Your risk of stroke greatly increases if you suffer from heart problems, such as arrhythmias or Peripheral Vascular Disease.
According to the American Heart Association, if you have certain kinds of irregular heart beats (arrhythmias), such as Atrial Fibrillation, or a vascular problem commonly known as Peripheral Vascular Disease, you can be up to five times more likely to suffer a stroke. That’s why it’s important to choose Seton Medical Center Austin. Seton Medical Center Austin is not only an award-winning leader in cardiac care, but is also a Certified Primary Stroke Center.
In many cases, you may not know that you have an irregular heartbeat or vascular disease. Common symptoms for these disorders include breathlessness, fatigue, and lower leg pain. But it’s important to note that while you may not have any of these symptoms, you may still be at an increased risk of suffering a stroke.
Common Diseases
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Diseases of blood vessels that are outside the heart and brain - often a narrowing of vessels that carry blood to the arms, legs, stomach or kidneys.Arrhythmias
When the heart beats too fast, too slow, or with a skipping (irregular) rhythm, a person is said to have an arrhythmia.Cardiac Diagnostic Tests
Seton Medical Center Austin offers a spectrum of diagnostic tests to detect heart diseases and abnormalities.
Managing Your Cardiac Health
Review actions you can take to treat existing heart problems and help prevent future heart disease.
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Taking anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation
- Walking for a healthy heart
- Tips for following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet
- Exercising for a healthy heart
- Eating a heart-healthy diet
Heart Failure
- Using oxygen at home
- Watching your fluid intake when you have heart failure
- Eating out when you are on a low-sodium diet
- Taking your medicines properly when you have heart failure
- Avoiding triggers for sudden heart failure
- Eating less sodium when you have heart failure
- Activity and exercise for heart failure
Cardiac Medications
There are many different prescription medications to treat different heart and vascular conditions.
ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure
brand: Mavik, Altace, Accupril, Aceon, Zestril, Prinivil, Monopril, Vasotec, Capoten, Lotensin
Aldosterone receptor antagonists: Diuretics for heart failure
brand: Aldactone, Inspra [approved by FDA for high blood pressure]
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for coronary artery disease
brand: Mavik, Altace, Accupril, Aceon, Zestril, Zestoretic, Prinivil, Monopril, Vasotec, Capoten, Lotensin
Antiarrhythmic medications for atrial fibrillation
brand: Betapace AF, Quinidex, Quinaglute, Rythmol, Procanbid, Tambocor, Tikosyn, Norpace, Pacerone, Cordarone
Antiarrhythmic medications for fast heart rates
brand: Betapace, Quinidex Extentabs, Quinaglute, Rythmol, Pronestyl, Procan, Procanbid, Tambocor, Tikosyn, Norpace, Pacerone, Cordarone
Anticoagulants for coronary artery disease
brand: Refludan, Angiomax, Coumadin, Arixtra, Lovenox, Fragmin
Aspirin for coronary artery disease
brand: Ecotrin, Bufferin, Bayer, Ascriptin [aspirin combined with an antacid]
Beta-blockers for coronary artery disease
brand: Blocadren, Inderal, Visken, Levatol, Corgard, Toprol XL, Lopressor, Trandate, Normodyne, Coreg, Tenormin, Sectral
Beta-blockers for fast heart rates
brand: Inderal, Corgard, Toprol XL, Lopressor, Brevibloc, Tenormin, Sectral
Beta-blockers for heart failure
brand: Lopressor, Coreg, Zebeta
Calcium channel blockers for coronary artery disease
brand: Isoptin SR, Calan SR, Sular, Procardia XL, Cardene, DynaCirc, Plendil, Tiazac, Dilacor XR, Cardizem, Norvasc
Nitrates for coronary artery disease
brand: Transderm-Nitro, Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, ISMO, Imdur, Sorbitrate, Isordil, Dilatrate-SR
Safety Tips When Taking Anticoagulants
Cardiac Illnesses/Conditions
Read more about common heart disorders, including those problems that can lead to an increased risk of stroke.
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