Angina - Unstable Angina Pectoris

What Is Atrial Fibrillation?

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:57:41 +0000

Atrial fibrillation (also known as AF and AFib) is a condition in which your heart’s atria (the two upper chambers) flutter, or fibrillate. This causes an arrhythmia. To understand how the problem occurs, it’s important to appreciate how your heart functions.

The organ has four chambers: two atria (upper chambers) and two ventricles (lower chambers). Within the right atrium, a group of cells known as the sinoatrial node generates electrical impulses. These impulses spread throughout your atria, causing them to contract. As the contractions cause blood to move from the atria into the ventricles, the impulses travel to the atrioventricular node. This is another group of cells that sits between the ventricles and atria. Once the ventricles are filled with blook, the signals move from the atriventicular node through the ventricles, resulting in contractions.

In AFib, the electrical signals do not start at the sinoatrial node; they start elsewhere. Rather than following the uniform path described above, the signals spread erratically through your atria. That causes them to flutter. Moreover, the impulses overwhlen the atrioventricular node, which, in turn is unable to transmit the signals to the ventricles at the same pace they recieve them. The result is that your atria will fibrillate and your ventricles will beat faster than normal, but your heart’s rhythm will be completely disorganized.

How It Impacts Your Life

Because your ventricles receive a barrage of electrical impulses, they contract more quickly than they should. They do so before they can fill completely with blood. As a result, when they contract, less blood is sent throughout your body. You may notice a shortness of breath, disorientation and exhaustion after even light physical effort.

You’ll also feel your heart beating more quickly and harder than is normal. This is due to the organ working harder to send a sufficient amount of oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.

The most serious complications of atrial fibrillation are stroke and heart failure. Stroke can occur as the result of blood clots that form within the atria, especially the left atrium. If one of the clots moves from the atrium, it can reach a carotid artery and cause a stroke. Heart failure can occur due to your ventricles beating too quickly as the result of receiving a stream of electrical impulses.

How Atrial Fibrillation Is Treated

Atrial fibrillation is not always dangerous. Mild cases may be treated with anticoagulants that will prevent clotting in the atria. However, severe caseas are, in most cases, best dealth with using surgery. Many years ago, open chest surgery was necessary in order for the surgical team to access the heart. Today, AFib can be resolved through a minimally invasive maze procedure.

During maze surgery, a surgeon will create a maze of scar tissue on the atria. The scarred tissue cannot conduct electricity, so the signals are forced to travel along the maze created by the surgeon. This helps to control the impulses and thereby, regulate the heartbeat. If you suffer from AF, ask your doctor whether a maze procedure is a viable solution.

Know The Risks – Atrial Fibrillation and The Maze Procedure

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:02:44 +0000

A lot of people misunderstand the causes and potential side effects of atrial fibrillation (commonly known as Afib). Even among those who have coped with the disorder for years, there is a mistaken belief that the condition is harmless. In reality, it is not. It can lead to stroke, heart failure, and other consequences.

To review, Afib is characterized as an erratic discharge of rapid electrical impulses that spread across your heart’s atria (i.e. the two upper chambers). Rather than contracting in sync with your heart’s ventricles (i.e. the two lower chambers), the atria flutter – or fibrillate. In some cases, the disorder causes no noticeable symptoms. In other cases, the patient might be at risk of experiencing medical events that can be life-threatening.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the dangerous risks involved with not addressing atrial fibrillation. We’ll also describe an operation called the maze procedure that a growing number of surgeons are using to resolve the condition.

The Risk Of Stroke

A stroke is caused by blood clots that clog one of the arteries of the brain. The clots seldom form in these arteries; instead, they form elsewhere, break away, and travel with your blood.

Atrial fibrillation can result in the pooling of blood with one or both of your atria. As a result, the blood begins to clot. As long as the clots remain inside the atria, they pose little danger. However, they can break away and move through your ventricles on their way to the aorta.

Blood flows from your heart into the aorta and toward your brain. The clots can move with your bloodstream until they reach and clog a main artery. That produces a stroke. Common symptoms of a stroke can include partial paralysis, eye problems, and difficulty remembering things.

The Risk Of Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is overworked to the point of exhaustion. This can happen for a number of reasons, including coronary artery disease, diabetes, and of course, atrial fibrillation. In the latter case, the rapid electrical signals cause the atria to flutter so quickly that they eventually wear themselves out and weaken the heart. That reduces your heart’s ability to pump blood effectively throughout your body. As a result, the heart muscle becomes enlarged and is further weakened.

Secondary Side Effects

The reduced ability of your heart muscle to pump oxygen-rich blood to your tissue and organs can produce a number of secondary side effects. For instance, your lower extremites (i.e. ankles and feet) may start to swell. Moreover, it’s quite common for the abdomen to also begin expanding.

Depending on the severity of the Afib-induced heart failure, you may experience a level of organ damage. This is due to your organs not receiving a sufficient supply of oxygen-rich blood.

You might also develop a persistent cough and shortness of breath if the condition produces excess fluid around your lungs. Unless Afib is resolved, these side effects can become permanent.

Maze Procedure To Resolve Afib

The most common method for addressing atrial fibrillation is the maze procedure. This is an operation during which your surgeon will create incisions or use catheter ablation to produce a maze of scar tissue across the surface of your atria. Scar tissue cannot conduct electricity. By designing this path, your surgeon can reroute the erratic patterns of the electric impulses. In effect, the surgeon is able to guide the signals along a defined path, thereby eliminating the fluttering and restoring a uniform rhythm for your heartbeat.

Atrial fibrillation can remain undetected for years. This is one of the reasons many patients never seek treatment. The problem is, the condition can be potentially dangerous, depending on its severity. If you suspect you have Afib, consult your doctor regarding whether the maze procedure is an appropriate solution for your circumstances.

How Is a Mitral Valve Repaired?

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:49:03 +0000

Blood flows between your left atrium and left ventricle through the mitral valve (MV). Normally, the sinoatrial node produces electrical impulses that travel through the atria (your heart’s upper chambers) before reaching the ventricles (the lower chambers). The impulses trigger contractions. As the left atrium contracts, blood is sent through the mitral valve. The valve opens and allows blood to flow through, then closes to prevent backflow from the ventricle.

MV failure can be caused by the stenosis (narrowing) or leaking (also known as regurgitation). Both problems can be caused by congenital defects, disease, or rheumatic fever. A regurgitant mitral valve may also be caused by coronary artery disease. Below, we’ll take a look at mitral valve repair for both stenosis and regurgitation. We’ll also explore why reparing the valve is usually a better method than replacing it.

How Narrowing Is Resolved

Mitral stenosis, whether due to a congenital defect or rheumatic fever, is characterized by the valve’s flaps (or leaflets) being fused together. Since the opening between the atrium and ventricle is narrowed, the atrium is forced to work much harder than normal to force blood into the ventricle. The condition is not immediately life-threatening, but can eventually lead to heart failure.

When the MV suffers stenosis, a procedure called mitral commissurotomy can be performed. It can be done through open surgery (i.e. cutting through the breastbone) or by catheterization. In the latter case, a balloon is affixed to a catheter which is threaded to the mitral valve. Once the catheter arrives at the site, the balloon is inflated and stretches the valvular opening.

How Regurgitation Is Resolved

Stenosis is less common that regurgitation. It is often due to a cleft in the valve (also called leaflet prolapse). Because the valve fails to completely seal the opening between the left atrium and left ventricle, blood can leak from one chamber to the other (in both directions). In many cases, the cleft can simply be sewn closed, thereby resolving the leakage.

Another approach is annuloplasty. The valve’s leaflets are naturally attached to the heart by a ring-shaped annulus. Annuloplasty is a procedure during which a surgeon positions a synthetic ring around the annulus to provide support for the leaflets.

Advantages Of Repairing Over Replacing

There are situations in which the mitral valve has become so defective or damaged that repair is no longer an option. In such cases, it must be replaced. That said, whenever possible, a surgeon will recommend repairing the valve over replacing it. There are many advantages to doing so.

For example, there is less likelihood of infection or stroke due to the absence of foreign material. There is also no need for anticoagulants, which must be taken by the patient when a replacement valve is used. Moreover, the survival rate among patients who undergo mitral valve repair is higher than the survival rate for those who receive replacements.

Mitral valve repair surgery is an effective approach for resolving stenosis or regurgitation. While valvular defects rarely present immediate danger to a patient’s life, the surgery can provide an improved lifestyle.

Acai Berries for a Healthy Heart

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:03:02 +0000

Most people have heard about the great benefits of the acai berry. One of the most crucial is the fact that it helps people with heart problems, slows them down or even prevents future heart issues. How does the acai berry doe this and what exactly is it that it does?

One of the most concerning health issue with the heart includes cholesterol. Around 490,000 Americans alone die every year due to Coronary Heart Disease and elevated cholesterol levels. With the ability to regulate or maintain cholesterol levels, many people throughout the world would be able to lead healthier lifestyles.

That’s where the acai berry comes into play. There are several compounds in the acai berry that help reduce cholesterol levels, blood pressure and promote antioxidants within the body. Regular use of the acai berry in any form can help lower cholesterol levels and ultimately a better heart. However, it’s not just cholesterol that acai takes care of. The calcium-rich fruit also reduces the impact and stress of osteoporosis on and maintains skeletal strength. Not only this, but people who suffer from high blood pressure also seem to have a diet low in calcium, according to some studies. If they add calcium to their diet, their blood pressure is reduced. This keeps strain off of the heart. And what better way to get more calcium without the cholesterol of milk and other dairy products than the acai berry? It’s readily available in different forms from juice to powders and supplements all over the world as it becomes more well known.

Vitamin E, also found in abundance in this berry (twice the Daily Value!), plays an important role as well. It’s very useful for fixing damaged tissue and a protective agent. “Acai” high fiber content is very favorable to the consumers proper intestinal function, ” reports Dr. Herve Rogez , “Fiber accelerates the intestinal processes and has a very important role in avoiding colon cancer, The D.V. is 35g of fibers/adult a day, Acai consumers reach this dose very easily.” Not only do consumers protect themselves from heart, skin and other problems, but acai has also shown great potential for fighting and possibly curing cancer.

Acai’s high fiber content also accounts for a healthy heart and body. It is very beneficial for proper digestive function. It’s also key in avoiding and preventing colon cancer. Keeping your body healthy help the heart beat easier and overall body processes work at their most proficient.

Overall, the acai berry’s many benefits don’t stop just at boosting energy and having many antioxidants. With new experiments and continual research on this superfood, many things are being discovered about it every day. It might one day even help battle cancer. But even without knowing that, with the berry’s ability to cleanse and keep the body healthy, it is becoming more and more popular, especially with those who are looking to become healthier without having to resort to drastic measures. And with acai becoming more popular, it is also becoming more easily available all across the world in supermarkets and other shops.

What Are My Options With Maze Surgery?

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:25:33 +0000

The maze procedure is the primary form of treatment for resolving atrial fibrillation (Afib). If the condition is not severe, doctors may suggest alternative solutions, such as anticoagulants, electrical cardioversion, and medications. When medications are prescribed, the goal may be twofold. Your doctor might seek to reduce the rate of your ventricles’ beating and control your heart’s rhythm. It’s important to underscore that none of these approaches cure Afib; they merely represent strategies to treat the symptoms.

The underlying cause of atrial fibrillation is erratic electrical signals that spread rapidly through your atria in a disorganized pattern. Below, you’ll learn about the different types of maze surgery that are performed to cure the disorder. The procedure has evolved over the last 25 years and now involves minimally invasive techniques.

Cox Maze III

The original method (called the Cox Maze) was developed by Dr. James Cox in 1987. It involved the surgeon making a series of incisions into the patient’s atria to create a maze through which the erratic electrical signals could be guided. This takes place due to the presence of scar tissue, which does not conduct electricl current.

Since 1987, Dr. Cox’s method has evolved. The Cox Maze III is one of a series of iterations and still uses incisions to create scarring. Becuase of the complexity of the procedure, many surgeons have abandoned it for other methods that yield the same results with a lower mortality rate. One of those methods is called the Cox Maze IV.

Cox Maze IV (Surgical Ablation)

This iteration of Dr. Cox’s original procedure uses surgical ablation to create scar tissue rather than incisions. The ablative energy can come from a number of different sources, including microwave, cryoablation, bipolar radiofrequency, laser, and ultrasound. It is just as effective as the previous version, but can be performed in less time with fewer complications.

The Cox IV is typically performed when the patient is already undergoing other open-heart procedures (i.e. coronary artery bypass graft, mitral valve repair, etc.) It can be done while the patient’s heart is arrested or while it is still beating. While the Cox IV can be used to cure atrial fibrillation, most Afib cases that are standalone are resolved through the minimaze strategy.

Minimaze

The minimaze method is a minimally invasive procedure for curing atrial fibrillation when the patient does not need other types of heart surgery. If the patient is only suffering from Afib, there’s no need to perform open heart surgery or arrest his or her heart. The minimaze can be performed with a few small incisions.

The entire operation takes a few hours. The surgeon will make three or four cuts on both sides of the patient’s chest. The ablation tool, thoracoscope, and other instruments are inserted through these incisions to access the heart.

Catheter Ablation

Catheter ablation is similar to the minimaze, though the path taken to the heart is slightly different. It too, is a minimally invasive strategy. A catheter is inserted into the groin, arm, or neck, and guided toward the heart. A small hole is made in the septal wall to allow the catheter to pass from the right atrium to the left atrium. There, it ablates the tissue to create a conduction block. As with other forms of maze surgery, the conduction block prevents the passage of erratic electrical signals.

Maze surgery has evolved substantially since Dr. Cox developed his original method in 1987. The tools available to surgeons have likewise evolved. From the Cox III and IV to the minimaze and catheter ablation, new methods are currently in development. The up side is that atrail fibrillation can now be cured without the need to endure open heart surgery. For many patients, that opens the door to finally resolving a longstanding heart condition.

Understanding Mitral Valve Prolapse

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:39:04 +0000

Blood returns to your heart from every part of your body. It flows into the organ’s right side through the vena cavae. It leaves the right side and travels to your lungs where it is replenished with oxygen. Newly enriched with oxygen, blood flows into your heart’s left side before leaving the organ in order to be circulated throughout your body.

Your mitral valve (MV) is one of four valves that help regulate the flow of your blood as it moves through your heart. It is located between your left atrium (one of two upper chambers) and left ventricle (one of two lower chambers). This particular valve can experience problems that affect the flow of blood between these two chambers. One such problem is called mitral valve prolapse (MVP).

Here, we will provide you with a brief overview regarding the causes and potential risks associated with MVP. We’ll also explain how mitral valve repair addresses the disorder.

Possible Causes Of The Disorder

If the MV is working as it should, its two leaflets (or, flaps) close after blood flows through it into your left ventricle. When the leaflets close, the opening becomes sealed, thereby preventing blood from flowing back into your left atrium. Prolapse is the over-enlargement of one of the two leaflets, causing the leaflet to bulge back into the atrium whenever the heart beats. As a result, the opening between your atrium and ventricle does not seal off properly. Blood is allowed to flow back into the upper chamber.

The causes of MVP are unknown, though experts have speculated the disorder is related to Marfan syndrome (a condition in which your body’s connective tissue is irregular). Other possible causes include a specific type of kidney disease and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Often, patients are born with a “floppy” mitral valve.

Potential Complications That Can Arise

Prolapse may be severe or minor. Most patients who have the disorder suffer few if any symptoms. That being said, when the condition is serious, it can lead to a number of complication, most commonly in the elderly.

The most common byproduct of prolapse is regurgitation. This is a condition, as already described, in which blood flows from your left ventricle into your left atrium because the opening is not properly sealed. In severe cases of regurgitation, you may be exposed to potential heart failure.

Another side effect of prolapse is an arrhythmia. There is far less risk inherent with arrhytmias than a severly regurgitant mitral valve, though your physician will most likely want to monitor it over time.

Prolapse can also lead to endocarditis. This is an infection of your endocardium, a membrane that forms a lining between your heart’s chambers and valves. MVP can promote the growth of bacteria, leading to an infection of this lining.

How Is The Disorder Treated?

Depending on the severity of the condition, your doctor may prescribe one or more medications to treat the symptoms. For example, beta blockers can help reduce an arrhythmia while aspirin and anticoagulants can help prevent the formation of blood clots.

For patients who are suffering from severe MVP, surgery may be necessary to correct the disorder. A physician may choose either to repair the malfunctioning mitral valve or replace it. The second approach is usually reserved for instances in which mitral valve repair is not a viable option. If surgery is possible, the surgeon may perform a triangular resection or chordal transfer, depending on which of the two leaflets is abnormal.

Open heart surgery was once necessary to perform mitral valve repair. Today, a minimally invasive approach is commonly taken. This usually results in less post-op pain and a quicker recovery. If you suffer from a malfunctioning mitral valve that is causing severe problems, ask your physician whether a triangular resection or chordal transfer is an option.

Serious Skin Care Products – Overview

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:15:14 +0000

Did you know that serious skin care is an absolute must since taking care of your skin is serious business? If you do not take care of your skin it will suffer from extreme hurt probably to the extent but it will not even be able to be repaired. A skin care philosophy needs to be implemented rapidly.

Taking care of your skin earlier than you start experiencing any damage is the value time to establish since when you wait it might be extra awkward and take much longer to reverse the harm.

Implementing a skin care regime into your daily routine is the best and merely way to keep on your skin healthy and when you are already experiencing injured skin you should indisputably begin your regime since soon since possible.

Trying to stop trouble skin is ideally what you need to be doing, on the other hand, this should set up at an early age. However if you are already experiencing dilemma skin due to aging or effortlessly neglect do not despair.

I suffered the same fate you are nowadays going directly and took matters into my own hands as I decided I would not spend the respite of my life with unhealthy skin.

Armed with the internet I began researching and consider me I did some intense research and started getting frustrated, sometimes even shocked at what I was learning about the ingredients that these skin care products were made of. I thought how were these companies allowed to recover away with using these ingredients in these products.

Lo and behold I came across a line of products manufactured in New Zealand and was really amazed at their product line, conversely more dramatic were the ingredients and how natural they appeared to be.

After much research I started using these products and enclose had no regrets subsequently far. I am not saying it will work overnight, it won’t, conversely with consistent use it will create to repair and rejuvenate your skin in a idea of months.

I though you to read other articles about: herbal treatment, microdermabrasion treatments and also post nasal drip treatment

Atrial Fibrillation Treaments: The Maze Procedure

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:07:16 +0000

Over 2 million people in the U.S. suffer from atrial fibrillation (also referred to as AF or AFib). The likelihood of developing the condition increases as you grow older. It is estimated that nearly 5% of those who are over the age of 65 suffer from it. While it has traditionally been treated with medications such as anti-arrhythmics and shock therapy, the Maze procedure is far more effective. In this article, we’ll provide a brief overview of atrial fibrillation and describe how Maze surgery resolves the condition.

Erratic Rhythm Within The Heart’s Chambers

Your heart consists of four chambers: two atria (upper) and two ventricles (lower). They relax and contract rhythmically in order for your heart to pump blood throughout your body. The rhythm is determined by electrical signals that are generated by your sinus node, a group of cells that are located within the upper right chamber. In effect, the sinus node functions like an organic pacemaker.

The electrical signals that are produced in the sinus node are supposed to follow a defined path through your atria and ventricles. Usually, they begin by travelling through the upper chambers of the heart, causing them to contract and force blood into the chambers below. The electrical impulses then travel through the atrioventricular node and onward through the ventricles, causing them to contract.

An irregular, erratic heartbeat characterizes atrial fibrillation. The impulses from the sinus node flow through the atria chaotically, causing them to contract unpredictably. This can lead to heart palpitations, poor circulation, and breathing difficulties.

Resolving The Problem With The Maze Procedure

The Maze procedure can be used to design a path along which the sinus node’s electrical signals travel. This is accomplished by creating scar tissue. Because scar tissue cannot conduct electricity, it is capable of disrupting the erratic impulses and preventing them from occurring.

During the operation, a surgeon will make several small incisions into the left and right atria. The incisions must be precisely positioned to create a clear pathway for the impulses to follow. Once the incisions have been made, they are immediately sewn back together to create scarring.

Open Versus Minimally Invasive Techniques

The Maze procedure can be performed either through open surgery (sternotomy) or by taking a minimally invasive approach. Open heart surgery requires that the sternum is split and the heart is stopped. There is a significant risk of infection and substantial postoperative pain.

A minimally invasive approach eliminates the need for the surgeon to split the sternum or stop the heart. Rather, multiple small incisions are made between the ribs; a camera and surgical instruments are inserted through the incisions to access the site and complete the procedure. There is less likelihood of infection and less pain following the procedure.

Though atrial fibrillation many times can lead to reduced heart function and even stroke, it is not always dangerous. If you suffer from AFib, it is highly advisable to consult your physician regarding whether the Mazw procedure is an appropriate form of treatment for your condition.

Ekho Heart Monitor & Cardiovascular Disease Facts

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:35:05 +0000

Exercise a Healthy Heart

There has been a tremendous increase in the number and varieties of workout equipment on the market. It may be a great idea to think about using a heart rate monitor as a component of your physical activity program. The Ekho Heart Monitor is one of the many types of heart rate monitors available.

Exercising and Cardiovascular Disease

Scientific health-related research has revealed there is certainly a relationship linking heart disease and lack of physical activity. By simply including a fitness program into ones life activities, you minimize the likelihood of ever having to cope with heart illnesses. If you suffer from heart problems, you ought to consult with one’s own professional medical doctor first of all prior to doing exercising.

The heart is simply a muscle like any other muscle within the body; for that reason, exercise is going to strengthen the heart. By exercising, you are pumping blood through the blood stream, and consequently increases the entire strength of the system. Just several of the important things about regular exercise will definitely be preventing osteoporosis, eliminating body fat, lowering stress, along with increases the actual energy levels.

Danger Factors of Cardio Diseases

Heart Disease is without a doubt one of the most severe diseases that can be found. Cardiovascular Illness is furthermore very commonplace in this particular day and age, because of the kind of lifestyles we live. Our body will definitely show us signals as soon as we start to become unhealthy. Blood pressure and additionally cholesterol levels tend to be two common indicators that you may perhaps indeed be in possible danger of a cardiovascular attack. Cigarette smoking as well as too much alcohol consumption can sometimes also put an individual in real danger of a coronary heart attack. Amongst those that may actually suffer serious coronary heart problems, 60% of them usually are those that smoke.

Details Concerning Women and Heart Diseases

It has been usually considered that heart illnesses is considered more of a issue with guys than it is with females; nonetheless, the actual number of females suffering from coronary heart disease problems has been on the rise. Widespread causes of cardiovascular diseases in females usually are obesity, lack of adequate exercise, inherited genes, age, together with high cholesterol. As stated before within this writing, the Ekho Heart Rate Monitor can be a good product for checking your own heart rate while performing exercises.

Females of African American ancestry have a higher possibility of having cardiovascular health ailments as compared with those of white Caucasian women. Latinos, Pacific Islanders, and additionally Aboriginal females in the Americas have greater chances of experiencing coronary heart health related ailments compared with those of white Caucasian women.

Following menopause, women definitely will have changes in her own cholesterol levels and also their bodies will produce less estrogen. Hormone replacement therapies has been frequently used during women’s post-menopausal phase. Significant studies have demonstrated that hormone therapy results in risks for some medical related conditions and health concerns, which include stroke, cancer, and also heart disease. Now, according to the current medical results, it is often more favourable for women to keep their own wellness by simply avoiding obesity, not using tobacco, choosing nutrient rich foods, and additionally exercising regularly.

Overview

In summing up, everyone may easily all lead more healthy lives and have a considerably more healthy heart just by following a healthy life-style. This simply means consuming healthful nutritious foods, not smoking, keeping a normal weight, and in addition limiting your consumption of alcohol. I should really add in summing up, that I consider physical exercise could be at least one of the main points to keeping health, and as well enjoying longevity. Also Ekho Heart Rate Monitors could certainly aid you in making sure you do not overtax your heart when doing exercises.

PHillips Heart Start AED: A Life Saving Device for Heart Attack Events

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:10:18 +0000

Heart Start AED by Philips

Any person, adolescent or elderly, man or female, thin or overweight, can be a victim of a cardiac arrest, an unexpected medical condition where in the heart fails to contract effectively and causes the blood to stop circulating. According to the AHA, about three-hundred-fifty-thousand men and women lose their life from SCA every year. About twenty-thousand to 100,000 of these cardiopulmonary failure victims might have been saved with formal training, timely help, and use of life-saving gadgets such as Philips HeartStart Automated External Defibrillators.

Automated external defibrillator (AED) is a gadget that transports doses of electrical charge to the victim’s heart, thereby stopping its erratic heartbeat and allowing the heart to reestablish its normal rhythm.

If you are not sure whether you’ve seen an automatic external defibrillator or not, this is the unit that doctors use when they try to bring back to consciousness a person. The doctor shouts, “Clear,” then delivers an electric shock to the patients chest to fix heart rythm. That medical device is the automated defibrillator.

Statistics show that the use of Onsite automated defibrillator improves the rate of survival of heart attack patients by as much as 49%.

In an attempt to make a stronger USA, the AHA initiates the deployment of Automatic External Defibrillators in public areas such like malls.

Fundamental education is required for the effectual use of Philips HeartStart AEDs although any layperson can run this life-saving tool during situations of sudden cardiac arrest. According to surveys, most Americans are uncomfortable in giving emergency treatment and using Automatic External Defibrillators during a sudden cardiac arrest. With correct education, the American Heart Association hopes to empower us to allay their fears in making lifesaving attempts.

The AHA spends millions annually to subsidize seminars for these situations. Free courses are also provided by the American Red Cross on CPR and Automated Defibs use. People from all ages can attend these trainings, after which they become nationally recognized certified rescuers. They will use the same AED life saving devices used by lifeguards, firefighters, and police officers, like the Philips onsite AED device. Accordingly, if used within the first minute of circulatory arrest, Philips onsite AED can save the lives of up to 90% of the victims.

Philips HeartStart home defibrillator is available over-the-counter without prescription. Others must be purchased with prescription.

One popular AED models is the LIFEPAK CR(R) Plus. A voice prompt guides the user through the rescue process. The lightweight gadget is available in semi-automatic and automatic models, depending on the user requirements.

In using the semi-automatic model, judgement of the rescuer is required first before applying the electrodes. The device confirms the heart’s rhythm then prompts the user if there is a need to be defibrillated. In the automatic version, the gadget does everything for the rescuer. He just needs to apply it; the gadget does the analysis and administers the electric currents if required.

The American Heart Association is a voluntary health affiliation seeking to build a country free from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. It was established in 1924 by six cardiologists seeking for the country’s enlightenment about heart diseases.

Gene Medame regularly tackles health issues and writes about medical products and devices like Philips HeartStart AED. More information about AEDs is available at http://www.Aedrx.com.