American Heart Association says 3D image may provide better size match for Child Heart Transplants
November 17, 2015
American Heart Association Meeting Report
Orlando, FL – A new 3D computer modeling system may significantly improve a surgeon’s ability to select the best sized donor heart for children receiving heart transplants, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
Transplant centers currently assess compatibility of a potential donor heart by comparing the donor weight to the recipient weight and then picking an upper and lower limit based on the size of the patient’s heart on chest X-ray. But the assessment is not precise and variations in size and volume can have a major effect on the recipient’s outcome.
Models of multiple children’s hearts who were born with congenital heart defects, used for surgical planning. (Cardiac 3D Print Lab, Phoenix Children’s Hospital Heart Center)
American Heart Association reports Obese Kids young as age 8 show signs of Heart Disease
November 16, 2015
Orlando, FL – Imaging tests of obese children — some as young as 8 years old — showed signs of significant heart disease and heart muscle abnormalities, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
Comparing 20 obese kids with 20 normal-weight kids, researchers found that obesity was linked to 27 percent more muscle mass in the left ventricle of their hearts and 12 percent thicker heart muscles – both signs of heart disease.
Child weighing himself on a scale. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says a few minutes of activity may cut Blood Pressure for people with Type 2 Diabetes
November 15, 2015
American Heart Association Meeting Report
Orlando, FL – Just a few minutes of light activity for people who sit most of the day – a short stroll or some squats at your desk every thirty minutes – can lower blood pressure for people with Type 2 diabetes, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
Researchers tracked blood pressure levels in 24 overweight and obese adults with Type 2 diabetes as they sat for eight hours. Participants either took 3-minute walking breaks averaging a speed about 2 miles per hour (mph) or did 3-minutes of simple resistance exercises every half-hour.
Blood pressure cuff. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association report shows Wealthiest not Sickest Patients may have edge in Organ Transplants
November 14, 2015
American Heart Association Meeting Report: Abstract 15991
Orlando, FL – Registering with more than one organ transplant center appears to give an edge to wealthy patients over those with the most medical need, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
Researchers studied the national database of organ donors from 2000 to 2013 and found that patients who simultaneously listed at more than one center had higher transplant rates, lower death rates while waiting, were wealthier and were more likely to be insured.
Raymond Givens, M.D., Ph.D. – Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Fellow, Columbia University Medical Center, New York. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says Partners of Heart Defibrillator Patients concerned about resuming Sex
November 12, 2015
American Heart Association Meeting Report
Orlando, FL – Intimate partners of people with heart defibrillators are more concerned about resuming sexual activity than the patients immediately after the device is implanted, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
Implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) deliver an electric shock to the heart to correct life threatening heart beats.
Heart Illustration. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says moving to a Walking Neighborhood is good for your Blood Pressure
November 10, 2015
American Heart Association Meeting Report
Orlando, FL – People who moved from a neighborhood that required a vehicle to run errands to one that made walking-errands convenient were significantly less likely to have high blood pressure than people who moved from one low-walkability neighborhood to another low-walkability neighborhood, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
To determine a neighborhood’s walking friendliness, researchers used Walk Score®, which rates neighborhoods from 1 to 100 for accessibility by foot to stores, parks, schools and other destinations. “Walker’s Paradise” neighborhoods received a score of 90 or greater. Walk Score® is an open-access walkability index available at www.walkscore.com.
People walking in a park. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says the No. 1 Killer is Invisible to most Women
November 9, 2015
American Heart Association Meeting Report
Orlando, FL – Even though heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S., most women say they don’t have a personal connection to cardiovascular disease, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
A 2014 nationally representative survey of 1,011 adult women found that those who know another woman with heart disease are 25 percent more likely to be concerned about it for themselves and 19 percent more likely to bring up heart health with their doctors. The survey was developed and conducted by the Women’s Heart Alliance.
Heart illustration with artery close up. (American Heart Association)
AAA says Orlando Florida Tops List of Spring Travel Destinations in United States
March 14, 2015
Sun destinations are travelers’ top getaways following harsh winter
Tampa, FL – Warm destinations offering fun-filled activities for families will experience the largest influx of travelers this spring season. Florida has three of the top 10 most popular city destinations, including Orlando at number one.
Sunny, beach destinations in California and South Carolina also rank high on the list, followed by ever-popular vacation destinations Washington, D.C., New York City, Seattle and San Francisco. [Read more]
AAA reports Gas Prices fall to a 46 Month Low
October 28, 2014
Tampa, FL – Nationwide motorists are paying the cheapest price at the pump since 2010. The average price of gas has now fallen below the $3.00 mark in seventeen states.
Georgia is one of the newest members of the $3.00 club, the average currently sits at $2.93.
In Florida gasoline is hovering around $3.04, but in metro markets like Orlando, Pensacola, and Tampa motorists are have already seen the average dip below the $3.00 threshold.
Meanwhile, Tennesseans are enjoying the second lowest gas prices in the nation. [Read more]
AAA says Gas Prices decline despite Overseas Conflicts
August 18, 2014
Tampa, FL – Gas prices continued to slide last week. Motorists are finding gasoline at or below $3.20 in metro markets like Columbus, Chattanooga, Memphis, Orlando and Tampa.
“Motorists are reaping the benefits of booming domestic oil production which has provided the cheapest gas prices for August in years,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The price of oil declined slightly last week, so gas prices could slip even more this week.” [Read more]
