Archive for the ‘Are You at Risk?’ Category
Life Line Screening Provides hs-CRP screenings for the Dr. Oz Show
February 3, 2012
C-Reactive Protein screenings can help predict heart attack risk.
Recently, the Dr. Oz Show aired a groundbreaking show on Heart Disease in Women. One of the main elements of the show was a screening provided by Life Line Screening (and partners Northshore: Long Island Jewish Labs and Alere) for the entire studio audience. The test was for high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), a new test that can help predict heart disease.
C-Reactive Protein provides a measure of inflammation in the body and can be done by a simple finger-stick.
These are the current values for CPR as they relate to cardiovascular disease risk level.
As the show depicts, a normal artery is clear and blood flows through it smoothly. An artery with plaque may block blood a little bit but the blood still can still often flow. However, when the artery has plaque and also becomes inflamed, the blood can get blocked and this can lead to heart attack.
The segment is available on the Dr. Oz website at:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/best-new-test-predict-heart-disease-pt-1
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/best-new-test-predict-heart-disease-pt-2
Life Line Screening was very pleased to provide this screening for the studio audience and urges all of our customers to watch this number one rated daytime show for important health information. Check www.doctoroz.com to learn when the show is airing in your area.
Category: Are You at Risk?, Health Screenings
Stroke Takes Life of Comedian Patrice O’Neal at Young Age
December 1, 2011
You may have heard the sad news that comedian and actor, Patrice O’Neal, died Tuesday at the young age of 41 due to complications from a stroke he had in October. The specific complications were not made clear, according to a November 30 article in the Los Angeles Times.
The article, however, did cite Dr. John M. Kennedy, director of Preventive Cardiology and Wellness at Marina Del Rey Hospital who explained that common general stroke complications can result in problems like speech impairment or sensory loss in the limbs, but may have no lasting neurological damage.
He also said that other times stroke can damage the area of the brain that controls breathing or swallowing, and brain tissue scarring can trigger seizures. Additionally, the patient could develop infections, like aspiration pneumonia, if they are bedridden.
What Could Have Caused This Stroke?
It has been reported, according to the article, that Patrice O’Neal suffered from diabetes, which is a major risk factor for stroke.
For your own information, you should also know the many other risk factors for stroke as well, including:
- Abdominal Obesity
- High Cholesterol
- High Blood Pressure
- Smoking
- Lack of Exercise
- Overdoing Alcohol
- Stress and Depression
- Heart Disease
- Diet
Remember to get screened from a trusted health source, like your doctor or Life Line Screening. Stroke can be prevented, and when someone as young as O’Neal passes away from such a medical issue, it really reminds us how important stroke screening is.
Patrice O’Neal’s Claims to Fame
For those of you who are trying to put the name to the face, a separate November 30 Los Angeles Times article gives Patrice O’Neal’s impressive appearance list including:
- Conan O’Brien
- David Letterman
- The Opie & Anthony Show (Sirius XM)
- The Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen
- Showtime and HBO
- “Arrested Development”
- “Web Junk 20” (VH1)
- “Chappelle’s Show”
- “The Office”
Pictures of Patrice O’Neal can be found in the Los Angeles Times articles below that are mentioned in this post:
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-passings-20111130,0,2777849.story
Category: Are You at Risk?, Health Awareness, Health Screenings
Life Line Screening Friday Roundup: Top Health News About Cholesterol and Kids, Afib and More
November 18, 2011
One of the biggest health news items this week is the controversial recommendation by a team at the University of Colorado School of Medicine that children as young as age 9 should be screened for cholesterol as well as high blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). Then, they should be screened again between ages 17 and 21.
Of course, heart disease due to cholesterol is rare in children. However, as an article from NYDailyNews.com reports, having a poor diet during childhood can accelerate the development of atherosclerosis, also known as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD), or hardening of the arteries, in their later years.
The recommendations along with diet and exercise guidelines for children and young adults ages 2 to 21 were published in the journal Pediatrics last week and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
What do you think? Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/children-young-screened-high-cholesterol-pediatrics-article-1.979030
Other newsworthy items in health include:
Good oral health can help prevent heart attack and stroke!
Getting your teeth cleaned helps vascular health! This WebMD article reports on a study, which showed that getting your teeth professionally scaled and polished to remove plaque, at least once every two years, can lower your risk of heart attack and stroke by 25% and 13% respectively. Read more at: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20111116/getting-your-teeth-cleaned-may-help-your-heart
Talk to your doctor about vitamin D and Afib. Of course vitamin D is good for you, but this PharmaceuticalBusinessReview.com article reports on a study that found too much vitamin D may cause atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). Read more at: http://clinicaltrials.pharmaceutical-business-review.com/news/consumption-of-excess-vitamin-d-causes-atrial-fibrillation-us-study-171111
Have you ever said, “This job is killing me”? Well, it may very well be true! A Chicago ABC News “HealthBeat” report says your lack of activity on your sit-down job may be harming your health even if you work out at the gym! Read more at: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/health&id=8434143
Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Category: Are You at Risk?, Health Studies, Healthy Living
Get Educated About Atrial Fibrillation as Part of Your Stroke Awareness
October 31, 2011
An October 26 article from Health.com (a UK publication) reminds us how important it is to become educated on how atrial fibrillation can attribute to stroke.
The article reports that 750,000 people in the UK are affected by atrial fibrillation (AF / Afib), or irregular heartbeat. Yet, 67% of people over age 65 are unable to recognize it as a warning sign for stroke.
The article also quotes Steve Benveniste, Campaigns Officer at The Stroke Association who says, “Atrial fibrillation increases your risk of stroke by up to five times and around 12,500 strokes a year are thought to be directly linked to the condition.”
Benveniste goes on to say, “It’s worrying that such a significant proportion of people over the age of 65 are unaware of the link between AF and stroke, especially because they are more likely than any other age group to develop the heart condition.”
This means, of course, atrial fibrillation is not limited to our friends across the pond. In fact, according to Afib.org, atrial fibrillation affects more than 2 million people in the US and about 15 percent of all strokes in the US occur in people with Afib.
So, here is what you need to do next:
Know the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation
Make an appointment with your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Heart palpitations (sudden pounding, fluttering, or a racing feeling in the chest)
- Lack of energy, fatigue
- Light headedness, fainting
- Confusion
- Chest discomfort
- Shortness of breath (even at rest)
Know the Risk Factors of Atrial Fibrillation
Decrease you risk for atrial fibrillation by knowing the risk factors and identifying if you have any of these factors, which include:
- High blood pressure
- Overactive thyroid
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol and/or caffeine consumption
- Extreme stress or fatigue
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Obesity
- Sleep apnea
- Diabetes
Know That There is Preventive Testing for Afib
You should know that in both the US and the UK, Life Line Screening offers convenient, non-invasive testing for atrial fibrillation. Watch the Life Line Screening YouTube video to see just how easy testing can be at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJY0Ua9MVg4
Get Additional Education About Afib and Stroke
Here are some resources for you to help you get started learning more about Afib and stroke:
Read a past blog post we did in honor of National Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) Awareness Month at, which includes a link to the National Stroke Association: http://www.lifelinescreeningblog.com/index.php/in-honor-of-national-atrial-fibrillation-afib-awareness-month/
Check out our past blog post that contains our Stroke Across America INFOGRAPHIC, which contains important information about stroke that you can share with your loved ones at: http://www.lifelinescreeningblog.com/index.php/saturday-october-29-is-world-stroke-day/
Visit the FacingAfib.com site for info at: http://www.facingafib.com/
Visit the American Stroke Association at: http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/
Read the article from Health.com in full detail at: http://www.healthcanal.com/public-health-safety/22410-Poor-awareness-continues-put-over-65s-risk-stroke.html
Category: Are You at Risk?, Health Awareness, Health Screenings
World Stroke Day: Stroke Across America [INFOGRAPHIC]
October 26, 2011
Raising awareness about stroke is the purpose of the Saturday’s World Stroke Day 2011, a campaign by the World Stroke Organization. We are proud to help raise awareness about stroke and celebrate stroke prevention. Please help celebrate with us by sharing the infographic below with your friends and family.
Embed this image on your site:
Life Line Screening has created the Stroke Across America educational infographic above in honor of World Stroke Day. This infographic not only contains statistics about stroke but also critical information you should know about stroke and your health, such as:
• What Stroke Is
• Signs of Stroke
• Types of Stroke
• Stroke Prevention
Category: Are You at Risk?, Health Screenings
