General
Diabetic Retinopathy May Predict Heart Failure
05/13/08
General
Are You Drinking Enough Water?
05/09/08
General
Six Heart-Healthy Ways to Say "I Love You" This Valentine's Day
02/08/08
General
By Eliz Greene
Fearing Valentine's Day will derail your healthy habits? Heart attack-survivor Eliz Greene offers some romantic, yet heart healthy, suggestions to say “I Love You.”
Younger Patients Taking More Heart Medications
10/30/07
General
A greater amount of medications treating high cholesterol and hypertension are being prescribed to younger patients, according to a study released by Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
Medtronic Suspends Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
From a U.S. Food and Drug Administration news release.
Medtronic announced it was voluntarily suspending distribution of its Sprint Fidelis defibrillation leads because a small number of fractures have been detected. As a result of Medtronic's action, no more Sprint Fidelis leads will be sold or manufactured and any remaining product should be pulled from inventory and returned to the company. Patients who are implanted with this lead are encouraged to contact their physicians for further information.
When Heart Attack Strikes
10/01/07
Treatment Options, Disease Basics, General
Each year, approximately 1.2 million Americans suffer a heart attack. Of those 1.2 million, 400,000 will not survive the event. There are steps you can take to improve your chance of survival in the unfortunate event you find yourself or a loved one battling a heart attack.
Also called myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, or coronary occlusion, heart attack is characterized by the death of or damage to part of the heart muscle. Such damage occurs if blood flow is blocked by build up on artery walls or a blood clot which cuts off the heart's oxygen supply. Heart attack leaves the heart weakened and unable to properly pump blood to the rest of the body.
Playing the Odds: Heart Attack Risk Factors
09/19/07
Nutrition & Exercise, Living Well, Prevention, Research, Disease Basics, General
The causes of heart attack are complex. Genetic markers for heart disease may predispose a person to heart attack. And while those genetic risk factors may not be controllable, lifestyle choices that can impact a heart's function can be controlled and modified to reduce heart attack risk.
Three years ago, a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress identified nine the most influential and controllable risk factors for heart health. The INTER-HEART study looked at almost 30,000 individuals from around the world, about half of whom had suffered an earlier cardiac event, specifically heart attack, or myocardial infarction.
Getting Back On Your Feet: Recovering from Heart Attack
09/19/07
Living Well, Treatment Options, Disease Basics, General
Heart attack deals a devastating medical blow. It can rob its victims of health and their sense of security. However, recovery is possible in many cases. The process requires detailed planning and long-term dedication, but is well worth the sacrifice. With medical advances and carefully structured cardiac rehabilitation programs, patients can eventually return to normal activity.
Most hospital stays after heart attack last a few days to a week. The same care and treatment given in the hospital should be continued at home. Heart attack sufferers should slowly ease back into work, exercise, and other normal activities under the guidance of their physicians. Returning to previous levels of activity may take a few weeks, or it may take a few months.
Extra Pounds Mean Extra Threat in Heart Disease
09/11/07
Information for Caregivers, Living Well, Prevention, Research, General
Noticeable weight gain over a short period of time can indicate future hospitalization for heart failure, according to an article published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association.
Being Overweight Independently Increases Heart Disease Risk
09/10/07
Nutrition & Exercise, Living Well, Research, General
Being moderately overweight or obese appears to increase the risk for developing coronary heart disease events independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, according to a meta-analysis of previously published studies in the September 10 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
