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MDA’s award-winning bimonthly national magazine goes to everyone registered with MDA, as well as to MDA clinics, researchers and subscribers.
Quest publishes articles on all aspects of living with a neuromuscular disease, and updates on research findings. Quest’s circulation is 125,000.
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Check Out the New Digital Version of Quest! |
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Game to Get Away
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Online games provide an alternate world
in which to play, say gamers with neuromuscular
diseases. Here’s a primer of terminology,
gaming options, social tips and
info on how playing may affect muscles.
In addition, Kid Quest, page 69, provides
Internet gaming safety tips for kids.
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Stories by Topic
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THE HEART IS A MUSCLE, TOO
Frequently Asked Questions about Cardiac Problems in Neuromuscular Disease
by Margaret Wahl
MEDICATIONS USED FOR HEART FAILURE
| TYPE OF MEDICATION |
HOW IT WORKS |
EXAMPLE(S); GENERIC (BRAND NAME) |
| ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) Inhibitor |
Blocks actions of ACE, a molecule that normally leads to fluid retention and raised blood pressure through activating the chemical angiotensin |
fosinopril (Monopril); lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) |
| Vasodilator |
Dilates veins, reducing amount of blood returning to the heart as it relaxes between beats |
isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) |
| Loop Diuretic |
Increases urine output by acting on kidneys (in part of kidney known as loop of Henle); reduces fluid overload |
furosemide (Lasix) |
| Potassium-Sparing Diuretic |
Acts on kidneys to increase urine production and reduce fluid overload; decrease excretion of potassium, counteracting excess potassium loss caused by some other diuretics |
spironolactone (Aldactone); triamterene (Dyrenium) |
| Beta Blocker |
Reduces heart rate, force of heart's contractions and speed of nerve impulses through heart by blocking beta receptors (docking sites) that receive signals from nervous system |
propranalol (Inderal); metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) |
| Alpha-Beta Blocker |
Same as beta blockers but also blocks alpha receptors (docking sites), stopping nerve signals that constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure |
carvedilol (Coreg) |
| Inotrope (Influencer of Muscle Force) |
Increases force of muscle contractions of heart; high rate of complications, including abnormal heart rhythms |
digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps) |
FOR FURTHER READING
Respiratory Problems
Heart Transplants
Consultants for this article were William Groh, a cardiologist specializing in electrophysiology of the heart at Indiana University, Indianapolis; Stanley Goldberg, a pediatric cardiologist specializing in echocardiography at University Medical Center, Tucson, Ariz.; and Kevin Campbell, a specialist in muscle membrane proteins at the University of Iowa, Iowa City.  |
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