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Diagnosis And Treatment Of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy And Nashville PALS Classes


Cardiomyopathy means heart muscle disease, andPeripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an uncommon form of heart failure (HF) that occurs during the last month of pregnancy or up to five months after giving birth. The heart chambers enlarge and the muscle weakens that causes a decrease in the percentage of blood ejected from the left ventricle of the ticker with each contraction that invariably leads to less blood flow and the ticker is no longer able to meet the demands of the body’s organs for oxygen. PPCM is rare in USA with around 1,000 to 1,300 women developing the condition each year.

Symptoms of PPCM:
Fatigue; feeling as if the ticker is racing or skipping beats, in other words, palpitations; swollen neck veins; increased nighttime urination; swelling of the ankles; shortness of breath with activity and when at rest; low blood pressure.

Before talking about PPCM diagnosis and treatment, learn more about the CPR procedure.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency technique used on someone whose ticker or breathing has stopped. Performing CPR right away can double or even triple a person's chance of surviving cardiac arrest. The procedure comprises chest compressions and rescue breaths. Select a certified training site for acquiring training, such as the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Courses for healthcare as well as non-healthcare providers are offered. Read to know about a “PALS class Nashville”:



PALS Training Classes- PALS stands for Pediatric Advanced Life Support. The course has been designed to prepare healthcare providers to recognize, prevent, and treat pediatric medical emergencies. PALS will not only help you develop pediatric assessment skills, but also will prepare you to identify early onset of shock, respiratory emergencies and cardiovascular emergencies in both infants and children.

The other CPR courses for healthcare providers include Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

PPCM Causes:
The underlying cause isn’t clear. Heart biopsies are ordered by doctors which sometimes show women having inflammation in the heart muscle whichmay be because of prior viral illness or abnormal immune response. Apart from genetics that may play a role, other potential causes include poor nutrition, coronary artery spasm, small-vessel disease, and defective antioxidant defenses.
Obesity, use of certain medications, smoking, alcoholism, multiple pregnancies, poor nutrition and history of cardiac disorders like myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation) are some of the risk factors.

Diagnosis:
It is difficult to detect PPCM because heart failure symptoms can imitate those of third trimester pregnancy, such as swelling in the feet and legs, and some shortness of breath.Doctors will look for signs of fluid in the lungs during a physical exam. They’ll use a stethoscope to listen for lung crackles, a rapid heart rate, or abnormal heart sounds. An echocardiogram may be ordered that can detect the cardiomyopathy by showing the diminished functioning of the ticker. Laboratory blood tests including tests to assess kidney, liver and thyroid function; tests to assess electrolytes, including sodium and potassium may also be ordered.

PPCM is diagnosed when criteria including heart failure (HF) developing in the last month of pregnancy, reduction in the pumping function of the ticker with a reduced EF and when no other causefor HF with reduced EF can be found- are met.

Treatments:
Treatment aims to keep extra fluid from collecting in the lungs and to help the ticker recover as fully as possible. Medicines help normal heart function recovery in many women. Mechanical support or heart transplantation may be required if there’s severe heart failure. There are several classes of medications a physician can prescribe to treat symptoms, including Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, or ACE, inhibitors, beta blockers, diuretics, digitalis and anticoagulants. Healthcare providers may recommend a low-salt diet, fluid restrictions, or regular weighing. Women are advised to quit smoking and stop drinking (if they do) since these habits worsen the symptoms.

Equip yourself in the life-saving CPR technique and contribute towards the safety of cardiac arrest victims. Contact CPR Nashville on (615) 638-0005 to know more.
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