Anxiety patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) will have worst prognosis as they are likely to get heart attack and death. Anxiety will worsen outcome by 70% according to a research study which was published in the July issue of Archives of General Psychiatry. According to previous research studies, depression and stress worsen prognosis for heart disease patients. Now, anxiety is the new psychological factor that can seriously impact coronary heart disease patients. Diagnosis of heart disease is enough to develop anxiety, stress and depression in the patients which will further wosen outcome. We should educate patients on this crucial aspect. Researchers conducted research in 1,015 CHD patients with similar risk profiles except in anxiety. But, researchers failed to provide mechanism of relationship between anxiety disorder and coronary heart disease. So, counselling plays vital role in the treatment of heart disease patients. Anxiety, stress and depression play vital role not only in prognosis but also in the way patient deals with the disease. … [Read more...]
Calcium score indicates Heart Disease risk
Calcium levels in the arteries of heart (coronary arteries) indicate your risk of getting heart diseases. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score helps to predict one’s risk for heart attack irrespective of age, race and bad habits. Calcium score indicates the level of calcium on the walls of the coronary arteries. This research study was done by University of California scientists and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. They did the research study on 6,700 persons from all major ethnic groups. Calcium levels in the coronary arteries can be detected by CT scan and calciums core acts as marker for coronary artery diseases. Prognosis worsens as calcium levels rise in the arteries. If Coronary calcium score is between 101 and 300, risk of getting heart attack is 8 times higher while risk is 10 times more if calcium score is above 300. CT scan screening is a non-invasive technique that helps to prevent heart attacks although it is an expensive one. Cardiac CT scan costs about $250 to $500 but helps to find out even minor obstruction (fat or calcium) in the arteries that was missed by other diagnostic tests. Cardiac CT scan may gradually replace tests like Treadmill. One should not do this CT scan without physician’s advice. Before this test, one should take routine tests like Blood cholesterol, C-reactive protein, ECG and ECHO under doctor’s supervision. … [Read more...]
Snoring linked to heart diseases
People who snore have higher chances of getting heart attack than those who do not snore. According to a study by Hungarian researchers, heavy snorers have 67% increase in risk of getting strokes and 34% increase in risk of getting heart attacks than non-snorers. Scientists conducted research on 12,000 patients to find the relation between snoring and heart diseases. These research findings were published in the journal “Sleep”. Heavy snoring acts as a trigger for rise in blood pressure which can cause heart diseases. Quiet snoring is not associated with any heart disease risk in men but in women it causes hypertension. Snoring incidence is 24% in women and 40% in men. Snoring increases with age but declines after the age of 70. Snoring habit is high in obese people and it is a sign of some obstruction in the air pathway. Snoring shows familial incidence. Snoring and cardiovascular disease risk is high during pregnancy. Bad habits like smoking and drinking increases snoring occurrence. Snoring is a side effect of muscle relaxants. If you are a male aged more than 50 with snoring habit, check your heart regularly with doctor. … [Read more...]
Heart disease risk rises due to bad marriage
People who lack emotional support and supportive partner have 34% increased risk of heart diseases, according to a London University college study. The scientists observed 9,000 people for 12 years before revealing their findings. People in most negative relationships are at 1.34 times more at risk of getting heart attack than normal people. This research study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Bad relations among family members will rise stress levels and thereby increase heart attack risk. These people will frequently argument and criticize among themselves which will dampen heart health. These emotional imbalances disturb hormonal balance and induce negative biological reactions. They suffer from depression, low self-esteem and other mental health disorders. According to previous studies, people in relationship enjoy good health when compared to singletons. But bad relationships are worse than not having any relationship. Couples who are in unhappy relationships are at very high risk of heart diseases. What kind of partner you have is more important in determining your heart disease risk. Psychological counseling for the people who are in bad relationships will help to decrease heart disease risk to some extent. Another interesting study which was published in the Psychosomatic Medicine journal found that women who silenced themselves during disputes with their partner were 4 times more likely to die than those who argue with their husbands. Researchers discounted age, sex, social status and economical condition before coming to conclusion. Think twice before selecting your partner. … [Read more...]
Heart diseases and sleep correlation
Sleep plays a vital role in increasing the risk of death from heart diseases. British Researchers found that cutting sleep time by 2 hours (optimal 7 hours to 5 hours) will double the death risk from heart diseases. Increased sleep duration from 7 to 8 hours a night will also increase the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases. Short sleep is a risk factor for weight gain, Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension. But researchers failed to find the mechanism by which long sleep will increase heart attack risk. A person generally needs 7 hours of sleep for ideal functioning of the body. Sleep will prepare the body for healthy functioning by physiological restitution and recovery. Lack of sufficient sleep will alter the dynamics of body metabolism and cause lifestyle diseases. This research was done by scientists from the University of Warwick and University College London and was published in the "Sleep" journal. This extensive study was done on 10,308 civil servants over 17 years to understand the correlation between sleep and heart attack risk. They adjusted for a range of factors such as age, sex, marital status, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, employment grade, physical activity, alcohol consumption; self rated health, blood pressure, cholesterol, illnesses, and others. Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 25% of deaths in Britain. 30% British adults sleep less than 5 hours or less. Persons in low stressful jobs may not need 7 hours of sleep but busy executives should need 7 hours of night sllep. … [Read more...]
Calcium supplements increse Heart attack risk
Calcium supplements which are generally prescribed by doctors for bone health can cause heart attack, according to a research study by University of Auckland. This research study is more significant as Calcium supplements are using by millions of osteoporosis patients especially women. Regular intake of Calcium will reduce risk of broken bones by 25% but Calcium supplements increase heart attack risk by 40%. Doctors should think twice before prescribing calcium supplements routinely. One should cut their daily calcium intake from 1200mg to around 500mg a day. Whether patients want broken bones or heart attack? It is better for older women not take calcium at all. Build-up of calcium in the blood vessels and heart valves increases heart attack risk, according to researchers. This study was conducted on 1500 postmenopausal women by Auckland University with the belief of calcium might decrease heart attack risk. Results surprised not only researchers but entire medical community. Calcium functions in the body: 1. Regulation of heartbeat. 2. Conduction of nerve impulses. 3. Stimulation of hormone secretions. 4. Clotting of blood. This research was done on elderly women but we need more studies on the impact of calcium supplements on young women. Postmenopausal women should try other risk free drugs for their brittle bones. … [Read more...]
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