BLS, ACLS & PALS Classes | CPR Tampa in Palm Harbor

When people hear about heart failure, they tend to think that the ticker has stopped working which isn’t the case. The term “heart failure” (HF) means that the ticker isn’t pumping at the capacity required to meet the body’s need for oxygenated blood. The ticker, to make up for its inability to supply the body, does three things- it enlarges, pumps faster and builds more muscle mass. Although these measures initially mask the effects of HF, the problem doesn’t get resolved, and eventually HF will worsen as the ticker makes up by taking these measures. HF Symptoms: Shortness of breath; difficulty breathing while lying down; weight gain; feeling fatigued or weak; swelling in the feet, legs, ankles or stomach- are common symptoms of HF. Note down if you are suspicious that you are having symptoms of HF so that you are able to discuss it with your doctor. HF Causes: HF causes can vary, and most often it results from other conditions that have weakened or damaged a person’...

Heart or cardiovascular disease is the world’s leading cause of death. Having high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels (particularly “bad” LDL) is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Making a few lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking and regular exercise can be highly beneficial, particularly your diet has a powerful effect on your cholesterol and other risk factors. Before talking about the cholesterol-lowering foods, learn more about the life-saving CPR procedure. The life-saving CPR procedure comprises chest compressions and rescue breaths. Proper application can revive the life of a cardiac arrest victim. There are courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers. Learn more about a “ BLS class Tampa :” Basic Life Support Classes - This CPR class certifies nursing students, medical students, dental students, paramedics, physical therapy students and ALL Other Healthcare Providers and Employees in any Medical Fiel...

It is the valves of the ticker that allow nutrient-rich blood to flow through the chambers of your heart. The valves are supposed to close completely after ushering in blood flow. The case isn’t the same for diseased heart valves, they aren’t always able to perform the job as well as they should. Let’s focus on stenosis , or a narrowing of the blood vessels. Stenosis causes a less-than-normal amount of blood to flow to the ticker, causing the muscle to work harder. Leaky valves can also cause trouble. A valve may remain slightly open (instead of entirely closing), letting blood flow backwards, known as regurgitation . Fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, cyanosis, lightheadedness, chest pain and fluid retention (particularly in the lower limbs) are some signs of valvular heart disease. A solution of valvular heart disease is heart valve repair, or a total replacement of the affected valve in some people because of the damage being too far advanced. Types O...

If you have heart failure (HF), there are several things you can do to improve your quality of life, which includes Regular Exercise - A regular cardiovascular exercise program, prescribed by your healthcare provider will not only help improve your strength and make you feel better, but may also decrease heart failure progression. Prevent Respiratory Infections - Consult with your doctor regarding flu and pneumonia vaccines. A Healthy Diet - Limit your sodium consumption to less than 2000 milligrams or 2 grams each day. Consider eating foods high in fiber, and limit foods high in trans fat, cholesterol and sugar. If necessary, reduce total daily calorie intake to lose weight. Do Not Go Overboard - Try and plan your activities and include rest periods during the day. Activities like pushing or pulling heavy objects and shoveling may worsen heart failure and its symptoms. Take Medications Exactly As Prescribed - First contact your doctor, only then should you be ta...

Hypertensive heart disease refers to a group of disorders that includes heart failure (HF), ischemic heart disease, and left ventricular hypertrophy (excessive thickening of the heart muscle), and it is the number one cause of death associated with high blood pressure. Heart Failure (HF): Heart failure doesn’t mean the ticker has stopped working, rather, it means that the ticker’s pumping power is weaker than normal or the heart has become less elastic. Blood moves through the pumping chambers of the ticker less effectively with heart failure, and pressure in the ticker increases, making it harder for your heart to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your body. The heart’s chambers respond by stretching to hold more blood to compensate for reduced pumping power, which keeps the blood moving, but over time, the heart muscle walls may weaken and become unable to pump as strongly. The kidneys, as a result often respond by causing the body to retain fluid and sodium. The fluid builds...

A heart condition such as Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), heart failure (HF), high blood pressure (HBP), or even high cholesterol can be worrisome which could become a problem. It can be a vicious cycle as stress can further worsen your heart conditions. Hormones formed by your body in response to stress can play a role in causing inflammation in your arteries that could be life-threatening. In addition to that, stress also raises your risk for diabetes. Some people try to handle their anxiety in unhealthy ways, such as drinking too much, overeating, or smoking. Trying to prevent stress completely doesn’t usually work, instead find ways to deal with it when it happens. The best way to handle out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies is by getting CPR trained in a certified training center, such as the AHA certified CPR Tampa in Palm Harbor. Courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers are offered. Learn more about an “ ACLS class Palm Harbor ”: Advanced Cardiac Life Sup...

An arrhythmia, also called an irregular heartbeat occurs when electrical impulses in the heart don’t work properly. There may be no symptoms, alternatively, symptoms may include a fluttering in the chest, chest pain, fainting or dizziness. There are many types of arrhythmias including 1.       Premature atrial contractions, 2.       Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), 3.       Atrial fibrillation, 4.       Atrial flutter, 5.       Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), 6.       Accessory pathway tachycardias, 7.       Ventricular tachycardia, 8.       Ventricular fibrillation, 9.       Long QT syndrome, 10.   Bradyarrhythmias 11.   Sinus node dysfunction, 12.   AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Ventricular...