Pistachio Linked With Obesity and Heart Disease

Pistachio is traditionally used in Indian cookery, for garnishing in savory and sweet dishes, for there typical flavor.  However they have health benefits which are not very well known. A research study has already proved that Pistachio helps treat erectile dysfunction.

Pistachios are cholesterol free and can be used to lower the cholesterol. They can also be used against high blood pressure and do have cardio protective ability. In order to maintain a good health and treating several disorders Pistachio can be helpful due to its bioactive constituents, fatty acid profile and nutrients properties. Also there are evidences that it can delay ageing, improve vision and prevent cancer.

There is 90% unsaturated fat in Pistachio and 55% MUFA – mono-saturated fatty acids, which are good for health. It is can reduce the bad and increase the good cholesterol levels. Reduction of heart disease and improvement in lipid profiles occur if Pistachios are included in the diet. In a STEP 1 National cholesterol Education program – NECP, when 45g-90g Pistachios were added per day in the diet it resulted in 9%-12% reduction in bad cholesterol.

When 90g were added to diet, there was an increase in good cholesterol in women.

If Pistachios are added to the diet it has good effect on the blood lipids and can protect coronary artery disease via Vasodialtion. Where in it stops the adhesion and aggregation of Platelet and protect us from Angina and Atherosclerosis.

It is rich in Phystosterols and natural substance called antioxidants, which can delay ageing and fight disease that includes:

1) Carotenoids: Lutein and Zeaxanthin 2) Tocopherols: precursor for Vitamin E 3) Beta-carotene: precursor for vitamin A, 4) Flavanoids, 5) Selenium.

Carotenoids help to protect retina degeneration and preventing strokes and heart attacks. The cancer preventing antioxidants are Tocopherols, polyphenols, Selenium, dietary fiber and Lutein.

Pistachio is also good for potassium, fiber and protein. Like other nut trees it is rich in Arginine which is an amino acid and had heart disease preventing abilities. Neurotransmitter synthesis in the brain is done by the amino acid and hence helps in controlling the addictive vibes and depression.

A recent study also asserts that Pistachios can control the body sugar and prevent problems due to Diabetes.
It is also good in weight reduction cause OEA – Oleoylethanolamide, can make you feel less hungry. Also is nuts are used in addition with the low calorie diet it will have well and longer effect on the obese people when they are improving sensitivity over insulin. Hence Pistachio is nutrient food for weight losers.

Early Signs, Symptoms of Future Heart Attack

In order to keep safe our family members and our self, it is very important to know the signs of heart attack.

It can be dangerous if you don’t know the symptoms of heart attack. The people that never suspected a heart attack will wait for very long time to seek medical help when they experience it.

So if you are educated on the symptoms and signs you can help others.

All the people that have heart attack may not experience unbearable and sudden pain. Some attacks are unexpected and powerful, but most are slow and mild, that cause minimal pain.

As per David Brongo cardiologist, Nyack Hospital, Columbia Doctors of the Hudson Valley, the signs of heart attack are:

In the middle of the chest you feel discomfort, which stays for some minutes, or goes away and comes back.

1. Discomfort felt on both or one arm, neck, jaw, back OR stomach.
2. Breathing shortness and can be without or with chest pain.
3. Light headedness, cold sweats or nausea.

If you are experiencing this signs more, than there are more chances that you are getting a heart attack. Women as compared to men will experience more signs as jaw or back pain, breath shortness or vomits and nausea.

Heart Medications

Women may experience a heart attack without any chest pain. Hence the attack can be misinterpreted with acid reflux or flu which is less severe.

If you think that you are getting heart attack you must call the emergency helpline. In a heart attack situation every minute is important and so it is smart to call 911, if there are any signs related to heart attack.

Don’t drive yourself to the hospital, but please ask somebody to drive. Once you call 911 life saving treatment in the journey to emergency room can be started by medical emergency people.

It is very important to get the signs and not ignore chest pain. Getting an immediate treatment is like being alive or it can cost your life.

Gel Treatment to Heal Damaged Heart Cells

Scientists at University of California has conducted a trial on a unique gel which would help to heal damaged heart tissues. The gel is hydrogel and can be injected directly to damaged part.

The gel is in trial and may seek FDA approval soon. It is prepared from tissues known as connective tissues. Connective tissue is one of the four basic types of tissue. The tissues used in gel are derived from Decellularized Ventricular Extracellular Matrix of heart. Derived tissues are then transformed into powder by freezing and drying. The powder along with special liquid, is then used to inject in heart.

Formation of new cells is initiated by connective tissues when the liquid consolidates and becomes partly solid. The overall process triggers formation of new cells at the injected area without disturbing functionalityies of heart. This eventually results in replacement of damaged cells with new cells. Apart from healing, the hydrogel also generates signals to stop further damage of the cells.

Other materials, used to heal damaged cells of heart, experimented on mice are suppose to be delivered by syringe or needle. But, none of them were suitable for delivery through catheter as most of the material blocked catheter because of rapid consolidation.

Scientists found, during experiment on rats, the gel very feasible as it was easily accepted by body at body temperature. Unlike other treatment hydrogel did not show side effects such as abnormal heart beats. That way the hydrogel has been concluded as safer.

Dr Karen Christman is one of the authors involved in trial.

The trial result has been demonstrated in Journal of the American Cardiology.

Effect of High Cholesterol Level on Heart

To understand high blood cholesterol (ko-LES-ter-ol), it is important to know more about it. It is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some to work the right way. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. It is also found in some of the foods you eat. Your body uses it to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Too much, can be serious. People with high blood cholesterol have a greater chance of getting heart disease.

This disease on its own does not cause symptoms; so many people are unaware that their cholesterol level is too high. It can build up in the walls of your arteries. This build-up is called plaque (plak). Over time, plaque can cause narrowing of the arteries. This is called atherosclerosis (ath-er-o-skler-O-sis), or hardening of the arteries.

Special arteries, called coronary arteries, bring blood to the heart. Narrowing of your coronary arteries due to plaque can stop or slow down the flow of to your heart. When the arteries narrow, the amount of oxygen-rich blood is decreased. This is called coronary heart disease (CHD). Large plaque areas can lead to chest pain called angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh). Angina happens when the heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina is a common symptom of CHD. Some plaques have a thin covering and can burst (rupture), releasing cholesterol and fat into the bloodstream.

The release may cause your blood to clot (and study has also proved that cholesterol drugs can reduce blood clots). A clot can block the blood flow. This blockage can cause angina or a heart attack. Lowering your cholesterol level decreases your chance for having a plaque burst and cause a heart attack. Cholesterol lowering drugs may also slow down, reduce, or even stop plaque from building up.

Merck's New Anti-Platelet Drug Produce Mixed Result

A new antiplatelet drug has shown significant ability to prevent blood clots. However, the drug also caused abnormal bleeding in clinical trial. Merck & Co is testing the drug in a trial which is believed to be largest drug trial conducted for any heart medicine so far.

The manufacturer company is seeking approval for Vorapaxar drug since last year. But the approval is denied because of bleeding caused by the drug in patients with history of stroke. Submitted data of the study included 26,449 participants.

Merck has been asked to stop the trial on patients who had stroke in recent past and, allowed to continue trial on heart attack patients who are in stable condition at present. Vorapaxar is currently being tested on patients who have recently been diagnosed with clogged leg arteries.

Latest trial data published by drug maker last month showed significant reduction in forming of blood clots, while on the other hand, it caused excessive bleeding. Experts are inconclusive whether the company would apply for approval. A trial named TRACER for same drug had failed too. It is also not clear whether Merck would conduct another trial on heart attack patients only.

Despite drug maker is quite happy with trial result, experts see very less possibility for approval. Drug usage will be limited to small group even if Vorapaxar succeeds to get approval.

BEST FOR HEART ATTACK PATIENTS

Researchers involved in trial claimed that after 30 months administered Vorapaxar met goal when it's effects were compared with other popular antiplatelet drug such as Plavix and Aspirin. In fact Vorapaxar reduced the risk of stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular diseases by 13% when compared with its other counterparts in market.


In past several decades Vorapaxar is first new antiplatelet drug which provides long time protection for to patients with history of heart attack, says Dr. David Morrow - lead researcher of the trial.

Natrecor a heart failure drug is found to be ineffective

A latest study published by New England Journal of Medicine says, Natrecor (nesiritide),the heart failure medicine is not effectual and is associated to increasing rates of possibly hazardous low blood pressure.

The heart failure drug Natrecor was approved in 2001 to help patients breathe without difficulty. According to the research, since the medicine had no major consequence on breathing problems or any other disease difficulty may also cause low blood pressure.

The study authors have noted that the research has recognized the possible risk and benefits of the drug in people with heart failure who have serious difficulty in breathing a condition also known as dyspnea as the illness is worsening.

To come up with new drugs, we require adequate plan and must have enough data, to rework the whole process so that the doctors and patients are comfortable. Billions of dollars were spent on Natrecor (nesiritide), where as we could have used Lasix which costs penny for single dose. We need to rethink the entire pharmaceutical industry process.

Even though, there were small non-specific effect on reducing death, re-hospitalization and improve dyspnea with nesiritide use for severely worsening heart failure. This result improves clinicians about the possible danger and benefits of Natrecor (nesiritide) in treating such patients.

In 2001 Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. approved nesiritide, the anxiety were raise which may also be associated with worsening of renal functioning and mortality.

It is said that Nesiritide, shall be not be taken away from the market, as it doesn't harm anyone, just because it doesn't hurt people it doesn't means that it should be made available in the market.

Heart Patients May Have Heart Attack if Stop Aspirin

Lately, in a study conducted in UK has found that heart patients who stop taking aspirin are at greater risk of heart attack than patients who take apirin.

Patients with record of heart disease in recent past are recommended to take lower dose of aspirin. It is found that half of the patients with heart disease stops taking prescribed medicine which are supposed to take for long time. Aspirin prevents clotting of blood in heart arteries which ensures smooth circulation of blood. Study of the records at UK hospitals revealed that not taking aspirin increased the chances of heart disease but nothing was known whether this may lead to heart attack. But latest research study revealed that discontinuing aspirin increases the events of heart attack.

Although aspirin is OTC (Over the Counter) drug, almost 65%-80% patients receive it from prescription. OTC drug can be bought from any local pharmacy store without prescription from doctor.

Heart Disease Patients Study

Data, obtained from UK primary care of The Health Improvement Network, was examined by Dr Luis Garcia and his team members. Data included 39,512 heart patients of aged between 50 and 85. All these patients were prescribed aspirin of strength 75mg to 300mg a day to prevent any future heart disease.

Possibility of heart attack and coronary disease was assessed by a comparison between the patients who continued taking aspirin and those who stopped taking aspirin.

Significantly increased risk

Study revealed that patients who lately stopped aspirin were at higher risk of heart attack than those who stopped long back. This simply means that within a year there were 4 patients, in every 1000 patients, at risk of heart attack. Those who stopped aspirin treatment were at low intensity attack.

Study - Cholesterol Meds Can Reduce Blood Clots

Heart Attacks and Stroke can stem from Blood Clots and this can be very frustrating indeed. It has been observed through wide medical research that if your body is affected by cholesterol and fat, then chances are that you may develop Blood Clots. The research study was carried out by Dr Jon Gibbins who is serving as Director atthe Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research (ICMR). This can hazardous to your health and can result in cardiac arrests. Now, news is that the cholesterol busting medicines can be effectively used to remove the blood clots from the body of the person.

There is a specific type of Blood clot called as Thrombosis that is also behind the occurrence of strokes and heart attacks in patients. The Researchers were amazed by the effect of these drugs on blood clots. This will save the lives of countless people who suffer from strokes because of clots. This study was conducted on mice and was found that after administering the drug on them, the protein which triggers cholesterol and fat in humans, the clots were shown to be reduced significantly.

One of the major research behind this discovery said that “Thrombosis causes heart attacks and strokes in patients and this new treatment will eliminate the damage caused by blood clots and hence it is very encouraging news to all of us”. UK is one the places where every year, a huge number of people fall victims to stroke and heart attacks. This medical research was done by UK researchers with a great success.
With this discovery proving worthy, now new medicines can be made to eliminate the deadly effects of blood clots in humans. This treatment will sure save the lives of thousands.

It is believed that anti-impotence pills like cialis or Viagra (Sildenafil citrate) may help reduce blood clots.

Cardiologist Links Erectile Dysfunction To Future Heart Diseases

Dr Nick Gerning, a renowned cardiologist links erectile dysfunction to future cardiovascular (heart related) disease. He independently surveyed his patients who were treated, in past, for vascular problem or heart problem. Dr Nick found 60% of the patients who suffered heart attack had had erectile dysfunction problem before the heart attack.

Hence, Erectile dysfunction could be an early sign of heart diseases. "Given that penal artery is much smaller in size than main heart arteries, it is the first that gets blocked which results in difficulty in erection." He explains.

More concerning fact is only 10 percent of the total ED patients reports or seeks medical consultation with physician. This, as Dr nick believe, was how most of the heart events were difficult to predict. But if men are made aware of this relation between ED and heart disease they more are likely to discuss their problem with doctor. Usually men with ED problem starts taking erectile dysfunction medication such as viagra or cialis rather than consulting doctor.

Dr Nick emphasizes on a programme that includes awareness amongst physicians for this link so that they can educate their patients.

Many research and studies have found viagra effective in heart diseases. Since viagra dilates blood vessles it helps to lower blood pressure also.