I have this issue a lot, especially during times of extreme stress. I once worked as a corporate event planner and during one specific event each year my eye would twitch the entire time. It got to be a funny part of the process. When my coworkers saw my eye twitch, they’d say, “Must be time for the big conference again!”

Naturally my eyes (in their now “untwitched” state) caught this article that helped explain the causes. Among them were:

“Stimulants from products such as caffeine, medications or substances of abuse, lack of restful sleep, and stress or anxiety.”

That certainly explained my annual eye-twitching outbreak. We’d typically operate on little sleep, relying instead on diet soda to keep us awake. And as far as stress or anxiety, the event we planned was loaded with both!

While usually harmless, eye-twitches can sometimes be a sign of a more serious disease. If you have an eye twitch that doesn’t go away, you should mention it to your doctor.

Image from Stock.Xchange.

Post from: Blisstree

Eye Twitches

So, what states topped the list? By the way, this is not the list to be bragging about! Anyway, Mississippi has won the gold on this one. They are now considered the most obese state in the US with over 30% of persons meeting the criteria. Alabama and West Virginia took second and third place. Colorado is the leanest state with only 17%.

Childhood obesity was also measured and District of Columbia weighed in with over 20% of their children overweight. The leanest children in the US can be found in Utah. If you care to read more about how childhood obesity can prove to be fatal, check out what I had to say at Diabetes Notes today. Boy, I guess I am on a roll!

via healthamericans.org

Post from: Blisstree

Obesity Rates Continue To Climb In The US, So Does Heart Disease

• ablation for atrial fibrillation
• lead placement for biventricular pacing
• delivery of myocardial regenerative treatments

Watch the videos and learn more at Guardian Unlimited. Is it just me or does it look really huge and awkward stomping on the pig heart?!

Post from: Blisstree

HeartLander Robot for Cardiac Surgery

Publicist Donna Jung said the singer died Saturday morning of heart failure. He had suffered with heart problems for the past several years and had a pacemaker installed last fall. In 2005, he underwent an experimental stem cell procedure on his ailing heart in Thailand.

Here’s a video tribute to Don Ho.

Post from: Blisstree

Tiny Bubbles Singer Don Ho Dies of Heart Failure

• Colombia – $90,000
• China – $130,000 – 160,000
• South Africa – $290,000
• South Korea – $290,000
• Taiwan – $290,000
• Singapore – $290,000

I wonder why the most common price is $290,000. Perhaps a body broker effect.

via Wired

Post from: Blisstree

How much does this heart cost?

A study of New Jersey hospitals between 1987 and 2002 has found that heart-attack patients on the weekends were more likely to die one day after admission. The effect continued at one month, six months, and a year later. One reason given for their higher mortality rate is that doctors are less likely to use angioplasty and other invasive procedures to treat patients on the weekends. But it’s been five years since the end of that study and cardiologists have changed their practice since then. They now clear clogged arteries as soon as possible when a person presents with heart attack.

Still, there may be other factors aside from the type and frequency of medical procedures. Maybe patients resist going to the hospital because they’d rather continue enjoying their leisure activity of choice. By the time they end up at the hospital, the time lapse between heart attack and medical care is longer than it would be on the weekday. Also, there may be fewer hospital staff on duty during weekends and they may be more hesitant to call cardiologists because it’s a holiday.

What is most important to remember if you think you’re having a heart attack regardless of when it might strike – CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, NY Times, March 16, 2007

Like this post? Why not read another? Every page you read at A Hearty Life in March is helping to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

ETonline.com, March 15, 2007

Post from: Blisstree

Heart Attacks on the Weekend are Bad News

1. You’d avoid having a foreign body inside your heart
2. The absorbable stent is more flexible and conforms to the shape of the coronary artery
3. A lower risk of late-stent thrombosis
4. Less potential scarring
5. Avoid the hassles a metal stent causes with CT and MRI scans

I’ve previously written about the Abbott XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System and today’s news is, I believe, about this stent (why didn’t BBC News name exactly what stent they’re talking about?!) that is made of a polymer which dissolves into lactic acid over two to three years. Like other stents, it holds the artery open and also releases everolimus which works to prevent re-narrowing. In a study of 30 patients who received the BVS stent in Europe and New Zealand, none experienced adverse reactions.

According to Business Week, the Xience V stent is available in Europe and will be marketed in the U.S. in 2008.

Post from: Blisstree

Bioabsorbable Heart Stents the Wave of the Future

Image created using hetemeel.com via Mary at That Damn PC!

Post from: Blisstree

Take Care of Your Heart

British Heart Foundation nutritionist Sara Stanner:

The pulp oil also contains unsaturated fatty acids and plant sterols, which could help to reduce blood cholesterol levels.

In addition, there is evidence that sea buckthorn juice might help to protect ‘bad’ cholesterol from oxidation, a process which is involved in the development of coronary heart disease.

The oil has also been shown to have a possible benefit in reducing the tendency of blood to clot but more research is needed to clarify whether adding it to foods can have any real impact on reducing risk of heart disease.

But how does it taste?

More info about sea-buckthorns aka seaberries at Wikipedia.

Post from: Blisstree

Sea-Buckthorn Berries for Heart Health

Dear Doctor,

Why do you make me wait to see you? Don’t you know my time is as valuable as yours?

Aaron

/me gets out the time calculator

Have you got a Dear Doctor letter to share? Email me!

Post from: Blisstree

Dear Doctor #2: Waiting Time