Metabolic Syndrome

Researchers have found certain variables play an important role in a person's chances of developing heart disease. These variables are called risk factors. In recent years, researchers have found that some of these heart disease risk factors cluster together in certain people. This clustering of risk factors is known as metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is also called Reaven syndrome, insulin resistance syndrome, or Metabolic Syndrome X.

People with metabolic syndrome have a clustering of the following risk factors:

• Central  obesity (extra weight around the stomach)

• Diabetes or glucose intolerance

• High levels of triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good cholesterol") in the bloodstream

• High Blood Pressure (hypertension)

There is still much to be learned about metabolic syndrome. Doctors do know that people with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of heart attack or coronary artery disease.

Researchers think that metabolic syndrome maybe a genetic condition. This means that the genes are passed down from one generation to the next. For the most part doctors do not fully understand why metabolic syndrome happens.

People with insulin-resistant conditions, such as diabetes and hyperinsulinemia are more likely to have metabolic syndrome. Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot make or respond properly to the hormone insulin. Hyperinsulinemia is a condition where large amounts of insulin are pumped into the bloodstream. What are the signs of metabolic syndrome?

Patients with metabolic syndrome will not feel any symptoms. But there are signs that might lead doctors to a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. 

Doctors can check your HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and weight, all of which are warning signs of metabolic syndrome. You may also need blood tests to measure the levels of glucose and insulin in your bloodstream.

Marfan Syndrome

Marfan syndrome is a rare disorder that causes the connective tissue in the body to be weaker than it should be. Connective tissue is the material which holds together many structures in the body, such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage, blood vessels, heart valves, and more. Because the connective tissue is weaker in Marfan patients, it affects how the heart and blood vessels, eyes, and skeleton are formed as well as how they work.

Marfan syndrome is thought to be an inherited disease that is caused by a defect in a gene. Marfan syndrome can affect both men and women. Because the gene defect can be passed down to children, Marfan patients should talk to their doctor and a genetic counselor before having children. In about twenty five percent of Marfan patients, neither parent had the condition. In these patients, the condition is thought to develop because of a mutation in the egg or the sperm

.

The defect in the gene that causes Marfan syndrome controls the production of a special protein found in the connective tissue. This protein is called fibrillin. Without enough proper fibrillin, the walls of the major arteries are weakened. If the aorta (the main blood supplier to the body) is affected, it gets bigger (or dilates), making it weaker. The weakened area of the aorta can bulge outward, creating an aortic aneurysm. Or the aorta can tear, and blood can lea through these tears plus between the tissue of the aortic wall. This is called aortic dissection.

If the aorta is stretched and weakened, this can also affect the aortic valve. In some patients, blood leaks backward through the valve instead of moving in the proper one-way, forward flow. This is called regurgitation. If too much blood flows backward, only a small amount can travel forward to your body's organs. The heart tries to make up for this by working harder, and with time the heart will become enlarged (dilated) and less able to pump blood throughout the body.

Living With Angina

Angina is a symptom of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease. Angina happens when the plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. This build up of plaque is called atherosclerosis. As the plaque builds up, the coronary arteries become narrower and stiff. Blood flow to the heart is then reduced. This decreases the oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart muscle does not get enough blood to it. It may feel like pressure or a squeezing pain in your chest. The pain may also occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. It can even feel like indigestion.

There are three types of Angina and it is important to know the differences among the different types.

Stable angina is the most common and it happens when the heart is working harder than usual. With stable angina, a regular pattern will occur. After a short time, you will recognize the pattern, predicting when an episode will occur. The pain will disappear in a short time or if you take angina medication. Stable angina is not a heart attack but makes it more likely that you will have a heart attack in the future. 

Unstable angina is a very dangerous condition that requires immediate emergency treatment. It is a sign that a heart attack could occur soon! It does not follow a pattern. It can occur without physical exertion and is not relieved by rest or medicine. 

Variant angina is rare and usually occurs at rest. The pain can be severe and usually occurs between midnight and early morning. It is relieved by medicine. 

Please remember not all chest pain or discomfort is angina. However, all chest pain should be checked by a doctor.