Messages

1

Common Forum/Request/Suggestions / Sodium Intake and BP

« on: November 19, 2013, 04:33:35 PM »

Raised blood pressure is the biggest single cause of cardiovascular  disease accounting for 62% of strokes and 49% of heart disease.
Strokes and coronary heart disease kill more people around the world than any other cause of death – around 12.7 million people each year.
It is estimated that reducing salt intake by 6g a day could lead to a 24% reduction in deaths from strokes and an 18% reduction in deaths from coronary heart disease, thus preventing approximately 2.6 million stroke and heart attack deaths each year worldwide.

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Common Forum/Request/Suggestions / Hypertension Affects Target Organs

« on: November 19, 2013, 04:32:19 PM »

Heart:
Angina pectoris
Unstable angina
Myocardial infarction
Sudden death
Heart failure
Brain:
TIA
Ischemic stroke
Hemorrhagic stroke
Kidney:
Renovascular disease
Renal failure

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Common Forum/Request/Suggestions / Factors contributing to higher BP (high vs low comparison)

« on: November 19, 2013, 04:03:55 PM »

Factor                                       SBP higher by:-
-High body mass index       15 mmHg
-High alcohol intake       8 mmHg
-High salt intake          5 mmHg
-Low potassium intake      5 mmHg
-Low fibre/high fat               2-3 mmHg
-Physical inactivity          2-3 mmHg

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Common Forum/Request/Suggestions / Measurement of BP in children < 3 years old

« on: November 19, 2013, 03:44:45 PM »

History of prematurity, VLBW, or other neonatal complications
Congenital heart disease
Recurrent UTI, hematuria, or proteinuria
Known renal disease or urologic malformations
Family history of congenital renal disease
Solid-organ transplant
Malignancy or bone marrow transplant
Treatment with drugs known to raise BP
Systemic illnesses associated with hypertension
Evidence of elevated ICP (intracranial pressure)

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Common Forum/Request/Suggestions / Which Drugs do you use in hypertension

« on: November 19, 2013, 03:43:36 PM »

Stage 1 – Thiazide 1st unless compelling indication
Stage 2 – Two drugs (one of the two should be a diuretic or ACE/ARB)
Compelling Indications for certain disease modifying meds should be considered

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Common Forum/Request/Suggestions / Causes of Resistant Hypertension

« on: November 19, 2013, 03:42:29 PM »

Improper blood pressure measurement
Volume overload and pseudotolerance
Excess sodium intake Volume retention from kidney disease Inadequate diuretic therapy)
Drug-induced or other causes 
Nonadherence
Inadequate doses 
Inappropriate combinations
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors
Cocaine, amphetamines, other illicit drugs 
Sympathomimetics (decongestants, anorectics)
Oral contraceptives
Adrenal steroids 
Cyclosporine and tacrolimus
Erythropoietin Licorice (including some chewing tobacco)
Selected over-the-counter dietary supplements and medicines (eg, ephedra, ma haung, bitter orange)
Associated conditions 
Obesity 
Excess alcohol intake

7

Common Forum/Request/Suggestions / Identifiable causes of hypertension

« on: November 19, 2013, 03:35:32 PM »

Chronic kidney disease
Coarctation of the Aorta
Cushing’s Syndrome
Drug induced
Obstructive uropathy
Pheochromocytoma
Primary aldosteronism and other mineralocorticoid excess states
Renovascular HTN – stenosis and fibromuscular dysplasia
Sleep Apnea
Thyroid (either HYPER or HYPO) or parathyroid disease

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Departments / How Diabetic Neuropathy Affects the Body

« on: July 28, 2012, 03:56:01 PM »

Heart and Blood Vessels
Neuropathy affects the cardiovascular system by interfering with nerve impulses that regulate blood pressure and heart rate. As a result, blood pressure may drop sharply after sitting or standing causing dizziness or fainting. Diabetics with autonomic neuropathy may also not be able to feel angina (chest pain) as a warning sign of heart disease.

Digestion
Nerve damage can affect digestion and cause the stomach to empty too slowly which may cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate. Persistent nausea, bloating and vomiting may occur in some cases. When nerve damage affects the bowels, it can cause constipation or diarrhea.

Pain and Numbness of Extremities
Peripheral Neuropathy damages the nerves of the limbs, especially the feet. Symptoms of this type of neuropathy are numbness, tingling, burning, cramps, extreme sensitivity to touch or loss of feeling for pain, pressure or temperature. Due to loss of sensation, foot injuries or ulcers can go unnoticed, resulting in serious infections that may spread to the bone. Damage to the nerves often results in loss of reflexes and muscle weakness.

Urinary System
Nerve damage can prevent the bladder from emptying completely, so bacteria can grow more easily in the urinary tract. When autonomic neuropathy damages the nerves of the bladder, a person may not know when the bladder is full or controlling it, resulting in urinary incontinence.

Sexual Response
The nerve damage and circulatory problems of diabetes can also lead to a gradual loss of sexual response in both men and women.

Skin Dryness and Sweating
Nerves to the skin may cause to much or too little sweating. When nerve damage affects the activity of the sweat glands, it makes it difficult for the body to regulate temperature by producing adequate perspiration. Other times, the result can be profuse sweating at night or while eating. Autonomic neuropathy is also associated with changes in skin texture and the moisture and oiliness of the skin that may result in dryness, thickening, and cracking of the skin.
   

9

Heart / Sodium nitrate in processed meat increase risk of heart disease

« on: July 17, 2012, 05:06:09 PM »

Sodium nitrate, a preservative that's used in some processed meats, such as bacon, jerky and luncheon meats, could increase your heart disease risk. Aside from the salt and saturated fat in these meats that can disrupt a heart-healthy diet, sodium nitrate also may harm your heart. It's thought that sodium nitrate may damage your blood vessels, making your arteries more likely to harden and narrow, leading to heart disease. Nitrates may also affect the way your body uses sugar, making you more likely to develop diabetes.

If you eat meat, it's best to limit processed meat in your diet and focus on lean, fresh meats and poultry. Lean beef, pork and poultry are good choices, but limit your servings to no more than 6 ounces (170 grams, or about the size of two decks of playing cards) daily, depending on your overall dietary plan.

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Faculty Forum / Heart-healthy diet

« on: July 17, 2012, 04:51:25 PM »

Eating a special diet called the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan can help protect your heart. Following the DASH diet means eating foods that are low in fat, cholesterol and salt. The diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, which can help protect your heart. Beans, other low-fat sources of protein and certain types of fish also can reduce your risk of heart disease.

Limiting certain fats you eat also is important. Of the types of fat — saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and trans fat — saturated fat and trans fat increase the risk of coronary artery disease by raising blood cholesterol levels.

Major sources of saturated fat include:
    Red meat
    Dairy products
    Coconut and palm oils

Sources of trans fat include:
    Deep-fried fast foods
    Bakery products
    Packaged snack foods
    Margarines
    Crackers

Look at the label for the term "partially hydrogenated" to avoid trans fat.

Heart-healthy eating isn't all about cutting back, though. Most people need to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet — with a goal of five to 10 servings a day. Eating that many fruits and vegetables can not only help prevent heart disease, but also may help prevent cancer.

Omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat, may decrease your risk of heart attack, protect against irregular heartbeats and lower blood pressure. Some fish, such as salmon and mackerel, are a good natural source of omega-3s. Omega-3s are present in smaller amounts in flaxseed oil, walnut oil, soybean oil and canola oil, and they can also be found in supplements.

Following a heart-healthy diet also means drinking alcohol only in moderation — no more than two drinks a day for men, and one a day for women. At that moderate level, alcohol can have a protective effect on your heart. More than that becomes a health hazard.

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Faculty Forum / 5 medication-free strategies to help prevent heart disease

« on: July 17, 2012, 04:49:53 PM »

1. Don't smoke or use tobacco
2. Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week
3. Eat a heart-healthy diet
4. Maintain a healthy weight
5. Get regular health screenings

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Faculty Forum / The omega-3 fatty acids in fish are good for your heart.

« on: July 17, 2012, 04:46:48 PM »

If you're worried about heart disease, eating one to two servings of fish a week could reduce your risk of dying of a heart attack by a third or more.

Doctors have long recognized that the unsaturated fats in fish, called omega-3 fatty acids, appear to reduce the risk of dying of heart disease. For many years, the American Heart Association has recommended that people eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids at least twice a week.

But some people are still concerned about mercury or other contaminants in fish outweighing its heart-health benefits. However, when it comes to a healthier heart, the benefits of eating fish usually outweigh the possible risks of exposure to contaminants. Find out how to balance these concerns with adding a healthy amount of fish to your diet.

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Faculty Forum / Sleep tips: 7 steps to better sleep

« on: July 17, 2012, 04:42:35 PM »

No. 1: Stick to a sleep schedule
No. 2: Pay attention to what you eat and drink
No. 3: Create a bedtime ritual
No. 4: Get comfortable
No. 5: Limit daytime naps
No. 6: Include physical activity in your daily routine
No. 7: Manage stress

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Faculty Forum / Manage your blood pressure for better health

« on: July 17, 2012, 04:36:58 PM »

You play a vital role in managing your blood pressure and your overall health. The sooner you take advantage of simple steps to improve your lifestyle, the greater your chances of enjoying a long, productive life.

This easy-to-use guide will help you understand the many issues related to high blood pressure and assist you in making essential treatment decisions ...

   
Learn which single factor may give you the best control over your blood pressure. This one step may be all it takes to lower your blood pressure and keep it under control.
   
You know that maintaining a healthy weight is important. And we know it's not easy. But losing as little as 10 pounds may reduce your blood pressure to a healthier level. This book offers practical help for meeting the challenge of achieving and maintaining a healthier weight.
   
There's a great alternative to blood pressure medications. This step may lower your blood pressure just about as much — without the expense of prescriptions.
   
Did you know that your blood pressure goes down if you make your heart stronger? A strong heart exerts less force on arteries. You'll find dozens of tips to realize this goal.
   
When changes in lifestyle aren't enough, today's medications offer effective blood pressure control while reducing your risk of other health concerns. Learn which medication, or combination of medications, may be best suited to your individual health needs and medical history.

15

Faculty Forum / People Gain an Average of 10 Pounds 1 Year After Quitting Smoking

« on: July 17, 2012, 04:29:14 PM »

One year after quitting smoking, people have gained an average of 10 lb, according to a meta-analysis in BMJ.

Researchers analyzed 62 randomized trials that measured weight gain following smoking cessation. Regardless of the cessation treatment used, all groups gained about 2 lb per month for the first 3 months. Then, weight gain slowed until 1 year, at which point people had gained an average of 9 to 11 lb. However, there was a large variation in weight change — about 16% of participants lost weight, while about 13% gained more than 22 lb.

Editorialists caution that the results may not be generalizable to all smokers because these participants volunteered for cessation clinics. They conclude: "Although obesity is positively associated with an increased risk of all cause mortality, cohort studies indicate that modest weight gain does not increase the risk of death; smoking does."