Heart and Circulatory System

Recently Answered

• QHow does pericarditis affect my lifestyle?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Piedmont Heart Institute answered

  Many cases of pericarditis are mild and clear up on their own. But other cases, if not treated, can lead to chronic pericarditis and serious problems that affect your heart. Some problems can be life threatening.

  In some cases, it may take weeks or months to recover from a case of pericarditis. Full recovery is likely with rest and ongoing care. These measures also can help reduce the chances of having the condition again.

  This answer from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has been reviewed and/or edited by Dr. William D. Knopf.

• QHow is pericarditis diagnosed?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A Johns Hopkins Medicine answered

  Your doctor will diagnose pericarditis based on your medical history and the results from a physical exam and tests.
  
  Physical Exam
  
  When the pericardium (the sac around your heart) is inflamed, the amount of fluid between its two layers of tissue increases. As part of the exam, your doctor will look for signs of excess fluid in your chest.A common sign is the pericardial rub. This is the sound of the pericardium rubbing against the outer layer of your heart.
  
  Your doctor may hear other chest sounds that are signs of fluid in the pericardium (pericardial effusion) or the lungs (pleural effusion). These are more severe problems related to pericarditis.
  
  Diagnostic Tests
  
  Your doctor may order one or more tests to diagnose your condition and show how severe it is. The most common tests are:

  • EKG (electrocardiogram). This simple test detects and records the electrical activity of your heart. Certain EKG results suggest pericarditis.
  • Chest x ray. A chest x ray takes pictures of your heart and lungs. The images can show whether you have an enlarged heart. This is a sign of excess fluid in your pericardium.
  • Bloodwork to detect inflammation is non-specific but usually elevated.
  • Echocardiography. This painless test uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart. The pictures show the size and shape of your heart and how well your heart is working. This test can show whether fluid has built up in the pericardium.
  • Cardiac CT (computed tomography). This is a type of x ray that takes a clear, detailed picture of your heart and pericardium. CT helps rule out other causes of chest pain.
  • Cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This test uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of your organs and tissues. MRI can show changes in the pericardium.

  See All 3 Answers
• QHow is pericarditis treated?

  4 Answers

  A

  

  A Johns Hopkins Medicine answered

  The membrane that surrounds and protects your heart is known as the pericardium.
  
  When this membrane becomes inflamed, the condition is known as pericarditis. It occurs in two forms: acute (sudden and short-lived) and chronic (persistent over long periods).
  
  If your doctor is able to identify the cause of your pericarditis, they'll probably prescribe medication to treat bacterial infections or diuretics to reduce fluid retention.
  
  Over-the-counter pain medicines, including aspirin and ibuprofen, can reduce pain and inflammation. You may also be advised to restrict physical activity or be on bed rest for a period of time.
  
  There are also procedures that can help relieve pressure on the heart. Your doctor may drain the excess fluid around your heart in a procedure known as pericardiocentesis.
  
  More advanced cases may require surgery to remove part or all of the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds the heart. This procedure, called pericardectomy, is the treatment of choice for chronic pericarditis and often yields excellent results.

  See All 4 Answers
• QHow is myocarditis diagnosed?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Columbia University Department of Surgery answered

  Myocarditis may start with flulike symptoms over a month or two. The most common additional symptoms are disturbances in heart rhythm. If there is generalized weakening of the heart muscle, there also may be symptoms of heart failure. Myocarditis should be suspected if these symptoms appear during a widespread viral infection, especially if there is no previous history of heart disease. Unfortunately, some cases of myocarditis are diagnosed only after they have advanced. A physical exam, chest x-ray, and echocardiogram then show an enlarged heart and chest congestion. An electrocardiogram may indicate the damage to the heart's function.
• QHow is endocarditis treated?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Johns Hopkins Medicine answered

  Endocarditis usually develops when bacteria flows through the bloodstream from another part of the body and lodges in the heart, causing an infection in the lining of the heart and damage to the heart valves.
  Depending upon the cause, the symptoms of endocarditis may develop slowly or very quickly and may include:

  • Weakness, exhaustion.
  • Fever, chills, severe night sweats, excessive sweating.
  • Shortness of breath following light activity.
  • Blood in the urine or abnormal color of urine.
  • Heart murmur.
  • Muscle or joint pain.
  • Paleness.
  • Red, painless skin spots located on the palms and soles (Janeway lesions).
  • Red, painful nodes on the pads of the fingers and toes (Osler's nodes).
  • Weight loss or swelling of the feet, legs or stomach.

  Treatment plans for endocarditis will vary based on the cause of the symptom and the condition of the patient, but they are likely to begin with admission to the hospital for a course of intravenous antibiotics until the type of infection or microorganism attacking the heart can be clearly identified.
  Antibiotic courses, following release from hospital care, may take up to six weeks. Regular follow-up visits are advised to be sure the condition has been resolved.
  If symptoms persist, surgery may be required to replace a damaged heart valve.

  See All 2 Answers
• QWhat are the symptoms of endocarditis?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A Johns Hopkins Medicine answered

  Endocarditis usually develops when bacteria flows through the bloodstream from another part of the body and lodges in the heart, causing an infection in the lining of the heart and damage to the heart valves.

  If you've recently undergone any type of invasive treatment, including dental surgery, and you experience any of the symptoms described below, you should contact your doctor.

  Depending upon the cause, the symptoms of endocarditis may develop slowly or very quickly and may include:

  Weakness, exhaustion Fever, chills, severe night sweats, excessive sweating Shortness of breath following light activity Blood in the urine or abnormal color of urine Heart murmur Muscle or joint pain Paleness Red, painless skin spots located on the palms and soles (Janeway lesions) Red, painful nodes on the pads of the fingers and toes (Osler's nodes) Weight loss or swelling of the feet, legs or stomach

  People with a high risk factor, predisposition for heart conditions or a history of endocarditis can take preventative antibiotics before a dental or medical/surgical procedure.

  Following the guidelines for good oral health, such as brushing and flossing regularly, can also reduce risk.

  If you have a congenital heart defect, heart murmur or other heart valve condition, you should alert your dentist or your physician before you are treated.

  See All 3 Answers
• QWhat is endocarditis?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A Columbia University Department of Surgery answered

  Endocarditis is an infection involving the valves in the heart. Endocarditis can have serious consequences if left untreated. The infection is typically caused by colonies of microorganisms, such as streptococcus or staphylococcus, that form wart like growths on the surface of the heart valves. The infection progressively destroys heart valves, leading to heart failure.

  See All 3 Answers
• QWhat is the Reversal Diet comprised of?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  The Reversal Diet is designed to reverse damage to your arteries. Under the Reversal Diet, only 10% of your diet comes from fat; 15-20% comes from protein; and 70-75% comes from complex carbohydrates. Your body can start to heal once you stop doing what's causing the problem in the first place; if you stop consuming the food that contributed to the blockages in your arteries, your body will have a better chance of rebooting and recovering. Incorporate heart-healthy foods into your diet that contain protective and preventive nutrients. A plant-based diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and soy products in their natural, unrefined forms not only helps to reverse heart disease, but also possesses anticancer and antiaging properties.

  
  This content originally appeared on doctoroz.com
• QWhat would a sample meal plan for the Reversal Diet look like?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Here is a sample of a daily meal plan for the Reversal Diet:

  Breakfast:

  • Oatmeal with dried cranberries
  • 4 oz. of natural vegetable or fruit juice

  Eating oatmeal is a great nonfat way to get your complex carbohydrates.

  Morning Snack:

  • Nonfat granola bar
  • Banana
  • One cup of tea; green tea, without milk or sugar, is ideal

  Lunch:

  • Stir-fried veggies with low-sodium teriyaki sauce and brown rice
  • Green salad with edamame, chickpeas, beans, and fat-free raspberry dressing, and one whole wheat roll

  A lunch like this provides plenty of protein, from non-animal sources.

  Dinner:

  • Tacos- black beans, brown rice, fat-free sour cream, fat-free cheese, and salsa; corn tortillas

  These tacos are low in fat and high in protein.

  Night Snack:

  • Hummus with assorted dipping vegetables

  
  This content originally appeared on doctoroz.com
• QWhat is acute coronary syndrome?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A RealAge answered

  Acute coronary syndrome is a medical emergency in which an artery to the heart suddenly becomes partially or completely blocked, reducing or cutting off blood flow to the heart. The heart tissue can become damaged and even die in small or large amounts. Heart attack (myocardial infarction) and unstable angina (chest pain) are both types of acute coronary syndromes.
  
  Symptoms of acute coronary syndrome may include:

  • chest pain (the most common symptom) that comes on quickly, comes and goes, or feels worse with rest
  • chest pressure, tightness, squeezing or the often reported feeling that an “elephant is sitting on your chest”
  • pain or discomfort in the jaw and/or neck
  • pain in one or both arms
  • pain in the shoulder, back, and/or stomach
  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • fainting or feeling lightheaded or dizzy
  • anxiety
  • excessive sweating
  • shortness of breath
  • fast or irregular heartbeat

  Call 911 immediately if you experience these symptoms. Do not delay and do not attempt to drive yourself to the hospital. The sooner you seek help the more likely you will be to reduce the potential damage to your heart and recover successfully. At the hospital, the doctors can order tests to determine what is causing the blockage to your heart, the extent of the damage, and the best treatments for increasing blood flow. The earlier you are diagnosed and treated the better your prognosis is likely to be.