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Interview with
Prof. Bernhard Meier |
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Prof.
Bernhard Meier |
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"How do I measure my risk
of heart disease and what types of risk factors are there ?"
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The most important risk factor
is the genetic disposition. If heart disease is a frequent problem
in your family, you are at an increased risk. Since there is no way
to influence these factors, more attention has to be paid to amendable
risk factors. They include smoking, hyper-cholesterolemia, high blood
pressure, diabetes, and high blood levels of triglycerides, homocysteine,
and fibrinogen. Obesity and stress are not among the direct risk factors.
They may increase the risk if they cause any of the aforementioned
problems. Alcohol actually protects the heart against atherosclerosis
to some degree. Yet, it damages other organs, such as the liver. |
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"What lifestyle risks are
most significant and what are the simplest ways to minimize these
risks ?" |
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Smoking is the most important
lifestyle risk and the most easy to eliminiate. The bad type of cholesterol
is also of great importance and can be lowered most easily by modern
drugs called statins. The protective kind of cholesterol can be increased
by regular physical activity. The risk factor high blood pressure
must be looked for and treated if found. Except for drastic weight
reduction or the unpleasant and somewhat dangerous measure to reduce
fluid and salt intake, only medical treatment can significantly reduce
blood pressure. |
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"Why is it so important
that the public be trained in resuscitation techniques (CPR) ?" |
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Cardiac arrest is the most
common cause of death. Although it's risk increases with age, it happens
to people in their best years. Cardiac arrest is potentially reversible
in most cases.Yet, cardiac function must be supported or replaced
by CPR within the first few minutes.Otherwise, irreversible brain
damage occurs. Cardiac function can be sufficiently replaced by expert
cardiac massage and assisted ventilation for a limited period of time.
Initial CPR measures do not require any special equipment. Under most
circumstances, advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be summoned
within less than 30 minutes at which time the heart rhythm can be
normalized by an electric shock if it is too fast (vetricular fibrillation)
or a pacemaker can be used if it is too slow (asystole). In addition
the lungs can be supported by intubation and oxygen administration.
Potent drugs such as adrenaline can temporarily support the failing
heart. |
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"At what age does the risk
for heart attack begin to rise significantly ?" |
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Heart attacks are caused by
clogging of a coronary artery. These arteries are subjected to atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis can be looked upon as a normal aging phenomenon. However,
the typical risk factors may accelerate this process and cause a problem
much prematurely. It is rare to see atherosclerosis before the age
of 60 in people without risk factors. In people with several risk
factors such as genetic predisposition, smoking, and diabetes, the
problem may become manifest already at the age of 40.
In people with a genetic disorder causing extremely high cholesterol
it may even occur in adolescence already. |
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