Tag Archives: heart
How much does obesity contribute to health inequality? Evidence from 18 European countries
Obesity is an important risk factor for a number of serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular disease. Secondly, obesity rates differ between groups with different levels of education. Given these two facts
Heart compression by the liver; a rare surgical disease
Elevation of the diaphragm “the primary respiratory muscle” can occur due to congenital or acquired causes. Diaphragmatic eventration is a congenital elevation of the diaphragm due to maldevelopment of the muscle fibers which are replaced by fibrous
Effect of resveratrol on chemotherapy of a fatal childhood cancer
The natural polyphenolic compound resveratrol, found in red wine, dark chocolate, and peanuts, may confer health benefits in humans. It is a powerful antioxidant that has been suggested to alleviate age-related pathologies, such as type II diabetes,
Electrocardiogram screening in athletes:
A Good Return on Investment? In Austin, Texas, a bill requiring an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) as part of high-school athletes almost passed. An ECG is a non-evasive electrical tracing of the heart, which can reveal underlying heart conditions
Phospholipases have a second job, regulating their G proteins
Can we make a weak heart healthy? Can we prevent decline in memory and cognitive ability? The answer may depend on a class of enzymes, phospholipase C (PLC), and their under-investigated ability to directly regulate their specific
The first case of transcatheter intervention in an adult with Cor Triatriatum Sinister
Breathing was difficult on 4 liters of oxygen. Her weight had slipped below 100 pounds. For 51 years there was a defect in her heart, a membrane that split her left upper heart chamber, the left atrium,
Endovascular aortic repair: a simple explanation of its indication and common complications
The aorta is a major arterial channel carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. But some medical problems, such as high blood pressure along with wear and tear which occurs with aging, can
PDE2 is a potential new target for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy
Heart failure is one of the leading causes of death in the Western World today. It typically involves a deficiency of the heart to provide sufficient blood flow and/or blood pressure to meet the requirements of the
Maternal diabetes negatively affects the development of embryonic heart
Diabetes in pregnancy may negatively affect the developing fetus, neonate, and child. Poorly controlled maternal hyperglycemia before conception and during the first trimester is associated with an increased rate of major birth defects and spontaneous abortion. Cardiovascular
Fat content surrounding your heart may cause your arrhythmia to recur
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a metabolically active fat depot surrounding the heart. It is located between the outer wall of myocardium and the visceral pericardium. Its proximity to cardiac structures (i.e. vessels, myocardium) and its shared
Excess oxygen worsens actual oxygen supply to the heart muscle in pigs
The use of supplemental oxygen in acute medical care is perceived beneficial by many health care professionals. However, current guidelines limit the excess use of oxygen after successful resuscitation following cardiac arrest. This recommendation is based on
Is digoxin safe?
Digoxin is a medication commonly used in patients with heart disease. It is extracted from the foxglove plant and was first described in 1785. During the last few centuries it has become an established treatment in patients
A gentle look at the heart
Coronary artery disease is one of the major causes of death in the Western population, mainly because of the potential risk of a heart attack. The latter often occurs out of the blue and the only chance
Cardiac atrial appendage stem cells: bright cells for a bright future for patients with ischemic heart disease
Ischemic heart disease is still one of the major causes of global morbidity and mortality. Although significant improvements in medical and surgical treatments have been accomplished over the last few decades, these are still not able to
Characterisation of the human epicardium in the developing heart
The vertebrate heart is composed of three cell layers: an inner layer lining the heart chambers (atria and ventricles), the endocardium; an intermediate muscle layer, the myocardium; and an outer layer that envelops the myocardium, the epicardium.
Newborn pulse oximetry screening is not just for heart defects
Measuring the arterial oxygen content (saturation) of the blood is easily done by pulse oximetry. In newborn infants a probe emitting and absorbing light is put on the hand or foot (or booth) and a reliable result
Serum potassium decline associated with increased mortality in acute heart failure
Acute heart failure (HF) is the most important reason for hospitalization in the United States and Europe. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality, most conspicuously in the first months after discharge. As HF progresses, and
