Marg helgenberger's - The Christ Hospital

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Arresting heart failure If your heart is damaged—whether by high blood pressure, diabetes or some form of coronary artery disease (including angina and heart attack)—it can’t pump blood or relax as well as it should. This condition is known as heart failure. Despite its name, heart failure doesn’t mean that your heart has stopped or that you’ve had a heart attack, but instead that your heart is weak and working inefficiently. Warning signs of heart failure include: § Shortness of breath. Breathing problems can occur during activity or when lying down as blood backs up in the pulmonary veins, causing fluid to leak into the lungs. § Fatigue. Simple activities like getting dressed or walking can trigger extreme fatigue and make everyday chores seem impossible. § Water retention. Fluid builds up in the legs, feet, ankles and, sometimes, abdomen. Other waterretention signs include frequent urination and weight gain. § Coughing or wheezing. Fluid buildup in the lungs can cause coughing that produces white or pink blood-tinged mucus. § Appetite loss or nausea. Digestive problems can make you feel full or sick to your stomach. § Confusion or impaired thinking. Changing levels of sodium and other substances in the blood can cause memory disturbances and disorientation. § Increased heart rate. A racing heart or palpitations can occur when the heart starts beating faster to make up for loss in pumping capacity. Get prompt medical care if you have any of these symptoms. Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalizations among people ages 65 and older. WHT Help for your heart is here! The Healthcare Accreditation Colloquium recently recognized The Christ Hospital as a fully accredited heart failure center of excellence. The Christ Hospital is the first hospital in Greater Cincinnati, and only the fifth in the United States, to achieve this recognition. The Christ Hospital heart failure services include: • The Carl H. & Edyth Lindner Heart Failure Treatment Center. A unique 28-bed unit offering state-of-the-art care for patients with heart failure. • Heart Link. A unique tool that helps heart failure patients transition from hospital to home. Specially trained nurses connect with patients after discharge to review diet, exercise and medication. • Congestive heart failure clinic. Physicians and nurses treat the growing aging population of heart failure patients, specifically those who are uninsured or underinsured. • Participation in nationally published research on heart failure management and treatment methods. Get heart healthy! Visit www.TheChristHospital.com to learn more about heart failure treatment at The Christ Hospital, or call the heart failure clinic at 513-585-2472. © istockphoto.com/Shannon Keegan/Karen Roach Women’s Health Today
By Nancy Slattery, MD 10 questions to ask at your next checkup Your annual physical should be more than a quick checkup and a “See you next year, doc.” It’s your chance to strengthen a vital partnership with your healthcare provider and assess your medical outlook. © istockphoto.com/Amanda Rohde Covering your bases Think of your physical as a two-part process. First is the exam itself. The second part is gaining a thorough understanding of your health. Here are some questions to ask that will help you gain insight: ˛1 Are all my signs normal or within accepted limits? Ask about your: • body-mass index (BMI), ratio of weight to height • blood pressure and pulse • breathing • skin and nail color, texture and appearance, which give clues to underlying disorders of your vital organs ˛2 Is my health better, the same or worse since my last checkup? ˛3 What are the best ways I can maintain my health or manage my condition? Ask for advice on diet, physical activity and stress-management tips to ease chronic tension and anxiety. ˛4 Given my personal and family medical history, do I have a higher than normal risk for certain illnesses? Review your: • family medical history: whether grandparents, parents or siblings had heart attacks, strokes, breast or other cancers and other illnesses • personal medical history, including any childhood sunburns, severe allergies or high fevers that are risk factors for diseases later in life, and any hospitalizations, surgeries or allergies to drugs or food ˛5 Given my age and health, what symptoms may indicate the onset of an illness? ˛6 Given my medical status, what specific symptoms may indicate a health emergency? ˛7 What screenings should I have? Your physician may recommend a mammogram, a bone density scan, a colonoscopy, a Pap test or cardiovascular and cholesterol-related blood tests. ˛8 Should I be seeing a specialist for any reason? ˛9 What new therapies or changes in treatment since my last checkup should I know about? ˛10 Should I get a flu shot? Be informative Mention any current symptoms or unusual feelings—physical or emotional—that you may have. Never let embarrassment, fear or shame keep you from telling your physician about a problem. They’re trained to handle all your medical concerns—and you won’t be the first patient with a sensitive issue. Call your physician’s office any time you have a question about your health or are having trouble following his or her instructions. Communicating openly with your physician is just as important as eating right, exercising and watching your weight. WHT Need a primary care physician? Call 513-585-1000 to find a physician with The Christ Hospital Medical Associates. Nancy Slattery, MD, is an internal medicine physician with The Christ Hospital Medical Associates in Cincinnati. www.womenshealthexperience.com
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Marg helgenberger's - The Christ Hospital

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