Hundreds of Strokes Found to Be Avoidable
A University of Manchester study has found that hundreds of strokes could be prevented each year if patients suffering from "mini-strokes", or transient ischaemic attacks (TIA), were assessed sooner by specialist clinicians. Researchers found that almost two thirds of patients attending what are termed 'rapid access' TIA clinics took more than the recommended seven days to be seen by a professional. A transient ischaemic attack is a temporary weakening of one side of the face and corresponding arm which drastically increases a person's chances of suffering from a major stroke within days of the symptoms. Some studies have put the risk as high as a one in for probability. (Read more about Hundreds of Strokes Found to Be Avoidable)
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Gender Differences in Coronary Artery Disease
Dr. Marianne Legato discusses how she evaluates patients being screened for cardiovascular disease. She says that one of the things she looks for are the signs of early coronary artery disease in men, as well as the unique symptoms in women. Women also experience coronary artery spasm, which does not affect men, that can cause angina even in the presence of non-obstructive coronary disease. They can have clean coronaries and still experience chest pain. (Read more about Gender Differences in Coronary Artery Disease)
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What is the Polypill?
Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses the Polypill. The Polypill is being developed in response to an important reality surrounding cardiovascular disease. There are three important drugs that can help prevent heart disease (statins, ACE inhibitors, and aspirin). These drugs are not taken for two major reasons. First, the drugs are simply too expensive for much of the world, including countries as developed as Russia. And secondly, in developed nations where the drugs are affordable patients too often fail to comply - after three years 70% of patients do not take the medications as prescribed. (Read more about What is the Polypill?)
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What is Coronary Artery Disease?
Dr. Valentin Fuster, one of the world's leading cardiologists, discusses the basics of coronary heart disease.
Dr. Fuster than describes the symptoms of a heart attack and how to differentiate these symptoms from other conditions.
Most importantly, he urges viewers to pay attention to these symptoms and the importance of getting medical treatment as soon as possible, even if one has the least suspicion of a coronary incident. Getting treatment in the first hour or two can minimize damage to heart muscle. (Read more about What is Coronary Artery Disease?)
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What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Dr. Sattesh Babu of Vascular Associates of Westchester discusses Peripheral Arterial Disease, who is at risk, why it is important to be screened and current treatments. (Read more about What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?)
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What is Carotid Stenosis?
Dr. Sateesh Babu of Vascular Associates of Westchester discusses "What is Carotid Stenosis?", the treatments, who should be screened and future developments, such as new stenting techniques. (Read more about What is Carotid Stenosis?)
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Hospital Rankings Partially Accurate for Heart Patients
It appears that for heart attack patients, the rating by U.S. News & World Report may be justified. A new study published in the July edition of Archives of Internal Medicine found that patients treated at hospitals ranked by U.S. News & World Report are less likely to die 30 days after being admitted than those at an unranked hospital. The study also found that ranked hospitals were more likely to have lower than expected overall death rates.. (Read more about Hospital Rankings Partially Accurate for Heart Patients)
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Your First Visit
By Tauseef Ahmed, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Oncology / Hematology at New York Medical College
Your tests have come back. The news is not good and your doctor refers you to a specialist. Oncologist, Orthopedist, Neurologist, each one trusted by your doctor, each one trained to help you, whatever your problem might be. Each one can and should be helped by you.
Here are a few tips to help your caregiver help you: (Read more about Your First Visit)
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PRE- HYPERTENSION TREATMENT
There is important new research out tonight that may be the start of a different approach in medicine: to treat high blood pressure before it even gets high.
The fact is about 69 percent of people who have a first heart attack, 77 percent of those who have a first stroke, and 74 percent of patients with heart failure have blood pressure higher than 140/90 mm hg.
So why not catch blood pressure early, before it does its damage? (Read more about PRE- HYPERTENSION TREATMENT)
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Low Salt Heart Danger
It is dictum in the medical universe, that a low salt diet is a heart healthy way to eat. It’s common knowledge….like one plus one equals two.
“The evidence is really not clear,” says Dr. Hillel Cohen, a public health expert at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Whoa! Wait a second!
Not clear?
Most will say it is! (Read more about Low Salt Heart Danger)
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