Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans. There are aspects of heart disease that affect the rest of the body, and there are other health conditions that can affect the heart. This week on Healthwatch, we'll talk about the heart and related topics.
Heart failure is a scary-sounding diagnosis, but doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center say it's not a death sentence. Heart failure means that the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal, not that the heart has quit working entirely.
Dr. Clyde Yancy, a UT Southwestern cardiologist, says heart failure may mean that only part of the heart is damaged and other functions work normally. With medication and treatment, patients with heart failure can live long, healthy lives.
Next: how your sleep patterns may affect your heart.
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April 2005
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