Heart problems

Most researchers would agree that shiftwork, taken in isolation, does not cause heart problems directly however, it is the case that shiftwork can create the conditions for certain unhealthy lifestyle choices, which in turn can lead indirectly to these problems. Examples include a relative lack of opportunity to exercise, poor dietary choices (due to availability or disrupted appetite), and stresses that arise from social challenges. 

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Antimony is not known to cause cancer, birth defects, or affect reproduction in humans. However, antimony has been shown to cause lung cancer in laboratory animals that inhaled antimony-containing dusts and prolonged exposure to antimony can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, lungs, and stomach, in the form of vomiting and diarrhea. Heart problems can also result from overexposure to antimony (33). 

Due to its effect as a stimulant on the heart and central nervous system, ephedrine can cause heart problems, stroke, and other medical complications (including death). For this reason, there has been pressure to regulate or ban it in the United States, as was done with similar drugs. 

Side effects associated with this type of diet pill often occur because, in causing the body to burn more calories, the pills speed up many body processes—possibly to a level that becomes dangerous. Examples are increased blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to heart problems over time. Other side effects include nervousness and insomnia. 

Carbon monoxide (CO) is generated in incomplete combustion processes. In households the main sources are all kinds of fuel burners (fuel oil, wood, natural gas, coal etc.) and automotive exhaust gas. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and invisible gas, and, due to its affinity to hemoglobin, which is higher than that of oxygen, it reduces the blood s capacity to carry oxygen. Hence it is toxic, especially for unborn and small children as well as for the elderly or people with heart problems or anemia. Even small amounts of CO can be harmful. Tab. 5.6 gives an overview of the relation between CO concentration and the corresponding symptoms of intoxication. 

How have improvements in battery technology benefitted people with heart problems ... 

See the second and third paragraphs for reference to heart problems with anorexia, the fourth and fifth paragraphs for discussion of heart problems with bulimia, and the last paragraph, where heart disease is mentioned, as a risk in obese people who suffer from bingeeating disorder. 

Similar to the TCAs, there have been reports of sudden deaths reported in children with ADHD who were taking both clonidine and a psychostimulant. For this reason, precautionary measures should be taken before starting a patient (particularly a child) on clonidine. A baseline EKG should be obtained before starting the medication. If the EKG shows any problems in the heart s electrical conduction system, then clonidine should not be used. In addition, if the patient has any history of known heart problems, fainting spells, slow heart rate (i.e., less than 60 beats per minute), or low blood pressure, we would recommend avoiding clonidine. When clonidine is used, the patient s blood pressure and pulse rate should be measured at each office visit, and an EKG should be periodically repeated. 

When treating insomnia without depression, doxepin and amitriptyline (both tricyclic antidepressants) can be administered in low doses (25-100 mg) at bedtime. These antidepressants, however, do have troublesome anticholinergic side effects (dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, dizziness) and adverse effects on the heart, and they can be lethal if taken in overdose. Because of their effect on heart function, these antidepressants should be avoided in patients with heart problems and administered cautiously, if at all, to those who are already receiving one of any number of newer antidepressants that inhibit the metabolism of the TCAs. 

Irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, heart problems, feeling faint, swelling, gynecomastia, decreased libido... 

Although exposure to CS causes a temporary rise In blood pressure no Increase In cases of stroke or heart conditions was reported. The committee speculated that this might have been because exposure to CS does not increase airway resistance — Increased airway resistance Increases the strain on the heart--and because people with known heart problems were unlikely to take part In rioting. 

April The FDA changes the warning labels on Vioxx to highlight increased risks of heart problems. 

It makes Cozaar and Hyzaar for hypertension Vytorin, Zetia, and Zocor to lower cholesterol Pro-pecia for male-pattern baldness Singulair for asthma Fosamax for osteoporosis and Gardasil, a vaccine for cervical cancer but it is also well known for making Vioxx, a pain relief drug taken off the market for causing heart problems. 

Codex Ebers, an Egyptian medical papyrus dating to about 1550 b.c., gives more than 800 therapeutic formulas of which 22 mention garlic as an effective remedy for a variety of ailments, including heart problems, headache, bites, worms, and tumors. 

Finally, creatine supplements may be useful in the treatment of heart problems. Creatine has improved exercise capacity in patients suffering from congestive heart failure, and lowered blood cholesterol in animal studies. Limited study of creatine s effect on blood cholesterol levels in healthy humans has had mixed results, with one study reporting a positive impact and another reporting no effect at all. Further research is needed to determine if creatine is beneficial in improving blood cholesterol and preventing atherosclerosis. 

More serious conditions for which people take herbal drugs include depression, irregular heartbeat and other heart problems, arthritis, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), asthma, high blood pressure, various cancers, diabetes, epilepsy, gallstones, sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis, jaundice, malaria, measles, obesity, tetanus, tuberculosis, and ulcers. 

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