BOSTON, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Of the 460,000 sudden deaths that occur annually in the United States, about 90% are due to coronary artery disease, and 75% of the victims are men. The good news is that sudden cardiac death doesn’t have to be fatal. The September issue of the Harvard Men’s Health Watch details the advances in sudden cardiac death risk identification and treatment.
There are several tests available for physicians to identify risk of sudden cardiac death. They can also prescribe treatment to help prevent the crisis from initially occurring, although some of these medications can have major side effects. As researchers look to develop better drugs, the implantable cardiac defibrillator, a device that can prevent sudden death in patients at risk for ventricular fibrillation, has already helped thousands of people. Even further, the development of an automated external defibrillator allows ordinary people to revive victims. Doctors can rescue people from sudden cardiac death, often permitting years of productive life.
Even with all these medical advances, the September issue highlights new research that shows better health habits are often the best defense of all.
Here are key prevention tips: * Avoid tobacco. * Eat well. Reduce consumption of saturated and trans fats and cholesterol, and increase omega-3 and monounsaturated fats. Avoid excess salt. Eat lots of fiber, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat fish at least twice a week or consider daily fish oil capsules. * Exercise regularly. Thirty minutes of walking nearly every day will help enormously. * Improve your cholesterol. Aim for at least an LDL cholesterol below 130. Raise your HDL cholesterol to at least above 40. * Improve your blood pressure--aim for 140/90; the lower the better. * Fight diabetes. * Stay lean. Try to reduce your body mass index to 25 or less. * Consider low-dose aspirin, particularly if you have heart disease. * Lead a balanced life with good relationships. Recognize signs of stress before they pose a threat.
Harvard Men’s Health Watch is available from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard Medical School. You can subscribe to Harvard Men’s Health Watch for $32 per year at http://www.health.harvard.edu/men or by calling 1-877-649-9457 toll-free.
Media: contact Christine Junge at Christine_Junge@hms.harvard.edu for a complimentary copy of the newsletter, or to receive our press releases directly.
Harvard Health Publications
CONTACT: Christine Junge of Harvard Health Publications, +1-617-432-4717,Christine_Junge@hms.harvard.edu
Web site: http://www.health.harvard.edu/
