Congenital heart defects

Symptoms Of Congestive Heart Failure

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:09:00 +0000

by Dee Braun

Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is not pumping blood as efficiently as it should and is not getting the required amount of blood to the organs in the body. Soon after the efficiency of the heart goes down the organs do not receive the right amount of oxygen and nutrients, and symptoms occur.

Symptoms of congestive heart failure include: Edema, irregular or rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, trouble concentrating, wheeze, nausea, coughing with phlegm that is white or tinged with blood, appetite loss or fluid retention that results in fast weight gain

Symptoms are not always apparent while resting but will almost always show up during some type of exercise. Exercise tends to cause an individual to become fatigued and dizzy. The blood pressure goes down and the body attempts to make up for the lost blood volume by setting off hormone and nerve signals that are meant to increase blood volume by retaining water.

The heart also has a tendency to start beating at a rapid pace while it's muscles become thick and the ventricles stretch out to allow more blood flow. This does not fix anything because it is still not beating effectively enough to get the required amount of blood to the organs and tissues.

Congestive heart failure can either come on suddenly or gradually get worse over time. It is normally caused by some other medical condition or damage that was caused to the heart. Some things that can lead to heart failure include: infections in the heart, damage caused by heart attacks or surgery, congenital heart defects, constant high blood pressure, coronary artery disease or faulty heart valves.

Many times, heart failure sticks around for life and needs to be managed by a thorough treatment plan from your doctor. It is treatable with a combination of medication and sometimes surgery.

If an underlying condition has led to the heart failure the key is to treat the underlying condition first. If it is treated effectively then the heart failure sometimes can correct itself. This can only happen if the heart did not receive any permanent damage.

There are ways to naturally help this condition:

Exercise: Just 30 minutes of exercise twice a week can reduce the risk of hospitalization or death in heart failure patients, according to study findings presented at the March 2009 annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology. With more exercise, the benefit is even greater. Walking at a rate of 2 miles per hour for 30 minutes a few times a week will make a difference.

Supplements: There are quite a number of herbs and supplements that could have a beneficial effect on heart disease. I have listed some below. You may click on each one for more information but ultimately the use of supplements has to be done with the full knowledge and approval of your health care provider.

* Fish Oils or eating cold water fish reduces the risk for heart rhythm disturbances and may reduce the risk of heart palpitations, atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmia.

* Vitamin D deficiency is associated with heart dysfunction, sudden cardiac death, and death due to heart failure. An association between vitamin D deficiency and heart trouble is physiologically plausible since vitamin D is known to affect contractility of the heart.

* Arginine may prolong exercise capacity in those with congestive heart failure. Arginine supplements are available over the counter.

* Carnitine is potentially helpful since the heart uses carnitine for energy production

* CoQ10 may be beneficial in heart failure. See CoQ10-60mg supplement for more information.

* Hawthorn is vasodilatory, increases coronary flow, acts as an inotrope (stimulates heart contraction), decreases peripheral resistance, and has ACE-inhibitor-like effect. Daily dosage Hawthorn berry herb 3 to 5g or 160 to 900 mg extract for a few weeks. Appears to be useful in mild heart failure.

* Folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 can help prevent reoccurrence of blocked arteries in patients who have undergone coronary angioplasty.

* Psyllium fiber may help reduce cholesterol levels.

* Magnesium mineral may help

* Ribose may be beneficial to individuals with congestive heart failure.

* Astragalus has been studied in heart failure

I would also highly recommend reading the information HERE on the use of supplements and nutrition to combat heart failure - the information presented there could help save your life.

An estimated 4.8 million Americans have congestive heart failure (CHF)... Half of the patients diagnosed with CHF will be dead within 5 years. Each year, there are an estimated 400,000 new cases.

CHF is the... most common diagnosis in hospital patients age 65 years and older. In that age group, one fifth of all hospitalizations have a primary or secondary diagnosis of heart failure.

Congestive heart failure is a serious medical condition that you should not try and cure with herbal remedies alone. You can talk to your doctor about incorporating some herbs into your treatment plan and see what they say, but you really need to make sure that you follow their advice to a 'T'. You only get one heart and a heart transplant is probably not something that you want to go through anytime soon.

Drinking Juice to Reduce Cholesterol and Prevent Heart Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:05:00 +0000

Aaron Smith

Heart disease effects many of us in the UK, more so than in many other countries, but there is a strong possibility that this could be changed simply by changing our attitude towards food and consuming more juice.

The term 'heart disease' includes several conditions such from Congenital heart defects seen at birth to atherosclerosis (hardened arteries) that develop later. It is a complex issue with several inter-related factors. Hardening of the arteries and angina are a result of the inner walls of the bodies arteries narrowing due to a build up of plaque (fat, LDL cholesterol and other substances). Plaque build up is increased in people who have high levels LDL (bad) cholesterol and low
levels HDL (good) cholesterol. Oxidation of excess LDL cholesterol results in an increase of plaque. The HDL cholesterol helps to prevent the LDL cholesterol from increasing the plaque, moving it instead to the liver. Plaque build up alone may be enough to cause pain (angina) or heart attack.
However, if the plaque is ruptured or torn it can block the artery causing a coronary thrombosis (heart attack). Atherosclerosis can also be caused by inappropriate platelet activation causing the platelets in the blood to clot. Grape Juice inhibits Atherosclerosis Many of us will have seen news items claiming red wine helps to keep our hearts healthy. This is due to a substance in the grapes that used to make the wine known as polyphenols. However, recent tests have shown that although less polyphenols are present in grape juice than red wine, grape juice is better at inhibiting atherosclerosis

Purple Grape juice has also been found to help patients with coronary artery disease due to significantly improving the function of the cells (endothelial) lining the hardened arteries as well inhibiting inappropriate platelet activation

Purple grape juice's action as a potent platelet inhibitor is important as Platelets are involved in the development of Atherosclerosis

Other research has shown grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts reducing Atherosclerosis by up to 50% in animals.

Although that study was for grape seed extract alone, other studies have shown that the combination of grape seed extract and grape skin, as you would find in the juice, is more effective

.Fruit Juices Reduce Cholesterol. Pomegranate juice also offers wide protection against cardiovascular diseases

and has been shown to reduce cholesterol build up in plaque

and reduce the development of atherosclerosis

In laboratory tests orange juice has been found to lower cholesterol and significantly inhibit atherosclerosis

A 750ml serving of orange juice daily has been shown to decreased the LDL-HDL cholesterol ratio by 16% in tests on people

Tests on smokers has shown that carrot and orange juice combined significantly susceptibility of LDL to oxidation

(the process that increases plaque). As little as 330 mL of tomato juice

has also been shown to significantly reduce LDL oxidation

Adding garlic to vegetable juices takes some getting used to, but garlic has also been shown to decrease bad LDL cholesterol while increase HDL cholesterol

as well as reducing LDL oxidation

Plant sterols and stanols found in high quantities in veg like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower

have been found to reduce LDL cholesterol

One report says around 2g per day of plant sterol ester can decrease LDL cholesterol levels from 9% to 20%

Ginger has also been shown to significantly reduce LDL cholesterol and abnormal cell tissues (Aortic atherosclerotic lesion)

in the arteries around the heart.

With so much evidence proving the benefits of fruit and vegetable juices why on earth would we not want to include them in our diet?

1 Atherosclerosis. 2001 May;156(1):67-72. Red wine, dealcoholized red wine, and especially grape juice, inhibit atherosclerosis in a hamster model. Vinson JA, Teufel K, Wu N. Department of Chemistry, University of Scranton, Linden and Monroe Streets,

2 Adv Exp Med Biol. 2002;505:95-111. Potential health benefits from the flavonoids in grape products on vascular disease. Folts JD. Coronary Thrombosis Research Laboratory, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, USA.

3 J Nutr. 2000 Jan;130(1):53-6. Grape juice, but not orange juice or grapefruit juice, inhibits human platelet aggregation. Keevil JG, Osman HE, Reed JD, Folts JD. Cardiology Section of Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA.

4 ol Cell Biochem. 2002 Nov;240(1-2):99-103. Beneficial effects of a novel IH636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extract and a niacin-bound chromium in a hamster atherosclerosis model. Vinson JA, Mandarano MA, Shuta DL, Bagchi M, Bagchi D. Department of Chemistry, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, USA.

5 J Nutr. 2002 Dec;132(12):3592-8. Grape seed and grape skin extracts elicit a greater antiplatelet effect when used in combination than when used individually in dogs and humans. Shanmuganayagam D, Beahm MR, Osman HE, Krueger CG, Reed JD, Folts JD. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53792, USA.

6 Atherosclerosis. 2001 Sep;158(1):195-8. Pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure. Aviram M, Dornfeld L. The Lipid Research Laboratory, Technion Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, 31096 Haifa, Israel.

7 J Nutr Biochem. 2005 Sep;16(9):570-6. Pomegranate juice inhibits oxidized LDL uptake and cholesterol biosynthesis in macrophages. Fuhrman B, Volkova N, Aviram M. Lipid Research Laboratory, Technion Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa 31096, Israel.

8 J Nutr. 2001 Aug;131(8):2082-9. Pomegranate juice upplementation to atherosclerotic mice reduces macrophage lipid peroxidation, cellular cholesterol accumulation and development of atherosclerosis. Kaplan M, Hayek T, Raz A, Coleman R, Dornfeld L, Vaya J, Aviram M. The Lipid Research Laboratory, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences and Rambam Medical Center, Haifa 31096, Israel.

9 Adv Exp Med Biol. 2002;505:113-22. Polyphenol antioxidants in citrus juices: in vitro and in vivo studies relevant to heart disease. Vinson JA, Liang X, Proch J, Hontz BA, Dancel J, Sandone N. Department of Chemistry, University of Scrant on, PA 18510-4626, USA. 10 Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Nov;72(5):1095-100. HDL-cholesterol-raising effect of orange juice in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. Kurowska EM, Spence JD, Jordan J, Wet more S, Freeman DJ, Piche LA, Serratore P. Departments of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.

11 Clin Chem. 2000 Nov;46(11):1818-29. Influence of increased fruit and vegetable intake on plasma and lipoprotein carotenoids and LDL oxidation in smokers and nonsmokers. Chopra M, O'Neill ME, Keogh N, Wortley G, Southon S, Thurnham DI. Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland BT52 1SA, United Kingdom.

12 J Nutr. 2000 Sep;130(9):2200-6. Moderate intervention with carotenoid-rich vegetable products reduces lipid peroxidation in men. Bub A, Watzl B, Abrahamse L, Delincee H, Adam S, Wever J, Muller H, Rechkemmer G. Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Federal Research Centre for Nutrition, D-76131 Karlsruhe,Germany.

13 Lipids. 1998 Oct;33(10):981-4. Tomato lycopene and low density lipoprotein oxidation: a human dietary intervention study. Agarwal S, Rao AV. Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 14 J Nutr. 2001 Mar;131(3s):994S-9S. Study of garlic extracts and fractions on cholesterol plasma levels and vascular reactivity in cholesterol-fed rats. Slowing K, Ganado P, Sanz M, Ruiz E, Tejerina T. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
15 J Nutr. 2001 Mar;131(3s):985S-8S. Suppression of LDL oxidation by garlic. Lau BH. Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.

16 Curr Opin Lipidol. 2000 Dec;11(6):571-6. Therapeutic potential of plant sterols and stanols. Plat J, Kerckhoffs DA, Mensink RP. Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.

17 Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Jan;75(1):79-86. An increase in dietary carotenoids when consuming plant sterols or stanols is effective in maintaining plasma carotenoid concentrations. Noakes M, Clifton P, Ntanios F, Shrapnel W, Record I, McInerney J. CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition, Adelaide, Australia.

18 Circulation. 2001 Feb 27;103(8):1177-9. AHA Science Advisory. Stanol/sterol ester-containing foods and blood cholesterol levels. A statement for healthcare professionals from the Nutrition Committee of the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism of the American Heart Association. Lichtenstein AH, Deckelbaum RJ.

19 J Nutr. 2000 May;130(5):1124-31. Ginger extract consumption reduces plasma cholesterol, inhibits LDL oxidation and attenuates development of atherosclerosis in atherosclerotic, apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Fuhrman B, Rosenblat M, Hayek T, Coleman R, Aviram M. Lipid Research Laboratory, Technion Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences and Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.

About the author: Information on http://www.blogger.com/target= in_deficiency.html">protein deficiency can be found at the http://www.blogger.com/target=">High Protein Diet Plan site.

Do You Have Sleep Disorder Problem?

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:06:00 +0000

by tinny tong

It doesn't matter whether sleep problems are caused by pain, full-blown insomnia or a temporary disturbance in a person's life, solving those problems can really help improve overall outlook and health. There are ways to tackle sleep problems that don't involve major medications or extreme measures. Simple measures can often be taken to stop sleep problems in their tracks. Get some information on sleep tracks review

Central sleep apnea happens when the brain doesn't send the appropriate signals to the respiratory muscles. When the signals aren't there, the muscles don't know to breathe and breathing will stop for an extended period of time-usually ten to twenty seconds. Central sleep apnea is prevalent in people who had cardiovascular problems as infants or have congenital heart defects. To treat central sleep apnea, the underlying cause (heart problems) must be treated too.

The best way to start with trying to solve sleep problems is to attempt and figure out why they are happening. If pain is the cause, for example, sleep problems will often go away if this issue is addressed. Other issues that can cause sleep problems include stress, poor bedding, bad lighting in a room, medications and even diet habits.

1.You can prefer new bed: sometimes it happened, sheets are too itchy, blankets are too stiff and overall you feel hot

2.Adjustments of Room: More on it will help you to cope up with sleeping problem. Sometime light comes directly on your face and you feel awake so often and it tend to disturb your sound sleep. that can be one problem which you can solve through adjusting your room.

3.Set your bed Time: Now surely you feel like imposing this rules on you like a child but that's not the case. When a schedule is followed (most nights) some people find their sleep problems melt away.

4.Relaxation Techniques: These relaxation technique can help you out, like aromatherapy to deep breathing and mediation, adding these things into a routine can help solve sleep problems for some people.

5.Natural remedies. Many people find warm milk, simple teas and other more natural remedies work to lessen sleep problems.

If you need help and guidance, then check out this link http://sleeptracksreview.blogspot.com/

Complete Information on Esophageal Atresia

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:40:00 +0000

by Alicia Stock

Esophageal atresia is a condition in which a part of the oesophagus misses. Esophageal atresia is often associated another congenital anomalies, anomalies most generally cardiac. The disorder is a congenital defect, that the means it occurs before birth. There are several types of atresy oesophagienne. Esophageal atresia with the dent tracheoesophageal occurs in one from 3.000 to 5.000 births. This condition is frequently complicated by the saliva of breathing and secretions of infant in the lungs, causing pneumonia, obstruction, and probably dead. The disorder is usually detected little time after the birth when the food is tested.

Symptoms of esophageal atresia include bluish colouring with the skin with food tested, coughing, bâillonant, and obstructing with the food tested of food, radoter and poor. More one 30% people affected by this condition will also have another anomalies, such as disorders of heart or other digestive disorders of area. Roughly 50 % of children supported with the atresy oesophagienne have other associated problems which can be present. The atresy oesophagienne is considered a surgical urgency. Surgery to repair the oesophagus should be made quickly after the baby is stabilized so that the lungs are not damaged and the baby can be Fédéral.

Before the surgery, the baby is not fed by mouth. The care is taken to prevent the baby of secretions of breathing in the lungs. Mucus and saliva also without interruption will be removed by the intermediary of a catheter until the re-establishment occurred. When the surgery is carried out, the oesophagus is replugged and, if neccessary, is separated from the trachea. The therapy of oxygen is employed like necessary to maintain the saturation normal of oxygen. If one suspect the oral ea or TEF, all food are stopped and of the intravenous fluids are started.

The Basic Facts About Heart Disease - What Is It and What are the Risk Factors?

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:26:00 +0000

by Dee Braun

Heart diseases are also called cardiac diseases. Individuals of all ages can develop heart diseases. The most common form of heart disease in adults is coronary artery disease, which is the major cause of heart attacks and the most common form of heart disease in children, is congenital heart disease.

Heart disease can affect the heart muscle, the heart vessels, heart tissue or the heart valves. Heart disease can be caused by smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infection, and toxins or from a birth defect. Some people are born with heart disease and most develop heart disease over time.

There are certain factors that put certain people at risk for heart disease such as individuals who have a family history of heart disease, those who smoke, and those who have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol. Individual who are obese or lead inactive lives are also at an increased risk for heart disease. Age increases your risk for heart disease. Some of the risk factors such as family history and age cannot be controlled.

Heart disease present at birth can usually not be controlled if it is heredity in nature. Factors such as smoking, blood pressure and blood cholesterol and controlling diseases such as diabetes that when uncontrolled can lead to heart disease. You can reduce your risk for heart disease by controlling your blood pressure and blood cholesterol, by not smoking, and by getting enough exercise and eating healthy foods.

If an individual suspects heart disease due to having symptoms such as chest pain or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness or a feeling that something bad is going to happen they should contact their doctor for an exam and diagnosis. Doctors are trained and have the skills to make the diagnosis of heart disease. You will first be asked to fill out a medical history form that will list your general health, and your symptoms as well as any family history. During the examination your vital signs will be taken including your blood pressure, weight, height, pulse, respiratory rate and temperature.

The doctor will give you a complete examination to rule out any other diseases. You may be sent to a laboratory for blood tests and to the x-ray department for a chest x-ray. Your doctor will be evaluating your risk for heart disease and any sign of present heart disease. You may also be sent for an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which will reveal any arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms.

You may then be sent for special tests such as an exercise electrocardiogram, a fluoroscopy, phonocardiography, echocardiography, or an angiocardiography (cardiac catheterization). Your doctor will then put all the test results together and determine if you have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease.

Risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, the presence of diabetes, and smoking. These are the highest risk factors. Other factors are age, family history, and being obese and having an inactive lifestyle as well as stress. These last factors are considered minor risk factors.

After your doctor review your test results and determines your heart health and your risk factors for heart disease the doctor will give you a diagnosis or tell you what you can do to decrease your risk for heart disease.

Early Attention Is Required With Children With Down Syndrome

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:28:00 +0000

by Mike Selvon

Parents of children with Down syndrome are flooded with a barrage of emotions. They may experience disappointment, anger, grief, frustration, fear and anxiety. Mothers over the age 35, who have a higher chance of having a baby with Down syndrome, may experience guilt or self-blame.

These feelings naturally come up, which is why establishing a support network is important for new parents. Talking with others who've been through the same challenges will offer inspiration and ensure the best possible upbringing for the developmentally disabled child.

Children with this chromosomal disorder will have tribulations early on. Parents should be aware of the special-care needs for babies with Down syndrome as early as possible, to prepare themselves for the challenges that lie ahead. Some babies require medication to address a heart defect, while others require physical therapy sessions to help develop better muscle tone and coordination.

Some syndrome babies have a difficult time learning to breastfeed at first, which is sometimes related to stomach or intestinal blockages. Eye, ear, nose, throat and thyroid problems are not uncommon, as is late teething. The main thing to keep in mind is that the baby will eventually get there, but patience and offering loving support are critical to the child's development.

The educational needs for children with Down syndrome vary, depending on the degree of mental retardation. Early intervention and skill assessment is the key to relating to the child on terms he or she can relate with. For example, often concrete concepts are more easily understood than abstract ideas.

Step-by-step teaching and providing consistent feedback are two techniques that can help the developmentally disabled. In the past, Down syndrome children went to separate schools or were home-schooled.

Now, the mainstreaming of these children is proving effective at decreasing the emotional gap between children with this chromosomal disorder and those without. In countries like Denmark or Germany, a two-teacher approach allows these kids to observe and be exposed to others, while focusing on their special needs.

There are certain health risks for children with Down syndrome. About half of all Down syndrome babies are born with congenital heart defects and 60% suffer an eye disease, including cataracts (15%) and the need for corrective glasses or contact lenses (50%). Nearly 75% suffer hearing loss, sleep apnea and persistent ear infections.

Other problems include thyroid disease (15%), gastrointestinal atresias (12%) and acquired hip dislocation (6%). Less than 1% of all cases report leukemia or Hirschsprung disease. Over time, adults with Down syndrome may suffer respiratory infections, heart disease, surgery for bowel obstruction or cataracts, hearing loss, epilepsy and osteoarthritis.

What Vitamin and Mineral Supplements do Healthy People Need?

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 12:33:00 +0000

by Tony Johns

Why should healthy people take vitamin and mineral supplements?

Many people eating the typical American diet are not getting adequate quantities of all the necessary vitamins and nutrients that their bodies need. Supplementing with larger quantities of nutrients may offer protection from certain diseases.

Most Americans do not get enough calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc in their diet. People that are on diets to lose weight are at risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Another group of people who are especially at risk of dietary deficiencies are the elderly. Older adults often have deficiencies of vitamin D, Vitamin A, vitamin E, calcium, zinc, and vitamins B1 and B2.

What is the importance of taking... Vitamin A- important for the function of the immune system. Vitamin D- not getting enough of this vitamin is associated with bone loss and fractures in older adults and post menopausal women. Vitamin E- associated with lowered risk of heart a disease. Calcium- most people get less than the desired amount of calcium in their diet. Calcium is essential for preventing bone loss. Magnesium- also helps prevent bone loss. Zinc- has been shown to increase immune function in healthy people.

Supplementing with Folic acid is important, about 11% of healthy people in the United Stated are deficient in Folic acid. A diet low in folic acid has been associated with a higher than normal risk of pre-cancerous polyps in the colon. Women who are pregnant and who take a multivitamin with folic acid in it reduce their risk of giving birth to babies having birth defects and other congenital malformations.

I think anybody who is not eating a optimal diet, and who is, should do as I do, and take a high quality multivitamin. Look for one that has all of the above listed vitamins and minerals in its ingredients. If you would like more information on living a better healthier lifestyle please visit my website.

Natural Home Remedies for Heart Diseases

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:03:00 +0000

by Dr John Anne

The heart is one of the five major organs of the body, the other being the brain, the liver, the lungs and the digestive system-any defect in or malfunctioning of which leads to serious complications. The major function of the heart is to pump the blood into the arteries and send the blood returning from the various organs with carbon dioxide to the lungs for purification.

Considering the amount of work that the heart does-it never stops till death-it is subject to few disorders. The main causes of heart disease are the diseases of the coronary arteries (which nourish the heart muscle), high blood pressure and syphilis. Acute rheumatism-a predominantly infantile disorder-is responsible for most cases of heart disease occurring between the ages of 5 to 45 years. Other causes of heart diseases are disorders like diphtheria, diseases of the thyroid gland and certain forms of chronic lung ailments. A small, but important group of heart diseases is due to the congenital abnormalities of the heart. In those disorders for example, the malformation of the valves or cavities in the valve developed in the mother's womb, the only recourse is to heart surgery. Certain deficiency diseases like gross lack of vitamin B cause the condition known as beri-beri.

The tendency of the heart to adjust to changes in the mode of living of its owner, known as compensation, is one of the vital factors, which prolong life in spite of maladies to which this king of organs is susceptible. This adjustment sometimes enables a person to go through life without suspecting the disease, which invade the heart. It is a common fallacy to suppose that heart disease ends in sudden death. A man with a defective heat may live long, if he is careful. It is only when the heart muscle has become weakened due to some other illness, for example, diabetes, that the end may come suddenly. Another cause of sudden death by heart failure can be ascribed to the formation of a clot in the blood (thrombosis). Hardening of the arteries may lead to failure of the heart, but in most cases that is a gradual development.

Chief Ailments

The broad categories of heart ailments are:

(i) Those caused by inflammation of the muscle, the outer covering or the inner covering of the heart;

(ii) Hardening of the arteries and formation of a clot which may result in sudden interruption of the functioning of the heart;

(iii) Weakening of the muscle or degeneration of the organ because of advancing years;

(iv) Involvement of the heart as a corollary to rheumatism or syphilis; and

(v) Functional disorders like techycardia, bradicardia or hypertension and arrhythmia (lack of rhythm in the heart beat) and angina pectoris (pain in the chest, behind the sternum) and a sense of impending death.

As stated earlier, naturopathy is the only recourse in case of all bodily ailments. Heart diseases can be cured safely and in a better manner under this system of medicine. The only exception, it may be stated here, is congenital defects of the heart for which surgical interference is necessary after the "compensation" fails to relieve the condition.

Here we give the treatment that is to be under taken in angina pectoris. The same course of treatment would help other heart ailments too regardless of the technical name given by the doctors.

Angina pectoris is characterized by a sharp pain in the chest (behind the sternum), which leaves the victim breathless. There is a sense of impending doom. It is generally caused by the constriction of the main artery that leads into the heart, because of its hardening or deposition of fat in the insides. The pain radiates to the back, the shoulders and the arms, particularly the left arm. The attack may come on after a hearty meal, a sudden over exertion or intense grief or excitement.

Lest the reader confuse a gastric pain with angina, let us make it clear that the true pain of angina has a tendency to spread to the shoulders and the arms. There is a constriction in the chest and profuse sweating. True angina must be differentiated from false or pseudo-angina which is of a nervous origin.

Drugs taken to relieve angina only help to make the condition more chronic. Patients taking recourse to traditional methods of treatment would be seen carrying tablets of nitro-glycerine to relieve the pain. The drug may be taken in an emergency but the correct treatment for angina begins when it is aimed at building the general health level of the patient.

When an attack is on, the best thing is to apply hot towels over the heart region. That will relieve the constriction around the chest by dilating (through heat) the clogged artery, which finds it difficult to pass the required amount of blood through it to the heart.

Treatment

The best way to deal with heart disease is to start a cleansing diet because the cleaner the blood, the less will be chance of any toxicity building up around the region of the heart. The patient should subsist on a diet of fruit and fresh vegetables. His breakfast should consist of two oranges, an apple and grapes. For lunch he should take salad of lettuce, grated carrots and best root together with some boiled vegetables and bread made out of whole meal flour. Fats, particularly saturated ones like ghee, should be banned and only a pat of butter -preferably fresh and not the tinned variety--should be taken.

Salt should be avoided totally or taken in small quantities if the patient prefers a non-vegetarian diet they should eat steamed fish or boiled white meat. Fatty portions of meat, particularly pork, should be avoided. He should never overload his stomach because distention of the organ by flatulence or overloading may depress the diaphragm and the pain of angina may start.

Sufferers from heart disease should fast for a short period according to their bodily strength so that the system is not overtaxed. Ailments like indigestion should not be allowed to arise, as they are likely to tax the heart. A heart patient should eat so sparingly that he should feel hungry all the time. The last meal of the day should be taken at least three hours before retiring.

Gravity douche or enema should be taken recourse to in case of constipation. A short walk in the morning and evening is beneficial. Even traditional doctors have come to realize now that walking is the best exercise for a heart patient. Some of them even recommend jogging. A medical fact which should be stated here is that when you are walking the pressure on the heart is reduced to some extent because the blood going back for purification through the heart to the lungs flow back more easily when you are walking than when you are sitting or lying down. Epsom salt bath should be taken once or twice weekly.

A heart patient must have a strict regimen of living in addition to eating. He must avoid stress, worry and excessive physical strain. If he has been on drugs before turning to naturopathy, they should be gradually withdrawn. A sudden stoppage of drugs is not advised.

The above regimen should be followed in all cases of heart disease regardless of their technical name.

For more information regarding Natural Home Remedies for Heart Diseases, Herbal Remedy visit Natural Home Remedies and Herbal Treatments http://www.natural-homeremedies.com

Facts About Heart Disease You Need To Know

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 12:09:00 +0000

by Cindy Heller

Basically, heart disease is a disorder affecting the ability of the heart to function normally. There are many forms of heart disease of varied etiology.

The most widespread form of heart disease is high cholesterol. In the initial stages of the disease, lesions and cracks will form in the walls of blood vessel walls, usually close to the heart itself. The body will repair the damage by depositing fatty substances such as cholesterol and lipoproteins to fill the cracks.

If the body does not get adequate vitamin C that are vital for keeping the blood vessel walls from cracking, the repeated deposition of fatty substances can clog the blood vessels and thus cause a stroke or heart attack.

Types of Heart Diseases

The common forms of heart disease are: coronary heart disease, ischaemic heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, hereditary heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, inflammatory heart disease, and valvular heart disease.

Heart diseases may also occur due to congenital reasons, heart valve malfunction, electrical rhythm of the heart going out of sync, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, aortic regurgitation, heart attacks and heart failure.

Causes of Heart Disease

The major causes of heart disease include obesity, smoking, hypertension, diabetic and a sedentary lifestyle. Others include menopause in women, getting on in age, especially after reaching sixty-five years of age and finally, the arterial walls being struck down with infections.

Damage to the heart muscle or valves due to a congenital defect, as well as inflammation and damage associated with various viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic diseases can also cause heart disease.

Disease can also cause heart disease, for example atherosclerosis, dermatomyositis, Friedrich's ataxia, hemochromatosis, Kawasaki disease and Paget's disease of bone. Rheumatic fever and syphilis can also cause heart disease, as can genetic or autoimmune disorders in which cellular proteins in the heart muscle are deranged or which disrupt enzymes affecting cardiac function.

Common Symptoms of Heart Disease

The most common symptoms of heart disease include heaviness or pressure on the chest; dizziness; nausea; shortness of breath; back or shoulder pain; irregular or fast heartbeats and excessive heart palpitations. If one encounter any of these problems, it would be prudent to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Diagnosing Heart Disease

Everyone should be concerned with heart disease and should discuss testing for heart disease with a doctor especially if one have a family history or aggravating lifestyle choices. High blood pressure, frequent loss of breath, heavy smoking or drinking, obesity, high cholesterol, inactivity and diabetes are sound reasons for heart disease testing.

Cure for Heart Disease

On diagnosis of heart disease, the doctor will probably recommend that a patient adopt a healthy lifestyle such as having frequent exercise, a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes. The next treatment will more than likely involve medications and finally surgery. Although there are many different forms of treatment for heart disease, there is no cure for heart disease. There are promising theories, however none yet have been perfected yet.

Cellular therapy is promising as a possible cure for heart disease. Cellular products have been shown to hold great potential for the treating of damaged and diseased tissues in the body. The sources for cellular product also come in a variety of sources, such as bone marrow stem cell and peripheral blood, as well as from myoblasts from skeletal muscle cells.

Cellular therapy is a growing field for clinical research. It is of growing interest to medical researchers as potential treatments for congestive heart failure and ischemic heart disease, for instance.

The research to date has shown positive results. There are also various other forms of promising treatment. So a cure for heart disease may be a reality in the future.

All treatment for heart disease should be discussed with a doctor but most of the medications will be available on prescription. If the medication is not effective, then the last option may be surgery. There are wide ranges of surgeries and many of them are less invasive so recovery time is shorter.

One should also understand that heart disease is preventable by living a healthy lifestyle such as regular exercise, having low salt and low fat diets as well as abstaining from alcohol and smoking. After all, prevention is much better than cure.

Major Types Of Degenerative Heart Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 07:11:00 +0000

by Joann Cheong

As you may know, heart disease comes in a number of types. All types are serious, degenerative conditions that can cause sudden death. Given this fact, degenerative heart disease is no doubt a health problem that needs to be considered and solved.

However, before one can solve degenerative heart disease, it is important first to know that major types of such disease. Understanding of these types can help you find the right solution and treatment.

So what are the major types of degenerative heart disease? Consider the following:

Coronary Heart Disease

This is by far the most common type. This is often associated to heart attack and chest pain, and many studies have shown that about 7 million people in the United States alone suffer from this condition.

The coronary heart disease actually occurs when the coronary arteries that carry the blood and oxygen to the heart become narrowed with fatty substances, known as plaque. The plaque builds up on the inner wall of the arteries, and when the arteries are narrowed, the blood and oxygen flow to the heart is slowed down. This may even lead to full blocking of the arteries, leading to heart attack.

Congenital Heart Disease

This type is often identified by a number of heart defects that are present at birth, hence the name. The defects may include patent ductus arteriosus, coarctation of the aorta, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, atrioventrivular septal defect, aortic stenosis, pulmonary stenosis, transposition of the great vessels, tetralogy of fallot, truncus arteriosus, tricuspid atresia, total anomalous pulmonary venous return, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome. All of these defects occur before or shortly after birth, making it one of the leading causes of deaths in newborn.

Rheumatic Heart Disease

This is also considered by many as one of the major types knowing that millions of people in the whole world are affected by it. Basically, this affects children and adolescents. It involves damage to the entire heart and its membranes. Also, it is important to note that this type is a complication of rheumatic fever that is said to have resulted from an untreated strep throat. This condition occurs with the heart valve is damaged due to the fever, leaving it incapable of opening and closing properly.

Angina Pectoris

Commonly known as chest pain, angina pectoris is a major type that affects people of different age. It is actually a specific type of pain in the chest that resulted from an inadequate flow of blood through the blood vessels. This condition is considered as one of the symptoms of almost all types of heart disease, so it is not only deemed as a disease itself, but a symptom as well.

There are other types such as atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, myocarditis, and a lot more. The best way to treat these types, however, is to ask for recommendations first from your doctor before opting for one of the available treatments. This is highly important as degenerative heart disease comes in a number of types with varying symptoms and levels of severity

Fish Oil and Heart Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:05:00 +0000

by David McEvoy

According to National Statistics online, nearly 15% of the population of the UK are suffering or have suffered from a cardiac health event in their lifetimes. That means that for every 100 people in the room, about 15 of them will have a heart attack or suffer from a coronary disease. Interestingly enough, this statistic includes both men and women, with men only having a slight advantage over the women in terms of number of cases. Even with all we know about heart disease and how to prevent it, it seems that there is so much more to learn.

What is Heart Disease?

The heart is the muscle in the body that allows for transportation of materials throughout the body. When a person takes in food, these meals are broken down by the digestive system in order to be accessible for functions in the body. As the food is broken down into nutrients, these nutrients are then transported into the blood stream in order to get to the right areas of the body. When the heart pumps, it moves these blood cells around to the extremities and then when it contracts, it pulls the blood into itself by means of the veins in order to push that blood into the body into the arteries. When the heart is unable to function properly, this process can not take place.

There are a number of reasons and names for the idea of heart disease. At its simplest definition, heart disease is when the heart is damaged or just unable to work as it should. This can be a hereditary and congenital condition, like in the instance of a valve problem. A patient can have this from birth and never need to have anything done to repair it, while other patients need to have this fixed in order to make sure that heart works properly.

Heart disease can be grouped into being caused by heredity, lifestyle or by a defect or injury. Hereditary factors like a predisposition to high cholesterol can cause troubles like heart attacks and myocardial infarction. Then again, if a patient takes in too much cholesterol and fat into their diet, they can also increase their risk for heart disease.

The heart disease cases that cause troubles for patients will have conditions like hardening of the arteries, blockages of the vessels, and a narrowing/widening of these passageways for the blood. When the vessels become too blocked, blood can not get to the heart, resulting in heart damage and death.

What are the Symptoms of Heart Disease?

The real concern when it comes to heart disease is that there may be few, if any, symptoms at first. A patient may have completely normal lab results as well as no noticeable physical symptoms. In more advanced cases, the cholesterol levels will be high, the LDL levels will be high, and HDL levels will be low. Blood pressure readings may increase and the patient may report mild chest pain and tightness. Some patients even report troubles with breathing during activity. The heart rate may be higher as has become more difficult for the heart to do the same job on a lower number of beats per minute.

In an emergent condition, the symptoms would be an increased heart rate, crushing chest pain, and possibly nausea. Others report that they had a raised temperature and sweating, as well as left arm weakness.

How Can Fish Oil Help?

According to recent studies done at Harvard Medical University, fish oil seems to be able to prevent heart disease. With its anti-inflammatory properties, fish oil seems to allow the body to repair smaller damage spots before they become too problematic. There have also been previous studies linking the idea of using fish oil and lowering bad cholesterol as well as increasing good cholesterol. The essential fatty acids in fish oil help the body process the cholesterol and other toxins in the body before they build up in the liver and cause damage.

Where Can You Find Fish Oil Sources?

Understandably so, fish oil can be found in its purest form in oily fishes. Fish choices like salmon, herring, kipper, and mackerel all contain high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids that can help to protect the heart from heart disease. In addition, there are studies being done now that indicate that fish oil might be able to help in the repair of damage from previous concerns with heart disease and heart attacks. In countries with a high fish consumption, the prevalence of heart disease is much lower, even with the high smoking rates (as in Japan, for example).

Conclusion

While there are many studies that are questioning the use of fish oil in the treatment and prevention of heart disease, it's clear that there is some connection. Since the body can not make this essential fatty acid on its own, adding a supplement to the diet can not be a hard decision to make

Heart Disease At Young Age

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:06:00 +0000

by Cindy Heller

If a woman should go into labor before thirty-seven weeks of gestation, the baby born at that time is considered to be premature. In many cases premature infants tend to have some form of heart impairment arising from heart disease or defect. The incidence of heart malfunction in premature babies is rather alarming.

Premature infants do not have fully formed organs, and because of this the baby has to be cared for in a neonatal nursery or neonatal intensive care unit until such time as they have developed and strengthened enough to continue living without medical support. However premature infants suffer from many other symptoms, not only heart disease. Some common symptoms are hyaline membrane disease, poor ability to feed, inactivity, enlarged clitoris in females, small scrotum in males, weak cry, body hair, breathing apnea as well as many others.

Treatment

Heart disease in premature infants is not completely avoidable although there are treatment protocols that may be followed to treat this. These premature infants are unable before 34 weeks gestation, to suck and swallow at the same time, so many are fed by a tube inserted into the stomach or in very small infants into a vein.

Complications

Complications in premature infants may not necessarily be related to the premature birth but there are many serious complications that can occur as well as heart disease. Some of these are hyaline membrane disease, retinopathy, low blood glucose, bleeding in the brain, jaundice, anemia, growth retardation as well as mental-motor and developmental retardation.

Prevention

There is absolutely no way for a woman to prevent premature labor and the delivery of a premature infant. But there are ways to ensure you are taking the correct steps to minimize the chances of this happening. One of the most important is to receive good prenatal care early and continue throughout the pregnancy. Statistics do indicate that early, proper and continued prenatal care make a huge impact on reducing the odds of giving premature birth and its related risks and deaths.

During pregnancy it is also extremely important to take care of your own health as well. It is vital to eat nutrient rich foods, including fruits and vegetables, daily exercise and drink adequate amounts of water. Although the combination of premature infants and heart disease is a serious situation, with modern medical technology and better methods to lessen the chances of occurrence, the chances of pulling out of this medical quandary are getting better with each day.

Heart Disease In Children

It is amazing that few people are aware that a child can suffer from heart disease. Many people think that heart disease only affects the aged. Heart disease is a very serious problem and child heart disease is in fact a relatively common ailment worldwide. Child heart disease or congenital heart defects are recognized as one of the most widely known birth defects of all. There are statistics to prove that worldwide nearly one percent of all babies born are affected by some form of heart malfunction. These infants are usually diagnosed as having child heart disease upon examination by their pediatrician at birth. Sometimes this is usually referred to as a heart murmur.

Information About Child Heart Malfunction

A child's heart might have a slight abnormality that may not even be noticeable at birth and therefore it might be difficult to detect any heart malfunction. But normally if a child has a heart defect there is a small hole in the wall of the heart that allows oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to move from one side of the heart to the other. This causes the infant to have either blue fingers or lips.

A problem that might also be experienced is an abnormal heart valve. The consequences are that the blood flows through the heart in the wrong direction. This type of child heart malfunction usually calls for surgery but this is normally performed when the child is older.

What A Heart Murmur Is

A heart murmur is the sound made by the blood flowing through the heart. This sound has been described as akin to the sound of water flowing through a hose. Heart murmurs occur frequently in infants, many are harmless, but others may create serious health risks for the child.

A heart murmur is a common sign of the evidence of child heart malfunction. In many instances the heart murmur is referred to as being 'innocent' or 'functional'. Naturally parents do become extremely worried when the term is used to describe their child's ailment. But a heart murmur does not necessarily mean that there is anything seriously amiss with the infant.

With the significant advances in medical technology in the last decade, parents can be assured that there will be a suitable course of treatment to alleviate their child's heart disease.

All About Our Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:34:00 +0000

by Naveen Kumar Sanagala

Our Heart :

The heart is a hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood, rich with oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. It is the organ which functions incessantly round the clock. Heart lies in the center of the chest, slightly to the left and protected by the breast bone (sternum). The heart is made up of a powerful muscle called Myocardium. The heart has two separate pumps that continuously send blood through out the body carrying nutrients, oxygen and helping remove harmful wastes. A wall (septum) divides the heart into a right side and left side. The right side heart receives impure blood low in oxygen. The left side heart receives pure blood that has oxygenated by the lungs. This cycle is repeated about 70 times per minute and is counted as a pulse. The heart is divided into four chambers. Two upper chambers (atria) receive blood from the veins. Two lower chambers (ventricles) pump blood out of the heart through arteries. The heart has four valves that keep the blood flowing in the correct direction i.e., work as regulators. The heart muscle is nourished by a system of arteries, which originate from the 'aorta': the right and left coronary arteries.

Heart Functions: The heart functions as interrelated double pumps. One pump (right heart) receives blood, which has just come from the body after delivering nutrients and oxygen to the body tissues. It pumps this dark, bluish red blood to the lungs where the blood gets rid of a waste gas (carbon dioxide) and picks up a fresh supply of oxygen which turns it a bright red again. The second pump (left heart) receives this "reconditioned" blood from the lungs and pumps it out through the great trunk -artery (aorta) to be distributed by smaller arteries to all parts of the body. Types of Heart disorders : There are three main diseases of the heart.

Coronary artery disease (King's Disease): Coronary arteries become narrow or blocked due to the deposition of Cholesterol and other body fats leading to 'artherosclerosis', commonly called 'hardening of the arteries'. Artherosclerosis causes insufficient blood flow to the heart muscles. Angioplasty, intensive medication, life style changes, and in severe cases, a by-pass surgery is recommended to correct the defect.
Valvular heart disease: It is a defect in the valves by birth, infection causing scarring or thickening leading to insufficient opening or closure of valves for blood flow. This disorder can be cured either by medication or by artificial valvular surgery.
Congenital heart disease: Congenital heart defects are problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth. These defects can involve the interior walls of the heart, valves inside the heart, or the arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart or out to the body. Congenital heart defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart. There are many different types of congenital heart defects. They range from simple defects with no symptoms to complex defects with severe, life-threatening symptoms. Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, affecting 8 of every 1,000 newborns. Most of these defects are simple conditions that are easily fixed or need no treatment. A small number of babies are born with complex congenital heart defects that need special medical attention soon after birth. Over the past few decades, the diagnosis and treatment of these complex defects has greatly improved. As a result, almost all children with complex heart defects grow to adulthood and can live active, productive lives because their heart defects have been effectively treated. Most people with complex heart defects continue to need special heart care throughout their lives. They may need to pay special attention to certain issues that their condition could affect, such as health insurance, employment, pregnancy and contraception, and preventing infection during routine health procedures.

How To Test For Heart Failure

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:15:00 +0000

by Mike Selvon

Each year, 5 million Americans will suffer from heart failure, a condition in which the heart can't pump blood to other organs in the body. The root cause is not simply a matter of "blocked pipes" or genetics.

Culprits behind this include narrowed arteries, scar tissue, high blood pressure, heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle itself), congenital heart defects, infection of the valves (endocarditis), infection of the heart (myocarditis), or a combination of factors.

Coronary Artery Disease is the leading cause of heart failure today. CAD is a manifestation of atherosclerosis, which results from smoking, high cholesterol, hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes.

Sometimes a viral infection, exposure to toxins like lead or alcohol, or genetics can cause a disease in the actual heart muscle, also known as cardiomyopathy. Diabetes, high salt intake, sustained rapid heart rhythms, alcoholism and marked obesity can all be contributors to chronic failure of the heart.

To check if you may have heart health problems, your general practitioner can run several tests to be sure. Many people avoid getting tested in advance because they fear invasive pokes and prods, but most of these screening tests are very non-invasive. For instance, one test, which is a "stress test," has you walking on a treadmill for a specific interval of time through several intensity levels, while an IV-injected tracer moves through the blood, indicating possible obstructions or strain.

Another test, the EKG, simply monitors your heart rhythms through electrical wires with adhesive ends stuck to your chest, arms and legs. An "Echocardiogram" is simply an ultrasound image taken of your chest, which is as painless as a photograph.

Most people are familiar with the usual hypertension/blood pressure test done with a cuff around your bicep. The most invasive test, which is recommended for people with a genetic predisposition, is the "Catheriterization," which is a small tube inserted into the artery, which may open an obstruction or insert dye to see where the problem spots are.

If you've been diagnosed with heart failure, then you'll need to adjust your diet considerably. An overwhelming amount of evidence suggests the importance of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil supplements. Dr. James O'Keefe of the Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas recommends at least 1 gram of fish oil per day and as much as 4 grams for people with high triglyceride levels.

"Research shows that this dosage lowers triglyceride levels by 20 to 50 percent," he explains. In addition, you'll be trading in eggs for oatmeal, red meat for fish and hummus instead of chip dip.

Angiotensin II antagonism in Congestive Heart Failure

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:06:00 +0000

by Andre Garcia

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a clinical syndrome corresponding to the inability of the heart to meet the metabolic requirements of the body at normal filling pressures. Although many times heart failure is mainly precipitated by left ventricular systolic dysfunction, it sometimes also can be secondary to diastolic dysfunction; or a combination of both. CHF is highly prevalent in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia (corresponding to the "developed countries" as sometimes is told). Mortality, morbidity, direct and indirect costs; all remain being very high yet. The hemodynamic model of CHF has been largely abandoned and replaced by the concept of left ventricular remodeling; which indicates stretching and dilation with subsequent reduction in left ventricular function. Causes include: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Myocardial Infarction (MI), hypertension, valvular heart disease, diabetes, congenital heart defects, anemia, and alcoholism. Independently of the precipitating injury, neuro-hormonal mechanisms are activated and promote the remodeling process. These include the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) and the sympathetic nervous system. A rise in endothelin-1 production, resulting from dysfunctional endothelium, also occurs and contributes to vasoconstriction. Inflammatory markers and cytokines are increased, hence further exacerbating endothelial dysfunction (a "vicious cycle" thereby occurs). A rise in angiotensin II promotes apoptosis (programmed cell death), hypertrophy, and fibrosis. Angiotensin II also causes an increase in aldosterone secretion, which in return augments the harmful effects of angiotensin II on myocardium and promotes adverse remodeling.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) were the first class of drugs proved to reduce mortality on patients with CHF. In 1987, NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine) published the results of CONSENSUS (Cooperative North Scandinavian Enalapril Survival Study), showing that enalapril, used at 2.5 to 40mg per day dosage, on patients with severe (class 4) CHF, resulted in a 40% reduction in risk of death (versus placebo). Later, in 1991, NEJM, again, published a new study about enalapril on patients with severe CHF - it was the SOLVD (Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction). (Source: N Engl J Med 1991 Aug 1;325(5):293-302 PMID: 2057034, UI: 91278933) SOLVD was focused on the effect of enalapril on mortality and hospitalization in CHF patients with ejection fractions less than 35%. The reduction in risk of death was 22% (versus placebo). This 2 studies were the first giving some good hope in front of a very catastrophic and disastrous clinical picture (CHF) until then. Enalapril was the hero; the angel that saved lives! Next, many, many studies showed (thus confirming) the same idea - ACEi significantly reduced mortality on patients with severe CHF. This became, then, an (almost) unquestionable and irrefutable golden rule/pearl in the treatment of CHF.

Nowadays, about ACEi, we know as being Level of Evidence A: *) ACEi are recommended in all patients with CHF and left ventricular dysfunction unless a contraindication exists (ACC/AHA Guidelines). *) ACEi should be used in all patients with a history of MI and asymptomatic reduced left ventricular function irrespective of ejection fraction (ACC/AHA Guidelines).

ACEi, as name suggests, inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme, thereby blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and bradykinin breakdown. However, since there are other angiotensin II generation pathways, even a total (100%) ACE blockade would not put angiotensin II levels on absolute zero. Here, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) can fit in.

ARBs bind to the type 1 angiotensin II (AT1) receptor and block it, what leads to plasma renin, angiotensin I, and angiotensin II increased levels. Blockade of the AT1 receptor will also result in the stimulation of the AT2 receptor (physiologically paradoxical), what will increase nitric oxide (NO) production and will trigger other molecular actions which mediate vasodilation; inhibition of fibrosis and of apoptosis (hence, less ventricular remodeling will happen; more time patient will be alive). Overall, ACEi are cheaper, older and better known than ARBs. However, ARBs tend to be better tolerated (less side effects; specially - less persistent cough and recurrent angioedema - very probably because bradykinin levels will not be raised). Many studies were then done, aiming to directly compare the efficacy and safety of the yet "newborns" (ARBs) versus their "bigger and older cousins" (ACEi). This would not be an easy task for ARB laboratory producers - ACEi had the "golden crown of king" - the only drug class (before Losartan, the first ARB on the market, on 1997) which until then had proved to reduce mortality on patients with CHF, do you remember? Well, ARBs proved to have an efficacy similar to ACEi in treatment of CHF and also for patients with non-complicated or complicated hypertension; MI; and diabetic nephropathy. Great, isn't it? The list of studies is enormous.

Sometimes you can find results different from what I have just said about ARBs efficacy and safety, but such studies were methodologically incorrect (or "less correct"), so it became consensual to use an ACEi as first option to antagonize angiotensin II (same efficacy, less price), and only switch to an ARB if patient cannot tolerate an ACEi due to its side effects (persistent cough is, by far, the side effect more frequently forcing patients to give up using an ACEi; but angioedema, although rarely, can kill, if it makes airway obstruction). This seems a prudent and intelligent strategy; I agree. But from present, I would like all doctors to think on a question - maybe now is the moment to begin researching a new plan - why not associate a lower-dose of an ACEi with a lower-dose of an ARB? It makes sense to suppose a better efficacy (by synergy) and less side effects (lower-dose of each one). Why not give a try on this hypothesis rather than continue repeating the same type of studies (ACEi versus ARB - who wins? - neither! - it's a draw! - surprised? - no! -I have already read it so many times!!)? Feel free to discuss your point of view about this! ;) Statistical and methodological analysis of Clinical Trials always is a supreme challenge for all MDs ;)

Complete Information on Eisenmenger syndrome with Treatment and Prevention

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:07:00 +0000

by Alicia Stock

Eisenmenger syndrome occurs in patients with big inborn cardiac or surgically created extracardiac left-to-right shunts. These shunts initially induce increased pulmonary blood flowing. People who have Eisenmenger's syndrome are normally born with a big hole in the eye. The most common situation is a hole between the two pumping chambers, called a ventricular septal defect. Usually, Eisenmenger syndrome develops while individuals with heart defects are still children, but it may occur in adolescence or young adulthood. A number of congenital heart defects can cause Eisenmenger's syndrome, including atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus, and more complex types of acyanotic heart disease. Eisenmenger syndrome usually develops before puberty but may develop in adolescence and early adulthood.

Eisenmenger's syndrome primarily affects adolescents and adults with sure inborn eye defects that are repaired later or that are never repaired. Because the pressures within the left position of the eye are usually greater than those within the correct position of the eye, a beginning between the left and correct position of the eye will induce blood to flood from the left position of the eye into the correct position. The symptoms of Eisenmenger's syndrome may resemble other medical conditions or heart problems. A cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure that gives very detailed information about the structures inside the heart. Eisenmenger syndrome specifically refers to the combination of pulmonary hypertension and right-to-left shunting of the blood within the heart. Eisenmenger's syndrome in rare instances may also develop with an atrial septal defect.

Symptoms related specifically to pulmonary hypertension result from the inability to increase pulmonary blood flow in response to physiological stress. A person with Eisenmenger's syndrome is paradoxically subject to the possibility of both uncontrolled bleeding due to damaged capillaries and high pressure, and random clots due to hyperviscosity and stasis of blood. The syndrome affects both males and females. Eventually, due to increased resistance, pulmonary pressures may increase sufficiently to cause a reversal of blood flow, so blood begins to travel from the right side of the heart to the left side, and the body is supplied with deoxygenated blood, leading to cyanosis and resultant organ damage. Eisenmenger syndrome is first suspected when an individual begins to show symptoms of pulmonary hypertension.

In early childhood, surgical intervention can repair the heart defect, preventing most of the pathogenesis of Eisenmenger's syndrome. Avoid very hot or humid conditions, which may exacerbate vasodilation, causing syncope and increased right-to-left shunting. If treatment has not taken place, heart-lung transplant is required to fully treat the syndrome. If this option is not available, treatment is mostly palliative, using anticoagulants, pulmonary vasodilators such as bosentan, antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent endocarditis, phlebotomy to treat polycythemia, and maintaining proper fluid balance. It is important to eat a nutritious diet and avoid alcohol and salt. Overexertion and smoking also should be avoided. Some patients might benefit from nocturnal supplementation, although it is most useful as a bridge to heart-lung transplant.

Stem cells - The Master Cells of Human Body

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:59:00 +0000

by Melvin Ngiam

The Stem cells are predominantly called the "master cells" of the human body because of their ability to create all other tissues, organs, and systems in the body. The stem cells are the building blocks of your blood and immune system. They are the factory of the blood system and continually make new copies of themselves and produce cells that make every other type of blood --Red blood Cells, White Blood Cells and Platelets. There are basically three sources where stem cells can be easily found .

1) Bone Marrow

2) Peripheral Blood and

3) Umbilical Cord Blood

Various researches done in this field suggest that stem cells obtained from cord blood are relatively more advantages over those retrieved from bone marrow or peripheral blood because they are immunologic ally "younger" and appear to be more versatile. They also demonstrate an important characteristic with embryonic stem cells and are able to differentiate into nearly all cell types in the body. Secondly it is easy to get stem cells from cord blood because they are readily obtained from the placenta at the time of delivery. Harvesting stem cells from bone marrow requires a surgical procedure, performed under general anesthesia and can cause post-operative pain or pose a small risk to the donor.

The promise of using stem cells for medical treatments have been the focus of researches various projects that are showing encouraging results.

Cord blood stem cells help in the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
They have also proven their ability in the treatments for heart disease, allowing patients to essentially "grow their own bypass."
Stem cells have the potential to help cure many life-threatening ailments like leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, anemia, inherited disorders and all other deficiencies of the immune system.
Lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, liver disorders and heart ailments can also be treated with stem cells.

On the other hand a wider range of recipients can benefit from cord blood stem cells. These can be stored and transplanted back into the donor, to a family member or to an unrelated recipient. For a bone marrow transplantation, there must be a nearly perfect match of certain tissue proteins between the donor and the recipient. When stem cells from cord blood are used, the donor cells appear more likely to "take" or engraft, even when there are partial tissue mismatches.

Certain complications like graft versus host disease (GVHD), in which donor cells can attack the recipient's tissues, are less likely to occur with cord blood than with bone marrow. This may be because cord blood has a muted immune system and certain cells, usually active in an immune reaction, are not yet educated to attack the recipient. A research done in this field revealed that children who received a cord blood transplant from a closely matched sibling were 59 percent less likely to develop GVHD than children who received a bone marrow transplant from a closely matched sibling.

Cord blood also is less likely to contain certain infectious agents, like some viruses, that can pose a risk to transplant recipients .In addition, cord blood may have a greater ability to generate new blood cells than bone marrow. Ounce for ounce, there are nearly 10 times as many blood-producing cells in cord blood. This fact suggests that a smaller number of cord blood cells are needed for a successful transplantation.

With the rapid advancement in Medical Science there has also been a corresponding development in the number of preserved cord blood units being used in regenerative medicine applications. If expectant parents store their baby's cord blood in a family bank, the stem cells are immediately available for use in medical treatments, including future therapies to repair or replace damaged heart tissues. As a result, an infant's cord blood could prove to be a life-saving treatment option if that child is born with a congenital heart defect, or later in life following a sudden and serious heart attack. In regenerative medicine, the latest scientific evidence suggests that using one's own stem cells likely delivers more favorable outcomes.

Information on Infectious Endocarditis

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:05:00 +0000

by Alicia Stock

Infectious Endocarditis is an illness of the lining of the heart chambers and heart valves, result by bacteria, fungi, or other infectious agents. In several congenital cardiac diseases, infection can also happen in the lining of the arteries that come out of the heart. Infectious endocarditis may arise in a person of any age. The prevalence of infective endocarditis is between 1.7 and 4 per 100,000 persons, most commonly affecting men in their fifties. There are two forms of infective endocarditis. One form, called acute infective endocarditis, develops suddenly and may become life threatening within days.

The other type, called subacute infective endocarditis or subacute bacterial endocarditis, develops slowly and faintly over a period of weeks to several months. Bacteria may be introduced into the bloodstream. These organisms can then lodge on heart valves and infect the endocardium. Abnormal, damaged, or artificial valves are more susceptible to infection than normal valves. The bacteria that cause subacute bacterial endocarditis nearly always infect abnormal, damaged, or artificial valves. However, normal valves can be infected by some aggressive bacteria, especially if many bacteria are present.

The signs and symptoms of infective endocarditis depend on the causative organism. Symptoms of endocarditis may grow gradually or suddenly. Symptoms may involve fever, tiredness, weight loss, new rashes, headaches, backaches, joint pains, and confusion. A new heart murmur as well as new skin, fingernail, and retinal lesions are typical physical findings in endocarditis. Risk factors for children and young adults include birth defects, particularly a defect that allows blood to leak from one part of the heart to another. One risk factor for older people is degeneration of the valves or calcium deposits in the mitral valve or in the aortic valve.

Infective Endocarditis affects twice as many men as women of all ages but 8 times as lots of older men as older women. Damage to the heart by rheumatic fever as a child (rheumatic heart sickness) is also a risk issue. Infective endocarditis is treated with antibiotics and with surgery in some situations. The chosen antibiotic must be specific for the organism causing the condition. Treatment is generally given for 4-6 weeks, depending on the definite type of bacteria. Surgery may be required to replace damage heart valves. Good oral and dental hygiene is also thought to be important.

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Heart Defects in Children

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:46:00 +0000

Author: Li Ming Wong

A Congenital heart is when a heart develops a problem from before birth. Often this is such things as a hole in the heart. These problems usually develop before anyone is aware that they exist. Heart defects can have a wide degree of severity. There are simple problems such as holes between the chambers of the heart to extreme malformations such as the complete absence of one or more chambers or valves within the heart.

Anyone can have a child with a congenital heart defect. Statistics have shown that out of one thousand births, eight babies will have some form of congenital heart disorder, most of which are mild. If some family members have already had a baby with a heart defect, the risk of having a baby born with a heart disease may well be higher.

This is something that most of the time cannot be predicted. The main reason defects occur is presumed to be genetic, only a few genes have been discovered that have been linked to the presence of heart defects. Rarely the ingestion of some drugs and the occurrence of some infections during pregnancy can cause defects.

Most heart defects in children are congenital. They are usually but not always diagnosed early in life. There are rare case where hear disease in children is not congenital. This type of heart disease is called acquired; examples include Kawasaki disease and rheumatic fever. Children also can be born with or develop heart rate problems such as slow, fast, or irregular heart beats, known as "arrhythmias".

Severe heart disease generally becomes evident during the first few months after birth. Some babies are blue or have very low blood pressure shortly after birth. Other defects may cause breathing difficulties, feeding problems, or poor weight gain.

About the author:

Stop fearing premature death, get your Health Education Now ! at http://thehealtheducation.blogspot.com

Prevention Of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:11:00 +0000

Author: Safron Jeen

It is indeed difficult to deal with this topic. Not much is known about the various causes, for operating on a pregnant woman, in the first three months of pregnancy, during which period, development of the heart in the foetus is expected to be complete.

Under the above circumstances, the best thing would be that all pregnant mothers must undergo a routine ultrasonography, and if some abnormality is suspected, foetal echocardiography must be undertaken for the precise detection of congenital defect in the heart. However, the question of termination of pregnancy must be taken especially in consultation with a heart specialist, or one who is dealing with pediatric cardiac surgery. Many of the congenital lesions of the heart can be satisfactorily treated, though surgically. All aspects of the case must be studied like the number of children, and if the previous offspring have any congenital defect or not, or, if this pregnancy has occurred after a long period of time.

Heredity may play some role in the causation of the disease. If the mother has any congenital defect in her heart, the chances, though minimal, of a defect in the heart of the expected baby may increase. Genetic counselling may help in such cases before the pregnancy is planned.

There are some conditions worth mentioning which must be avoided by a pregnant mother, as there are some likely factors which may disturb the development of the heart in the foetus.

If the mother is diabetic, it must be properly controlled. Diabetes, and even prediabetes, is known to cause congenital defects in the heart. Similarly, if the mother is suffering from epilepsy, the teratogenic effect of antiepileptic drugs must be kept in mind. Therefore, in such cases foetal echocardiography is a must to assess the condition of the heart. Exposure to X rays/radiation should also be avoided.

All pregnant mothers, especially in the first three months of pregnancy, must be prevented from contracting any viral infection, particularly infection caused by the virus of German measles. A good diet is also essential during pregnancy, and in case the individual is taking alcohol, it must be stopped altogether. It may not only cause a congenital defect in the heart, it may also affect the general development of the foetus, especially the brain.

A drug like thalidomide, which is a known teratogenic, and one used in psychiatry, i.e. lithium, should also be stopped.

However, in spite of taking best possible precautions, the child may still be born with some congenital lesion in the heart. Therefore, as stated earlier; a routine ultrasonography and if need be, foetal echocardiography, is a must for all pregnant mothers in their first trimester. This will help them know the exact position of the heart of the foetus they are carrying and whether the pregnancy should be terminated, or continued, though there may be a little congenital lesion in the heart which can be treated/taken care of after the child is born.

It may be concluded that although prescribed precautions must be taken bya pregnant mother, yet detection of a lesion in the heart of the foetus during the period of pregnancy, or after the child is born, or during childhood (if the case has remained undetected earlier), as well as timely treatment/ surgery, will help a lot in improving the overall healthy span of life in such cases. And for all this, a mass consciousness is essentially required for successful completion of this aim.

Heart Diseases - How can we prevent them?

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:11:00 +0000

Author: Peter Sams

Introduction

The heart has long been associated with the very nature of humanity. As long ago as the fourth century BC, Aristotle considered it to be the seat of the soul, the centre of nutrition and the vital source of heat. The very word ‘heart’ is still deeply embedded in our language in phrases such as ‘heart-felt sympathy’, ‘heart-to-heart talk’, or ‘the heart and soul of the party’, no doubt reflecting its central location in the body and its regular beat. It is also associated with many emotional sensations, so heart disorders hit at the very core of a person’s fabric and psyche.

Types of Heart disease

Heart Attack High blood pressure
Ischemic heart disease
Heart rhythm disorders
Tachycardia Heart murmurs
Rheumatic heart disease
Pulmonary heart disease

Causes Of Heart Disease : For almost forty years, the lipid hypothesis or diet-heart idea has dominated medical thinking about heart disease. In broad outlines, this theory proposes that when we eat foods rich in saturated fat and cholesterol, cholesterol is then deposited in our arteries in the form of plaque or thermos that cause blockages. If the blockages become severe, or if a clot forms that cannot get past the plaque, the heart is starved of blood and a heart attack occurs.

Many distinguished scientists have pointed to serious flaws in this theory, beginning with the fact that heart disease in America has increased during the period when consumption of saturated fat has decreased. "The diet-heart idea," said the distinguished George Mann, "is the greatest scam in the history of medicine.” And the chorus of dissidents continues to grow, even as this increasingly untenable theory has been applied to the whole population, starting with low fat diets for growing children and mass medication with cholesterol-lowering drugs for adults.

But if it isn’t cholesterol, what causes heart disease? We don't know enough to say for sure but we do have many clues; and although these clues present a complicated picture, it is not beyond the abilities of dedicated scientists to unravel them. Nor is the picture so complex that the consumer cannot make reasonable life-style adjustments to improve his chances.

Heart disease includes the 13 Symptoms listed below: •Angina- and its symptoms •Chest discomfort •Chest pain •Brief pain episodes- often 2-5 minutes •Pain worsens on exercise •Pain relief from rest •Shortness of breath •Indigestion •Palpitations •Arrhythmias •Light-headedness •Fainting

Treatments for Heart Disease

There is a wide range of effective drug treatments for people with heart disease. These drugs can help lower blood pressure or cholesterol, prevent or dissolve blood clots, relieve and prevent angina symptoms or improve the strength or rhythm of the heart's contractions.

Medical procedures to diagnose and treat heart disease include coronary angiography, coronary artery bypass grafts, coronary angioplasty, coronary stinting, heart transplants, operations for congenital defects, surgery for heart valve defects, electrophysiological treatments and implanting of cardiac defibrillator.

How can I avoid having a heart attack?

Talk to your family doctor about your specific risk factors (see box above) for a heart attack and how to reduce your risk. Your doctor may tell you to do the following:

•Quit smoking. Your doctor can help you. (If you don't smoke, don't start!) •Eat a healthy diet. Cut back on foods high in saturated fat and sodium (salt) to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Ask your doctor about how to start eating a healthy diet.

Lose weight if you're overweight Control your blood pressure if you have hypertension.

About the author:

Read about Hair Loss Treatments http://www.allhairlosstreatments.com

and Home Remedies http://www.natural-homeremedies.com

Also read about Tribulus Terrestris - http://www.ayurvediccure.com/tribulus-terrestris.htm

Types and Symptoms Of Heart Valve Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:12:00 +0000

Author: Judy Wellsworth

There are two types of heart valve disease--heart disease resulting from narrowed heart valves, and heart disease resulting from leaky heart valves. Each of them stems from several different causes, ranging from birth defects, to bacterial infection, to aging.

Congential Heart Valve Disease

Congenital heart valve is the most common, and can result in inflexible or narrowed, or floppy, valves, or irregular valve flaps. Congenital heart valve disease is often diagnosed within a few days of a baby's birth, but if the defect is minor, may not be discovered until much later. Heart valve disease can be very hard to diagnose because some forms of it do not produce symptoms.

Some people, however, acquire heart valve disease because of complications from another disease such as heart muscle disease, coronary artery disease and heart attack. A child who has suffered from a rheumatic heart disease because of a simple strep throat will likely to have a valvular disease when he or she reaches adulthood.

Heart valve disease, however, can also develop as a complication from some other illness; children who have had rheumatic fever following an untreated case of strep throat have a greater than fifty percent chance of developing scarring on their heart valves. A heart with scarred valves has to work harder than one with smooth ones, and as the years mount, the extra strain on the heart can lead to rheumatic heart disease.

Endiocarditis

Another form of heart valve disease which can result from infection is endiocarditis. Endiocarditis develops when bacteria enters the bloodstream during surgery or dental procedures, causing inflammation of the heart and scarring both its valves and leaflets. In the case of endiocarditis, the scarred leaflets will allow blood entering the heart to back up, or "regurgitate," diminishing the blood volume within the heart and the amount of blood and oxygen which reaches the body's other organs.

The elderly are susceptible to heart valve disease resulting from calcification, or calcium deposit buildup, along the valves.

Testing For Heart Valve Disease

Echocardiograms

and MRIs are the tests best suited to diagnose heart valve disease. Either one will give the cardiologist a good look at abnormalities both in the main chambers of the heart and all its smaller structures including the valves.

http://www.treatheartdiseasehelp.com/Pulmonary_Heart_Disease/

Symptoms of heart valve disease can include vertigo resulting from a quick shift of positions, such as standing up or sitting, heart palpitations or racing, shortness of breath after minimal activity, and sever afternoon fatigue.

Those experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis should arrange to see a cardiologist and be tested for a heart murmurs, a strong indication of heart valve disease.

About the author:

You can also find more info on http://www.treatheartdiseasehelp.com/Reversing_Heart_Disease/

Reversing Heart Disease and http://www.treatheartdiseasehelp.com/

Heart Disease.

Treatheartdiseasehelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Heart Diseases.

tags:Congenital Heart Defects,Heart Diseases,Heart valve Diseases

Heart Disease Treatment: What Options Are Available

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:15:00 +0000

Author: Saul Peterson

There are many forms of heart disease including ischemic heart disease (plaque-blocked arteries), congenital conditions, arrhythmia, and diseases of the actual heart muscle. Whether heart disease is detected early or not revealed until after heart failure, there are now available to doctors and medical professionals many differing remedies and treatments to reduce the risks of further heart disease. Very basically there are three categories of heart disease treatment.

Just keep taking the tablets!!

When a heart beats too quickly, or if the arteries around it contract tightly, the heart will be overtaxed, like revving an engine that's in park, which, long term can result in damage to the heart muscle. Doctors prescribe three classes of pills called nitrates, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers to enable the heart to run more efficiently. Each of these types of heart disease treatments help the heart to beat regularly and slowly, or expand the arteries in the area of the heart so that blood flow to the heart muscle is more efficient.

Surely everyone these days knows that Aspirin thins the blood and reduces the risk of blood clots forming, causing blocked arteries. Aspirin does diminish the blood's ability to form clots, as do Heparin and Warfarin, other drugs fight cholesterol, which can form plaque in the arteries (ischemic heart disease) and lead to heart failure. These drugs are usually called cholesterol reducing drugs or are part of a subcategory called 'statins'.

As always, if your doctor prescribes medicine, don't forget to ask plenty of questions about what the drug is and what it does, including any possible side effects.

Scalpel, Please!!

When clogged caronary arteries are life threatening, heart disease treatment can mean going into surgery. Some surgeries will clear the plaque in the arteries by cleaning or grinding it away or inflating a balloon (angioplasty) in the arteries to break up the plaque. During bypass surgery a large blood vessel will be taken from elsewhere in the body and grafted to the blocked artery so blood can pass around the blockage to the heart.

Surgeries for other conditions include implanting a pacemaker into the heart to treat arrhythmia, and doctors can transplant aortic valves into a patient whose valve has stopped functioning properly. In case no heart disease treatment is possible, such as in infants born with heart defects, artificial hearts do exist, though they are only a temporary solution until a heart transplant can be performed.

Treat The Whole System!!

Of course, before your heart gets desperate enough to need drugs or surgery, look to the risk factors you can control. Don't smoke; control your cholesterol as best as possible so that plaque never gets a chance to clog your arteries, although the body produces cholesterol itself so in some cases tight control of your cholesterol level is extremely difficult; and exercise regularly, most days in a week, to keep your heart muscles healthy. Hopefully if you undertake these simple steps, heart disease treatment will be for other people, not you.

For a free e-book, more articles and information about heart disease please visit http://www.a1toparticles.com/heart.html/

About the author:
Saul Peterson has suffered heart

Save Now

failure and disease for over 10 years - having numerous operations during this time - he knows heart disease first-hand

tags:Congenital Heart Defects,Heart Diseases

Heart Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 07:16:00 +0000

Author: Dr. April Davall

Human body is a complex machine. There are many organs in the body and the most important organ is the heart. This helps the person to breathe and live. Heart disease is a commonly used term for a number of different diseases affecting the heart. These may range from coronary, ischemic and inflammatory heart diseases which are diseases of the heart itself; to hypertensive heart disease (caused by high blood pressure) and cardiovascular heart diseases (a general term used for a number of diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries). Certain heart diseases may also arise due to hereditary factors or due to congenital defects of the heart.

Apart from diseases attributable to the heart itself, there are risk factors which increase the chances of a person developing cardiovascular ailments. Some of these risk factors, like heredity or aging, are beyond a person's control. However other factors like being overweight, leading a sedentary life, having high blood pressure and smoking can certainly be controlled.

Some of the conditions associated with heart diseases are arteriosclerosis (also called hardening of the arteries); atherosclerosis (where arteries get narrow due to build-up - called plaque - of cholesterol and fat) and; angina (where there is pain in the heart due to inadequate blood supply). In extreme cases heart diseases may also lead to an often fatal heart attack (when a blood clot or other blockage cuts blood flow to a part of the heart) or a stroke, when part of the brain does not get adequate blood supply due to a burst blood vessel or a clot.

Medical science has found many high-tech, and often expensive, methods for treating heart diseases. These are mostly invasive techniques. However, the common adage that 'prevention is better than cure' holds true for heart diseases too, particularly for atherosclerotic cardiac disease which is the greatest killer. Some of these preventive measures are diet and life-style changes to control high blood pressure (which makes the heart work harder); control diabetes (which increases chances of getting heart disease); cholesterol and triglycerides (which clog arteries) and to maintain a healthy weight.

Symptoms of a serious heart condition or even a heart attack may vary. However, common warning signals can be pain or discomfort in the chest or other areas of the upper body including arms, back, neck, stomach and jaw; shortness of breath; feeling of faintness; cold sweat; nausea etc. The symptoms may vary. Hence, when in doubt, it is advisable to call for emergency assistance, preferably within a span of five minutes.

About the author:

Dr. April Davall is SEO of mecholesterol.com, her goal is to give you good and helpful information about heart disease and cholesterol. You can learn and print out almost anything about heart disease and cholesterol, all is free.

tags:Congenital Heart Defects,Heart Diseases

Scientific Research shows Juices can Reduce Cholesterol and Prevent Heart Disease.

noreply@blogger.com (Adam Rizky) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:52:00 +0000

Author: Deborah Joy

Heart disease effects many of us in the UK, more so than in many other countries, but there is a strong possibility that this could be changed simply by changing our attitude towards food and consuming more juice.

The term 'heart disease' includes several conditions such from Congenital heart defects seen at birth to atherosclerosis (hardened arteries) that develop later. It is a complex issue with several inter-related factors. Hardening of the arteries and angina are a result of the inner walls of the bodies arteries narrowing due to a build up of plaque (fat, LDL cholesterol and other substances). Plaque build up is increased in people who have high levels LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels HDL (good) cholesterol. Oxidation of excess LDL cholesterol results in an increase of plaque. The HDL cholesterol helps to prevent the LDL cholesterol from increasing the plaque, moving it instead to the liver. Plaque build up alone may be enough to cause pain (angina) or heart attack. However, if the plaque is ruptured or torn it can block the artery causing a coronary thrombosis (heart attack). Atherosclerosis can also be caused by inappropriate platelet activation causing the platelets in the blood to clot.

Grape Juice inhibits Atherosclerosis

Many of us will have seen news items claiming red wine helps to keep our hearts healthy. This is due to a substance in the grapes that used to make the wine known as polyphenols. However, recent tests have shown that although less polyphenols are present in grape juice than red wine, grape juice is better at inhibiting atherosclerosis

Purple Grape juice has also been found to help patients with coronary artery disease due to significantly improving the function of the cells (endothelial) lining the hardened arteries as well inhibiting inappropriate platelet activation

Purple grape juice's action as a potent platelet inhibitor is important as Platelets are involved in the development of Atherosclerosis

Other research has shown grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts reducing Atherosclerosis by up to 50% in animals.

Although that study was for grape seed extract alone, other studies have shown that the combination of grape seed extract and grape skin, as you would find in the juice, is more effective

Juices Reduce Cholesterol
Pomegranate juice also offers wide protection against cardiovascular diseases6 and has been shown to reduce cholesterol build up in plaque and reduce the development of atherosclerosis

In laboratory tests orange juice has been found to lower cholesterol and significantly inhibit atherosclerosis

A 750ml serving of orange juice daily has been shown to decreased the LDL-HDL cholesterol ratio by 16% in tests on people

Tests on smokers has shown that carrot and orange juice combined significantly susceptibility of LDL to oxidation (the process that increases plaque). As little as 330 mL of tomato juice has also been shown to significantly reduce LDL oxidation

Adding garlic to vegetable juices takes some getting used to, but garlic has also been shown to decrease bad LDL cholesterol while increase HDL cholesterol as well as reducing LDL oxidation

Plant sterols and stanols found in high quantities in veg like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower have been found to reduce LDL cholesterol

One report says around 2g per day of plant sterol ester can decrease LDL cholesterol levels from 9% to 20%

Ginger has also been shown to significantly reduce LDL cholesterol and abnormal cell tissues (Aortic atherosclerotic lesion) in the arteries around the heart. With so much evidence proving the benefits of fruit and vegetable juices why on earth would we not want to include them in our diet?

1. Atherosclerosis. 2001 May;156(1):67-72. Red wine, dealcoholized red wine, and especially grape juice, inhibit atherosclerosis in a hamster model. Vinson JA, Teufel K, Wu N. Department of Chemistry, University of Scranton, Linden and Monroe Streets,

2. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2002;505:95-111. Potential health benefits from the flavonoids in grape products on vascular disease. Folts JD. Coronary Thrombosis Research Laboratory, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, USA.

3. J Nutr. 2000 Jan;130(1):53-6. Grape juice, but not orange juice or grapefruit juice, inhibits human platelet aggregation. Keevil JG, Osman HE, Reed JD, Folts JD. Cardiology Section of Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA.

4. ol Cell Biochem. 2002 Nov;240(1-2):99-103. Beneficial effects of a novel IH636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extract and a niacin-bound chromium in a hamster atherosclerosis model. Vinson JA, Mandarano MA, Shuta DL, Bagchi M, Bagchi D. Department of Chemistry, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, USA.

5. J Nutr. 2002 Dec;132(12):3592-8. Grape seed and grape skin extracts elicit a greater antiplatelet effect when used in combination than when used individually in dogs and humans. Shanmuganayagam D, Beahm MR, Osman HE, Krueger CG, Reed JD, Folts JD. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53792, USA.

6. Atherosclerosis. 2001 Sep;158(1):195-8. Pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure. Aviram M, Dornfeld L. The Lipid Research Laboratory, Technion Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, 31096 Haifa, Israel.

7. J Nutr Biochem. 2005 Sep;16(9):570-6. Pomegranate juice inhibits oxidized LDL uptake and cholesterol biosynthesis in macrophages. Fuhrman B, Volkova N, Aviram M. Lipid Research Laboratory, Technion Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa 31096, Israel.

8. J Nutr. 2001 Aug;131(8):2082-9. Pomegranate juice supplementation to atherosclerotic mice reduces macrophage lipid peroxidation, cellular cholesterol accumulation and development of atherosclerosis. Kaplan M, Hayek T, Raz A, Coleman R, Dornfeld L, Vaya J, Aviram M. The Lipid Research Laboratory, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences and Rambam Medical Center, Haifa 31096, Israel.

9. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2002;505:113-22. Polyphenol antioxidants in citrus juices: in vitro and in vivo studies relevant to heart disease. Vinson JA, Liang X, Proch J, Hontz BA, Dancel J, Sandone N. Department of Chemistry, University of Scranton, PA 18510-4626, USA.

10. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Nov;72(5):1095-100. HDL-cholesterol-raising effect of orange juice in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. Kurowska EM, Spence JD, Jordan J, Wetmore S, Freeman DJ, Piche LA, Serratore P. Departments of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.

11. Clin Chem. 2000 Nov;46(11):1818-29. Influence of increased fruit and vegetable intake on plasma and lipoprotein carotenoids and LDL oxidation in smokers and nonsmokers. Chopra M, O'Neill ME, Keogh N, Wortley G, Southon S, Thurnham DI. Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland BT52 1SA, United Kingdom.

12. J Nutr. 2000 Sep;130(9):2200-6. Moderate intervention with carotenoid-rich vegetable products reduces lipid peroxidation in men. Bub A, Watzl B, Abrahamse L, Delincee H, Adam S, Wever J, Muller H, Rechkemmer G. Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Federal Research Centre for Nutrition, D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.

13. Lipids. 1998 Oct;33(10):981-4. Tomato lycopene and low density lipoprotein oxidation: a human dietary intervention study. Agarwal S, Rao AV. Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

14. J Nutr. 2001 Mar;131(3s):994S-9S. Study of garlic extracts and fractions on cholesterol plasma levels and vascular reactivity in cholesterol-fed rats. Slowing K, Ganado P, Sanz M, Ruiz E, Tejerina T. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain.

15. J Nutr. 2001 Mar;131(3s):985S-8S. Suppression of LDL oxidation by garlic. Lau BH. Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.

16. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2000 Dec;11(6):571-6. Therapeutic potential of plant sterols and stanols. Plat J, Kerckhoffs DA, Mensink RP. Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.

17. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Jan;75(1):79-86. An increase in dietary carotenoids when consuming plant sterols or stanols is effective in maintaining plasma carotenoid concentrations. Noakes M, Clifton P, Ntanios F, Shrapnel W, Record I, McInerney J. CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition, Adelaide, Australia.

18. Circulation. 2001 Feb 27;103(8):1177-9. AHA Science Advisory. Stanol/sterol ester-containing foods and blood cholesterol levels. A statement for healthcare professionals from the Nutrition Committee of the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism of the American Heart Association. Lichtenstein AH, Deckelbaum RJ.

19. J Nutr. 2000 May;130(5):1124-31. Ginger extract consumption reduces plasma cholesterol, inhibits LDL oxidation and attenuates development of atherosclerosis in atherosclerotic, apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Fuhrman B, Rosenblat M, Hayek T, Coleman R, Aviram M. Lipid Research Laboratory, Technion Faculty of Medicine, The Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences and Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.

About the author:
Deborah writes on a variety of health, beauty and wellness topics. Visit http://www.pureskincare.co.uk for more information on the issues discussed. A range of top quality can also be seen on the website.Note to Publishers: You may freely republish this article as is

tags:Congenital Heart Defects,Heart Diseases