A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems

Heart rhythm problems can be a matter of life or death. In this easy-to-read guide, Dr. Todd Cohen provides comprehensive information to help people with heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Dr. Cohen tells readers what they need to know about palpitations, rapid heart rhythms (tachycardias), slow heart rhythms (bradycardias), cardiac arrest, and other conditions related to irregular heartbeats. 

With the goal of informing and empowering heart patients, Dr. Cohen describes the heart's basic function, the various conditions associated with arrhythmia, and recommended courses of treatment. He discusses such procedures as tilt table testing, electrophysiology studies, catheter ablation, and device implantation (including cardiac monitors, pacemakers, defibrillators, and biventricular devices); explains the essentials of CPR and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs); and presents the latest guidelines from the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the Heart Rhythm Society. 

A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems will help readers understand :

• how the heart works and what can go wrong
• the tests and other diagnostic procedures they may undergo
• how their doctor reaches a diagnosis
• what their diagnosis means
• how their doctor might treat the problem
• when medication alone is sufficient treatment
• when pacemaker, defibrillator, or biventricular therapy is appropriate
• how to get the best possible medical care -- in and out of the hospital

Endorsed by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, this essential resource features tables highlighting key information, as well as patient narratives that provide personal insight into arrhythmia tests, treatments, and technologies.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (October 11, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801897742
• ISBN-13: 978-0801897740
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches 

List Price:  $45.00

TIPS TO CONTROL HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Be moderately physically active on most days of the week.
• Follow a healthy eating plan, which includes foods lower in sodium.
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
• If you have high blood pressure and are prescribed medication, take it as directed.

Source : NHLBI Health Information Center

TIPS FOR REDUCING SALT AND SODIUM WHEN EATING OUT

• Ask how foods are prepared. Ask that they be prepared without added salt, MSG, or salt-containing ingredients. Most restaurants are willing to accommodate requests.
• Know the terms that indicate high sodium content: pickled, cured, smoked, soy sauce, broth.
• Move the salt shaker away.
• Limit condiments, such as mustard, ketchup, pickles, and sauces with salt-containing ingredients.
• Choose fruit or vegetables, instead of salty snack foods.

Source : NHLBI Health Information Center

TIPS FOR REDUCING SALT AND SODIUM TO LOWERING BLOOD PRESSURE

• Choose low- or reduced-sodium, or no-salt-added versions of foods and condiments when available.
• Choose fresh, frozen, or canned (low-sodium or no-salt-added) vegetables.
• Use fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat, rather than canned, smoked, or processed types.
• Choose ready-to-eat breakfast cereals that are lower in sodium.
• Limit cured foods (such as bacon and ham); foods packed in brine (such as pickles, pickled vegetables, olives, and sauerkraut); and condiments (such as mustard, horseradish, ketchup, and barbecue sauce). Limit even lower sodium versions of soy sauce and teriyaki sauce. Treat these condiments sparingly as you do table salt.
• Cook rice, pasta, and hot cereals without salt. Cut back on instant or flavored rice, pasta, and cereal mixes, which usually have added salt.
• Choose "convenience" foods that are lower in sodium. Cut back on frozen dinners, mixed dishes such as pizza, packaged mixes, canned soups or broths, and salad dressings—these often have a lot of sodium.
• Rinse canned foods, such as tuna and canned beans, to remove some of the sodium.
• Use spices instead of salt. In cooking and at the table, flavor foods with herbs, spices, lemon, lime, vinegar, or salt-free seasoning blends. Start by cutting salt in half.

Source : NHLBI Health Information Center