Heart Disease
Alternate Names : Cardiac Disease
What are the treatments for the disease?
There are many possible treatments for heart disease. Medicines are commonly used to:
act as diuretics, or water pills, such as furosemide and
hydrochlorothiazide
control high blood pressure, such as atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide,
amlodipine, or enalapril
control high cholesterol, such as pravastatin, simvastatin, and
lovastatin
help the heart pump better, such as digoxin or dobutamine
help the heart relax and rebuild itself, such as carvedilol and
captopril
prevent blood clots in the heart, such as warfarin
stop or control irregular heartbeats, such as amiodarone or
procainamide
Surgery or other procedures may also be used to treat heart disease. These
procedures include:
angioplasty, in which a
special tool is used to open up clogged arteries during cardiac
catheterization
heart bypass surgery. This is a
form of open heart surgery that
uses blood vessels from another part of the body to go around, or bypass,
blockages in the heart arteries.
heart valve replacement, a form
of open heart surgery to replace
damaged heart valves
heart transplantation
open heart surgery to repair
birth defects in the heart
Many other medicines and surgery techniques are used to treat heart disease.
Cardiac rehabilitation and other forms of exercise can also help to improve the person's ability to function.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
All medicines and surgeries have possible side effects. Medicines may cause
allergic reactions or stomach
upset. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, and allergic reaction to
anesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
Most individuals with coronary artery disease are encouraged to begin a regular exercise program. A person with CAD should make every effort to reduce coronary risk factors. This may include
smoking cessation, control of other
diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and eating a healthy
diet for prevention of heart disease.
Many people with heart disease need lifelong treatment and monitoring. Death
may occur, even with the best treatment.
How is the disease monitored?
A person with heart disease will have regular visits to the healthcare
provider, along with periodic EKGs and blood tests. Any new or worsening
symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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