Prevent heart attack

October 24th, 2008 Heart Disease Posted in heart worm Comments Off


Oct. 24 (Bloomberg) — An 18-year-old posted the fake Internet report that Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs had suffered a heart attack, and investigators haven’t found evidence the teenager tried to profit from driving down the stock, two people with knowledge of the matter said.

Heart attack blamed in student’s death (Sioux City Journal)
MARYVILLE, Mo. — A Danbury, Iowa, man who died in his Northwest Missouri State University dorm room Tuesday afternoon succumbed to a heart attack, according to a Nodaway County coroner.

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Heart Disease (HealthCentral)
(HealthDay News) — Your heart’s health depends on many factors, including what you eat, how much exercise you get, and even your family history. High cholesterol.

SEC examining teen’s motive in fake Jobs heart attack rumor (ZDNet)
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is examining an 18-year-old’s motives after they posted a fake report on CNN’s iReport.com on 3 October 2008 that Apple CEO Steve Jobs had suffered a heart attack, according to Bloomberg. The report briefly sent Apple shares down 5.4 percent (or about US$4.8 billion) before an Apple spokesman stated that it wasn’t true. According to two Bloomberg …

Westchester/Putnam football notebook: Sacred Heart one win away from a shot at the title (The Journal News)
Sitting around after practice one day back in August, the Sacred Heart players started throwing out goals for the season. When the word “championship” was introduced into the conversation, Luis Baerga quickly took notice.

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Why Red Wine Does A Heart Good

May 23rd, 2008 Heart Disease Posted in Heart Disease, Heart Disease & Diabetes, arteriosclerotic heart disease, cholesterol & Heart Disease, heart disease info, heart disease statistics, heart worm Comments Off

Health professionals have recognized the nutritive and the health benefits of wine for years even centuries. Hippocrates recommended specific wines to purge fever, disinfect wounds, as diuretics, or nutritional supplements, around 450 B.C. Many books have been written about the curative properties of wine as early as 1410 A.D. Many studies worldwide have concluded that most healthy people who drink wine on a regular basis and with moderation live longer. Wine, for centuries, has been considered as a remedy rather than a toxin. In America, for a whole generation, mainly following the Prohibition years, the potential health benefits of wine were denied. But, in 1991, the medicinal properties of wine begin to return when the French Paradox was publicly revealed following a closed scrutiny on the diet of people in Southern France. It was found out that they had a much lower rate of heart disease than in America notwithstanding their intake of high proportion of fatty foods. Since then, over three thousands studies have broken out all over the World, most importantly in America and provided evidence that wine has positive health effects.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF WINE

Many medical studies have showed multiple benefits of regular moderate wine drinking, including lowered risks of stroke, colorectal tumors, some types of cancers, senile dementia, and even the common cold. A Harvard research has indicated that moderate intake of red wine is very beneficial for heart health. The cardio protective effect has been attributed to antioxidants present in the skin and seeds of red grapes. Scientists believe that the antioxidants, called flavonoids, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Other researches have found that moderate red wine may also inhibit tumor development in some cancers and may as well be helpful in the treatment of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. At the University of California, reasearchers have determined that Cabernet Sauvignon has the highest concentration of flavonoids. Sweeter the wine, the fewer flavonoids. Dryer red wines are the best bet for a flavonoid boost.

They have also found out that grape juice or non alcoholic red wine contains the same antioxydant profile as red wine. However, grape juice does not lower LDL cholesterol the Bad cholesterol) levels compared to red wine. Flavonoids increase HDL cholesterol(the Good cholesterol) and prevent blood clotting , plaques formation in arteries and reduce the blood vessel damage caused by fat deposits. It is very important here to mention that wine consumption should be limited to two servings per day for Men and one serving per day for Women to reap the maximum benefits. Moderate amounts of wine should be limited to individuals with a clean bill of health. People with medical and social conditions worsened by alcohol should not consume alcohol at all.

Since the evidence seems clear now that red wine is beneficial for our health, here is a toast to your health! Cheers!

Gilles Coulombe B.A. B.LL D.S.A.

Article by Gilles Coulombe B.A. B.LL D.S.A. Gilles Coulombe is the webmaster of NewHealthFrontier.com a site about a wide range of health problems proposing for each of them natural solutions for a longer and healthier life.For more information, go to My Site

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Natural Ways To Reduce Cholesterol

May 22nd, 2008 Heart Disease Posted in Heart Disease, Heart Disease & Diabetes, arteriosclerotic heart disease, cholesterol & Heart Disease, heart disease info, heart disease statistics, heart worm Comments Off

Cholesterol is also found in some of the foods you eat. Cholesterol is a lipid found in the cell membranes of all animal tissues, and it is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver and found in certain foods, such as food from animals, like dairy products (whole milk), eggs and meat.

When you have too much cholesterol, it can be dangerous to your health. Managing high cholesterol may be different for each individual depending on your medical history and your health. Lowering your cholesterol level decreases your chance for having a plaque burst and cause a heart attack.

Below are some suggested natural ways to reduce your cholesterol:

Reduce Your Fat Intake. Saturated fat elevates your blood cholesterol count, polyunsaturated fats lower blood cholesterol, and dietary cholesterol can also contributed to elevated blood cholesterol levels. Out of all of these, the saturated fat has the most impact on your cholesterol level. You will want to cut back on saturated fat foods such as meat, butter, cheese, whenever possible. Replace these with fish, poultry, low fat dairy products, and polyunsaturated oils such as corn, sunflower, and soybean.You will want to reduce the amount of eggs you eat. You might want to limit yourself to 3 whole eggs a week to be on the safe side. Since egg yokes contain the cholesterol, the eggs whites are ok to eat freely.

Legumes (Beans) are nutritious and don’t cost a lot. Beans and other legumes contain water-soluable fiber which helps to transport cholesterol out of your system before it can cause problems. You can try eating kidney beans, pinto beans, soybeans, lima beans, navy beans, lentils, etc. All of these are excellent sources of fiber as well.

Oats appear to to lower serum cholesterol levels. Eating oat bran does as good a job of reducing your cholesterol levels as legumes do.Carrots(which contain calcium pectate) can also help to reduce cholesterol, but not to the extent which legumes and oats do.

Corn is as effective s oats and beans in lowering your cholesterol. Using about one ounce of corn meal with each meal can really help to bring down high levels of cholesterol.Its important to drink lots of skim milk. Cutting out fat-bearing milk will help to bring down your cholesterol.

Raw garlic can help to reduce harmful level of blood fat. If you take one gram a day for 6 months, you cholesterol levels should fall an average of 40 points within six months.Vigorous exercise has been proven to raise your level of HDL(good cholesterol) when modestly lowers your level of HDL(bad cholesterol).

As part of the natural ways to reduce cholesterol mentioned above, you will want to avoid, coffee, cigarettes, and most red meat (for now).

Mary Freeman is an accomplished Author who writes articles on Natural and Home Remedies. To access her remedy website, please visit http://www.eRemedySpot.com

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Symptoms Of Heart Attack – How Can You Know?

May 22nd, 2008 Heart Disease Posted in Heart Disease, Heart Disease & Diabetes, cholesterol & Heart Disease, heart disease info, heart disease statistics, heart worm, information on heart disease, kidney infection Comments Off

Symptoms of heart attack vary greatly.

The symptoms you experience may be different from the one experienced by a relative or a friend. For instance, you may have only minor chest pain while your relative or friend has violent pain……

A heart attack is, what can I say, a traumatic and frightening event. You probably don’t want to think about it. But, if you know the symptoms and know what to do, you can save a life – your friend’s; neighbor’s; colleague’s or even your own life.

You may think a heart attack is sudden and intense, like a usual heart attack scene potrayed in a movie or TV show – a person clutches his or her chest and then collapses……

It might be like that but you’d be surprised to know that most heart attacks begin slowly as a mild pain or discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. You feel an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in your chest.

However, you won’t be sure of the symptom; even those who have had a heart attack before may not recognize their symptoms, because the next attack can have entirely different symptoms.

What are the typical symptoms of a heart attack that you can “rely” on then?

1. Chest Discomfort or Pain

This chest discomfort or pain can feel like a tight ache, pressure, fullness or squeezing in the center of your chest lasting more than a few minutes. It may come and go.

2. Upper Body Pain

Pain or discomfort in your shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth or jaw.

You may have upper body pain but no pain in your chest.

3. Stomach pain

Pain may extend downward into your abdominal area and may feel like heartburn.

4. Shortness of Breath

You may pant for breath or struggle to take in deep breaths. This often happens before you get chest discomfort.

5. Anxiety

You may feel a sense of doom or feel as if you’re having a panic attack for no good reason.

6. Dizziness

You may feel dizzy or feel like you might pass out.

7. Sweating

You may suddenly break into a sweat with cold, clammy skin.

8. Nausea And Vomiting

You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.

My advice is this: even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, you should still have it checked out. Fast action can save your life or someone else life……

Cecelia Yap is an avid exerciser and author of the popular exercise website: perfect-body-toning.com – a web site born out of her passion which she successfully turns into a profitable business

Perhaps you have a passion or hobby you’d like to write about. Find out how you too can turn it into a profitable business like Cecelia does, here: http://www.perfect-body-toning.com/my-passion.html

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Snoring And Heart Disease

May 17th, 2008 Heart Disease Posted in Heart Disease, Heart Disease & Diabetes, heart disease info, heart disease statistics, heart worm Comments Off

Recent studies have uncovered possibly worrisome links between snoring and heart disease.

In 2004, the American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine published a study performed by medical professionals from Alfred Hospital at Melbourne, Australia. The study was headed by Prof. Matthew Naughton, the person in charge of the Sleep Disorders Center of the said hospital. The study suggests that snoring could be a possibly serious cause for heart disease like diabetes or smoking.

According to the study, sleep deprivation or interrupted sleep as well as periods of temporary breathing cessations result from severe snoring. This consequently makes the heart experience stress.

Snoring can cause people to unconsciously “wake up” from their sleep. When this happens, their blood pressure often goes up and down, an indication that the heart is put to hard work as it faces increasing resistance.

Oxygen levels are also depleted when a person snores. When oxygen levels go down, heart muscles stiffen. If this happens, the heart finds it hard to pump in its normal fashion.

The study also points out how a person determines if he’s suffering from a bad case of snoring. Excessive loud snoring, experiencing breathing problems during snoring, feeling sleepy during daytime after a snoring-punctured night as well as snoring more than three times a week are just a few examples of serious cases of snoring.

A person who is experiencing any of the aforementioned cases may be suffering from sleep apnea. If his condition is left untreated, it may gradually develop into hypertension. The latter can then lead to heart disease.

While more convincing proof is needed to strengthen the link between snoring and heart disease, it wouldn’t hurt if people nonetheless exhibit extra care with their sleeping habits.

Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women’s issues, parenting, relationships and other health related stuffs. Click on the link to learn more about Snoring and Heart Disease…

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Bypassing Heart Disease

May 17th, 2008 Heart Disease Posted in Heart Disease, Heart Disease & Diabetes, cholesterol & Heart Disease, heart disease info, heart disease statistics, heart worm, reverse heart disease, reversing heart disease, rheumatic heart disease Comments Off

The best time to consider a bypass is before you have any symptoms of heart disease.Though weighing only about ten ounces, a healthy heart is capable of pumping 1,000 gallons of life sustaining blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels by beating an incredible 100,000 times a day for as much as 100 years or more.

Understanding Your Heart

To get an idea of the intensity of your heart’s job, let’s do an experiment. Take a tennis ball and fold your fingers over it. Now squeeze the ball every second for an entire minute – sixty times. It’s an exhausting job, isn’t it?

That’s the work your heart has to do for your whole life – 60 to 70 times every minute, 4,000 times every hour, 24 hours a day, all day – every day.

Maybe you’ve been taking your heart for granted!

This highly efficient pump is the most amazing organ in your body. It’s also probably the most abused, although I’m sure nobody does it intentionally.

But the fact is, heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S. and in over 50% of the cases, there are no prior indications – the first symptom of the disease is death.

Cardiovascular Disease and Your Heart

Many types of coronary diseases are known. Some are caused by an infection, some are congenital but most heart problems are caused by hardening of the arteries.

And if you add oxidized cholesterol to the blood, you get an even more serious condition. Both hardening of the arteries and oxidized cholesterol restrict the flow of blood to the body’s cells, causing major health concerns for your heart.

Different cardiovascular conditions can vary by degrees, but may have common signs and symptoms. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor LDL ratios, elevated triglyceride and homocysteine levels are the most common indicators of trouble ahead.

Common symptoms include angina (chest pain), shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, faster heartbeats, dizziness, nausea and sweating.

Here’s Good News for Your Heart

Changes in your lifestyle – diet, exercise, stress management – can prevent, control and even reverse many of these problems to help you have a healthy heart.

To bypass heart disease and to have a healthy heart, start by cleaning up your lifestyle. Stop smoking, cut out caffeine and sugar, manage your alcohol consumption, decrease stress, exercise regularly and drink lots of water – it’s good for your heart.

For next, it’s time to switch to a whole food plan. Eat low glycemic carbohydrates, more whole grains, colorful fruits, vegetables and other fiber rich, nutritious foods.

Also, it’s a good idea to lower your fat intake to around 25% of daily calories. Avoid all processed fats. Stick with extra virgin olive oil and very small amounts of butter instead.

But, even when you do the best you can, it’s next to impossible, to get everything you need from the foods you eat. This is where whole food supplements can help.

Important Supplements for Heart Health

Start with a basic, natural whole food multiple. To this add extra nutrients, such as natural vitamins B, C and E (excellent for cardiovascular health).

Certain B vitamins, for example, help manage the homocyteine cycle. But make sure your B vitamins are in a balanced B complex that includes the whole vitamin B family (isolating one B vitamin can prevent the efficient uptake of all the others).

Omega 3 fish oil that’s high in EPA and DHA has also been proven to have many benefits for heart health and should be part of everyone’s daily nutritional program.

Moss Greene is the editor of Bella Online Nutrition and a highly respected and widely published health and fitness journalist. Her focus is on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and an optimum diet that includes natural supplements, such as fish oil capsules.

For detailed information on how high quality omega 3 with EPA and DHA can help you and your family to have superior heart health, go to the fish oil web site.

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Cardiomyopathy – Don’t Take A Heart Transplant For An Answer!

May 14th, 2008 Heart Disease Posted in Heart Disease, Heart Disease & Diabetes, heart disease info, heart disease statistics, heart worm, heartworm, information on heart disease, reverse heart disease, reversing heart disease, rheumatic heart disease Comments Off

You have been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy or congestive heart failure and there’s a possibility that you will be put on the heart transplant list. This can be very frightening to most of us! How did we get to this point in the first place?

Maybe it was lack of all the prescription drugs your doctor is now giving you. For some reason I don’ think that was why. The prescription drugs, as good as they are for helping your heart function well now, won’t be able to sustain the heart functions in the long run.

If you injured your leg muscles and couldn’t walk, would you use a crutch for the rest of your life or would you try physical therapy? You are allowing your leg muscles to get stronger and heal by using them with physical therapy. If you were to use a crutch from now on and never try to walk, you would certainly stay crippled.

Prescription drugs are like a crutch. They can only help for a certain amount of time and then your heart will eventually get weaker. The reason this happens is that your heart is not allowed to function on its own because of the drugs intervention. So then it doesn’t have a chance of getting stronger and healthier.

Taking just prescription drugs for treatment, hasn’t shown to heal cardiomyopathy. The common belief of the general public for years is that all you need to do is take a prescription drugs prescribed from your physician for most all of your health problems. Prescription drugs are a big business with hidden discrepancies. The prescribed drugs have not been the complete answer for the good of the patient’s health or healing. This is hurting the general public, both in their success of cardiomyopathy treatment, or any other major illness outcome. Not to mention the outrageous prescription drug prices!

It has been said that “you are what you eat.” That really rings true because your body can get run down or has a more difficult time fighting off even the common cold, if your diet mainly consists of junk food and excess sugar. In this case your heart was more than likely lacking important nutrients to keep it healthy. Your heart failure was a result of years of not feeding it the right nutrition.

It is up to you to help get back on the road to recovery with the recommended vitamins and nutrients. Remember, your cardiologist won’t mention nutrition along with your prescription drug treatment. They are not trained to incorporate that into the congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy treatment.

Prescription drugs are not the complete answer for cardiomyopathy. Get correct nutritional information, and achieve the power you need to help you and your cardiomyopathy on the road to better health. You can stop worrying and start doing something about your cardiomyopathy treatment today!

Verona Raymond knows nutritional supplements and diet can be positively effective in the outcome of cardiomyopathy, and the health of your heart. For more valuable information and an effective solution, visit: http://www.cardiomyopathy-treatment.com

Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

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Seven Reasons to Take Acai

May 5th, 2008 Heart Disease Posted in Heart Disease, Heart Disease & Diabetes, arteriosclerotic heart disease, heart disease info, heart disease statistics, heart worm, heartworm, information on heart disease, kidney, kidney cancer, kidney failure, kidney infection, kidney stones, kidney transplant, reverse heart disease, reversing heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, vioxx heart disease Comments Off

Acai (pronounced ah-sy-ee) is a berry grown mainly in South America that has a number of nutritional properties, and has even been known to prevent certain diseases. There are a number of reasons to take acai supplements or drink acai juice on a daily basis no matter what your health needs are; here are seven of the great qualities of acai juice that everyone should take advantage of.

Antioxidants

Antocianine, one of the main substances in the acai berry, is high in antioxidants like Vitamins C and E and helps the body fight of free radicals in the environment. Harmful substances in the air like smog, cigarette smoke, and even the damaging effects of the sun can be significantly reduced by drinking acai juice.

While there are a number of other fruit juices that fight off antioxidants, none of them come close to acai juice. Acai berries are up to six times more potent than noni juice or mangosteen, so a daily intake of acai could protect you from contracting colds or the flu, as well as give your skin a healthy glow.

Calcium

Acai has a significant amount of calcium, which can help prevent osteoporosis, especially in women. Calcium helps to strengthen the bones and prevent fractures, especially in the hip, spine, and wrist, and in addition with the right diet filled with other calcium-rich foods and Vitamin D, osteoporosis can also be effectively treated.

In addition to osteoporosis prevention, women with extreme menstrual pain can also benefit from acai juice. Calcium-rich foods tend to coat the lining of the stomach and uterus, and reduce the pain that comes from cramps and bloating.

Helping to develop healthy teeth and gums is also another characteristic of calcium. For a whiter smile and stronger teeth, as well as the prevention of gingivitis as well as other gum diseases, try adding a serving of acai juice or powder to your normal dental care routine.

Lower Cholesterol Levels

Acai berries can help to lower cholesterol levels due to their high fiber content. The high fiber in content can also help to prevent colon cancer, since the fiber in the acai berry helps to move substances through the digestive track and arteries. The berries contain Omega-3 fatty acids as well, another substance that lowers cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids can also improve the health of your skin because it improves circulation and increase the level of protein in the body.

Macro minerals

Macro minerals are necessary minerals that are found in both foods and supplements. Most people need high amounts of these minerals, so acai juice is one of the easiest ways to make sure that you get the necessary amount of macro minerals per day. Potassium, sulfur, magnesium and phosphorous are some of the main macro minerals that people don’t get enough of. Sulfur can help to improve acne, magnesium can help women with menopausal complications, and potassium has been known to improve heart health.

Low glycemic index

Another benefit of acai is its low glycemic index. The glycemic index is the ranking of carbohydrates based on their effect on blood glucose or blood sugar levels. The quicker carbohydrates break down during digestion, the higher the glycemic index. Carbohydrates that breakdown slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the blood stream, have low glycemic index. Foods that are low in glycemic levels are slow to digest and be absorbed into the body’s bloodstream and cause the body’s blood sugar and insulin levels to rise slowly. Low glycemic Index diets have been shown to improve both glucose and lipid levels in diabetic individuals. They also have benefits for weight control because they help control appetite and delay hunger. Low glycemic levels can also help individuals who are trying to lose weight, since it keeps you fuller longer, and can even prolong physical strength and endurance.

Increased energy

Because of the acai berries ability to help fight off diseases and sicknesses due to its high level of antioxidants, a higher energy level can be attained by drinking acai juice every day. High antioxidant levels boost the immune system, and people have reported having boundless energy and endurance as a result of taking an acai supplement daily. This is also due to the high content of vitamins and minerals in acai, which can help to maintain a healthy diet by providing part of the daily allowance of certain vitamins. Acai juice constitutes a serving of fruit, so the more you consume, the more your body will be cleansed and able to run properly, and fatigue will be eliminated over time.

High celadrin levels

Even if you exercise regularly and eat well, you may still experience the effects of aging and constant physical activity. This can have an affect on your bones and organs over time, and acai berry can help to regulate your stress levels, and even to repair your body.

Celadrin, a natural anti-inflammatory compound of fatty acids that is derived from bovine tallow oil, has been known to promote healthy joint function by lubricating the membranes that cushions joints and bones. Glucosamine, a substance that works well with celadrin and is also found in acai, helps to build healthy cartilage in the body.

Once you decide to take acai on a regular basis, be sure to talk your doctor about your new diet choices to discuss ways to maximize the benefits of acai in your diet. Making certain improvements to your eating habits, exercising regularly, and taking certain prescribed medication as instructed can all help to make acai one of your best dietary choices.

Todd Levering is the publisher of a website that provides no-nonsense information about the acai berry. To get more info about acai berry research and products that are made with the acai fruit, visit http://acaipro.com.

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Cardiovascular Effects of Alcohol Consumption

April 29th, 2008 Heart Disease Posted in Heart Disease, Heart Disease & Diabetes, cholesterol & Heart Disease, heart disease info, heart disease statistics, heart worm, heartworm Comments Off

Alcohol, although toxic and damaging if consumed in excess, has been linked to several surprising health benefits, particularly in relation to cardiovascular health. The World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that a relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and reduced death rates from heart disease can no longer be doubted. Red wine is particularly favorable as the type of alcohol imbibed because it contains polyphenol antioxidants. Polyphenol antioxidants are instrumental in combating oxidative stress, which is linked to cardiovascular disease. Non-alcoholic sources of polyphenol antioxidants include berries, apples, grapes, celery, broccoli, onion, honey, chocolate, green tea, and olive oil. Red wine has a relatively high concentration of these antioxidants in comparison to these alternative sources.

In one study, the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption on cardiovascular health exceed all other factors except the cessation of smoking. Alcohol is said to be hormetic, which describes a favorable biological response to low level exposure of toxins rather than the complete absence of toxins. In moderation, alcohol is linked to better cholesterol levels, decreased blood clotting, reduced artery spasms from stress, increased coronary blood flow, and increased insulin sensitivity. Moderate drinking is also said to reduce the risk of angina pectoris, which is chest pain due to a lack of blood and oxygen in the heart muscle. People who have a heart attack are more likely to survive it if they are moderate drinkers, rather than abstainers or heavy drinkers. Decreased risk of stroke is also a benefit of drinking in moderation.

Not all alcohol consumption is positive for cardiac health. Large quantity consumption of alcohol is linked to alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which is the weakening of the heart muscle, commonly known as “holiday heart syndrome.” This deterioration of muscle can eventually lead to an arrhythmia, a disruption of electrical activity in the heart, resulting in an irregular heartbeat. Heavy drinkers may also become anemic or develop thrombocytopenia, few platelets in the blood, evidenced by increased bruising and nosebleeds.

The relationship of alcohol consumption in relation to total mortality is a U-shaped pattern, where moderate consumers have a reduced death rate in comparison to both abstainers and heavy drinkers. In summary, alcohol’s mechanisms of benefits are related to its ability to improve blood lipid profile, decrease blood clotting, increase coronary heart flow, reduce blood pressure, reduce blood insulin, and increase estrogen levels. If you are interested in learning more about the effects of alcohol, both positive and negative, this alcoholism website can help.

Joseph Devine

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You May Think Twice Before Having Your Defibrillator Removed

April 29th, 2008 Heart Disease Posted in Heart Disease, Heart Disease & Diabetes, arteriosclerotic heart disease, cholesterol & Heart Disease, heart disease info, heart disease statistics, heart worm, heartworm, information on heart disease, kidney, kidney failure, kidney transplant, reverse heart disease, reversing heart disease, rheumatic heart disease Comments Off

When the defibrillator that you had implanted to maintain a healthy heart is recalled, there are many decisions that you may have to wrestle with as reports of injured defibrillator patients roll in. In October 2007, a large manufacturer of defibrillators and pacemakers, Medtronic, recalled several units after it was discovered that the leads used in the devices may become defective over time. The defect caused patients to experience painful shocks in their chest, forcing many of them to be hospitalized for their injuries.

If you have been implanted with a Medtronic defibrillator, you may be struggling with the decision whether or not to have the device removed. While the FDA and Medtronic do not recommend the removal of defibrillators that do not show signs of the defect, the situation causes Medtronic patients a great deal of confusion and stress. No one wants to worry that the device that was implanted in order to save their life could end up being the device that leads to their death. Those who currently have implanted devices that have not shown defective tendencies have two choices: wait until the device harms them to have it removed and take the chance that the defect will not lead to their death, or face the serious dangers of having the functioning device removed.

The argument against removal states that the removal process is very dangerous. Studies show that between 2% and 7% of all surgeries involving defibrillators result in death. The removal process becomes complicated due to the growth of body tissue around the device over time. The FDA and Medtronic recommend that you do not have your defibrillator removed unless you have begun to experience the effects of a defect. Medtronic reports that of the 268,000 devices implanted before the defect was discovered, 2.3% of patients have experienced the painful shocks associated with the recalled devices.

The argument for having the device removed before symptoms occur is surrounded by concerns that the painful shocks associated with the defect could be avoided by removal. Many people do not feel comfortable living with the knowledge that their defibrillator may become defective at any time. If you are concerned about your defibrillator, speak with a doctor for appropriate medical advice. Choosing whether or not to remove your defibrillator is a difficult choice and can only be made by each individual patient.

If you have experienced the painful effects of a defective defibrillator, contact an experienced lawyer immediately. Expensive medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and many more damages may have occurred as a result of your defective defibrillator. There is no need to suffer financially, physically, or even emotionally if the damages you have experienced were caused by a negligent manufacturer. Contact a skilled Medtronic Lawyer to learn more about your legal rights.

Joseph Devine

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