Improving Health Among Heart Failure Patients May Improve Outcome

Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley

The Duke University Medical Center recently conducted a study on heart failure patients and how to administer more adequate care. The study found that patients who exercised were more likely to have an improved outcome than those who did not.

The age of those involved in the study was approximately 59 and all 2,331 were previous heart failure patients across the United States. The patients were randomly assigned to either an exercise program that was detailed and ?aimed at increasing workout intensity? or a program that encouraged patients to exercise, but offered no specific program.

The study followed participants for approximately 2.5 years and discovered that those exercising improved their outcome by 11 to 15 percent, decreasing mortality and hospitalization rates. Developing Heart Disease

There are many reasons in which an individual may develop heart disease. The following are several conditions described by the American Heart Association (AHA) that increase the risks are described as conditions of heart disease or conditions contributing to heart disease development.


* When "cholesterol and fatty deposits building up in the hearts arteries," it is known as coronary artery disease.?

* Myocardial infarction is when a heart attack occurs; an artery blocks blood flow to the heart.

* 
 High blood pressure or hypertension increases the risk of heart failure by two to three times.

* 
 Abnormal heart valves can result from disease or infection at birth and increase the risk of heart failure; additionally other heart defects present at birth such as congenital heart disease.

* 
 Severe lung disease.

* Heart muscle disease or inflammation (myocarditis) of the heart, which can occur because of damage to the heart such as alcohol use or viral infections.

* Developing diabetes or other conditions.

* Oxygen levels may be limited when carried to the heart, which is known as low red blood cell counts.

* 
 Overactive thyroid glands.

* 
 Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia, which is when the heart shows an abnormal heart rhythm of either too fast, too slow or irregular.

Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that there are, unfortunately, an array of prescription medications that may actually increase the risk of heart failure/disease among individuals.

What is Heart Failure?

When the heart is no longer pumping, according to the AHA, the body "depends on the heart's pumping action to deliver oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the body's cells.? The AHA describes signs and symptoms of heart failure as including:

* 
 Edema, in which a buildup of excess fluid in body tissues occurs

* 
 Tiredness or fatigue caused by a lack of blood being delivered to vital organs

* 
 A lack of blood being pumped to the digestive system will cause a lack of appetite or nausea

* 
 A persistent cough or wheeze is due to fluid buildup in the lungs

* Shortness of breath occurs as the blood backs up into the pulmonary veins, this is also called dyspnea

* Increased heart rate from the heart beating faster to make up for a loss in pumping capacity

* 
 Confusion or impaired thinking occurring when changes in substance in the blood develops

Prescription Drug?s Increase Heart Disease

Unfortunately, individuals can develop the condition on their own, and, now there are several prescription medications that have been allegedly linked to the development of heart failure including a type 2 diabetes drug known as avandia.

Patients who have type 2 diabetes know that they also must manage other aspects of their health because they are at a greater risk for developing heart failure and stroke. Developing an Avandia class action lawsuit may be advisable as the drug can cause severe damage among type 2 diabetes patients by increasing their risk of developing heart disease/failure. An Avandia patient may receive monetary compensation from a potential pharmaceutical lawsuit. Commonly, a knowledgeable pharmaceutical attorney will provide a free legal consultation on the development of an Avandia lawsuit to ease an Avandia victims worries.