Archive for the ‘Heart Attack and Stroke’ Category

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What’s Going On in Your Belly?

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Gut Bacteria

Scientists have recently discovered that what goes on in your gut, may have more to do with weight than previously thought. Every person has bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract. However, researchers have discovered that we may be more different than previously thought.

According to the recently published study, some people are born with, or develop, a lack of an important enzyme. This enzyme helps to control the growth of ‘gut bacteria’ and may lead to obesity. In mice, the subjects with no enzyme were weighed significantly more than the mice who carried the proper enzyme, and had no over growth of bacteria.

Researchers believe that this over growth of bacteria can lead to obesity and all of the diseases and conditions associated with it, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and heart and joint problems.

Read more here.

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Sugary Drinks May Raise Risk of Heart Attack

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

Sugary drinks may raise your risk of heart attack

According to a new study, sugary drinks such as soda and some juices may raise the risk of heart attacks in men. This study, run by the Harvard School of Public Health, was particularly interesting as its subjects were healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses. It showed that men who drank a significant amount of sugary beverages in a week (6 or more) were twenty percent more likely to have a myocardial infarction (heart attack) than those who did not consume any. However, an important fact to note is that this correlation was not seen in subjects who drank artificially-sweetened beverages. It seems that only real sugar, not sucralose or aspartame, is linked to heart attacks.

The study’s 42,883 participants completed questionnaires every four years for 22 years. When the math was worked out, one more sugary beverage per week added a roughly 20% higher risk of heart attack than if the participant didn’t drink sugary drinks. According the head researchers, this is one more reason to cut back on sugary drinks. Studies have already determined a link between these types of drinks and obesity, type 2 diabetes and other life-changing or threatening conditions.

If you drink a significant amount of sugary beverages, be sure to talk to your doctor about how it may be affecting your health.

To view the original study, click here.

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Big Mountain Drugs Honors Heart Health Awareness Month by Offering a Free Coupon

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Healthy heart from asantavi

Big Mountain Drugs, a licensed Canadian online pharmacy, is honouring Heart Health Awareness month by offering ten dollars off of any heart medication. Heart patients, who could already buy Ranexa or generic Plavix for significantly lower prices, can now add an additional $10.00 off. Customers with a prescription to buy Lipitor or other heart medications can use the coupon code heart10, and complete their purchase by either calling in or making an online order. Medications for heart ailments are one of the most widely prescribed in the world. Although they are often used as preventative measures, many patients require these medications for their daily lives. These life saving medications are also some of the most expensive. Big Mountain Drugs is helping to ease the burden on heart patients-many of who take multiple medications each day-by offering ten dollar off pharmacy coupons for when you buy online.

Heart disease, the leading cause of death in America, kills over 700,000 Americans each year. Almost 1500 Americans die each day from a heart disease-related event. Heart disease is actually a group of heart diseases, with coronary artery disease being the number one killer. Coronary artery disease (often called coronary heart disease) is a gradual build up of plaque in the arteries leading to the heart. Over time, this restricts blood flow to the heart, leading to potentially fatal consequences. Many of the medications that Big Mountain Drugs’ $10.00 off coupon can be used for are prophylactic; that is, used to prevent heart disease. The coupon may be used to buy Lipitor and generic Plavix, two of the most highly prescribed medications on the market today. Lipitor, Plavix and many other heart medications are used to prevent heart-related events such as heart attacks and strokes. These drugs work by lowering blood pressure, and controlling cholesterol levels-two of the Center for Disease Control’s heart disease risk factors. Other risk factors include diabetes, obesity, smoking, and alcohol. Doctors will often recommend that patients buy Novolog, a diabetes medication, or other medications designed to help with risk factors for heart disease.

Big Mountain Drugs, an online pharmacy based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, offers certified Canadian pharmacy care at lowered prices. Their mission is to provide safe and reliable medications to their customers. Big Mountain Drugs offers well-known brand-name and generic medications such as generic Cardizem, Crestor, Lipitor and Viagra. Big Mountain Drugs specializes in speedy, secure prescription deliveries right to you. They accept prescription and over the counter orders through fax, online orders, and over the phone. The Canadian online pharmacy is proud to offer their telephone service in multiple languages. Big Mountain Drugs is certified by PharmacyChecker.com, and is a member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA).

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http://www.prweb.com/releases/Canadianpharmacy/buyPlavix/prweb9205892.htm

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Physical Activity Cuts Risk of Heart Attack

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

from newsusacontent

Physical activity all the time, not just during leisure time, appears to have a significant impact on heart attack risk. Canadian researchers have led a study of more than 29,000 people in 52 countries, and have concluded that owning a car and TV can lead to significantly higher risk of heart attack – but only in low- to middle-income countries.

“Physical activity does protect you from the risk of heart attack and it’s consistent across the globe,” says Dr. Claes Held of Uppsala University Hospital in Sweden. “So it’s a global risk factor to be physically inactive.”

Although much is already known about the correlation between cardiovascular risk and physical activity, this study is the first to provide a global perspective. The study that in men and women of all ages around the globe, mild to moderate physical activity at work (i.e. lunch time walks, some heavy lifting, or using stairs) and any amount of physcial activity after work have significantly reduced the risk of heart attack.

However, the study also found that jobs with a high level of physical labour at work did not protect against heart attack. Dr. Held believes this may be because heavy labour jobs often have high stress levels and unhealthy working environments.

For more information on this study, Visit CBC,ca here.

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Stent Patients Advised to Take Fish Oil Along With Blood Thinners

Friday, July 15th, 2011

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish have long been touted as natural blood thinners that discourage clotting. Now European researchers are recommending patients with stents in their arteries take omega-3s along with their prescription blood thinners to reduce the risk of heart attack.

Heart patients who’ve had stents implanted to keep their arteries open are being advised to add omega-3 fatty acids to their blood thinning medication. Omega-3 fatty acids have long been thought to help reduce the risk of heart problems in people with coronary artery disease, but a recent European study is believed to be the first to examine the effect of taking omega-3s along with blood thinners, or anti-platelet medication.
(more…)

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Pradaxa vs. Warfarin

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

New Anticoagulant

Pradaxa (chemical name dabigatran) is an anticoagulant medication used to prevent formation of clots that may potentially lead to strokes and embolisms. Pradaxa works by inhibiting factors that lead to potential clot formations. Pradaxa is currently most commonly used to prevent strokes and other potential clots in patients diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation. Pradaxa is available in strengths of 75mg, 110mg, and 150mg.

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial Fibrillation is a cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) that involves the upper 2 chambers (atria) of the heart. Its names comes from the chambers of the heart fibrillating (quivering). Atrial fibrillation results in abnormal electrical impulses being conducted by the heart. Atrial fibrillation often presents no symptoms and is not in itself generally life-threatening, but it may result in palpitations, fainting, chest pain, congestive heart failure, and the development of clots.

Pradaxa vs. Warfarin? Advantages and Disadvantages

For more than 50 years now, patients have had no other anticoagulant(blood thinner) alternative beyond Warfarin to prevent clots. Pradaxa now presents an important alternative. The main advantage with Pradaxa is that is does not require monitoring of INR (INR is a measurement of the blood coagulation, i.e blood clotting).
(more…)

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Posted in Blood Thinners List, Coumadin, Heart Attack and Stroke, Pradaxa | 2 Comments »

Undetected and Untreated Blood Clots Can Be Life Threatening

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Blood clotting is a natural process which the body uses to curtail flow of blood in trauma. However, there are other situations in which blood flow stagnate and lead to formation of blood clots which can be life threatening. Similarly, blood clots can also result from a laceration to a blood vessel in an artery or a vein. Both conditions can slow down or block the blood circulation, contributing to loss of oxygen to the cells involved in the blockage. Common symptoms include swelling, redness in the affected area and pain. The affected area such as a limb may be warm to the touch as well.

There are two main types of blood clot situations as venous thrombi and arterial thrombus. These two types have their own symptoms and causes. (more…)

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FDA Approves New Atrial Fibrillation Medication

Friday, January 21st, 2011

An FDA panel has unanimously approved a new type of blood-thinning medication, Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) to help prevent stroke in people with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular heartbeat in which the heart’s two small upper chambers (the atria) quiver instead of beating strongly.  As a result, blood isn’t pumped completely out of them, and the trapped blood may pool and clot. (more…)

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The “Brain Attack” Called a Stroke

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds on average. Nearly nine out of ten strokes occur when a blood clot blocks a vessel in the brain (called ischemic stroke). Less commonly, a stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel in the brain ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke). The bleeding into the brain resulting from a hemorrhagic stroke is difficult to stop, making them more likely to be fatal. (more…)

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10 Factors That Cause 90% of Strokes

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and the third largest cause in the US behind heart disease and cancer. It’s the primary cause of serious, long-term disability across the globe. A new study of 3000 people from 22 countries who suffered strokes over a three-year period identified 10 common risk factors in 90% of the stroke victims. The 10 factors were: (more…)

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