The L-carnitine, a compound abundant in red meat and often added as a complement to many energy drinks, could be promoting atherosclerosis according to research published in Nature Medicine. The study, by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic (USA), shows that the bacteria in the human digestive tract metabolize L-carnitine, making trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite that…
Egg white is used to lower blood pressure
A Chinese study revealed that a protein in eggs could be effective in regulating blood pressure and reducing its level. Its ability to inhibit the action of a substance that raises the pressure has already been discovered. Eggwhite does not affect the cholesterol rate and can be consumed without restrictions. But now, in addition, Chinese…
Cutting down on sleep impairs blood vessel functions
A new study found that reducing the duration of sleep for two consecutive nights leads to a less healthy vascular function and impaired breathing control. The researchers worked with eight healthy adult volunteers aged 20-35 and for the first two nights of the study participants slept for eight hours a night but from there on,…
The first portable and intelligent heart monitor has been developed
The device, which should reach the market this year with the name Nexcor, was developed by a group of specialists in Brazil is the first smart portable heart monitor in the world, which allows remote sending electrocardiograms, ocation of the patient for assistance and early detection heart problems. This device automatically detects earliest variations of…
The more time a person spends watching TV, the worse their vascular functions become.
There is a connection between the number of hours a person spends watching TV and his/her cardiovascular health. The results of this study, which were recently published in the American Journal of Hypertension, are taken from the work on healthy lifestyles collected from six primary care centers in Barcelona, Zaragoza, Cuenca, Bilbao, Valladolid and Salamanca.…
Aortic stenosis, patient guide
Aortic valve stenosis occurs when calcium deposits in the valve cause leaflets hardening. It is a degenerative process that gets worse as the person ages. As the disease develops, valve opening is narrowed, obstructing blood flow and forcing the heart to pump harder. Aortic valve replacement is the standard treatment for severe aortic stenosis. Without…
Erectile dysfunction is associated to cardiovascular disease
The risk of future cardiovascular disease and death increases with the severity of erectile dysfunction in men with and without a history of cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in ‘Plos Medicine’. Severe erectile dysfunction directly correlates with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and hospitalization for all cause mortality. Men with no known history…
The ambulance is the best way to get to the hospital in case of an infraction
Only 16 per cent of patients suffering a myocardial infarction call 911 for help, stated the experts of the Semicyuc: the Spanish Medical Society of ICU (Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva y Unidades Coronarias), at the ARIAM study presentation. This study branched out of a three month registry of 2,051 MI patients. From these data…
What can we do to improve our cardiovascular health?
Among the things we do to take care of our health are: . Regular exercise: ideally, we should practice sports for 20 minutes, three days a week. Any activity serves well, as long as it adjusts to age, physical condition and cardiovascular situation. Regular exercise produces endorphins, which improve your mood and cause euphoria and…
What is a Catheterization?
A catheterization is a procedure used to examine the condition of arteries in a specific organ of the body, for example, the arteries of the heart. To visualize vessels, an iodinated contrast dye is injected directly into the artery, which is reached from the peripheral access sites (a.k.a. thegroin, femoral access, traditionally preferred; the wrist,…
What is an angioplasty?
An angioplasty is a procedure performed to improve blood flow in the body’s arteries and veins. In an angioplasty procedure, imaging techniques are used to guide a balloon tipped catheter (a very thin tube) into an artery or a vein and advance it to where the vessel is blocked or narrowed. The balloon is then…