Blisstree » cardiovascular+disease

Sudden Heart Attacks Less Likely in Women

Lei — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 13:58:08 +0000

This past weekend, two veteran law enforcement officers suffered fatal heart attacks while running the Los Angeles Marathon. They demonstrate the three to four-fold increase in risk of sudden cardiac death in men compared to women. An estimated 6% to 17% of all sudden cardiac deaths in men occur during extreme exertion.

Not only are women less susceptible to heart attacks due to sudden heavy exertion, regular moderate to vigorous exercise for four or more hours a week actually reduce their risk of sudden cardiac deaths by almost 60%. Women who exercise regularly also have a much lower risk of sudden cardiac death if they over-exerted themselves unexpectedly.

So get out there and kick it!

MedPage Today, March 21, 2006

Post from: Blisstree

Sudden Heart Attacks Less Likely in Women

Care After Heart Attack Not Fair

Lei — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 13:57:30 +0000

If you’re a woman, a member of a minority group, or one of the elderly, take care to find a doctor who truly understands and respects your special needs. In a recent study, researchers found people in these categories are less likely to receive adequate care after a heart attack. They are often taken to community hospitals which are not equipped to perform bypass and angioplasty procedures.

African-Americans were 69 percent as likely as Caucasians to be transferred to hospitals that could offer appropriate treatment.
Hispanics were 53 percent as likely as Caucasians.
Women were 84 percent as likely as men.
People ages 65-69 were 25 percent as likely as those 85 to 90.

Are doctors and other healthcare professionals deliberately discriminating against certain patients? Unlikely. But the reasons for these disparities must be found and addressed. Otherwise, you, me, and other people we know will suffer needlessly.

The New York Times, March 21, 2006

Post from: Blisstree

Care After Heart Attack Not Fair

Public Defibrillators Save Lives

Lei — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 19:38:22 +0000

Defibrillators may soon be saving lives all over Canada. Various health initiatives, including the Durham Cardiac Safe Community Program, want to place defibrillators in public places, such as sports arenas and shopping malls.

Not only do the defibrillators save lives upon immediate use, they also send a signal to emergency workers automatically when they’re removed from the wall. Seven people out of 11 (63%) have been saved thus far reflecting the general survival rate when public access defibrillators are used. In particular, people with arrhythmia can benefit from having defibrillators readily accessible.

Dave Rivers collapsed at a local community centre and was saved by the emergency defibrillator mounted on the wall:

There’s brain damage if they didn’t get you started again right away and I’m not sure (anyone) could have responded to me fast enough at home. Those defibrillators do work and they do save lives.

Perhaps we should all keep an eye open for public defibrillators next time we’re at our favorite haunt.

Toronto Sun, March 18, 2006

Post from: Blisstree

Public Defibrillators Save Lives

Homocysteine and Heart Attacks

Lei — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 13:25:43 +0000

One of the frustrating things about studying heart disease is the lack of consistent data regarding risk factors. In two recent studies presented at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting, lower levels of homocysteine did NOT appear to decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke. These findings contradict the study I presented last week.

Paul Taylor of The Globe and Mail reports:

In both trials, those who took the real vitamins [a daily mix of folic acid, plus B6 and B12] experienced a dramatic reduction in homocysteine levels. However, they were no less likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than those who got placebos.

So what to do? Personally, I’d continue popping a daily multi-vitamin, but lay off excessive doses of any one vitamin.

Post from: Blisstree

Homocysteine and Heart Attacks