The emerging role of sacubitril/valsartan in pulmonary hypertension with heart failure

A Cardiologist Explains: The Silent Killers: Hypertension And Heart Disease In Black Folks

Dr. Tochi Okwuosa breaks down the life-threatening distinctions between sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack. Learn how sudden cardiac arrest, triggered by heart rhythm problems, stops the heart instantly, while a heart attack, caused by blocked arteries, can lead to sudden cardiac arrest if untreated. She also highlights the importance of managing high blood pressure and understanding hypertensive heart disease. Discover how CPR can save lives and why educating the Black community about these issues is crucial for reducing health disparities.

The World's No. 1 Killer — Heart Disease – Inside Sources

The world's biggest killer is one that seldom creates headlines. The public conversation focuses far more on disasters like airplane crashes or climate change events. However, these kill thousands of times fewer people.

The biggest killer in the world is cardiovascular disease, which primarily consists of heart attacks and strokes. It will claim more than 18 million lives globally this year, making up a third of all global deaths. In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups. One American dies every 33 seconds of cardiovascular disease.

This is a "lifestyle" problem caused by unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and tobacco and alcohol use, which lead to obesity and high blood pressure. Reducing heart attack risk worldwide is not just a matter of public health but an investment in personal responsibility, economic growth and national security.

Despite becoming a bigger killer than infectious diseases — even in the developing world — chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease receive very little funding in the world's poor countries. External funding accounts for almost 30 percent of health spending in low-income countries, but only 5 percent of this funding goes toward chronic diseases.

Through its overseas development aid and its policy advice to developing countries, the United States could boost spending on cardiovascular disease prevention.

By funding initiatives that educate the public about healthy lifestyles, encourage regular check-ups, and provide affordable healthcare options, individuals are empowered to take charge of their own well-being. This approach reduces the burden on the healthcare system and fosters a culture of self-reliance and accountability.

From an economic perspective, investing in reducing heart attack risk makes fiscal sense. Costs from cardiovascular diseases are projected to top $1 trillion in the United States alone by 2035. Heart disease and related conditions are among the leading causes of healthcare expenditures in the United States.

By proactively addressing risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and smoking through targeted interventions like community health programs, research into innovative treatments, and incentives for healthier living, we can potentially lower long-term healthcare costs.

A healthier population translates to a more productive workforce, reducing absenteeism and increasing overall economic output. This economic strength is crucial for maintaining America's global competitiveness and resilience against external threats. Additionally, a healthier population is less reliant on government assistance programs, thereby preserving resources for essential national priorities such as defense and infrastructure.

The indicator of high blood pressure is the single biggest global death risk, leading to almost 11 million deaths annually, causing 19 percent of all fatalities.

As the world's population is aging, ever more people are affected. The number of people living with high blood pressure doubled in the last 30 years — to about 1.3 billion people. Because there are no obvious symptoms, almost half don't even know it, and four out of five people are not adequately treated.

This combination makes high blood pressure both enormously impactful and surprisingly neglected.

The good news is that treating high blood pressure is incredibly cheap and effective with one or more pills that are off-patent and cost next-to-nothing. This is done reasonably well in rich countries, but we should be doing this worldwide.

Community screenings for high blood pressure cost as little as $1 per person, and the prescription of blood pressure medications often cost only $3 to $11 yearly.

Peer-reviewed research shows that controlling high blood pressure in the poorer half of the world would cost $3.5 billion annually. But it would save almost a million lives annually. Put into economic terms, each dollar spent would achieve $16 in returns to society, making it one of the world's most efficient policies.

High blood pressure is the world's leading global killer risk. Yet, it receives little attention and even less funding. For just $3.5 billion annually, we could implement one of the best development solutions, saving millions of lives. This would be good for U.S. Development policy, and amazing for the world.

The Link Between Heart Failure And Diabetes: What You Need To Know

Heart failure and diabetes are two serious health conditions that often occur together.

Understanding the connection between these diseases can help improve treatment and prevention strategies. Here's a look at how heart failure and diabetes are related, backed by research evidence.

Heart failure happens when the heart cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid buildup in the body.

Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels, either because it doesn't produce enough insulin or because the cells don't respond to insulin properly.

Research shows a strong link between diabetes and heart failure. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart failure compared to those without diabetes. This connection is due to several factors.

High blood sugar levels in diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves that control the heart. Over time, this damage can lead to heart disease and increase the risk of heart failure.

Elevated blood sugar also promotes inflammation and the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which can further harm the heart.

Insulin resistance, a common feature of type 2 diabetes, plays a key role in this connection. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, it struggles to use glucose for energy, leading to high blood sugar levels.

This condition can cause the heart to work harder and eventually lead to heart failure. Studies indicate that insulin resistance is a significant predictor of heart failure in people with diabetes.

Another factor is the impact of diabetes on blood pressure. People with diabetes often have high blood pressure, which can strain the heart and lead to heart failure.

High blood pressure forces the heart to pump harder to circulate blood, causing the heart muscle to thicken and weaken over time. Managing blood pressure is crucial for people with diabetes to reduce the risk of heart failure.

Obesity, which is common in people with type 2 diabetes, also contributes to the risk of heart failure. Excess body weight can increase the workload on the heart and lead to conditions like hypertension and insulin resistance.

Research shows that weight loss can significantly improve heart function and reduce the risk of heart failure in people with diabetes.

Lifestyle factors, such as physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits, also link diabetes and heart failure. A sedentary lifestyle and poor diet can lead to obesity, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure, all of which increase the risk of heart failure.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet can help manage diabetes and protect the heart.

Treating diabetes effectively is essential for preventing heart failure. Medications that control blood sugar levels, such as metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors, can also benefit heart health.

For example, SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce the risk of heart failure in people with type 2 diabetes. These medications help lower blood sugar levels and have protective effects on the heart and kidneys.

Regular monitoring and early detection of heart problems are important for people with diabetes. Healthcare providers often recommend routine tests like echocardiograms and electrocardiograms to check heart function. Early intervention can help manage heart failure and improve outcomes.

Managing other risk factors, such as high cholesterol and smoking, is also crucial. High cholesterol levels can lead to atherosclerosis and increase the risk of heart failure. Quitting smoking can improve overall heart health and reduce the risk of heart failure.

In conclusion, the connection between heart failure and diabetes is complex and involves multiple factors, including high blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, obesity, and lifestyle choices.

By understanding this link, individuals with diabetes can take steps to manage their condition and reduce their risk of heart failure.

Ongoing research continues to explore new treatments and strategies to improve heart health in people with diabetes, offering hope for better outcomes and quality of life.

If you care about health, please read studies about the benefits of low-dose lithium supplements, and what we know about egg intake and heart disease.

For more information about health, please see recent studies about potatoes and high blood pressure, and results showing 6 best breads for people with heart disease.

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