Know all about human heart: June 2011

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/learn-about-coronary-artery-disease_30.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfAAokhXa4Mendofvid
[starttext]
Dr. Jeffrey Brown explains that Atherosclerosis causes coronary heart disease. The video progresses to explain how artery walls get damaged, LDL and plaque formation.
.[endtext]

Learn About Coronary Artery Disease: part 2

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/learn-about-coronary-artery-disease.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFhm9FOQ2CYendofvid
[starttext]
Dr. jeffrey Brown explains about Coronary Artery Disease. Coronary artery disease is also called heart disease, CAD and coronary heart disease. This is the principal cause of heart attack. CAD is a highly preventable illness. The video goes on to explain about this disease in a methodical, detailed fashion.
[endtext]

Learn about Coronary Artery Disease: part 1

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/pregnancy-induced-hypertension.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCxwP2Zph3Iendofvid
[starttext]
This is called as gestational hypertension. Preeclampsia is a condition that arises during the second half of pregnancy that has the following symptoms:
High blood pressure
Protein in th urine
Swelling of legs or Edema.
[endtext]

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/secondary-causes-of-hypertension.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAUd-Us7augendofvid
[starttext]
The term secondary hypertension is used when there is an identifiable cause. Secondary hypertension occurs in about 5% of all hypertension cases. Secondary causes are exogenous factors like drugs, too much salt intake, obesity, stress, etc. The video also discusses many other secondary causes like heavy smoking, vascular disease, renal artery stenosis, etc.
[endtext]

Secondary Causes of Hypertension

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/medications-for-high-blood-pressure.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zTFVmUK1gkendofvid
[starttext]
Are you among the 25% of Americans that suffer from hypertension? Fortunately hypertension can be treated with prescription medication. The common medication types are:

1. ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors)

2. ARB drugs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers)

Both these medication types affect the hormonal system that affects blood pressure.

Some hypertension patients are treated with Beta-Blockers. Beta Blockers work on the sympathetic nervous system. This can slow down the heart rate and reduce contractions. This medication is useful for patients with Angina or who have had heart attacks. However, there are some side effects for this type of medication.
[endtext]

Medications for High Blood Pressure

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-monitor-your-blood-pressure-at.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq7R7JR5d38endofvid
[starttext]

How To Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home?

1. Blood pressure should be recorded at the same time of the day.
2. You have to be very relaxed at least for 5 minutes before checking.
3. Do not smoke or drink coffee prior to checking your blood pressure.
4. Be seated where you can rest comfortably.
5. Use the same arm every time.
6. Your arms should b rested on a table while checking blood pressure.
7. Make sure you have a standard blood pressure monitor.
8. Once in a while, take your blood pressure monitor to your doctor to check if it correlates with his monitor.
9. Maintain a log of the blood pressure readings.
10. TAKE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE LOG TO YOUR DOCTOR FOR ALL APPOINTMENTS.
[endtext]

How To Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/lifestyle-modification-for-hypertension.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qse36OuUMxoendofvid
[starttext]
What are the steps to take to modify your lifestyle to prevent hypertension?
1. Exercise daily
2. Monitor your blood pressure periodically.
3. Stick with the DASH diet.
4. Increase intake of folic acid and potassium.
5. Maintain ideal weight.

[endtext]

Lifestyle Modification for Hypertension

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/dash-diet-for-hypertension.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rBwbC_2EwAendofvid
[starttext]
DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. DASH diet is recommended by the JNC committee for hypertension. It is a healthy diet which includes lots of fruits, vegetables,greens, low sodium (salt), less saturated fat, and less red meat. The video also provides many recipes and interesting tips to create your own dash diet.
[endtext]

DASH Diet for Hypertension

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/causes-of-high-blood-pressure.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb8fj8gK4Mcendofvid
[starttext]
What causes high blood pressure?

The cause of high blood pressure or hypertension is not known in 90% of the cases. But the following traits can put you at high risk to develop hypertension:

1. Family History
2. If you are African American
3. Obesity
4. Diabetes
5. Dyslipidemia (Bad cholesterol)
6. Young women on oral contraception
7. Kidney disease

[endtext]

Causes of High Blood Pressure

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/effects-of-high-blood-pressure.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAmLbclSucQendofvid
[starttext]
Hypertension is a silent killer. If hypertension is present for a long time and untreated it can lead to consquences. That's when the patient starts to experience symptoms. Untreated Hypertension can affect the brain, heart, kidneys, eyes and peripheral arteries.

Warning signs:

1. Dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, slurred speech, focal weakness of limbs.
2. Chest pain, labored breathing, fatigue.
3. Decreased urine output, blood in urine (hematuria), puffiness around the eyes, swelling of legs.
[endtext]

Effects of High Blood Pressure

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/hypertension-silent-killer.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sFIq3N0XlQendofvid
[starttext]
Hypertension is a chronic disease which affects about half the population in the US. It remains as the single most important risk factor for coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, peripheral arterial disease and chronic kidney disease. Its important to understand what affects blood pressure . Hypertension is asymptomatic, therefore monitoring the blood pressure periodically remains the best method of detection.
[endtext]

Hypertension, the Silent Killer

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/real-patients-getting-ready-for-heart_19.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L5OtDGmV_0endofvid
[starttext]
This is part 2 of yesterday's video showing real patients getting ready for heart transplants.
[endtext]

Real Patients Getting Ready for Heart Transplant - 2

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/real-patients-getting-ready-for-heart.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v58x0uSPsyAendofvid
[starttext]
The video begins with Ron Myers and William Davenport, 2 patients who are ready to get a heart transplants in just a few hours. The cardiologists and the cardiac surgeons of UPenn give their best to save the dying hearts of these patients.

Cardiac transplant remains the only option for patients with end stage heart failure. But only a few donor hearts are available and the demand is huge. This makes it a long driven process which demands complete dedication and patience from the family and the patient.

[endtext]

Real Patients Getting Ready for Heart Transplant - 1

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/left-ventricular-assist-device-lvad.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvqiV4ef22Iendofvid
[starttext]
This is an animated video which illustrates how a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is placed and how it functions. In patients with end stage heart failure who have failed optimal medical therapy and cardiac resynchronization therapy, cardiac transplant remains the only option. LVAD is a bridging procedure for patients awaiting cardiac transplant.
[endtext]

Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/cardiac-resynchronization-therapy-crt.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AYy3IAQ4wYendofvid
[starttext]
This is an animated video which explains cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). CRT is a minimally invasive catheter based technique in the management of congestive heart failure patients who have persistent symptoms despite optimal medical therapy. the procedure involves passing a catheter through the groin like a heart catheterization. Finally the patient would have three catheters, one each in the following chambers:
1. Right Atrium
2. Right ventricle
3. Left ventricle lead also has the capacity of an internal defibrillator (AICD). All these catheters are connected to generator which is battery operated and the generator is placed subcutaneously over the chest wall.

[endtext]

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/medical-therapy-of-heart-failure-and.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcaUTnd5SOQendofvid
[starttext]
What does the video explain?

Dr. Michael Harper from UCSF very clearly explains the following:

1. Burden of heart failure
2. Causes of heart failure
3. Types of heart failure
4. Symptoms and signs of heart failure
5. Medical management of heart failure
6. Lifestyle modification which includes exercise and dietary change.
7. Risk factor modification
[endtext]

Medical Therapy Of Heart Failure and Overview

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/monitoring-heart-failure-at-home.html?m=0[/postlink]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mreVdAuy7VQendofvid
[starttext]
This video explains how to monitor the symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure, what the patients are supposed to look for and how to decide when to seek medical help.

Key points to be remembered by the patient:

1. Tracking daily body weight.
2.  Look for early symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling of legs, can help patients to be on top of things.
3. Watch the salt intake.
4.Balance the fluid intake and urine output.

Remember that CHF is a chronic condition and the helping patients to  learn about their symptoms will minimize their visits to the hospital.
[endtext]

Monitoring Heart Failure At Home

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/05/basics-of-congestive-heart-failure.html?m=0[/postlink]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTrM3kQSg2Iendofvid
[starttext]
This is the animated video illustrating the basics of CHF. The video explains the physiology behind heart failure. Heart attack can also cause left heart failure. Left heart failure is another term for CHF. The progressive nature of congestive heart failure if untreated, ultimately causes death. 
[endtext]

Basics of Congestive Heart Failure

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/living-with-atrial-fibrillation.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBtKzN7ZGqUendofvid
[starttext]
Phil Mooney talks about living with Atrial Fibrillation. He explains how he realized that he needed treatment for his condition. What was the treatment option he took, and how he is living now.
[endtext]

Living With Atrial Fibrillation

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/warfarin-coumadin-2.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUVi0CXK28Eendofvid
[starttext]
This is the second part of the video explain Warfarin / Coumadin Use . It explains on what patients should keep in mind:

1. Keep all appointments
2. Ask about drug interactions
3. Be consistent with your diet
4. Report bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, and one sided weakness
5. Not to double up on doses
6. Use a wallet card or alert bracelet
7. Tell all your health care provider that you are taking Warfarin / Coumadin

The video also explains Deep Vein Thrombosis, and other important information for patients.

[endtext]

Warfarin / Coumadin -2

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/warfarin-coumadin-1.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J9luqNhEvgendofvid
[starttext]
Warfarin is the generic name and the Coumadin is the brand name of the medicine that prevents blood clots or stops the clots getting bigger by thinning blood. The blood clots can break away and travel to various parts of the body. Instead of injections like heparin, warfarin can b taken by mouth. This is the reason why coumadin has become so popular in recent times. If you use Coumadin, you will still heal from cuts, but it may take longer.

Reasons for warfarin use:
1. At risk for forming a blood clot.
2. Have an existing blood clot.
3. Has Atrial Fibrillation

The video then goes on to explain Atrial Fibrillation in detail.
[endtext]

Warfarin / Coumadin -1

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/atrial-fibrillation-risk-stratification.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5c98fA_X-kendofvid
[starttext]
This video discusses the blood thinning medication for patients with atrial fibrillation.Dr. Manish Shah, an electrophysiologist explains the risk stratification for getting a stroke.

Risk factors for getting a stroke in addition to atrial fibrillation:

Heart failure
Age over 75 yrs
High blood pressure
High blood sugar or type 2 diabetes mellitus

The physicians use a system called Chad's score to determine what is the level of risk involved. The cardiologist also explains the treatment including coumadin prescription and a close monitoring window for the patients.

[endtext]

Atrial Fibrillation - Risk Stratification For Getting A Stroke

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/symptoms-of-atrial-fibrillation.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-erM-B16msendofvid
[starttext]
Here are the symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation:
1. Irregular, fast heartbeat.
2. Shortness of breath.
3. Feeling Lightheaded.
4. Dizziness.
5. Feeling weak.
6. Unable to exercise.
[endtext]

Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/causes-of-atrial-fibrillation.html?m=0[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5drvj9IKvC4endofvid
[starttext]
There are two broad classifications of causes for Atrial Fibrillation .
They are
(1) Medical Conditions: high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart valve problems.

(2) Things you put into your body: Stimulants like caffeine, Chocolate, Alcohol, Tobacco.
[endtext]

Causes Of Atrial Fibrillation

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/minimally-invasive-maze-procedure.html?m=0[/postlink]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QUy3Ro1mdMendofvid
[starttext]
The part of the heart around the pulmonary veins is believed to be the source if electrical disarray in atrial fibrillation. Mini maze is a surgical procedure for treating atrial fibrillation. Mini Maze is a procedure where you use a small pen like device through a hole on the lateral aspect of the chest wall. At the tip of the device is a laser source which identifies the target with minimal damage to the structures around. The main complication of surgical maze procedure is pulmonary vein stenosis which can be potentially reduced by the use of mini maze.
[endtext]

Minimally Invasive Maze Procedure

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/hybrid-maze-surgical-treatment-for.html?m=0[/postlink]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbI0_gZJDWMendofvid
[starttext]
Dr. Todd Florin, explains Hybrid Maze as an option to treat Atrial Fibrillation. Hybrid Maze is a surgical process to treat Atrial Fibrillation. It will b performed by a cardio-thoracic surgeon. The video shows the process beginning in the electrophysiology lab.The video shows an animated video of the surgical process. The specialized electrophysiologic radio frequency ablation device is a specialized vaccum device can be placed in relevant places. 

The ideal patient for this procedure would have the following characteristics:
1. Large left atrium.
2. Failed Prior Ablation.
3. No prior cardiac or abdominal surgery
 
[endtext]

Hybrid Maze - Surgical Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/catheter-ablation-for-atrial.html?m=0[/postlink]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21_bHAhJeNIendofvid
[starttext]
Charles Pyron had been grappling with Atrial fibrillation for years. He ended up in the emergency room several times because of his condition, he refers to as "fluttery heart". Patients with Atrial Fibrillation lose energy and feel very tired. Frustrated with the absence of a permanent solution, Charles searched online and found the perfect cardiologist, Doctor Vance Plumb in UAB. The goal of the procedure is pin pointing the spot which creates abnormal electrical signals and destroy the tissue that causes it.  
[endtext]

Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

[postlink]http://abcheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/synchronized-cardioversion-for-atrial.html?m=0[/postlink]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nsN0vdXZuYendofvid
[starttext]
The video above shows the synchronized cardioversion for atrial fibrillation. 
Cardioversion is defined as a “synchronized DC discharge, and does not apply to ventricular defibrillation or to the pharmacological reversion of arrhythmias.
The video shows a video of an actual male patient suffering from atrial fibrillation. The cardiologist and the nurses are involved in the process of synchronized electrical discharge.
[endtext]