(Family Features) You may find it difficult to wrap your mind around the idea of an energetic student-athlete with a cardiac diagnosis. Heart conditions may be more often associated with older individuals, but you might be surprised to learn hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common condition responsible for sudden cardiac death in young athletes. In fact, it’s the cause of 40% of sudden cardiac death cases.

It’s estimated 1 in every 500 adults living in the United States has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to the American Heart Association, but a significant percentage are undiagnosed. More than 80% of individuals who experience this condition show no signs or symptoms before sudden cardiac death. While sudden cardiac death is rare, it can occur during exercise or in its aftermath. That’s why it’s important for student-athletes and their loved ones to learn more about this condition and talk to a doctor about their risk.

With proper knowledge and the support of a skilled care team, it’s possible to manage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with heart-healthy actions to prevent complications or worsening cardiovascular conditions like atrial fibrillation (a quivering or irregular heartbeat), stroke or heart failure. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy awareness and education for athletes by the American Heart Association is made possible in part by a grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation.

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common form of inherited heart disease and can affect people of any age. It’s defined by thickening and stiffening of the walls of the heart. The heart’s chambers cannot fill up or pump blood out adequately, so the heart is unable to function normally.

There are different types of this condition. Most people have a form of the disease in which the wall that separates the two bottom chambers of the heart (the septum) becomes enlarged and restricts blood flow out of the heart (obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).

However, sometimes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs without significant blocking of blood flow (nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). The heart’s main pumping chamber is still thickened and may become increasingly stiff, reducing the amount of blood taken in then pumped out to the body with each heartbeat.

What are possible symptoms?
Symptoms can include:

• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• heart palpitations
• fatigue

The severity of symptoms can vary, but if you experience them or if you have a family history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death, it may be a good idea to speak to your doctor about whether you have this condition.

For some people, symptoms can get worse and new symptoms can appear over time, resulting in people dealing with harsher effects and a diminished ability to do the activities they love. This decrease in functions can be one of the most challenging aspects of the disease. Keeping your health care team aware of any new or changing symptoms allows them to work with you to develop a plan to manage these symptoms and reduce their impact.

How is hypertrophic cardiomyopathydiagnosed?
Medical history, family history, a physical exam and diagnostic test results all factor into a diagnosis. A common diagnostic test is an echocardiogram that assesses the thickness of the heart muscle and observes blood flow from the heart.

If anyone in your family has been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, other heart diseases or has been told they had thick heart walls, you should share that information with your doctor and discuss the need for genetic testing. Because this condition is hereditary, first-degree relatives, which include siblings and parents, should be checked.

Learn more at heart.org/HCMStudentAthlete.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
American Heart Association

https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle

Global landmarks are set to illuminate in a stunning display of support for World NF Awareness Day. The Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) has organized the “Shine a Light on NF” campaign, which will see nearly 400 famous buildings, bridges, waterfalls, castles, and architectural icons light up in blue and green, the official colors of the neurofibromatosis (NF) cause.

NF is a group of genetic conditions that affects approximately 4 million people worldwide. It is known as either neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis, and it causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. The impact of NF can be severe, leading to disabilities such as blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain, and cancer. Despite the significant challenges it poses, there is currently no cure for NF. However, the “Shine a Light on NF” campaign aims to raise awareness and highlight the crucial need for scientific research funding.

The “Shine a Light on NF” campaign, launched by the Children’s Tumor Foundation, has grown substantially over the years. The foundation works in partnership with NF organizations, medical and research institutions, and corporate and media partners around the world to expand global awareness of this rare set of genetic conditions. The involvement of internationally recognized landmarks is a testament to the campaign’s reach.

Landmarks such as Niagara Falls, the National Theatre in London, The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, and The David in Florence are among the many iconic sites that will light up in blue and green this year. This show of unity and support not only raises awareness but also sends a powerful message of solidarity to those affected by NF.

In conjunction with World NF Awareness Day, the Children’s Tumor Foundation is also launching its “Make NF Research Visible” campaign. This initiative focuses on the transformative potential of scientific research in the fight against NF. By highlighting advancements in NF scientific research and clinical care, the campaign showcases the crucial role these efforts play in improving patient outcomes.

As part of the “Make NF Research Visible” campaign, a collection of portraits and stories featuring clinicians, researchers, and patients is being shared. These compelling narratives demonstrate how increased visibility can drive further progress in NF research and provide support to those affected by the condition.

Simon Vukelj, Chief Marketing Officer of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, emphasizes the importance of the “Make NF Research Visible” campaign, stating that it aims to inspire greater support and drive further advancements. By shining a light on the incredible work being done by researchers and clinicians, the foundation aims to brighten the path forward for everyone affected by NF.

Carson McNall, a 16-year-old living with neurofibromatosis type 1, shares his experiences and hopes for a future where NF can be cured. Carson describes the chaos of living with NF at such a young age and dreams of a life free from constant appointments and worries about the future. The “Make NF Research Visible” campaign aims to turn these dreams into reality by amplifying the voices of patients and showcasing how research can transform lives within the NF community.

Neurofibromatosis encompasses a group of genetic conditions that lead to the growth of tumors on nerves throughout the body. The Children’s Tumor Foundation has initiated campaigns like “Shine a Light on NF” and “Make NF Research Visible” to raise awareness and underscore the importance of advancements in scientific research. These efforts highlight the impact of NF on public awareness, diagnosis, clinical care, and ongoing research endeavors towards finding a cure.

As the world witnesses the illumination of global landmarks and engages with the “Make NF Research Visible” campaign, it is a reminder of the power of unity and the potential for scientific advancements to bring hope and transformation to those affected by neurofibromatosis.

For the full, global list of locations Shining a Light on NF, visit ctf.org/shinealight.

For more information about NF Awareness Month and Make NF Visible, visit makenfvisible.org.

For more information about the Children’s Tumor Foundation, visit ctf.org.

About the Children’s Tumor Foundation
The Children’s Tumor Foundation is the world’s leading organization dedicated to funding and driving innovative research that will result in effective treatments for the millions of people worldwide living with NF, a group of genetic conditions that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. Through collaboration with the scientific community, pharmaceutical and biotech industries, and other key partners, we work diligently to accelerate research and development efforts, ensuring that promising treatments reach those who need them. One in every 2,000 people is born with some type of neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis, which may lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain, or cancer. NF affects all populations equally, and while there is no cure yet, the Children’s Tumor Foundation mission of driving research, expanding knowledge, and advancing care for the NF community fosters our vision of one day ending NF. For more information, please visit: ctf.org.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/health

SOURCE Children’s Tumor Foundation

4 consejos para prepararse ante desastres naturales que pueden impactar negativamente la salud física y mental

(Family Features) Mientras elabora su lista de verificación de preparación para emergencias, también es importante proteger su corazón y salud general después de un huracán, tornado u otro desastre natural.

Los expertos de la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica predicen por séptimo año consecutivo una temporada de huracanes en el Océano Atlántico superior al promedio. Las investigaciones muestran que no es sólo la devastación física lo que afecta la salud y la seguridad de las personas en el camino de un desastre natural.

De hecho, en un estudio presentado en las sesiones científicas de Epidemiología, prevención, estilo de vida y salud cardiometabólica de 2021 de la American Heart Association, los investigadores encontraron que existían mayores tasas de presión arterial alta, obesidad y prediabetes entre los sobrevivientes del huracán María en Puerto Rico en 2017, así como una mayor incidencia de enfermedades cardíacas y ataque cerebral dos años después de la tormenta en comparación con dos años antes del huracán.

No son sólo los huracanes los que pueden tener un impacto negativo en la salud cardiovascular. Un estudio publicado en la revista “Hypertension” encontró un aumento significativo en los niveles de presión arterial y la incidencia de presión arterial alta entre las personas que se vieron obligadas a evacuar después del gran terremoto del este de Japón en 2012.

Gustavo E. Flores, M.D., miembro del comité de Atención Cardiovascular de Emergencia de la American Heart Association, dijo que hay varios factores que pueden conducir a un aumento de la enfermedad y el riesgo cardiovascular enfermedad de un desastre natural.

“Durante y después de una tormenta, muchas personas experimentan estrés y traumas extremos, lo que, según las investigaciones, puede provocar un aumento del riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular”, afirmó. “El impacto puede ser más intenso para los pacientes con enfermedades cardíacas y accidentes cerebrovasculares. Además, después de un desastre natural importante, la destrucción de propiedades y las evacuaciones afectan muchos recursos de apoyo básicos. Esto puede dificultar la consulta a un profesional de la salud para controles de rutina o para reabastecer o ajustar medicamentos, especialmente para las poblaciones más vulnerables”.

Flores, presidente e instructor jefe de Emergency & Critical Care Trainings, LLC, dijo que es importante que las personas estén preparadas y planifiquen con anticipación. Considere estos rápidos consejos de Flores y la American Heart Association, que celebra 100 años de servicio para salvar vidas como la principal organización sin ánimo de lucro del mundo centrada en la salud del corazón y el cerebro para todos:

• Tómese el tiempo para anotar cualquier condición médica, alergias y medicamentos, incluidas las dosis y la hora en que toma los medicamentos, junto con el nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono de su farmacia. Guarde la información con cualquier otro “kit de emergencia” que tenga a mano para una evacuación rápida.
• Si necesita evacuar, aunque sea temporalmente, lleve sus medicamentos e información de salud en una bolsa de plástico con cierre para ayudar a mantenerla seca.
• Si su medicamento se pierde, se daña con el agua o se quedó atrás cuando evacuó, investigue las farmacias abiertas y solicite un resurtido lo más rápido posible. Algunos estados permiten a los farmacéuticos hacer excepciones médicamente necesarias en ciertos tipos de resurtidos de recetas durante una emergencia.
• Utilice el Plan de preparación del paciente si tiene diabetes y usa insulina. Allí encontrará una lista de verificación de suministros y pautas para prepararse para una emergencia.

Otra forma de prepararse para una posible emergencia médica es aprender a realizar reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP) con las manos únicamente y a utilizar un desfibrilador externo automático hasta que llegue la ayuda. Si se realiza correctamente, la RCP puede duplicar o triplicar las posibilidades de supervivencia de una persona.

Visite Heart.org para obtener lo último sobre la salud del corazón y la página de recursos para desastres para obtener una amplia gama de información útil.

Foto cortesía de Shutterstock

SOURCE:
American Heart Association