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Heart Disease
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Definition of Heart Disease
Heart disease is an umbrella term for a number of different diseases which affect the heart and is the leading cause of death in the United States as of 2007.
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Is Your Heart Aging Faster Than You Are?
A new study undertaken by the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), the Cardiovascular Health Evaluation to Improve Compliance and Knowledge Among Uninformed Patients (CHECK-UP), now provides definitive evidence that communicating the future risk of cardiovascular events to high-risk patients improves the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors, such as high cholesterol. CHECK-UP is the first successful study of its kind worldwide and is published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
"The economic burden of cardiovascular disease is substantial to the Canadian healthcare system, but even more important are the devastating human costs associated with the disease," says Dr. Steven Grover, lead author and Director of the McGill Cardiovascular Health Improvement Program (CHIP). "The CHECK-UP study shows that when Canadians become more actively involved in the decisions surrounding their care, they are better equipped to manage their risk for future cardiovascular events."
Patie
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The zip/tuck brotherhood
They call it the Big Zipper Club - and after undergoing heart bypass surgery within 12 months of each other, the Stuart brothers consider themselves fully paid-up members.
Donald (59), Ian (57) and Pat (53) can compare notes and scars after a year of surgery in which which they virtually played musical beds in Auckland's Mercy Hospital.
"We're considering asking for a family discount, to be honest," joked Auckland journalist Ian, who had his triple bypass a month ago.
Pat, from Tauranga, had a triple bypass in September.
Eldest brother Donald, from Waihi Beach, trumped them both with a quadruple bypass after suffering a heart attack late last year.
That triggered alarm bells for the other two brothers, who went for tests.
"Donald was given between two and 12 months to live," said Ian. "Myself and Pat decided to go for angiograms. We were both told we had serious heart disease that needed to be urgently repaired. I don't think I would have lasted more than three or fou
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Dr. Eduardo Chapunoff Discusses How Heart Disease Affects Your Sex Life
Today, Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is honored to have as our guest, Dr. Eduardo Chapunoff, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.C. author of Answering Your Questions About Heart Disease & Sex.
Dr. Chapunoff is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Cardiovascular Disease, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Chapunoff was a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Miami from 1985 to 1997.
Good day Dr. Chapunoff and thanks for participating in our interview.
Norm:
I am just curious, with your busy medical practice as well as being a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine, how did you find the time to author Answering Your Questions About Heart Disease & Sex. And, as a follow up, what motivated you to write a book?
Dr. Chapunoff:
Norm, before I answer your questions, I want to tell you that I consider a
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A Change Of Heart
Despite the myth that heart disease is just a man’s disease, current information about women & heart disease is changing viewpoints and women are taking notice.
But something that is not frequently talked about is what happens after a diagnosis of heart disease or a heart condition.
The emotions, the feelings, and the profound affect it can have on one’s life are details that are often left out.
If it were not for this interview, Lisa Cravens and Cynthia Sells might never have met.
Their paths probably would not have crossed-two women with two dramatically different stories but with a common bond.
Both women experienced the effects of heart disease and both experienced a change of heart in their lives.
For Lisa Cravens her heart symptoms started out slow.
“I started out having some arm discomfort on Sunday afternoon. I kind of tried to deny the fact that it could be a heart attack because I was so young. I had a hard time sleeping that night. Monday I decided
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Special Program Helps Many Lower Heart Disease Numbers
Heart disease is the number-one killer of Americans.
But a special program is helping some folks lower those numbers.
Matrina Dorsey may be 32 years younger than Judy Borgula, but they're both worried about their hearts.
Judy survived an episode of cardiac arrest several months ago.
"I needed to know more about what it's going to take to keep my heart healthy," Judy said.
Matrina has troublesome heart palpitations.
"You hear about younger people having heart attacks and strokes and I just want to know more about it and try to prevent it," she admitted.
Matrina and Judy got some answers at Heart School.
Research shows, 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week will provide you health benefits.
From exercise, to diet, to risk factors, the three-hour course at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta teaches students what they can do to keep their hearts healthy.
"These aren't permanent fixes to anything. These are about learning new lifestyles, dieta
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Doctors' Gender Matter in Spotting Heart Disease: Study
A doctor's gender could determine how early heart disease is detected in women, researchers said. A study of how physicians make decisions found women doctors focused less on age than their male counterparts, potentially overlooking an important risk factor for coronary heart disease.
"We found some differences according to the doctors' gender," said Ann Adams, a researcher at the University of Warwick who worked on the study. "One particular area we highlighted was that there were differences in how doctors were taking into account the patients’ ages."
Previous studies have shown women do not fully understand the high risk of coronary heart disease, the leading killer of both men and women in the industrialised world. According to the World Health Organisation, some 3.8 million men and 3.4 million women die from it each year. Other research has shown women do not get the same treatment for the disease as men. Adams said such findings highlight the need to further investigate evi
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LDL Levels Well Below Current Recommendations Are Most Beneficial
Med Headlines - Keeping LDL cholesterol at levels well below the current recommendations, decreases mortality in patients with atherosclerosis, according to a study done at The State university of new York Health Science Center.
In this randomized study, 10,000 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and LDL cholesterol <130 mg/dL received either 10 mg or 80 mg of atorvastatin. The role of the drug was to decrease LDL cholesterol levels to a varying degree, depending on the dose.
It was found that patients who reached the lowest levels of LDL, had significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, as compared to those, whose LDL level was closer to 130 mg/dL.
Furthermore, researchers did not observe any adverse effects caused by extremely low LDL levels. They also found that the risk of death from any cause, was lowest in the low LDL group.
Study results suggest that cardiovascular risk may be reduced in patients suffe
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Troubled Relationships Lead to Heart Disease
Med Headlines - A recent study released in Oct. 8 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine at London reports- ‘furious and tempestuous relationships might lead to increased risk of coronary problems moderately and result in a heart attack or angina.’
Men and women involved in disputing relationships over a span of 12 years were 34% more likely to develop heart problems, than those with lesser frequency of conflicts. Emotionally stable relationships were not linked to coronary problems, explained Roberto De Vogli, Ph.D., M.P.H., of University College London, and colleagues.
Researchers also indicated that chances are higher that individuals tend to replay more negative encounters due to negative intimate emotional relationships than they replay positive ones. As stronger emotions are forced by tensed intimate relationships, which are worry and anxiety resulting in stronger physiological efforts. Social relationships are believed to encourage better cardiovascular health.
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Men With Chronic Heart Failure Can Lead Active Sex Lives
Med Headlines - Although medication can help extend the lives of men with chronic heart failure, several factors associated with this disease can interfere with a person's ability to engage in and enjoy sexual activities. Fatigue, depression, medication side effects and the fear of damaging the heart can cause people with chronic heart failure to lose interest in sex or wonder whether this activity is safe for them.
A literature review published in the October issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings finds that with proper screening and treatment, many patients with chronic heart failure can safely engage in sexual activity.
Methods
Co-authors Stacy Mandras, M.D., from Washington University in Saint Louis, Mo.; Patricia Uber, Pharm. D., and Mandeep Mehra, M.D., both from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore; conducted systematic independent literature searches using the MEDLINE database and examined a broad range of medical research that focused on chronic heart failur
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It May Be Possible To Keep The Heart Young
Med Headlines - The exciting results of a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Alberta may lead to important breakthrough medications that prevent the heart from accumulating a dangerous build-up of fatty acids.
The research team, led by Jason Dyck, involved the chemical composition of the fuel the body makes to run the heart muscle of young mice versus the composition of the fuel used by aged mice. Seems a healthy young heart needs a balance of fat and sugar to keep the heart beating and blood circulating at optimum levels.
The older heart, however, functions best with a different blend of fuels. The older mice produced evidence of more efficient heart and circulatory function when the fuel was more sugar than fat.
The conversion of fat into fuel the heart can use is regulated by a particular protein. According to the findings of the Dyck study, the body manufactures less of this crucial protein as the body ages. The ironic timing of this reduct
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Study Questions Statin Benefits For Older Heart Patients
Med Headlines - A Swedish study released this week questions the effectiveness of statin therapy for older patients who have heart failure. According to the study, rosuvastatin (Crestor) did not significantly improve the combined rate of cardiovascular death and nonfatal MI in heart failure patients. The study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, did little to sway the opinions of many physicians who still believe in the merits of the drug for older heart patients.
“Given the clinical evidence in other populations and the uncertainty of the reason for the lack of benefit in heart failure patients, clinicians should continue to prescribe statins for patients with ischemic heart failure and left ventricular dystolic dysfunction.” noted Dr. Frederick A. Masoudi, of the University of Colorado at Denver.
The study included 5,011 patients ages 60 and older with chronic symptomatic systolic heart failure who were not already on a statin. Participants were
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Progress In Coronary Disease Death Rates Grinds To Near Halt In Young Adults
ScienceDaily (Nov. 20, 2007) — Before you plop in front of the television for a day of football, pizza and beer, you might consider this: New research shows that in young adults, decades of hard-won progress in reducing the risk of heart disease appears to be stalling, as recent death rates from coronary disease remain almost unchanged in young men and may even be increasing in women.
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See also:
Health & Medicine
Heart Disease
Stroke Prevention
Chronic Illness
Mind & Brain
Stroke
Child Psychology
Alzheimer's
Reference
Coronary heart disease
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Atkins Diet
Bran
The worrisome plateau in death rates comes at a time when young Americans are increasingly likely to be obese and suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors.
"Young adults should take stock of their lifestyles," said Earl S. Ford, M.D., M.P.H., a medical officer in the U.S
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GM plants that produce fish oils could help fight heart disease
Scientists inserted alga l genes into oilseed rape, commonly used in animal feed. Fatty acids are normally created by marine algae and passed into the human food chain through fish. Photograph: David Levene
Genetically modified plants which produce essential omega-3 fish oils could be the only way to ensure people get enough of these nutrients, according to a major EU-funded study. The plants, which would be used as feed for farm animals, could increase omega-3 in human diets without adding to pressure on rapidly declining fish stocks.
Long-chain fatty acids called EPA and DHA, found mainly in oily fish such as tuna, salmon and mackerel, can give protection against cardiovascular diseases and slow mental decline in elderly people and are essential for the healthy development of a baby's brain in the womb.
Experts recommend that we eat about 450mg of omega-3 oils every day, but most adults manage barely half that amount. Among teenagers, the figure drops to just 100mg a day. Low-income families get about 50mg a day less than average.
To address the health problems that could result from a lack of these essential fatty acids, a five-year EU-funded project called Lipgene brought together almost 200 scientists and economists to look for ways to increase the levels of the oils in people's diets. An analysis carried out for the project found that the costs of increasing omega-3 consumption across Europe would be paid back many times over in reduced healthcare costs.
Ian Givens, of the University of Reading, one of the Lipgene scientists, said that part of the answer lay in increasing omega-3 fish oils in popular foods. Only 30% of Britons regularly eat oily fish, but 80% eat poultry. ""The target we set ourselves was for a 200g portion of meat to contain 300mg of EPA and DPA together - we've achieved that. If that strategy was adopted on a widespread basis, that poultry meat in the amounts it's currently consumed would provide the population with 120-130mg a day.""
Givens increased the omega-3 levels in his chickens by adding the oils, taken from fish, to their feed. However, this method may not be sustainable given the depletion of fish stocks around the world.
Johnathan Napier, of Rothamsted Research Institute in Hertfordshire, said that the only sustainable
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Canadian study finds heart risks with Avandia
The popular diabetes medication Avandia is under scrutiny again. A new Canadian study finds that the drug, along with others like it, increases the risk of heart failure, heart attacks and death in older adults.
The study authors say their results provide further evidence that this class of medication may cause more harm than good.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, looked at the glitazone class of drugs, which include rosiglitazone, the pharmaceutical name for Avandia and pioglitazone (sold under the name Actos). Both drugs work by increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin.
The researchers say this study is distinct from previous studies because it was not a clinical trial but the first real-world, population-based examination of the drugs.
The study examined Ontario health-care databases, looking for residents aged 65 years or older who were treated with diabetes medications and then followed them for almost four years,
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