Heart Care
Your heart is the hardest working muscle in your body. MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital strives to keep it that way. Whatever your heart problem may be, you’re in good hands with the technology, treatment and restorative care here.Our cardiac and vascular services feature experienced specialists and state-of-the-art programs for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Who is at risk for heart failure?
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart gradually loses its ability to pump enough blood through the body. Many factors can raise the risk for heart failure. One is simply getting older. This is because the heart naturally loses some of its pumping ability with age. However, heart failure is usually caused by an underlying heart problem. The most common causes are high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Risk for heart failure is linked to other traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes, high cholesterol levels, obesity and smoking. Other causes of heart failure include heart infections, problems with heart valves and heart rhythm disorders.
Many possible symptoms
Heart failure usually develops slowly, and symptoms may not appear for years. Some of the most common symptoms include shortness of breath, excessive fatigue, chronic coughing, swelling of the feet, hands, legs, ankles and sometimes the abdomen, and sudden weight gain.
How to cut your risk
Follow these strategies to help lessen the risk of developing heart failure:
- Manage diabetes and blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Don’t smoke and avoid alcohol, or drink only in moderation
- Stay at a healthy weight
- Get 30 minutes of exercise at least every day
- Follow special dietary instructions your doctor has given you. For example, doctors usually recommend that patients at risk for heart failure limit their intake of fats and salt.
- Continue reading about heart failure prevention and treatment »
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