Ok...after a long busy weekend away with family, I thought I'd post another low sodium recipe. I spent this weekend in Cincinnati with my mother-in-law, whom I just don't get to see often enough. We attended a 80th birthday party for my husband's Uncle, Hal. Boy....I sure hope I make it to 80! The party was nice and it was nice to get to see some of my husband's side of the family. We've been married 7 years and this is only the 2nd time I have seen most of his cousins. We stayed at my mother-in-laws Saturday night and went to visit old friends we have in Cincinnati that we used to attend church with. We don't get to see them near enough either! We had hoped to see our dear friend, Bill Wegman and his family but he was off camping. The NERVE of him! So, we'll just have to make another trip down at some other time. Jocelyn, my daughter stayed with my sister-in-laws, Teresa and Connie. They are animal lovers and have several cats and a couple dogs. Jocelyn is a cat lover so she was in cat heaven this weekend! She said she woke up to a cat staring at her right in her face! I don't think she got much sleep due to cats runnig all around during the night and one particular cat that just kept trying to persuade her to play. So, it was a fun weekend and I enjoyed getting to see family that we don't get to see very often. Family is important! Enjoy yours and love them while you can. Ok....on to the recipe. Hope you enjoy.
Baked Pork Chops with Apple dressing.......I love this in the fall!
Apple Dressing:
2 slices light whole wheat bread, torn into bite size pieces
1 medium apple, such as granny smith, gala, fuji or golden delicious, peeled and finely chopped.
1 medium rib of celery, finely chopped
4 medium green onions (green and white parts), thinly sliced
1/4 cup of low sodium chicken broth
Egg substitue equivalent to 1 egg or 1 large egg (real eggs have less sodium)
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon pepper
***4 bonless pork loin chops (about 4 ounces each), all visible fat discarded. Make sure your pork chops say minimally processed or they will be very high in sodium
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
In a medium bowl, stir together the dressing ingredients until the bread is moistened. Spoon half the dressing into an 8-inch square baking pan, smoothing the surface. Place the chops in a single layer on the dressing. spread the remaining dressing over the chops.
Bake, covered, for 30 minutes (pork will be slightly pink in center). Bake, uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the pork is no longer pink in the center and the dressing is golden brown.
Sometimes I double the amount of dressing just because we love dressing! I also use the Kroger low sodium wheat bread in my dish.
Hope you enjoy. Apples are especially delicious this fall!
About Me
- Kimberly Binkley
- At age 39, I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy. I was given days to live with a heart function of 5% at that time. I was also told I needed a heart transplant to survive. I am now a 13 year survivor and have not had a heart transplant. I am married to my best friend, Steve and have one daughter, age 19. I'm sharing my journey to help others and because it "Matters to my Heart."
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Medications for heart failure
When I was diagnosed in 2001 with heart failure, I went from taking 1 allergy pill per day to taking 7 pills each day. I fact, when I started my cardiac rehab program earlier this year, one nurse joked that with all my medications I didn't really need to eat breakfast! I've never been one that liked taking medications but with CHF, it's essential. Since there is no cure for heart failure, these medications help you to live a longer life with a better quaility of life also. It can be overwhelming at first. What I did was get myself a pill box that had slots for the entire week. At the end of one week, I would fill it up for the next week with morning, noon and evening pills so that I was sure not to forget to take them. For me, it was new so it would have been very easy for me to forget to take something! Now that I've been on them for 7 years, I am so used to it I don't set them out in my pill box anymore. At first, it really helped me to remember so it might be something you want to do when first getting started. Here are the medications I take and these are pretty standard for anyone with heart failure.
Coreg-I take the generic, but they now have Coreg CR that is time released throughout the day and is a once a day pill. I take 37.5 mg now twice a day, which is currently keeping my blood pressure very low! My doctor wants to get me to 50mg twice a day to try and improve my heart function but I do believe I'm at my limit for this drug. At times, my bp runs 88/48 so I have no room for anymore drops in my bp! Coreg is a beta blocker. It helps lower the heart rate and helps the heart pump stronger. Coreg is also used to treat high blood pressure. I remember my doctor when I was first diagnosed saying to me, "I wish you had high blood pressure so we could get you on a high enough dose to do some good." High blood pressure does run in my family, but not for me! Be sure to monitor yourself when on this medication. Take you bp often when first getting started so you know how it affects you. Tell your doctor if you get dizzy often or if you ever pass out while taking this. Make sure to only take this drug when you eat! I take mine at breakfast and at dinner. It's important you eat when you take this so it doesn't get into your system too quickly and cause a sudden unsafe drop in your b/p. My doctor may try me on Coreg CR to see if my system tolerates it better since it is time released.
Lasix-I take 40 mg per day. Lasix is a diuretic. It is used to treat execessive fluid accumulation and swelling of the body caused by heart failure. It's important to be monitored on this drug also as it can cause body water and electrolyte depletion. I've had to use potassium a few times with lasix but do not take without a doctors prescription and without being monitored!
Adlactone-One of the main functions of the kidneys is to retain salt (sodium chloride) and water. In patients with heart failure and cirrhosis, increased levels of a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, called aldosterone, causes salt and fluid retention by the kidneys. Spironolactone inhibits the action of aldosterone causing the kidneys to excrete salt and fluid while retaining potassium. Therefore, spironolactone is classified as a potassium-sparing medication that promotes the output of urine. I take 25 mg per day. Watch getting too much potassium while taking this. This is a potassium sparing drug so don't over do the potassium. Getting too much potassium is also dangerous!
Zestril-I take 2.5 mg twice a day of Zestril. This is an Ace Inhibitor. Angiotensin is a chemical that is made by the body continuously. It narrows blood vessels and thereby maintains (elevates) blood pressure. When the enzyme is blocked by Zestril, angiotensin cannot be converted into its active form. As a result, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure falls. This is another reason my blood pressure is very low!
These drugs are very common for those with CHF. I also take simvastatin for my cholesterol and am now once again on coumadin. Coumadin is important in preventing the formation of blood clots. It is also important to prevent extension of clots already formed, and to minimize the risk of blood clot embolization to other vital organs such as the lungs and brain. With Coumadin, make sure you are carefully monitored. Keep your diet regular and update your doctor on any new medications you are taking as all this can affect the level of coumadin in your system. Make sure to get all blood work on time when taking Coumadin. My first go round with Coumadin was not pleasent. I had complications and had to be taken off for a while but since starting it again this year, I had not had any problems. It's important to do as instructed with this drug!
Ok...that's an education on the types of medicines used to treat heart failure. If you take as directed, you can live a longer life without lots of trips to the hosital. These medications along with a sodium restricted diet are essential. Don't get discouraged! I can remember my doctor also saying to me, "If you're going to get heart failure, now is the best time to do so." Not that anyone wants it but now the treatments are much better and because of that, people are living longer, better lives. I'll be back tomorrow to post another recipe. I think it's about time for that! We've had enough education!
Coreg-I take the generic, but they now have Coreg CR that is time released throughout the day and is a once a day pill. I take 37.5 mg now twice a day, which is currently keeping my blood pressure very low! My doctor wants to get me to 50mg twice a day to try and improve my heart function but I do believe I'm at my limit for this drug. At times, my bp runs 88/48 so I have no room for anymore drops in my bp! Coreg is a beta blocker. It helps lower the heart rate and helps the heart pump stronger. Coreg is also used to treat high blood pressure. I remember my doctor when I was first diagnosed saying to me, "I wish you had high blood pressure so we could get you on a high enough dose to do some good." High blood pressure does run in my family, but not for me! Be sure to monitor yourself when on this medication. Take you bp often when first getting started so you know how it affects you. Tell your doctor if you get dizzy often or if you ever pass out while taking this. Make sure to only take this drug when you eat! I take mine at breakfast and at dinner. It's important you eat when you take this so it doesn't get into your system too quickly and cause a sudden unsafe drop in your b/p. My doctor may try me on Coreg CR to see if my system tolerates it better since it is time released.
Lasix-I take 40 mg per day. Lasix is a diuretic. It is used to treat execessive fluid accumulation and swelling of the body caused by heart failure. It's important to be monitored on this drug also as it can cause body water and electrolyte depletion. I've had to use potassium a few times with lasix but do not take without a doctors prescription and without being monitored!
Adlactone-One of the main functions of the kidneys is to retain salt (sodium chloride) and water. In patients with heart failure and cirrhosis, increased levels of a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, called aldosterone, causes salt and fluid retention by the kidneys. Spironolactone inhibits the action of aldosterone causing the kidneys to excrete salt and fluid while retaining potassium. Therefore, spironolactone is classified as a potassium-sparing medication that promotes the output of urine. I take 25 mg per day. Watch getting too much potassium while taking this. This is a potassium sparing drug so don't over do the potassium. Getting too much potassium is also dangerous!
Zestril-I take 2.5 mg twice a day of Zestril. This is an Ace Inhibitor. Angiotensin is a chemical that is made by the body continuously. It narrows blood vessels and thereby maintains (elevates) blood pressure. When the enzyme is blocked by Zestril, angiotensin cannot be converted into its active form. As a result, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure falls. This is another reason my blood pressure is very low!
These drugs are very common for those with CHF. I also take simvastatin for my cholesterol and am now once again on coumadin. Coumadin is important in preventing the formation of blood clots. It is also important to prevent extension of clots already formed, and to minimize the risk of blood clot embolization to other vital organs such as the lungs and brain. With Coumadin, make sure you are carefully monitored. Keep your diet regular and update your doctor on any new medications you are taking as all this can affect the level of coumadin in your system. Make sure to get all blood work on time when taking Coumadin. My first go round with Coumadin was not pleasent. I had complications and had to be taken off for a while but since starting it again this year, I had not had any problems. It's important to do as instructed with this drug!
Ok...that's an education on the types of medicines used to treat heart failure. If you take as directed, you can live a longer life without lots of trips to the hosital. These medications along with a sodium restricted diet are essential. Don't get discouraged! I can remember my doctor also saying to me, "If you're going to get heart failure, now is the best time to do so." Not that anyone wants it but now the treatments are much better and because of that, people are living longer, better lives. I'll be back tomorrow to post another recipe. I think it's about time for that! We've had enough education!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
education is key and Heart Walk Thank yous!
Ok...I've overloaded everyone with knowledge about heart disease and what you can do to help prevent. I hope you all use this information and take it to heart.
Last week I had particapted in our local heart walk. We had a beautiful sunshiny day! We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. It was nice to see such a wonderful turn out too. With all the problems people had the week before with the "hurricane in ohio" and the electric being out, etc, we had a great turnout. It is touching to hear the stories of others. Todd Bell's family was there and told everyone about the dangers of not knowing your cholesterol numbers. Todd Bell was a professional athlete and was in great physical shape but he didn't know he had high cholesterol. He died of a heart attack caused by high cholesterol. He didn't know his numbers and had no clue of the hidden danger within his own body. That's why I have this blog......that's why I'm so passionate about this. so, the education is so vital and that's why there is so much of it here on my blog.
Getting back to the walk. I an so thankful for all the volunteers that showed up to help. Our church youth group came to hand out water along the route. Nathan....you will never know how much that means to me! Thank you! We've never had this before and you were at the perfect spot. Everyone I have talked to appreciates what the youth group did and said it was just when they felt like they needed something to drink!
Thank you Judy Pochard for volunteering your time to take team photos. This means more than a simple thank you can express! Everyone should check our her work. She does awesome work and I highly recommend her. She did our family pictures! Check it out at www.pbase.com/jpochard
I didn't quite make it the entire 3 miles, but I did my best and I'm just glad that I'm able to walk! I was fine on where the route was flat, but when we had some incline coming back, I got a bit winded. Those of you with CHF know what I mean! So, I cut off probably the last 1/12 mile of the route and headed back to the school. I get a bit frustrated when I get winded and can't quite make it all the way but then I'm reminded of how much God has done for me and I forget about it! I'm just happy to be able to go to the event and walk for a cause that matters so much to my heart. So, for everyone that was there and participated in some way.....Thank you from the bottem of my heart. You are world changers!
Last week I had particapted in our local heart walk. We had a beautiful sunshiny day! We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. It was nice to see such a wonderful turn out too. With all the problems people had the week before with the "hurricane in ohio" and the electric being out, etc, we had a great turnout. It is touching to hear the stories of others. Todd Bell's family was there and told everyone about the dangers of not knowing your cholesterol numbers. Todd Bell was a professional athlete and was in great physical shape but he didn't know he had high cholesterol. He died of a heart attack caused by high cholesterol. He didn't know his numbers and had no clue of the hidden danger within his own body. That's why I have this blog......that's why I'm so passionate about this. so, the education is so vital and that's why there is so much of it here on my blog.
Getting back to the walk. I an so thankful for all the volunteers that showed up to help. Our church youth group came to hand out water along the route. Nathan....you will never know how much that means to me! Thank you! We've never had this before and you were at the perfect spot. Everyone I have talked to appreciates what the youth group did and said it was just when they felt like they needed something to drink!
Thank you Judy Pochard for volunteering your time to take team photos. This means more than a simple thank you can express! Everyone should check our her work. She does awesome work and I highly recommend her. She did our family pictures! Check it out at www.pbase.com/jpochard
I didn't quite make it the entire 3 miles, but I did my best and I'm just glad that I'm able to walk! I was fine on where the route was flat, but when we had some incline coming back, I got a bit winded. Those of you with CHF know what I mean! So, I cut off probably the last 1/12 mile of the route and headed back to the school. I get a bit frustrated when I get winded and can't quite make it all the way but then I'm reminded of how much God has done for me and I forget about it! I'm just happy to be able to go to the event and walk for a cause that matters so much to my heart. So, for everyone that was there and participated in some way.....Thank you from the bottem of my heart. You are world changers!
An Ounce of Prevention!
Today, I want to talk about steps every one can take to prevent heart disease. Heart disease is largely preventable and there are things you can do but you have to use the knowledge you have about heart disease. I've heard so many people say that knowledge is power. Knowledge is nothing unless you act. You can have all the knowledge in the world and do nothing with it and then what good is it? Knowlege is powerless. The power comes in the acting and taking the knowledge to heart.
Each factor below contributes to your overall risk of developing heart disease. If you have 2 or more together, your risk is even greater.
***High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder then normal. Both the heart and arteries are more prone to injury. High blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, and buildup of plaque in your arteries. KNOW YOU NUMBERS! The goal is less than 120/80
**High levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood can increase the buildup of plaque on the inner walls of your arteries. This narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow. If plaque ruptures, it triggers a blood clot to form. If a clot forms where the plaque is, it can block blood flow or break off and travel to another part of the body. If blood flow to an artery that feeds the heart is blocked, it causes a heart attack. It the blockage occurs in an artery that feeds the brain, it causes a stroke. Many people that now suffer from congestive heart failure, do so due to a heart attack caused by high cholesterol. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! Once again: KNOW YOUR NUMBERS! You want a total cholesterol of less than 200. You want your LDL (bad)cholesterol to be less than 160 mg if you have no heart disease or diabetes. You want it to be less than 130 if you have no heart disease but have 2 or more other risk factors. If you have existing heart disease you want it to be less than 100.
HDL or good cholesterol you want to be 50 or higher. Triglycerides should be less than 150.
**another risk factor is diabetes. Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease and people with diabetes are more likely than those without it to have a heart attack or stroke. KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL! You want a blood glucose of less than 100.
**Too much body fat, especially at your waist, means your heart has to work harder, and your risk increases for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes. That's why it's so important to watch your weight and be physically active. For women, you want a waist circumference of less than 35 inches.
**Consistent physical inactivity increases your risk for heart disease and stroke even more. 30 to 60 minutes of exercise on most days of the week can actualy help control high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. Aerobic physical activity can also help reduce blood pressure.
**smoking and constant exposure to secondhand smoke greatly increase your risk for heart disease, stroke and other illnesses. However, when you stop smoking-no matter how long you've smoked--your risk starts to drop. In fact, one year after quitting, your risk is cut in half. Fifteen years after quitting, your risk is similar to that of someone who has never smoked. BE A QUITTER! That's the only time you will hear me say that!
These are all risk factors that you can control. Get a checkup. Know your numbers. If you have high blood pressure, get it under control with the help of a doctor. There are medicines that will keep this under control. There are so many cholesterol medicines today that will keep your cholesterol levels where they need to be. If you can't get it down by diet and exercise, get on a medicine that gets it under control. I know people don't like to take medicines, but when you think of what this is preventing, I'd much rather take the medicine than to suffer a heart attack that does damage to your heart or causes death.
**You should also be aware of your family history. You can't do anything about what you inherit from your family members but you can be aware and get under a doctors care.
In my case, I could not have prevented CHF but I could have prevented it from becoming as bad as it has if I had known the signs and symptoms of CHF. I would have pushed for testing on my heart and got on the proper medications before my EF was 5%! Once you have heart disease, it never goes away so an ounce of prevention goes a very long way! Don't let your knowledge go to waste, use it!
Each factor below contributes to your overall risk of developing heart disease. If you have 2 or more together, your risk is even greater.
***High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder then normal. Both the heart and arteries are more prone to injury. High blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, and buildup of plaque in your arteries. KNOW YOU NUMBERS! The goal is less than 120/80
**High levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood can increase the buildup of plaque on the inner walls of your arteries. This narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow. If plaque ruptures, it triggers a blood clot to form. If a clot forms where the plaque is, it can block blood flow or break off and travel to another part of the body. If blood flow to an artery that feeds the heart is blocked, it causes a heart attack. It the blockage occurs in an artery that feeds the brain, it causes a stroke. Many people that now suffer from congestive heart failure, do so due to a heart attack caused by high cholesterol. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! Once again: KNOW YOUR NUMBERS! You want a total cholesterol of less than 200. You want your LDL (bad)cholesterol to be less than 160 mg if you have no heart disease or diabetes. You want it to be less than 130 if you have no heart disease but have 2 or more other risk factors. If you have existing heart disease you want it to be less than 100.
HDL or good cholesterol you want to be 50 or higher. Triglycerides should be less than 150.
**another risk factor is diabetes. Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease and people with diabetes are more likely than those without it to have a heart attack or stroke. KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL! You want a blood glucose of less than 100.
**Too much body fat, especially at your waist, means your heart has to work harder, and your risk increases for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes. That's why it's so important to watch your weight and be physically active. For women, you want a waist circumference of less than 35 inches.
**Consistent physical inactivity increases your risk for heart disease and stroke even more. 30 to 60 minutes of exercise on most days of the week can actualy help control high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. Aerobic physical activity can also help reduce blood pressure.
**smoking and constant exposure to secondhand smoke greatly increase your risk for heart disease, stroke and other illnesses. However, when you stop smoking-no matter how long you've smoked--your risk starts to drop. In fact, one year after quitting, your risk is cut in half. Fifteen years after quitting, your risk is similar to that of someone who has never smoked. BE A QUITTER! That's the only time you will hear me say that!
These are all risk factors that you can control. Get a checkup. Know your numbers. If you have high blood pressure, get it under control with the help of a doctor. There are medicines that will keep this under control. There are so many cholesterol medicines today that will keep your cholesterol levels where they need to be. If you can't get it down by diet and exercise, get on a medicine that gets it under control. I know people don't like to take medicines, but when you think of what this is preventing, I'd much rather take the medicine than to suffer a heart attack that does damage to your heart or causes death.
**You should also be aware of your family history. You can't do anything about what you inherit from your family members but you can be aware and get under a doctors care.
In my case, I could not have prevented CHF but I could have prevented it from becoming as bad as it has if I had known the signs and symptoms of CHF. I would have pushed for testing on my heart and got on the proper medications before my EF was 5%! Once you have heart disease, it never goes away so an ounce of prevention goes a very long way! Don't let your knowledge go to waste, use it!
Friday, September 26, 2008
What is YOUR EF?
I wanted to talk about an important number for anyone to know, even those with a healthy heart. Still, most people have no idea what their EF is or even what it means. Everyone should know this number!
When I was first diagnosed, my heart function was only 5%. My cardiologist actually told my family for me, that meant my heart was functioning at 1/16th. They were told I could die at any moment unless they could get this number up. So what is an EF and how is it tested?
Ejection fraction is a test that determines how well your heart pumps with each beat.
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the measurement of how much blood is being pumped out of the left ventricle of the heart (the main pumping chamber) with each contraction.
Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) is the measurement of how much blood is being pumped out of the right side of the heart to the lungs for oxygen.
For people with heart failure, your EF number will be your left ventricular ejection fraction. This is where most people have a problem. I don't think my doctor has ever told me what my right vntricular ejection fracion is.
Ejection fraction is expressed as a percentage. No one's heart pumps 100%. There is always some blood that stays behind. A normal range would be 50%-70%. With my last echo, my range is 20%, which means I basically have 1/3 of my heart function. My doctor is currently working on trying to get this up to 30% but for some reason, my heart function just doesn't seem to go any higher than 20%. A MUGA scan actually states my heart function to be 16%. Right now, Dr. Abraham has increased my Coreg more in hopes to bring up this number. The Coreg, however, lowers my blood pressure so that I don't think I'll be able to take much more. Last night my BP at one point was only 88/48! So, as you can see, I don't have room for it to drop much more. Right now my current dose is 37.5 mg twice a day. This is higher than most as the optimal dose is 25mg twice a day. Since my heart function did not increase with that, we are trying a bit more.
36%-49% is considered below normal
35%-40% may confirm a diagnosis of systolic heart failure
below 35%-increases risks of a life threatening irregular heart rhythm. That is why I have a defibrillator!
Your EF can go up and down based on your heart condition and therapies prescribed. We had also hoped the bi-ventricular pacemaker would improve my heart function but after 4 1/2 years with one, it has not. I'm not giving up hope though! I've heard of it happening just all of a sudden in people and I believe in miracles so I still have hope!
Having testing done to measure your EF is painless. These tests can be done in the doctors office. Here are some typical tests that are done to measure EF.
**Ultrasound of heart (echocardiography). Used most often.
**Cardiac Catherization-for this one it means an overnight stay in the hospital.
**MRI of the heart
**Nuclear medican scan (MUGA)
**CT scan of the heart.
For anyone with heart failure, this is an important number to know. I also believe healthy individuals should know this number and I really recommend that everyone have either an echo or a ct scan of the heart. My brother just recently had one due to some cholesterol issues. His test came out great so it was a relief to him. I think it's better to know about a problem and face it head on than to wait until your heart is in trouble or damaged to try and fix a problem. The new heart scan they are doing now costs at $99.00 and it quick and painless. Money well spent!
When I was first diagnosed, my heart function was only 5%. My cardiologist actually told my family for me, that meant my heart was functioning at 1/16th. They were told I could die at any moment unless they could get this number up. So what is an EF and how is it tested?
Ejection fraction is a test that determines how well your heart pumps with each beat.
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the measurement of how much blood is being pumped out of the left ventricle of the heart (the main pumping chamber) with each contraction.
Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) is the measurement of how much blood is being pumped out of the right side of the heart to the lungs for oxygen.
For people with heart failure, your EF number will be your left ventricular ejection fraction. This is where most people have a problem. I don't think my doctor has ever told me what my right vntricular ejection fracion is.
Ejection fraction is expressed as a percentage. No one's heart pumps 100%. There is always some blood that stays behind. A normal range would be 50%-70%. With my last echo, my range is 20%, which means I basically have 1/3 of my heart function. My doctor is currently working on trying to get this up to 30% but for some reason, my heart function just doesn't seem to go any higher than 20%. A MUGA scan actually states my heart function to be 16%. Right now, Dr. Abraham has increased my Coreg more in hopes to bring up this number. The Coreg, however, lowers my blood pressure so that I don't think I'll be able to take much more. Last night my BP at one point was only 88/48! So, as you can see, I don't have room for it to drop much more. Right now my current dose is 37.5 mg twice a day. This is higher than most as the optimal dose is 25mg twice a day. Since my heart function did not increase with that, we are trying a bit more.
36%-49% is considered below normal
35%-40% may confirm a diagnosis of systolic heart failure
below 35%-increases risks of a life threatening irregular heart rhythm. That is why I have a defibrillator!
Your EF can go up and down based on your heart condition and therapies prescribed. We had also hoped the bi-ventricular pacemaker would improve my heart function but after 4 1/2 years with one, it has not. I'm not giving up hope though! I've heard of it happening just all of a sudden in people and I believe in miracles so I still have hope!
Having testing done to measure your EF is painless. These tests can be done in the doctors office. Here are some typical tests that are done to measure EF.
**Ultrasound of heart (echocardiography). Used most often.
**Cardiac Catherization-for this one it means an overnight stay in the hospital.
**MRI of the heart
**Nuclear medican scan (MUGA)
**CT scan of the heart.
For anyone with heart failure, this is an important number to know. I also believe healthy individuals should know this number and I really recommend that everyone have either an echo or a ct scan of the heart. My brother just recently had one due to some cholesterol issues. His test came out great so it was a relief to him. I think it's better to know about a problem and face it head on than to wait until your heart is in trouble or damaged to try and fix a problem. The new heart scan they are doing now costs at $99.00 and it quick and painless. Money well spent!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Symptoms of Heart Failure
Ok....today I'm also posting the symptoms of heart failure since many of these can be different than the symptoms of a heart attack. If you have any of these symptoms, please don't wait........Go to the doctor! I had symptoms for 2 years and didn't realize they were symptoms that something was wrong with my heart. I was actually misdiagnosed with asthma. That's why it's important to know these symptoms can be related to a heart condition so you can push for testing to be done on your heart. I know I would have if I had known the symptoms. You really have to be your own advocate and push for answers and tests sometimes. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself until you get answers! Here are the symptoms:
**Shortness of breath. This can occur with exercise or rest or when lying flat in the bed!
**Fluid backs up in the lungs causing shortness of breath and often a hacking cough.
**Dizziness-less blood to the brain causes dizziness.
**Tiredness-less blood to the major organs causes fatigue.
**Rapid or irregular heart beats-The heart beats faster to try and pump enough blood throughout the body.
**Swelling in ankles, legs and abdomen. Weight gain-less blood to the kidneys causes the kidneys to retain water.
**nausea, palpitations, chest pain, waking suddenly feeling unable to breathe, changes in sleep patterns
You may also have a loss of appetite.
My symptoms were being extremely tired, sudden weight gain, waking in the night feeling unable to catch my breath, and nausea. If you experience any of these symptoms, go to your doctor right away.
I look back on the days before my initial diagnosis and remember my mom saying she didn't think I had asthma. She kept telling me it was my heart. I wish I had listened to my mom but I thought the doctors had to know what they were talking about. The sad thing is, they never checked my heart. They thought I was too young for heart disease. NEVER let a doctor tell you that you are too young for heart disease. It does NOT discriminate! I've learned to always listen to my mom too!
In the future, I'll also be posting information about a number we all should know: ejection fraction (EF) and information about drugs used to treat heart failure.
**Shortness of breath. This can occur with exercise or rest or when lying flat in the bed!
**Fluid backs up in the lungs causing shortness of breath and often a hacking cough.
**Dizziness-less blood to the brain causes dizziness.
**Tiredness-less blood to the major organs causes fatigue.
**Rapid or irregular heart beats-The heart beats faster to try and pump enough blood throughout the body.
**Swelling in ankles, legs and abdomen. Weight gain-less blood to the kidneys causes the kidneys to retain water.
**nausea, palpitations, chest pain, waking suddenly feeling unable to breathe, changes in sleep patterns
You may also have a loss of appetite.
My symptoms were being extremely tired, sudden weight gain, waking in the night feeling unable to catch my breath, and nausea. If you experience any of these symptoms, go to your doctor right away.
I look back on the days before my initial diagnosis and remember my mom saying she didn't think I had asthma. She kept telling me it was my heart. I wish I had listened to my mom but I thought the doctors had to know what they were talking about. The sad thing is, they never checked my heart. They thought I was too young for heart disease. NEVER let a doctor tell you that you are too young for heart disease. It does NOT discriminate! I've learned to always listen to my mom too!
In the future, I'll also be posting information about a number we all should know: ejection fraction (EF) and information about drugs used to treat heart failure.
Do you know your answers?
Do you know the answer to these questions? If not, you need to schedule a heart check up and learn. Heart disease is largely preventable but only if you are armed with information and do something about what you know. Here are 10 questions every woman should know the answers to. ok....all you men out there, all but number 3 apply to you!
1. What are my risk factors for heart disease?
2. Am I at risk for stroke?
3. What should I know about the effects of menopause on my health?
4. Do I need to lose or gain weight for my health?
5. What is a healthy eating plan for me?
6. What kind of physical activity is right for me?
7. What is my blood pressure? Is that healthy for someone my age?
8. What are my blood cholesterol levels? Are those healthy levels for someone my age?
9. What is my blood gluose level? Is that a healthy level for someone my age?
10. Based on my history and risk factors, what can I do to lower my risk of heart disease and stroke?
Ok.....today, do something good for your heart!
Take a moment
Sit quietly and feel your own heart beating.
Appreciate that one heart, that it is beating and pumping your life blood through you.
Think of your love for your family, your friends.
Make a simple promise to do something good for your heart today.
Eat well.
Exercise more.
Kiss a loved one.
Laugh a little more.
Learn how to keep your heart healthy.
Take a moment to love your heart.
**Taken from the Love Your Heart cookbook from the American Heart Association's Go Red for women movement. Ok, now here's my favorite motto from the Nike ads......
JUST DO IT!
1. What are my risk factors for heart disease?
2. Am I at risk for stroke?
3. What should I know about the effects of menopause on my health?
4. Do I need to lose or gain weight for my health?
5. What is a healthy eating plan for me?
6. What kind of physical activity is right for me?
7. What is my blood pressure? Is that healthy for someone my age?
8. What are my blood cholesterol levels? Are those healthy levels for someone my age?
9. What is my blood gluose level? Is that a healthy level for someone my age?
10. Based on my history and risk factors, what can I do to lower my risk of heart disease and stroke?
Ok.....today, do something good for your heart!
Take a moment
Sit quietly and feel your own heart beating.
Appreciate that one heart, that it is beating and pumping your life blood through you.
Think of your love for your family, your friends.
Make a simple promise to do something good for your heart today.
Eat well.
Exercise more.
Kiss a loved one.
Laugh a little more.
Learn how to keep your heart healthy.
Take a moment to love your heart.
**Taken from the Love Your Heart cookbook from the American Heart Association's Go Red for women movement. Ok, now here's my favorite motto from the Nike ads......
JUST DO IT!
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