Battling Heart and Stroke

Winter time is a difficult time for many people. It’s cold, dark, and gloomy. No wonder winter is associated with high incidence of depression.

Currently available data indicate that depressed individuals have a 50% higher risk for cardiovascular disease than those without psychological problems. Guidelines issued by American Heart Association (AHA) and endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association recommend that cardiac patients be routinely screened for depression. In addition, treatment of depression is commonly addressed during cardiac rehabilitation. In related previous posts, depression among heart patients were shown to be best tackled with a combination of psychotherapy and physical exercise.

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Patients who survive a stroke need specialized care and rehabilitation. However, not all hospitals have specialized stroke units. And not all stroke victims have close access to a medical facility. Thus, the concept of telemedicine is being harnessed to augment the shortcomings of medical care. Medicine.net defines telemedicine as

the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications for the health and education of the patient or healthcare provider and for the purpose of improving patient care. Telemedicine includes consultative, diagnostic, and treatment services.

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The field of robotics can help improve rehabilitation techniques for stroke patients. This is according to researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Using a hand operated device that work together with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the researchers could “look” into the brain of stroke victims to see how and whether they can be rehabilitated.

It was previously thought that rehabilitation is only possible three to six months after the occurrence of the stroke. Once this “short window of opportunity” is missed, rehabilitation can become very difficult, maybe even impossible. Using the new method, the researchers found out this is not always the case.

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The brain plays a very important role in cardiovascular health. And whatever soothes the brain is good for the heart. Like music.

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Background

Time and time again, studies have shown that many patients become depressed after suffering from major cardiac events. This occurs even after successful surgery and interventions. The reasons for this depression are many and may differ depending on the age of the patients (see previous post).

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Because of advances in medical science, prognosis for coronary heart patients is now better than ever. Better treatment, better survival rates and better life expectancy.

However, though these patients live longer, they are not necessary happier. Many suffer from postoperative depression and fear of death. More →

Fish and omega-3 fatty acids

Fish is a good natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, the heart-friendly fats that according to the American Heart Association (AHA): More →

Every year, over 700,000 people in the US suffer from stroke. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the number 3 cause of mortality in the US, after heart diseases and different types of cancer.

Those who are lucky to survive this monster can end up with after effects that would include paralysis, speech or language impairment, vision problems, behavioural changes, and memory loss.

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Is home monitoring by patients with heart disease and/or hypertension a feasible alternative? According to experts and results of recent studies, there’s actually no place like home for monitoring cardiovascular patients.

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Those rehab exercises can be a bore sometimes. Treadmill, cycles, weights, sit-ups…I’m sure many cardiac patients on rehab get sick of these exercises and are simply tempted to stop. Well, this Mexican doctor may just have found a better alternative…What about dancing?

Dr Paula Quiroga of the National Institute of Cardiology Ignacio Chavez of Mexico City went for dancing steps instead of the usual rehab routine and got better results. More →