100 Questions & Answers about Congestive Heart Failure

Foreword vii Introduction 1(2) Part 1: The Basics 3(22) Questions 1--12 provide background information for understanding CHF, covering such topics as: What is congestive heart failure (CHF)? Is CHF serious? Is there a cure for heart failure? Part 2: Diagnosis 25(10) Questions 12--24 discuss how CHF is diagnosed: How is CHF diagnosed? What is an echocardiogram? Part 3: Exacerbations 35(22) Questions 25--38 address exacerbations, or periods of worsening CHF symptoms: What is an ``exacerbation'' of CHF? How do I know if my CHF is getting worse? What is a CHF action plan? Part 4: Treatment 57(36) Questions 39--70 describe the types of treatments available for CHF (including medication, surgery, and complementary and alternative therapies) and address the challenges of evaluating treatment options. What are the usual medications that doctors prescribe CHF patients? Are pacemakers used to treat heart failure? Is alternative or complementary medicine helpful for CHF? Part 5: Rehabilitation 93(8) Questions 71--78 cover the goals and benefits of cardiac rehabilitation programs: What is cardiac rehabilitation? Is cardiac rehabilitation helpful for patients with CHF? Part 6: Heart Valves 101(10) Questions 79--86 are concerned with issues that arise from living with CHF: What are the heart valves? How can problems with the heart valves cause heart failure? What causes valve disease? Part 7: Managing Your CHF 111(16) Questions 87--92 provide important information on managing your CHF: What is an arrhythmia? I thought low blood pressure was a good thing. Why is my doctor concerned about my low blood pressure? Is depression common with CHF? Part 8: Surviving CHF 127(32) Questions 93--99 discuss how to live a quality life with CHF: What can I do to improve my quality of life? Is exercise helpful for patients with CHF? How do I stop smoking? Appendix 159(7) Question 100 is a list of web sites, organizations, and literature to help CHF patients and their families find additional resources on general and specific topics related to CHF. Glossary 166(5) Index 171