Heart Health Journal

Maintaining heart health with Tomato Extract

2006-06-12T18:41:00.000-04:00

Two UK studies prove new health benefits of unique tomato extract

Response Source (press release) - London,UK

... Professor Duttaroy explained: “For people who do not already
have a heart problem but want to maintain their heart health,
there is still much debate around ...

Green Tea and Heart Health

2006-06-12T18:37:00.000-04:00

Green tea may help explain "Asian paradox"

Reuters.uk - UK

... in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Yale University
researchers detail the body of evidence linking green tea to better heart
health

Heart Disease News

2006-05-29T20:13:00.000-04:00

heart disease

Heart disease could cost Russia $300 bln by 2015 - WHO
RIA Novosti - Moscow,Russia
... Leo Bokeria said: "According to the World Health Organization,by 2015 Russia could lose $300 bln from premature deaths caused by strokes,heart attacks, and ...

Can patients' stem cells fight heart disease?
Therapeutics Daily (subscription) (press release) - Newtown,PA,USA
The disease that results when the heart loses pumping efficiencycommonly follows heart attacks, which can kill cardiac cells andcause scar tissue to form in ...

Men to toast alcohol heart disease study
Scotsman - United Kingdom
MEN have a new excuse for enjoying a daily tipple - an alcoholic drinka day cuts the risk of heart disease. However the study,published ...

'A beer a day keeps heart disease away'
24dash.com - Hereford,Herefordshire,UK
Having an alcoholic drink a day cuts the risk of heart diseasefor men but not for women, according to research out today. A study ...

A Drink a Day May Keep Heart Disease Away, for Men at Least
Bloomberg - USA
May 26 (Bloomberg) -- An alcoholic drink a day may help men avoid heartdisease, while women get the benefit as long as they consume somealcohol, according to ...

Heart Health News

2006-04-11T11:10:00.000-04:00

Women should focus on heart health

News 14 Charlotte - Charlotte,NC,USA

They say women of all ages need to start taking heart in their health.
Staying fit has always been a part of Christine O'Boyle's life.
She ate right. ...

Project launched to defuse “Heart health bomb”

Scoop.co.nz (press release) - New Zealand

A project to help defuse a looming “heart health bomb”
was launched in Hawke’s Bay today. ... In Hawke’s Bay, heart
disease is the No.1 health priority. ...

April 9: Heart Health And Low Calorie Diets

NBC5.com - Chicago,IL,USA

... Louis studied heart function in members of an organization
called the Caloric Restriction Society and found that their hearts functioned
like the hearts of ...

A new Angina Treatment

2006-04-05T03:17:00.000-04:00

I wonder if I wrote about this before. Regardless this is the update. They called me from the hospital today wanting to know if I can come in on Thursday for a follow up checkup, to test the results of the new angina treatment study medication that I am taking.
Mrs A. sounded totally disappointed when I told her that I stopped taking the medications a while back. I told her that it sure didn't work for me. She asked me to come in anyway. I will. The appointment is Thursday. They will take make my bloods, give me an EKG and all the rest. I will know the results then.
Anyway, when they do find a new treatment for angina, please let me know. Thank You

Heart Health Related News

2006-03-17T11:58:00.000-05:00

Sweet! Chocolate touted as next health-food trend

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - Fort Wayne,IN,USA

... randomized trials” – carefully controlled experiments in
which people are given flavanol-rich chocolate, or not, and had their
heart health tracked over ...

HEALTH MATTERS

Freeport Journal Standard - Freeport,IL,USA

... The US Office on Women's Health offers these steps
to better heart health: Don't smoke, and if you do,
quit. ... Eat for heart health. ...

Quit Bickering to Fight Heart Disease

ABC News - USA

... can cause emotional distress and even the metaphorical broken
heart, new evidence shows that serious squabbles may also have
a lasting impact on heart health. ...

Ireland: Heart Disease Deaths Drop By Half.

MedIndia - India

... Yoga enhances heart health, lowers blood pressure,
reduces chronic stress, boosts immune system and enhances cognitive ability.
...

Heart Health Related News

2006-03-17T11:51:00.000-05:00

Risk Factors For Heart Disease

2006-03-16T11:40:00.000-05:00

It is very interesting to see that there is so much confusion as to what the risk factors for heart disease are. Most of the research on heart disease risk factors were done based on the farmingham study, yet the evidence seems inconclusive.

Over the years, the most common know heart disease risk factors, included, High Blood Pressure, cholesterol, overweight and obesity, and smoking. Some less known risk factors were c-reactive protein, and high homocysteine. This weeks article in the New York Times Studies Suggest B Vitamins Don't Prevent Heart Attacks - New York Times about homocysteine just shattered that theory.

Interestingly enough on the same day in the NYT there was this article Questions Are Raised About the Safety of a Major Heart Drug - New York Times that Plavix may not be the ultimate solution that it was thought to be.

The other known risk factors such as Genes, Depression and stress seem to be getting more attention lately. Hopefully the solution will be found soon. I surely hope so.

Pain Relievers and High Blood Pressure Medications

2006-03-09T19:41:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I blogged. As I have been using Tylenol as a Pain reliever I think I should post these links regarding Pain Relievers and High Blood Pressure Medications.
Regulating Your Blood Pressure, is surely important regardless if you already have heart disease or not. And these are Other Things You Can Do For Treating High Blood Pressure.

A Woman's Guide to Pain Relief: What you need to know to choose the right remedy,

The Lowdown on High Blood Pressure: What you need to know about this silent killer

Heart Health Related News

2006-03-09T19:33:00.000-05:00

Heart health

WHDH-TV - Boston,MA,USA

Heart disease is the number one killer of women striking young and
old. The ... Dr. Ross wrote a book about women and heart
disease. She ...

The Skinny on Low-Fat Diets

Diabetes Self Management - USA

... was designed primarily to see whether a low-fat diet could lower
the risk of colorectal and breast cancer, with the diet’s effect on
heart health a secondary ...

See all stories on this topic

Fast fish dishes

Bradenton Herald - FL, United States

... for high-fat red meat makes sense, says Alice Lichtenstein,
professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition at Tufts in Boston and an
expert on heart health. ...

HEALTH SCENE

Pleasant Hill/Martinez Record - Pleasant Hill,CA,USA

... Locations and schedule: 925-313-6771, www.cchealth.org. •
Heart-Health Assessment Tool -- The American Heart
Association's Go Red for Women movement, a ...

Madison County to be honored for teen heart program

Belleville News-Democrat - Belleville,IL,USA

Members of the Madison County Health Department are being honored
by the state for their program targeting teen heart health.
Illinois ...

See all stories on this topic

Danger of more than three cups of coffee

Daily Mail - UK - UK

... "However, for most people other lifestyle choices, such
as smoking, diet and exercise, are far more likely to affect their heart
health than the occasional cup ...

See all stories on this topic

High-fiber, low-fat diet benefits kids’ heart health, study

FoodNavigator-USA - Montpellier,France

... a two-week period showed a dramatic reduction in cholesterol
and insulin levels, according to a study presented last week at the American
Heart Association’s ...

Jog your way to healthier heart - and brain

Times Herald-Record - Middletown,NY,USA

... The research, published in the medical journal Alzheimer's
& Dementia, is a review of 96 studies already conducted on the link
between heart health and brain ...

Low-Fat Diet Does Not Cut Health Risks, Study Finds - New York Times

2006-02-08T18:47:00.000-05:00

This is an amazing article that was published in this mornings New York Times. What hope does someone with Heart Disease actualy have? I wonder? Do I start eating fatty foods now? Was my diet over the past few years just a waste of time?

This is the article Low-Fat Diet Does Not Cut Health Risks, Study Finds - New York Times: "Low-Fat Diet Does Not Cut Health Risks, Study Finds

Published: February 8, 2006
The largest study ever to ask whether a low-fat diet reduces the risk of getting cancer or heart disease has found that the diet has no effect.
Skip to next paragraph
Journal of the American Medical Association

Forum: Fitness and Nutrition The $415 million federal study involved nearly 49,000 women ages 50 to 79 who were followed for eight years. In the end, those assigned to a low-fat diet had the same rates of breast cancer, colon cancer, heart attacks and strokes as those who ate whatever they pleased, researchers are reporting today.
'These studies are revolutionary,' said Dr. Jules Hirsch, physician in chief emeritus at Rockefeller University in New York City, who has spent a lifetime studying the effects of diets on weight and health. 'They should put a stop to this era of thinking that we have all the information we need to change the whole national diet and make everybody healthy.'
The study, published in today's issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, was not just an ordinary study, said Dr. Michael Thun, who directs epidemiological research for the American Cancer Society. It was so large and so expensive, Dr. Thun said, that it was 'the Rolls-Royce of studies.' As such, he added, it is likely to be the final word. "

Read the rest of the article here: Low-Fat Diet Does Not Cut Health Risks, Study Finds - New York Times:

Women Are Said to Face Hidden Heart Disease Risk - New York Times

2006-02-03T04:53:00.000-05:00

Although I am not a woman as I am reading the health section in the New York Times I am seeing some pretty interestin articles i figured I might as wellpost them Women Are Said to Face Hidden Heart Disease Risk - New York Times

Nutrition: Diet May Drive Data on Beer, Wine and Health - New York Times

2006-02-03T04:49:00.000-05:00

Considering That I Drink to raise my HDl and to ease my pain this too may be intersting Nutrition: Diet May Drive Data on Beer, Wine and Health - New York Times

When Trust in Doctors Erodes, Other Treatments Fill the Void - New York Times

2006-02-03T04:46:00.000-05:00

When I sit here in pain and I find no solution to my infliction and pain, living with Angina and heart disease reading this article from the New York Times is pretty interesting. When Trust in Doctors Erodes, Other Treatments Fill the Void - New York Times

Living with Angina and Heart Disease

2006-02-03T02:26:00.000-05:00

I wasn't blogging for the past few months for the simple reason that I was depressed. The angina pains where overwhelming I feel as if my Angina and Heart Disease is a death sentence. Is it? I don't know. It surely is a death sentence in the sense that it doesn't allow any hope and anticipation for the future, which is totally against my personality. I expect a full recovery, and a great life ahead of me. The winter here in NYC has been harsh. I booked a flight to Miami. I hope the pain will ease there. If it does I will continue Blogging from there.

Study: Brisk walks will help your heart | IndyStar.com

2006-01-02T18:47:00.000-05:00

Study: Brisk walks will help your heart IndyStar.com

By Natalie Gott
Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C. -- There's no need to run. Just going for a brisk walk may be enough to help keep your heart healthy, a small study suggests.
The study, which indicates roughly two to three hours of mild exercise a week at a moderate intensity can significantly cut the risk of cardiovascular disease, supports earlier research.
The findings may encourage those reluctant to exercise, said Brian Duscha, lead author of the study, published in the October issue of the journal Chest.
"If you just walk 12 miles a week at a brisk pace, it's scientifically proven now that you will get some benefits," he said.
The conclusions are based on a study at Duke University Medical Center of 133 middle-aged, overweight sedentary men and women who were at risk for heart disease.
Broken into four groups, the volunteers either did not exercise, walked briskly for 12 miles a week at a moderate intensity, walked briskly or jogged slowly 12 miles a week at a vigorous intensity, or jogged 20 miles a week at a vigorous intensity.
The researchers studied two measurements of fitness -- time to exhaustion and oxygen consumption. The better shape a person is in, the more oxygen can be consumed and used, Duscha said.

read more at:Study: Brisk walks will help your heart
Researchers found benefits for those who walked 12 miles a week at a quick pace

read more: Study: Brisk walks will help your heart IndyStar.com

BBC NEWS | Health | Sibling link to heart health risk

2006-01-02T18:21:00.000-05:00

BBC NEWS Health Sibling link to heart health risk :

"Sibling link to heart health risk

Heart disease may run in the family
Having a brother or sister with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is bad news for your own odds of developing problems, research has found.
Using data on 5,000 people, scientists have calculated that middle-aged adults who have a sibling with CVD have a 45% increased risk of the same condition.
The risk is even higher than that linked to having parents with CVD.
The study, by the US Framingham Heart Study team, features in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The results highlight how important our lifestyle is

Belinda Linden
It is known that having a family history of CVD is linked to an increased risk of the condition.
However, the Framingham team say there has previously been a lack of definitive research into exactly how much having a brother or sister with the condition ups the ante.
Those studies that have been done have produced widely differing conclusions. "

BBC NEWS Health Sibling link to heart health risk :

A study of Iranian children with parents who have early onset of Coronary Artery Disease

2005-11-29T15:34:00.000-05:00

A study of Iranian children of parents with early onset CAD has important implications for the early detection, prevention, and intervention of major risk factors for CAD during childhood (including a high lipid diet, physical inactivity, and exposure to cigarette smoke) and emphasizes the importance of community-based programs beginning in childhood to prevent the occurrence of future CVD events.

Title: Atherorosclerosis risk factors in children and adolescents with or without family history of premature coronary artery disease.

Authors: R Kelishadi, N Zadegan, G Nadery, S Asgary, N Bashardoust

Reference: Medical Science Monitor 8:CR425-429, 2002

Reviewer: Edgard Granillo, Robert Goldberg

What problem is being addressed: Risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) during childhood in young boys and girls

Purpose of the Study: To examine the magnitude of, and possible differences in, risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis in children and adolescents with and without a family history of premature CAD

Location of the Study: Isfahan, Iran

Study Design: Case-control study

Results: The study sample ("cases") consisted of 50 girls and 50 boys between the ages of 2 and 18 years. This sample was randomly selected from the children of patients who had premature acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (e.g., age years) and had been recently hospitalized in the coronary care units of selected hospitals in Iran. The comparison group consisted of 100 children from the same neighborhood as the children whose parents had experienced early onset CAD and were without a family history of CAD. Children in the control group were matched to the cases on the basis of age and sex.

After completing a detailed questionnaire about anthropometric data, blood pressure, skinfold thickness, physical activity, and active or passive exposure to cigarette smoking, the children underwent a fasting blood test for purposes of analyzing serum lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins A 1 and B100. The average age of the study sample was nearly 12 years and the mean BMI was 24.

Average total serum cholesterol levels (144 mg/dl vs. 121 mg/dl), as well as levels of Apo B100 (93 mg/dl vs. 88 mg/dl) and fibrinogen (234 mg/dl vs. 206 mg/dl), were significantly higher in the case children than in corresponding controls. On the other hand, serum levels of apoliprotein A (116 mg/dl vs. 125 mg/dl) and HDL-C (40 mg/dl vs. 47 mg/dl) were considerably lower in the case as compared to control children. These differences were also significant between boy and girls within the case group only, with boys having higher levels of each of these possible risk factors for CAD than girls.

While there were no differences between children in the case and control groups with respect to levels of physical activity and frequency of current smoking, differences were observed between boys and girls in each of the 2 study groups with regards to participation in regular physical activity and in smoking habits. For example, 22% of the boys and 18% of the girls in the case group participated in regular physical activity while 21% and 17% of boys and girls, respectively, in the control group participated in regular physical activity.

Smoking rates were higher in boys than girls in both the cases (5% vs. 2%) and controls (4% vs. 1%). Although no significant differences were observed between case and control groups with regards to exposure to passive smoking, approximately one fifth of girls and boys in the study sample were exposed to this important health hazard.

Comments: The results of this case-control study in boys and girls with and without a family history of premature CAD suggest that it is relevant to examine the offspring of patients suffering from early onset CAD to identify young persons at increased risk for future CAD. The present study highlights the benefits that might be accrued in screening the serum lipid profile of children from high-risk families. This study also showed that girls were more inactive than boys. Physical inactivity is recognized as an important risk factor for CAD and it is important that the habit of regular physical activity be acquired at an early age, especially in children with a family history of premature CAD.

However, creating a positive environment and reinforcement for engaging in more exercise in young children is challenging and requires a concerted effort on the part of families, schools, and the broader community.

On the other hand, boys appear to smoke more than their female counterparts. It is crucial to prevent the development of this habit in youth which will require a concerted effort on the part of policy makers, retailers, and manufacturers of tobacco products, as well as parents. The primary focus of these efforts is to create a supportive environment in which children can avoid risky behaviors such as smoking or physical inactivity, which have also been shown to track over time. Exposure to passive or active smoking through a variety of sources should also be reduced to the extent possible.

The present findings can be used for the development of community-based programs in individuals from industrialized societies, as well as those from developing countries, to prevent the occurrence of future CVD events. Because the timing and course of development of risk factors from childhood to the adult years evolves over several decades, the present observations have important implications for the early detection, prevention, and intervention of major risk factors for CAD during childhood (including a high lipid diet, physical inactivity, and exposure to cigarette smoke).

Further studies remain needed to document possible changing trends in the risk factors for CAD in adolescents and young adults, especially in developing countries, so that conservative management approaches can be used in low-risk individuals and more aggressive preventive activities directed toward persons at higher risk for CAD.
_______________________________________________________

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I had another Nuclear Stress Test Today

2005-11-17T22:14:00.000-05:00

The past few weeks have been difficult. It was difficult for me to blog as the symptoms of heart disease such as Angina and shortness of breath have been increasing drastically.

Yesterday I went for the first part of the nuclear stress test, the exercise stress test, and today I went for the second part the resting part of the test.

I should find out the results in a few days.

I hope what I read here in this medicalnews today doesn't apply to me

Results of exercise test may predict death in patients with coronary artery disease: "Results of exercise test may predict death in patients with coronary artery disease
Category: Cardiovascular/Cardiology News Article Date: 16 Nov 2005

Exercise capacity, as measured in terms of VO2max, is a powerful predictor of death in patients with coronary artery disease, not just patients with heart failure. That is the finding of Mayo Clinic research presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2005 in Dallas. "

ABC News: Eating uncooked soy lowers cholesterol -study

2005-11-03T11:42:00.000-05:00

"Oct 31, 2005 � By Andrew Stern
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Two servings a day of soy protein such as that found in tofu, soy milk or soy powder can lower cholesterol levels by as much as 9 percent as long as the raw soy is uncooked, a study said on Monday.

Soy-fortified muffins, cereals or nutritional bars in which the soy protein was baked at high temperatures do not provide the benefit, study author James Anderson said."

ABC News: Eating uncooked soy lowers cholesterol -study:

Child growth 'key to heart risk' according to a BBC report

2005-10-31T18:09:00.000-05:00

BBC Child growth 'key to heart risk': "Child growth 'key to heart risk'

Childhood growth patterns are strongly related to the risk of developing heart disease later in life, researchers say.
The Oregon Health and Science University team found small babies who later gained weight quickly from two to 11 years had an increased risk.
Researchers said the pattern mattered more than just being overweight at a given age.
They said it was likely to be because such growth patterns meant the children lacked muscle compared to fat.
Lead author David Barker said: 'This study demonstrates for the first time that growth patterns before birth, after birth, and into childhood reveal a risk of coronary heart "

An Apple a Day for Health? Mars Recommends Two Bars of Chocolate - New York Times

2005-10-31T13:03:00.000-05:00

An Apple a Day for Health? Mars Recommends Two Bars of Chocolate - New York Times

After more than a decade of effort and a year of anticipation, Mars Inc. is finally rolling into stores with what it says is a healthy new sweet: a line of chocolate bars and chocolate-covered almonds.

CocoaVia bars, sold in the health food aisle, are promoted as being good for the heart and arteries.

In the Magazine: Eat Chocolate, Live Longer? (October 10, 2004) The new confections, called CocoaVia, are produced at a factory here and serve as the centerpiece of a corporate quest to transform chocolate into a healthy indulgence. Here, chocolate is everywhere: a sweet and full aroma wafts from the conveyer belt; a machine drizzles milk chocolate onto dark-coated clusters in zigzag fashion; bars wade through a shallow river of liquid chocolate.

But it is the glob of granola, rice and flavanol-filled cocoa powder at the heart of the bar made here - injected with a burst of liquid-canola plant sterols - that distinguishes CocoaVia from the company's M&M's, Snickers and Dove bars. Flavanols are naturally occurring chemicals in cocoa that have antioxidant qualities; sterols are plant-based chemicals found in a variety of foods.

Flavanols are what set Mars on a scientific search: if it could show that they helped improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, then foods with them could potentially help prevent heart disease.

Music training good for heart health

2005-10-16T19:00:00.000-04:00

This is and interesting article I just read on BBC News. It asserts that Learning a musical instrument could be good for the heart.

Music training 'good for heart'

Learning an instrument could boost relaxation abilities
Learning a musical instrument could be good for the heart, a study suggests.
Italian and British researchers compared the effect of a range of pieces, from Beethoven to techno, on musicians and non-musicians.

Tempo, rather than style, was found to be the greatest stress-buster in both groups, the study in Heart found.

But the effects were stronger for the musicians among the 24 people studied, as they had been trained to synchronise breathing with musical phrases.

THE TUNES IN THE STUDY
Raga (slow) - Debabrata Chaudhuri: introduction from 'Raga Maru Behag'
Classical (slow) - Ludwig van Beethoven: 'Adagio molto e cantabile' from Symphony no 9
12 tone music (slow) - Anton Webern: 'Zart bewegt' from 'Pieces for orchestra'
Rap - Red Hot Chili Peppers: 'The power of equality' from 'Blood Sugar Sex Magic'
Techno - Gigi D'agostino: 'You Spin Me Round' from 'Techno Fes vol 2'
Classical (fast) - Antonio Vivaldi: 'Presto' from 'Estate', concerto for violin, orchestra and continuo

Scientists from the University of Pavia and the University of Oxford studied breathing and circulation in 24 young men and women, before and while they listened to short excerpts of music.

Read the rest of the article here:
BBC NEWS | Health | Music training 'good for heart'

Air pollution and increased risk of CHD

2005-10-16T00:38:00.000-04:00

A new review of published data suggests a air pollution and increased risk of CHD. These findings can be useful in advocating for healthy air policy and approaches to decreasing the amounts of hazardous and gaseous and particulate matter released into the atmosphere. This is particularly important in developing countries, which rely on various fuel sources for their energy needs. Given the importance of the quality of the air we breathe, and that even a small increase in the risk of developing or dying from CHD because of air pollution affects millions of people, ongoing evaluation of clean air standards and related policy recommendations remains needed. A summary of the review can be read online in ProCOR's Journal Club (www.procor.org) and is provided below.
We welcome your comments.]
Title: Ambient air pollution and acute myocardial infarction
Authors: J. Vermylen, A. Nemmar, B. Nemery, M.F. Hoylaerts
Reference: J of Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2005;3:1955-1961.
Reviewer: Robert Goldberg
What problem is being addressed: Air pollution and occurrence of coronary heart disease.

Purpose of the study: To examine the association between ambient levels of air pollution, and mortality from cardiovascular and coronary heart disease, through a comprehensive overview of the published literature.
Location of the study: Leuven, Belgium
Study design: Summary overview of published data.
Results/Findings: In examining the possible association between markers of air pollution, and either the risk of developing and/or dying from CHD, the authors emphasized that a distinction needs to be made between gaseous and particular pollutants. Polluting gases include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone. These gases typically reflect combustion related air pollution, most notably from motor vehicles. On the other hand, airborne particular matter consists of a heterogeneous mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in air, such as diesel soot or forest fires. It is also important to distinguish short-term exposures to airborne particular matter, from more chronic exposures, and the risk of CHD related outcomes.
With regards to the risk of CHD from short-term exposures to air pollutants, several studies suggest that there is a relation between all cause and cardiovascular mortality and acute exposures to air pollution. This association has also been specifically observed with regards to the risk of AMI, which has been shown to be related to increased levels of traffic related congestion.
With regards to more long-term exposures to pollutants in the air, living in highly polluted (versus less polluted) communities or near heavily trafficked (versus less trafficked) roads has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality.
The mechanisms involved in explaining the relations between ambient air pollution and cardiovascular health are many and include an impact on inflammatory markers, vasoconstriction, and heart rate variability.
Comments: This informative overview provides insights to the adverse health effects associated with diverse forms of air pollution. While considerably more research needs to be done to determine the mechanisms involved, including the description of possible threshold levels of air pollution and health and the potential role of air pollution as a trigger of acute coronary disease, the present results suggest a link between air pollution and increased risk of CHD.
These findings can be used to influence healthy air policy recommendations and approaches to decrease the amounts of hazardous and gaseous and particulate matter released into the atmosphere. This is particularly important in developing countries which rely on various fuel sources for their energy needs.
Given the importance of the quality of the air we breathe, and that even a small increase in the risk of developing or dying from CHD because of air pollution affects millions of people, ongoing evaluation of clean air standards and related policy recommendations remains needed.

Additional Reference: Circulation 2004;109:2655-71.

Chest Pain in Cold Weather

2005-10-14T12:46:00.000-04:00

I just found this website, this good a good explanation of the pains I feel on a cold day. I just didnt know why.

Chest Pain in Cold Weather
Why does my chest hurt when I exercise on a cold day?

Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

Exercising in cold weather can cause chest pain in some people who have no problems when they exercise in warm weather. When cold wind blows on your face, your heart rate slows down.

This decreases the blood flow to the heart and can cause pain in people with blocked coronary arteries.

The blood supply to your heart muscle comes from arteries on its outside surface. The blood that is pumped inside your heart's chambers brings almost no oxygen to your heart muscle.

If you have arteriosclerosis, the fatty plaques in your heart's arteries restrict the flow of blood to your heart. Your heart has to pump rapidly to meet its needs for oxygen. A cold wind slows your heart, reducing the flow of blood. If the heart muscle is unable to get all the oxygen it needs, it starts to hurt.

While freezing your face slows your heart, freezing your fingers makes your heart beat faster. Cold hands will not cause chest pain, but a cold face can.

If you have no history arteriosclerosis and have chest pain when you exercise in cold weather, check with your doctor to rule out possible heart problems. If you have heart trouble, it is always a good idea to cover your face when you go out on cold days. You can wear a scarf that you can wrap over your mouth, a knitted ski mask, or a hat with a visor that you can lower when the wind blows. www.DrMirkin.com

Study Shows New Imaging Tracer Clarifies Cause of Chest Pain Up to 30 Hours After Pain Stops

2005-10-12T10:57:00.000-04:00

Experimental compound reveals metabolic disturbances in the heart

A national team of researchers, led by a cardiovascular nuclear medicine specialist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, has demonstrated for the first time that an experimental radioactive compound can show images of heart damage up to 30 hours after a brief interruption of blood flow and oxygen.

The discovery may help physicians in emergency rooms and in their offices determine whether a patient's chest pain, which may have subsided hours earlier, is related to heart disease or something else, such as indigestion.

The results of the study appear today in Circulation Online and will appear in the print version of Circulation on October 4, 2005."

YOu can read the entire news release here at University of Maryland Medical Center
Study Shows New Imaging Tracer Clarifies Cause of Chest Pain Up to 30 Hours After Pain Stops

Cells 'reverse heart attack damage'

2005-10-12T10:21:00.000-04:00

Cells 'reverse heart attack damage'

The technique could offer hope to heart attack victims
The body's master cells can repair the damage caused by a heart attack, a study suggests.
Tests on rats have shown that stem cells can restore up to 90% of the heart's ability to pump blood around the body, which is often reduced following an attack.

Stem cells, which can be obtained from bone marrow, are unique in that they have the potential to turn into any other cell in the body.

Doctors have injected these cells into a small number of patients with heart disease. However, the results of these trials are not yet known.

This latest study adds to the growing body of evidence that stem cells could provide real hope to patients with heart problems.

BBC NEWS | Health | Cells 'reverse heart attack damage': "Cells 'reverse heart attack "

Stem cell heart cure to be tested

2005-10-12T10:18:00.000-04:00

Stem cell heart cure to be tested

Different therapies will be tested
Doctors have launched a trial to test whether heart disease can be treated using a patient's own stem cells.
The study, at Barts and the London NHS Trust, is funded by a charity set up by a man who underwent stem cell treatment for his heart condition in Germany.

The aim will be to determine whether adult stem cells taken from bone marrow can repair damaged heart muscle.

In total, 700 patients will take part in the study, which will test three different forms of stem cell therapy.

BBC NEWS | Health | Stem cell heart cure to be tested

Welcome Frustration

2005-10-07T08:44:00.000-04:00

How Ironic

This is part of a article from a daily email that I get. It is part of the year to success program from Bo Bennet.Today's article is welcome frustration

Day 138: Welcome Frustration

Frustration is such a powerful feeling that we automatically determine it to be negative. We call it negative because it generally does not make us feel very good. Frustration is the feeling that accompanies the experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals. This feeling, although quite painful at times, is a very positive and essential part of success. Frustration is energy that can be positive or negative, depending on what you do with it. Misdirected frustration wasted on cursing, taking it out on others, or kicking the computer is like running the air conditioner with all the windows open - a complete waste of energy.

Why should we welcome frustration, a feeling that is almost always painful? Here are a few main reasons:

Pain, especially emotional, can be a major self-motivator. When motivating ourselves, the need to avoid pain often gets more results than the desire to gain pleasure. We can use this frustration to change what is not working in our lives. It is this constant change, with the desire to reach an end goal, which is known as persistence.
Frustration gives us emotion and energy to take action. There are usually many things to do on the average "to do" list. However, it is usually those items on the list that cause frustration that get done first.
Frustration makes our mind search for alternative action. There is a thought process of which you may not even be aware; it is the process of searching for alternative actions when you feel frustrated. Frustration usually occurs because, at the time, no suitable alternatives can be found. However, remember that despite your conscious mind's inability to present to you a suitable alternative (I don't consider cursing or kicking the computer suitable), your subconscious mind is still busy searching. Trust your own subconscious mind to find the solution for which you are looking.
There are two primary ways to harness the power of frustration and use it as positive energy. The first way is to release the frustration physically. Frustration is a powerful motivator for exercise. Running, lifting weights, and especially hitting a heavy bag are ways to release the frustration while burning calories and getting in shape! In June 2003, a Brazilian artist opened an exhibition of punching bags in the Santa Cecilia subway station so that commuters could better relieve their frustrations.* The second primary way to harness the power of frustration is to release it mentally. This is the sometimes agonizing process of changing actions and behaviors, searching for alternatives, and just pure perseverance. However, it is this process that led to many of the greatest achievements in history.

Frustration is not bad. It may not feel too good at the time, but once you understand the power of frustration and the incredibly positive effects it can have, you will begin to use frustration to your advantage by bringing yourself closer to success. So next time you are about to kick the computer, kick a heavy bag instead or better yet, kick-start your mind and turn frustration into success.

* Source: Jornal da Tarde newspaper, June 12, 2003

KEY POINTS:

Frustration is the feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals
This feeling, although quite painful at times, is a very positive and essential part of success
Pain, especially emotional, can be a major self-motivator
Frustration gives us emotion and energy to take action
Frustration makes our minds search for alternative action
Frustration can be released in the physical or mental form
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"I've come to believe that all my past failure and frustration were actually laying the foundation for the understandings that have created the new level of living I now enjoy." - Anthony Robbins

Year To Success, by Bo Bennett

The WHO report preventing chronic diseases

2005-10-07T08:34:00.000-04:00

For the past few hours I have been sitting here in front of the computer reading some emails attempting to ignore the debilitating pains caused my angina. One email I received was about the new WHO report how chronic diseases such as heart disease will be killing millions of people in the next few years.Thirty-six million lives and hundreds of billions of dollars will be lost by
2015 unless we take global action to prevent chronic diseases, according to a report released today by WHO. You can see the report here WHO | Preventing chronic diseases: a vital investment

Its extremely frustrating for someone like me who has heart disease, and is actually feeling the pain to read, these numbers. I wish I can contribute and do something. It is frustrating.

World Heart Day

2005-10-03T13:04:00.000-04:00

I just found this website now. I seem to have missed this yearsWorld Heart Day
maybe next year.

Implant Program for Heart Device Was a Sales Spur - New York Times

2005-09-27T10:21:00.000-04:00

Is this really what its all about the money? Do heart patients really stand a chance when the bottom line is money? You can read this article in today's New York Times Implant Program for Heart Device Was a Sales Spur - New York Times

As I write this I think of both sides of the argument.
The Doctors and the Medical equipment manufacturers can argue that the money fuels innovation and invention.
They may be right.
But I as a patient, surely don't like the feeling that the decision was based on economics, and not sound medical judgment.
Decision time will be when the doctors and the medical equipment manufacturers employees themselves will become patients, as some of them will inevitably become. Will they regret their motivations?
I think they should think about that.
Unfortunately, I don't think that they do.

Tips for designing a home gym

2005-09-16T07:32:00.000-04:00

Tips for Designing a Home Gym

(ARA) - Once upon a time, the term "home gym" meant a treadmill taking up valuable space in your bedroom. But times have changed, and more and more homes now boast state-of-the-art home gyms that include a variety of exercise equipment you might expect to find at your local fitness center.

And while people are investing in the latest exercise machines, such as elliptical trainers and weight lifting systems, they're also devoting more thought to the design and decorating of their gym space. After all, it's easier to motivate yourself to head to the home gym if it's nicely decorated, well-lit and attractive.

Here are some tips for putting together a home gym that will give you a good workout and that you'll actually use:

* Choose an appropriate spot in your house for the workout room. Do you have a spare bedroom, or a guest room that doesn't get much use? If that's not an option, how about claiming a section of the family room, den or office? And, there's always the basement. If that's your only choice, there are ways to make it more inviting.

* Think about both your fitness goals and your workout personality. If you want to bulk up, for example, you'll want to include free weights in your plan. If you know that you prefer yoga to running on a treadmill, plan your room accordingly.

* Buy the best equipment you can afford. If the equipment malfunctions frequently or just doesn't give you a good workout, you'll get frustrated and stop using it. Buy quality equipment as you can afford it. It's better to build up your home gym slowly than to buy a bunch of cheap equipment all at once.

* Make your workout room inviting. Paint it using colors you love, display trophies, and add photos and other artwork. Wall murals are a great way to decorate a home gym. Murals Your Way (muralsyourway.com), a Minnesota-based company, offers a wide range of wall murals that are easy to install and that add a whole new dimension to a room. "Murals can add a feeling of depth and space to small, dark rooms like basements," says Todd Imholte, president of Murals Your Way.

The right mural can also be a motivational tool. For example, you can choose an ocean scene for the wall facing your treadmill and envision yourself running along the beach with the breeze blowing through your hair instead of huffing and puffing on a treadmill indoors. A woody wall mural lets you imagine you're mountain biking down a forest trail instead of pedaling a stationary bike in the basement.

* For some people, their exercise time is a bit like meditation - they prefer to do it in peace and quiet. For others, working out to music helps them get pumped up and crank out that final repetition with the weights, while still others like to catch up on the news or celebrity gossip by watching television while working out. Whether it's an iPod, a television or a DVD player, make sure you have access to technology that will help motivate you.

* Consider adding a mini refrigerator to store drinks that will help keep you hydrated during and after your workout.

A home gym can make it easier to fit a daily workout into your busy schedule. By making your workout area attractive, you'll be much more likely to actually use it.

For more information on Murals Your Way, visit http://www.adfusion.com/adfusion.partnersite/ArticleLink.aspx?UserFeedGuid=0edbeba5-05e7-4b0a-8995-6a79ff3ff270&ArticleId=101&LinkId=2.

Copyright © 2005, ARA Content

Life goes on

2005-09-12T04:29:00.000-04:00

It has been a bad 12 hours. The pain has been severe. The nitrates ease the pain for a while, then the pains return. I wonder how long this can continue?
For the past few days i have been working on updating the pages on my website www.heart-health-diets-and-exercises.com I have redesigned it giving it a more professional look. When I am done with the existing pages, I will add more pages. I am in too much pain. I may write some more later. Thats it for now.

Siemens AG - Mini-hospital for seniors and people requiring medical monitoring worn on the wrist

2005-08-29T22:06:00.000-04:00

Siemens AG - Mini-hospital for seniors and people requiring medical monitoring worn on the wrist:

Mini-hospital for seniors and people requiring medical monitoring worn on the wrist

Munich, Jun 23, 2005

A portable mini-hospital to make life easier for at-risk patients, chronically ill patients and people requiring nursing care: Tadiran Spectralink Ltd, an Israel-based supplier of mobile communication solutions, has developed a medical device that lets patients monitor their health and call help when there is no doctor around. The device, which is worn on the wrist like a watch, uses biosensors to continuously check vital functions, which are then transmitted by an embedded Siemens GSM/GPRS radio module to a medical center for further analysis. This innovative device will become available early next year under the name MDKeeper TM."

Ancient Wisdom,Modern Science Heart-Healthy-Herbs

2005-08-28T13:07:00.000-04:00

"Heart-friendly herbs Ancient Wisdom,
Modern Science :

HEART disease is a leading cause of death and disability the world over.

Heart disease, if let unmanaged, can result in heart attack and death. It is also a major cause of stroke and disability. Heart disease is due to the narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart. When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits a process called atherosclerosis and cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is coronary heart disease (CHD) or ischaemic heart disease. If not enough oxygen-carrying blood reaches the heart, you may experience chest pain, and this is called angina. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure from a blood clot forming on top of a previous narrowing. Excess cholesterol has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease by forming deposits in the coronary arteries. "

Heart-friendly herbs

Mayo Clinic researchers measuring C-reactive protein is early indicator of stiffened arteries

2005-08-26T09:19:00.000-04:00

23 Aug 2005

May help identify heart disease in patients who have no symptoms -

The Mayo Clinic research report appears online and in the August issue of the American Journal of Hypertension,... sciencedirect.com/science/journal/08957061. The Mayo Clinic collaborative study with researchers from the University of Michigan looked at 214 men and women with an average age of 59, who had no history of heart attack or stroke. Results suggest that low grade inflammation is associated with arterial stiffness (hardening). This inflammation may be a potential mechanism through which C-reactive protein is related to heart attack and stroke, and why testing for C-reactive protein in a blood test may be an effective early warning test for asymptomatic, or presymptomatic heart disease."

Mayo Clinic researchers measuring C-reactive protein is early indicator of stiffened arteries:

C Reactive protein, CRP is a risk factor for heart disease

Slower care for heart attack patients treated off hours and weekends, USA

2005-08-25T12:39:00.000-04:00

17 Aug 2005

Heart attack patients treated with primary percutaneous intervention (PCI) at hospitals after hours and on weekends wait longer to receive clot busters and other treatments and have a higher risk of death than those treated during regular hospital hours, researchers at Yale School of Medicine report in the August 17 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). "

Slower care for heart attack patients treated off hours and weekends, USA: "Slower care for heart attack patients treated off hours and weekends, USA

In Angioplasty At Least, More Is Better

2005-08-25T12:34:00.000-04:00

In Angioplasty At Least, More Is Better:

"In Angioplasty At Least, More Is Better

22 Aug 2005

Before patients get their clogged heart arteries re-opened, they may want to ask their doctor just how many such procedures he or she has done, a new study finds. The answer may make a big difference in each patient's risk of suffering a major setback before leaving the hospital. "

Benefits and Harms of Warfarin plus Aspirin after Acute Coronary Events

2005-08-25T11:42:00.000-04:00

Benefits and Harms of Warfarin plus Aspirin after Acute Coronary Events -- 143 (4): I-14 -- Annals of Internal Medicine

Benefits and Harms of Warfarin plus Aspirin after Acute Coronary Events
16 August 2005 Volume 143 Issue 4 Page I-14

Summaries for Patients are a service provided by Annals to help patients better understand the complicated and often mystifying language of modern medicine.

Summaries for Patients are presented for informational purposes only. These summaries are not a substitute for advice from your own medical provider. If you have questions about this material, or need medical advice about your own health or situation, please contact your physician. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the American College of Physicians.

The summary below is from the full report titled "Warfarin plus Aspirin after Myocardial Infarction or the Acute Coronary Syndrome: Meta-Analysis with Estimates of Risk and Benefit." It is in the 16 August 2005 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine (volume 143, pages 241-250). The authors are M.B. Rothberg, C. Celestin, L.D. Fiore, E. Lawler, and J.R. Cook.

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Clogged heart arteries can cause acute coronary events, such as heart attacks or worsening chest pain (unstable angina). Many middle-aged and older adults have these life-threatening events. They are a major cause of medical care and hospitalization in developed countries. Adults who survive the events often have high risks for blood clots in the heart's arteries and for repeated events. Doctors usually prescribe aspirin to help prevent further clots and repeated events. They may also prescribe a "blood thinner" (warfarin) or both aspirin and warfarin. Warfarin requires frequent monitoring and sometimes causes problems with bleeding. Doctors sometimes wonder if giving both aspirin and warfarin leads to more harms than benefits.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

To summarize literature about the benefits and harms of warfarin plus aspirin for people who have had an acute coronary event.

Who was studied?

5938 adults included in 10 randomized trials. All had either a heart attack or unstable angina. None received stent procedures to open up blocked blood vessels.

How was the study done?

The authors looked for studies published between 1990 and October 2004. They selected randomized trials that compared regular-intensity warfarin (international normalized ratio > 2.0) plus aspirin with aspirin alone in patients with acute coronary events. They combined data from these studies to estimate chances of benefits (reductions in heart attacks, ischemic strokes, and heart artery procedures) and harms (major bleeding events). They then applied numbers from the combined benefit and harm data (rate ratios) to a large population-based study that included many patients with different risks for heart events and bleeding. The researchers estimated groups of people for whom warfarin plus aspirin might be more helpful than harmful.

What did the researchers find?

Compared with aspirin alone, warfarin plus aspirin decreased annual rates of heart attacks, ischemic strokes, and heart artery procedures. Warfarin plus aspirin increased annual rates of major bleeding. Patients with several risk factors, such as older age, diabetes, heart failure, and decreased kidney function, had the highest risks for heart attacks and strokes. Older patients who previously had a stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding episode, kidney disease, or atrial fibrillation were at higher risk for bleeding. Numbers of deaths did not differ between treatments. In patients with low or average risk for bleeding, the numbers of heart and stroke events prevented with combination therapy exceeded the numbers of major bleeding episodes that it caused.

What were the limitations of the study?

Doctors treat many patients with acute coronary events with stents. They don't use warfarin in these patients because of bleeding risks associated with the stent procedure. This review's findings do not apply to patients treated with stents. Also, the researchers sometimes used assumptions when they applied data to different patient groups.

What are the implications of the study?

Benefits of warfarin plus aspirin may outweigh harms for some patients with acute coronary events who are not stented and do not have high bleeding risks.

Related articles in Annals:

Articles
Warfarin plus Aspirin after Myocardial Infarction or the Acute Coronary Syndrome: Meta-Analysis with Estimates of Risk and Benefit
Michael B. Rothberg, Carmel Celestin, Louis D. Fiore, Elizabeth Lawler, and James R. Cook

Patients Have Key Role in Reducing Medical Errors

2005-08-25T11:31:00.000-04:00

Patients Have Key Role in Reducing Medical Errors

By Sharon A. McNamara, RN, MS, CNOR

(ARA) - If the United States is to ever curb the alarming number of deaths and injuries each year caused by medical errors, patients must learn to take charge of their healthcare and be vocal in demanding that safe practices be followed.

A landmark report in 1999 by the Institute of Medicine, To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System, estimated that as many as 98,000 people die annually as a result of medical errors. Unfortunately, a recent analysis of the report concluded that over the past five years there has been no significant overall reduction in injuries or lives lost due to medical errors.

While progress has been slow, the report was a wake up call to the medical community and has prompted the creation of numerous patient safety initiatives by hospitals and various medical associations and groups.

The organization I head, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), has been a long-time advocate for improving patient safety procedures. Our 40,000 members work on the frontlines caring for patients from pre-surgery, to surgery and through recovery. We know first hand what can happen when proper safety procedures are not followed.

What we have found, and many studies have confirmed, is that systems failures cause most injuries, not bad physicians, nurses or clinicians. What is sometimes lacking in hospitals is a "culture of safety" that nurtures teamwork and produces a commitment on everyone's part to establish and follow specific safety procedures.

To assist and encourage patient safety efforts, AORN last year inaugurated National Time Out Day to urge health professionals to take a "time out" before a surgical procedure is performed and review a check list ensuring patient safety procedures are being followed.

The success of last year's event led to introduction of a bill now pending in Congress designating a date in June as National Time Out Day. A different aspect of patient safety will be spotlighted each year.

While promoting patient safety among our fellow health professionals is essential, we feel patient safety is far too important to be addressed only by the medical community. That is why our members encourage patients to take an active, informed role in their healthcare, particularly when they are facing surgery.

Our emphasis this year on reducing medication errors was prompted by a survey of 1,600 hospitals conducted by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices that found that only 41 percent of hospitals always label medications and solutions used in operating room settings. An alarming 18 percent of the hospitals don't label containers at all and another 42 percent apply labels inconsistently.

Medication errors injure as many as 1.3 million people annually, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The 1999 Institute of Medicine report estimated that 7,000 people die each year from medication errors.

Going through surgery is an anxious experience for patients and the hospital setting can be intimidating. But it is important for patients to speak up and not automatically assume their health care providers have all the answers. Other tips for patients to follow in order to help reduce the chance of a medication error during surgery and in the hospital include:

* Know your medical history and make sure that your health care professionals know it too. This includes what medications you are currently taking (name, dose, and schedule) and what you've been on previously, including prescribed medications, herbal supplements and vitamins.

* Be aware of the medicines that you cannot take due to allergic reactions, and share those with your doctor or pharmacist. Also tell them if you are taking something unusual.

* Know what your medications look like in order to ensure that you are consistently receiving the right one.

* Do not let anyone give you medication without checking your ID band beforehand. Make sure the nurse checks all the details against your armband to verify it's the right patient, the right medications and the right dose.

* Be vocal - don't be afraid to ask questions in the pre-op area, including "what are you giving me?" and "why are you giving it to me?" and "what are you going to do to keep me safe?"

* Ask if taking the medication requires you to avoid certain foods, beverages, other medicines, or activities or if you need to alter your behavior in any way.

* Tell your health care provider how you actually take your medication, especially if this is different from the originally prescribed directions.

* Question anything you don't understand or that doesn't seem right.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Heart-Scientists Solve Nitroglycerin Mystery

2005-08-25T11:26:00.000-04:00

This is an interesting article:

They now know how it helps the heart, but can it cause harm, too?

By Alan Mozes
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Aug. 18 (HealthDay News) -- The 150-year-old riddle of what makes nitroglycerin work as a cardiovascular treatment appears to have been solved by a team of American and Japanese scientists.

But the answer also raises important questions about the safety of the drug as a treatment for Heart-Scientists Solve Nitroglycerin Mystery

San Diego State University - Gene Therapy Uses �Trojan Horse� Stem Cells to Fight Heart Disease

2005-08-22T16:32:00.000-04:00

SAN DIEGO, Monday, July 25, 2005 – A team of researchers, led by Roger Davis of the San Diego State University Heart Institute, has executed a war plan from Greek mythology to help grab the upper hand in the fight against heart disease.

In lab experiments using mice genetically altered to reflect a severe and sometimes fatal form of heart disease called homozygous hypercholesterolemia, Davis and his colleagues used bone marrow stem cells as “Trojan horses” to carry a synthetic, therapeutic gene into the liver. This enabled the synthetic gene to prevent narrowing of the arteries, known as atherosclerotic lesions, by 50 percent.
San Diego State University - Gene Therapy Uses Trojan Horse Stem Cells to Fight Heart Disease

New Chest X-ray Image Gets Detailed Resolution Picture of the Heart

2005-08-19T14:26:00.000-04:00

New technology for computer tomography (specialized x-ray imaging) from Siemens called the Siemens Somatom Sensation 64 can capture an image of the heart at super high resolutions.

I think that this image is amazing!!

You can literally see the arterial branches ( is this image real? Or was it enhanced?)

Even 80-Somethings Benefit From Heart Bypass

2005-08-19T14:16:00.000-04:00

Aug. 18, 2005 -- Heart bypass surgery helps even people in their 80s live a longer life.

That's the conclusion of researchers who conducted a study on the effects of heart bypass and other heart surgeries on octogenarians in the U.K.

Patients in their 80s who had heart surgery were more likely to be alive five years later than 80- somethings from the general population - 82% compared with 56%.

Read More:

Even 80-Somethings Benefit From Heart Bypass

Heart-failure patients show brain injury linked to depression

2005-08-19T14:03:00.000-04:00

FINDINGS: A UCLA imaging study revealed significant tissue loss in the regions of heart-failure patients' brains that regulate the autonomic nervous system, interfering with the cardiovascular system's ability to swiftly adapt to changes in blood pressure and heart rate. The damage lies in the same brain areas showing changes in people suffering major depression, which may explain why many heart-failure patients are often depressed. i-Newswire.com - Press Release And News Distribution - Heart-failure patients show brain injury linked to depression

Major Cause of Heart Attacks in Younger Patients? Smoking

2005-08-18T07:26:00.000-04:00

Investigators from Finland have found that individuals under age 40 who smoke tobacco products have a five times higher chance of having a myocardial infarction (heart attack) than nonsmokers, and that smoking is the single most important cause of heart attacks in younger patients. Their results were published in the September issue of Tobacco Control.

Major Cause of Heart Attacks in Younger Patients? Smoking

Health Mystery in New York: Heart Disease - New York Times

2005-08-18T07:11:00.000-04:00

Health Mystery in New York: Heart Disease - New York Times

Physical Activity and Nutritious Choices -- Easy as Pie

2005-08-14T14:13:00.000-04:00

(ARA) - When the federal government released its new "MyPyramid" food guidance system this year, it incorporated for the first time a recommendation to include some form of physical activity in your everyday life.

While this may seem like a daunting task, becoming more physically active and making better food choices is not as difficult as you might imagine.

To help you understand how to work more physical activity and healthy food choices into your day-to-day life, the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) pulled together specialists from its advisory board of dietitians, physicians and physical fitness experts to give you tips.

According to the advisory board members some simple solutions can make a big difference.To live a balanced, healthy lifestyle, you must include some form of daily physical activity. "If we could just get America up and moving for 30 minutes a day combined with good nutrition, we would be a healthier nation," offers Phil Haberstro, executive director of the National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF). "Achieving a healthy balance between activity and nutrition is the most important step you can take.

By simply walking instead of taking the elevator or escalator you are increasing your daily amount of physical activity and burning additional calories." For more tips, log on to www.physicalfitness.org."

You don't have to exercise for 30 to 60 consecutive minutes," says Dr. James Hill, author of The Step Diet and founder of America On the Move. "Try splitting up your physical activity in 10-minute intervals throughout the day. Take a break from your computer and walk around the block, add a 10-minute walk to your lunch break or go for a longer walk after dinner -- this is a great way to burn calories and unwind after a day at work."

Consider the small steps you can take to help your family make smart choices. Involve your children in packing their own lunches to help them understand the importance of making better food choices. Eat a healthy breakfast with your family before sending them off to school and getting yourself off to work. You might also consider walking with your child to the bus stop or parking farther away from the office to get some extra steps in. Try putting on a pedometer to see how many steps you are actually getting in a day and then increase the number of steps over time.

Portion size and control are not as tricky as you think, but they are crucial to achieving a balanced diet. "The important thing to remember about these guidelines is that you can sample all the foods you want within reason," says ACFN chair Susan Finn, a Ph.D. and registered dietitian who is a nutrition expert. "Portion size is critical to maintaining a healthy diet. A balanced lifestyle is not about deprivation but learning to enjoy the food you love in reasonable amounts."

Some simple tips to try include comparing food to household measures, eating smaller amounts at a sitting and becoming familiar with how everyday objects compare to correct portion size.

"Most people are not aware that an apple should equal the size of a tennis ball or that a potato should be about the size of a computer mouse," says Lisa Katic, a registered dietitian who is an expert at simplifying complex nutritional information. "Make it simple for yourself and have fun with the whole family by having them guess the correct portion size of food based on everyday items. They will probably be surprised that a bagel should be the size of a hockey puck."

So take comfort in the advice from the experts: physical activity doesn't have to be strenuous; small steps are a big start; and portion control is very easy to do once you understand what a healthful portion looks like. By making these minor modifications to your daily routine, you could be on the road to better health.

To learn more about healthy tips and to seek additional advice and information, visit ACFN's website at www.acfn.org. Courtesy of ARA Content

Heart Rate monitor Help you craft the perfect workout

2005-08-08T10:52:00.000-04:00

Heart-rate monitors help you craft the perfect workout: The fascination with heart-rate monitors is reaching new heights after the Outdoor Life Network showed the pulse of some riders in the Tour de France in July.

It's like having a cockpit view of an auto racer's instrument panel.

Perennial champ Lance Armstrong didn't volunteer his real-time data; he didn't want competitors to know when he was truly sweating. But his heart-rate numbers, which provide a rare glimpse into his freakishly efficient body, are legendary and telling.

Bringing Prescription Drugs Back Within Reach for Millions of Americans

2005-08-07T17:27:00.000-04:00

Bringing Prescription Drugs Back Within Reach for Millions of Americans

(ARA) - There is a crisis in America with no end in sight. Millions of people across the country are going without medical insurance -- not because they don't want it, but because they can't afford it. Without insurance, they are unable to pay for annual physicals and well-baby checkups or the prescription medicines they need to get well when they are sick.

Realizing there is a desperate need among so many for help, a coalition of pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups have come together to form the Partnership for Prescription Assistance -- the largest ever private-sector program to help qualified patients get the help they need. Plans are in the works to bring the program to all 50 states -- one of the latest to join is California, where it's estimated that more than 5 million people lack health insurance.

Rx Help for Californians is a "clearinghouse" that provides access to more than 2,300 various prescription medications via 350 assistance programs. All people have to do to see if the free service can help them is log on to www.RxHelpforCA.org and enter basic information, including the drug or drugs they are taking, their age, zip code, annual income, number of people in the household and whether they are eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or some other insurance coverage. The database then matches them with one or more of the programs they may be eligible for, and even allows them to download an application on the spot.

For people who don't have access to a computer, a toll-free hotline is available at (877) 777-7815. Trained representatives who are fluent in English and Spanish are available to guide individuals through the process between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Pacific, Monday through Friday. A translation service for approximately 15 additional languages is also available. In addition to information about the drug discount programs, people can also find out how to enroll in government assistance programs including Medi-Cal, Medicare, Healthy Families and Assistance for Infants and Mothers (AIM).

"Rx Help for Californians will open the door for millions of Californians who have trouble getting their prescriptions," says Jack Lewin, M.D., executive vice president and CEO of the California Medical Association. "Most people don't know there are hundreds of pharmaceutical and government-sponsored programs ready, willing and able to help; and now you can find them all in one place."

Similar assistance programs have already been launched throughout the United States. To find out more, log on to www.pparx.org.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Stem Cells Update

2005-08-05T03:33:00.000-04:00

Adult Stem Cells Helping Heart Patients, Including a Luzerne County Woman

New Do's and Don'ts for Protecting the Heart

2005-08-04T12:21:00.000-04:00

(ARA) - Making the right decisions about heart health is a complex task made even harder by the rapidly evolving advice that emerges from medical research. To help consumers make the hard decisions they face in trying to shield their hearts, the independent, unbiased health experts at Consumer Reports on Health (CRH) have reviewed the recent findings and medical evidence behind new recommendations.

For example, an advisory panel recently recommended that the government strengthen its already aggressive cholesterol guidelines, a move that could put millions of Americans on cholesterol-lowering medication and cause those already taking it to boost the dosage or switch to stronger, potentially riskier drugs. The new guidelines make lifestyle changes more essential than ever, since they can minimize the need for high doses or possibly let people avoid medication entirely.
Here are some highlights -- and trusted advice -- from the July issue cover report, "The New Do's and Don'ts for Protecting your Heart."

Do's and Don'ts for the New, Aggressive Recommendations for Lowering Cholesterol

* Do consider CRP: Research has strengthened the connection between heart disease and C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of arterial inflammation. CRH's medical consultants say that knowing your CRP level can help you make the decision about how best to follow the new, aggressive recommendations for lowering cholesterol levels. Medical evidence shows that an elevated CRP pushes people into a higher-risk group that justifies more aggressive cholesterol-cutting therapy. Most people with moderate or high coronary risk should consider getting their CRP levels tested. The CRP test requires a small blood sample and costs less than $50.

* Do get the right cholesterol-cutting drugs: Virtually all people who need to get their LDL ("bad" cholesterol) down to the lowest level will need medication. Many others will too if lifestyle steps don't suffice.

* Don't let ads mislead you. Conflicting drug-ad campaigns can confuse consumers and possibly produce inappropriate choices.

* Do start with generic lovastatin in most cases. People who require just a moderate LDL reduction (less than 40 percent) should usually start with lovastatin, which has the longest safety record and lowest cost ($28 to $40 per month) of any statin.

* Do consider stronger medicine if necessary. Individuals who need larger LDL reductions (40 percent or more) or have very high coronary risk because of factors such as heart disease or diabetes should generally take the more powerful drug atorvastatin (Lipitor). It costs $117 per month, but it has a longer safety record than another statin with comparable efficacy plus a proven ability to reduce both heart-attack risk and total mortality.

* Don't overlook the last resorts. If moderate doses of atorvastatin don't suffice, you could either try the highest dose or switch to combination therapy.

* Do watch for adverse effects. That's especially important if you're taking a statin at a high dose or together with other cholesterol-cutting drugs. Call your doctor immediately if your muscles become achy, tender, or weak, because in rare cases statins harm the muscles, releasing a protein that can fatally damage the kidneys.

* Do get the right blood-pressure medication: Recent studies have caused some experts to urge that treatment guidelines be revised in favor of newer drugs, but CRH's medical consultants say that's premature.

* Do start with a diuretic in most cases. People with high blood pressure should usually start drug therapy with a diuretic, such as hydrochlorothiazide.

* Do add another drug if necessary: If the diuretic doesn't reduce blood pressure enough, a second drug is needed: usually a beta-blocker or ACE inhibitor; although a calcium channel blocker or other medication is sometimes appropriate.

* Do diet and exercise: It's more important than ever since it can help people reach the new LDL levels with only moderate drug doses. Some disciplined individuals with a high LDL might get by with non-drug steps alone. Do work out regularly and control your weight. Don't overlook omega-3s: Those fatty acids-supplied primarily by fatty fish-can reduce heart attack risk. Do consider soy and sterols, which can reduce LDL.

* Do manage your emotions: Maintaining good emotional health-by treating depression, curbing anger, relaxing, and even just laughing-may be nearly as important for preventing heart attack and stroke as proper diet and exercise.

CRH provides a table to help people find their LDL treatment plan, based on risk factors from high to low, and summarizes our recommendations based on a government advisory panel's suggestions and growing medical evidence.

Consumer Reports on Health is published monthly. Subscription rates are $24 for one year, $39 for two years. Single copies of back issues are available for $3. To subscribe, call (800) 765-1845.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Getting Back on Track - Starting again!

2005-08-03T21:32:00.000-04:00

Summer came, is here,
It does so, each year.
Seemed far, now near,
Almost over, I become aware.

With hope, anticipation
This year, a perfect vacation.
Due to my situation?
I had this expectation

We all dream, don't we?
It is natural, not only me.
Unfortunately, it was not to be,
The pains continued unrelentingly.

Doomed from the start,
With pains in my heart.
That tear me apart,
I wish I can restart!

Enduring the pain,
Staying sane.
This is insane,
No! I will not complain.

Hope dream, start anew,
The night, the morning dew
In the dark, It worked, it grew!
That should do, to pull me through.

Summer came, is here
It does so, each year.
Seemed far, now near
Almost over, I become aware

Depression and Heart Disease

2005-07-19T12:41:00.000-04:00

This is an interesting article that I just read regarding the higher incidence of mortality in heart patients who suffer from depresson too. Arch Intern Med -- Abstract: Low Heart Rate Variability and the Effect of Depression on Post-Myocardial Infarction Mortality, July 11, 2005, Carney et al. 165 (13): 1486

It's scary as you can see in this articleDepression is a risk factor for heart disease that, research over the past two decades has shown that people with heart disease are more likely to suffer from depression than otherwise healthy people, and conversely, that people with depression are at greater risk for developing heart disease.

Living With Heart Disease Isn't Easy

2005-07-15T11:33:00.000-04:00

I didn't realize that so much time has passed since the last time I wrote. My last post was on June 27th.

Many things have transpired in the interim.

I personally am not a candidate for the cell treatment although it is really fascinating and very advanced. I will discuss this in greater detail next week.

For now my cardiologist increased the dosage of the Norvasc medication, and he gave me another medication to take. I will discuss this in greater detail next week.

I intend on re-starting to exercise. My inability to exercise and be active is depressing me. I intend to force myself to re-start the exercise program.

Today is Friday- Monday we start all over again.

Back to one of my first post Life is chutes and ladders...

The Polar Heart Rate Monitor Saved The Day

2005-06-27T13:39:00.000-04:00

Last night a friend of mine came by asking me if I want to go roller blading in the park. Not wanting to tell him how I was actually feeling, I agreed.

I figured that I will use my polar heart rate monitor, and if my heart rate goes to high, I will stop and rest. That is exactly what occurred. When my heart rate went above 156 we rested for a few minutes and then we continued roller blading.

Overall we exercised for 52 minutes
I was in zone 34:46 minutes
The limits were set at 156/108
My average heart rate was 123
I burned 480 Kcal
50% of it fat.

Not bad, I enjoyed it. I exercised. And I felt good!!

Cell Therapy For Heart Disease Update

2005-06-27T02:32:00.000-04:00

D. Marogolis the COO of vescell called me from Thailand. He sound like a very nice guy.

He sent me some more e-mail regarding the program. I forwarded It to My cardiologist. As of now I am waiting for a reply.

Let's see what happens.

I know that I have angina, stable and unstable angina, I know that its one of the main symptoms of heart disease. Now, I have to hope that the fact that genetically I am prone to the main causes of angina doesn't diminish my chances of healing through these new technologies.

I am hoping for the best.

I walked to Prospect Park On Saturday

2005-06-27T02:15:00.000-04:00

Considering the pain I was in I really should of done nothing. I did. Lets be real. What do I have to lose?

I walked to prospect park on Saturday. A two and a half hour walk. As I wasn't wearing my polar heart rate monitor at the time I cannot be be sure that the walk was quick enough to give me the cardiovascular benefits of exercise. I hope that it did have the benefits. I know that it was hard. I was sweating buckets. I assume that the reason I was sweating so much was due to the heat in NYC. It reached 95 degrees yesterday.

I enjoyed it. That is the important part. I wish that I will heal. Then I can enjoy many more walks in the park. I anticipate that I will.

Cell Therapy For heart Disease

2005-06-24T12:56:00.000-04:00

I found this website today Cell Therapy : Treat heart disease with your own stem cell it is a company that is using medical facilities in Thailand to treat heart patients with severe angina.

They say that for those that have Coronary Artery Disease and cannot or don't want to have Coronary Bypass Surgery this is a great option.

I sent them an email to find out if I am a candidate. I hope that they respond positively. Lets see what happens. Considering that I had the heart attack, I had an angioplasty, I did EECP, I did Cardiac Rehab, I am on all the correct medications and nothing helped. What do I have to lose?
I will try it if they accept me.

Can They Do Better?

2005-06-22T16:18:00.000-04:00

This is a post I came across today at http://www.nanoaging.com/.

Restoring Flow To All Blocked Areas Of The Heart Improves 5-year Survival Rate, Study Says

LOS ANGELES (June 20, 2005) -- Pointing out that not all coronary artery bypass operations are performed the same way or have equivalent outcomes, cardiothoracic surgeons at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have found that patients who have blockages of multiple coronary arteries and undergo "complete revascularization" -- grafting of arteries to restore blood flow to all affected territories of the heart -- have consistently better long-term survival rates than those who have "incomplete revascularization."

The findings are based on a review of 1,034 patient cases with five-year follow-up, and are reported in the current issue of The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

"Our study centered on the various factors that make for the most successful coronary artery bypass operation, and we were looking not only at in-hospital survival but five-year survival," said Wen Cheng, M.D., the cardiothoracic surgeon who led the study. "

Although most survival studies are based on immediate outcomes, this is not the whole picture. We should be emphasizing long-term survival. What are the results going to be after five years or more? Is the patient going to need another intervention? And the most important thing: Is the patient going to be alive?

The study found that patients have significantly better long-term outcomes when surgeons place a bypass graft to all the territories of the heart that have significantly blocked arteries. Taking into consideration the various risk factors from one group of patients to another, incomplete revascularization clearly increased the chance of death within five years of bypass surgery. In fact, there was a 70 percent increase in the chance of death from any cause, and an 85 percent increase in the chance of dying of a cardiac-related disorder if a patient received incomplete revascularization.

The benefit of complete revascularization makes intuitive sense, and this study supports that. But many of the procedures that are being performed today result in only incomplete revascularization," Cheng said. "According to one recent study, for example, complete revascularization was achieved in only 74 percent of patients undergoing percutaneous intervention (balloon angioplasty and stenting) and in only 82 percent of those undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery."

The Cedars-Sinai study also found that long-term survival increased when arteries, not veins, were used in grafting. Especially in the early days of bypass operations, saphenous veins from the legs were used to replace blocked coronary arteries.

But in the past few years, many surgeons have abandoned veins for arteries of the chest and arm. "It is much easier to harvest and work with veins, but, unfortunately, veins do not last forever," said Cheng. "Arteries are naturally better able to carry blood under arterial pressure than veins, and while arterial grafting is technically more difficult to accomplish, requiring a higher level of skill, it was the best choice for our patients.

Results of the study are based on a review of the quality assurance database for patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting between January 1998 and January 2000 at Cedars-Sinai. Over the course of its nearly 35-year history, the medical center's Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery has compiled a database of about 25,000 patient outcomes.

In this study, we tried to look at every possible factor -- individually and in combination with hundreds of other factors -- that might affect whether a patient lives or dies in five years," Cheng said.

Many things did not matter one way or another, but several factors did make a significant difference. Notably, patients who had complete revascularization did better than those who had incomplete revascularization, and patients who had arterial grafting did better than those who had venous grafting.

Based on these findings, we encourage heart surgeons to try to graft all affected territories and to use arterial grafts whenever possible." Cheng also urges patients to learn more about the fundamentals of heart surgery and recognize that surgeons are faced with a number of choices in each case. There are many ways to perform an operation, but different approaches may have different outcomes. "When I have a patient in my office and we say, 'You're going to need surgery,' they hear nothing else," he said. "To the patient, the big decision is surgery or no surgery.

Once that decision is made, they assume one operation is the same as another. But we're saying there's more to it than that. You can trust your surgeon but still ask questions. In fact, patients can be more proactive and confident in their care if they understand the basics. What operation are you planning for me? Which vessels are you planning to treat? And what kind of grafts are you using?"

One of only five hospitals in California whose nurses have been honored with the prestigious Magnet designation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is one of the largest nonprofit academic medical centers in the Western United States. For 17 consecutive years, it has been named Los Angeles' most preferred hospital for all health needs in an independent survey of area residents. Cedars-Sinai is internationally renowned for its diagnostic and treatment capabilities and its broad spectrum of programs and services, as well as breakthroughs in biomedical research and superlative medical education. It ranks among the top 10 non-university hospitals in the nation for its research activities and was recently fully accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP). Additional information is available at www.cedars-sinai.edu

A Bottle Of Wine To Deal With The Pain!

2005-06-21T23:29:00.000-04:00

As the days pass, I begin to wonder. Will I make it? Will I survive?

The past few weeks have been extremely difficult for me. The pains were so intense, that I was simply scared to exercise. Whenever the pains subsided and I regained my confidence, I went out for a brisk quick walk.

I managed to walk around Prospect Park. The walk to the park, the park itself and the walk back took nearly three hours. That was a week ago.

Yesterday I tried. I walked 10 blocks, the pains started, I got scared, took some Nitrates and came back home.

Today I tried twice. Once I ended up walking 10 blocks and I started feeling the pains, so I came back home. The second time, I went with two of my kids the 14 yr old and the 12 yr old, we walked to the wine store. By the time I got there, I was in pain and out of breath. Can you imagine that? I was swimming a mile in a half a day 6 months ago. It surely is sad. Very sad.

I bought a bottle of Mount Hermon 2003 a blend of Cabernet sauvignon 42%, Merlot 48%, and Cabernet franc10%. I am 75% finished with the bottle. I am am able to write.

Can I be blamed? I still have 6 months to my 40th birthday will I make it? I don't know.

I wonder? Is there anyone out there who can help me. If not me! Then at least help my wife and seven kids. Why do they deserve to go through this agony and pain?

Heart Disease is a Killer!!! IF ONLY I COULD FIND THE WAY TO HEAL!! I WOULD SPREAD THE WORD WORLDWIDE.

NOW WITH THE INTERNET AND WITH BLOGS TENS,IF NOT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WON'T HAVE TO SUFFER LIKE I DO.

If anyone reading this blog knows of a way that he can help! PLEASE COMMENT! I am waiting.

Yes, President Clinton, Vice President Cheney, Larry King, David Lettermen, you all have heart disease too. Why not create a campaign to fight the LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE WESTERN WORLD. If all of you join forces you can make a difference.

Please Respond.

Well The Situation Remained The Same

2005-06-09T18:38:00.000-04:00

The pains have been coming and going all day. I take nitrates it eases the pain a bit, then the pain returns. Usually I feel the pain in the center of my upper back and it spreads to my chest. Angina is tricky, it's very difficult to describe. I hope the pain will ease soon and I can continue with my day.

I wonder if I should go take an EKG, or a Echocardiogram.

It's really a pity that all tests such as an angiogram is invasive, and the non invasive CT Scan to check coronary artery calcification won't help me much.

Let me see what develops. I think I am going to take a walk now.

Will The Angina Pain Ever Stop?

2005-06-09T01:16:00.000-04:00

This is ridiculous. Will the pain ever stop? For the past several days my angina pains have been so severe I have practically been living on nitroglycerin. Exercise was out of the question.

I just returned from my mothers 62nd birthday party. All my siblings ( all 13 of us) were there and were able to participate. I couldn't! The pains were overwhelming. What am I supposed to do? I wish someone who has or is going through the same situation will comment. That way I can learn from his experience. I am still below 40. How can I survive this way?

The actual emotions I am feeling now are sad so I won't write about them. I am hoping for a positive future. As time goes on a cure will be found and I will heal, survive, and thrive.

Enough for now. Tomorrow will be a better day.!!

Will this blog be found? Can I make a difference and inspire the world to live a healthy lifestyle?
And, avoid the leading cause of death heart disease? I hope I can. We must commit to lifetime health and fitness. Through keeping healthy and fit we may be able to conquer heart disease before it strikes. I suffer you don't have to.

How will I get up in the morning?

2005-06-03T02:57:00.000-04:00

I surely didn't expect to remain up this late. Especially since I want to be up early in the morning, to get to the gym.

Tonight I ate some fish, salad for fiber, and snacked on some nuts and soy chips for protein, and I washed it down with some vodka for alcohol. All of these foods are considered by the FDA as heart health foods that are healthy for heart disease.

Dash Diet, Almonds, Heart Health Food

They fixed the sauna at the gym

2005-06-02T10:05:00.000-04:00

They fixed the sauna at the gym so I was able to relax a bit after exercising. It felt great!

Today I
exercised for 50 minutes
In Zone for 42 minutes
limits 156/108
AVG/HR 116
Kcal 425
Fat 55%

After the treadmill I dis a small weight routine. I think its time for me to
restart lifting some weights. I will try starting slowly, aerobic exercise is great cardio exercises are great, but a combination of both is better.
Well that's my story for today. I hope to keep with the program, and regain my heart health.

Going back to the gym

2005-05-31T08:19:00.000-04:00

It was hard, but I did it. Two weeks past since the last time I went to the gym. ( The past two weeks were spent with the tooth ache, stopping the aspirin and the plavix, getting the wisdom tooth pulled and easing the pain with vicodine extra strength.)

Today I restarted the treadmill slowly.

Exercise time 30 minutes
Zone; 21:18
Limits 156/108
AHR 111
Kcal 215
Fat 60%

This time I hope that I don't fall down the next chute and I can continue climbing the ladder :)

My Wisdom Tooth Was Pulled Out

2005-05-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

I wasn't able to exercise for the past few days. I had an intense toothache. Every four hours I took Vicodin- it eased the pain - but I was very drowsy most of the time. Final, yesterday after being off the plavix, and the aspirin for 3 days I had the surgery and my tooth was pulled. I am still taking the Vicodin, If the pains stop within the next day or two I will re-start exercising.

The situation is exactly as I have written on the first blog, "life is a game of "chutes and ladders", we just have to keep on playing.

Today I found this article Poor oral health associated with coronary heart disease on the American Heart association website.

It's interesting that oral health belongs with this list of Heart Disease Risk Factors. High blood pressure, Cholesterol, overweight, smoking, improper nutrition, C Reactive protein, high homocysteine, Diabetes,stress genes,high LDL, Low HDL, Triglycerides, Depression, and Obesity,.

Oral health seem to be one of the lesser known risk factors. If it is a risk factor, it sure makes sense to begin educating kids when they are young, that by brushing their teeth, they are not only keeping oral hygiene but are actual avoiding heart disease the leading cause of death in the western world.

I went to the dentist

2005-05-19T14:57:00.000-04:00

Wow! What a night and what a morning! I had this massive toothache. It kept me up all night, and this morning I went to the dentist, it's my wisdom tooth, it is dead, it calcified.

Now I have to have surgery to remove it. The problem is that I am on Plavix, and Aspirin they don't allow the blood to clot, surgery while on these Medicationsfor heart disease that I am taking is impossible. So I had to get permission from my cardiologist to stop taking them for three days, before the surgery.

It's really amazing that there's a direct link between Gum Disease And Heart Disease
I wonder what causes what. I know that since my heart attack I had to get most of my teeth fixed.

2005-05-19T14:14:00.000-04:00

Wow! What a night and what a morning! I had this massive toothache. It kept me up all night, and this morning I went to the dentist, it's my wisdom tooth, it is dead, it calcified.

Now I have to have surgery to remove it. The problem is that I am on Plavix, and Aspirin they don't allow the blood to clot, surgery while on these Medications for heart disease that I am taking is impossible. So I had to get permission from my cardiologist to stop taking them for three days, before the surgery.

It's really amazing that there's a direct link between Gum Disease And Heart Disease
I wonder what causes what. I know that since my heart attack I had to get most of my teeth fixed.

Today I made some minor changes to my polar heart rate monitor.

2005-05-17T08:17:00.000-04:00

Today I made some minor changes to my polar heart rate monitor. I Realized that the settings were based on my weight, and physical capacity that I had achieved back in February before my last angiogram. Since then I gained weight, and my ability to exercise intensity has gone down.

These are the changes I made.

My minimum heart rate was 112 and my maximum was 156 I reduced the minimum to 108. That is supposedly the average minimum heart rate for a 40 year old. ( I will be turning 40 in 6 months). The implication of this change is that now when my heart rate is from 108 to 112 it is still considered as if I am in zone.

The second change is that my weight was set for 182 I changed it to 194. Last night when I weighed my self I was 194, wow did I gain weight! This change modifies the amount of calories being burned, during exercise. I wonder is that up or down? I will have to research that.

Anyway, today I had to reduce the intensity of my exercises again. The reason may be that I slept maybe 2 hours last night, and I am dead tired.

These are today's numbers. (I walked on speed 3.5 grade 3.5, it's embarrassing, but what can I do? Tomorrow I will do better)

Exercise Time: 55:56 minutes
In Zone:52:06 minutes
Limits:156/108
Average HR 121
KCAL 522
FAT 55%

High blood pressure, Being overweight is risky

Obesity guidelines, obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease

Monday Morning I Took a Brisk Walk In The Park

2005-05-16T08:34:00.000-04:00

This morning I awoke with a burning desire to commit myself fully to exercising at full intensity.

Although, the pains kept me awake most of the night, and I ended up sleeping a maximum of two hours. I thought I will be able to follow through with my plan, utilizing my will power to overcome my physical exertion. I was wrong.

When I got to the door of the gym, I felt that I simply won't be able to do it. Instead of turning back and heading home, I went to the park, and did some brisk walking.

I walked around the park for 57 minutes. During the uphill phases my heart rate went to 120 and higher. I ended up being in Zone for 19 minutes, and my average HR was 108, I burned 378 Kcal/60% Fat.

Being as exhausted as I was, that isn't that bad. According to Dr. Dean Ornish in his method to reverse heart disease brisk walking is more than enough. I hope he is right although, I know that there are those that disagree, and feel that heart patients have to exercise with greater intensity. For now I will accept his opinion. If I am able to I will try exercising again later in the day.

I will do my Exercises later

2005-05-13T06:41:00.000-04:00

Although I am awake, I can't do my exercises now since I must meet someone at 8:00 AM and it will take me over an hour to get there. I will try to catch up this afternoon have to do some aerobic exercises for my heart health the benefit of aerobics for heart health cannot be understated.

The Benefits of Exercise are evident. As you can see here Cardiovascular Exercises Reduce The Risks of Heart Disease

Enough now I must rush.

I Better Get To Bed I Have To Exercise

2005-05-12T02:28:00.000-04:00

I wonder how i will be able to get up tomorrow at 6:AM to go exercise. It is now 2:30 AM and I have not gone to bed yet.

You know what off to bed I go. I will try.

EECP A non invasive treatment for angina

Cardiac rehab

Artificial pacemaker, the hearts pacemaker when it doesn't tick on its own.

I Forced Myself Out Of Bed To Exercise

2005-05-11T10:21:00.000-04:00

Well I did it again! Although the pains kept me up most of the night I forced myself to exercise at 6:30 this morning. Once I re-started my exercise program I must keep to it.

I exercised for 57.12 minutes.
I was in zone 43.04 minutes.
My average heart rate was 117
I burned 468 Kcal
The fat % burned was 55%

It's interesting, although I restarted exercising, I don't think I am losing any weight yet, I wonder if my BMI Body Mass Index changed. I assume it didn't. Gaining weight is easy losing weight is harder.

I awoke feeling like my chest is exploding

2005-05-11T00:22:00.000-04:00

I surely didn't expect this. I went to bed early, that is around 11.00 PM hoping that I will sleep through the night and awake at 6.OO AM and head out to the gym. Unfortunately that hasn't occurred. I awoke with this feeling that my chest is going to explode! These are the typical Angina pains. I just took some Motrins, to ease the pains. I am wearing a nitroglycerin patch, between the two I may get some relief.

What am I supposed to do?

Oh! How I wish I would have known how to take care of my heart health before I developed heart disease. I wish I would have quit smoking. I wish I would have watched my diet, and reduced my heart disease risk factors before it got too late.

Unfortunately, that wasn't my story. I had to learn things the hard way! Can there be a purpose for it? There may be.

If I am able to educate and inspire others to live a healthy lifestyle and avoid heart disease, I will have found some solace in my pains and suffering.

Last week one of my neighbors told me that seeing what happened to me, and realizing the pain that I am in, motivated him to quit smoking. That is one person, family, with children and grandchildren that may be avoiding un-necessary suffering through me. If that one can turn into millions, my suffering won’t be in vain.

I Had To Reduce The Intensity Of The Exercise

2005-05-10T08:51:00.000-04:00

I just returned from the gym. Today, I wasn't able to exercise with the same intensity as I did yesterday. I wonder if it has any thing to do with the wine I drank late last night.

Lately I have been following the recommendation of drinking alcohol to increase my HDL cholesterol levels. It is possible, that I simply drank too much, too late, I wonder.

Anyway, today I couldn't jog, so I
walked at a speed of 3.5 and a grade of 3.5 for 35 minutes.
I was in Zone 26.21 minutes
My average heart rate was 115
I burned 281 calories, 55% of them fat.

I expect that tomorrow I will do better. I am hopeful!

I did it I went to the gym

2005-05-09T08:22:00.000-04:00

Well I did it! I awoke at 6:00 AM and went to the gym.
Although I awoke sporadically from the angina, throughout the night, I did end up sleeping for several hours. I forced myself to get out of bed and I headed to the gym. I jogged on the treadmill for 55 minutes, and I was in Zone for 45 minutes. My average Heart Rate was 133 and I burned 617 Kcal/45% Fat.
Not bad, for someone in my condition, aside for helping lose my excess weight and controlling my BMI it will reduce my risk factors for another imminent heart attack, or so I hope.

The Struggle

2005-05-09T01:02:00.000-04:00

One thing is for sure, the struggle with Heart Disease isn't easy.
It is now 12:26 AM, and I am scheduled to be picked up by a friend of mine to go exercising at the gym at 6.15 AM.
If the pains that I am feeling now persist how will I go? I just took two nitroglycerins' to ease the angina pains. I hope the pains will subside.

I wonder what my options are. My last angiogram showed that there wasn't any re-stenosis since my last angioplasty. It's the smaller coronary arteries that are closing up, hindering the blood flow and causing the pains. The cardiologists feel that it's too risky to attempt to put a stent into those arteries, and since I am so young, coronary bypass still isn't an option. What are the options?

The nitrates are taking effect and the pain is easing a bit. Maybe I will still be able to sleep a few hours and awake early to exercise. I am hoping for the best.

Day 3 of my journey to heart health

2005-05-06T09:08:00.000-04:00

Part of the journey to heart health is finding ways how to relax and unwind. Last night I accomplished that by going to the Russian bania (shvitz). It is a real relaxing experience that I would recommend to others. I found this website Sauna & Health: Sweat Bathing and the Body which describes the health benefits of (shvitzing) sweating. I hope they are right since I truly enjoy it. I have been shvitzing even prior to my heart attack, I thought I would have to stop after the heart attack but my cardiologist says that it's okay.
I just returned from the gym and I feel great! I want this feeling to remain for the rest of the day. Exercise sure raises those endorphins there sure is that feeling of euphoria.
Today I forgot to turn on my polar heart rate monitor till 10 minutes into my exercises so I don't have the full results. This is the information that I do have. Exercise time 39.47 minutes, in zone 31.41 minutes, average heart rate 122, Kcal 367, and 50% fat.
I am going to take a break for the weekend and continue my exercise program on Sunday.

Day Number two on my journey

2005-05-05T15:25:00.000-04:00

It really is unfortunate that I have to describe the angina pains that I endure. I was hoping that this will be a positive blog. In the long run I expect it to be one. Currently this isn't the case, as this is my journey to heart health, I must write about the good, the bad and the ugly too. As time goes on, I am convinced there will be more good and less bad and ugly.

Yesterday when I returned from exercising, I really felt great for several hours, then the pains began again. The pains were so severe that I had no choice but to take some nitroglycerin, and go under the covers. It is possible that the pains were stress related I did have other stressful issues in the day. I simply don't know the answer.

Regardless, this morning I forced myself out of bed at 6:00 AM and I headed to the gym. I know that I cannot succumb to any type of depression caused by my coronary artery disease and my pains, I must succeed. Fortunately, exercising besides for being beneficial in fighting heart disease, it is also a great cure for depression. I hope to gain both benefits, and gain a positive mental attitude, that will assist me in my recovery.

This morning I exercised on the treadmill for 51 minutes, I was in zone for 46 minutes, my average heart rate was 120, and I burned 467 Kcal, 55% Fat.

Initially I planned on raising the intensity of my exercise a bit, but I couldn't, I started feeling chest pains, so I kept a slower pace without increasing it. I must do this gradually, I am sure that in the end I will prevail.

Health, fitness for life.. live a active healthy, happy, energetic life

2005-05-04T15:32:00.000-04:00

Health, fitness for life.. live a active healthy, happy, energetic life

Restarting to exercise day one

2005-05-04T08:38:00.000-04:00

Well I just returned from the gym, It feels great:-)

I did it! I am starting slowly.

Based on the POLAR heart rate monitor that I use;I exercised for a total of 48 minutes.

I brisk walked on a treadmill for 25 minutes, used a rowing machine for 5 minutes and rode a stationary bicycle for another 10 minutes. Another 8 minutes was spent doing warm ups and stretches.

My total time in zone, above a 112 heart rate was for 28 minutes and 26 seconds.
My average heart rate for the entire exercise period was 116. I burned 380 KCAL, at a 55% of it fat calories.

This seems to be a good start I intend to continue tomorrow. As I have no one else to encourage me on for now I am giving myself a good pat on the back. Great work!! I took the first step to recovery and heart health.

2005-05-03T21:03:00.000-04:00

Today I made a commitment to restart my exercise program. I will start again tomorrow.

It has been nearly ten weeks since I exercised last. March 17th, was when I had my last angiogram. Since then I gained 15 pounds. My cardiologist recommends that I continue my exercises, although I still feel angina pains.

Last year this time was when I went to see Dr. Allan Schwartz, Columbia University Chief of Cardiology, ( he is the doctor that was quoted in all the news articles when former President Clinton had his bypass surgery) to discuss my situation, he too recommended that I force myself to exercise ignoring my angina pains.

I will heed their advice and begin exercising again.

It seems that I am battling not only heart disease, but life itself. As a friend of mine described my situation, "life is a game of chutes and ladders", you seem to be climbing up the ladders and sliding down the chutes. Keep it up, in the end you will reach the top with out sliding back.

That is exactly what I intend to do.

I am starting tomorrow at 6:30 AM, I will write my journal online, and I am accepting any type of encouragement I can get. If anyone else who reads my blog gets inspired and encouraged by my struggle, that too will encourage me to continue.

You can read about my story at Heart Health Diets and exercises