When you hear the term heart failure, do you immediately think of the heart reaching its limit? If so, that is a misnomer, according to Dr. Waqas Ghumman, MD, F.A.C.C., and Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Care Center at JFK Medical Center.
What's the difference between heart failure and a heart attack?
According to Dr. Ghumman, a heart attack is only one cause of heart failure and occurs when the arteries that feed the heart are blocked, which causes the muscle to die.
On the other hand, heart failure doesn't mean that the heart has failed. The heart has become insufficient in its ability to pump blood through the body. This is the common endpoint for all heart diseases.
How do you prevent heart failure?
The best way to prevent heart failure is to maintain a wholesome lifestyle. This includes having a diet that's rich in fruits and vegetables, getting regular exercise, and taking your medication. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake will also help prevent it. Be sure to speak with your doctor before starting a new health regimen.
What are the treatment options for heart failure?
"It's the fastest-growing area in terms of treatment options," says Dr. Ghumman. Some of these options include medical therapies and lifestyle and dietary modifications. The experts at JFK Medical Center work with their patients to help them take a multi-disciplinary, holistic lifelong approach to improve their overall healthcare.
Heart transplants are rare, so medical experts developed mechanical heart plants that can perform the work when the heart is too weak to function on its own. They're called left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). The LVAD is surgically attached to the left ventricle and the aorta and circulates blood through the body.
The doctors at JFK Medical Center have significant success with the LVAD and continue to do so, as the need continues to grow.
To learn more about Dr. Waqas Ghumman, click here.
To learn more about JFK Medical center, visit their website at jfkmc.com.
