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Query: UMLS:C0018799 (heart disease)
 34,133 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Orotic acid (OA), a naturally occurring substance, is a key intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway of pyrimidines. Previous investigations in the heart suggest that orotate can protect recently infarcted hearts against a further ischemic stress and may be beneficial in certain types of experimental cardiomyopathy. At the Hamburg symposium on magnesium orotate, a number of studies of this form of metabolic supplementation were presented that indicate orotic acid and its magnesium salt have a modest beneficial effect on the myocardium under conditions of stress ranging from myocardial infarction to severe physical exercise. The following conclusions can be drawn: (1) Orotic acid can improve the energy status of the recently infarcted myocardium (rat hearts). (2) Orotic acid may improve myocardial purine and pyrimidine levels by stimulating hepatic release of uridine into the bloodstream, which in turn augments depleted myocardial pyrimidines and purines (rat heart). (3) Orotic acid improves the tolerance of the recently infarcted heart to global ischemia (rats). (4) Magnesium orotate may reduce the severity of chronic myocardial dysfunction and structural damage in cardiomyopathy (cardiomyopathic hamsters). (5) Magnesium orotate may improve exercise tolerance in patients with coronary artery disease and in trained athletes (humans). (6) Magnesium orotate has only a weak inotropic effect, if any, on normal hearts (rats). (7) Further clinical testing is indicated to determine if the effects described could be of significant clinical benefit in the treatment of heart disease.
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PMID:Metabolic supplementation with orotic acid and magnesium orotate. 979 88

The authors report the results of a bunch of studies about hypertension in Senegal: a retrospective study concerning 868 patients in the cardiologic center; a prospective study on 2329 subjects in Pikine, a Dakar Suburb; a study led near 121 physicians about their dealing with hypertension problems. Hypertension is the second reason of hospitalization in cardiology just after the rheumatic cardiopathy. The mortality rate is 6.35%. The hypertension frequency in the suburb is 10.43% (certified hypertension) and 25.03% (borderline to certified). The same frequency is found between males and females patients. This frequency grows with the body mass index and age. Many problems occur concerning the treatment: lack of proper following (39%), failure of the therapy (39%), inappropriate reduction of physical activities (82.5%), strict ban of any salt intake for mild to moderate hypertension (13.18%).
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PMID:[Arterial hypertension in Senegal: epidemiological aspects, clinical features, and therapeutic management problems]. 982 75

The rise in average blood pressure with age seen in Western populations does not occur in isolated traditional nomadic communities. Several factors contribute to the higher blood pressure in the West. Salt is particularly important, however, because its effect on blood pressure is large, the dietary intake by Western populations is high and a large reduction in its intake is realistic. The size of the relationship between salt and blood pressure depends on age and, in trials, the duration of reduction of intake of salt. Results of many of the randomized trials have suggested that reduction of dietary salt exerts only a small effect on average blood pressure; this is because their subjects have been young (average age 26 years) and trials have been of short duration (average 2 weeks). Analysis of observational data concerning various communities indicated that a reduction in dietary intake of sodium of 100 mmol/24 h (3 g of salt, a realistic reduction) lowers systolic blood pressure in subjects aged 50-65 years by 10 mmHg on average. Much evidence corroborates this estimate, including data from the Intersalt study and a randomized controlled trial of reduction of intake of salt by older persons. This reduction in blood pressure would reduce age-specific stroke mortality by an estimated 22% and mortality from heart disease by 16%. Reducing the amount of salt added to manufactured foods is an important public-health target.
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PMID:Salt, blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. 1078 67

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) represent a new class of effective and well tolerated orally active antihypertensive agents. Recent clinical trials have shown the added benefits of ARBs in hypertensive patients (reduction in left ventricular hypertrophy, improvement in diastolic function, decrease in ventricular arrhythmias, reduction in microalbuminuria, and improvement in renal function), and cardioprotective effect in patients with heart failure. Several large long-term studies are in progress to assess the beneficial effects of ARBs on cardiac hypertrophy, renal function, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients with or without diabetes mellitus, and the value of these drugs in patients with heart disease and diabetic nephropathy. The ARBs specifically block the interaction of angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor, thereby relaxing smooth muscle, increasing salt and water excretion, reducing plasma volume, and decreasing cellular hypertrophy. These agents exert their blood pressure-lowering effect mainly by reducing peripheral vascular resistance usually without a rise in heart rate. Most of the commercially available ARBs control blood pressure for 24 h after once daily dosing. Sustained efficacy of blood pressure control, without any evidence of tachyphylaxis, has been demonstrated after long-term administration (3 years) of some of the ARBs. The efficacy of ARBs is similar to that of thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or calcium channel blockers in patients with similar degree of hypertension. Higher daily doses, dietary salt restriction, and concomitant diuretic or ACE inhibitor administration amplify the antihypertensive effect of ARBs. The ARBs have a low incidence of adverse effects (headache, upper respiratory infection, back pain, muscle cramps, fatigue and dizziness), even in the elderly patients. After the approval of losartan, five other ARBs (candesartan cilexetil, eprosartan, irbesartan, telmisartan, and valsartan) and three combinations with hydrochlorothiazide (irbesartan, losartan and valsartan) have been approved as antihypertensive agents, and some 28 compounds are in various stages of development. The ARBs are non-peptide compounds with varied structures; some (candesartan, losartan, irbesartan, and valsartan) have a common tetrazolo-biphenyl structure. Except for irbesartan, all active ARBs have a carboxylic acid group. Candesartan cilexetil is a prodrug, while losartan has a metabolite (EXP3174) which is more active than the parent drug. No other metabolites of ARBs contribute significantly to the antihypertensive effect. The variation in the molecular structure of the ARBs results in differences in the binding affinity to the receptor and pharmacokinetic profiles. The differences observed in lipid solubility, absorption/distribution, plasma protein binding, bioavailability, biotransformation, plasma half-life, and systemic elimination influence the time of onset, duration of action, and efficacy of the ARBs. On the basis of the daily mg dose, the antihypertensive potency of the ARBs follows the sequence: candesartan cilexetil > telmisartan approximately = losartan > irbesartan approximately = valsartan > eprosartan. After oral administration, the ARBs are rapidly absorbed (time for peak plasma levels = 0.5-4 h) but they have a wide range of bioavailability (from a low of 13% for eprosartan to a high of 60-80% for irbesartan); food does not influence the bioavailability, except for valsartan (a reduction of 40-50%) and eprosartan (increase). A limited dose-peak plasma levels/areas under the plasma level-time curve proportionality is observed for some of the ARBs. Most of these drugs have high plasma protein binding (95-100%); irbesartan has the lowest binding among the group (90%). The steady-state volumes of distribution vary from a low of 9 L (candesartan) to a high of 500 L (telmisartan). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATE
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PMID:Clinical pharmacokinetics of angiotensin II (AT1) receptor blockers in hypertension. 1085 85

Middle income countries like those in the Caribbean can feel proud of their achievements in health care. There has been a dramatic fall-off in infant mortality and crude mortality rates along with significant improvements in life expectancy at birth. However, these countries now find themselves grappling with the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cancer. There are good data to support the view that some of these diseases, in particular diabetes mellitus, have assumed epidemic proportions and there is concern that this fact may have been missed by many because of the surreptitious onset, as is the nature of the chronic diseases. The impact of this epidemic may have suffered because of the higher profile of more topical issues like HIV/AIDS even though the former makes a larger contribution to morbidity and mortality statistics. It is now obvious that despite the impact of other factors, lifestyle changes are the major contributors to the epidemic. In populations of similar genetic stock, living in significantly different socio-economic circumstances, the impact of increased dietary salt, increasing obesity and decreased physical activity on the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and lipid disorders is unequivocal. Data from the developed world, which has already been through this epidemic of chronic diseases, have shown that increasing technological advances in medical care is an inefficient way to respond to the situation. A multi-sectoral approach is required to tackle this epidemic, including the provision of incentives for healthy eating and widespread opportunities for increased exercise and other physical activities. Continued research into the evolution of the epidemic, including reliable estimates via surveillance methods is a necessary component of our response. The problems and the solutions are not only the responsibilities of the health officials but must involve education, agriculture and other sectors of the economy.
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PMID:Chronic diseases--facing a public health challenge. 1182 12

In the seventies thyrotoxic heart accounted for 3% of all hospitalized cardiac patients and was found on average in 30% of all cases of hyperthyroidism. It presented most frequently by tachyfibrillation and resistant cardiac decompensation. It affected men four times as frequently as women. The incidence correlated with age, toxic nodose goitre, but its development did not correlate with concurrent thyrotoxic rhizomyelic myopathy nor with the extent of deviation of thyroid laboratory parameters (T4, T3, indexes FT4). At present the incidence of thyrotoxic heart declined due to early detection and more adequate diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism, as well as due to the decline of oligosymptomatic toxic nodose goitres even in old age due to preventive iodization of table salt. However, there was an increase of hyperthyroidism induced by amiodarone and other iodine preparations (X-ray contrast materials) associated with primary heart disease and arrhythmias. (Up to 2% of amiodarone treated patients). The ratio of so-called real subclinical thyrotoxicoses in the development of thyrotoxic heart is negligible. Isolated reduction of TSH in hospital screening is a frequent finding but is conditioned most frequently by: a) the 1st stage of the low thyroxin syndrome, b) the 1st stage of subacute thyroiditis, c) the influence of various drugs (iodine preparations, overdosage of T4 substitution, pharmacotherapy with glucocorticoids, dopamine etc.), d) methodical artefacts, e) natural pulsed secretion of TSH etc. Hospital screening of hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxic heart even in older people above 60 years by T4 and/or TSH (2nd generation equipment) is not effective because it is detected in 20% of current hospital admissions and in 60% of those admitted to intensive care unitpathologic values of T4 and/or TSH most frequently without non-thyroid causes (stages of the low thyroxin syndrome) are recorded. This hospital screening has a satisfactory sensitivity but low specificity and in a large number of people calls for further diagnostic steps. Therefore it is more suitable only after clinical examination of the patient to confirm suspected hyperthyroidism to examine FT4 and TSH (IRMA 3rd generation) or possibly supplement FT3 and other aimed tests.
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PMID:[Cor thyreotoxicum. Part I--new findings about its etiopathogenesis and diagnosis. Overview of problems based on 35 years' experience]. 1185 86

International studies in geographic pathology provide background information that a disease may have a quite different incidence and resulting mortality as a function of area of residence. Investigations in animals can model fairly precisely what is learned through such international research, and provide the basis for examining relevant hypotheses and, more importantly, possible mechanisms of action. These approaches can yield public health recommendations and health promotion activities. Regular intake of foods rich in saturated fats, such as meat and certain dairy products, raises the risk of coronary heart disease, especially in smokers. The total mixed fat intake is associated with a higher incidence of the nutritionally linked cancers (i.e. of the postmenopausal breast, distal colon, prostate, pancreas, ovary and endometrium). Monounsaturated oils, such as olive or canola oil, are low-risk fats, as shown in animal models, and through the finding that the incidence of coronary heart and neoplastic diseases is lower in the Mediterranean region, where such oils are customarily used. Fish and fish oils are protective. The associated genotoxic carcinogens for several of these cancers, and also in heart disease causation, are heterocyclic amines, produced during the broiling and frying of creatinine-containing foods such as meats. Excessive salt intake is associated with high blood pressure and with stomach cancer, especially with inadequate intake of potassium, from fruits and vegetables, and calcium from certain vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Bran cereal fiber intake, especially with adequate calcium, yields an increased stool bulk, eliminating factors involved in colon and breast cancer. Vegetables and fruits, as well as soy products, are rich in antioxidants that are essential to lower disease risk stemming from reactive oxygen species in the body. Green and black tea are excellent sources of such beneficial antioxidants of a polyphenol nature, as are cocoa and chocolates. Antioxidants also extend healthy aging and may protect against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Nutritional lifestyles can be described for most populations in the world and offer the possibility of a healthy long life.
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PMID:Lifestyle, health and disease prevention: the underlying mechanisms. 1257 Mar 28

Syncope is defined as a self-limited loss of consciousness, usually combined with falling due to the inability to maintain postural tone. The underlying mechanism is a transient global cerebral hypoperfusion. The aetiology essentially includes cardiac disorders (structured heart disease or arrhythmias), neurally-mediated reflex syndromes, orthostatic hypotension and carotid sinus syndrome. History and physical examination will lead to the diagnosis in up to 50%. The most important step is to differentiate patients with heart disease from others, since the mortality of these patients is doubled. Echocardiography, Holter-monitoring and electrophysiological study are useful to approach this population. In patients with suspected neurally-mediated syncope (vasovagal syncope) tilt testing is indicated. Treatment depends on the aetiology. The diagnostic work-up and the therapeutic approach of patients with syncope are outlined. For patients with vasovagal syncope conventional therapeutic strategies include an increased salt/fluid intake, moderate exercise training, tilt-sleeping or tilt-training. Beta-blockers failed to show efficacy in a number of randomised trials. Recently, pacemaker implantation in selected patients with recurrent vasovagal syncopical episodes showed a significant increase in syncope-free survival, compared to no therapy and compared to beta-blocker therapy. In contrast to the increased mortality risk for patients with cardiac syncope, patients with vasovagal syncope have a benign prognosis.
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PMID:Syncope in the elderly. 1261 1

Congestive failure in infants and children is not uncommon and may be present in a varying number of conditions, particularly in certain types of congenital heart disease. Its recognition and proper treatment are usually followed by improvement, except in those instances where the failure is associated with a lesion incompatible with life. The essentials of treatment are: Treatment of the underlying cause, administration of a digitalis preparation, low salt diet, diuretics, rest and sedation, oxygen, adequate diet and, in rare instances, the use of steroids.
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PMID:Congestive heart failure in infants and children. 1351 Dec 10

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often leads to massive oedema and the development of what is usually called cor pulmonale. The mechanisms by which patients with COPD retain salt and water are not completely understood. Several abnormalities have been found including reduced renal blood flow with relatively preserved glomerular filtration rate and elevated levels of renin, aldosterone, arginine vasopressin and atrial natriuretic peptide. Generally, these abnormalities worsen with the severity of COPD and are most marked during the oedematous phases. Cardiac output is remarkably normal, suggesting that "cor pulmonale" is not primarily a cardiac disorder but rather a condition of volume overload due to activation of sodium-retaining mechanisms. The stimulus for this activation could be underfilling of the arterial system (reduced effective circulating volume) secondary to a fall in total peripheral vascular resistance. The latter is caused by hypercapnia-induced dilation of the precapillary sphincters. Apparently, the massive sodium retention by the kidney is not able to restore the circulating volume and a vicious cycle ensues ultimately leading to a clinical picture which resembles right-sided heart failure. Predictably, only blockade of the effects of carbon dioxide at the level of the precapillary sphincters would be able to halt this process.
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PMID:Fluid homeostasis in chronic obstructive lung disease. 1462 Nov 5


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