Healthy Heart
A pacemaking system consists of a pulse generator (the pacemaker) and one or more electrode leads. The pulse generator is about the size of a match-box and weight 50-100g (approximately 2-4 ounces). Modern pacemakers are encased entirely in metal and sealed to prevent body fluids seeping into the unit. The generator consists of two parts: … Read more
The treatment of patients suffering from abnormally slow heart rates has been transformed by the development of artificial cardiac pacemakers which can be implanted wholly within the body. Slow heart rates are caused by disease and ageing of the heart affecting both the natural heart pacemaker and the spread of electrical activity through the heart. … Read more
DO your tablets as prescribed. Report any suspected side-effects (such as skin rash or giddiness) without delay. Get your blood pressure checked regularly. DON’T Forget your treatment. Run out of pills. Start other tablets (cold cures or pills for arthritis) without consulting your doctor.
You are unlikely to feel any better for having your blood pressure ed. Thanks to modern developments, you should not feel any worse. By cooperating with effective treatment you will, however, be helping yourself. You will be increasing the likelihood of enjoying a healthy active life and reducing the risk of developing some of the … Read more
Once blood pressure is well controlled, there is no objection to driving However, some organisations have their own rules for employees. It is allso as well to remember that during the early phase of blood pressure control with some of the more powerful drugs giddiness may occur if blood pressure falls too far. It is, … Read more
There is no reason why you should change your activities in any way unless you have an additional medical problem about which you should consult your doctor. Will an operation be dangerous? There is no reason why a healthy person with well-controlled blood pressure should not undergo a dental or surgical operation. It is, however, … Read more
When most forms of blood pressure treatment are stopped, blood pressure only climbs slowly over days or even weeks. Missing out a single tablet will not, therefore, have any serious effect unless this is done frequently. In that case control of blood pressure will be less than perfect. When a tablet is forgotten, you should … Read more
During the initial stage of adjusting your treatment it may be necessary Ito have your blood pressure checked frequently probably at intervals of/ between one and four weeks. Once blood pressure is satisfactorily controlled, it is usual to measure it every 3-6 months, although different doctors have different views on this.
Serious side-effects are now, happily, very unusual. It is natural to attribute any symptom which you have after starting a new treatment to that treatment. This is not necessarily the case. When new forms of treatment are being tested in research, patients are often given a totally inert tablet and many patients confidently report unpleasant … Read more
In general, the aim of treatment is to produce a gradual lowering of blood pressure over a period of weeks or perhaps months. Unless blood pressure is extremely high, there is no great urgency. Doctors usually start with a low dose of tablets and slowly increase the dose. If this is not enough, another different … Read more