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How Can We Prevent Heart Disease? Story

How Can We Prevent Heart Disease?

Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses the rise of cardiovascular disease in the developing world, where the percentage of people who die from heart disease has reached the same levels as in the industrialized countries.

In the developed world it is common medical practice to prescribe 3 drugs to treat coronary related health problems, statins, ACE-inhibitors and aspirin. The average cost per day for this treatment is $2 to $2.50 a day. While this is an acceptable cost in the industrialized world it is unaffordable to the majority of people in poorer countries, where cardiac disease has become a leading killer. Also, the age of death for these cardiac patients is at a younger age than in industrialized nations due to lack of treatment. (Read more about How Can We Prevent Heart Disease?)

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The Future of Treating Cardiovascular Disease Story

The Future of Treating Cardiovascular Disease

Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses the future of treating cardiovascular disease. Dr. Fuster describes the rising worldwide spread of heart disease, as populations in the developing world are now demonstrating rates of heart disease seen previously only in industrialized countries. Simply stated the United States and the rest of the world simply cannot afford to treat cardiovascular related diseases. While we can provide remarkable cures, from stents to heart transplants, it is simply too expensive. Even in America, we will not be able to provide treatment. (Read more about The Future of Treating Cardiovascular Disease)

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Educating The Next Generation About Health Story

Educating The Next Generation About Health

Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses programs about educating children about the importance of health. Dr. Fuster works with Sesame Street in Columbia in South America educating thousands of children about the importance of health. Aimed at 5 to 10 year olds the programs present a positive message about health. The children in turn influence their parents and their schools. (Read more about Educating The Next Generation About Health)

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A Crisis In Modern Scientific Education Story

A Crisis In Modern Scientific Education

Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses a crisis in modern scientific education. For Dr. Fuster the crisis is not a lack of technical skill, but lack of creativity. Dr. Fuster explores how science, and specifically medical education, has become overly oriented to our present technological world at the expense of creativity. He also urges scientist and their students to be open enough to be aware of the social implications of their work, For example, extending cell life may have great implications for extending a human life, but then we should be aware of the social implications of such research as well. He also emphasizes how real innovation comes from creativity not technical expertise. (Read more about A Crisis In Modern Scientific Education)

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Are We Winning the Battle Against Heart Disease? Story

Are We Winning the Battle Against Heart Disease?

Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses the paradox of people living longer despite the dramatic increase in the incidence of cardiac disease in the general population. While breakthrough treatments have helped increase the life-span of the population by two years every decade in the last half of the 20th century, the increase in obesity has also increased the number cardiac patients requiring treatment. (Read more about Are We Winning the Battle Against Heart Disease?)

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What Is a Peptic Ulcer? Story

What Is a Peptic Ulcer?

Peptic Ulcer Disease
One out of eight people in the United States will be diagnosed with Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) over the course of their lifetimes. As with many diseases are understanding of the issues and causes of the disease have been evolving in recent years creating the opportunities for more innovative and effective treatments.

What are the Causes Peptic Ulcers?
A Peptic Ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or intestine. In many ways it is similar to a sore in the mouth. When the ulcer occurs in the stomach it is called a "gastric ulcer". When it occurs in the duodenum it is called a "duodenal ulcer." (Read more about What Is a Peptic Ulcer?)

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What is Peripheral Arterial Disease? Story

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?

Dr. Sattesh Babu of Vascular Associates of Westchester discusses Peripheral Arterial Disease, who is at risk, why it is important to be screened and current treatments. (Read more about What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?)

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What is Carotid Stenosis? Story

What is Carotid Stenosis?

Dr. Sateesh Babu of Vascular Associates of Westchester discusses "What is Carotid Stenosis?", the treatments, who should be screened and future developments, such as new stenting techniques. (Read more about What is Carotid Stenosis?)

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What is an Aneurysm? Story

What is an Aneurysm?

WHAT IS AN AORTIC ANEURYSM?
With Dr.Sateesh Babu
Vascular Associates of Westchester (Read more about What is an Aneurysm?)

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Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems Story

Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems

A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events." (Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)

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