Cardiovascular problems

Lethal Arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are a second significant source of cardiovascular problems. An arrhythmia is an abnormal or irregular heart rhythm. Bradyarrhythmias result in heart rates that are too slow tachyarrhythmias cause abnormally fast rates. A bradyarrhythmia can be debiUtating, causing a person to be short of breath, unable to climb stairs, black out, or even to go into cardiac arrest. Tachyarrhythmias can be un settling and painful at best, life-threatening at worst. 

Arrhythmias. The first solution to cardiovascular problems arising from arrhythmias came about as a result of a complication caused by open-heart surgery. During procedures to correct congenital defects in children s hearts, the electrical conduction system often became impaired, and until it healed, the heart could not contract sufficiently without outside electrical stimulation. A system that plugged into a wall outlet was considered adequate until an electrical storm knocked out power, lea ding to the development of the first battery-powered external pacemaker. 

Therapeutic Function Adrenergic blocking agent for cardiovascular problems... 

During tiie ongoing assessment, tiie nurse assesses the respiratory status every 4 hours and whenever tiie drug is administered. The nurse notes the respiratory rate, lung sounds, and use of accessory muscles in breathing, hi addition, tiie nurse keeps a careful record of the intake and output and reports any imbalance, which may indicate a fluid overload or excessive diuresis. It is important to monitor any patient with a history of cardiovascular problems for chest pain and changes in the electrocardiogram. The primary health care provider may order periodic pulmonary function tests, particularly for patients with emphysema or bronchitis, to help monitor respiratory status. 

Patients receiving LT4 therapy who are not maintained in a euthyroid state are at risk for long-term adverse sequelae. In general, overtreatment and a suppressed TSH is more common than undertreatment27 with an elevated TSH. Patients with long-term overtreatment may be at higher risk for atrial fibrillation and other cardiovascular morbidities, depression, and post-menopausal osteoporosis. Patients who are undertreated are at higher risk for hypercholesterolemia and other cardiovascular problems, depression, and obstetric complications. 

The increasing scientific attention devoted to caffeine in recent years9 reflects not only its popularity and widespread use, but also concern that it may have detrimental physiological effects and interest in its impact on psychological functioning and behavior. Health concerns have focused primarily on cardiovascular function.4-10 Early studies suggested that caffeine consumption may increase the risk of some cardiovascular problems.11-12 However, more recent studies provide little support for this concern, with the possible exception of blood pressure.13 Lipid profiles appear to be unaffected by habitual caffeine consumption.1417 Moreover,... 

Better control of air pollutants is expected to result in fewer cases of chronic bronchitis, reduced hospitalizations for severe respiratory conditions and cardiovascular problems in adults and children, and fewer cancer cases.30 Populations residing near HWCs may benefit the most from implementation of these standards. 

Cardiovascular problems, 3 710-711 Cardiovascular system, antiaging agents, 2 821-823... 

Grabowski CT. 1983a. Persistent cardiovascular problems in newborn rats prenatally exposed to subteratogenic doses of the pesticide, mirex. Dev Toxicol Environ Sci 11 (Dev Sci Pract Toxicol) 537-540. 

Grabowski CT, Payne DB. 1980. An electrocardiographic study of cardiovascular problems in mirex-fed rat fetuses. Teratology 22 167-177. 

Since Cu ions can catalyse formation of the dangerous hydroxyl radical, its concentration in both the intra- and extracellular compartments is maintained at very low levels by binding to the protein metallothionine. Deficiency of copper results in defects in formation of connective tissue, which may cause cardiovascular problems and poor bone formation. 

Figure 22.6 How various factors increase the risk of atherosclerosis, thrombosis and myocardial infarction. The diagram provides suggestions as to how various factors increase the risk of development of the trio of cardiovascular problems. The factors include an excessive intake of total fat, which increases activity of clotting factors, especially factor VIII an excessive intake of saturated or trans fatty acids that change the structure of the plasma membrane of cells, such as endothelial cells, which increases the risk of platelet aggregation or susceptibility of the membrane to injury excessive intake of salt - which increases blood pressure, as does smoking and low physical activity a high intake of fat or cholesterol or a low intake of antioxidants, vitamin 6 2 and folic acid, which can lead either to direct chemical damage (e.g. oxidation) to the structure of LDL or an increase in the serum level of LDL, which also increases the risk of chemical damage to LDL. A low intake of folate and vitamin B12 also decreases metabolism of homocysteine, so that the plasma concentration increases, which can damage the endothelial membrane due to formation of thiolactone.

Aldesleukin is a recombinant form of human Interleukin-2 (IL-2). It has been approved for the treatment of malignant melanoma and renal cell cancer. The medicine is administered every 8 hours by a 15-minute intravenous infusion for a maximum of 14 doses. Adverse reactions include hypo- and hypertension, gastrointestinal disturbances, fever, fatigue, lethargy, joint pain, headache. Cardiovascular problems may occur. 

Serious infections disease. Diabetes. Thyriod problem. Cardiovascular problems. Seixure disorder. Head injury... 

Bristol-Myers Squibb URL http //www.bms.com E-mail web form Phone (800) 332-2056 345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154 The company s pharmaceuticals segment makes Plavix and Pravachol for cardiovascular problems, Taxol for cancer treatment, drugs such as Abilify for affective and other psychiatric disorders, Avapro for hypertension, and Reyataz for HIV... 

Cardiovascular Problems. Some problems with cardiac arrhythmias may arise in a patient taking levodopa. However, these problems are usually fairly minor unless the patient has a history of cardiac irregularity. Caution should be used in cardiac patients undergoing levodopa therapy, especially during exercise. 

Several different neuromuscular blockers are currently available, and the choice of a specific agent depends primarily on the desired length of action and the agent s potential side effects (Table 11-3).21,23 Possible side effects include cardiovascular problems (tachycardia), increased histamine release, increased... 

As indicated earlier, COX-2 selective drugs may reduce the risk of toxicity to the stomach, kidneys, and other tissues because these drugs spare the production of normal or protective prostaglandins in these tissues.3 These drugs may cause other problems such as diarrhea, heartburn, gastrointestinal cramps, and an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infection. As indicated in Chapter 15, COX-2 drugs have also been associated with serious cardiovascular problems (heart attack, stroke), and these drugs should be avoided in people at risk for cardiac disease. 

Tizanidine (Zanaflex) Tizanidine is used primarily for treating spasticity.14,24 This drug is similar to clonidine, but has less vasomotor effects and is therefore less likely to cause hypotension and other cardiovascular problems. As indicated earlier, tizanidine stimulates alpha-2 receptors in the spinal cord, which results in decreased excitatory input onto the alpha motor neuron. Decreased excitation of the alpha motor neuron results in decreased spasticity of the skeletal muscle supplied by that neuron. 

Hypertension is a sustained, reproducible increase in blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the most common diseases affecting adults living in industrialized nations. In the United States, for example, hypertension occurs in approximately 30% of the general population aged 20 and over.44 The prevalence of this disease can be even higher in certain subpopulations (e.g., 41% in African Americans), and the incidence of hypertension increases with age.44,45 If left untreated, the sustained increase in blood pressure associated with hypertension can lead to cardiovascular problems (stroke, heart failure), renal disease, and blindness.15,22 108 111 These and other medical problems ultimately lead to an increased mortality rate in hypertensive individuals. 

---