Catastrophic costs for hospitalization expenses common among uninsured heart and stroke patients
November 30, 2017
Anaheim, CA – The majority of patients without health insurance who were hospitalized for heart attack, stroke or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery experienced catastrophic healthcare expenses before passage of the Affordable Care Act, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2017, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians.
For those who were uninsured, hospitalization expenses were catastrophic for 85 percent of heart attack patients, 75 percent of stroke patients and 80 percent of CABG patients. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says Taking Meds after Heart Procedures may boost trouble-free Survival Rate
October 25, 2016
American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report
Dallas, TX – Medications matter, but if you are a heart patient who doesn’t take them as prescribed you may have a lower trouble-free survival rate and heart bypass surgery may be more beneficial than percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI or stenting), according to new research in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.
Coronary artery bypass surgery redirects blood flow to the heart around clogged heart arteries.
Heart bypass patients appeared to be more resistant than PCI patients to the negative effects of not taking prescribed medication. (American Heart Association)
Hard to treat Chest Pain may be improved with a Patient’s own Stem Cells according to American Heart Association
July 20, 2016
Phoenix, AZ – A non-surgical treatment that uses a patient’s own bone marrow stem cells to treat chest pain or angina improved both symptoms and the length of time treated patients could be physically active, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2016 Scientific Sessions.
Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused when the heart does not get enough oxygen-rich blood due to narrowing or blockages in the arteries leading to the heart.
A patient’s own stem cells may treat chest pain that cannot be treated with current therapies. (American Heart Association)
Post Coronary Artery Bypass Infections may be linked to severe Obesity
June 2, 2016
American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report
Dallas, TX – Coronary artery bypass patients who have severe obesity are more likely to experience infection shortly after surgery and stay in the hospital longer, according to new research in Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Compared to coronary artery bypass patients with normal weight, patients with severe obesity were three times more likely to develop an infection after bypass surgery, researchers said.
Heart Illustration. (American Heart Association)
