HEALING THE HEART WITH FAT

Too much dietary fat is bad for the heart, but the right kind of fat keeps the heart healthy, according to a paper published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Unsaturated dietary fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are known to protect against cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanism and the specific fat metabolites responsible for this protection were unknown.

A group of Japanese scientists now show that mice engineered to produce their own EPA are protected against heart disease and have improved cardiac function. One particular EPA metabolite, called 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (18-HEPE), was required for this protection.

18-HEPE was produced by immune cells called macrophages, which dampened inflammation and fibrosis in the heart. Treatment with 18-HEPE confirmed its heart-protective effects.

A diet enriched in 18-HEPE might thus help prevent heart failure in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

NOW NEW DEVICE THAT CAN SLOW REVERSE HEART FAILURE

Scientists have developed a new implantable device that can help in controlling and reversing heart failure, it has been reported.

According to lead researcher Dr. William Abraham of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center the new device has shown promising results in the first trial to determine safety and effectiveness in patients.

Researchers at seven U.S. centers examined an extra-aortic counterpulsation system called C-Pulse, made by Sunshine Heart Inc. It's a cuff that wraps around the aorta and syncs with the patient's heartbeat, rapidly inflating and deflating a small balloon to help squeeze blood through the aorta to circulate throughout the body.

It's powered through a wire that exits the abdomen and connects to an external driver worn by the patient. The driver could be plugged in or battery-powered.

The most common adverse effect during the trial was infection of the exit site, experienced by 8 out of 20 participants. Researchers noted that stricter guidelines for exit site management, wound care and antibiotic therapy could reduce that risk in future studies.

There were no hospitalizations among the participants for stroke, thrombosis, sepsis or bleeding, which often occurs in patients using left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The researchers said this was due to the device remaining outside the bloodstream.

Another important difference was the C-Pulse device could be temporarily turned off and disconnected, allowing patients some conveniences that an LVAD doesn't permit.

The study is published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology Heart Failure. 

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR HEART MURMURS

Heart murmurs are sounds during your heartbeat cycle — such as whooshing or swishing — made by turbulent blood in or near your heart. These sounds can be heard with a stethoscope. A normal heartbeat makes two sounds like "lubb-dupp" (sometimes described as "lub-DUP"), which are the sounds of your heart valves closing.

Heart murmurs can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life. A heart murmur isn't a disease — but murmurs may indicate an underlying heart problem.

Often, heart murmurs are harmless (innocent) and don't need treatment. Some heart murmurs may require follow-up tests to be sure the murmur isn't caused by a serious underlying heart condition. Treatment, if needed, is directed at the cause of your heart murmur.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

AMYL NITRATE 30-Valvular murmurs at the slightest excitement with flushed face, pain and constriction in the heart region

ARSENICUM IODIDE 3X- Murmurs of the heart in arteriosclerosis or myocardial degeneration and senile heart

AURUM MUR 30- Murmurs of heart in the patients suffering from hypertension or valvular lesions of arteriosclerosis nature

BRYONIA ALB 30- Friction murmur produced by movements in the affection about the membranes of heart. Cramps in the region of heart

CACTUS GTANDIFLORUS 30- Endocardial murmurs in patients suffering from low blood pressure

COLLINSONIA 30- Murmurs of heart in patients suffering from hemorroids , worse slightest excitement

CONVALLARIA 30-Heart murmurs in anemic patients

CRATAEGUS OXY. Q- Valvular murmurs in anemic patients

NAJA TRIP. 30- Murmurs in the damaged heart after infectious diseases

SPIGELIA 30- Murmurs in patients suffering from rheumatic carditis 

NEW CHOLESTEROL GUIDELINES REDUCE HEART ATTACKS

Study from UT Southwestern researchers found that recently introduced cholesterol guidelines would significantly reduce new cardiovascular events, when compared to treatment based on previous cholesterol guidelines.

The research identified Dallas Heart Study participants in the 30 to 65 age range who would have newly qualified for statin use under the new cholesterol guidelines introduced in 2013 by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA).

In this subset of patients, the study predicted that 3.6 to 4.9 cardiovascular events would have been prevented for every 1,000 people screened and treated according to the new guidelines rather than the old guidelines (using a risk-reduction factor of 30 percent to 45 percent, depending on the statin dosage). The Dallas Heart Study is a multiethnic, population-based study of thousands of Dallas County adults whose cardiovascular health has been followed for 10 years.

Projecting these findings onto the larger Dallas County population, about 4,500 serious heart problems would have been prevented in individuals 30 to 65 years of age over a 10-year period by following the new cholesterol guidelines.

When the new guidelines were introduced -- replacing previous guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program/Third Adult Treatment Panel -- they provoked heated debate over the sizeable increase in statin eligibility. However, the UT Southwestern study supports the merit of the new cholesterol guidelines, as well as increased statin use.

"This is one of the first studies to carefully predict the implications of the new guidelines in the general population beyond just the amount of increase in statin use," said Dr. Amit Khera, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of the Preventive Cardiology Program at UT Southwestern. "Does it look like these new guidelines will prevent heart attacks and strokes? The answer is, 'yes,'" he said.

Dr. Khera is senior author of the recently published study, which appeared inCirculation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

The 2013 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guidelines recommend statins for patients with existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and very high levels of LDL cholesterol, as well as for patients with a high 10-year risk for heart disease.

The previous guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program/Third Adult Treatment Panel were based on a different formula that involved targeting specific cholesterol levels. Some patients fall out of statin eligibility under the new guidelines, but some 12.8 million more are newly eligible.

Among Dallas Heart Study participants who actually experienced a cardiovascular event, 37.1 percent more of those patients would have been placed on statins if the new guidelines had been in place. Among participants who did not experience a cardiovascular event, only 3.9 percent more patients would have been prescribed statins.

"There has been a lot of emphasis on the increased use of statins and a lot of emphasis on the risk calculator," said Dr. Khera, who holds the Dallas Heart Ball Chair in Hypertension and Heart Disease. "Yes, there is some additional statin use, but according to our results, this use seems appropriate, at least in this age group."

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR HEART PALPITATIONS

Heart palpitations are the feelings of having rapid, fluttering or pounding heart. Heart palpitations can be triggered by stress, exercise, medication or, rarely, a medical condition.

Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they're usually harmless. In rare cases, heart palpitations can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), that may require treatment.

Causes- Often the cause of your heart palpitations can't be found. Common causes of heart palpitations include:

·        Strong emotional responses, such as stress or anxiety

·        Strenuous exercise

·        Caffeine

·        Nicotine

·        Fever

·        Hormone changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause

·        Taking cold and cough medications that contain pseudoephedrine, a stimulant

·        Taking some asthma inhaler medications that contain stimulants

Occasionally heart palpitations can be a sign of a serious problem, such as an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Arrhythmias may include very fast heart rates (tachycardia), unusually slow heart rates (bradycardia) or an irregular heart rhythm.

Symptoms-- Heart palpitations can feel like your heart is:

·        Skipping beats

·        Fluttering

·        Beating too fast

·        Pumping harder than usual

You may feel heart palpitations in your throat or neck, as well as your chest. Heart palpitations can occur whether you're active or at rest, and whether you're standing, seated or lying down.

Risk factors--You may be at risk of developing palpitations if you:

·        Are highly stressed

·        Have an anxiety disorder or regularly experience panic attacks

·        Are pregnant

·        Take medicines that contain stimulants, such as some cold or asthma medications

·        Have an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)

·        Have other heart problems, such as an arrhythmia, heart defect or previous heart attack

Complications--Unless a heart condition is causing your heart palpitations, there's little risk of complications. For palpitations caused by a heart condition, possible complications include:

Fainting. If your heart beats rapidly, your blood pressure may drop, causing you to faint. This may be more likely if you have a heart problem, such as congenital heart disease or certain valve problems.

Cardiac arrest. Rarely, palpitations can be caused by life-threatening arrhythmias and can cause your heart to stop beating effectively.

Stroke. If palpitations are due to atrial fibrillation, a condition in which the upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of beating properly, blood can pool and cause clots to form. If a clot breaks loose, it can block a brain artery, causing a stroke.

Heart failure. This can result if your heart is pumping ineffectively for a prolonged period due to an arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation. Sometimes, controlling the rate of an arrhythmia that's causing heart failure can improve your heart's function.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathic remedies are best for treating heart problems without any side effects. Some of the important medicines for palpitations are given below-

ACONITUM NAPELLS 30- Aconite is the ideal Homeopathic remedy for Palpitations due to sudden fright and anxiety. Along with palpitations, restlessness, anxiety and increased thirst for cold water may also be present.

ABIES CANADENSIS 30- Abies Can is the best remedy for palpitations from gastric problems. It suited when overeating is followed by a bloated abdomen with a burning stomach and Palpitations.

AMYELOSUM NITROSUM 30-Amyelosum nitricum is effective for palpitations during menopause. In Amylenum Nitrosum, the symptoms are palpitations getting worse from even a little excitement. Constricted feeling in the heart region is an accompanying symptom. Hot flushes and extreme anxiety are the other symptoms.

ARSENIC ALBUM 30-- Arsenic Album is another  top natural Homeopathic medicines for treating palpitations with anxiety. There is palpitations with extreme anxiety. There is a marked restlessness and fear of death. There is an increased thirst for water and a desire for open air

AURUM MET. 30-Aurum Met is the best Homeopathic medicine for violent Palpitations with irregular heart action. The patients needing Aurum Met feel that the heart has stopped suddenly for a few seconds varying from 2 to 3 seconds and then suddenly starts beating again. The pulse seems irregular, with high blood pressure.

CARBO VEG 30-Carbo veg is prescribed when palpitation occurs on account of acidity and excessive flatulence in stomach.

COFFEA 30-Coffea is the top  Homeopathic medicine for Palpitations brought on by a sudden joyful moment. It also covers palpitations as a result of sudden pleasant surprises.

CONVALLARIA MAJ. 30- Convallaria is the best  Homeopathic remedy for palpitation due to tobacco abuse. The patient  complains as if the heart is beating in the whole chest. The palpitations get worse by even slight exertion. The pulse is also very rapid.

CRATAEGUS OXY. Q—Crataegus is a good heart tonic and can be given in all type of heart ailments. It is an excellent antiarrythmic, sedative in irritable patients with cardiac symptoms. Heart weakness with oppression , stitches and insomnia. Extreme dyspnoea on least excertion. Heart dilated , first sound weak.

DIGITALIS PURPUREA 30-Digitalis is the most effective Homeopathic remedy when the slightest movement causes palpitations. The patient usually feels that the heart will stop its action if he or she moves and it is better at rest. Digitalis is the ideal Homeopathic remedy when cardiac rate is lowered and palpitations are mostly excited from the slightest motion. Digitalis is the best natural Homeopathic medicine to deal with Palpitations with skipped beats. The pulse is irregular and it intermits mainly at every 3rd, 5th and 7th beat. Mitral Disease may be the underlying pathology with irregular heart action in the patient needing Digitalis.

GLONOINE 30- Glonoine is a very effective remedy for palpitations during menopause. It is prescribed when palpitations lead to difficulty in breathing and get worse from exertion. Palpitations can be felt throughout the body.

FERRUM MET 30- Ferrum Met is the best medicine for palpitations due to anemia which get worse with movement. The face looks quite pale. Usually the pulse feels very soft and weak.

IBERIS 30- Iberis  is the best remedy  when the slightest exertion gives rise to palpitations. Along with palpitations, a person may also experience vertigo.

IODUM 30- Iodum is the  best remedy  for palpitations in hyperthyroid patients where the palpitations get worse with the slightest of exertion. The chest feels constricted and compressed.

IGNATIA 30--Ignatia is an effective  Homeopathic remedy for palpitations resulting from grief. Ignatia brings about excellent results in such cases.Hysterical palpitations.

KALMIA 30- Kalmia is another effective remedy for palpitation from tobacco abuse.  Palpitations are present with a slow pulse. The Palpitations get worse from stooping in a forward position. Kalmia is the best Homeopathic medicine for palpitations with a decreased heart rate. The heart rate for using Kalmia may be as low as 35-40/minute with Palpitations. The patient feels a flutter in the chest and anxiety.

LACHESIS 200- Lachesis is the best natural Homeopathic medicine when episodes of fainting occur along with Palpitations during menopause. The women needing Lachesis have an aversion to wear any tight clothing.

LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM 200- Lycopodium is the ideal Homeopathic remedy when excessive gas fills the abdomen resulting in palpitations. The gas is not passed easily and remains obstructed with palpitations.

LILIUM TIG. 30-Lilium Tig is a very efficient Homeopathic medicine for palpitations with an increased heart rate. The heart beat may even rise to 150/minute and above for using Lilium Tig. The patient feels violent pulsations throughout the body. Fluttering in heart region may be accompanied by chest pain on left side and weight in chest.

MOSCHUS 30-Palpitations due to nervous excitement or nervous palpitations. There may not be any organic disease of the heart.

NATRUM MUR 30-Natrum Mur is the top effective Homeopathic remedy when along with palpitations due to anemia, there is a constricted sensation in the chest. The pulse rate remains high and is often found to be intermittent. A craving for salt may be found in persons needing Natrum Mur.

NUX VOMICA 30-For Palpitations due to intake of coffee, Homeopathic medicine Nux Vomica is the top remedy.Nux vomica is also effective for palpitations resulting after eating , indigestion and from flatulence. Palpitations due to overuse of allopathic medicines.

OPIUM 30- Opium is the best Homeopathic medicine when palpitations are caused due to fright related to some past, long ago, unusual occurrence. It is also used for palpitations due to overuse of allopathic medicines.

OXALIC ACIDUM 30- Palpitations with dyspnoea in organic heart diseases. Worse when thinking of it

SPIGELIA 30- Palpitations excited by the least of movement along with this  there is pain in heart region with arm pain.

SPONGIA 30- Spongia  is the best Homeopathic medicine when a hyperthyroid patient complains of Palpitations on lying down. Walking brings relief to the patient.

SUMBUL 30-Sumbul is the best  Homeopathic medicine for palpitation resulting from intake of beer.  Pain in left side of chest and left arm may also be present along with palpitation

STAPHYSAGRIA 30-Staphysagria is the top remedy for palpitation due from anger. This Homeopathic remedy is very beneficial for acute outbursts of anger leading to Palpitations.

TABACUM 30-Tabacum is also used for palpitations from tobacco abuse. Tabacum have a very weak pulse often, which is imperceptible. Pulse may also show intermittency.

TERMINALIA ARJUNA Q- Terminalia arjuna is effective for palpitations in heart disease , may be due to any heart disorder, dyspnoea, nervousness .

THEA CINENSIS 30-- Thea Cinensis is an excellent Homoeopathic  medicine that can help to relieve palpitations because of excessive consumption of tea. Along with palpitations, the person also feels chest oppression.

VISCUM ALBUM 30-Viscum album is prescribed when palpitations occurs during coition.

TICKLING YOUR EAR COULD BE GOOD FOR YOUR HEART

Stimulating nerves in your ear could improve the health of your heart, researchers have discovered. A team at the University of Leeds used a standard TENS machine like those designed to relieve labour pains to apply electrical pulses to the tragus, the small raised flap at the front of the ear immediately in front of the ear canal.

The stimulation changed the influence of the nervous system on the heart by reducing the nervous signals that can drive failing hearts too hard.

Professor Jim Deuchars, Professor of Systems Neuroscience in the University of Leeds' Faculty of Biological Sciences, said: "You feel a bit of a tickling sensation in your ear when the TENS machine is on, but it is painless. It is early days -- so far we have been testing this on healthy subjects -- but we think it does have potential to improve the health of the heart and might even become part of the treatment for heart failure."

The researchers applied electrodes to the ears of 34 healthy people and switched on the TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machines for 15-minute sessions. They monitored the variability of subjects' heartbeats and the activity of the part of the nervous system that drives the heart. Monitoring continued for 15 minutes after the TENS machine was switched off.

Lead researcher Dr Jennifer Clancy, of the University of Leeds' School of Biomedical Sciences, said: "The first positive effect we observed was increased variability in subjects' heartbeats. A healthy heart does not beat like a metronome. It is continually interacting with its environment -- getting a little bit faster or a bit slower depending on the demands on it. An unhealthy heart is more like a machine constantly banging out the same beat. We found that when you stimulate this nerve you get about a 20% increase in heart rate variability."

The second positive effect was in suppressing the sympathetic nervous system, which drives heart activity using adrenaline.

Dr Clancy said: "We measured the nerve activity directly and found that it reduced by about 50% when we stimulated the ear. This is important because if you have heart disease or heart failure, you tend to have increased sympathetic activity. This drives your heart to work hard, constricts your arteries and causes damage. A lot of treatments for heart failure try to stop that sympathetic activity -- beta-blockers, for instance, block the action of the hormones that implement these signals. Using the TENS, we saw a reduction of the nervous activity itself."

The researchers found significant residual effects, with neither heart rate variability or sympathetic nerve activity returning to the baseline 15 minutes after the TENS machine had been switched off.

The technique works by stimulating a major nerve called the vagus, which has an important role in regulating vital organs such as the heart. There is a sensory branch of the vagus in the outer ear and, by sending electrical current down the nerves and into the brain, researchers were able to influence outflows from the brain that regulate the heart. Vagal nerve stimulation has previously been used to treat conditions including epilepsy.

Professor Deuchars said: "We now need to understand how big and how lasting the residual effect on the heart is and whether this can help patients with heart problems, probably alongside their usual treatments. The next stage will be to conduct a pre-clinical study in heart failure patients."

Heart Palpitations During Pregnancy

Premature Ventricular Contractions Pvcs

Just wondering if any of you Moms out there ever had problems with palpitations during the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy. I am 5 months now and have recently been .Find common reasons for heart palpitations during pregnancy. Normally they are harmless and can be prevented. Learn what you can do to help keep them from occurring..I have had heart palpitations even before I got pregnant, they were less frequent and less severe. I have had testing done at the cardiologist before I was .What Causes Heart Palpitations during Pregnancy? During pregnancy, your heart is responsible for supplying blood to your uterus. To accommodate your developing baby .Heart palpitations can be normal and nonharmful during pregnancy. But there's always a chance they could mean you have a more serious, underlying health condition..During pregnancy, many women get anxious and worried due to the heart palpitations. Heart beating at an abnormal rapid speed can be defined as heart palpitations..Palpitations are very common during pregnancy. Occasionally palpitations can indicate a heart condition. If you are concerned you should contact your caregiver..WebMD explains the possible causes of heart palpitations -- and when to seek medical attention..Heart palpitations are common during pregnancy. Photo Credit Heartbeat image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com.It is not an uncommon side effect in pregancy. With the increase in blood volume and the extra work the heart has to now do. Found this: Maternal heart palpitations .

Premature Ventricular Contractions Pvcs

Hyperkalemia On Ekg

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