A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked. Without enough oxygen-rich blood, the heart muscle begins to die. This is a medical emergency that needs fast treatment to restore blood flow and limit damage to the heart.

Heart attacks are usually caused by a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances that form a plaque in the coronary arteries. If the plaque breaks open, a blood clot can form and block the flow of blood to the heart.

Symptoms:

• Shortness of breath when active or lying down
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or belly
• Feeling very tired or weak
• A fast or uneven heartbeat
• Coughing with white or pink mucus
• Trouble concentrating or feeling confused
• Quick weight gain from extra fluid

Treatments:

Heart failure treatment includes a range of options, from lifestyle changes and medications to advanced surgical procedures. Cardiologists typically manage medications, lifestyle modifications, and certain device-based treatments, while cardiovascular surgeons perform major procedures like heart transplants and mechanical heart support. Additionally, cardiac rehabilitation plays a key role in helping patients strengthen their heart and manage their condition.

Cardiology:

• Lifestyle Changes: Help you eat better, exercise, and stop smoking.
• Medicines: Use drugs like diuretics (to remove extra water) and beta-blockers (to slow your heart).
• Device Procedures: May use a small device called an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to help fix fast or odd heartbeats.

Cardiovascular Surgery:

• LVAD Placement: Place a pump called an LVAD that helps your heart move blood. This pump can be a long-term fix or used while waiting for a heart transplant.
• Heart Transplant: Replace a very weak heart with a healthy donor heart

Cardiac Rehabilitation:

• Exercise training to improve stamina and heart function
• Education on symptom management and medication adherence
• Dietary guidance to reduce fluid retention and strain on the heart

Cardiac rehabilitation helps heart transplant patients regain strength, adapt to their new lifestyle, and manage the effects of medications through supervised exercise and counseling.

Symptoms:

• Pre-transplant: severe fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling
• Post-transplant: surgical site pain, fatigue, and medication side effects

Treatments/Procedures:

• Monitored exercise to rebuild cardiovascular fitness
• Nutritional counseling to maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Support for adapting to post-transplant life and managing medications

Cardiac rehabilitation aids recovery after open-heart surgery by helping patients regain strength, manage pain, and safely return to daily activities.

Symptoms:

• Pre-surgery: severe chest pain, shortness of breath, heart rhythm irregularities
• Post-surgery: fatigue, weakness, and discomfort during recovery

Treatments/Procedures:

• Structured physical activity to rebuild strength
• Monitored exercise sessions to support safe recovery
• Education on strategies to improve heart health and prevent complications

Peripheral artery disease is caused by narrowed arteries in the limbs, usually the legs, reducing blood flow and causing pain during activity. If untreated, it can lead to severe complications such as ulcers or amputation.

For patients with stable angina, cardiac rehabilitation helps reduce symptoms and improve heart function through structured exercise and risk factor management.

Symptoms:

• Chest pain or discomfort during physical exertion or stress
• Pain that subsides with rest or nitroglycerin
• Shortness of breath or fatigue with activity

Treatments/Procedures:

• Tailored exercise programs to improve cardiovascular fitness
• Education on managing symptoms and triggers
• Lifestyle changes to address risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.