Karen had a family history of heart disease – both her mother and father died of heart-related problems. While her sister decided to undergo testing to determine whether she was at risk of early heart disease as well, Karen chose not too because she didn’t want to live in fear. It makes me so sad to hear that because there was so much cardiovascular medicine could have offered her.

Is it better to know or not to know? Take the poll below.

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.

Tags: heart, heart disease, karen speed, cardiovascular disease, diseases, illness, health

Post from: Blisstree

Seeing Heart Disease In Your Future

Based on the latest unscientific A Hearty Life poll, though, that may not necessarily be true. Out of 20 people who voted, 12 (60%) say they know some form of CPR.

Do you know CPR?

• Yes. I’m certified.: 30% (6)
• Yes. Sort of.: 30% (6)
• No: 40% (8)

Immediate CPR is critical for anyone who is experiencing a heart attack. Researchers say that CPR could be made even simpler and still be just as effective.

• If someone encounters a person who cannot be awakened and is not breathing, he or she should assume that the person is in cardiac arrest. They should give two breaths and move right into giving chest compressions without wasting any more time evaluating the victim.
• Increase to 30 the number of chest compressions given before pausing to give two rescue breaths. This change applies to victims of all ages (except newborn infants) and is even recommended for healthcare professionals who might be working on their own before additional help arrives.
• The emphasis on providing high quality CPR with fewer interruptions is also reflected in the changes to the new guidelines for using a defibrillator. For example, rescuers are advised to use only one shock before resuming CPR, rather than three, as previously recommended.

For more information on CPR, see the 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

Technorati Tags: cpr, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, heart attack, cardiac arrest, heart disease, heart, disease, illness, health, polls

Post from: Blisstree

Most People Know CPR

Although BiDil is approved only for use by the estimated 750,000 U.S. blacks with heart failure, a 60-second radio spot that will kick off the media campaign makes just one direct reference to race, noting that BiDil is “FDA-approved to treat heart failure in African-American patients.”

If a drug were available for the racial group you belong to, would you be interested in taking it? Take the poll in the sidebar to your right!

MSN Money, August 31, 2006

Technorati Tags: bidil, african-american, blacks, personalized medicine, genetics, heart disease, heart failure, heart, disease, illness, health

Post from: Blisstree

BiDil for Black Heart Failure Patients

• Yes: 57% (12)
• Not officially, but I would want to.: 29% (6)
• No: 14% (3)

Out of 21 votes, the majority of people (18) were either confirmed organ donors or would want to be one. Of the three people who did not want to be organ donors, I wonder what their reasons are.

If you’re someone who doesn’t want to donate your organs after death and wouldn’t mind sharing your thoughts, leave a comment here or email me. This is an important opportunity for us to discuss the issue. Anonymity guaranteed.

Technorati Tags: polls, organ donation, organ donors, transplants, heart, heart disease, disease, illness, health, cardiovascular disease, cvd

Post from: Blisstree

Results of A Hearty Life Poll: Are you an organ donor?