If you’ve been diagnosed with CHD and you’re looking for proof that CHD is treatable, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn about Treatment options for CHD and Lifestyle changes that can help you fight this disease. Even if you don’t have the scars, there’s no reason to feel down.
CHD scars are proof that CHD is beatable
You may feel discouraged if you have a child born with congenital heart disease, but there is hope. A peer support group is available to help you deal with the challenges of living with the disease. You can visit local chapters or participate in virtual peer support. In addition, the Heart Disease Support Network also offers Spanish-language support and bereavement groups for patients and families.
Treatment options for CHD
While mild defects can be treated over time, more severe ones require surgery to restore proper functioning. Unfortunately, surgery alone cannot reverse the disease, and patients still need specialized care.
The prevalence of CHD has grown significantly in recent decades. More than 2 million Americans currently have congenital heart disease. In addition, more precise diagnosis and Conquering CHD Treatment are now possible thanks to modern diagnostic techniques.
Symptoms of CHD
While there’s no definite cure for CHD, the good news is that many people with this condition live long and healthy lives. Unfortunately, people with CHD often experience heart disease common in old age, such as coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. If you think you may be suffering from CHD, talk to your cardiologist and primary care provider to determine the best action.
People with CHD may face several challenges, from physical limitations to mental issues like PTSD. Moreover, the condition often requires frequent medical attention, leading to repeated surgeries. However, if a heart problem is detected early, treatment is possible.
Lifestyle changes
Although we cannot predict how a patient’s disease might progress, lifestyle changes help prevent disease recurrence and keep the patient’s life normal. This process reflects the shift between the familiar self and the new self. It is characterized by the powerful urge to “get back to normal.”
Various lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation, can help reduce the risk of CHD. Moreover, these changes can reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Other lifestyle factors that increase the risk of CHD include obesity, diabetes, and physical inactivity. In addition to lifestyle changes, medical procedures, such as surgery, can help treat CHD.
Medicines
Various medicines are used to treat coronary artery disease (CAD). While most work by reducing blood pressure and widening arteries, some have side effects and should only be used under the advice of a doctor. The following medicines are often prescribed to reduce the symptoms of CHD: beta-blockers, nitroglycerin, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Beta-blockers lower blood pressure, while nitroglycerin relaxes arteries and reduces the heart’s demand for blood. Another type of medicine is angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), which help slow the progression of CAD by lowering blood pressure and preventing heart attacks.