience on a day-to-day basis.

Some people with chronic conditions such as angina or chronic pain may have the desire to increase their level of physical activity–but they just don’t know how to take the first step. Sometimes, fearing that exercise will worsen symptoms, one may become even less active, which then starts the vicious cycle of inactivity leading to deconditioning, which leads to more pain and fatigue, which then makes the thought of physical activity even more impossibly daunting!

If you happen to find yourself caught in this cycle, be encouraged! As you will see, breaking this cycle can be easily done once you have the right tools, some of which can be found in this guide.

What Cardiovascular Benefits Can I Expect When I Exercise?

There is no question that physical activity benefits the mind and body. Here are just a few ways it does that.

Cardiovascular Benefits of Exercise:

• It strengthens your heart (especially aerobic exercise)
• It improves circulation and helps your body use oxygen more efficiently
• It can improve your angina as well as heart failure symptoms
• It improves your blood pressure and cholesterol

Other Benefits of Exercise:

• It improves chronic pain
• It improves blood sugar and diabetes
• It lowers your chance of injury (such as back strain and pulled muscles)
• It increases your energy level
• It improves your mood
• It improves your overall quality of life

3 Steps to Exercising with a Heart Condition Safely

The key to becoming more active when you have a heart condition is to plan ahead and know what to expect. The following steps will help guide you each step of the way.

Step 1: Pick an Activity

• Aerobic activities are very beneficial for the heart. Walking (anywhere…in the house, the park, the mall), bike riding, swimming or water aerobics, elliptical machines, and Zumba classes are just some of your options.
• Choose something that you will enjoy and will look forward to doing.
• Don’t think you can do an aerobic activity? No worries! Start with seated exercises (such as the ones in your handout) and go from there.

Step 2: Decide on a Starting Point 

• Hesitant about exercising? Set your goal at 5 minutes a day of walking (total walking–which you can accomplish just by walking to the restroom a few times!). This may not seem like much, but it is still a good starting point.
• Go slowly. Plan to move at a pace that is comfortable for you. Do not challenge yourself too much at first (regardless of how motivated you feel) as this can lead to frustration or injury.
• Look into the future. The eventual goal for most people with heart conditions is to accumulate at least 30 minutes of total activity per day, 4-5 days of the week. 

Step 3: Exercise Wisely 

Before Your Activity: 

• Check that you have your nitroglycerin with you, just in case you need it.
• Have a loved one with you the first time you try something new, so they can cheer you on and assist as needed.

During Your Activity: 

• Spend 5 minutes warming up and cooling down before and after your activity.
• Stopping abruptly can lead to fast drops in blood pressure and make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

Knowing When to Slow Down or Stop: 

• Shortness of breath that prevents you from completing a sentence
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Chest pain, tightness, or irregular heart rate
• Pain in your arms, shoulders, neck, or jaw
• Unusual or extreme fatigue
• Severe sweating, nausea, or vomiting

If you start experiencing these symptoms, stop and rest. Take a nitroglycerin if necessary. If the symptoms do not improve or worsen after 10-15 minutes, consider seeking medical attention. 

Some Practical Tips for Exercising with a Heart Condition 

• Don’t exercise outdoors when it is too cold, hot, or humid. High humidity tires you out more quickly. Extreme temperatures can interfere with circulation and make breathing difficult or cause chest pain. On these days, do an indoor activity (such as mall walking).
• Stay hydrated. Drink water even before you feel thirsty, especially on hot days. If you have heart failure and are on fluid restriction, take frequent small sips of water to stay hydrated without overdoing it.
• Skip extremely hot and cold showers or sauna baths after exercise. These extreme temperatures make your heart work harder.
• Avoid exercising in hilly areas. If you must walk in steep areas, slow down when going uphill to avoid working too hard.
• If your exercise program gets interrupted for a few days (due to illness, bad weather, etc), start at an easier point, and ease back into your routine.
• Write it down. Document your progress each day as well as any symptoms you experience.

Findings to be Presented at American College of Cardiology 2021

Study Highlights:

• In an evaluation of 1382 patients, EECP significantly improves health status outcomes in patients with stable angina after 7-weeks of therapy.
• SAQ score improved by over 50% from baseline, with Rose Dyspnea Score and CCS angina class also improving.
• Further testing of EECP as a supplement to medical therapy should be considered to define its role as a non-invasive adjunctive therapy in angina management.

FORT WORTH, April 30, 2021, New data showing improvements in “Health Status Outcomes with Enhanced External Counterpulsation in Patients with Angina” will be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 70th Annual Scientific Session and Expo, one of the premier meetings in the world for cardiology. The meeting will take place virtually May 15-17, 2021.

In lieu of traditional in-person presentations, the cardiology community reunites for a virtual ACC.21, where they invite attendees to reImagine Global Heart Health. ACC.21 will provide learners with an engaging virtual experience so that no matter where they are, participants can watch along as ACC shares abstracts and posters accepted electronically.

Stable angina affects more than 10 million individuals in the United States annually. Recently, the ISCHEMIA trial showed that invasive heart procedures, added to medications and lifestyle changes did not reduce the overall rate of heart attack or death compared with medicines and lifestyle changes alone.

EECP is a non-invasive treatment modality that increases the flow of blood to the heart. It is widely considered the most effective non-invasive treatment for heart conditions such as angina and symptoms associated with heart disease such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Using advanced counterpulsation technology timed to one’s heartbeat, EECP Flow Therapy treatments increase the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart by increasing the volume and velocity of blood through the body. In essence, it mimics physical exercise without straining the heart. This treatment results in creating new collateral blood vessels that improve circulation, reduce the severity of symptoms, and enable patients to regain their quality of life.

For this new study, researchers evaluated 1382 patients seen at Flow Therapy centers for chronic stable angina. The average age was 68 years, with 69% being male and 51% and 44% having a prior PCI or CABG procedure, respectively. The markers for the study included the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ), Rose Dyspnea, and CCS angina class which are all standard validated markers for assessing patients with angina. Of note, SAQ is validated to evaluate ischemic burden and is independently associated with mortality.

The researchers evaluated SAQ, Rose Dyspnea and CCS angina class before and after 7-weeks of EECP therapy. After EECP, the SAQ Summary score increased significantly by greater than 50% (+26 points; p<0.001). These effects were seen in all sub-domains of the SAQ. The RDS decreased significantly from 3.0 to 1.4 (p<0.001), and average CCS Angina Class decreased significantly from 3.5 to 2.4 (p<0.001).

“The change in SAQ scores from this study are clinically relevant and warrant consideration of EECP as a potential adjunct to optimal medical therapy in stable angina patients,”

said Dr. Rikesh Patel, an interventional cardiologist who was not affiliated with the research study.

Authors included Mehak Aggarwal, PharmD., John A. Spertus, M.D., MPH, Robert Kaplan, Ph.D., and Sachin A. Shah, PharmD.

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About Flow Therapy

Where once people fought heart disease until the end, we’re on a mission to take patients, families, and care teams to new beginnings. For over 15 years, Flow Therapy has been the nation’s leading provider of EECP® with clinics nationwide. Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP®), is a non-surgical treatment option that helps to increase the flow of blood to your heart. Through non-invasive Flow Therapy, proven scientific research in over 400 published research articles, and an unparalleled level of compassion and dedication to our patients, we’re leading alongside the best physicians in Cardiology to embrace a new approach to heart health. We’re here until the physical, mental, and emotional struggles of heart disease become a memory, and life continues to circulate again without limitation.

For more information, visit www.FlowTherapy.com today or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter for updates.

About University of the Pacific

Founded in 1851 as the first chartered institution of higher education in California, University of the Pacific prepares students for professional and personal success through rigorous academics, small classes, and a supportive and engaging culture. Widely recognized as one of the most beautiful private university campuses in the West, the Stockton Campus offers more than 80 areas of study in 11 schools and colleges. The university’s distinctive Northern California footprint also includes its San Francisco Campus, home to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and graduate programs in health and technology fields, and Sacramento Campus, home to the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and the School of Health Sciences as well as graduate programs in education and public policy. Pacific offers more than 30 graduate degrees and three first-professional programs, with a number of programs offering accelerated options for attaining a graduate or professional degree. For more information, visit Pacific.edu.

About The American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions.

For Media Inquiries: Briana Wucinski, Director of Marketing for Flow Therapy, briana@flowtherapy.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” concerning our goals, beliefs, expectations, strategies, objectives, plans and underlying assumptions and other statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding EECP and our approach to treating heart disease by delivering Enhanced External Counterpulsation therapy. We undertake no obligation to update the information contained in this press release to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.

Your heart works hard for you. So why not show it a little extra love?

With a couple of good habits (and a few less bad ones), you can do a whole lot of good for your heart (and your life as a whole).

Did you know that 659,000 people in the U.S. die from heart disease every year?

CDC

Let’s take a quick look at a few simple changes you can make today that can improve your heart health and decrease your risk of heart-related illnesses.

Eat these foods

Eating healthy isn’t always fun. This being said, your heart isn’t exactly picky. It just prefers lean, unprocessed food. Here’s what’s recommended:

• Berries (Acai works great, too!)
• Leafy vegetables (Throw some spinach in a smoothie!)
• Whole grains
• Fish
• Pinto beans (How about a bowl from Chipotle? Here’s what to order!)
• Nuts, almonds, and seeds
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Edamame (Try some edamame drizzled with olive oil and topped with garlic!)
• Low-fat dairy
• Lean meats
• Brown rice
• Avocados (Toast, please!)
• Dark chocolate (Yum!)

Did you know that heart disease costs the United States about $363 billion each year?

CDC

Do these exercises

To be honest, a little exercise can go a long way. You don’t have to be in the gym 5 hours a day to get major heart health points. However, it’s also not recommended to avoid exercise forever.

To start small (but to still get big benefits), here’s what you can do:

• Stretch for 10 minutes every day
• Walk around the block 3-5 times a week
• Take the stairs at work
• Pick up a fun hobby that gets your heart rate up (like an adult softball league or tai chi!)

Eventually, it’d be great to work yourself up to at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 5 days a week. Until then, though, the above activities can get you headed in the right direction.

According to a study of more than 200 people with somewhat elevated blood pressure, those who practiced tai chi for three months significantly decreased it, compared to those who didn’t. In research involving obese patients with diabetes, tai chi lowered cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight and height used to define obesity, and C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation in the body that’s linked to poorer heart health.

AARP

Quit these habits

Bad habits can really work overtime, and they can even undo all the benefits of your good habits. As is the case with most health-related issues, the top 2 bad habits are the same, smoking and alcohol consumption.

While you might be able to get away with a few drinks a week, smoking is an entirely different story, and it’s important to quit smoking as soon as possible.

Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and causes approximately one of every four deaths from CVD, according to the 2014 Surgeon General’s Report on smoking and health. CVD is the single largest cause of death in the United States, killing more than 800,000 people a year. More than 16 million Americans have heart disease. Almost 8 million have had a heart attack and 7 million have had a stroke.

Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease

Want to learn more about better heart health?

At Flow Therapy, we’re dedicated to improving the heart health of our patients, and we’d love to help you, too. If you’re interested in learning more about how to improve your heart health, how to deal with certain heart issues, or different treatment options, check out the additional resources below.

• How to take control of heart failure
• How EECP improves exercise tolerance in patients with CHF
• How EECP helps cardiology clinical practices
• Exercising with a heart condition: expectations vs. reality

Do you know how to survive a heart attack if you’re alone? This could mean the difference between life or death.

If you’re alone when you have a heart attack, your chances of survival are lower. This being said, there are certain steps you can take to increase your chances of making it through a heart attack when alone.

In this post, we’ll talk about what to do if you have a heart attack and how to improve your odds of surviving.

What To Do When a Heart Attack Occurs

When a heart attack occurs, it’s important to act quickly and get medical attention. Every minute counts when it comes to a heart attack. Even if you are physically active, you may not have time to wait for an ambulance to arrive before you start feeling the effects of the attack. Can you survive a heart attack alone? Yes, you can. But your outcome will be contingent on your response.

Here are tips on how to survive a heart attack if you’re alone:

Call for Emergency Help

First, it’s best to start by calling emergency services. When you call 911, follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Even if you don’t think it’s a heart attack, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and seek medical help right away.

Take an Aspirin While Waiting for Medical Help To Arrive

Aspirin is a blood thinner that can help to prevent blood clots from forming in your arteries. This can help to improve blood flow and reduce the severity of a heart attack.

It’s important to chew the aspirin before you swallow it. This can make it work faster.

Lie Down and Stay Calm

Once you have taken the aspirin, it’s essential to sit down and rest. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, lie down on your left side with your knees bent. This helps to improve blood flow to your heart.

Try to call someone to stay with you until the ambulance arrives. They can do wonders to keep you calm and provide much-needed reassurance.

In the meantime, continue taking deep breaths and relax as much as possible. It may be difficult but try not to panic. Remember that help is on the way, and you need to focus on taking care of yourself until it arrives.

What Not To Do

When you have a heart attack, it is also essential to know what not to do to ensure that you receive the best possible care and have the best chance of recovery. Here are three things you should avoid doing if you suspect that you are having a heart attack:

Do Not Rely on Just Taking Nitroglycerin

Do not rely on just taking nitroglycerin when you have a heart attack. This is because nitroglycerin only relieves the symptoms of heart attack and does not stop a heart attack.

Do Not Cough Repeatedly

It is imperative not to cough repeatedly when you are under cardiac arrest. This can make your condition worse and cause more damage to your heart. Coughing constantly can also lead to other complications such as pneumonia. If you are having a heart attack, sit down and take slow, deep breaths. Try to relax as much as possible and focus on your breathing. If you need to cough, do so gently and slowly. Avoid coughing forcefully or repeatedly.

Do Not Apply Pressure on the Chest

Applying pressure on the chest can worsen the situation by compressing the heart and making it harder to pump blood. Additionally, it can cause you to vomit, which can then lead to an increased risk of aspirating vomit into your lungs and further complicating the situation.

Common Symptoms of a Heart Attack

A heart attack can come on suddenly and without the typical warning signs of a heart attack, or it may develop slowly over time from heart disease. The symptoms of a heart attack vary depending on the individual, but they typically include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and lightheadedness.

The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. This pain may feel like a squeezing sensation, or it may be more of an ache. It may also radiate to your jaw, neck, arms, or back. Shortness of breath is another common symptom, as is feeling lightheaded or dizzy. You may also feel nauseous or vomit.

There are several risk factors for developing a heart attack, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history. If you have any of these risk factors, it’s essential to see your doctor for regular checkups and discuss ways to reduce your risk.

Heart attacks are a severe medical emergency. If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. With prompt treatment, many people experiencing a heart attack go on to make a full recovery.

Getting Aftercare With Flow Therapy

In conclusion, knowing the symptoms of a heart attack and how to survive a heart attack when alone can save your life. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please don’t hesitate to call for emergency help. Remember to stay calm and lie down until medical assistance arrives.

If you’ve suffered from a heart attack recently and you’re still experiencing discomfort, Flow Therapy might be able to help.

Flow therapy in a non-invasive, outpatient procedure that can help reduce or even eliminate angina (chest discomfort or pain that occurs when your heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygen-rich blood). It can also help to increase your energy and stamina and improve your overall quality of life.

If you have had a heart attack, talk to your doctor about whether Flow Therapy may be right for you. Or, check out our additional resources on Flow Therapy and how it works.

Heart failure is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While there is no cure for heart failure, there are many advancements in treatment that can help improve the quality of life for those who suffer from it. Let’s take a look at some of the latest treatments for heart failure, how they work, and what the benefits of each treatment are.

Latest Advances in Heart Failure Treatment

Despite recent advances in treatment, heart failure remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop more effective treatments for this condition. In recent years, there have been further advances in the treatment of heart failure. Below are some of the most promising new heart failure drugs and devices:

Flow Therapy

One treatment option for heart failure is flow therapy, also known as Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP). Flow therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses sophisticated counterpulsation technology to improve blood flow and reduce congestion in the heart.

Flow therapy effectively reduces symptom severity and improves the quality of life in patients with heart failure. However, it should not be used as a sole treatment for heart failure. Instead, it should be used in conjunction with other lifestyle changes and treatments to help manage the condition.

Ivabradine

Ivabradine is a new drug for heart failure that can help treat heart failure by improving the heart’s pumping ability. It does this by slowing down the heart rate and increasing the amount of blood pumped with each beat. In addition, Ivabradine can help improve the quality of life for people with heart failure by reducing symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath.

Sacubitril/Valsartan

Sacubitril/Valsartan is a combination drug approved by the FDA in 2015. It’s a combination of two medicines: sacubitril, which is an inhibitor of neprilysin, and valsartan, which is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).

The neprilysin inhibitor works by inhibiting the degradation of compounds that promote natriuresis (excretion of sodium in urine), diuresis (excretion of water in urine), and vasodilation (widening of blood vessels). The ARB works by blocking the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) and sodium retention.

Combining these two drugs leads to a significant improvement in heart function and a reduction in hospitalizations for heart failure. In addition, Sacubitril/Valsartan has reduced mortality from heart failure.

Heartmate 3

The Heartmate 3 is a new treatment for heart failure that helps pump blood from the left ventricle of the heart. The goal of treatment with Heartmate 3 is to improve the quality of life and extend life expectancy. The device is implantable and powered by batteries. It effectively enhances heart function and reduces hospitalizations due to heart failure. It is an option for people who are not heart transplant candidates or waiting for a transplant.

Mitraclip

One treatment option for heart failure is Mitraclip therapy. Mitraclip is a device placed inside the heart to help it pump blood more effectively. It’s typically used in people who have moderate to severe heart failure and haven’t been helped by other treatments like medications or lifestyle changes.

Mitraclip therapy has improved the quality of life and exercise tolerance in people with heart failure. It can also reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from heart failure.

V-Wave InterAtrial Shunt Device

The V-Wave InterAtrial Shunt Device is a new treatment for heart failure that offers hope to those who have not responded well to other therapies. The device is implanted in the heart and helps redirect blood flow, which can improve symptoms and quality of life for patients with heart failure.

Personalized Volume Management System (PVM)

Personalized Volume Management Systems (PVM) are a new class of devices with the potential to improve management of HF by providing real-time feedback on cardiac output changes and intravascular volume status. PVM systems use sensors to continuously monitor hemodynamic parameters and algorithms to calculate individualized targets for fluid status. The systems then provide clinicians with guidance on how to optimize fluid status to improve cardiac output and reduce congestion.

PVM systems have improved clinical outcomes in heart failure patients, including reducing hospital admissions and mortality rates. In addition, PVM-guided therapy has been associated with improved quality of life and exercise tolerance in patients.

How To Get Started With Heart Failure Treatments

Heart failure can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs. In extreme cases, it can lead to death. The good news is that there are many new advances in HF treatment that can help people manage their symptoms and live longer lives, including non-invasive options such as Flow Therapy.

Speak with your doctor about these heart failure treatments and determine what the best path forward is for you and your loved ones.

If you have been diagnosed with angina, you might be wondering if physical exercise will help or hinder your symptoms. In this article, we discuss what angina is, give an overview of the common symptoms of angina and answer the question, ‘can angina be cured by exercise?’

What is angina?

Angina pectoris, more commonly known as angina, is a type of chest pain or discomfort that results from inadequate blood flow to the heart. When there is reduced blood flow to the heart, the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen.

There are two main types of angina:

• Stable angina: Stable angina is chronic but predictable. Angina attacks typically occur in response to physical activity or stress.
• Unstable angina: Unstable angina is unpredictable. Attacks can occur even when you are at rest.

Angina is the result of an underlying condition such as coronary artery disease, which causes your coronary arteries to become narrowed or blocked. This causes poor blood flow through the blood vessels in your heart and the onset of angina symptoms.

What are the symptoms of angina?

Symptoms of angina can present differently in men and women and from person to person, but common signs include:

• Chest pain or discomfort: Feeling a squeezing sensation, pressure, or stabbing pain in the chest is a widely-reported sign of angina.
• Pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen: This can feel similar to indigestion and vary in intensity.
• Shortness of breath: shortness of breath, particularly when you are not exerting yourself, can be due to angina.
• Nausea or vomiting: some people with angina, especially women, experience nausea or vomiting.
• Fatigue: unexplained fatigue is sometimes a symptom of angina and is caused by low levels of oxygen reaching the muscles.

Can angina be cured by exercise?

When properly managed, exercise is safe and beneficial. Unfortunately, you can’t cure angina with exercise, but research has shown that appropriate exercise can help reduce its symptoms. Exercise increases blood flow to the heart and builds up the amount of oxygen that your body can absorb. This can reduce the risk of heart attacks and the onset of heart disease.

However, when you suffer from angina, you must speak with your physician before you change your exercise routine. If you don’t currently exercise or have any other risk factors, getting professional guidance on what types and activity levels are safe for you is crucial. Physical exercise can be a great way to manage your angina and improve your overall cardiovascular health with the right precautions.

What’s the best exercise for angina?

Cardiologists recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise three times a week for patients with chronic stable angina. Your doctor might recommend using a GTN spray or taking beta-blockers before beginning your workout. Ensure that you take time to warm up and begin slowly. You can gradually increase the intensity of the exercise as your fitness level improves.

Moderate-intensity aerobic exercises such as walking and swimming are great exercises. You must listen to your body and know how working out affects your angina symptoms. If you experience any angina pain during exercise, stop immediately and rest. If you experience any symptoms of angina before you begin, don’t exercise. At the end of your workout, take ten minutes to cool down and stop activity gradually, allowing your heart rate to return to normal.

Keep Reading: The latest advances in heart failure treatment

How can you control angina symptoms?

It’s important for people with angina to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Stay active: Incorporating regular exercise into your lifestyle can reduce the symptoms of angina and improve your overall cardiovascular health.
• Try Flow Therapy: Flow therapy can help patients manage symptoms associated with angina, it is a natural, non-invasive treatment option that mimics passive exercise.
• Quit smoking: Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart disease, and when you quit smoking, it can have a significant impact on your cardiovascular health.
• Lose excess weight: Losing weight can help to reduce your angina symptoms and improve your overall health.
• Eat healthy foods: A healthy diet helps reduce some risk factors for developing angina, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Keep Reading: The natural approach to angina treatment

Flow therapy and angina

Flow therapy is a clinically proven non-invasive treatment for chronic heart conditions such as angina. It utilizes synchronized compression to mimic exercise, which increases oxygenated blood to the heart. Treatments help restore blood flow, improve cardiovascular function and reduce your symptoms of angina.

Being non-invasive and drug-free, Flow Therapy can be used alongside exercise and in addition to your existing medication regimen. Flow therapy is particularly beneficial for people who can’t exercise as it enables them to get the benefits of exercise without putting any strain on their hearts. If you’re interested in trying flow therapy to manage your angina symptoms and improve your overall cardiovascular health, check for a Flow Therapy location closest to you.

Coronary artery disease (CAD), also called coronary heart disease (CHD), is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to and from the heart develop a buildup of fatty deposits. This buildup is called plaque, or atherosclerosis. It causes blood vessels to narrow, which reduces the blood flow to and from the heart. If left untreated, CAD can lead to serious cardiovascular events like a heart attack. The speed with which this buildup accumulates and the progression of coronary artery disease are unpredictable.

How fast does coronary artery disease progress?

How fast coronary artery disease progresses varies from person to person, and it doesn’t always progress in a linear fashion. CAD often begins at a young age and develops without clinical events for years before symptoms arise. When coronary artery disease does become symptomatic, sufferers are usually middle-aged or older.

A number of factors can affect the rate of coronary artery disease progression, including some that are within your control and others that aren’t. The main risk factors which affect the onset and progression of CAD in both men and women are:

• Genetics: If you have relatives who have suffered from CAD, you’re more likely to develop the condition yourself.
• Lifestyle: Factors such as smoking, lack of exercise, and a diet high in saturated and trans fats (those that increase your LDL cholesterol), and sugar can hasten the onset and progression of CAD.
• Age: As coronary arteries age, they naturally become more susceptible to plaque buildup.
• Underlying health conditions: Certain health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, can increase the risk of CAD and affect its progression.

What are the symptoms of CAD?

Coronary artery disease can cause a number of symptoms. The most frequent signs of CAD are chest pain and discomfort (angina). This is because of the narrowed coronary arteries’ inability to get enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

Because the heart pumps blood around the body, the symptoms of CAD are also felt in other parts of the body. People often find that their CAD symptoms worsen with strenuous activity and when they are under emotional stress.

Other symptoms of CAD include:

• Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath, especially when you’re not doing any strenuous physical activity, can mean the heart isn’t getting enough blood.
• Fatigue: Unexplained fatigue or feeling tired all the time can also be a symptom of CAD as the heart muscle isn’t able to pump blood as efficiently as it should.
• Feeling dizzy or light-headed: CAD can result in not enough oxygenated blood reaching the brain, which can cause dizziness and light-headedness.
• Weakness and cramping: When the heart isn’t pumping enough blood to the rest of the body, you might experience weakness or feel cramps in your muscles.
• Nausea: Feeling nauseous can also be a sign that not enough oxygenated blood is reaching the stomach, and the cause may be CAD.
• Cold sweats: Sweating more than normal, especially when you’re not doing any physical activity and it’s not hot, can be a sign of CAD.

Some of the above symptoms can also be warning signs of a heart attack (see this American Heart Association resource for more information).

Can you slow down the progression of coronary artery disease?

Thankfully, there are things that can be done to slow the progression of coronary artery disease:

• Manage underlying health conditions: Keeping any other health conditions under control, especially those known to worsen CAD, will improve your overall health and can help to slow the progression of CAD.
• Reduce cholesterol: Making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, can help to lower your cholesterol levels and reduce this risk factor.
• Medication: There are a number of different medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, that physicians prescribe to slow the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.
• Stop smoking: If you smoke, quitting is usually the best thing you can do to reduce the symptoms and decelerate the progression of coronary artery disease.
• Exercise: Exercise is crucial in maintaining cardiovascular health, and it can help to slow the progression of CAD. Physical exercise improves heart health especially if you suffer from depression and anxiety, according to an article published by the American College of Cardiology. If you’re unable to exercise, you can get the benefits of exercise from therapies such as Flow Therapy.

Coronary artery disease and Flow Therapy

Flow Therapy is a non-invasive treatment option for a variety of chronic heart conditions, including CAD. Also known as Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP), Flow Therapy uses advanced counter pulsation technology synced to the patient’s heartbeat. The treatment involves placing inflatable cuffs around the legs and inflating and deflating them in sequence. This mimics the effects of exercise, without the patient having to do any strenuous physical activity.

The sequential inflation of the cuffs helps move blood around the body and increases the volume of oxygenated blood to the heart. In turn, this can help to slow the progression of CAD by reducing its symptoms and improving the overall function of the heart. Because Flow Therapy is non-invasive and doesn’t involve any medication, it can be used in conjunction with other treatments and in addition to regular exercise.

To learn more about Flow Therapy and how it can help improve your cardiovascular health, check for a Flow Therapy location closest to you.

Angina is a frightening heart condition, and it is not uncommon to ask this vital question, can angina kill you? Unfortunately, angina is a symptom of coronary heart disease, and while it can’t kill you directly, it can be a symptom of heart trouble, and that can absolutely kill you.

Here’s the good news, by being aware of the symptoms of angina and getting the proper health care, you can stave off its adverse effects, seek treatment, and live a happier, healthier life.

What is Angina?

Angina is a frightening chest pain related to your heart health. It is a heavy pain that can feel like someone is sitting on your chest. It is caused by a reduction of blood flow to your heart muscle, making angina problematic.

Risk factors for angina include older age, high blood pressure, alcohol use, bad eating, stress, smoking, and a lack of physical activity.

What are the symptoms of Angina?

As noted by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, there are many symptoms of angina.

These include:

• Muscle pain in your chest that feels like heavy pressure or someone sitting on it. It may also feel like a burning or a fullness in your chest.
• The feeling that a heavyweight is on your chest.
• Pain or shortness of breath comes after a long period of exercise or exertion.
• Dizziness, fatigue, nausea, or sweating.
• Symptoms can appear differently in men and women. Women are more likely to have other symptoms, such as nausea, jaw pain, shortness of breath, or stabbing pain in their chest.

Keep in mind there are two different types of angina; stable and unstable. Stable angina is the kind of angina that comes during physical activity and occurs when engaged in exercise. It is something that people with angina often expect and can predict; and it usually goes away after a few minutes on its own. Unstable angina seems to come out of nowhere and can signify a more serious problem, like blood clots, a heart attack, or other heart rhythm problems.

Can Angina kill you?

It’s important to remember what angina is, a type of pain that is caused by reduced blood flow.

Angina is a frightening condition, one that can cause damage to the heart muscle, pain, anxiety, and a variety of other alarming symptoms. Stable angina is predictable, you likely know when it will occur, and it will usually go away on its own. Unstable angina, the kind that isn’t expected, can signify a heart attack or myocardial infarction.

However, it’s not angina that kills you. Angina is a symptom of more severe problems. You should be asking this: Can a heart attack kill you? Can a mild heart attack kill you?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is yes. A heart attack can be life-threatening.

If you are wondering how a heart attack kills you, you aren’t alone. A heart attack kills you by stopping your heart from pumping. When your heart stops pumping, you no longer have adequate blood flow and oxygen to your body. This obviously causes you to stop breathing and ultimately die. There are many potential symptoms of a heart attack, including nausea, chest pain or pressure, and shortness of breath. If you believe you are suffering from a heart attack, call 911 and get to an emergency room right away. Quick treatment can save your life.

How do you manage Angina?

Thankfully, there are ample treatment options for angina.

• Medication, including over-the-counter medication or prescription drugs. This can include Aspirin, Beta Blockers, Statins, or Ranexa.
• An angioplasty or replacement of an existing stent should help widen your heart arteries and lead to increased blood flow to your heart.
• Flow therapy. Flow therapy is a non-invasive treatment for angina. It involves cuffs placed around your body that are inflated and deflated to match your heart rate. These cuffs stimulate passive exercise, and studies have proven that it can help you manage symptoms from angina.
• Lifestyle changes are also critical to improving your angina symptoms and your overall heart health. You’ve probably already heard of these potential changes, including improved diet, more exercise, losing weight, and decreasing stress. Other lifestyle changes, like meditation or yoga, can also have a positive impact on your heart health.

What you need to know

It’s totally normal to anxiously google things like, “can angina kill me?” or “can angina kill you in your sleep?” Angina is a terrifying condition, but you can take comfort in knowing that there are a variety of treatment options for angina.

Looking for more resources? Check out:

• The Benefits of EECP on Patients With Chronic Stable Angina
• Taking Control of Your Angina
• How fast does coronary artery disease progress and can it be slowed down?

If you are looking for specific treatment options, Flow Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that has been used to help countless people who suffer from angina, long COVID, and other diseases. Check out our website, or call us today.