Posted by Deanna Kidd on Fri, Apr 30, 2010
Most people associate cigarette smoking with breathing problems and lung cancer, but what percentage of all deaths from heart disease in the U.S. are directly related to cigarette smoking?
A.) 10-20%
B.) 20-30%
C.) 30-40%
D.) 40-50%
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This health trivia questions was brought to you by Dr. Scott Sheldon. Practicing in Elyria & Sandusky, Dr. Sheldon specializes in Interventional Cardiology including Balloon Angioplasty, Laser, Directional Brachy Therapy, Atherectomy, Stent Placement, Rotoblator, Perepheral Intervention, Renal Stenting, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stenting and Acute Myocardial Infarction.
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Posted by W. Scott Sheldon, DO, FACC on Wed, Jan 06, 2010
Research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, showed that adults with hypertension (high blood pressure) may be more likely to have cardiovascular problems if they also have vitamin D deficiency.
1,739 adults enrolled in a long-term health study were tracked by Harvard Medical School's Thomas Wang, MD, and colleagues. Participants were 59 years old, on average, with no history of heart problems.
When their blood levels of vitamin D were checked, 28% had vitamin D deficiency, including 9% with severe vitamin D deficiency.
By the end of the study period:
- 120 participants developed a first cardiovascular event including fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease;
- 28 participants had fatal or nonfatal cerebrovascular events such as nonhemorrhagic stroke;
- 9 participants were diagnosed with heart failure; and
- 8 had occurrences of claudication, fatigue in the legs during activity.
People with vitamin D deficiency and hypertension were about twice as likely as people without hypertension and vitamin D deficiency to have a cardiovascular event during the study. Vitamin D deficiency wasn't linked to cardiovascular problems in people who don't have hypertension.
When researchers adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure, the risk remained significant with a 62 percent higher risk of a cardiovascular event in participants with low levels of vitamin D compared to those with higher levels.
The American Heart Association recommends that healthy people get adequate nutrients by eating a variety of foods in moderation, rather than by taking supplements. Food sources of vitamin D include milk, salmon, mackerel, sardines, cod liver oil and some fortified cereals.
Vitamin or mineral supplements aren’t a substitute for a balanced, nutritious diet that limits excess calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and dietary cholesterol. This dietary approach has been shown to reduce coronary heart disease risk in healthy people and those with coronary disease.
About the author:
Dr. Sheldon completed his Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation. He specializes in Interventional Cardiology including
Balloon Angioplasty, Laser, Directional Brachy Therapy, Atherectomy,
Stent Placement, Rotoblator, Perepheral Intervention, Renal Stenting,
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stenting and Acute Myocardial Infarction. Dr.
Sheldon sees patients in our Elyria and Sandusky offices.
.
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Posted by W. Scott Sheldon, DO, FACC on Fri, Nov 13, 2009
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association showed that the number of people with obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure is increasing—all high risk factors for heart disease. So while we are working to make efforts to become healthier, it may be useful to also know how to recognize the symptoms of heart disease.
Each type of heart disease has different symptoms, although many heart problems have similar warning signs. The symptoms you experience depend on the type and severity of your heart condition. We’ll cover the most common symptoms here, but you can find a more detailed listing at WebMD.com.
Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, or chest pain. Angina can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest. It can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Angina is usually felt in the chest, but may also be felt in the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back. Angina usually is provoked by exercise or even a large meal. Angina at rest or awakening with angina from sleep is an ominous sign and should be investigated immediately.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction or MI) can include:
- Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone
- Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, teeth, throat, or arm
- Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)
- Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
- Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath
- Rapid or irregular heartbeats
Symptoms of a heart attack typically last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or medications taken by mouth. Initial symptoms can start as a mild discomfort that progresses to significant pain, though some have a heart attack without having any symptoms. If you think you are having a heart attack, DO NOT DELAY. Immediate treatment of a heart attack is very important to lessen the amount of damage to your heart. Importantly, taking one aspirin at the first recognition of heart attack signs reduces mortality (death) by 24%!
About the author:
Dr. Sheldon completed his Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation. He specializes in Interventional Cardiology including
Balloon Angioplasty, Laser, Directional Brachy Therapy, Atherectomy,
Stent Placement, Rotoblator, Perepheral Intervention, Renal Stenting,
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stenting and Acute Myocardial Infarction. Dr.
Sheldon sees patients in our Elyria and Sandusky offices.
.
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Posted by W. Scott Sheldon, DO, FACC on Mon, Nov 09, 2009
In a recent post we talked about how your heart works, so this time we’ll look at what can happen to keep it from working to its full capacity. The main culprit is cholesterol plaques, which build up and slowly block blood flow in the arteries.
Cholesterol plaques form by a process called atherosclerosis, which basically means a hardening of the arteries. LDL is the "bad cholesterol" that is the raw material of cholesterol plaques. Progressive and painless, atherosclerosis grows cholesterol plaques silently and slowly. The eventual result is blocked arteries, which places blood flow at risk and are the usual cause of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral arterial disease. These conditions together are called cardiovascular disease --the No. 1 killer in America, causing more than 900,000 deaths each year.
High cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure, or diabetes can damage the smooth, delicate lining of blood vessels called endothelium, creating a place for cholesterol to enter the artery's wall and accumulate. Plaque is formed as white blood cells stream in to digest the LDL cholesterol. Over years, the toxic mess of cholesterol and cells becomes a cholesterol plaque in the wall of the artery.
The result of this is:
Coronary artery disease -- cholesterol plaques in the heart's arteries can cause chest pain called angina. Sudden cholesterol plaque rupture and clotting causes blocked arteries. When that happens, heart muscle dies. This is a heart attack, also called myocardial infarction.
Cerebrovascular disease -- Cholesterol plaque ruptures in one of the brain's arteries. This causes a stroke, leading to permanent brain damage. Blockages can also cause transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs. A TIA has symptoms like those of stroke. But they are temporary and there is no brain damage.
Peripheral arterial disease -- Blocked arteries in the legs can cause pain on walking and poor wound healing due to poor circulation. Severe disease may lead to amputations.
But there is hope for heart patients! Numerous studies and population registries have shown a clear cause and effect relationship between cholesterol and cardiovascular problems including heart attack and death. More importantly, however, are the findings of a reduction in heart attack, stroke, and death with life-style changes and treatment of cholesterol with statins. The latest statistics from the American Heart Association (AHA) demonstrate a 34% decline in cardiovascular death over the last decade alone! An aspirin a day plus a statin a day in those individuals at risk can reduce a cardiovascular event by as much as 50%!
About the author:
Dr. Sheldon completed his Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation. He specializes in Interventional Cardiology including
Balloon Angioplasty, Laser, Directional Brachy Therapy, Atherectomy,
Stent Placement, Rotoblator, Perepheral Intervention, Renal Stenting,
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stenting and Acute Myocardial Infarction. Dr.
Sheldon sees patients in our Elyria and Sandusky offices.
.
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Posted by W. Scott Sheldon, DO, FACC on Fri, Nov 06, 2009
The Natural Cardio Health newsletter recommended three vitamins that are great for a healthy heart: Co-enzyme Q10, Fish Oils and Magnesium. But these can be useful in flu prevention as well. Let’s see how.
Co-Enzyme Q10
Co-Q10 is a powerful antioxidant whose most critical role is helping to create energy in the cell mitochondria, which is essentially the battery or furnace of every cell. It is especially vital to muscle cells which use a lot of energy. And since the heart is essentially a large muscle, Co-enzyme Q10 is vital to keep the heart working well. Taking Co-Q10 Ubiquinol when you start to feel ill can boost your body’s immune system by increasing anti-oxidants, which attack free radicals.
Fish Oil
This heart-boosting supplement is basically a healthy fatty acid from cold water fish like salmon. The benefits of fish oil include improvements in heart, brain, and skin cell function. It’s been shown to reduce inflammation, homocysteine, blood clotting, and triglycerides, among other benefits. An omega-3 fat supplement in the form of fish oil capsules or cod liver oil will establish healthy cell membranes that prevent inflammation and resist toxins and attack by pathogens. A Vitamin A supplement derived from fish oil is great for immune function and mucous membrane integrity helping to maintain a strong and vital immune system. One needs to take 2000 to 5000 mg a day for any benefit. For those patients who cannot tolerate statins; fish oil and omega-3-fatty acids are very good alternatives for treating cholesterol and triglycerides.
Magnesium
A key mineral for optimal heart health, Magnesium is a cofactor used in over 300 enzyme systems, including the ones involving the cell’s main energy storage molecule - ATP. The International Medical Veritas Association recommends topical application of Magnesium Chloride for flu prevention, along with zinc lozenges, Vitamin C and a properly hydrated body to strengthen the cells from their roots up. Magnesium Chloride addresses the greatest and most important deficiency in the body with upwards of 90 percent of the population deficient in this vital nutrient.
The most important ways to fend off the flu remain; washing hands, rest, hydration, and avoiding contact with infected individuals.
Of course, before you begin any new regimen of supplements, check with your cardiologist to see if they are right for you and your particular condition.
About the author:
Dr. Sheldon completed his Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation. He specializes in Interventional Cardiology including
Balloon Angioplasty, Laser, Directional Brachy Therapy, Atherectomy,
Stent Placement, Rotoblator, Perepheral Intervention, Renal Stenting,
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stenting and Acute Myocardial Infarction. Dr.
Sheldon sees patients in our Elyria and Sandusky offices.
.
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Posted by W. Scott Sheldon, DO, FACC on Wed, Oct 28, 2009
Artherosclerosis and cholesterol plaques are progressive. But they are also preventable. Web MD tells us of the nine risk factors that are to blame for up to 90% of all heart attacks
1. Smoking
2. High cholesterol
3. High blood pressure
4. Diabetes
5. Abdominal obesity ("spare tire")
6. Stress
7. Not eating many fruits and vegetables
8. Excessive consumption of alcohol -- more than one drink per day for women, or more than one or two drinks per day for men
9. Not getting regular physical activity
For people at moderate or higher risk from cholesterol plaques, taking one baby aspirin every day can help prevent clots from forming, but ask your doctor before starting--it can have side effects.
The best way to treat cholesterol plaques is to prevent them from forming. The second best—to stop them from progressing further. The lifestyle changes associated with the nine points above and, if needed, medicines can lower your risk of heart attacks and strokes.
But a healthy diet, frequent exercise, and not smoking, even with the help of cholesterol and blood pressure medicines, won't unclog arteries. Even after developing coronary artery disease it is not too late! You can still improve your chances of reducing heart attack and stroke by 80% by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, stop smoking, and being compliant with your medications!
Medically, various medications can lower cholesterol levels or doctors can perform procedures.
Medicines:
• statins (Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Mevacor, Simvastatin, Lovastatin)
• fibrates (TriCor, TriLipix, Fenofibrate)
• niacin (Niaspan)
• cholesterol binding agents (Zetia)
Treatments include:
• Angiography, angioplasty, and stenting: cardiac catheterization is when a catheter is inserted into an artery in the leg, so doctors can enter diseased arteries. With blocked arteries visible on a screen, a tiny balloon on the catheter is inflated to compress cholesterol plaque. Placing metal stents helps to keep arteries open.
• Bypass surgery: Surgeons harvest a healthy blood vessel from the leg or chest and use it to bypass blocked arteries.
These procedures involve a risk of complications. They are usually saved for people with significant symptoms or limitations caused by the cholesterol plaques of atherosclerosis.
About the author:
Dr. Sheldon completed his Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation. He specializes in Interventional Cardiology including
Balloon Angioplasty, Laser, Directional Brachy Therapy, Atherectomy,
Stent Placement, Rotoblator, Perepheral Intervention, Renal Stenting,
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stenting and Acute Myocardial Infarction. Dr.
Sheldon sees patients in our Elyria and Sandusky offices.
.
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Posted by W. Scott Sheldon, DO, FACC on Mon, Oct 26, 2009
Has your doctor used the word "hypercholesterolemia" when talking to you about your health? He or she is telling you that your cholesterol levels are high. That means it's time for a change in your diet and lifestyle to lower cholesterol and your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Even if your doctor has prescribed a cholesterol drug to bring levels down, you'll still need to change your diet and become more active for cardiovascular health.
Your body needs a small amount of cholesterol to function properly. But there is good and bad cholesterol. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein is the bad cholesterol responsible for plaque build up in the arteries. But HDL, (the "H" stands for "high"), is good. The American Heart Association says "Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from arterial plaque, slowing its buildup." HDL can be increased with exercise, moderate alcohol consumption, and certain statin medications (Niaspan, Lipitor, Zocor).
To lower LDL levels, load your meals with lots of fruits and vegetables - five to nine servings a day. Antioxidants in these foods may provide the benefit, or it may be that when we eat more fruits and veggies, we eat less fat. Either way, you'll also help lower blood pressure and maintain a healthy weight.
Unfortunately, there are no foods that really raise HDL, but some have been shown to have benefits for heart health. These include:
- Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids (such as fatty fish, soy products and dark, leafy greens)
- Walnuts
- Garlic
- Cook with Olive Oil (not margarine or butter)
These changes in diet, along with getting more exercise and giving up smoking and excessive drinking can go a long way to keeping your heart, and the rest of your body, healthy.
About the author:
Dr. Sheldon completed his Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation. He specializes in Interventional Cardiology including
Balloon Angioplasty, Laser, Directional Brachy Therapy, Atherectomy,
Stent Placement, Rotoblator, Perepheral Intervention, Renal Stenting,
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stenting and Acute Myocardial Infarction. Dr.
Sheldon sees patients in our Elyria and Sandusky offices.
.
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Posted by W. Scott Sheldon, DO, FACC on Wed, Oct 14, 2009
You already know that your heart is responsible for circulating blood throughout your body, and that your heartbeat is the sound of the heart muscle contracting to pump the blood through. You may also remember that the right side of the heart pumps the blood to the lungs, where the blood is enriched with fresh oxygen. Then the left side of the heart pumps the oxygenated blood to the rest of your body. When the left side becomes weak from heart attacks or other problems congestive heart failure can occur due to the decreased ability of the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body.
On the outside surface of the heart are three major blood vessels that feed the heart muscle. Two arteries feed the left side: the left anterior descending and circumflex; and one artery feeds the bottom and right side: the right coronary artery. These arteries can become inflamed or occluded with plaque thereby causing pain (angina) or even heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Inside the heart, each side has two pumping chambers – an atrium and a ventricle. The atrium serves as a “booster pump” that increases the filling of the ventricle. There is an opening with a valve between the right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV). Called the triscupid valve, it has three flexible thin parts, known as leaflets, that open and shut to let blood through, but also keep it from going backwards. Similarly the mitral valve allows blood to flow only in one direction on the left side.
Then there are valves regulating the flow of blood out of the heart. The pulmonic valve is at the entrance to the Pulmonary artery, where the blood goes to be oxygenated by the lungs. And the aortic valve does a similar job before the Aorta, where the blood goes to nourish the rest of your body. It all returns via either the superior vena cava from the head, neck and arms or from the lower portion of the body via the inferior vena cava.
You may be thinking right now that the heart is a rather complex piece of machinery (and you’d be right). If you need some visual aids, visit one of NOHC’s recommended web resources. Cardio Smart (American College of Cardiology) at and be sure to play the video!
About the author:
Dr. Sheldon completed his Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation. He specializes in Interventional Cardiology including
Balloon Angioplasty, Laser, Directional Brachy Therapy, Atherectomy,
Stent Placement, Rotoblator, Perepheral Intervention, Renal Stenting,
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stenting and Acute Myocardial Infarction. Dr.
Sheldon sees patients in our Elyria and Sandusky offices.
.
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