MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'heart failure'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:56:33 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169546&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fresearch-shows-decrease-in-time-from-hospital-arrival-to-heart-attack-treatment%2F2011.08.27 Heart attack patients are now being treated on average 32 minutes faster than they were five years ago, and medical societies are touting it as evidence of the success of national campaigns to treat heart attacks more quickly. The study, “Improvements in Door-to-Balloon Time in the United States: 2005-2010,” found that the average time from hospital arrival to treatment declined from 96 minutes in 2005 to just 64 minutes in 2010. In addition, more than 90% of heart attack patients who required emergency angioplasty in 2010 received treatment within the recommended 90 minutes, up from 44% in 2005. Also, the study reported that (more…) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Hospitalist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169546 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 18:15:00 +0100 5169546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169547&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-importance-of-physicals-for-young-athletes%2F2011.08.27 Increasing numbers of young people participate in outdoor activities, including strenuous competitive athletics. In so doing, they subject their bodies to stresses that are more intense and prolonged than those presented by a largely sedentary life. Every story of a sudden death in a young person is a tragedy, and usually accompanied by commentary pondering the role and utility of pre-activity screening. Could the death have been prevented? What was the physiological condition of the deceased? Could the collapse, often attributed to a heart problem, have been predicted? Was there an examination or evaluation that might have indicated that the deceased was at greater risk, or should have been held out of the activity? These are all important questions, with no simple answers. Sudden collaps... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169547 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0100 5169547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5161563&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fwomen-with-atrial-fibrillation-focus-on-etiology-and-treatment.mp4 An important observational study published in JAMA tracked over 34 000 women for more than 15 years and showed that cardiovascular mortality was significantly higher for women who developed atrial fibrillation as an incident event. (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5161563 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:45:00 +0100 5161563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968494&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-is-it-appropriate-to-disregard-guidelines-in-medical-care%2F2011.06.24 Podcast: In an article appearing last week in the American Heart Journal, investigators concluded that if American doctors would prescribe for their patients with heart failure each of the six therapies which are most strongly recommended in current heart failure guidelines, 68,000 lives per year could be saved. The following (for the interest of the reader, and for the convenience of any attorneys who may follow DrRich’s offerings), is an ordered list of these six proven, life-saving heart failure therapies, along with the number of American lives that could be saved each year if only American doctors would stop grossly under-utilizing them in violation of published guidelines: aldosterone antagonist therapy – 21,407 lives beta blockers – 12,922 lives implantable defibrillators ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968494 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 21:00:47 +0100 4968494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5020637&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fcrt-and-icd-implantation-in-difficult-times-following-the-guidelines-providing-evidence.mp4 An examination of the data from controversial recent studies into appropriateness of ICD implantation and cardiac resynchronization therapy underlines the importance of following the guidelines to ensure optimum patient care. (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5020637 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:30:00 +0100 5020637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4954393&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fcrt-and-icd-implantation-in-difficult-times-following-the-guidelines-providing-evidence.mp4 An examination of the data from controversial recent studies into appropriateness of ICD implantation and cardiac resynchronization therapy underlines the importance of following the guidelines to ensure optimum patient care. (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4954393 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:30:00 +0100 4954393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4873217&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Foptimal-medical-therapy-holds-its-own-in-stich.mp4 . An examination of the "crossover patients" in STICH shows that optimal medical therapy must never be overlooked. (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4873217 Thu, 26 May 2011 18:50:00 +0100 4873217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4794817&cid=t_134521_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F06%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2011-vol-305-no-16%2F This article aims to  evaluate the association between low health literacy and all-cause mortality and hospitalisation among outpatients with heart failure. The article concludes that among patients with heart failure in an integrated managed care organisation, low health literacy was significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of the article. Filed under: Athens Password, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Health Care Assessment, Heart Failure, Mortality, Outcome, Patient Education (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4794817 Fri, 06 May 2011 12:14:05 +0100 4794817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714741&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-a-patient-who-asks-for-salt-for-his-eggs-could-cost-a-hospital-2-5-million%2F2011.04.14 This was a classic moment of comical clarity that only comes along once a week.  As you may or may not know, starting in 2013, The Medicare National Bank has promised to take back 1% of all  of a hospital’s total Medicare revenue (to increase in future years) if the hospital has a higher 30 day readmission rate for  congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction or pneumonia than an as yet undefined acceptable 30 day rate of readmission. What does this mean?  It means if the government decides that 20% is an acceptable rate for congestive heart failure 30 day readmission, and the hospital has a readmission rate of 25%, the hospital will be told to return 1% of all Medicare revenue for the year, not just their heart failure revenue. Let’s use some hypothetical numbers... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714741 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:00:00 +0100 4714741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693785&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fstich-focusing-on-the-crossover-patients.mp4 STICH: Focusing on the "crossover" patients. What can we learn from the patients in the STICH trial who crossed over from their original line of therapy (from bypass plus medical therapy to medical therapy alone, and vice versa)? (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693785 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:30:00 +0100 4693785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664177&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmitral-valve-regurgitation-caused-elizabeth-taylors-death-could-it-affect-you%2F2011.03.31 I am saddened that Elizabeth Taylor died recently of heart failure. In his appreciation of her, film critic Roger Ebert said in the Chicago Sun-Times, “Of few deaths can it be said that they end an era, but hers does.” She is a star that many of us felt we knew. She was a great actress and a woman of great beauty who was a hard working champion of people with AIDS and always seemed to be a determined person who knew herself. Yet she always had a vulnerable side. So many marriages, so many illnesses, so many, many surgeries, over 40, I’ve read. And then her heart problem developed. Which leads me to talk a little about that problem, mitral valve leakage. The heart’s mitral valve The heart has four chambers and four valves that open to let blood through to the next chamber of th... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664177 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4664177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653604&cid=t_134521_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fg_5vLHyT1fE%2F The vast majority of heart failure cases occur in adults aged 65 and older, but a new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds that many clinical trials studying the disease exclude older patients. The implication? Most of the meds that are being developed to treat heart disease have not been tested on the very patients who will be taking the drugs. To wit, 64 of 251 trials investigating meds for heart failure, or 25.5 percent, excluded patients by an arbitrary upper age limit. This happened 32.3 percent of the time in the European Union compared with 16.2 percent of trials in the US. Exclusion also was found more often in public institutions compared with private entities - 35.6 percent versus 13.9 percent. Overall, 109 trials, or 43.4 percent, had one or more poorly justified exc... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653604 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:19:44 +0100 4653604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642593&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Felizabeth-taylor-and-understanding-heart-failure%2F2011.03.28 The condition that took Elizabeth Taylor’s life affects millions of Americans. Reports of Elizabeth Taylor’s death focused, as they should, on her life, not on her death from heart failure. But given how common this condition is—the American Heart Association says nearly 6 million Americans are living with heart failure and it kills about 300,000 each year—a little attention to it might be a good idea. What is heart failure? The term “heart failure” is a scary one, conjuring up images of a heart that is suddenly unable to work. In truth, it represents a gradual decline in the heart’s ability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. As the heart weakens, all parts of the body suffer the consequences. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at H... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642593 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:00:26 +0100 4642593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4594702&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fupdating-the-aha-s-guidelines-for-prevention-of-cardiovascular-disease-in-women-3.mp4 The recent update to the AHA's effectiveness-based guidelines for prevention of heart disease in women is notable for its refined focus on several issues, including a revised definition of risk, risk during pregnancy, BP control, and understanding diversi (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4594702 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:40:00 +0100 4594702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495203&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmri-safe-pacemakers-available-in-u-s-hospitals-soon-what-it-means-for-heart-patients%2F2011.02.18 This was the Guest Blog at Scientific American on February 16th, 2011. New wave of MRI-safe pacemakers set to ship to hospitals This week Medtronic will begin shipping to hospitals in the United States the first pacemaker approved by the FDA as safe for most MRI scans. For consumers, it is a significant step in what is expected to be a wave of new MRI-compatible implanted cardiac devices. But this is an example of one technology chasing another and the one being chased, the MRI scanner, is changing and is a step ahead of the new line of pacemakers. The pacemaker approved for U.S. distribution is Medtronic’s first-generation pacemaker with certain limitations, while its second-generation MRI-compatible pacemaker is already in use in Europe where approval for medical devices is not as dem... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495203 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:00:00 +0100 4495203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424235&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcardiovascular-care-costs-could-triple-by-2030%2F2011.02.01 Real total direct medical costs of cardiovascular disease (CVD) could triple, from $273 billion to $818 billion (in 2008 dollars) by 2030. Real indirect costs, such as lost productivity among the employed and unpaid household work, could increase 61 percent, from $172 billion in 2010 to $276 billion. Results appeared in a policy statement of the American Heart Association. CVD is the leading cause of mortality and accounts for 17 percent of national health expenditures, according to the statement. How much so? U.S. medical expenditures rose from 10 percent of the Gross Domestic Product in 1985 to 15 percent in 2008. In the past decade, the medical costs of CVD have grown at an average annual rate of 6 percent and have accounted for about 15 percent of the increase in medical spending... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424235 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:00:00 +0100 4424235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4314221&cid=t_134521_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6v6OHNUJQ_Y%2F Greetings, everyone. How are you this morning? We trust you feel invigorated as another day gets under way. As usual, we are brewing a delicious cup of stimulation and poking around for interesting items. Heard something fascinating? Send us a note. Meanwhile, we hope your workload is manageable and much gets accomplished. Catch you soon… Pfizer Faces 1,200 Chantix Lawsuits (Birmingham News) Spectrum To Make Biosimilar Of Roche’s Rituximab (Reuters) Roche Wins Wider Approval For Actemra (Bloomberg News) Evidence Links Avastin To Heart Failure In Breast Cancer Patients (HealthDay) EMA Worries Over Foreign APIs (InPharma-Technologist) J&J Files For FDA Approval Of Bloodthinner (Associated Press) Celgene Submits New Applications For Cancer Meds (Reuters) Xoma Inks $505M Diabe... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314221 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:48:44 +0100 4314221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4208623&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Felectronic-health-records-bettering-uptake-and-use.mp4 Despite President Obama's deadline of 2014 for hospitals and practices to adopt electronic health records, uptake has been slow. In our digital age, we will all gain from dropping outdated record practices and adopting electronic records. (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4208623 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:15:00 +0100 4208623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183249&cid=t_134521_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F19%2Fnursing-times-2010-vol-106-no-45%2F This article describes a telehealth project in Swansea where patients with heart failure and COPD were provided with telehealth monitoring equipment. Potential economic benefits and patient empowerment are highlighted as positive outcomes from the project. Contact the Library for a copy for this article. Filed under: Journals, Primary Care Tagged: COPD, Heart Failure, Telehealth (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183249 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 09:49:55 +0100 4183249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172716&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fpetitioning-the-social-security-administration-for-compassionate-disability-for-hf-transplant-and-congenital-heartdisease-patients-3.mp4 The lag between recognition of disability status and receipt of Medicare is 24 months—a long period rife with events for the most seriously ill patients, with costly and tragic consequences. Learn more. (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172716 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:30:00 +0100 4172716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4152736&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fheartfailure-trials-to-look-for-at-aha-2010-2.mp4 Watch out for the following top trials in heart failure at the AHA Scientific Sessions 2010 (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4152736 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:35:00 +0100 4152736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4155940&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fcollaborative-care-in-heartfailure-patients2.mp4 How does patient adherence—to both medications and physician recommendations—work? In her recent study, Dr Lynda Powell sought to understand the potential role of "collaborative care" in improving adherence and outcomes. (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4155940 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:25:00 +0100 4155940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036566&cid=t_134521_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fcongestive-heart-failure-signs-symptoms%2F Cheyne-Stokes respiration (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036566 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 06:17:37 +0100 4036566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993813&cid=t_134521_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F22%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-304-no-12%2F This article determines the value of self-management counselling plus heart failure education, compared with heart failure education alone, for the primary end point of death or heart failure hospitalization. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Heart Failure, Patient Counselling, Patient Education, Randomised Controlled Trials (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993813 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 06:24:52 +0100 3993813 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3922055&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fesc-2010-pina-blog.mp4 Two understudied groups were the focus of papers presented in Stockholm that underline our incomplete understanding of biomarkers and of left ventricular hypertrophy in female athletes. (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3922055 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:30:00 +0100 3922055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3882589&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Farbs-and-lungcancer-risk-in-a-new-metaanalysis-by-dr-ike-sipahi-2.mp4 Heart failure and transplantation with Dr Ileana Piña - Cardiologist and heart failure and transplantation specialist, Dr Ileana Piña, from Case Western Reserve University shares her views on cardiology news and events (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3882589 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:50:00 +0100 3882589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3872556&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-foreign-medical-graduates-doctor-better%2F2010.08.16 Yes, according to a study in today’s Health Affairs. (The full text of the study is available only to subscribers, but Kaiser Health News Daily has a good summary of its findings and links to other news reports.) The study compares inpatient death rates and lengths of stay for patients with congestive heart failure or acute myocardial infarction when provided by U.S. citizens trained abroad, citizens trained in the United States, and non-citizens trained abroad. Treatment was provided by internists, family physicians, or cardiologists. The differences were striking, according to the authors: “Our analysis of 244,153 hospitalizations in Pennsylvania found that patients of doctors who graduated from international medical schools and were not U.S. citizens at the time they entered... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3872556 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3872556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3753740&cid=t_134521_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fvice-president-dick-cheney-receives-left-ventricular-device%2F In an ominous development, former Vice President Dick Cheney has received a left ventricular device (LVAD) to aid the pumping of his failing heart. This is an indication of severe heart failure. The long-term prognosis of patients who receive this device is unknown. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3753740 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:02:22 +0100 3753740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718334&cid=t_134521_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F01%2Fheart-2010-vol-96-no-13%2F Heart 2010 (Vol. 96 No. 13) Contents page Fade Fave: Electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony for prediction of cardiac events in patients with systolic heart failure Fade Skinny: Evaluates whether mechanical dyssynchrony has an additional benefit over QRS duration in predicting cardiac events in patients with systolic heart failure. Finds tissue Doppler imaging-derived mechanical dyssynchrony is an important prognosticator and independently associated with QRS duration in predicting adverse events in patients with systolic heart failure. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Filed under: Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals Tagged: Athens Password, Current Awareness, Diagnosis, E-Journals, Heart Failure (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718334 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:05:32 +0100 3718334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3702883&cid=t_134521_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fvice-president-dick-cheney-hospitalized-heart-ailments%2F It has been announced that former Vice President Dick Cheney was hospitalized two days ago with atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. He has received intravenous medication and is expected to be released shortly. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3702883 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:26:54 +0100 3702883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3759482&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fhelp-bring-hf-hospital-readmission-rates-down-by-joining-the-h2h-initiative-2.mp4 Heart failure and transplantation with Dr Ileana Piña - Cardiologist and heart failure and transplantation specialist, Dr Ileana Piña, from Case Western Reserve University shares her views on cardiology news and events (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3759482 Fri, 28 May 2010 17:20:00 +0100 3759482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595589&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-problem-of-drug-extinction%2F2010.05.24 Doctors are all-familiar with marketing efforts to promote new drugs, but once the new drugs displace older drugs in the medical marketplace, who serves as advocates for the continued manufacturing of older FDA-approved drugs? In a short answer: No one. For those of us dealing in cardiac arrhythmia management, this presents difficult challenges for patient care if people are unable to take the newer drugs due to side effects. These patients no longer have a fall-back option to turn to for medical therapy when the older drugs have become extinct on the marketplace. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Dr. Wes* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595589 Mon, 24 May 2010 12:30:00 +0100 3595589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3545443&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fshoot-a-turkey-help-fight-heart-disease%2F2010.05.07 From Freep.com: “Medical researchers at Wayne State University have asked hunters in the state [Michigan] to donate the hearts of harvested wild turkeys for researching heart disease and congestive heart failure. The National Wild Turkey Federation recently joined the school in making the appeal. Researchers hope that tests using wild turkey hearts could lead to medical breakthroughs for combating heart problems in humans.”  Read more. -WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. *This blog post was originally published at Dr. Wes* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3545443 Fri, 07 May 2010 16:00:00 +0100 3545443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538086&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FvNov0jTyzfM%2F Yin versus Yang. East versus West. Technology versus theology. Two Fox topics I covered within a single week were at seemingly opposite ends of the healthcare spectrum. Both were moving. Both made a meaningful difference in peoples lives. Which was better? I was confused…until I started writing the last paragraph of this blog. Bill Carlson is a 60 year old man that I met online about a year ago during the weekly Fox chat with viewers. “Shellback,” his screen name, signed in every few weeks with progress updates on his recovery from a heart transplant…and then always commented on the wonderful care he received at the University of Minnesota. Since April is National Donate Life Month, I invited him to be a guest on Tuesday, April 20. His story was a medical miracle. Bill’s congesti... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538086 Thu, 06 May 2010 10:00:17 +0100 3538086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3504941&cid=t_134521_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fhow-you-can-help-heart-disease.html ... shoot a wild turkey. -WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. (Source: Dr. Wes) Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3504941 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:52:00 +0100 3504941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494370&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FPg-75NOruns%2F           About 5 million people in the United States suffer from congestive heart failure (CHF).  Approximately 550,000 new cases of the condition are diagnosed every year.  It is the most common hospital discharge diagnosis with more than one million hospital stays annually.  A person 40 years or more has a 1 in 5 chance of developing heart failure.  Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects 1% of the people aged 50 years, 5% people aged 75 years or older and 25% people aged 85 years or older irrespective of sex.  Congestive heart failure, or simply heart failure, is a condition where the heart fails to pump adequate blood to meet the body’s need.  Unlike a heart attack, the heart does not stop beating – rather, it weakens over the course of months or years so tha... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494370 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:13:50 +0100 3494370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3453872&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fyou-know-youre-unwell-if-%25e2%2580%25a6-you-weigh-too-much-to-walk%2F This video is pretty sad, but it’ll also scare you out of eating your next plate of french fries: Post from: BlissTree You Know You're Unwell if … You Weigh Too Much To Walk (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3453872 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:54:58 +0100 3453872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3473168&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fhealthcare-reform-bill-mapping-supply-to-demand-2.mp4 Heart failure and transplantation with Dr Ileana Piña - Cardiologist and heart failure and transplantation specialist, Dr Ileana Piña, from Case Western Reserve University shares her views on cardiology news and events (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3473168 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3473168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3367171&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBlogsTheheartorg%2F%7E3%2FGYpEoO4jZ1w%2Fcredo Heart failure and transplantation with Dr Ileana Piña - Cardiologist and heart failure and transplantation specialist, Dr Ileana Piña, from Case Western Reserve University shares her views on cardiology news and events (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3367171 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:30:00 +0100 3367171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3367173&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBlogsTheheartorg%2F%7E3%2Fitz8gpJPEWc%2Facc1 Heart failure and transplantation with Dr Ileana Piña - Cardiologist and heart failure and transplantation specialist, Dr Ileana Piña, from Case Western Reserve University shares her views on cardiology news and events (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3367173 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:55:00 +0100 3367173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3426350&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.theheart.org%2Fpodcasts%2FHeart-failure-and-transplantation-with-Dr-Ileana-Pina%2FMedia%2Fwomen-with-cv-risk-factors-listening-understanding-and-educating----here-s-how-2.mp4 Heart failure and transplantation with Dr Ileana Piña - Cardiologist and heart failure and transplantation specialist, Dr Ileana Piña, from Case Western Reserve University shares her views on cardiology news and events (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3426350 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:00:00 +0100 3426350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3367175&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBlogsTheheartorg%2F%7E3%2F_ILqY5CNPjQ%2Fgetwiththeguidelines-shows-quality-gaps-countrywide-in-treating-heart-failure Heart failure and transplantation with Dr Ileana Piña - Cardiologist and heart failure and transplantation specialist, Dr Ileana Piña, from Case Western Reserve University shares her views on cardiology news and events (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3367175 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:55:00 +0100 3367175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3367176&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBlogsTheheartorg%2F%7E3%2FCDQX42iLBqk%2Ftranslational-science-getwiththeguidelines-and-health-it Heart failure and transplantation with Dr Ileana Piña - Cardiologist and heart failure and transplantation specialist, Dr Ileana Piña, from Case Western Reserve University shares her views on cardiology news and events (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3367176 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0100 3367176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999592&cid=t_134521_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F17%2Freducing-marital-stress-through-communication%2F One heavily researched area within psychology is couples’ and marital communication. How a couple chooses to communicate — especially during a conflict — affects all sorts of things in the relationship: stress, relationship health, intimacy, even each person’s health. As Gouin et al. (2009) note in a summary of our existing research on this issue: Individuals reporting lower marital satisfaction experienced more non-specific physical illness symptoms over a 4-year period than individuals with higher marital satisfaction. Among healthy women, lower marital satisfaction was also associated with a more rapid progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Furthermore, women who were initially dissatisfied in their marital relationship were more likely to develop metabolic syn... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999592 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:23:39 +0100 2999592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989175&cid=t_134521_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwaiting-and-hoping-for-heart.html A patient, recently listed for cardiac transplantation, tells his story about being rejected, then accepted, to the cardiac transplantation list:Next week, I'll check into Mayo, one of the world's premier hospitals, to undergo additional treatment in preparation for receiving a new heart. Since my brain tumor turned out to be benign and my prostate cancer has responded to treatment, doctors there said those issues no longer should disqualify me as a candidate for a heart transplant.Now that I'm on the list, I am on an around-the-clock standby alert. I have to be ready to be on the operating table within four hours once a compatible heart becomes available. The fact that Chicago is 331 miles from Mayo, in Rochester, Minn., complicates things since I don't have my own charter jet. But the Ma... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989175 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:45:00 +0100 2989175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111606&cid=t_134521_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fgood-enough-science-apparently-so-at_6680.html "A total of 61 individuals involved in five norovirus outbreaks in Denmark were genotyped at nucleotides 428 and 571 of the FUT2 gene, determining secretor status, i.e., the presence of ABH antigens in secretions and on mucosa. A strong correlation (P 0.003) was found between the secretor phenotype and symptomatic disease, extending previous knowledge and confirming that nonsense mutations in the FUT2 gene provide protection against symptomatic norovirus (GGII.4) infections." This from a report at 23andSerge's "Norovirus Resistance" report.I don't know what I would do with a Norovirus resistance report........Go on more cruises? Work in a daycare? Have more kids?I bring this up because I begin to wonder what level of science is good science.Is highlighting every article as useful as highli... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111606 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:34:00 +0100 3111606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886464&cid=t_134521_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Frationer.html Every cardiac electrophysiologist has been there: a relatively young individual in their 50’s presents to the Emergency Room short of breath, sitting bolt upright in bed and is found to be in congestive heart failure. This is not their first admission; several others have come before and each with a common theme: a positive urinary screen for cocaine.The EKG shows left bundle branch block. Catheterizations occur, coronary disease absent or moderate, discussions held, patient recommended for defibrillator or biventricular pacing to improve their heart failure after medications have been ineffective for the past year. The person seems sincere – “No more drugs, doc, really” – a line uttered near the conclusion of every one of the patient’s prior hospitalizations, but this time, re... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886464 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:21:00 +0100 2886464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3177156&cid=t_134521_7_f&fid=38807&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBlogsTheheartorg%2F%7E3%2FLdUkrE2Es6A%2Fa-new-subsubspecialty--advanced-heart-failure-and-transplantation--now-certified Heart failure and transplantation with Dr Ileana Piña - Cardiologist and heart failure and transplantation specialist, Dr Ileaña Piña, from Case Western Reserve University shares her views on cardiology news and events (Source: Blogs@theHeart.org) Blogs@theHeart.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3177156 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:30:00 +0100 3177156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634327&cid=t_134521_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F23%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2009-vol-302-no-4%2F Contents Page Fade Fave: Relation between modifiable lifestyle factors and lifetime risk of heart failure Fade Skinny: The article examines the association between modifiable lifestyle factors and the lifetime risk of heart failure in 20900 men who were apparently healthy at baseline. Six modifiable factors were assessed: body weight, smoking, exercise, alcohol intake, consumption of breakfast cereals and consumption of fruit and vegetables. During a mean follow-up of 22.4 years, 1200 men developed heart failure. Overall the lifetime risk of heart failure was 13.8%. The article concludes that those men who adhered to a healthy lifestyle were at a lower lifetime risk of heart failure. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Ta... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634327 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:01:01 +0100 2634327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2621813&cid=t_134521_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2FcsaBxzQoBok%2F I am a vegetarian. Often people are surprised and they ask me - “How do you get your proteins (i.e. without eating meat)?” My answer - “Vegetables also contain proteins.” Image Source: Wikipedia Now a new study published in Circulation compared the blood pressure between individuals who ate vegetable protein (specifically glutamic acid along with 4 other amino acids which are relatively higher in vegetable than animal protein) with people who ate non-vegetable protein (read animal meat). They found a difference of about -2.7/-2.0 mm Hg in blood pressure in people eating more vegetables. Although that may sound small, individual results may be different (and maybe higher for you). Reference: Glutamic Acid, the Main Dietary Amino Acid, and Blood Pressure (T... Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2621813 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:00:43 +0100 2621813 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2469643&cid=t_134521_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fconnected-health-evidence-base I am often asked, regarding connected health, "What is the evidence base?"  The question is rooted in our Western beliefs that phenomena are orderly and things happen for a reason. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2469643 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:12:18 +0100 2469643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2311095&cid=t_134521_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2FmKkkYfx8ets%2F We report that cardiomyocytes renew, with a gradual decrease from 1% turning over annually at the age of 25 to 0.45% at the age of 75. Fewer than 50% of cardiomyocytes are exchanged during a normal life span.” This finding opens up possibilities of targeting medications to regenerating the heart muscle that is destroyed in a heart attack, thereby preventing a host of complications including heart failure (post myocardial infarction congestive heart failure is the number one cause of heart failure in the United States and is the major contributer of morbidity & mortality after heart attack). Reference: Science, US News addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fmedicineandman.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fregenerating-heart-muscles-to-treat-heart-failure%2F'; addthis_title = 'Regenerating+h... Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2311095 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:58:54 +0100 2311095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2222821&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FJbLB4DjjaQQ%2F I lost my father to congestive heart failure, when he was 85. After his first heart attack we were told that we would only have him for 3 more months at most, this was when he was 60 years old. When my father came home from the hospital he changed his life style and diet to include more fruits and vegetables very little fat if any and more exercise. Along with all of this he cut his alcohol consumption. Needless to say he lived 25 years longer than expected. When the heart cannot pump enough blood to the other organs, it is called congestive heart failure. When the blood flow slows going out of the heart, the returning blood through the veins backs up. This change in the flow causes congestion in your tissues. Some of the symptoms of congestive heart failure are, shortness of breath, swell... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2222821 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:00:00 +0100 2222821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2175376&cid=t_134521_88_f&fid=38203&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprecordialthump.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F02%2F10%2Fto-the-night-shift-ae-doctor%2F It’s four in the morning. It’s been a long night… I know, believe me. But before you discharge the 60 year-old man who came in gasping for air a few hours earlier, take the time to consider a few things. Listen to the history, the patient may tell you the diagnosis. Having to get out of bed at night to stand up and breathe, and frequently passing urine at night,  might bring to mind the simple equation: paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea + orthopnea + nocturia = heart failure. Yes, he smokes like a chimney, but less than a quarter of smokers develop clinically significant chronic obstructive airways disease. It seems that many people are resistant to the ravages of cigarette smoke on their lungs. “Not all that wheezes is asthma” - remember that old chestnut? Hold... AEQUANIMITAS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2175376 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:39:26 +0100 2175376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2160582&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FLMyeiuz9ypg%2F In today’s fast pace, fast food world even our children have high cholesterol. It is more important than ever to know your cholesterol levels. Good cholesterol HDL levels for men should be higher than 40 and 50 for women. When the levels are over 60 it lowers your risk factors for heart disease. The HDL removes cholesterol from the arteries, taking it back to the liver where it passes from your body. Bad cholesterol or LDL builds up in the walls of the arteries. The walls of your blood vessels will narrow over time, due to the build-up of the fatty deposits. The fatty build-up will slow the blood flow, eventually causing heart failure. It is wise to have a complete physical once a year, this will aid in preventing problems such as high cholesterol. To learn more about choleste... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2160582 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:00:00 +0100 2160582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2158120&cid=t_134521_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ffacebook-and-coming-health-it-application I finally got on Facebook, despite my teenage daughters' fear that I would 'creep on them' and interrupt their respective networks.  Shortly thereafter, I began to post on Twitter.  These two experiences have caused me to reflect on the power that these tools bring to communication and how they could fit into the connected health landscape.  (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2158120 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:13:54 +0100 2158120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2129135&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FU40lmNQ5iy4%2F Dr. Michael Farkouh of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, is a specialist in the effects of diabetes on the cardiovascular system. According to Dr. Farkouh research studies state that there is an epidemic of diabetes in North America. The epidemic is due to the lack of exercise, the foods that we consume and our lifestyles and stress. Our schools are cutting back on the physical education and the halls are lined with pop and candy machines, which also adds to the epidemic. Parent’s are going through the drive up and getting dinner on their way home from work, which is usually loaded with fats. The parents will go through the same window grabbing a coffee loaded with caffeine, muffin or something worse for breakfast in a rush to get to work. These are just a few of the things that are causing ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2129135 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0100 2129135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2086966&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D5781 strWebsiteID = window.document.location.toString();strSplitWeb = strWebsiteID.split("/")strWebsiteID = strSplitWeb[2];document.write(”“); from the Malaysian Medical Resources Sleep Duration Linked to Coronary Artery Calcification, Inverse Relationship Between Birth Weight and Type 2 Diabetes Risk, Excess Weight and Inactivity Triple Heart Failure Risk (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2086966 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2086966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2081194&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Flq-XPaQWW8w%2F Cardiologists at Emory University School of Medicine have found a way to independently predict if someone is at risk of heart failure. This is accomplished by testing blood levels of resistin, a hormone produced by fat cells in the body. Javed Butler, MD., MPH director of heart failure at Emory University stated that, “this is the strongest predictor of new-onset heart failure that we have found.” This method can also be used for other biomarkers and risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure. For every 10 nanograms per milliliter increase in resistin levels in the blood, the risk of onset heart failure goes up 38%. “Considering the increasing number of people who are obese or have diabetes, very many of them are going to be at some level of risk for heart fail... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2081194 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:07:16 +0100 2081194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074608&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FBHgi1GlYe0U%2F Dogs have truly proven they are man’s best friend. A study led by a nurse Kathie Cole, at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center used dogs to interact with heart patients. The study conducted by Kathie, used therapeutic dogs. There were 76 patients with an average age of 57, that had been hospitalized with heart failure. Patients received a visit from a volunteer with a dog, just a volunteer or no visit at all; physiological responses were measured before, during and after the visits. The findings were that anxiety dropped 24%, in the patients that were visited by a volunteer with a dog.  There was only a 10% drop in patients when visited by a volunteer and those with no visits stayed the same. When your body is under stress, levels of (epinephrine), which is a... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074608 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:43:56 +0100 2074608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2011650&cid=t_134521_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fvideo-living-with-congestive-heart.html (Source: The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News) The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2011650 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:09:00 +0100 2011650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964418&cid=t_134521_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fvideo-heart-failure-pacemakers-and.html This video explains that a pacemaker and defibrillator can be installed in a minimally invasive surgery for someone with heart failure. This results in a reduction of symptoms. Only 2 weeks after receiving a pacemaker and defibrillator the patient in the video reported he was back to his usual activities without the shortness of breath. (Source: The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News) The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964418 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:54:00 +0100 1964418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964419&cid=t_134521_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fbasics-of-congestive-heart-failure-for.html If you are a caregiver for someone who has congestive heart failure this video will help you understand the symtpoms and lifestyle changes that can help. (Source: The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News) The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964419 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:37:00 +0100 1964419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1750366&cid=t_134521_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2FeRv5j_-NK6s%2F Will you continue to take Avandia or Actos regardless of the new findings? Yes, it works for me I will follow my doctors advice No- way! I already stopped taking it View Results Share This (Source: Diabetes Notes) Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750366 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:48:12 +0100 1750366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1750367&cid=t_134521_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F4bwMuuz-7Ac%2F Over 20% of all diabetics have heart disease. That is why it is so scary when new research and studies come out that prove diabetic medication to harm your heart. And here we go again… Two Wake Forest University School of Medicine faculty members sifted through three trials to come to the conclusion that certain diabetic medications could cause increased heart failure- ACCORD, ADVANCE, and the Veterans Affairs Diabetes study. “We strongly recommend restrictions in the use of thiazolidinediones (the class of drugs) and question the rationale for leaving rosiglitazone on the market,” write Sonal Singh, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of internal medicine, and Curt D. Furberg, M.D., Ph.D., professor of public health sciences. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are the two major thiazolidi... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750367 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:44:53 +0100 1750367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1742862&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FJsarMrAGxFA%2F Over 20% of all diabetics have heart disease. That is why it is so scary when new research and studies come out that prove diabetic medication to harm your heart. And here we go again… Two Wake Forest University School of Medicine faculty members sifted through three trials to come to the conclusion that certain diabetic medications could cause increased heart failure- ACCORD, ADVANCE, and the Veterans Affairs Diabetes study. “We strongly recommend restrictions in the use of thiazolidinediones (the class of drugs) and question the rationale for leaving rosiglitazone on the market,” write Sonal Singh, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of internal medicine, and Curt D. Furberg, M.D., Ph.D., professor of public health sciences. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are the two majo... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1742862 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:03:53 +0100 1742862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1631330&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F337394858%2F Between the years 1997 and 2003 Gyorgy Kolonics won 15 world championships in canoeing. Gyorgy was also a canoeing gold medalist at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. Sadly, at 36 years old Gyorgy Kolonics died Tuesday after collapsing in his canoe while training for the Beijing Games. The Hungarian Olympic Committee said that he lost consciousness and paramedics were unable to resuscitate him.  The committee cited heart failure as the probable cause of death. So sad, so young and an exceptional athlete. It reminds us that we are all vulnerable at times and heart disease is so prevalent. Tags: beijing games 2008, gyorgy kolonics, heart-disease, heart-failure, hungarian olympian, olympicsShare This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1631330 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:24:46 +0100 1631330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1618125&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F334631799%2F I have been getting many questions about heart failure lately. It is a scary disease process and there isn’t a heck of a lot out there in way of resources. I did write about a great heart failure resource previous so I am going to share it with you again. I hope that it gives some of you some guidance and answers… There is a new tool out there to help patients that suffer from heart failure. HeartFailureCenter.com was developed to help consolidate information and provide a “one stop shop” if you will… The new site is replete with a wide variety of information, from a patient health survey, heart condition information, treatment options and regional resource directories, to an extensive article library, blog, chat room, and the latest news and media clips featuring top exp... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1618125 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:14:55 +0100 1618125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1582976&cid=t_134521_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2F328163280%2F This case has been on my mind for some time and I thought that I would share it with the world and get some opinions. A very elderly lady, Mrs. Y presented to the ER for worsening congestive heart failure (CHF). She was diagnosed with CHF about 2 years ago. She had decompensated in the past 4-5 months and had been in and out of the hospital and rehab facility for CHF exacerbations. In the ER, she said that she does not want any treatment and wants to die since she cannot live with her family and is tired of being sick. Therefore in consultation with the family (who were present in the ER) she was changed to comfort measures and admitted to the medical floor. When I saw the patient, I thought she was depressed and most likely did not have the capacity to take her own decisions. The family ... Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1582976 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:49:33 +0100 1582976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1543687&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F318492745%2F George “Seven Words You Can Never Say on TV” Carlin died of heart failure on Sunday at the age of 71. George Carlin was well on his way to being a seasoned and all out comedian by the time I became old enough to watch one of his shows. I remember a lot of bad words, raunchy content and a heck of a lot of laughs. Says fellow comedian Tommy Chong, “”He made us look at things, look at ourselves. You won’t find too many comics with the kind of chops to do that.” Carlin suffered his first attack when he was 41 and several since then. He entered rehab as recent as 2004 for Vicodin and alcohol addiction- after many years battling cocaine.  His funny ways and sparkling personality will be missed. Tags: cardiac disease, entertainment, george carlin, heart-attack... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1543687 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:26:22 +0100 1543687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4325086&cid=t_134521_8_f&fid=39313&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doctorsontm.com%2F89-the-transcendental-meditation-technique-and-congestive-heart-failure Dr. Robert Schneider, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.B.M.R., is an NIH-funded medical researcher and author of Total Heart Health: How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease with the Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health (Basic Health Publications, 2006). Here he answers questions on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. Q: Can heart disease be averted? For instance, is it possible to change the course of a serious condition such as congestive heart failure? Dr. Schneider: Congestive h [...] (Source: The American Association of Physicians Practicing the Transcendental Meditation Program Blog) The American Association of Physicians Practicing the Transcendental Meditation Program Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4325086 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100 4325086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1494491&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F304894055%2F Bo Diddley, one of the founding fathers of rock ‘n roll died of heart failure on June 2nd. Bo released 11 albums between the year 1958-1963 and received numerous awards: He was inducted into the Washington Area Music Association’s Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame. He was also honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. Sad loss for the world of music and all his adoring fans. Tags: , bo diddley, hall of fame, heart-failure, music, rhythem and blues, rock and rollShare This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1494491 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:47:37 +0100 1494491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1480836&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F301600070%2F With all of these newly pregnant celebrities as of late, Ashley Simpson, Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani and the lovely Jamie Lee Spears, I decided to remind everyone about the complications of the heart when pregnant. We all know that pregnancy brings extra fluid, ie. fat fingers and very swollen feet. The heart is also affected by the increase in fluid. When there is extra fluid floating through ones vascular system the heart has to work harder and beat faster. Extra weight and water retention—common during pregnancy—make the heart pump harder. A pregnant woman with heart disease should call the doctor immediately if she experiences any dizziness, discomfort, or pain. She should be sure to include adequate iron and folic acid in her diet and restrict her salt intake. T... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1480836 Fri, 30 May 2008 19:28:48 +0100 1480836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1403022&cid=t_134521_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Flets-give-everyone-beta-blockers-in.html Ok,So some people have been talking about this wonderful polymorphism in African Americans. This polymoprhism is in the GRK5 gene. What does it do? Well, before I look at any polymophism I always ask. "What does the gene do?" GRK5, short for G-coupled protein receptor kinase, this kinase acts as a switch that essentially turns off receptors. Such receptors bind catecholamines, which are sympathetic system neurotransmitters like epinephrine and norepineprhine. They also bind peptide hormones such as angiotensin, which is implicated in high blood pressure. For the lay person....this gene helps regulate response to adrenaline and other hormones that are in overdrive with stress and in this case heart failure (the inability of your heart to pump your blood).Why is this polymoprhism important? ... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1403022 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:12:00 +0100 1403022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1391024&cid=t_134521_150_f&fid=34768&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmagossip.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fastrazeneca-crestor-no-crown-for-heart.html This study aimed to assess the cardiovascular benefits of rosuvastatin (Crestor®) in older patients with heart failure.The study recruits 5,011 patients who were at least 60 years of age and had a diagnosis of heart failure (New York Heart Association class II, III or IV). Participants were randomly assigned to rosuvastatin 10mg or placebo and followed up for a median of 32.8 months. The primary outcome of the study was a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke.The study found no statistical difference in the primary outcome or in the rate of all cause mortality.Source (Source: PharmaGossip) PharmaGossip blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1391024 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:59:00 +0100 1391024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1336897&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F260474131%2F Beta blockers prove to treat heart failure at the brain level- not just directly in the heart. Very cool when you think about the implications. Heart failure patients are routinely given beta-blockers, although doctors do not know exactly how these drugs boost cardiac performance and reduce the risk of death. The UCL study, based on the rat model of postmyocardial infarction-induced heart failure and published in the journal Circulation Research, has discovered that the beta-adrenoceptor blocker metoprolol acts directly in the brain to slow the progression of heart failure. The action seems to be localised to a group of brain cells that UCL researchers have identified previously as being crucial in the control of blood pressure and heart rate. Will this provide more research to examine tr... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1336897 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:51:58 +0100 1336897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1294331&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fkeeping-poor-people-out-of-hospital.html It is getting towards the end of the QoF year. Time to make sure that we have hit all this year's targets and thus maximised our income from the government. "For God's sake, do not diagnose any patient as having heart failure" pleaded the QoF partner. "Put "short of breath", put psoriasis, put anything you like, but don't put heart failure".What is all this about, you may well ask. It's about the NICE recommendations that any patient who is diagnosed as having heart failure should have an echocardiogram.  If a GP has a patient with heart failure who has not had an echocardiogram, the GP loses QoF points and thus loses income. So, just as hospitals have now stopped doing operations until the new financial year starts, so GPs will not be making diagnoses that may cost them money. There is... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1294331 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:05:00 +0100 1294331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1216588&cid=t_134521_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Fhawthorne-for-heart-failure-good-news-and-bad-news%2F If you are an advocate of using natural remedies and you suffer from chronic heart failure, there’s good news on the beneficial effects of the herbal extract hawthorn. A recent analysis of 14 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies (the best types of medical studies available) found that oral preparations using hawthorn leaf and flower extracts improved both symptoms and heart function in patients with chronic heart failure. But before you rush off to the pharmacy or use the Internet to order hawthorn products, please bear in mind the following facts: • Chronic heart failure is an extremely serious medical condition that requires careful diagnosis, ongoing monitoring and complex medical therapy • Most of the people in the 14 medical studies were receiving hawtho... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1216588 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:09:39 +0100 1216588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1165380&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F220080847%2F Now I have to be honest, I have not heard a heck of a lot about this but I did find it interesting. Heart failure and your immune system… In some cases of heart failure, it is thought to be linked to ones own immune system in that it causes damaging inflammation to its own tissue. This then weakens the heart even further and inhibits its contractility and efficiency. The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas has completed a study on over 1000 participants. They have attempted to reduce inflammation by “damping down” ones immune system. The method involved taking blood from the patients, and exposing it to chemicals designed to change some of the body’s own immune signals, and boost anti-inflammatory signals. This kind of approach is called “immunomodulation&#82... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1165380 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:49:55 +0100 1165380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1126037&cid=t_134521_90_f&fid=34499&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcalifmedicineman.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fmore-sexy-ways-to-spend-your-health.html (Source: California Medicine Man) California Medicine Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1126037 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:02:00 +0100 1126037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1070985&cid=t_134521_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F12%2F5%2Fwhy-dont-sumo-wrestlers-die-of-heart-disease.html In this study population, fitness was a significant mortality predictor in older adults, independent of overall or abdominal adiposity. Clinicians should consider the importance of preserving functional capacity by recommending regular physical activity for older individuals, normal-weight and overweight alike. So there, finally: the puzzle of the healthy sumo wrestlers solved. But more importantly for us soft and overweight weaklings: exercise, exercise! It is literally a question of life and death. Dov Michaeli MD, Ph.D is in the biotech industry (Source: The Doctor Weighs In) The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1070985 Wed, 05 Dec 2007 04:19:57 +0100 1070985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1019422&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F183235663%2F The maker of Vioxx has agreed to pay $4.85bn to settle legal claims that the controversial drug caused many users to suffer strokes and heart failure. Holy Potatoes is what I have to say. But I guess it could have been far worse when you really stop and think about it. In order to qualify for compensation you must prove that you suffered serious illness at the most 2 weeks after you purchased the drug. The above amount of money will be able to settle over 90% of Vioxx lawsuits with the exception of class action suits. Like I said, it could have been worse for Merck. via Science Daily Share This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1019422 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 20:36:39 +0100 1019422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1186500&cid=t_134521_165_f&fid=36770&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetaot.com%2Fblogs%2F%255Buser%255D-1 1. Introduction: As a basic grade occupational therapist, I frequently encounter people for whom exercise tolerance is the limiting factor of occupational performance. Usually, this is due to physical de-conditioning secondary to inactivity, but occasionally it is due to pathology. This can often be obvious in people with pulmonary or cardiovascular impairments, but less obvious for those with neurological or renal pathology. Reflecting on my undergraduate occupational therapy training, it has not informed me of how best to manage these people as patients. If I knew no better, I might be hesitant to stress people with cardio-pulmonary pathology for fear of straining their already compromised organs. I might just issue loads of equipment and re-organise tasks to reduce occupational stress. ... meta-ot blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1186500 Sat, 27 Oct 2007 13:38:47 +0100 1186500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=911818&cid=t_134521_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F9%2F28%2Fanother-great-man-lost-too-soon-when-will-we-do-what-needs-t.html Bill BestermannThe Wake Forest University School of Medicine is my alma mater and earlier in the week I came upon our quarterly alumni magazine.  I was at first struck by the wonderful cover photo and then chagrined as it began to dawn on me what the picture meant. You can see this warm, engaging man relating to the students at a Wake Forest basketball game and the love these young people felt for him is plainly seen in their happy expressions.  The photo speaks volumes about head basketball coach Skip Prosser.  It is a painfully tragic scene because the coach came in after a jog this summer and died suddenly at the age of 56.  The great game was the life he lived.Athletic Director Ron Wellman said “Prosser’s life wasn’t about championships—altho... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=911818 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:55:55 +0100 911818 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=876140&cid=t_134521_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F157604158%2F Well, I am back. I apologize, I haven’t been around for a few days. My middle daughter had surgery late last week and we have been nursing a hurtin’ little 5 year old back to “healthy”. She’s almost there. Kids sure do bounce back quicker than adults, don’t they? There hasn’t been much out there in the way of “new news” either. I did see an updated report on the drug Avandia. The study out of Wake Forest University School of Medicine reports that there is an increased risk of heart attack by 42 percent and a doubled risk of heart failure with long term use of the diabetic drug. Science Daily is reporting that the there has been a third abnormality found in the link between obese patients and type 2 diabetics. Apparently, neurons in our ... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=876140 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:41:38 +0100 876140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=870406&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F14%2Ftoo-much-exercise-is-bad-for-you-too%2F Filed under: Research, ExerciseExercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. But in individuals with heart troubles, too much exercise can be a bad thing too -- it can speed up heart failure ... in rats, at least. These findings are in direct opposition to what researchers thought they would find -- that the more they exercised, the healthier rats are. But don't use these findings as an excuse to skip the gym for the next few decades -- it's still thought that a reasonable amount of exercise is better than a sedentary lifestyle. Excessive exercise might be a problem, but a daily walk will not kill you.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Cardio Blog) The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=870406 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 870406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510412&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F13%2Fheart-failure-rare-in-leukemia-patients-on-gleevec%2F Filed under: LeukemiaAccording to researchers at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, congestive heart failure rarely occurs among leukemia patients who take Gleevec (imatinib). The study was led by Dr. Jorge Cortes who said that there is no need for routine cardio-specific monitoring of all patients taking imatinib, although those with cardiac history should be close monitored. In a separate paper lasat year, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania reported that imatinib may be cardio-toxic in humans.Imatinib targets two members of the tyrosine kinase class of enzymes and a hybrid tyrosine kinase known to cause chronic myologenous leukemia (CML) and Ph-postive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Before imatinib, only about half of CML patients survived five years. No... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510412 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:00:00 +0100 2510412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=838125&cid=t_134521_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F151623195%2F A Heart failure pump has been developed to assist those patients awaiting their gift of life. I really do hope that this is a success. The pump is implanted into the patient’s body and pumps blood from the weakened left ventricle to the rest of the body at the same rate as a healthy heart. In addition to helping 75 percent of patients stay alive for at least six months, or until a donor heart becomes available, the device assists patients’ original hearts regain function, thereby allowing other organs to heal by restoring blood flow. The device is about the size of a “D” sized battery which will allow it to help patients both big and small and male and female. Pretty cool! via Science Daily Share This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=838125 Mon, 03 Sep 2007 13:19:24 +0100 838125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=832562&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F30%2Fon-nexium-and-the-heart-risk-associated-with-it%2F Filed under: DrugsFood and drug officials in the USA and Canada are reviewing the long-term effects of common stomach drugs Nexium and Prilosec to determine their safety. The drugs have been linked to heart problems, though officials are saying that preliminary studies show little risk, and therefore doctors should continue to prescribe the medication. An investigation was launched when a study found that long-term users of the drug were at high risk for heart attacks, heart failure and heart-related sudden death. However, a link does not mean causation, so consumers shouldn't be concerned just yet. Nonetheless, the news is expected to lead to lower sales. Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Cardio Blog) The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=832562 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 832562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=825376&cid=t_134521_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F8%2F28%2Fstem-cell-therapy-is-no-longer-theoreticalwhat-now.html By Dov Michaeli MD, Ph.D The sometimes acrimonious debate over the use of human embryonic stem cells usually follows this outline: Con : We respect all life, however primordial. The blastocyst is a potential human being and deserves all the ethical considerations of a living human. Pro : The blastocyst is just an agglomeration of cells formed within one week of fertilization of the egg, still undifferentiated into organs such as a heart, GI tract or nervous system. There is nothing “human” about it. And in any event, these embryos are destined to be discarded by the fertility clinic. Against the theoretical/ theological argument of respect for potential life, the promise of curing  presently incurable diseases is real, not theoretical, and the beneficiaries are live, suffe... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=825376 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 05:55:50 +0100 825376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=779978&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F04%2Fdiabetes-drugs-are-harmful-to-the-heart%2F Filed under: Drugs, Daily newsRecent studies have shown that two common diabetes drugs may double the risk of heart failure in the patients that take them regularly. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are two of the most common diabetes medications out there, and millions in North America and Europe are currently taking them, and with obesity and diabetes on the rise, the amount prescribed in increasing every day. It's thought that the risk of heart failure is a result of the drugs' tendency to cause fluid retention in those who take them. Furthermore, in studies, heart failure occurred even in those on a low dose of the medications. Studies continue to be done to determine the safety of these drugs.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | C... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=779978 Sat, 04 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 779978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=757910&cid=t_134521_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F7%2F24%2Fcookbook-medicine-saves-lives.html by Pat Salber, MD In the early days of the clinical practice guidelines movement, doctors used to complain that it was “cookbook medicine.” As a pretty good cook, who still uses cookbooks, I say, great – when you follow the directions of experts, instead of “winging it,” you increase the odds of getting a good outcome.So it should be not a surprise that a new study, in the July 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, found that outcomes of hospitalized heart-failure patients are improved when hospital personnel follow clinical guidelines. OPTIMIZE-HF (“Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure”) is a heart failure guidelines/quality improvement program adopted by the American Heart Associ... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=757910 Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:49:41 +0100 757910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=744824&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F19%2Fwearble-device-text-messages-hospital-during-heart-attack%2F Filed under: Women Heart Health, Men Heart Health, Aging Heart HealthTechnology, especially medical technology, is constantly amazing me. Take, for instance, this device, which uses Bluetooth technology. It takes periodic ECG readings of the heart, and if it detects imminent heart failure, it will transmit that information to a user's cell phone. The cell phone then text messages the nearest medical center. The device is meant to be used by patients who have already suffered a cardiovascular event, and was created to help those patients get medical help more quickly in the event of a second attack.The Wearable Cardiac Telemedicine System will hopefully ease the minds of patients and help them to lead a more mobile life. It appears to still be in the development stages, but heart patients m... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=744824 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 744824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682800&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F19%2Fheart-patients-need-quality-sleep%2F Filed under: Women Heart Health, Men Heart Health, Aging Heart HealthSleep apnea is a serious health issue that has created headlines in recent years, and a recent research has found that addressing sleep apnea in patients with heart failure is especially important. A study of 88 heart failure patients found that those without sleep apnea had a median survival rate that was nearly twice as long with those who suffered from the sleep disorder.People with sleep apnea have frequent episodes where they stop breathing or breathe shallowly during the night. The disorder can be caused by the brain failing to send messages to the body to breath (called central apnea) or more commonly, by something obstructing the air flow. Sleep apnea has been linked to cardiovascular disease, including high blood... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682800 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 682800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=675546&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F16%2Fexercise-benefits-heart-failure-patients%2F Filed under: Research, Exercise, Aging Heart HealthExercise is good for the heart, even hearts that are failing. That's according to a recent review of research that studies the effects of exercise on patients suffering from heart failure. What experts found is that exercise makes hearts function better, and significantly so. Aerobic exercise, they found, is key. Strength training, whether combined with aerobic exercise or not, did not have any direct benefit on heart health. If you're suffering from heart failure, be sure to discuss adding exercise to your routine with your doctor before you begin. Some patients may need to slowly work themselves into an workout routine, and certain exercises may need to be avoided.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking&nbsp... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=675546 Sat, 16 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 675546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=660457&cid=t_134521_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F06%2Fglaxo-spins-the-avandia-record-study-critics-disagree%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Drugs, ResearchGlaxo is turning up the volume. Thanks to this post yesterday, we are all aware Glaxo's media department has been busy spinning the news on Avandia. Now they are spinning the RECORD study -- quite differently from critics. Preliminary results of the study were released today via an editorial in the New England Medical Journal, one day before today's Congressional investigation of the FDA. Opponents contend the FDA ignored heart risks associated with Avandia. Interim analysis of RECORD reports an 2.15 increase in heart failure for Avandia-takers, but no increased risk in the death rate for heart attack or stroke. Glaxo's Chief Medical Officer, Ron Krall, claims the results are reassuring and compares Avandia's safety profile to other type 2 m... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=660457 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 660457