The Naked Heart

Beta blockers

The body’s natural “fight or flight” response is crucial for survival in dangerous situations. This response increases heart rate, boosts blood pressure, and diverts blood to muscles, preparing us for rapid action. However, in modern life, where many people feel overstimulated, this response is often triggered unnecessarily—by stress, anxiety, or medical conditions—leading to elevated heart rates, and the symptom of palpitation. Beta-blockers step in to limit this excessive sympathetic drive, helping to restore a healthier, more stable internal state.

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How to take a 'Statin Holiday' in your own N-of-1 trial

A “statin holiday” involves temporarily discontinuing your statin medication—typically for four to six weeks—to observe whether your symptoms improve. This break can provide valuable insights into whether statins are the culprit or if other factors, such as unrelated medical conditions or lifestyle changes, are contributing to your symptoms. The blog and podcast explain how a simple visual diary can be used to help assess the impact of the N-of-1 trial.

However, it’s essential to discuss this approach with your healthcare provider before making any changes. Stopping statins abruptly without a plan may increase your cardiovascular risk, especially if you have a history of heart disease or other high-risk factors.

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Aspirin: the cheap wonder drug.

Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is one of the oldest and most widely used medications in the world.

Well known for its analgesic effects, it was later discovered to be effective (in much smaller doses) in preventing platelet aggregation that had a pivotal role in arterial thrombosis.

Its  role in inhibiting platelet activity has made it a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis. In this article, we will explore the fascinating role of platelets in acute coronary thrombosis, the mechanisms by which aspirin exerts its protective effects, and the clinical considerations for its use.

 

https://www.scvc.co.uk/naked-heart/aspirin/

When do we intervene in aortic stenosis?

The timing of intervention in aortic stenosis is critical. Delaying surgery or transcatheter procedures until symptoms become severe or complications arise can lead to poorer outcomes. Conversely, intervening too early may expose patients to unnecessary procedural risks. For exceptionally fit individuals aged 75-85, timely intervention can be particularly advantageous, as they may tolerate surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) better than expected for their age. In these cases, earlier treatment may prevent irreversible damage to the heart and reduce the risks associated with waiting until the disease progresses further.

 

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Aortic Stenosis

The aortic valve is the ‘non return’ valve positioned to prevent oxygenated blood leaving the heart from refluxing back into the heart after each heart contraction. When this valve narrows, it restricts the flow of blood leaving the heart in a condition known as ‘aortic stenosis’.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a progressive and potentially life-threatening condition. It predominantly affects older adults and has significant implications for cardiovascular health, life expectancy, and quality of life.  The incidence of AS is climbing because of increased life expectancy. Timely intervention, especially in symptomatic patients or those with progressing stenosis, is essential to optimise outcomes. This article explores the nuances of AS diagnosis, treatment decisions, and the importance of patient involvement in the care pathway.

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Angina

Angina pectoris, commonly known simply as angina, is not a diagnosis but a clinical syndrome characterised by chest pain or discomfort resulting from myocardial ischaemia—conditions under which the blood flow to the heart muscle is insufficient to meet its metabolic demands.

This symptom can be the first indicator of coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease, which is why recent onset angina is usually investigated as a priority. Many people are not aware that there are many other causes of angina such as aortic valve narrowing (aortic stenosis), anaemia (low red cell count),  coronary spasm and even a mysterious cause that mimics the atherosclerotic cause called 'syndrome X' or microvascular angina. 

In this longer podcast angina is discussed in greater depth.

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Chronotropic Incompetence

A young and healthy heart can double its stroke volume in a heartbeat. However, this capability diminishes with an ageing heart, especially one that has been subjected to high blood pressure, heart valve issues or metabolic conditions such as poor glucose control over many years. These factors cause the left ventricle to stiffen in many people as they age, limiting their left ventricle's  ability to change its stroke volume. Consequently, any change in cardiac output in older individuals, or those with a stiff heart, increasingly relies on increasing the heart rate.

If the heart rate fails to increase with physical activity, cardiac output becomes constrained. Somewhat scarily, doctors call this "Chronotropic Incompetence" or "CI" for short. 

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Left ventricular suction, stiffness and heart failure

Getting your head around the difference between heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a challenge for everyone. This is a technical discussion about why a stiff heart causes poor left ventricular suction and diastolic dysfunction.

In part 2 of the podcast their is a major focus on what lifestyle measures during mid life may help fend off the risk of heart failure in later life. 

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