120/80 is commonly recommended blood pressure for healthy people. In India, 100-130 Systolic and 70-85 diastolic blood pressure is most common. Doctors generally give precautions to heart disease and diabetic patients when systole crosses 130. But, according to a research study published in the July 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, systolic blood pressure of 130-140 is actually good for patients suffering from Coronary artery disease and diabetes. According to this research study conducted by University of Florida scientists, systolic pressure of less than 120 and diastolic pressure of less than 80 is actually not good for these patients. But, when systolic blood pressure crosses 140, such diabetic patients are more prone (50% increase in risk) to heart attack and death. For Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease patients: Good Systolic blood pressure: 130-140 Bad: Less than 120 Worst systolic blood pressure: More than 140 So, Systolic Blood pressure of 130-140 is actually good for diabetic and heart disease patients. But, blood pressure of more than 140 is very harmful for such patients. Heart disease (especially myocardial infarction) is the most common cause of death in diabetics. Advice: When a patient comes with a systolic blood pressure of more than 140, try to reduce it to 130-140 levels. But, doctors should not concentrate on intense reduction to 110-120 levels. … [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...]
Amazing facts about your Heart
Heart is an amazing and most hard working organ in your body which continues to pump out blood as long as you live. Heart, as a symbol of love gets an eternal place in our life. Livescience.com listed 10 amazing facts about your heart. Know about your heart: Courtesy: Livescience. 1. Bigger heart is not a symbol for your emotional quotient. But it is a sign of underlying heart disease. 2. Bad news will disrupt your heart and lead to heart diseases due to release of stress hormones. 3. Heart is really an amazing organ. Heart beats for 1,oo,ooo times to pump 2,000 gallons of oxygen-rich blood many times through about 60,000 miles of branching blood vessels in our body per day. 4. Contrary to popular perception, heart diseases are occurring at almost similar rates in both men and women. 5. Like exercise, regular sex (3 times a week) reduces risk of death from coronary heart disease due to burning of calories. 6. Either red or white, wine has similar effect on heart. 7. Laughing will help your heart by increasing blood flow due to relaxation of blood vessels. 8. Scientists are developing stem cell therapies to cure physically damaged hearts. 9. Horse has similar heart as humans. Scientists are conducting experiments on horse hearts to understand human hearts. 10. Heart is the universal symbol of love. According to Greeks, it is a symbol of spirit. According to Chinese, heart is a symbol of happiness. Click here to know more about the 10 amazing facts. … [Read more...]
Siblings of coronary artery patients are at high risk
The close family members of the people who have coronary artery disease are at risk for coronary artery disease. Brothers and sisters of coronary artery patients are 2.5 times at risk for heart diseases than normal ones. This research study was published in the European Heart Journal. Image courtesy: Siemens Medical division. The close family members of the people who carry abnormality in the left coronary artery are at risk for coronary artery disease. Brothers and sisters of coronary artery patients are 2.5 times at risk for heart diseases than normal ones. This research study was published in the European Heart Journal. 1. First cardiovascular study: Researchers analyzed 1,800 members of families in which two or more people developed coronary artery disease. The scientists found 50% or more narrowing in 12% of family members. 2. Second study: It was done on 1,400 brothers and sisters of people with coronary artery disease for 5 years. According to these German research studies, siblings of coronary disease patients are at 2.5 times more risk than normal siblings. Why left coronary artery is crucial? There are two main coronary arteries in the heart, left and right. It is main artery that supplies 60% heart blood flow. Left coronary artery supplies blood to ventricles and left atrium. Coronary artery disease is accumulation of fat deposits (Atherosclerosis) in the arteries. Around 14 million Americans are suffering from heart disease. How to prevent cardiac diseases in family members? Siblings of cardiac patients should check their heart health regularly as they are at high risk for heart diseases. It is better to undergo screening for heart diseases even though costs are high. According to previous research studies, heart attack also runs in families. We need more studies to give final verdict on the hereditary factor in causing heart diseases in siblings of coronary artery patients. Please share your experiences if any of sibling is suffering from heart disease. … [Read more...]
Recent Comments