Take Heart - and Make it Healthy

There are roughly 5.7 million Americans living with heart failure, it's a round-the-clock reality. As the number one killer in the United States – that should make your heart skip a beat.

Heart failure is a form of heart disease that simply means your heart isn't working as well as it should. A healthy heart pumps about 100,000 times a day, delivering blood to and from the far reaches of your body. An unhealthy heart still pumps, but it may not pump enough blood or with enough force to send a sufficient supply to all of your body's tissues and organs. 

Ticker TLC

If you are diagnosed with heart disease or heart failure your doctor will develop a treatment plan for you. It is very important that you follow the plan and communicate with your doctor on a regular basis, especially early in the process.

“It is essential for anyone living with heart disease or heart failure to continually manage their overall health as well as exercise regularly and have a balanced diet,” said Peter Roan, MD, Saint Alphonsus – Nampa Heart Care cardiologist. “If you are diagnosed with heart disease it is possible to live a long healthy life, as long as you don’t take that diagnosis lightly.”

Your treatment plan may include medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers, which reduce blood pressure and ease the strain on your heart. Your cardiologist can also set up a diet and exercise plan for you that will help strengthen your heart and improve your overall health.

According to the American Heart Association, there are three basic lifestyle choices that will help you defend against heart disease.  Avoid tobacco, exercise regularly and eat a healthy well-balanced diet.