The mitochondria in cells produce energy. In the process they form reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species, also called free radicals or oxygen radicals are used in many metabolic processes that are essential to life. For example, they are are part of enzyme reactions in the body. White blood cells, like neutrophils produce reactive oxygen...
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The adrenal glands-which are also called suprarenal glands-are part of the endocrine system and are found on the top of each kidney. How the endocrine system hormones work Hormones secreted from glands of the endocrine system travel in the bloodstream to target cells. Target cells have receptors that are specific to each hormone. The hormones and receptors...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined the safety and effectiveness of ticagrelor (Brilinta) in patients with multi-vessel coronary disease (MVD) who had a previous heart attack. It was determined that ticagrelor reduced the risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), but increased the risk of certain types of bleeding. Some background Coronary...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study compared the safety and effectiveness of second generation drug eluting stents (DES) and bare-metal stents (BMS) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It was determined that second generation DES reduced the chances of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event (MACE). Some background...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the effect of high platelet reactivity (HPR) on major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in people who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It was determined that people with HPR were more likely to have a MACE. Some background PCI (or angioplasty) is a non-surgical procedure where narrow or...
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This week, the American Heart Association put out its first Scientific Statement on SCAD-spontaneous coronary artery dissection. “Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has emerged as an important cause of acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, and sudden death, particularly among young women and individuals with few conventional...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated whether sodium tanshinone IIA sulfate (STS) plus atorvastatin (Lipitor) would be more effective at lowering high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels than atorvastatin alone. It was determined that the combination reduced hs-CRP levels more than atorvastatin alone. Some background Coronary artery...
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After three hurricanes, flooding, fires and mudslides, and now severe cold and snow in the Deep South and throughout the country, the US has had its share of emergencies. Are you prepared? For people who rely on oxygen, who are on dialysis, have diabetes or other serious conditions, it is time to think about putting together some of the essentials. What...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the benefits and risks of adding clopidogrel (Plavix) to aspirin in people at high risk of getting heart disease or having a stroke, and in people who already have heart disease. It was determined that the combination reduced the risk of heart attacks and stroke, but had no effect on mortality, and increased the...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the effect of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on in-hospital mortality of patients who have had heart attacks. The effects of age, sex, type of heart attack, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were examined. It was determined that PCI reduced mortality in all groups. Some background PCI is an...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated if monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) is associated with increased risk of heart failure in coronary artery disease. They found that high MLR was associated with heart failure markers and can predict the likelihood of hospitalization for heart failure. Some background Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a...
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These new goals are based on a significant number of research studies but especially the SPRINT study. This was a large investigation with more than 9000 patients over the age of 50 whose blood pressure measured higher than 130 mm Hg. Participants also had at least one of these risk facts: 1) “Presence of clinical or subclinical cardiovascular...
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