Treating Heart Failure: The Smartest Approach

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Very, very serious problem. After 8 years of dealing with going in and out of hospitals and being on pumps I finally got a new heart. Had complications because I got CMV from the donor but I am now starting to recover. My advice is to find a good doctor and follow his/her instructions. I did. My hometown cardiologist directed me to RWJ in New Jersey to Dr. Wood and Dr.Arroyo when he could no longer help me. Best Doctors in the world. I also had one of the best surgeons, Dr. Anderson. I am living proof. At first I was thankful I didn't have a heart attack, but during the last eight years I realized how debilitating the disease is, and how mortal we are. But my Doctors stayed with me day and night and have been monitoring since.

Ernie of NJ 11:12PM March 31, 2010

it would also help if the patients were compliant with their diets and taking their medications. I see alot of people who don't want to change their lifestyle no matter how many videos we show, how much we teach, how many handouts given. some it is a matter of money for purchasing their medications, my hospital does it's best to help with that situation, but sometimes it is also a matter of choosing between buying cigarettes or medications.

Patti of NC 12:53PM March 07, 2010

First-rate Post.
Thank you for the details.

electroniccigarettes of AL 1:44PM September 17, 2009

partially pnas below cupcake 20th

kyrkbeaud of KY 2:10AM August 16, 2009

I've read that the Cleveland Clinic is repairing or replacing the tricuspid valve by a mimimally invasive surgery. Is that being done at any other hospital

Yves Fava of FL 2:47PM July 26, 2009

It was explained to me that Patient Advocates are there to warn the hospital of potential law suits. If this person ignores you, you might consider ramping up your compliant with this in mind to get their attention.
Most medical people will admit this but rarely volunteer it - 50% of the population have no change in blood pressure by going on a salt restricted diet.
My doctor put me on meds and told me to go on a low salt diet. I told him I would take the meds starting next month but will go on a salt restricted diet for a month before - just to see if I were one of those who did not have to restrict sodium.
I went on a diet restricting the obvious sodium containing foods and also saccharin, celery and tomatoes, which naturally contain sodium. I used lemon juice to add some tang to my chicken and salads.
No change in my BP after a month of this.
No sense needlessly restricting your diet if you don't have to. Many animals require salt. We have too much fat and sugar in our diets - I think this is more dangerous for most people than salt (if salt is dangerous at all).
Chinese and Japanese have salt in their diets - fish, pickles, etc. They tend to have good health until they follow the American diet. They don't have a lot of red meat and butter and sugar.
These are just some things to consider/discuss when your doc puts you on a special diet.

Joan Dalton of TN 4:20AM July 14, 2009

Unless you have a family member who is there for you to look after your concerns in a hospital or ER setting then your out of luck in many WELL KNOWN hospitals..Been thru this many times and forget the patient sdvocates they cant be reached and they never return calls.What a mess we are in!...same goes for nursing homes...

Gigi Rivalta of FL 3:09PM July 13, 2009

Dr. Bashore (Cardiologist) at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC was addament when he said he was not going to replace my heart valves. He has medicated me (like mentioned in the article) and put me on a reduced salt diet and I feel strong campared to the way I felt when I first began treatment I have another Cardiologist in Corpus Christi who was not aware of my sudden failure because I was traveling to Durham, NC to see my Doctor Son--in-law and daughter when this happened. I feel very fortunate to have been so well cared for away from home. They seem to have followed the guide lines mentioned in your article at Duke! I have been under Bashore's treatment since last August.

Ralph Storm of TX 2:51PM July 13, 2009

Discharged from a CCC, its been 31 days waiting to see a cardiac electrophyscist - their offices don't answer phone calls for appointments, or they "aren't in," do not answer their own colleagues' phone calls (to get help for their patients), or they lie about affiliations, so existing on a 24/7 EEG/cardiac monitor for 30 days only adds to the enormous stress that builds up between diagnosis and treatment, well known in the "medical profession." So, what is our option - to claim age discrimination?
At least in Texas's west counties, health care sucks while we got nuts.

Old formerly healthy colonial of TX 2:40PM July 13, 2009