Chronic Heart
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Chronic heart disease is not a condition that comes on suddenly. For people who may not see a doctor regularly, the onset of heart problems may seem unexpected, but chronic heart failure is a condition that typically develops over a long period of time. It may be due to lifestyle factors or heredity or both. What’s most important is identifying the triggers of the disease, and working with your doctor at Swetech Medical Center to develop a plan that will keep you healthy.
Symptoms of Chronic Heart
Whether you call it chronic heart disease, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, or otherwise, any complication with the heart is a complication for the entire body.
When the heart has trouble pumping blood, that is caused by the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, making the arteries narrower and restricting blood flow. This condition can result in the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Difficulty exercising
- Swelling of the feet and ankles
- High blood pressure
These symptoms show that a person is clearly exhibiting some sort of serious heart complication, putting them at risk for heart attack.
Reverse the Progression of Chronic Heart
Heart disease is not easily cured, especially if it is genetic, but the progression of the disease and the build-up of plaque in the arteries can be slowed, stopped, and sometimes even reversed with changes to the following areas of your life:
- Diet: Eating less salt, watching fluid intake, and minimizing fatty foods – these are all obvious changes that can improve your heart health. Knowing and doing, however, are two different things. Your doctor will help you establish a nutrition plan you can stick to given your financial constraints, cooking skills, and willingness to try different foods. It isn’t difficult to eat healthy with help and determination.
- Exercise: A sedentary lifestyle is a dangerous lifestyle. Sometimes, a person with chronic heart disease has other bodily limitations that affect their movements. Thankfully, exercise comes in many forms. You don’t have to run a mile every day to do enough for your health and wellness. With the support and encouragement of your doctor, you can develop an exercise plan that is feasible for the life you lead so you can prioritize movement and stay on a healthy track.
- Behavioral modifications: Making changes to unhealthy behaviors is not easy, especially if they are ingrained habits that you have been practicing for years. Quitting smoking, minimizing alcohol intake, and increasing exercise are all examples of behaviors that need to be altered to improve your health. But your doctor will also discuss other potential changes that can improve your well-being, such as a career change or alterations to your living environment
How Osteopathic Medicine Treats Heart
Doctors of osteopathy receive extensive training in the musculoskeletal system. The body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles, and bones all tell a far more detailed tale than symptoms alone. By examining the entire body and its many systems, while also taking symptoms into account, your doctor has a more informed ability to make a diagnosis, treat an illness, and promote wellness.
While prescription medication and sometimes surgery, when appropriate, are recommended, they can also be supplemented by a D.O.’s unique kind of medical care. Visiting a doctor of osteopathic medicine for the treatment of heart disease may involve or result in:
- Hands-on therapy known as osteopathic manipulative treatment
- Improved cardiac lymph flow
- Improved muscle energy
- Treatment of other related chronic conditions at the same time
Are you ready to have a personalized relationship with your doctor? Do you want one-on-one care that is designed for you alone? Contact Swetech Family Medicine in Clinton Township to schedule an appointment to discuss your heart health and overall well-being.
