Search

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide and has a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Additionally, the incidence and prevalence of AF is expected to increase in the United States and worldwide over the next few decades. While the pathophysiology concerning the development of AF is not completely understood, multiple modifiable, as well as non-modifiable risk factors, for AF development have been discovered. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of the modifiable risk factors that contribute to the development and recurrence of AF, in addition to discussing potential lifestyle changes that may aid in the prevention and treatment of AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chest pain from coronary heart disease (CHD) accounts for more than 8 million emergency department visits every year in the United States, emphasizing the need for cardiovascular (CV) interventions to help reduce this high number. Meditation--a state of contemplation, concentration, and reflection--has the potential to help decrease CV disease. Methods: This article reviews the available data regarding the effects of meditation on various aspects of CV health. Results: During the past few decades, multiple studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of meditation on various CV risk factors. In addition to decreasing CV mortality, meditation has also been shown to improve conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and high cortisol levels. Still unclear is how current medical therapies impact overall CHD in comparison to meditation techniques. Conclusion: Prospective trials are needed to study the effects of meditation on CV risk factors, to provide guidelines for daily meditation practice, and to determine the efficacy of meditation compared to current pharmacologic therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Advanced age is associated with a higher prevalence of CHD as well as increased morbidity and mortality. One key vulnerability relates to the fact that older individuals are generally among the least fit, least active cohort and at increased risk of complications after an acute cardiac event and/or major surgery. There is ample evidence to demonstrate the beneficial effects of exercised-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs on improving functional capacity and other indices of cardiovascular (CV) health. Although the predominant number of studies is in middle-aged patients, there is an escalating amount of new information that establishes the cardioprotective role of CR and, in particular, structured exercise therapy (ET) among the elderly. The present review summarizes the current data available regarding CR and ET and its salutary impact on today's growing population of older adults with CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States (US). In addition to this, many of the risk factors of CHD, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes mellitus, and poor nutrition, are disproportionately high in the US. Despite the many known benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), referral and participation rates in these programs are paradoxically low. Over the course of this review, we will discuss some of the many benefits of CR, some of the risk factors for CHD in the US, and factors that affect referral and participation in these programs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Chest pain from coronary heart disease (CHD) accounts for more than 8 million emergency department visits every year in the United States, emphasizing the need for cardiovascular (CV) interventions to help reduce this high number. Meditation--a state of contemplation, concentration, and reflection--has the potential to help decrease CV disease. Methods: This article reviews the available data regarding the effects of meditation on various aspects of CV health. Results: During the past few decades, multiple studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of meditation on various CV risk factors. In addition to decreasing CV mortality, meditation has also been shown to improve conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and high cortisol levels. Still unclear is how current medical therapies impact overall CHD in comparison to meditation techniques. Conclusion: Prospective trials are needed to study the effects of meditation on CV risk factors, to provide guidelines for daily meditation practice, and to determine the efficacy of meditation compared to current pharmacologic therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and places a heavy toll on health care spending, especially in the elderly population. The prevalence of stroke increases with increasing age. Over the last 2 decades, there have been substantial data supporting the use of statins in the primary, as well as secondary, prevention of stroke. Although most of these studies were designed to evaluate cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) only as secondary endpoints, the data show a significant reduction in strokes associated with statin use. There have been numerous studies that have demonstrated the relationship between serum cholesterol levels, specifically low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, on CVA and the beneficial effects of statins in this setting. Furthermore, in addition to the lipid-lowering properties of statins, these drugs have also been shown to possess cholesterol-independent pleotropic properties that have been associated with neuroprotection. Finally, the role of statins for the prevention of dementia is still highly debatable. We examine the role of this class of drugs in the setting of dementia, particularly from vascular causes and stroke.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and becomes increasingly prevalent among patients aged 65 years and older. Elderly patients are at a higher risk for complications and accelerated physical deconditioning after a cardiovascular event, especially compared to their younger counterparts. The last few decades were privy to multiple studies that demonstrated the beneficial effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and exercise therapy on mortality, exercise capacity, psychological risk factors, inflammation, and obesity among patients with CHD. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the available data in this field pertains to younger patients. A viable explanation is that older patients are grossly underrepresented in these programs for multiple reasons starting with the patient and extending to the physician. In this article, we will review the benefits of CR programs among the elderly, as well as some of the barriers that hinder their participation.

Psychological stress has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease. Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing interest in this relationship, leading to a growing pool of clinical and epidemiological data on the subject. Psychological stress has multiple etiologies, which include behavioral causes, acute events or stressors, and/or chronic stress. Cardiac rehabilitation and exercise therapy have been shown to provide protection in primary and secondary coronary heart disease prevention, as well as improve overall morbidity and mortality. In this article, we review the available data regarding the association between psychological stress and cardiovascular disease, as well as the impact of cardiac rehabilitation and exercise therapy on psychological stress-related cardiovascular events.