Category Archives: Batten Disease Treatment

Heart arrhythmiaSynonymsCardiac arrhythmia, cardiac dysrhythmia, irregular heartbeatVentricular fibrillation (VF) showing disorganized electrical activity producing a spiked tracing on an electrocardiogram (ECG).SpecialtyCardiologySymptomsPalpitations, lightheadedness, passing out, shortness of breath, chest pain[1]ComplicationsStroke, heart failure[2][3]Usual onsetOlder age[4]TypesExtra beats, supraventricular tachycardias, ventricular arrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias[3]CausesProblems with the electrical conduction system of the heart[2]Diagnostic methodElectrocardiogram, Holter monitor[5]TreatmentMedications, medical procedures (pacemaker), surgery[6]FrequencyMillions[4] Heart arrhythmia (also known as arrhythmia, dysrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat) is a group of conditions in which the heartbeat is irregular, too fast, or too slow.[2] A heart rate that is too fast above 100 beats per minute in adults is called tachycardia and a heart rate that is too slow below 60 beats per minute is called bradycardia.[2] Many types of arrhythmia have no symptoms.[1] When symptoms are present these may include palpitations or feeling a pause between heartbeats.[1] In more serious cases there may be lightheadedness, passing out, shortness of breath, or chest pain.[1] While most types of arrhythmia are not serious, some predispose a person to complications such as stroke or heart failure.[2][3] Others may result in cardiac arrest.[3] There are four main types of arrhythmia: extra beats, supraventricular tachycardias, ventricular arrhythmias, and bradyarrhythmias.[3] Extra beats include premature atrial contractions, premature ventricular contractions, and premature junctional contractions.[3] Supraventricular tachycardias include atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.[3] Ventricular arrhythmias include ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.[3][7] Arrhythmias are due to problems with the electrical conduction system of the heart.[2] Arrhythmias may occur in children; however, the normal range for the heart rate is different and depends on age.[3] A number of tests can help with diagnosis including an electrocardiogram (ECG) and Holter monitor.[5] Most arrhythmias can be effectively treated.[2] Treatments may include medications, medical procedures such as inserting a pacemaker, and surgery.[6] Medications for a fast heart rate may include beta blockers or agents that attempt to restore a normal heart rhythm such as procainamide.[6] This latter group may have more significant side effects especially if taken for a long period of time.[6] Pacemakers are often used for slow heart rates.[6] Those with an irregular heartbeat are often treated with blood thinners to reduce the risk of complications.[6] Those who have severe symptoms from an arrhythmia may receive urgent treatment with a controlled electric shock in the form of cardioversion or defibrillation.[6] Arrhythmia affects millions of people.[4] In Europe and North America, as of 2014, atrial fibrillation affects about 2% to 3% of the population.[8] Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter resulted in 112,000 deaths in 2013, up from 29,000 in 1990.[9] Sudden cardiac death is the cause of about half of deaths due to cardiovascular disease or about 15% of all deaths globally.[10] About 80% of sudden cardiac death is the result of ventricular arrhythmias.[10] Arrhythmias may occur at any age but are more common among older people.[4] Arrhythmia may be classified by rate (tachycardia, bradycardia), mechanism (automaticity, re-entry, triggered) or duration (isolated premature beats; couplets; runs, that is 3 or more beats; non-sustained= less than 30 seconds or sustained= over 30 seconds). Continue reading →

Cardiac arrestSynonymsCardiopulmonary arrest, circulatory arrest, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), sudden cardiac death (SCD)[1]CPR being administered during a simulation of cardiac arrest.SpecialtyCardiologySymptomsLoss of consciousness, abnormal or no breathing[1][2]Usual onsetOlder age[3]CausesCoronary artery disease, major blood loss, lack of oxygen, very low potassium, heart failure[4]Diagnostic methodFinding no pulse[1]PreventionNot smoking, physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight[5]TreatmentCardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), defibrillation[6]PrognosisAverage survival 8%[7]Frequency13 per 10,000 people per year (outside hospital in the US)[8] Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of blood flow resulting from the failure of the heart to effectively pump.[9] Symptoms include loss of consciousness and abnormal or absent breathing.[1][2] Some individuals may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or nausea before cardiac arrest.[2] If not treated within minutes, it typically leads to death.[9] The most common cause of cardiac arrest is coronary artery disease.[4] Less common causes include major blood loss, lack of oxygen, very low potassium, heart failure, and intense physical exercise.[4] A number of inherited disorders may also increase the risk including long QT syndrome.[4] The initial heart rhythm is most often ventricular fibrillation.[4] The diagnosis is confirmed by finding no pulse.[1] While a cardiac arrest may be caused by heart attack or heart failure, these are not the same.[9] Prevention includes not smoking, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.[5] Treatment for cardiac arrest includes immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and, if a shockable rhythm is present, defibrillation.[6] Among those who survive, targeted temperature management may improve outcomes.[10][11] An implantable cardiac defibrillator may be placed to reduce the chance of death from recurrence.[5] In the United States, cardiac arrest outside hospital occurs in about 13 per 10,000 people per year (326,000 cases).[8] In hospital cardiac arrest occurs in an additional 209,000.[8] Cardiac arrest becomes more common with age.[3] It affects males more often than females.[3] The percentage of people who survive with treatment is about 8%.[7] Many who survive have significant disability.[7] However, many American television programs have portrayed unrealistically high survival rates of 67%.[7] Cardiac arrest is preceded by no warning symptoms in approximately 50 percent of people.[12] For those who do experience symptoms, they will be non-specific, such as new or worsening chest pain, fatigue, blackouts, dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness and vomiting.[13] When cardiac arrest occurs, the most obvious sign of its occurrence will be the lack of a palpable pulse in the victim. Continue reading →

Introduction to Arrhythmia An irregular heartbeat is an arrhythmia (also called dysrhythmia). Continue reading →

Cardiovascular diseaseMicrograph of a heart with fibrosis (yellow) and amyloidosis (brown). Movat's stain.SpecialtyCardiologyUsual onsetOlder adults[1]TypesCoronary artery diseases, stroke, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy[2][3]PreventionHealthy eating, exercise, avoiding tobacco smoke, limited alcohol intake[2]TreatmentTreating high blood pressure, high blood lipids, diabetes[2]Deaths17.9 million / 32% (2015)[4] Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels.[2] Cardiovascular disease includes coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as angina and myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack).[2] Other CVDs include stroke, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, carditis, aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, thromboembolic disease, and venous thrombosis.[2][3] The underlying mechanisms vary depending on the disease.[2] Coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease involve atherosclerosis.[2] This may be caused by high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise, obesity, high blood cholesterol, poor diet, and excessive alcohol consumption, among others.[2] High blood pressure results in 13% of CVD deaths, while tobacco results in 9%, diabetes 6%, lack of exercise 6% and obesity 5%.[2] Rheumatic heart disease may follow untreated strep throat.[2] It is estimated that 90% of CVD is preventable.[5] Prevention of atherosclerosis involves improving risk factors through: healthy eating, exercise, avoidance of tobacco smoke and limiting alcohol intake.[2] Treating risk factors, such as high blood pressure, blood lipids and diabetes is also beneficial.[2] Treating people who have strep throat with antibiotics can decrease the risk of rheumatic heart disease.[6] The use of aspirin in people, who are otherwise healthy, is of unclear benefit.[7][8] Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally.[2] This is true in all areas of the world except Africa.[2] Together they resulted in 17.9 million deaths (32.1%) in 2015, up from 12.3 million (25.8%) in 1990.[4][3] Deaths, at a given age, from CVD are more common and have been increasing in much of the developing world, while rates have declined in most of the developed world since the 1970s.[9][10] Coronary artery disease and stroke account for 80% of CVD deaths in males and 75% of CVD deaths in females.[2] Most cardiovascular disease affects older adults. In the United States 11% of people between 20 and 40 have CVD, while 37% between 40 and 60, 71% of people between 60 and 80, and 85% of people over 80 have CVD.[1] The average age of death from coronary artery disease in the developed world is around 80 while it is around 68 in the developing world.[9] Disease onset is typically seven to ten years earlier in men as compared to women.[11] no data less than 70 70140 140210 210280 280350 350420 420490 490560 560630 630700 700770 more than 770 There are many cardiovascular diseases involving the blood vessels. Continue reading →

AnginaAngina manifests as pain in the chest that results from reduced blood supply to the heart (ischemia). Blood carries oxygen around your body and depriving the heart of oxygen has serious consequences.Angina is caused by atherosclerosis, that is the narrowing and / or blockage of the blood vessels that supply the heart.The typical pain of angina is in the chest but it can often radiate to the left arm, shoulder or jaw. If you have angina you will have noticed that the pain is related to exertion and is relieved by rest.An angina attack is also associated with shortness of breath and sweating Continue reading →

How is heart (cardiovascular) disease diagnosed? The diagnosis of cardiovascular disease begins by taking the patient's history. Continue reading →

Millions of people experience irregular or abnormal heartbeats, called arrhythmias, at some point in their lives. Most of the time, they are harmless and happen in healthy people free of heart disease Continue reading →

A sugar-laden diet may raise your risk of dying of heart disease even if you arent overweight. So says a major study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Added sugars make up at least 10% of the calories the average American eats in a day Continue reading →

Chances are, youre here to look for answers about eczema (eg-zuh-MUH)and find support. Continue reading →

Overview Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy. It's common in children but can occur at any age Continue reading →