Cigarette smokers are much more likely to have lung cancer, chronic bronchitis than non-smokers. The smoker’s cough can put further strain on the heart which will be much less when they stop. Strokes are also rather more frequent in cigarette smokers although the risk is not as great as for heart disease or diseases of … Read more
It undoubtedly is. Many studies have shown that ex-smokers are much less likely to have a heart attack than those who continue to smoke. This does not mean that non-smokers will never get heart attacks, but their chances are certainly less than those of smokers. Younger light smokers reduce their risk more rapidly than heavier … Read more
The coronary arteries are the heart’s own blood supply and they carry the fuel and oxygen needed for its efficient working. When these arteries are diseased, their lining becomes thickened by fatty and other materials, so that the flow of blood may be reduced, especially when the heart has to work harder during exercise or … Read more
Smoking is one of the main factors which cause heart attacks. The other two are raised blood pressure and raised cholesterol levels in the blood. If people in the United Kingdom did not smoke cigarettes, about 10,000 fewer men and women of working age would die from heart attacks each year. This chapter gives you … Read more
It is essential to check the state of the pacemaker at regular intervals. Follow-up appointments at the pacemaker clinic are usually made every 3-12 months depending on the type of pacemaker and its previous performance. By analysing the discharge rate of the pacemaker, measuring the strength of the electrical impulse and recording the effects of … Read more
Fixed rate pacemakers do not contain sensing circuits and are not influenced by biological or external electromagnetic signals. A demand pacemaker must be sensitive to the natural heart rhythm and therefore contains sensing circuits. The presence of a sensing circuit makes the pacemaker theoretically sensitive to other biological or electromagnetic signals which, if they closely … Read more
The transvenous and epicardial operations are the two main techniques of pacemaker implantation. The transvenous method involves the insertion of an electrode lead into a vein, found at the shoulder or the root of the neck. The lead is negotiated, under X-ray vision, into the correct chamber of the heart and wedged or secured in … Read more
A pacemaking system consists of a pulse generator (the pacemaker) and one or more electrode leads. The pulse generator is about the size of a match-box and weight 50-100g (approximately 2-4 ounces). Modern pacemakers are encased entirely in metal and sealed to prevent body fluids seeping into the unit. The generator consists of two parts: … Read more
The treatment of patients suffering from abnormally slow heart rates has been transformed by the development of artificial cardiac pacemakers which can be implanted wholly within the body. Slow heart rates are caused by disease and ageing of the heart affecting both the natural heart pacemaker and the spread of electrical activity through the heart. … Read more
DO your tablets as prescribed. Report any suspected side-effects (such as skin rash or giddiness) without delay. Get your blood pressure checked regularly. DON’T Forget your treatment. Run out of pills. Start other tablets (cold cures or pills for arthritis) without consulting your doctor.