Types of VADs VADs can be defined by the action that they perform. VADs can pump blood by a spinning action (continuous flow VAD) or by a pumping action (pulsatile flow VAD). Download English Download Spanish VAD Decision Aid Booklet Check out this pediatric version of the IDecide VAD decision aid booklet. This booklet was …
What Are VADs? VAD stands for “Ventricular Assist Device.” A VAD is a pump surgically placed in a sick or weak heart to help deliver blood to the body. Children may need a VAD because they are born with a heart problem or because one develops over time. Children with heart failure often have symptoms …
COVID-19 To keep our children and communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to stay informed with updated research and medical insights. Here’s what we know: Although more common in adults, children can also get the virus that causes COVID-19. Common symptoms may include fever, cough, runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of smell, …
Portion Control Focusing on portion control is an important part of mindful eating. Let’s look at some ways we can manage our portions: Watch serving size: A serving size is the amount of food listed on the “Nutrition Facts” label. Some foods come in more than one serving, like candy bars and bags of chips. …
Nutrition Mindful eating is knowing what you’re eating and how much. Here are some ways to be more mindful as you eat: Nutrition Facts: The nutrition labels on your food can tell you a lot about what you’re eating. Learning to read these labels can help you avoid excess sugar, fat, salt, and calories in …
Exercises There are two different forms of exercise to include in your daily routines: aerobic and strengthening. Ask your care team which type of exercise is right for you. Aerobic Exercises Aerobic exercise makes you breathe fast and sweat. Because your heart is a muscle, it’s important that your heart gets a workout. Aerobic exercises …
Activity If approved by your care team, it’s important to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. But it doesn’t have to be all at once. Short bursts of exercise are great, too! Even as a patient with heart disease, you can safely exercise in non-competitive, low or moderate intensity activities. Ask …
Overview As a patient with heart failure, it’s important that you stay active and eat healthy throughout your journey. In this section, we will explore the exercises your doctor may prescribe and the dietary changes you may need to stay safe and healthy. Fitness Learn more about how to safely stay active and maintain proper …
Transplant Graft Failure When you receive a heart transplant, the new donor heart is called a “graft.” Transplanted hearts, or grafts, can develop heart failure over time. This may happen because of coronary artery disease due to chronic or recurrent rejection.
Hypertrophic Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is when your heart muscle becomes too thick. This makes it harder for the heart to relax or squeeze properly. The abnormal muscle can sometimes lead to life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias. This condition can go undiagnosed because you can often live with it without showing any symptoms.
