November marks the annual American Heart Association (AHA) meeting. This is one of the few major heart meetings each year.
AHA focuses on the newest technologies for the treatment of ongoing cardiac disease. Termed, “secondary prevention,” this year there were studies on implantable devices for heart failure, new blood thinners to assist in the squishing of blockages and new drug and drug combinations to treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Cardiology is famous for their innovation in developing therapies to treat existing disease. Arrhythmia management has exploded in the past decade. The irony is that heart disease remains the most preventable disease known. The most dependent on lifestyle factors.
We fail miserably in our challenge to prevent heart disease (“primary prevention”) in the first place. I fail, my colleagues fail and it is obvious from our observations at dinner last night at the Outback Steakhouse (Indy) that Indianapolis docs are failing as well. There exists no drug, no device or intervention to controls one’s lifestyle.
A vignette:
The main arrhythmia I deal with is atrial fibrillation (AF). In many cases it is highly lifestyle dependent with obesity, body fat composition, sleep, high blood pressure and alcohol consumption all being highly contributory. A very overweight businessman type comes to me for treatment of AF. He does not exercise, sleeps poorly, drinks a few at night and eats too much. Zero time per day invested in his own health. I know that I can transiently correct the arrhythmia with a procedure and drug (add another medicine to his list). I make a deal -a bad idea. He promises a change. “If I could just feel better, I would exercise.” We agree and move forward. Procedure, 3 day hospital stay and a new drug for AF. This is the easy part.
Six weeks later in the office he reports feeling great. Heart rhythm is normal. I ask, “cool, you remember our agreement about exercise and weight loss?” A sad look comes upon him. No, a lifestyle change has proven elusive again. I understand, I am numb to this scenario.
Our challenge is to change this cycle. How? Ideas?
Pretty sure procedures and medicines are not the answer.
JMM
Sean says
November 22, 2009 at 9:56 pmTell them they have to lose x amount of pounds before the procedure. Maybe that will get them started down the road to living healthier. I think once you fix them medically and they start feeling better, they think, "Well why should I watch what I eat and exercise? I feel great now."
For me, I got sick of what I saw staring back at me in the mirror. This obviously does not work for a large majority of the population.
Linda says
November 23, 2009 at 12:32 amI second Sean's statement. I too got tired of seeing what was in the mirror and then not being able to see my feet. Being fit can be accomplished!
Sherri says
November 23, 2009 at 3:48 amTestimonials and encouragement, not scolding
But people HAVE to want to help themselves or it won't happen. I know, I smoked for 35 years. "attempted to quit" half-heartedly several times. I finally made the decision and quit tobacco 28 months ago.
Now I'm hooked on my bicycle
Anonymous says
December 7, 2009 at 6:42 amNot really realated
But I have a question regarding fainting ,nasuia ,and a very low resting heart rate ( 23bpm ).
I am a 42 year old male who still races at the elite level, cat 1…..I have been having fainting spells which seem to becoming a little more regular…..and more recently while x-country sking boughts of nasuia. I have already seen a cardiac specialist, who advises me to take it easy.Has anyone experienced this I am somewhat concerned about some kind of heart failure, any advise.