A cup of Java can drive the blues away!

Your morning pick me up may also be keeping you happy. Although coffee has long been thought to be associated with reduced suicide rates, its anti-depressant qualities have not received much medical or media attention.

In 1993, a large study involving 128,934 nurses, and done at a Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, found that  nurses who regularly drank coffee were less likely to commit suicide than nondrinkers. A causal relationship was never established.

A strong association between coffee drinking and depression was again suggested by a subsequent study ( Archives of Internal Medicine, 1996) of more than 86,000 nurses. When compared to non-drinkers, nurses drinking more than two to three cups of coffee a day were one third less likely to commit suicide.

A recent study (Arch Intern Med. 2011) has formally confirmed this beneficial effect.  Involving more than 50,000 women who were monitored over 10 years, researchers found that there was an anti-depressant effect noted with drinking caffeinated coffee. Compared to women who drank less than 1 cup of coffee per week, there was a 15% decreased risk of depression in those who drank 2-3 cups per day and a 20% risk reduction in those who drank 4 or more cups a day

Coffee may exert its beneficial effects through neurotransmitters such as dopamine and acetylcholine, which tend to elevate the mood.  Coffee drinking also has social benefits, and this may also play a role in mitigating depression and thoughts of suicide.

Prediabetes: Pre(ventable) Diabetes

By Shashi Agarwal MD

Diabetes has grown to pandemic proportions. It is estimated that 8.3% of the US population,or 25.8 million people, have diabetes. About 95% of these have type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is the main cause of kidney failure, limb amputation, and new-onset blindness in American adults. People with diabetes are more likely than people without diabetes to develop and die from diseases of the heart and blood vessels, called cardiovascular disease. Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about two to four times higher than adults without diabetes. The risk for stroke is two to four times higher among people with diabetes.

Prediabetes refers to the intermediate metabolic states between normal and diabetic glucose homeostasis. This term was first introduced in 1979 to replace ‘borderline’ diabetes. Pre-diabetes is becoming more common and more recognized in the United States. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 79 million Americans had prediabetes in 2007. It is estimated that 314 million people worldwide have prediabetes, and the number is projected to grow to 418 million in 2025.

Why worry about prediabetes? It has been estimated that between 35% and 65% of adults with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within six years of the prediabetes diagnosis. Even before progressing into full blown diabetes, these people have an increased rate of microvascular (retinopathy, protein in the urine, polyneuropathy) and macrovascular (heart attack and stroke) complications.

How do you diagnose Prediabetes? Prediabetes is usually diagnosed with any one or more of the following blood test readings: A fasting blood glucose level of:110 to 125 mg/dL (6.1 mM to 6.9 mM, according to the World Health Organization criteria or 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 mM to 6.9 mM), according to the American Diabetic Association criteria. A blood sugar level of 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 to 11.0 mM) at the end of two hours after ingesting a standardized 75 gm glucose solution as part of a two hour glucose tolerance test. A glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) between 5.7 and 6.4 percent.

Are you at risk? There are certain indications that you have or may be at an increased risk of developing prediabetes. These include increasing age, inactivity, sleeping less than 6 hours per day and being overweight or obese. Certain races are at an increased risk, namely Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos and non-hispanic blacks. Other risk factors include abnormal lipids, especially high triglycerides and low HDL (the good cholesterol) and diagnosed cardiovascular disease. If you had gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy), or gave birth to a child weighing more than 9 lbs, you are also at risk. Two other rather uncommon conditions, namely polycystic ovarian syndrome and acanthosis nigrans also indicate increased insulin resistance and predisposition to prediabetes and diabetes. And finally, patients with psychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia, on multiple psychotropic drugs, also have a high incidence of prediabetes.

Symptoms: Prediabetes is often asymptomatic and suspicion often rests solely on risk factors mentioned above. If present, the symptoms of prediabetes, are the same as those of diabetes: constant hunger, increased thirst and urination, unexplained weight loss, weight gain, generalized malaise, blurred vision, slow healing from minor wounds like cuts and bruises, tingling or loss of sensation in the hands or feet, frequent or recurring gum, skin, vaginal or bladder infections.

How do you treat? The call for early treatment of prediabetes is gaining momentum. Several recent studies have evaluated the role of life-style changes and medications for the treatment of this malady:

1. Exercise: Regular physical activity prevents progression into diabetes. In the Da Qing IGT and Diabetes Study of 110,660 men and women in China( Diabetes Care 1997;20:537-44.), progression to diabetes decreased from 67.7% to 41.1%, when comparing an uncontrolled group to a controlled exercise group over a period of 6 years.

2. Diet: In a Finnish study (N Engl J Med 2001;344:1343-50), there was an incidence of 23% of progression into diabetes in a control group compared to only 11% in an intervention group over a period of 4 years. Interventions were aimed at reducing weight 5% or more, reducing dietary fat to less than 30% of the total caloric intake and increasing dietary fiber to at least 15g per 1000 calories ingested.

3. In al large study involving 27 clinical centers around the US(N Eng J Med, February 7, 2002),3234 prediabetic overweight participants were divided into two groups. One group received intensive training in diet, physical activity, and behavior modification. The aim was to reduce body weight by 7% and maintain the loss, and exercise 150 minutes a week. The second group received metformin 850 mg twice a day. At the end of the study, the lifestyle intervention group reduced diabetes progression by 58% compared to 31% in the metformin group.

4. A prediabetes task force (American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 18th Annual Meeting, Houston,Tx. 2009) suggested a more aggressive therapeutic approach to these patients, recommending treating high-risk individuals with diabetic medications such as metformin, acarbose, glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists and thiazolidinediones. These treatments are not yet FDA approved for prediabetes, but are backed by strong scientific data indicating that battling insulin resistance early protects the pancreas and prevents progression into diabetes.

The health and monetary costs of prediabetes are not known. But diabetes is an expensive disease, costing about $174 b billion annually in the US alone. Direct medical costs account for about $116 billion and indirect costs such as disability payments, time lost from work, and premature death account for the remaining $58 billion.

Millions of lives and billions of dollars can be saved by aggressive life-style and therapeutic intervention in patients suffering from prediabetes.

Remember: Prediabetes means preceding diabetes. But it also means preventable diabetes.

Dr. Shashi K. Agarwal is a Board Certified Internist and Cardiologist with a private practice in New York City and New Jersey. He is also a diplomat of the American Board of Holistic Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD

Influenza Vaccine: Inject or Reject?

By Shashi Agarwal MD

Influenza is an acute viral infection that peaks from October to May in the United States. In most people, the infection is mild and recovery usually occurs within a week, without any medical attention. However,complications may occur in people at high risk, necessitating hospitalization and even resulting in death.

It is estimated that influenza epidemics kill about 36,000 people each year. As many as 226,000 are hospitalized yearly in the United States. Morbidity and mortality is highest among persons 65 years or older and children 2 years or younger. Certain other populations are also at an increased risk and these include: people with chronic medical conditions, people living in nursing homes or other long-term facilities, pregnant women, people who live with or take care of high risk patients (for example, health care workers) and household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age as these children are too young to be vaccinated.

Influenza is caused by influenza viruses that circle every part of the world. Infection is usually characterized by a sudden onset of high fever, dry cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise, sore throat and runny nose. It is usually spread by infected droplets released during the cough of an infected person. These droplets are inhaled by nearby people and ends up infecting them. Infection can also be spread by hands. Influenza can be prevented by covering the mouth and nose when coughing and washing hands regularly. However, the most effective prevention method is vaccination

Influenza viruses are of three types: A, B and C. Since type C virus infection is uncommon in humans, influenza A and B are the only types in included in seasonal influenza vaccines. Following recommendations of the WHO, the 2010-2011 influenza vaccine contained the following three vaccine viruses: an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus; an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus; and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.

The influenza vaccine for the 2011-2012 season is unchanged from last year. However,if you were vaccinated last year, your immunity may have declined and you may now be susceptible. The CDC recommends that people get re-vaccinated again this year.

One cannot get influenza from the influenza vaccine, as it contains killed inactivated influenza vaccine. Serious reactions or death due to the influenza vaccine are extremely rare.

Influenza vaccine is safe and highly protective. It is therefore important that we all take influenza vaccination every year. It is even more important for people at a higher risk to take it early as it takes about 2 weeks following vaccination to develop immunity. However since the viruses continue to circulate throughout the influenza season, vaccination could be taken even during late winter months. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

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Chocolate Color: Heart does not discriminate!

Dark chocolate has been associated with cardiovascular benefits. Earlier reports had suggested that white or brown(milk)  chocolate had less or no effects on cardiovascular protection.

However, a large study recently presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress reviewed seven studies which included 114,009 participants. Of these, five of the studies revealed cardio-metabolic benefits associated with chocolate consumption. In the participants with the highest level of chocolate consumption, there was a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29% reduction in stroke when compared to the group with the lowest chocolate intake.

The benefits of chocolate stem from its polyphenol content, which exerts strong antioxidant effects. However research suggests that there are also positive anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, and anti-thrombotic effects associated with its consumption. It may also improve insulin sensitivity and by stimulating the release nitric oxide, improve vascular function.

The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 23.6 million people will die prematurely from cardiovascular disorders by the year 2030. This will be associated with considerable suffering and tremendous health care costs.

Although cocoa products have been enjoyed by humans for centuries, their beneficial effects are only being recognized now. This news should increase cocoa production and chocolate consumption all over the world. The major cocoa producing West African countries, especially Ivory Coast, should revel in this news. And we can too. We can now indulge in any kind of chocolate, white, brown or dark and any form of chocolate: bars, drinks and snacks such as chocolate cookies, desserts, and nutritional supplements.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Benefits: Plant Based ALA or Marine Based DHA and EPA?

By Shashi Agarwal MD

Several scientific studies support the beneficial role of marine based omega-3 fatty acids, namely DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapetenoic acid), in reducing the risk of heart attack, death, life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms and strokes in people with known cardiovascular disease. These fish based omega-3 acids also slow the atherosclerotic plaque build up in arteries and help lower blood pressure. However scientific evidence supporting similar benefits from ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), a shorter chain cousin, is less pronounced.

ALA is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid for humans. It cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be obtained from food sources. It is found in certain plant oils, especially flaxseed oil, constituting almost 50% of its fatty acid content. Other plant oil sources include soybean, mustard, linseed and olive oil. English walnuts are also high in ALA. Smaller amounts are present in green leafy vegetables and chocolate, tree nuts other than walnuts and corn. ALA is the precursor to EPA and DHA. However the conversion into these longer-chain cousins is limited and this may explain its relative inefficiency in cardiovascular protection.

Several scientific studies have suggested that ALA may be cardioprotective.The two major randomized prospective studies, the Lyon Diet Heart Study(Mediterranean Diet Study) and a study by Singh and associates suggested that ALA was cardiovascular protective. However in these studies it has been difficult to ascribe the cardiovascular benefit to ALA alone. A study by Luc Djoussé, MD and published in Circulation in 2005 showed that people with higher ALA intake had lower sub-clinical atherosclerosis. A recent prospective study and published in 2011, reviewed the cardiovascular outcomes in a Dutch population of 20,069 healthy adults enrolled in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. They were monitored for up to 13 years. The researchers found that intake of ALA in this population had a protective effect on stroke and a further, although borderline, reduction of other cardiovascular events in women.

ALA has been used therapeutically in rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, renal disease, and inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, migraines, skin cancer, and depression, may also benefit from its intake. Supplementation has also shown to help inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

ALA is safe to take in its natural form. It is readily available in health food stores. It use is rarely associated with any side effects. However, there is a suggestion that there may be a small increase in the risk of prostate cancer associated with its intake.

Marine oils rich in DHA and EPA are expensive and subject to limitation due to dwindling fish stocks. Plant sources of ALA are more numerous and maybe inexhaustible, but conclusive proof of ALA’s role as a cardiovascular protective agent remains only suggestive, and not persuasive. Further studies will hopefully establish a more conclusive intake-benefit connection of this essential fatty acid. Present scientific data continues to support the use of marine based omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular benefits. However, individuals unable or unwilling to consume marine based products may use ALA as a substitute for EPA and DHA.

 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD

Vaccination: Safe or Unsafe?

 

By Shashi Agarwal MD

 Vaccination is the medical sacrament corresponding to baptism. Whether it is or is not more efficacious I do not know.
Samuel Butler

“Nobody needs to be confused but EVERYBODY better be darn well frightened about taking ANY vaccine, under ANY circumstance, for ANY reason, at ANY time in their life.” Dr Duffy DC

 

In 1998 Lancet published an article by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, a British doctor, linking vaccines to autism. It was subsequently determined that the data presented was fraudulent and based on records purposely altered to support a hypothesis that autism and bowel inflammation occurred due to administration of the MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccine. This article was recently withdrawn by Lancet and an investigative report illustrating the fraud was published in the British Medical Journal. However, the initial report led to a significant decline in vaccination rates, and the resulting damage to the public health continues.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends several vaccines for routine administration in children. A smaller number of vaccinations are also recommended for adults. Following a request from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Institute of Medicine recently reviewed vaccination related adverse events and the scientific evidence behind this connection. Their report was based on a comprehensive review of more than 1000 studies by a 16-member committee, which included pediatricians, internists and immunologists. Their findings were recently released (August 2011).

The report states that in a review of millions of vaccinations administered, adverse effects were rarely noted. General side effects included fainting and inflammation of the deltoid muscle. MMR was associated with febrile seizures and inclusion body encephalitis in immunocompromised people. Varicella vaccination was associated with brain swelling, pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis, shingles and chickenpox in a minority of patients. Six vaccinations rarely triggered anaphylaxis shortly after injection: hepatitis B, influenza, meningococcal, MMR, varicella and the tetanus containing vaccines. All these adverse reactions were rare.

The committee found no evidence of a causal relationship between: MMR vaccine and autism, MMR vaccine and type 1 diabetes,  DTaP vaccine and type 1 diabetes, inactivated influenza vaccine and Bell’s palsy and inactivated influenza vaccine and exacerbation of asthma or reactive airway disease episodes in children and adults.

A plethora of epidemiological studies have conclusively proved that vaccination helps prevent diseases. Studies suggest that smallpox killed an estimated 500 million people before it was eradicated with the vaccine. It is estimated that routine vaccination may have prevented approximately 16,000 polio related paralysis, 20,000 episodes of mental retardation and birth defects in children due to rubella, 3,000 measles related deaths in children and 15,000 haemophilus influenza B associated meningitis and permanent brain damage each year in the Unites States alone.

The comprehensive review from the Institute of Medicine debunks the strong opinions that vaccinations are dangerous. In particular, no link was found between vaccination and autism. Their overall conclusion was that vaccines are safe and provide a valuable medical tool to protect against diseases.

Millions of vaccines are administered every year. These prevent a lot of suffering and save a lot of lives. Scientific studies have well established their effectiveness. Side effects are relatively rare and usually mild in intensity, limited in duration and easy to treat. This extensive report from the Institute of Medicine conclusively validates their safety.

 

“So it’s an absolute lie that has killed thousands of kids. Because the mothers who heard that lie, many of them didn’t have their kids take either pertussis or measles vaccine, and their children are dead today. And so the people who go and engage in those anti-vaccine efforts — you know, they, they kill children. It’s a very sad thing, because these vaccines are important.” Bill Gates

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD

 

DEA bans “bath salts”

Designer ‘bath salts’ were ‘dirty’. Used as recreational drugs but associated with severe and often fatal consequences, they had proliferated and escaped regulatory scrutiny by often being sold as plant food and bearing the label “not for human consumption”. They had been banned in many European courntries in the past. These have finally been banned in the USA. DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart stated: “This imminent action by the DEA demonstrates that there is no tolerance for those who manufacture, distribute, or sell these drugs anywhere in the country, and that those who do will be shut down, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. DEA has made it clear we will not hesitate to use our emergency scheduling authority to control these dangerous chemicals that pose a significant and growing threat to our nation.” Most physicians and law enforcement officials will welcome this ban as good news.

“Bath Salts”: Nothing Clean About These Designer Drugs

According to Wikepedia, ”the term ‘bath salts’ refers to a range of water-soluble, usually inorganic solid products designed to be added to a bath. They are said to improve cleaning, improve the experience of bathing, serve as a vehicle for cosmetic agents, and some even claim medical benefits. They contain magnesium ensulfate (Epsom salts), sodium chloride (table salt), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), sodium hexametaphosphate (Calgon, amorphous/glassy sodium metaphosphate), sodium sesquicarbonate and borax.” However, the new ‘bath salts’ on the market contain dangerous stimulant  synthetic chemicals like mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone  and are being used as recreational drugs.

Their name is due to their appearance – they come as powder or crystals that look like real bath salts. They are sold on the internet and at various truck stops and gas stations. Retail names include Vanilla Sky, Ivory Wave, White Rush, Zoom 2, Aura and Loco-Motion. Other names for these designer drugs include White Lightning”, “Hurricane Charlie”,” Bolivian Bath”, “Purple Wave”, “Red Dove”, “Blue Silk”, ” “Bloom,” “Cloud Nine”,”Ocean Snow” and “Lunar Wave”.

These drugs are snorted, injected or smoked and cause severe reactions which include delusions, paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations and suicidal behavior. There is an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Many recurrent users get addicted. Serious side effects include seizures, muscle breakdown, kidney failure and even death.  Calls to poison control centers and visits to emergency rooms have skyrocketed due their growing use in the recent months. Emergency room physicians are struggling to cope with these patients. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, calls have jumped to 3470 in the first six months of this year, from 303 in the entire 2010. Both law enforcement officials and emergency room physicians are struggling to cope with people ‘high’ on these salts.

“Bath salts’ were outlawed in Britain in 2010. Although many states in the USA have banned these drugs, the DEA has labeled these as “Drugs and Chemicals of Concern”. A complete federal ban is awaited.

Bath salts are dangerous and we need to be remain aware and vigilant of this new ‘designer’ drug problem facing America.

Vitamin E: Heart Helpful, Harmful Or Harmless?

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin with anti-oxidant properties. Vitamin E is a combination of 8 related tocopherols and tocotrienols. The main one of these is alpha-tocopherol. 1 IU of vitamin E is the biological equivalent of 1mg of dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate. The U.S recommended daily amount for a 25-year old male for Vitamin E is 15 mg/day. Vitamin E is naturally found in almonds, asparagus, avocado, nuts, olives, seeds, spinach, wheat germ and vegetable oils such as canola, corn, sunflower, soybean, and cottonseed.

Vitamin E is used as a supplement for its benefit in many medical conditions.These include diabetes, cancer prevention, Alzheimers’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, premenstrual syndrome, cataracts and to lesson the harmful effects of dialysis, chemotherapy and radiation. It is also commonly used for preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including high blood pressure. However, objective data on the latter benefit is lacking.

Over the last several decades, observational evidence has suggested that taking vitamin E prevents cardiovascular disease. The supporting logic was that vitamin E is an antioxidant and by preventing LDL oxidation, it may retard atherosclerosis. However, prospective clinical trials have not confirmed this benefit and have actually shown increased mortality in people taking this supplement. This information is important as 10%-20% of the adult western population takes multivitamins as supplements on a regular basis.

The Evidence:

The most compelling evidence came from the Women’s Health Study. This trial was conducted between 1992 and 2004 in 39,876 healthy women aged 45 years and older. They were randomly assigned to receive 600 IU of Vitamin E or placebo and low-dose aspirin or placebo on alternate days. After a mean follow up for 10.1 years, data showed that vitamin E showed no benefit on the primary end point, major cardiovascular events, and no effect on secondary end points, including stroke and myocardial infarction. The results of this landmark trial were published in the July 6, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

In another trial (HOPE and HOPE-TOO Trial) published earlier in the same year (Journal of the American Medical Association, March 2005), vitamin E recipients did not have any reduction in heart attacks, stroke or cardiovascular death, when followed for 7 years. There was however, a significantly higher risk of heart failure.

In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2000, researchers again failed to find any beneficial effects for vitamin E on the incidence of cardiovascular events in 9541 subjects. These patients were aged 55 or older and had known vascular disease or diabetes.

A recent meta-analysis has however significantly raised concern about the safety of vitamin E supplementation. Miller and colleagues combined data from 19 clinical trials involving 135,967 participants aged 47 to 84 years. These patients were at risk for chronic diseases, especially coronary heart disease. In 9 of the 11 trials testing vitamin E in doses of more than 400 IU/day, there was an increase in all-cause mortality. There also appeared to be a progressive increase in mortality if the dose of vitamin E was increased beyond 150 IU/day. This data was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in November 10, 2004.

How about the benefits of vitamin E for other conditions?

Evidence based data on many common uses of vitamin E remains lacking. Vitamin E has been found to delay the progression of age-related macular degeneration Vitamin E supplementation have also found to have some beneficial effect in Alzheimer’s Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and in infants born of HIV positive mothers.

What is the final word?

Forget about Vitamin E supplementation for cardiovascular protection. Although inexpensive and without side effects, it should not be used for this purpose. As a matter of fact, scientific data suggests that its use may be harmful to heart patients. There are other supplements like aspirin and fish oils that have a plethora of compelling scientific evidence supporting their heart protective benefits. Save your vitamin E money and spend it on a healthy diet or other beneficial supplements.

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shashi_Agarwal_MD

Acute Stress and Your Heart: Marked Rise in Heart Attacks following New York 9/11, Chilean Earthquake 2010, Stock Market Volatility

“Stress is like an iceberg. We can see one-eighth of it above, but what about what’s below?” Unknown

Worry and stress affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system, and profoundly affects heart action.  Charles W. Mayo, M.D.

Acute stress, whether  physical, emotional or financial, is dangerous for your heart. Three major scientific studies have confirmed this association:

1. New York , 9/11 Terrorist Attacks:

Following 9/11, an extremely stressful event, especially for New Yorkers, there was a big rise in cardiac events in the days and weeks that followed.  A study showing this association was presented by Dr Feng and associates from Brooklyn Hospital, New York at the American Heart Associations Scientific Sessions, 2003. They studied 425 patients arriving to the hospital with symptoms of heart problems for a period of two months following the attack and compared their records with 428 similar patients seen during the 60 days preceeding the attack. They found that following September 11, 2011, there was a 35 percent increase in heart attacks and a 40 percent increase in heart irregularities.

2. Chilean Earthquake 2010:

On February 27, 2010 one of the largest ever recorded (measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale) hit Concepción, Chile’s second largest city, 200 miles southwest of the capital, Santiago, Chile. There was a marked rise in new heart attacks in the area. Dr. Edgardo Escobar and his team from Santiago, compared 200,000 ECG’s taken during different periods. These included the year before, the year of the earthquake and the weekend of the earthquake. They found that during the earthquake weekend, the incidence of sub-epicardial lesions as seen on the electrocardiograms doubled. This data was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Meetings in Paris in September, 2011.

3. Stock Market Fluctuations:

The stock markets were volatile from July 2008 through January 2009. The markets began to recover and started stabilizing from January through July 2009. Duke University researchers studied more than 2,500 people who had heart attacks during three-month periods involving this volatility and recovery and plotted them against the Nasdaq composite index during each period. They found an increase in heart attacks rates during the stock market stressful periods.

These changes are probably related to sudden surges in catecholamine levels in the body. These surges increase heart rate and blood pressure, besides inducing a host of other negative biologic changes.  It is extremely important for patients at risk of a heart attack remain compliant with their medication intake, especially during these stressful periods.