Showing posts with label heart attack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heart attack. Show all posts

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Does screening and treating high cholesterol save money? KevinMD.com

by Richard Young, MD

A commenter (I believe a physician) on one of my posts wrote the following: “I can prevent heart attacks and strokes (caused by atherosclerosis – “blockage”) in people (minimal cost) who have no symptoms. If I wait for their heart attack or stroke – it costs a whole lot more.”

The implication is that screening and treating high cholesterol saves money in the long run. Unfortunately, the truth is the opposite. This is an extremely common misconception among most people in healthcare, physicians included. Therefore the American people believe the same thing.

If I give a person a pneumonia shot and that person lives the rest of her life never catching pneumonia, then there is a fair chance I prevented a case of pneumonia. On the other hand, she may not have ever gotten pneumonia any way, therefore the shot was useless. There’s no way to sort that out, but classifying  a vaccine as preventing a disease is certainly fair.

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Monday, April 4, 2011

The five hospital factors that affect heart attack survival, Science Daily

Until now, little has been known about the factors that may influence this variation in death rates. The Yale team reviewed 11 hospitals through interviews and site visits. Those selected were among the best and worst performers, as rated by the federal agency that administers Medicare and Medicaid.

"Previous research looked at whether hospital characteristics like urban location, teaching status, geographical region, and socio-economic status of patients are related to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mortality rates, but these factors don't explain much of the variation in mortality," said Leslie A. Curry, Ph.D., research scientist at the Yale Global Health Leadership Institute and lead author on the paper. "We were particularly interested in the roles of social interactions and organizational culture, which are difficult to measure using common research approaches like surveys."

Hospitals in the high- and low-performing groups differed substantially in five ways: organizational values and goals, senior management involvement, broad staff presence and expertise in AMI care, communication and coordination, and problem solving.

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Physical activity improves quality of life. American Heart Association, Inc.

Do you want to add years to your life? Or life to your years?

Feeling your best boosts your zeal for life!

The American Heart Association recommends 30-minutes of moderate activity, but three 10-minute periods of activity are almost as beneficial to your overall fitness as one 30-minute session. This is achievable! Physical activity may also help encourage you to spend some time outdoors. Sunlight on your skin helps your body produce vitamin D, which brings many added health benefits.

Here are some reasons why physical activity is proven to improve both mental and physical health.

Physical activity boosts mental wellness.

Regular physical activity can relieve tension, anxiety, depression and anger. You may not only notice a "feel good sensation" immediately following your physical activity, but most people also note an improvement in general well-being over time during the weeks and months as physical activity becomes a part of your routine.

Exercise increases the flow of oxygen which directly effects the brain. Your mental acuity and memory can be improved with physical activity.

Physical activity improves physical wellness.

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Andrew Lopez, RN
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Myths About Heart Disease - Nursing Link

Anita Manning | USA TODAY

February 01, 2011

Imagine hearing news of a catastrophe causing the deaths of 2,200 Americans every day — an average of one every 39 seconds.

A plague? Nuclear fallout?

It’s heart disease, which includes diseases of the heart and circulatory system. The No. 1 killer stalking the world, cardiovascular diseases cause more deaths than all forms of cancer combined.

It’s an equal-opportunity destroyer, although it does have a preference for people of color and those over 65. But no age, race or economic class is immune.

“There’s a lack of awareness of what ideal cardiovascular health really is,” says Ralph Sacco, president of the American Heart Association. While 35% of people surveyed say they’re in good health, when quizzed about seven major health factors — diet, activity level, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, blood sugar and smoking status — only about half of 1% hit all the targets for good health, he says. “People think they’re healthier than they are,” he says, making it less likely that they’ll take steps to reduce their heart risks.

Do Registered Nurses Need a BSN?

RegisteredNurseMost potential Registered Nurses always ponder the same age old question, "Do I need BSN or should I just get a ADN?"

Learn about degree programs here.

Sacco and other heart experts highlight 10 myths of heart disease:

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Andrew Lopez, RN
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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Obesity Alone Raises Risk of Fatal Heart Attack, Study Finds

Obese men face a dramatically higher risk of dying from a heart attack, regardless of whether or not they have other known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, a new study reveals.

The finding stems from an analysis involving roughly 6,000 middle-aged men, and it suggests that there is something about carrying around excess weight that contributes to heart disease independent of risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and arterial disease.

What exactly that something is, however, remains unclear, although the researchers suggest that the chronic inflammation that typically accompanies significant weight gain might be the driving force behind the increased risk.

"Obese, middle-aged men have a 60 percent increased risk of dying from a heart attack than non-obese middle-aged men, even after we cancel out any of the effects of cholesterol, blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors," noted study author Jennifer Logue, a clinical lecturer of metabolic medicine with the British Heart Foundation's Cardiovascular Research Centre at the University of Glasgow, in Scotland. "This means [that] obesity itself may be causing fatal heart attacks through a factor that we have not yet identified."

Logue and her colleagues report their observations in the Feb. 15 online issue of Heart.

To explore the subject, the authors spent nearly 15 years tracking 6,082 male patients who were diagnosed with high cholesterol but had no history of either heart disease or diabetes.

Over the study period, the research team noted 214 heart disease fatalities, along with another 1,027 heart attacks and/or strokes that did not result in death.

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Andrew Lopez, RN
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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

CDC Features - February is American Heart Month

About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. In 2010, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one.1

The chance of developing coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control factors that put people at greater risk. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have survived a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of another heart attack or a stroke in the future. For more information on heart disease and stroke, visit CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention.

Diseases and Conditions That Put Your Heart at Risk

Other conditions that affect your heart or increase your risk of death or disability include arrhythmia, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and secondhand smoke are also risk factors associated with heart disease. For a full list of diseases and conditions along with risk factors and other health information associated with heart disease, visit the American Heart AssociationExternal Web Site Icon.

Know Your Signs and Symptoms

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense; however, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs

Read the full article at cdc.gov

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Andrew Lopez, RN
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Sunday, December 26, 2010

Why the day after Christmas is hazardous to your heart - CNN.com

December 26 is historically one of the most dangerous days of the year for people vulnerable to cardiac problems, including heart attacks, arrhythmias, and heart failure.

And many of these so-called Merry Christmas coronaries will hit people who didn't even realize they were at risk when they unwrapped their gifts the day before.

But the holiday season isn't good for heart health to begin with. A 2004 study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego and Tufts University found that heart-related deaths increase by nearly 5% during the holidays, perhaps because patients delay seeking treatment for heart problems or because hospital staffing patterns change.

But anecdotally, doctors say that their ERs stay quiet on Christmas Day itself. Then, come December 26, they see a surge of cardiac traffic. A 2008 study found that daily visits to hospitals for heart failure increased by 33% during the four days after Christmas.

Health.com: 9 surprising heart attack risks

"This time of year is notorious for heart attacks, heart failures, and arrhythmias," says Samin Sharma, MD, director of interventional cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Here's how to steer clear of the hospital.

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Andrew Lopez, RN
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Sunday, December 12, 2010

PT Perspective: Heart Disease in Women - Overshadowed and Understated|putmebacktogether.com

It’s good to be informed. As PTs, I’d add that it’s our responsibility to inform ourselves then to pass on the information to patients. I’ve come across many women, patients, and co-workers who recognize the dangers of breast cancer and the necessity of research to cure it.

Clearly, breast cancer is serious business and the stats are grim. The lifetime prevalence: 1 in 8; number of deaths per year: 40,000.
But consider this. Lung cancer claims 70,000 women a year which is more than breast, ovarian and uterine cancers combined. Of those diagnosed with lung cancer, only 1 in 8 survives.  The public consciousness seems misinformed on this.

Heart disease is another poorly understood killer. Every year, heart disease claims the lives of 500,000 women. That’s 1000% more deaths than breast cancer. People seem to think breast cancer is the biggest monster out there gobbling up women’s lives while the real boogey man disease lives in virtual anonymity.

Why does this happen? Why would such a big problem get such short shrift? Part of the problem is the stereotype that only type A men get heart attacks.  The fact is heart disease doesn’t dabble in gender politics. Whether you’re from Venus or Mars, the odds are pretty even.
If you’re a woman, your sirens should be ringing (blaring stridently; in fact), particularly if you have a family history, like to wash down your corn-fed Angus cuts with a keg of beer, and exercise by walking from the couch to the kitchen during commercial breaks. If this describes you or your patients, beware, but don’t despair.

Giving up leads to paralysis and paralysis doesn’t help. What does help is information (keeping in mind that the step after information is informed action).  Unlike breast cancer which is largely genetic and difficult to prevent (if such as word even applies), heart disease responds to the following life-saving changes:

  • Smoking cessation
  • A well-balanced diet, low in saturated and trans fat
  • Regular exercise
  • Weight loss
  • Stress reduction
  • Social support
  • Decreased alcohol consumption 
Those who campaign against breast cancer do a wonderful job of raising awareness about a terrible disease. We should applaud these efforts and replicate them with heart disease, spreading the word the way rumors spread in the girl’s middle school bathrooms across America.  First whispered conspiratorially, the message gets passed on via three very simple words: “Pass it on!”

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Andrew Lopez, RN
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Monday, November 15, 2010

How salt is associated with stroke and heart disease risk-KevinMD.com

Sodium intake has a direct and independent impact on the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease, according to a meta-analysis published online ahead of print in the British Medical Journal.

According to the American Heart Association, you can help patients reduce salt intake by recommending that they:

• Compare the sodium content of similar products (e.g., different brands of tomato sauce) and choose products with less salt

• Choose versions of processed foods, including cereals and baked goods, that are reduced in salt

• Limit condiments (e.g., soy sauce, ketchup).

Researchers out of the University of Naples conducted a meta-analysis of 19 independent cohort samples taken from 13 studies exploring the relationship between salt intake and cardiovascular disease. The cohorts comprised 177,025 participants who were followed-up for 3.5 to 19 years and who experienced over 11,000 vascular events.

Higher salt intake was associated with a greater risk of stroke, with a pooled relative risk (RR) of 1.23, as well as a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, with a pooled RR of 1.14. The observed associations increased with larger differences in sodium intake and a longer duration of follow-up. The authors estimate that reducing daily salt intake by as little as 5 g at the population level could avert 1.25 million deaths from stroke and nearly three million deaths from cardiovascular disease annually.

Today’s research provides strong evidence for worldwide efforts to reduce sodium intake.

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