Popular Energy Drinks Like Red Bull Can Cause Cardiac Complications
November 7, 2007 by Kendra James, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Put that Red Bull down… and the can of Rock Star as well! The “high energy” drinks are not so hot for your heart. This isn’t brain surgery, caffeine raises the ol’ blood pressure thus cardiac issues.
Shortly after consumption, your systolic rate increases by over 7.5% and diastolic raises 7% and heart rate is up 7-10 beats per minute. And why is this? Here ya go…
Most energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and taurine, an amino acid also found in protein-containing foods such as meats and fish. Both have had effects on heart function and blood pressure in …read more
From Arousal To Resolution… This Is How Your Heart Reacts During Sex
August 25, 2007 by Kendra James, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Have you ever thought, “what happens to my heart during sex?” I watched a special on the discovery channel a few evenings ago and learned more than I ever wanted to know about my body and sex! And I still find it interesting, well actually sad, that we do not incorporate sexual education into our cardiac patients treatment plan.
Let’s get real, your heart definitely gets a workout during the horizontal hokie pokie. Not enough to cancel your gym membership, but enough to mention. Here is a peek at how your heart reacts during the 4 stages …read more
New Treatment Combats Cocaine Induced Symptoms
August 13, 2007 by Kendra James, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
All righty then. I found research out of UT Southwestern Medical Center that is a bit taboo. They have found a drug that can counteract the symptoms associated with a cocaine overdose. That handy little drug is most often seen in the operating room or ICU’s and is used as a anesthetic. And it’s name… dexmedetomidine.
They found that the drug was effective in reversing the actions of cocaine on heart rate, blood pressure and vascular resistance in the skin by interfering with the ability of cocaine to increase nerve activity. “Typically, patients with cocaine overdoses in …read more




