Friday, May 28, 2010

How long do dogs live after being diagnosed with heart worm disease ? (After treatment

How long do dogs live after being diagnosed with heart worm disease ? (After treatment)?
We are thinking about adopting a dog who has minimal heart worm disease. (or so they say) And I was really worried about the fact that if it were to be more severe how long would the poor dog live after treatment? What types of damages can occur in the heart? And also, can it be passed on to humans?
Dogs - 7 Answers
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1 :
If the treatment is successful, especially if the disease is mild and/or caught early, the dog can likely live out its full typical lifespan. It's not transmissible to humans.
2 :
After a treatment at this stage they generally go on to have a normal life. My family dog lived to be 15 after her treatment, and would have lived longer had she not had other health issues. Heartworms come from mosquitoes, not dogs, and while people have been known to get them, it's very, very rare. If it's really minimal , and the dog is otherwise healthy, please give him/her a good home! You won't regret it.
3 :
Dogs in the UK rarely get heart worm disease, however I watch the animal programmes on T.V. There are numerous dogs who have heart worm which is treated and cured. They have tests to prove this. Humans do not get heartworms. Love your new dog, he needs you.
4 :
Many years ago, before the preventative medication, my German Shepherd had several bouts with heartworms. But, still, she lived to age 13. So, if you catch it early and treat it, there's no problem. However, if you live where heartworms are a problem, I'd get him/her treated and put him/her on preventative meds.
5 :
We adopted a 2 y/o Border Collie in Sept. of 2000. He was heartworm + when they found him. He is now going on 10 y/o with no problems associated with the HW.
6 :
Email me, I have a report, but its in pdf and its 61 pages long... Tons of info on heartworm you need to see before you make a decision either way.,
7 :
If a dog is treated successfully and the infestation isn't too terribly severe the dog can recover to live a normal healthy life. In severe untreated infections there can be some damage to the heart. A vet would have to make the assessment if it would at all affect the dog though. With good care, the dog can still live a long happy life. Heart worms from an infected dog can not be passed to humans

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Monday, May 24, 2010

do u think that heart disease, cancer and stroke largely preventable by individual choice

do u think that heart disease, cancer and stroke largely preventable by individual choice?
according to the CDC heart disease, cancer, and stoke are the top 3 leading causes of death in the united states and i just want ur opinion on what u think and why.
Heart Diseases - 7 Answers
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1 :
No - all three have a genetic component so you might get one or more even if you live the healthiest of lifestyles...
2 :
By controlling modifiable risk factors (i.e. smoking, diet/exercise, diabetes/HTN/cholesterol) one can potentially prevent early vascular disease and it's complications. Unfortunately, we can't modify our genes/gender or stop the aging process, so everyone will inevitably develop heart disease/stroke/cancer if they live long enough and don't succumb to something else.
3 :
only to a small degree. take a woman who's mother does everything wrong like no excercise eats all the wrong things smokes and gets built up plaque in arteries and has to surgerically fixed then the daughter is at risk even if she does the complete opposite just because the mother has it.. cancer is in all of us. something triggers it and then depending on when they catch it and what type could be curable.
4 :
Yes but genetics play a factor in all 3
5 :
It depends on what you mean by "individual choice".... Strokes are something people have no control over. There aren't certain things you do in every day life that increase your chance of stroke. It's just genetic. Only certain types of heart diseases can be prevented. Most are buildup in the arteries from years of bad eating. Outside of that, heart disease is genetic as well. Lung, throat and oral cancer can be caused by smoking but that's not the only thing that causes those cancers. Genetics play a major role in the rest of the cancers. The reason they are the top leading causes of death is because they aren't preventable. They aren't things you can catch by standing next to someone with them. They are things that can appear and kill a person quickly or slowly.
6 :
Firstly Heart Disease, Heart disease has two seperate primary factors Lifestyle and genetics. Livestyle factors, such as obesity, too much colestoral and lack of exercise, can be altered by a person's actions however Genetic factors, such as the Aortic Stignosis that i myself suffered from in my youth, can not be. Cancer, rather than a single disease is a number of closely related problems and so to condense it down to a single cause is rather foolish. While some cancers such as Skin, Lung and Throat cancers are known to be brought on by enviromental factors, sunbathing and smoking respectively, However these by themselves are not entire causes, since genetic diseases such as Lupus can increase people's chances of getting cancer. Stroke is primarily caused by a clot in the brain. As such while this can be encouraged by certain enviromental factors it comes down to a number of medical factors. So the awnser is that in some cases they may be preventable or at least have their impact reduced by individual choice but there is no way that we can lay the blame for these conditions at the feet of individuals.
7 :
Genetics play a huge part....but, people can prevent it, or atleast change the outcome by exercising, not smoking, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, and eating right

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Thursday, May 20, 2010

A link between heart disease being the leading cause of death for women, and the birth control pill

A link between heart disease being the leading cause of death for women, and the birth control pill?
I've been researching the pill lately as a birth control option, and the more I read about it, the more alarming I find it. If heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, is there a connection between this and the birth control pill, which from a few prescribing information sheets I've read, list heart attack and stroke as potential side effects? Here's one link that mentions the risk (it plays up the risk as being greater if you smoke, but even if you don't, the risk is still there. Potential heart attack from taking a pill?) http://www.thepill.com/html/ppil/faq.jsp?#faq5
Heart Diseases - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
good for you... being informed is half the battle... pharmaceutical companies would word it differently than you have, and they have.... but then again, they stand to make millions at the cost of women's lives.... I would be willing to bet that most women connected to the top honchos of these companies are not on the pill.
2 :
I'm glad you're informed, but i have a problem with the fact that heart disease is the leading cause of death. The fact is that nobody dies of "old age" anymore. Old people are considered to have died from heart failure because their hearts stop. So I think the government is screwing us over by skewing the statistics. Hope that helps.
3 :
I think the increase in the rate of death from heart disease has more to do with the drastic increases in obesity in women much more so than the pill. The correlation between between obesity and heart disease is well proven. Stroke, etc assocatiated with the pill has more to do with the increased risk of blood clots. I'm a nurse and have been on the pill for 10+ years. The female OB/GYNs I know take the pill also.
4 :
I think there is a link between the pill and cervical cancer also and cysts. You didn't hear about cervical cancer before the pill came along?? So it quite possible for heart disease?

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Sunday, May 16, 2010

According to the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) Heart disease

According to the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) Heart disease ?
According to the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. What factors contribute to heart disease? How do these factors affect the circulatory system?
Heart Diseases - 2 Answers
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1 :
Smoking. Crack Cocaine Meth. Weed
2 :
Smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, family history, and poor eating habits (fats, etc.) all contribute to heart disease. Cholesterol builds up in the blood stream and collects in the blood vessels in your heart. Once the vessels is "plugged" off with cholesterol, no more blood gets to that part of the heart and the muscle begins to die.....(hence the pain and discomfort that comes with a heart attack). Hope that helps

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

What are the benefits of testing positive for having genetic heart disease

What are the benefits of testing positive for having genetic heart disease?
what are some of the positive aspects of a person knowing their status and how they could be affected with some type of heart disease at some point in their life.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered - 8 Answers
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1 :
The person could find ways to maintain his health as long as possible; stop risky behaviours, start healthy ones.
2 :
It allows them to be better prepared to emotionally deal with the situation when it is full blown and it can aid in a person making healthier decisions to offset the prognosis.
3 :
Now they can do something about it even if all they do is write out a will a little earlier.
4 :
If you start to have problems heart related it will be a faster diagnosis and treatment. Also if you ever have a child, doctors will closely monitor the development of the fetal heart for defects and problems as well as through the child's growth and development.
5 :
I guess the main benefit would be that you are more actively aware than most people of how important your health is, and you would be more likely to take precautions and lower your risk of heart disease. It might encourage you to eat better, exercise more, see your doctor more regularly, and know the warning signs for when you have a problem. You could even work to lower your risk below the average! Knowing is better than not knowing, anyway.
6 :
Well knowing you might have a predisposition to heart disease , doesn't mean you will die of heart disease, it just means the chances are good. However that being said, if you know , you can do the lifestyle changes necessary to not have a heart attack. Start exercising regularly , start eating more healthy foods, get regular check ups like ekgs, stress tests etc. Learn to control your stress and your anger by meditation, prayer, yoga whatever works for you. I had a heart attack last november, there is heart disease in my family but it wasn't due to that. I had dehydrated during a flu. So just try and stay as healthy as you can and don't worry you're ill, just try to be content in the situation you're in and work to make it better .
7 :
Forewarned is forearmed. If you know that you have a predisposition for such a problem you can take steps to help prevent it or lessen it's impact on your health.
8 :
if i had known as a child i was born without a closing heart valvue on the right arota it could have been surgically corrected before i had a heart attack

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Saturday, May 8, 2010

Do you know what ischemic heart disease is caused by unstable medium and small bloodvessells? How serious is

Do you know what ischemic heart disease is caused by unstable medium and small bloodvessells? How serious is ?
This ischemic heart disease is not cause by the major arteries of the heart, but rather by the medium and small blood vessels that seemingly the deprived heart muscle causes ultimately a serious blockage of oxygen rich blood.
Heart Diseases - 4 Answers
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1 :
Ischemic heart disease is usually caused by blockages and/or spasms of coronary arteries, the tiny vessels that surround the heart muscle and supply it with oxygenated blood. It is a serious condition because failure of these arteries to supply oxygen can lead to necrosis (tissue death) which is myocardial infarction (heart attack).
2 :
Sudden Cardiac Arest (SCA) is the same i think. ischemic heart diseaseâ€”A serious problem caused by inadequate circulation of blood to the heart muscle. Blood flow to the heart is blocked by obstructions of heart arteries by cholesterol deposits. Ischemic heart disease is the underlying disorder for sudden episodes such as heart attack and sudden death as well as the chronic condition of angina pectoris. Ischemic heart disease is also called coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease.
3 :
Please see the webpages on Ischemic cardimyopathy and Heart disease & stroke. Due to this type of heart disease, the pumping capasity of the blood by the heart is affected. Even though coronary arteries (left & right) are very small, it is considered as very important arteries. "Coronary" is derived from the Latin word "corona" which means "crown". You have to change your life style in order to prevent a second attack.
4 :
Most ischemic heart disease is caused by occlusion in the epicardial vessels, but small capillaries can get occluded as well. Is this what you are thinking of?

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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

if im not fat and dont have family history of it, can i still get heart disease

if im not fat and dont have family history of it, can i still get heart disease?
are there other ways to get heart disease, im thin, and have no history of heart disease, but i have eaten alot of cholesterol in my life, but not to the point of obesity; could that be enough to cause heart disease? yes but i thought the arteries were blocked by fat, so why wouldnt you have to be fat to get it?
Heart Diseases - 9 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
sadly yes...but the chances are 1 to 789
2 :
You bet your ass you can get heart disease. It's the leading cause of male deaths in America.
3 :
yes, you can still get heart disease.
4 :
sure could. how do people that don't smoke get lung cancer? its just luck of the draw i suppose. just cuz its linked to fat people doesn't mean others can't get it.
5 :
heart disease is one of the top killers in the US. if you're that worried about it, talk to your doctor to identify any risk factors for heart disease that you might have. heart disease is more complicated and has more causes than just being overweight.
6 :
Yep. How old are you? You might want to get a cardio-vascular check-up and see how you're doing. The sooner you find out that you've got potential trouble, the sooner you can do something about it. G'Luck
7 :
Yes. Just eat Honey Nut Cheerios and stuff. They are clinically proven to lower cohlesterol.
8 :
You don't have to get fat. Its whether your arteries get damaged on the inside from smoke, chemical irritants in food, or high blood pressure, and the body then messes them up in trying to fix them. If you eat a lot of fruit, and get other antioxidants in you diet, and are a low stress person (don't excite or anger easily, or at all), you may be ok.
9 :
Cholesterol is the fat I believe you are referring to that blocks your ateries. Elevated cholesterol can be a genetic issue. Contrary to popular belief not all obese persons have an elevated cholesterol. Other factors can also lead to heart disease. Diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, diet, stress, lack of exercise etc..... If you are truly worried there are simple blood tests to detect if you are at risk

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Saturday, May 1, 2010

I have heart disease and am gaining weight even though I take diaretics

I have heart disease and am gaining weight even though I take diaretics.?
I had a 5 way bypass in July and take numerous medications. I was wondering if medications for heart disease can make you swell and gain weight. I can't even lift my legs to tie my shoes. This is not normal. I don't even recognize myself any more. My Cardiologist is not worried apparently. My enternest is worried though. I need some answers before I blow up. Becky :)
Heart Diseases - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Cut down on salt. Even on diuretics, if you are ingesting too much salt you will swell. Figure up how much salt you are actually eating, b/c many people eat way too much. Also, be careful with salt substitutes b/c they can do the same if too much is ingested.
2 :
If your legs are swollen, and you have a history of a bypass, it is possible that you have congestive heart failure. I do not think it is your medications. If you are taking a diuretic (or "water pills" which makes you urinate to remove excess body fluids), then you probably need more of it. Have your internist or cardiologist do an echocardiogram and compare it to the one you had prior to your bypass. It will measure how much your ejection fraction is which is a measure of how effective your heart contractions are. If it is low, then you need medication to help your heart work. Check with your doctor. Yes, this is not normal and you might need to optimize the medications you are on.
3 :
If your swelling is that severe, and this is not normal for you, you need to be seen by a doctor soon. Perhaps the cardiologist didn't quite understand the magnitude of the problem as you described it here. See the internist first. If the internist thinks it's a problem the referral from the internist ought to make your cardiologist pay more attention. If you cardiologist continues to dismiss what could be significant health info from you, I'd say change cardiologists....
4 :
Becky, I assume you are staying home eating all day or snacking all day. DIURETICS will prevent weight gain from water retention. See your INTERNIST about a diet or a referral to a nutritionist. I'll bet you are on Coreg or similar. That drug slows the metabolism

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