Speaking of Heart Attacks (An Invaluable Guide to Detect and Prevent Heart Diseases)

Speaking of Heart Attacks (An Invaluable Guide to Detect and Prevent Heart Diseases)

  • $23.00
    Unit price per 
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.


Book Specification

Item Code: NAM327
Author: Carola Halhuber and Max J. Halhuber
Publisher: Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
Language: English
Edition: 2010
ISBN: 9788120702615
Pages: 128 (21 B/W Illustrations)
Cover: Paperback
Other Details 8.5 inch x 5.5 inch
Weight 170 gm

Book Description

About the Book

This book informs persons who risk or have sustained a heart attack as a result of coronary artery disease how it is possible to help them and how they may help themselves.

In this new volume of the Medical Adviser Series two experienced cardiologists, who have been involved for many years in research of the causes and consequences of this disease, give a comprehensive description of heart attack and its effects. They answer questions which are brought up daily by those who are affected by heart attack and coronary disease in general.

Yet another purpose of this book is to make patients specialists of their particular chronic disease with the cooperation of their physician. The book is meant to become a reliable adviser on the way to a 'second life', one which may be consulted at any time by patients and their families.

About the Author

Carola Halhuber, M.D., born in 1936 in Baden-Baden, received her medical education at the Universities of Freiburg, Vienna, Berlin and Munster.

She was head of the Clinic of Cardio-vascular Disease in Baden-Baden and of the private Hospital "Lauterbacher Muehle" for coronary patients at Osterseen in Bavaria from 1964 to 1974. Since 1974 she has worked in the intensive care unit of the County Hospital in Munich-Pasing.

She is a trustee member of the German society concerned with the dangers of addiction, speaker for a group of specialists on smoking, and head of an outpatient coronary group.

Max J. Halhuber, MD., Professor of Medicine, born in 1916 in Innsbruck, studied medicine in Innsbruck, Vienna, Freiburg, Paris, and Boston.

He was chief resident of the University Hospital in Innsbruck until 1967. Since 1968 he has been the medical director of the Hoehenried Hospital for Cardio- vascular Disease.

He is professor of medicine at the University of Innsbruck and the Technical University of Munich.

Preface

In Germany the patient with a heart attack is referred to a special center for cardiac rehabilitation after his hospitalization for acute care. One such center in Bavaria is run by Dr. Max Halhuber who shares his experience and knowledge with us in this book, written for the patient and his family.

In the United States we have superb facilities for care during the acute phase of the heart attack. However, we neglect the important rehabilitation and reconditioning process and put up with the high cost, both socially and economically, of prolonged disability and premature retirement.

A statement was made to me by one of the officials of a Blue Shield plan when challenged over the Blue Plan's policy of not paying for a rehabilitation program. He stated, "The Blue Plans are in business to insure against acute illness. We are not in the business of prevention nor in the business of rehabilitation, much as we applaud their aims." If the individual is fortunate enough to have major medical coverage, rehabilitation programs may be covered.

It is unfortunate in these days of pressures for cost containment in medical care that we neglect rehabilitation and secondary prevention. As a matter of fact, even primary prevention programs suffer.

It has been estimated that in the United States coronary disease strikes 21/2 million individuals, and that one in five men can expect to have a heart attack before age 60. While institutional rehabilitation will probably never come to this country, and, indeed, is probably not needed, we must find a higher priority for prevention and rehabilitation programs.

Dr. Halhuber has a lot to tell us about coronary artery disease and heart attacks, and this book offers a large amount of medical information in terms understandable by patients and their family.

Contents

Preface 8
Why This Book Is Important to Us 9
1 What Is a Heart Attack and Why Does It Occur? 12
2 Risk Factors 18
Life-Style and Habits Which May Lead to a Heart Attack 18
Risk Factor: Elevated Blood Fat Levels 18
Risk Factor: Low Levels of HDL-High Levels of LDL-Cholesterol 20
Risk Factor: Diabetes 22
Evaluation of blood glucose and urinary sugar 22
Risk Factor: Elevated Uric Acid in the Blood (Hyperuricemia) 23
Risk Factor: Overweight 23
Risk Factor: High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) 24
Risk Factor: Cigarette Smoking 25
Risk Factor: Lack of Exercise 26
Risk Factor: Hereditary Factors 26
Risk Factor: Inflammations and Infections 26
Risk Factor: Contraceptive Pills 27
Risk Factor: Psycho-Social Stress and Risk Personality 27
What Are Your Personal Risk Factors? 30
Can Heart Attacks and Re-Infarctions Be Prevented? 31
3 Cardio-Vascular Diagnostic Workshop 34
What Complaints and Symptoms May Indicate 34
The Physical Examination 41
EKG at Rest and Work (Bicycle Ergometry) 42
Fluoroscopy and X-Rays 43
Special Examinations 43
Coronary angiography 43
Swan Gans catheter 47
Heart scintiscan 48
Echo-cardiography 49
Discussion of the Results of an Examination 50
4 The Impending Heart Attack and the Acute State 52
The First Signs of a Heart Attack 52
Symptoms of the Acute Stage 54
The Dangers of the First Hours 56
What Can Relatives Do If a Heart Attack Is Suspected? 57
What Should the Patient and Relatives NOT Do? 59
Immediate Measures for Resuscitation 59
Heart massage and artificial respiration (mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose) 60
5 What Happens in the Intensive Care Unit? 62
Life-Saving Intensive Care 62
Early Mobilization 65
6 What Is the Emotional Reaction to a Heart Attack? 70
Fear and Depression 70
Repression and Dissimulation 70
How Should One React? 71
7 Surgica Help 73
The By-Pass Operation 73
Aneurysmectomy 75
Other Blood Vessel Surgery 75
The Pacemaker 75
8 Comprehensive Follow-Up Care 80
Goals and Means of Rehabilitation 80
Arguments in Favor of Clinical Early Rehabilitation (in Europe) 81 81
Outpatient Coronary Care (Anti-Coronary Club) 82
Insurance Company Involvement on Post-Myocardial Infarction Care and Rehabilitation in the United States 83
9 Learning to Live with the Effects of a Heart Attack 84
Different Interpretations of Coronary Symptoms after a Heart Attack 84
Becoming Productive and Enjoying Life Again 85
Long-Term Drug Therapy 86
Drug treatment for "coronary insufficiency" 87
Nitrates 88
Beta blockers 89
Drugs to minimize irregularities in the cardiac rhythm 89
Digitalis 90
Anticoagulant drugs 90
Medication to help lower risk factors treating hyperlipidemia 92
Treating hyperuricemia 92
Treating hypertension 92
Medication to encourage weight loss 93
Eating What the Heart Desires 93
A healthier diet 99
Are alcohol, coffee, or tea permissible? 104
From Smoker to Ex-Smoker 104
Aids to help you quit smoking 105
Oral satisfaction 107
Withdrawal symptoms and how to overcome them 107
Balanced Exercise That Is Fun 108
Exercise therapy and sports for the coronary patient 109
Which exercises should be avoided? 110
Adjusting to Stress 110
10 Assistance for a Second Life 112
Partnership and Sexuality 112
Problems with libido and potency 113
Secret fears 114
The coronary patient as a spoiled child 118
Sexual and personal life-fulfillment 118
Work and Social Life 119
Leisure Time and Vacation 120
Appendix 123
Herbs for Salt-Free, Low-Salt Diets 123
Try these favorites for starters 123
Other seasonings to bring out food flavors 124
Tips from the Experts 126
Index 127

Sample Pages










We Also Recommend