Healing A Discouraged Heart: Getting Back On Track When Life Lets You Down

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This is called sudden heart failure. It causes fluid to build up in your lungs, causing congestion. This is why the problem is often called congestive heart failure. Sudden heart failure is an emergency. You need care right away. Your risk for having heart failure is higher if you have certain risk factors.

A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of having a particular problem. Heart failure is usually caused by another health problem, often coronary artery disease or high blood pressure. So anything that increases your risk for one of those problems also increases your risk for heart failure. Call or other emergency services right away if you have:. Call your doctor right away if you have a pacemaker or ICD and think you have an infection near the device. Signs of an infection include:. Call your doctor soon if you have symptoms of heart failure , which include:.

Many different types of doctors and nurses can treat you for heart failure, including your family doctor. Heart failure is a complex problem. So you will likely have several different tests over time. An echocardiogram may be used to diagnose heart failure. It also can help guide treatment.

Tests also may be done to find areas of the heart that are not getting enough blood. When you're taking medicine for heart failure, you may have regular blood tests to check how the medicine is working. Or you may have a blood test to check the level of medicine in your body. In the early stages of heart failure, treatment can help your symptoms. It may also prevent more damage to your heart. As part of your ongoing treatment, your doctor will also try to prevent or treat problems-such as fever, arrhythmia , and anemia -that can lead to sudden heart failure.

You might take part in a disease management program. These programs include a broad range of services, such as education, home health care, visiting nurses, and rehabilitation. If you have other heart problems that may have led to heart failure, you might have treatment for those problems:. Sometimes heart failure can be fixed if another problem can be corrected, such as by treating hyperthyroidism.

Palliative care is a kind of care for people who have a serious illness. It's different from care to cure your illness. Its goal is to improve your quality of life-not just in your body but also in your mind and spirit. You can have this care along with treatment to cure your illness. You can also have it if treatment to cure your illness no longer seems like a good choice.

Palliative care providers will work to help control pain or side effects. They may help you decide what treatment you want or don't want. And they can help your loved ones understand how to support you. For more information, see the topic Palliative Care. Heart failure tends to get worse over time. So you need to decide what kind of care you want at the end of your life. It can be hard to have talks with your doctor and family about the end of your life.

But making these decisions now may bring you and your family peace of mind. Your family won't have to wonder what you want. And you can spend your time focusing on your relationships. You will need to decide if you want life-support measures if your health gets very bad. An advance directive is a legal document that tells doctors how to care for you at the end of your life. This care includes electronic devices that are used for heart failure, such as pacemakers.

You also can say where you want to have care. And you can name someone who can make sure your wishes are followed. For more information, see the topic Care at the End of Life. The best way to prevent heart failure is to have a heart-healthy lifestyle and control existing health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes.

You can feel better when you have heart failure by taking your medicines as directed, having a healthy lifestyle, and avoiding things that make heart failure worse. Know what things you can do every day to stay healthy, what symptoms to watch for, and when to call a doctor.

Avoid triggers, such as too much salt sodium and certain medicines, that can cause sudden heart failure. I was snoring so bad that my wife was sleeping in another room. I'd wake up 7 times a night. Sometimes I'd wake up gasping for breath. The next day I'd be so tired that I'd fall asleep while doing my woodworking in the garage. And I was really fuzzy-headed.

I couldn't remember anything. So I decided to talk to my doctor about it, and he suggested a sleep study. I found out that I have sleep apnea. I haven't been getting enough oxygen because of it. He put me on a CPAP machine at night. I've used it for the past 4 months. But I'm sleeping much better. Now if I wake up, it's only once, and I go right back to sleep. I feel so much better during the day. This story is based on information gathered from many people living with heart failure.

Many people with heart failure have trouble sleeping. Your doctor may be able to find out what is causing your sleep problems and help you get a good night's sleep. Most people with heart failure can still have an active and safe sex life. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about having sex. Unfortunately, sexual problems are common. Your interest may drop, or you may have shortness of breath or other symptoms that limit your ability to have sex. Men may have erection problems. It can be rewarding to help a loved one with heart failure.

But it's also a lot of work. And it can be hard emotionally. If you are taking care of a loved one, make sure that you also take care of yourself. This can mean taking breaks by getting help from family or friends. You also may be able to use respite care.

These services provide someone who will stay with your loved one while you get out of the house for a few hours. Heart failure brings big changes to your life. You may struggle with sadness and worry. You may wonder if you'll still be able to enjoy your life. Coping with your feelings and seeking help when you need it can help you live better with heart failure. Heart failure can be hard on your emotions.

You may feel depressed that you can't do some of the things you used to do. You may worry about your future. And symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath, can make this anxiety worse. These feelings are common. Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of depression or are worried a lot. Depression and anxiety can be treated with counseling and medicine. You also can help yourself feel better by changing your "self-talk. Negative thoughts can make you feel bad. Changing the way you think can change the way you feel.

I didn't feel like me. I felt like, 'I'm never going to be me again. Read about how Joan got help for depression and anxiety. The challenges of living with heart failure can increase your stress. And stress can make living with heart failure even harder. Stress also can disturb your sleep and make depression and anxiety worse. Explore ways to relax and manage stress to help your body, mind, and spirit. Emotional support from friends and family can help you cope with the struggles of heart failure. You might want to think about joining a heart failure support group. Ask your doctor about the types of support that are available where you live.

Cardiac rehab programs can offer support for you and your family. Ask your doctor if rehab is right for you. Meeting other people with the same problems can help you know you're not alone. If you're shy or aren't a joiner, you can look at an online support group. Even though people online aren't talking face-to-face, they're sharing their feelings and creating a community.

You probably will need to take several medicines to treat heart failure, even if you don't have symptoms yet. Medicines don't cure heart failure. But they can help your heart work better and improve symptoms. It's very important to take your medicines exactly as your doctor says. If you don't, your heart failure may get worse or you may get sudden heart failure. The medicines you take will depend on the type of heart failure you have. The most commonly used medicines are listed below.

You also may take other medicines for health problems that can cause heart failure or for problems caused by heart failure. Talk to your doctor before you take any over-the-counter medicines. Some of them might make your symptoms worse. Cardiac resynchronization therapy CRT uses a biventricular pacemaker, which makes the heart's lower chambers ventricles pump together.

This can help your heart pump blood better. This type of pacemaker can help you feel better so you can be more active. It also can help keep you out of the hospital and help you live longer. If you get a pacemaker, you have to be careful not to get too close to some devices with strong magnetic or electrical fields. But most everyday appliances are safe. A pacemaker may be used alone or along with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ICD for heart failure. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators ICDs can prevent sudden death from an abnormal heart rhythm and may help you live longer.

An ICD checks the heart for very fast and deadly heart rhythms. If the heart goes into one of these rhythms, the ICD shocks it to stop the deadly rhythm and returns the heart to a normal rhythm. If you get an ICD, you have to be careful not to get too close to some devices with strong magnetic or electrical fields.

Ventricular assist devices VADs , also known as heart pumps, may be placed into the chest to help the heart pump more blood. VADs can keep people alive until a donor heart is available for transplant. In some cases, VADs may also be used as an alternative to heart transplant for long-term treatment. VADs are used in people who have severe heart failure.

An intra-aortic balloon pump is sometimes used to help the heart pump more blood during sudden heart failure. Talk to your doctor before you take any over-the-counter medicine or supplement. They are used along with medical treatments for heart failure, not instead of treatment.

You may hear about supplements, vitamins, or hormones that might improve heart failure symptoms. Fish oil omega-3 fatty acid supplements have been shown to help some heart failure patients. In some studies, fish oil supplements, taken along with other heart failure medicines, helped people stay out of the hospital and live longer. No other supplement, vitamin, or hormone has been shown definitely to relieve heart failure or help you live longer. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

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Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. For the best experience on Cigna. Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna. Wellness and Medical Topics. Heart Failure Skip to the navigation. Topic Overview What is heart failure? Because your heart cannot pump well, your body tries to make up for it.

Your body holds on to salt and water.

Topic Overview

This increases the amount of blood in your bloodstream. Your heart beats faster. Your heart may get bigger. What causes heart failure? Common causes of heart failure are: Other conditions that can lead to heart failure include: Diseases of the heart muscle cardiomyopathies. Disease of the sac around the heart pericardial disease , such as pericarditis.

A slow, fast, or uneven heart rhythm arrhythmia. A heart problem that you were born with congenital heart defect. Long-term alcohol abuse, which can damage your heart. What are the symptoms? In the early stages, you may: Be short of breath when you exert yourself. Feel like your heart is pounding or racing palpitations.

Feel weak or dizzy. This may cause you to: Feel short of breath even at rest. Have swelling edema , especially in your legs, ankles, and feet. This may happen over just a day or two, or more slowly. Cough or wheeze , especially when you lie down. Feel bloated or sick to your stomach. If your symptoms suddenly get worse, you will need emergency care. How is heart failure diagnosed? These tests may include: An echocardiogram to see the size and shape of your heart and how well it is pumping.

Magnetic resonance imaging MRI to see the structure of your heart and check how well it is pumping. Echocardiogram An echocardiogram can help show if you have heart failure, what type it is, and what is causing it. How is it treated? Your doctor may prescribe medicines to: Help keep heart failure from getting worse. Reduce symptoms so you feel better. These drugs include diuretics water pills and digoxin. Treat the cause of your heart failure. Pacemaker or defibrillator You might need to have a pacemaker or a defibrillator ICD if you have a problem with your heart rhythm. Care at home Lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment.

The best steps you can take are to: Sodium causes your body to hold on to water and may make symptoms worse. Your doctor may also ask you to limit how much fluid you drink. Your doctor can tell you what level of exercise is safe for you, how to check your pulse, and how to know if you are doing too much. Take rest breaks during the day.

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Lose weight if you are overweight. Even a few pounds can make a difference. Smoking damages your heart and makes exercise harder to do. Ask your doctor how much, if any, is safe. It is also important to: Talk to your doctor before you take any new medicine, including nonprescription and prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbs.

Some of them may make your heart failure worse. Keep track of your symptoms. Weigh yourself at the same time every day, and write down your weight. Call your doctor if you have a sudden weight gain, a change in your ability to exercise, or any sudden change in your symptoms. What can you expect if you have heart failure? Heart failure can also lead to other health problems. Trouble with your heart rhythm arrhythmia. Blood clots in your legs deep vein thrombosis or lungs pulmonary embolism. Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.

Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems. Should I Have a Sleep Study? Actionsets are designed to help people take an active role in managing a health condition. Taking Them Safely Depression: Stop Negative Thoughts Healthy Eating: Eating Less Sodium Heart Failure: Activity and Exercise Heart Failure: Checking Your Weight Heart Failure: Taking Medicines Properly Heart Failure: Living Well With It Insomnia: Eating Out Oxygen Therapy: Using Oxygen at Home Pacemaker: Getting Started Stress Management: Breathing Exercises for Relaxation Stress Management: Doing Meditation Stress Management: Managing Your Time Stress Management: Practicing Yoga to Relax Stress Management: Reducing Stress by Being Assertive Warfarin: Taking Your Medicine Safely.

Frequently Asked Questions Learning about heart failure: What is heart failure? What increases my risk? When do I need to see my doctor? How does my heart work? What is cardiac output? How does my heart control the timing of its beat? How will my doctor diagnose heart failure? What is an echocardiogram? Should I see a specialist?

How is heart failure treated? Which medicines will I need to take? Do I need surgery? Should I get a pacemaker cardiac resynchronization therapy for heart failure? Should I get an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ICD for heart failure? How often will I see my doctor? How do I avoid triggers for sudden heart failure?

How can I cope with my feelings? Living with heart failure: What is self-care for heart failure? What lifestyle changes should I make? How do I take my medicines properly? How can I cut back on salt? How do I watch my fluids? How do I check my weight? Can I eat out when I'm on a low-salt diet? What type of exercise is safe? How do I use oxygen at home? What do I need to know about living with an ICD? What do I need to know about living with a pacemaker? How can I learn more about care at the end of life? How do I write an advance directive? How do I choose a health care agent? What is hospice care?

Cause Heart failure can be caused by any problem that damages your heart or affects how well it works. Problems that damage the heart muscle High blood pressure Heart attack Coronary artery disease Diabetes that isn't controlled Alcohol, illegal drugs such as cocaine , and some prescription medicines such as those for chemotherapy Heart problems you've had from birth congenital heart disease Infection or inflammation of the heart muscle such as myocarditis Things that damage the heart's valves Valve problems you've had since birth Infection of a heart valve endocarditis Aging Rheumatic fever Problems with the heart's electrical system Fast, slow, or irregular heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation Electrical signals that don't flow as they should from the upper to the lower part of the heart heart block Other problems Disease of the sac around the heart pericarditis Postpartum cardiomyopathy.

This rare problem can happen late in a woman's pregnancy or within the first 5 months after delivery. Severe anemia Hyperthyroidism Certain triggers , such as too much sodium or not taking medicines the right way, may suddenly make heart failure worse. Symptoms At first you may not have any symptoms from heart failure. How doctors talk about heart failure There is more than one type of heart failure. Symptoms of sudden heart failure Sometimes your symptoms may get worse very quickly.

Severe shortness of breath. An irregular or fast heartbeat. Coughing up foamy, pink mucus. What Increases Your Risk Your risk for having heart failure is higher if you have certain risk factors. Risk factors for coronary artery disease and heart attack include smoking, having high cholesterol or diabetes, and having a family history of heart disease. Risk factors for high blood pressure include being overweight, being inactive, and having a family history of high blood pressure. Risk factors for heart valve disease include older age and an infection of the valves. The risk of heart failure rises as a person gets older.

When to Call a Doctor Call or other emergency services right away if you have: It's easy to become inactive when you're feeling depressed, but resist this pull. Do everything you can to maintain or start some type of exercise program or physical activity. Avoid going it alone. In some cases, professional consultation may be necessary. To see it as more than that for more than a brief period after being fired can sabotage your chances to discover new opportunities.

You are much more than your work. I've seem so much go on and I close my eyes to it, I didn't want to create any issues. Now this is done to me, I need to speak to someone about how I feel, I've been depressed for a month. Can someone help me to deal with my depression. Have you considered writing to the eeoc about this? I'm in HR, or was rather.. Savvy or not, many companies will settle monetarily or reinstate you to your position. I hope this doesn't get you down. Hi Laura, I lost my job at a hospital 6 weeks ago after being there for almost 5 years.

They didn't even follow their own policy re: I understand that one minute late is still late but 8 of the tardiest were 1 min. I, as well as others, feel like it was something more than the mins late. I would really really appreciate any advice you have. First of all, I can empathize with your solace and the article is actually right.

Dwelling in pity and the past time that you put into with that organization will only drag you down even more. Little bit about myself. I graduated from a local community college and then took on a teaching position in China for over two years. When I came back, I discovered that I, surprisingly, needed to readjust to American life. I decided to work for a local produce company to generate income. AND let me tell you something.. Even though I was a hard worker, quick learner, and dare I say a better employee than other seasoned veterans, and yet I was still shunned. You tell me that I won't do the jobs that you will do, really?!

I can speak Spanish, but what happens if the person doesn't want to speak to you in Spanish? You see, here's the deal. People can come here and be whatever they want, but can they adapt to what they're around? The answer may surprise you. Why is it I still feel like I am living in another country, when I was fired from a factory where hardly anyone speaks English! I was fired from my job less than a week ago. Reading this has really given me the boost that I need to get back on track!!! My wife was laid off in June and I was fired 8 days later for a stupid mistake that I corrected. I was still fired as it broke my company code of conduct.

I cannot stop beating myself up over it and the stress is almost too much at this point. Between my wife and I this is the 7th time at least one of us has been jobless in the last 7 years but never at the same time. Every time it gets harder and harder. I read the article and I really am just venting at this point.

I have never been fired before and it was for a momentary lack of judgment. My job is never my life I guess that's why I am not that upset. My boss thought he still in the military screaming at me like he was insane. I will take a call center job with a masters degree I am only freaking out about health insurance and money of course. I am just going to work out and try not to think about it. I was fired on Friday the 7th October I started with the company in July and had passed by probation period with flying colours which I was really happy about.

I was then asked if I would move roles and location which I wasn't happy about as I loved the role I was doing. I was given another 12 week probation period and the role was very involved. I had 1 weeks training and had to learn 4 peoples job. They told me on Friday that I was a lovely person but they feel I should of picked up the job more quickly than I have and are having to let me go with immediate effect I feel completely lost and constantly keep crying and I sit at my computer not sure on what to do next.

Family and friends have been supportive and said that it wasn't my fault but I get this wave of unhappiness and just start crying and a feeling of what the hell am I going to do. I am at an all time low and my confidence is shot to hell how do I pick myself up I need to do this quickly because I have bills and school fees to pay so I cant sit here in self pity.

I was terminated with prejudice from a contract job despite having nearly 27 years experience with the system that the company utilizes. They managed to hire two full time people to replace me. The company ruined my reputation to justify the termination and the hires. This sent me into a bad depression that I have yet to recover from. Some of the articles talking points are hard to abide by when something like this occurs.

The isolation part sticks in my craw. I have learned not to discuss something like this with family or friends. No one wants to hear about it. Friends will avoid me and not want to hear such bad news. Acquaintances may drop me altogether. Family simply wants to change the subject. With any luck, a new contract with a different company may occur. I knew that the company that screwed me over was a lousy outfit. They have a reputation for playing around with employees and contractors. Plus they don't pay claims without a fight. The city of Erie needs better companies than this one.

I know what you are saying and the article does not address the real issues. If I hear someone spout off about "positive thinking" one more time I may turn to dust and blow in their face! I have no advice just commiserating in the land of plenty, plenty of sociopaths that is. Sorry for all of us, those that end up as victims and alone. I lost my job at a hospital 6 weeks ago after being there for almost 5 years. I sympathise with you wholeheartedly, i also lost my job in a hospital.

My life now is total stressful exsistance and it is very difficult to see any future at all. I am 50 nearing 51 and feel totally lost in the world i once new and enjoyed. The pressures are immense i just hope you can deal with this terrible event better than me.

There is absolutely no hope for those who are fired from their jobs. They are simply damaged goods. No future employer wants them. Their lives are simply ruined. Why would you ever write such negative and untruthful words in a forum where people are looking for support? You are nothing short of a sadist and a low life. Let's face it, there is absolutely no hope for those who are fired. The majority of fired people become unemployable, even destitute and homeless.

What employer is going to hire a fired person? That is why many people who are fired from their jobs commit suicide.

7 truths to remember when life feels broken

They feel that there is NO other alternative. Why would anyone write something so cruel? It may take longer than necessary, but people bounce back and life goes on. We all get depressed and down when awful and unexpected things like being fired occur. This type of thing happens everyday whether they are right or wrong. It is time to dig down deep and find a way to reassure yourself that you are human and these things do happen and you will get through them. Your lack of having a job right now does NOT define who you are as a person.

I was just recently fired last week without a good reason, but I would never just lay down and commit suicide or anything else dreadful like that. You may feel bad for a while, but things will improve if you want them to. These things take time and effort. Have faith and love in yourself. The person who wrote the comment you replied to is a sadistic loser with no conscience or human decency.

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People like him or her are people who deserve to get fired and worse because they are low lifes. I was just recently dismissed from a job after being on probation for 18 months!!!! All out of my hands due to lack of supervision. Sadly we hold no place in the work force after a certain age. I am suffering from depression and never thought I would and have been through worse in life.

I just lost my job right after graduating college it's so bittersweet. I had for only a year but only because of a tiny tiny mistake I made, that if I had one more day could have been fixed.

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