Depression linked to death following heart attack…Depression nearly triples the risk of death following a heart attack, even when accounting for other heart attack risk factors, according to research presented today at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) annual meeting, which showed that among 360 depressed, post myocardial infarction patients followed for more than six years, those who did not recover from their depression in the first six months were more than twice as likely to die.

Implanting Embryonic cardiac cells prevents arrhythmias-The most dangerous consequence of heart attacks…When researchers at Cornell, the University of Bonn and the University of Pittsburgh transplanted living embryonic heart cells into cardiac tissue of mice that had suffered heart attacks, the mice became resistant to cardiac arrhythmias, thereby avoiding one of the most dangerous and fatal consequences of heart attacks.

Blood transfusions linked to surgery complications in women… Women die and get infections more often than men after heart surgery because they tend to receive more blood transfusions, which boost the risks of bad outcomes, according to a study published in the December Journal of Women’s Health.

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Some Interesting Hearty Links

The brains of full-term infants with congenital heart disease appear more similar to those of premature newborns than to the brains of normal term infants, a study conducted by researchers at UCSF has found. The study suggests that the mental and physical impairments in children with congenital heart disease may also have their origins in utero in addition to injuries resulting from surgery.

Up till now we have not fully understood the widespread deficits in cognition, including memory, attention, and higher-order language skills, as well as deficits in fine motor skills of these children. The suggestion is now that the deficits themselves can be attributed to abnormal fetal circulation and lower levels of oxygen-saturated blood reaching the brain in while in the womb… which makes a heck of a lot of sense.

This gives momentum to the suggestion of many cardiologists that heart surgery should be done at an even earlier stage in a child’s life, like in utero. Would you consider having heart surgery on your child while she was still in the womb? That opens a whole new box of worms, doesn’t it? None the less, this is exciting being that we have so much still to learn about these congenital abnormalities so there is still so much room for treatments and improvements!

via Science Daily/Univ. Ca. San Francisco

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Brains Of Full Term Infants With Congenital Heart Defects Resemble Those Of Premature Babies

That is just what one very special 15 year old young lady got to do last week. MacKinzie Kline was born with heterotaxy syndrome, meaning her heart has one ventricle instead of two. She has never let this slow her down though. she has dreamed big and reached for the stars. She has surpassed everyone’s expectations and can play a mean game of golf.

Kline’s drive will be rewarded this week. The 15-year-old rising junior golfer who was born with a congenital heart defect will play in her first LPGA Tour event, the $2.6 million Ginn Tribute near Charleston.

How cool is that? Annika Sorenstam gave her a tournament exemption, being that she was hosting it. Mac was also granted a landmark ruling by the LPGA in her favor. She is able to ride a cart due to her heart defect, as well as use her oxygen throughout her round of golf.

But don’t ask her is she is disabled. “Disabled is not a word we use around our house.” And don’t expect any pity parties. Mac and her parents live the closest to “normal” life as they can. Well as normal as a family that has a rising amateur golf star on their hands!

Kline hopes sharing her story will prove to others they don’t have to be defined by their defects. “I hope it reaches a lot of people,” she said. “Kids should know they can still do the things they want.”

You go MacKinzie! By the way, she even had to have surgery last year to repair a hole that had developed in her heart. You are an inspiration for all of us, regardless of age. I only hope that my girls are as strong willed and determined as she is. What a great story!

via Fox sports

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MacKinzie Kline Set To Play In First LPGA Tournament, Regardless Of Her Heart Defect