Tag Archives: Heart disease

Factors Of Heart Disease

What Are The Risk Factors Of Heart Disease?

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There are several risk factors for heart disease and each one has its symptoms and treatment. Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect your heart including a disease of the heart muscle and blood vessel diseases such as coronary artery disease.  Heart disease may also include heart rhythm and congenital heart defects. Several forms of heart disease can be prevented and treated with healthy lifestyle choices. 

Chest pain

Symptoms of Heart Disease

  • Chest tightness or discomfort 
  • Pain in the throat, neck, or jaw
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Racing heartbeat 
  • Fluttering in your chest 
  • Easily tiring during exercise or activity 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Changes in your heart rhythm 
  • Fainting 

Heart disease is easier to treat when detected early, so talk to your health care provider about your concerns regarding your heart health. This is especially important if you have a family history of heart disease.

Risk Factors of Heart Disease

  • Age: As you age, you increase your risk of damaged and narrowed arteries and a weakened or thickened heart muscle.
  • Stress: Unrelieved stress may damage your arteries and worsen other risk factors for heart disease.
  • Sex: Men are mostly at greater risk of heart disease. Women are at risk after menopause.
  • Family history: A family history of this disease increases your risk of coronary artery disease, especially if a parent developed it before age 55 for a male relative and 65 for a female relative.
  • Smoking: Nicotine tightens your blood vessels, and carbon monoxide can damage their inner lining which makes them more susceptible to atherosclerosis.
  • Poor diet: A diet that’s high in fat, cholesterol, salt, and sugar can contribute to the development of heart disease.
  • Obesity: Excess weight typically worsens other heart disease risk factors.
  • High blood pressure: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can result in hardening and thickening of your arteries which narrows the vessels through which blood flows.
  • Diabetes: Diabetes increases your risk of heart disease. Both conditions share similar risk factors, such as obesity and high blood pressure.
  • High blood cholesterol levels: High levels of cholesterol in your blood can increase the risk of plaque formation and atherosclerosis.
  • Physical inactivity: Lack of exercise also is linked with several forms of heart disease and some of its other risk factors as well.

Treatment for Heart Disease

The type of treatment you receive depends on the type of heart disease you have. In general, treatment for heart disease usually includes:

  • Lifestyle changes such as eating a low-fat and low-sodium diet, getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week, limiting alcohol intake, and quitting smoking
  • Medications that may be prescribed by your doctor to control heart disease. 
  • Medical surgery or procedures if medications are not enough. 

Medications that can be taken for heart disease may include:

Buy Simvastatin

What Condition Does Simvastatin Treat?

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Simvastatin is in the family of medications called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors or also known as statins. This drug is used for lowering blood levels of bad cholesterol. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Simvastatin in 1991. 

What condition does Simvastatin treat?

Simvastatin is mostly prescribed by many doctors to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Raising good cholesterol instead of bad cholesterol lessens the risk of heart disease and prevents heart attacks and strokes. Your doctor will also prescribe you Simvastatin if you have:

How does Simvastatin work?

Simvastatin is a statin medication that works in various ways;

  • It stops the production of cholesterol by blocking the enzyme that makes cholesterol.
  • It helps reabsorb existing cholesterol. Your body needs cholesterol to achieve certain tasks and these include absorbing vitamin D, helping you make hormones, and digesting food. If statins lower your cholesterol level, your body can’t acquire the cholesterol it needs from your circulating blood. As an alternative, your body needs to find other sources of cholesterol by reabsorbing cholesterol that has built up as plaques containing bad cholesterol in your arteries.

What is the dosage of Simvastatin?

  • Before you start the treatment, carefully read the manufacturer’s information. It will give you more facts about Simvastatin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
  • Take one dose of Simvastatin every day particularly in the evening. Your doctor will tell you which strength of the medicine is accurate for you.
  • You can take each dose of the medicine before or after every meal.
  • With a full glass of water, swallow the medicine whole. Let your doctor know if you have any problems swallowing.
  • While you are taking Simvastatin, do not drink grapefruit juice at any time. A certain chemical that the grapefruit juice contains might increase the amount of the drug in your bloodstream. This increases the risk of some side effects and might make them being more serious.
  • Leave out the missed dose if you forget to take a dose. However, make sure that you remember to take your next dose on the following evening. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

What are the precautions in using Simvastatin?

  • Women taking this drug should prevent from getting pregnant. Make sure to talk with your doctor about what types of contraception are appropriate for you and your partner.
  • Simvastatin treatment is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. You must continue to take it regularly.
  • Taking this drug may cause some side effects. If it occurs, let your doctor know right away if side effects get worse or do not go away.
  • Your doctor will give you advice about eating a healthy diet, lessening the amount of alcohol you usually drink, stopping smoking, decreasing the quantity of salt in your diet, and taking regular exercise. Following the pieces of advice given will also help you to lessen your risk of developing blood vessel and heart disease.

Several medicines are not right for people with certain conditions, and might only be used if extra care is taken. It is important that before you start taking Simvastatin your doctor must know if you:

  • Are breastfeeding pregnant, or planning to be pregnant
  • Have any problems with the way your liver works, or if you have liver disease
  • Have an underactive thyroid gland
  • Have a problem with unexplained muscle pains
  • Have ever had a muscle disorder
  • Have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine
  • Have any problems with the way your kidneys work
  • Regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol
  • Are taking any other medicines. This is mainly important because there are lots of medicines that must not be taken with Simvastatin. Some medicines will affect the dose of this prescription that your doctor has given you. Also make sure that your doctor knows of any remedies you are taking especially non-prescription, herbal, and complementary medicines.

Price of Simvastatin vs. Zocor

The generic Simvastatin seems to be a very safe medication and is unusual to have any side effects. Simvastatin only costs $28.19, 5 mg per 30 tabs at Rx2go.Com. The brand name Zocor cost $58.95 with the same strength and quantity. In which, Simvastatin is a lot cheaper than Zocor.

Treating Heart Disease and Kidney Problems

Treating Heart Disease and Kidney Problems

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Captopril is an oral prescription drug. It can to treat heart disease and kidney problems. It is also use to improve survival after a heart attack.

Captopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It is a medication that can slow the activity of ACE from making the blood vessels narrow.

What condition does Captopril treats?

Captopril can treat:

Captopril can prevent:

How does Captopril works?

Captopril works by relaxing and opening your blood vessels. It inhibits the activity of ACE. As a result, your blood vessel will enlarge and your blood pressure decreases. This allows your heart to pump blood easier. The function of your failing heart improves too. If you have disease in your kidney’s blood vessels, the progression will slow down.

What is the dosage in taking Captopril?

  • The recommended dosage in treating high blood pressure in adult is 25-50 mg for 2-3 times a day.
  • For heart failure, the recommended dose is 6.25-12.5 mg 3 times a day. The maximum dose is 450 mg a day.
  • For kidney problem, take 25 mg every 8 hours.
  • Take captopril on an empty stomach one to two hours before meal.

How to take Captopril?

  • Take captopril as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Take the medication one hour before the meal.
  • Do not use this prescription medication longer than the recommended dose.
  • While taking captopril drink plenty of water.
  • If you have high blood pressures use the medication even if you feel well.

What are the precautions in taking Captopril?

  • Ask your doctor if Captopril is safe for you to take even if you have:
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Organ transplant
  • Heart disease
  • Captopril can cause severe allergic reaction. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic with any ingredients of Captopril.
  • Captopril can increase the level of potassium. Consult your doctor if you are taking any salt supplements.
  • Captopril is not recommended during pregnancy. It can harm the unborn child.
  • Captopril is not recommended for use in children 18 years below.

Costs of Generic Captopril vs Branded

Generic Captopril is cheaper than the brand named Capoten. Captopril 12.5 mg costs $0.23 per unit price or $20.85 for 90 caps. While the branded Capoten 12.5 mg costs $0.46 per unit price or $ 40.95 for 90 caps.

This Medication Controls Blood Sugar in People with Type 2 Diabetes

This Medication Controls Blood Sugar in People with Type 2 Diabetes

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Gliclazide is an anti-diabetic medication. It is used to control the blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Gliclazide can lower your blood sugar by increasing the amount of insulin in your body. It is used when exercise, weight reduction and diet are not enough to control your blood sugar level.

This medication is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

What are the uses of Gliclazide?

Gliclazide helps control your blood sugar. It is used along with:

  • Proper diet
  • Exercise program

Controlling your blood sugar prevents you from having:

How does Gliclazide works?

Gliclazide works by:

  • increasing the amount of insulin produced by your pancreas
  • helps the body use insulin properly

Insulin controls the amount of sugar in your blood.

What is the dose in taking Gliclazide?

The recommended dose ranges from 80 mg to 320mg (4 x 80 mg tablets) a day. Dose can be taken into two equally divided doses. The maximum daily dose is 320 mg. For slow-released, the maximum daily dose is 120 mg a day.

How to take Gliclazide?

  • Read the product label.
  • Take Gliclazide as directed by your doctor.
  • Take this medication by mouth. It is best to take this with food.
  • Take the medicine once a day. But if your dose is higher, you may take the tablet two times a day. Talk to your doctor.
  • For the extended released, you have to swallow the tablet whole. Do not chew or crush the tablet.
  • For missed dose, take the dose as soon as you remember. Do not double-up your dose.

What are the precautions in taking Gliclazide?

Do not take Gliclazide if:

  • You have:
  1. Diabetes type 1
  2. Sever kidney disease
  3. Sever liver disease
  4. Heart failure
  • You’re pregnant
  • You’re allergic to this medication with symptoms such as:
  1. Shortness of breath
  2. Difficulty breathing
  3. Swelling of face, tongue and other parts of the body
  4. Rashes
  5. Fainting
  • Tell your doctor if:
  1. You’re taking medicines called beta-blockers
  2. You do not have regular meals
  3. You have G6PD deficiency
  • Do not skip meal while taking this medicine.

Costs of Generic Gliclazide vs Brand Diamicron

The generic brand Gliclazide is cheaper than the brand name Diamicron. Gliclazide 80 mg costs $0.32 per unit price or $32.00 for 100 tabs. While the branded Diamicron 80 mg costs $0.81 per unit price or $91.29 for 100 tabs.

Buy Atorvastatin

Medication To Reduce the Risk of Heart-Attack

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Atorvastatin is a prescription medication. It is used among patients with high level of cholesterol including patients with certain inherited cholesterol disorders. It is also used to reduce the risk of heart attack among patients with high blood pressure and who have at least three additional risk factors for heart disease like:

  • Having a type 2 diabetes
  • Family history of heart disease
  • Abnormalities on the ECG
  • An enlarged heart ventricles
  • Smoking
  • Being older than 55 years old

Atorvastatin belongs to the group of drug known as a statin or HMG CoA reductase inhibitors or lipid metabolism regulators. It helps lower the bad cholesterol such as the triglycerides and LDL or low-density lipoprotein while it raises the good cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterols are fats in your body which can be dangerous to your health if they are too much.

Statins work by reducing the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood. It prevents the cholesterol from building up in the arteries and from clogging the arteries. Lowering the bad fats raises the good fats thus decreasing the risk of heart attack. Lowering the bad cholesterols also helps prevent stroke among patients with diabetes.

How to use Atorvastatin?

The recommended dose for an adult is 10mg to 20mg once a day. Take this medication at night with or without food. The maximum dose for an adult should not exceed 80 mg a day. For children 10 to 17 years of age, their dose is 10 mg to 20 mg once a day.

If you are taking other medications, take it one hour before or 4 hours after taking Atorvastatin. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while using this drug. Take this drug regularly to get the most benefit from it. Continue taking this drug even if you feel well.

What are the side effects of Atorvastatin?

Some of the side effects are:

  • Diarrhea
  • Joint pain
  • Confusion
  • Heartburn
  • A runny nose, coughing and sneezing
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Memory loss
  • Symptoms of high blood sugar

Serious side effects are:

  • Allergic reaction
  • Muscle damage with symptoms like unexplained muscle pain, discolored urine and weakness

Important Information

  • This medication is not suitable for pregnant women. It is not also advisable for patients with chronic liver disease to take this drug.
  • Statins like atorvastatin can cause serious muscle problems. Consult your doctor first before using this medication.
  • It is important to take this medication along with lifestyle change like having a proper diet, exercise, weight loss and by stopping smoking.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

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Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a disease that occurs in the heart. It develops when there’s damage in the flow of blood in your arteries. This supplies blood into your heart.

CAD is a common form of heart disease. A heart attack is the first sign of CAD. It affects millions of people in the US. It’s also one of the leading causes of death to both men and women.

This condition can also lead to different complication. But there’s a way you can do to prevent and treat this kind of disease. A medication and lifestyle change can be of great help to decrease your risk.

What Causes Coronary Artery Disease?

The cause of this disease is a plaque that builds up in the wall of arteries. The damage may be caused by the following:

  • Smoking
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

The symptoms of CAD are the following:

  • Chest Pain (Angina)
  • Short Breathing
  • Chest Tightness
  • Numbness
  • Squeezing
  • Aching
  • Painful feeling
  • Burning
  • Heart Attack

The above-said symptoms may be mistaken as indigestion or heartburn.

Other symptoms that you may experience are:

  • Pain in the arms/shoulder
  • Sweating
  • Dizziness
  • Muscle Pain
  • Palpitations
  • Faster Heartbeat
  • Nausea

More symptoms are arising along the way if you’re blood flow becomes restricted. If the blockage will occur. It cut off your blood flow, this can result in a heart attack.

Seek for a medical attention. If you happen to experience the symptoms listed above.

SYMPTOMS OF CAD IN WOMEN

Women can experience the same symptoms. But they are more likely to experience the following:

  • Back Pain
  • Jaw pain
  • Short Breathing without chest pain
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea

DIAGNOSIS

In doing the diagnosis of CAD, it requires the following:

  • Review of your Medical History
  • Physical Exam
  • Other Medical Testing

After the doctor has done the above-said test. A different test will follow such as:

  • Electrocardiogram
  • Echocardiogram
  • Stress Test
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Heart CT scan

PREVENTION TIPS TO AVOID CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

The following are prevention tips to avoid developing the disease. And to improve your heart health such as:

  • Quit Smoking.
  • Stay physically active.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
  • Reduce and manage stress.
  • Control health condition (e.g high blood pressure, high cholesterol & diabetes)
  • Limit your alcohol.

HOW TO TREAT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

The treatment for CAD requires a lifestyle change and medical drugs if needed. A medical procedure can also perform.

The drugs may include:

  • Aspirin
  • Beta Blockers
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Cholesterol-modifying Medication
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE)
  • Nitroglycerin
  • Ranolazine

Some option treatment may include:

  • Angioplasty and Stent Placement (percutaneous coronary revascularization)
  • Coronary Bypass Surgery
  • Enhanced External Counterpulsation

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR CAD:

  • Fish and Fish Oil
  • Flax and Flaxseed Oil
  • Omega-3 fatty acids

Other supplements include:

  • Artichoke
  • Barley
  • Beta-sitosterol
  • Cocoa
  • Garlic
  • Oat Bran
  • Sitostanol

Protecting the Kidney from Damage Due to Diabetes

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Irbesartan is an oral prescriptive drug. It belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers. Irbesartan is used to lower blood pressure. It’s also given to help your kidneys work well if you are suffering from type 2 diabetes.

Lowering your blood pressure can help you reduce the following risk:

  • Heart attack
  • Kidney failure
  • Loss of vision
  • Heart disease
  • Damage to the blood vessels, heart and brain
  • Stroke

How does Irbesartan works?

Irbesartan works by blocking the actions of certain substances that tighten the blood vessels. It relaxes the blood vessel allowing your blood to flow smoothly and your heart to pump blood well. Irbesartan also allows your kidneys to remove extra salt and water. This helps lower your blood pressure.

What are the uses of Irbesartan?

Irbesartan can treat:

  • High blood pressure
  • Protect the kidney from damage due to diabetes
  • Heart failure

How to use Irbesartan?

Use Irbesartan as directed by your doctor. Read all information and follow all instructions closely.

  • Take Irbesartan once a day by mouth with or without food.
  • Take this medicine at the same time of day.
  • Keep taking Irbesartan even if you feel well.
  • Do not miss doses to gain the most benefit.
  • Drink lots of non-caffeine liquids.
  • Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But do not double the missed dose.

Inform your doctor if your situation does not improve or if it worsens.

What is the dosage for Irbesartan?

Your dose, how often should you take the medication and form depends on:

  • Medical condition
  • Response to treatment
  • Your age

The recommended dosage in treating high blood pressure is 150 mg once a day. Your doctor may increase your medication to 300 mg a day. For kidney problem due to diabetes the recommended dosage is 300 mg per day.

What are the precautions in using Irbesartan?

Before taking Ibesartan inform your doctor about all your medical conditions such as:

  • If you are allergic to Ibesartan or any of the ingredients in the tablet.
  • If you are diabetic or you have a heart failure.
  • If you are breastfeeding.

Observe the following precautions when taking Irbesartan.

  • Avoid driving or any activity that requires you to be alert. This medicine can make you dizzy.
  • Check whether this drug is safe to take with your other medications.
  • Check your blood pressure often.
  • Reduce your alcohol intake.
  • Drink plenty of fluids especially during hot days.
  • Talk to your doctor if you are on low-salt.

Irbesartan comes with many warnings:

  1. Pregnant women – This drug may harm or be fatal to your unborn baby.
  2. Nursing women -If Irbesartan passes through the milk, it can cause serious effects in the child.
  3. For seniors – Older adults process the drug slowly. You need a lower dose if you are an older adult or a different schedule.
  4. For children – Irbesartan is not recommended to use for those who are 18 years and under.
  5. Allergy – This drug can cause severe allergic reactions which can be fatal. Symptoms may include hives, swelling of throat and trouble breathing.

Pharmacy costs of Irbesartan

The generic Irbesartan is cheaper than the brand named Avapro. But both drugs have the same active ingredients. Irbesartan 150 mg costs $0.74 per unit price or $73.99 for 90 tabs. While the branded Avapro 150 mg costs $6.36 per unit price or $190.89 for 30 tabs.