Posts Tagged ‘heart conditions’

Marmite – Do you love it or hate it

Thursday, December 16th, 2010
travelling with medical conditions

"Do you love marmite or hate it?"

Yes, Marmite, the brains behind a very brave advertising campaign, inviting you to either love or hate their product. But an interesting article in the Daily Mail tells that if you love marmite, this may also boost heart attack victims chances of survival.

This is because of a vitamin, a derivative of vitamin B1, which speeds up the healing of tissue following heart damage. In addition, the substance, called benfotiamine, can prevent heart failure as a complication of diabetes.

The discoveries mean a supplement containing benfotiamine could become part of diabetes treatment. The research was by a team at Bristol University, and published in the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology.

Good sources other than Marmite include the ­vegetarian ingredient Quorn, pork, milk, cheese, eggs, dried and fresh fruits and wholegrain breads.

The thing is, we often hear of different superfoods that will help with different conditions. The way I look at it is its worth a try, and if it works for you, or even if you think it works for you, then great. But if not, then no harm done really ( as long as you are consuming the food in moderation of course!).

And seeing as we are a travel insurance company, what does this mean for you when you go on holiday? Well, to be honest, this study is still clearly in its early stages, so I can don’t think we can draw that much from it at the moment. But if you do have diabetes, or a heart attack, it maybe worth sticking a jar of marmite in your suitcase (I am not sure how international marmite is so probably is a good plan to stock up before you leave the country). In the future, it may be that benfotiamine is provided in tablet form instead, so it will be even easier to transport for your holiday….

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Statins – the pros and cons

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Statins, the cholesterol lowering tablets, are prescribed to around 6 million people in the UK, so it is likely that some of you reading this blog are currently taking statins. Statins work by reducing the amount of ‘bad cholesterol’ in the blood, which can cause the build up of fatty deposits in the arteries and lead to coronary artery disease. Statins affect the amount of cholesterol that your cells make, forcing them instead to gather cholesterol from your bloodstream, thereby reducing your blood cholesterol level. They have been hailed as a wonder drug in fighting heart disease, and the British Heart Foundation credits statins with saving 10,000 lives a year. However, potential side effects include sleep disturbance, depression and memory problems.

Here are some of the arguments ‘For’ and ‘Against’. For the full detail of these arguments, check out this article :

For

  • Statins save lives by preventing heart attacks and strokes by delaying the onset of cardiovascular disease (which is Britain’s biggest killer, responsible for 1 in 3 deaths)
  • Serious problems such as muscle wasting are very rare. Many people take statins without any problems
  • It is always preferable to  alter your lifestyle to lower risk – cutting out fatty foods, quitting smoking, losing weight, and exercising more. But such measures are not always enough to combat rising cholesterol.

Against

  • Side effects include muscle problems, hair loss, depression and impotence
  • People sometimes think that taking statins then give them licence to eat what they like
  • Patients can be motivated by panic to take statins because they fear that they are at risk if they don’t

 If you do take statin medication, and have a holiday planned, you may want to check out our AllClear4you which contains lots of useful information about travelling with medication, and any special considerations you might need.

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Posted in Travelling with a heart condition | 3 Comments »

Got a good tan on your holiday?

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

In the UK, considering the appalling weather that we often experience, a big reason for going on holiday is often to get that elusive tan.  We come home from our beach holiday, relaxed and refreshed, proud to show off our tan and hear the cries of ‘You look well’ from others left languishing in the office!

We all may try to get a tan on holiday, but what if you have this tan all year round

We all may try to get a tan on holiday, but what if you have this tan all year round

 But if you go brown, even when you have not even been in the sun, you could not be well at all. Genetic haemochromatosis  - also known as primary iron overload – is a condition that causes the body to retain too much iron from the diet.

Iron is a mineral vital to the human body, regulating cell growth and ensuring oxygen flows to the cells, keeping immunity and energy levels high. But like so many things in the body, there is a balance, and too much iron can be toxic. A build up of iron in the brain’s pituitary gland can trigger a classic symptom that gives rise to the conditions other name – bronze diabetes. This is because it can appear as though you have a permanent tan. The reason is that iron overload in the pituitary gland stimulates  an over production of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its colour.

Undiagnosed iron overload can cause a wide range of health issues, including diabetes, heart disorders, chest and joint pain, liver cirrhosis, pancreatic problems and cancer. A build up of iron in the bones can lead to crystallisation.

It is a common genetic condition. Two genes have been identified that cause it and about 1 in 5000 people in the UK are affected. It is prevalent in all Caucasian populations, but may be slightly higher in those of Irish descent.

The good news is that this disorder is a treatable condition. However, the problem is that because you may look well, the condition can be undiagnosed for years. If you have any of the symptoms, or are getting browner even when you haven’t been on holiday, then just ask your doctor for a simple blood test which can check your iron levels.

 The treatment is very simple – giving blood, as two thirds of the body’s iron lie in the blood. Patients generally give a pint a week until their levels return to normal, and then once every 3 to 6 months. The blood is safe to be used by blood banks,  since people without the faulty gene can rid themselves of the excess iron.

I had heard of this disease before, but didn’t realise that a symptom is a permanent tan. I will think twice before being jealous of people with a year long tan…

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Holidays for your heart

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

So you have suffered from a heart attack or have been diagnosed with heart disease. You would not be alone – you would be among 3.5 million Britons, but what does this mean for you now personally?  You may have the medication, and made the necessary  adjustments to your lifestyle but how about living the rest of your life? It may be that you have a holiday booked and are now not sure whether you can go on it. Maybe it involved specific activities like horse riding or skiing and now you are not sure whether you can do this activity.

Well the good news is that keeping active is still said to be good for the heart, even after a heart attack. Here are some things that might help you if you are considering going on holiday with heart disease (Thanks to a nurse from the British Heart Foundation speaking in the Daily Mail for some of this information). For more detailed information, you might want to check out the AllClear4you page on travelling with a heart condition, and obviously you will still need to take advice from your medical professional for your specific situation.

 Can I go on holiday? For most heart disease patients, it is said to be better to keep yourself physically active, as this often helps reduce symptoms and the risk of another heart attack. The important thing is to discuss your plans with your medical professional, to ensure that you can travel safely. You could consider going on a holiday somewhere with beautiful scenery where you can enjoy some lovely long low-level walks, for example!

Travelling with a heart condition

Travelling with a heart condition

 So what precautions should I take?  Discuss any planned trip, and activity on that trip, with a medical professional. If you have recently had a heart attack, or have high blood pressure, you should be assessed by a specialist in cardiac care, who will check for diabetes, blood pressure and weight. It may be necessary to adjust your medication before taking part in any strenuous holiday activity such as skiing or living at altitude.

 What about my medication? Some medications used to control heart disease or angina can affect how the body responds to exercise – for example, beta blockers regulate the heart rate. This means that the heart cannot beat as fast, so an extreme sports activity holiday, may not be advisable

 What kind of activities are best? A cardiac care specialist will be able to suggest specific exercises, which could include low impact activities like yoga or Tai chi – imagine carrying out these activities on a lovely warm beach somewhere! For all heart disease patients, warming up and cooling down before any activity is very important to prepare the heart. You should stop the activity if you have chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or breathlessness. According to Ellen Mason, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, walking is one exercise that is suitable for almost everyone – best get booking that low-level picturesque walking holiday!

 Am I covered on my insurance? Just as you would get specialist cover if you were doing winter sports on holiday, you will need to get specialist travel insurance for your heart condition. It is important to make sure that your insurance actually includes your condition, in case you require medical treatment while you are abroad – check out AllClear for more info.

 So what is the key message here then? Well, basically, as long as you make some specialist plans and preparations, in consultation with your medical professional, a holiday could be just the thing you need. In fact, you could consider the type of holiday that your heart might need first…

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Posted in Travelling with a heart condition, Travelling with Medical Conditions | 4 Comments »

Vitamin D – Good for your health

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Well, this title might win the award for the most obvious title of 2010  – we all know that Vitamin D is good for your health. But do we know exactly how?

 According to an article in the Daily Mail, high levels of Vitamin D in older people can reduce the risk of developing disorders such as heart disease and diabetes.

Researchers at the University of Warwick reviewed 28 studies, of nearly 100,000 participants, and discovered a significant association between high levels of Vitamin D and a decreased risk (33%) of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (55% reduction).

Holidays in the sun

Holidays in the sun

Vitamin D is naturally present in some foods, such as fish (salmon and tuna are good options). Vitamin D is also produced when UV rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Time for some more sunny holidays then!

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Red for Heart Month

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Over the last few weeks, you could be forgiven for thinking that all the red hearts that you see are to do with Valentine’s Day, but that is not necessarily true. This February is also National Heart month  - the month all about fighting heart disease. The annual campaign, by the British Heart Foundation, aims  to raise awareness of heart disease and raise vital funds for their research projects and prevention and care services. The British Heart Foundation is going all out for events taking place this Feb. So here  are some dates for your diary…

 heart_ice_cubeThe month kicked off with lighting famous landmarks red on Monday 1st February as the launch event.  From the Eden Project to the London Eye and all the way up to the National Portrait Galleries in Scotland. In case you missed it, Check out the gallery here.

 It is National Wear Red Day on Friday 26 Feb.  According to the British Heart Foundation website, anything goes as long as it’s red! You could bake red cakes, or paint your face red – it is your choice!

 This month the BHF is also launching BEAT, the first ever national heart health code and lifestyle check.  Check out the British Heart Foundation website for more info.

You can also join in on your high street! If you pop into a BHF Shop, you can buy pin badges.  They are available in solid red or glitter, for a suggested donation of £1. Find your local BHF shop here. The badges are also on sale in Argos, Homebase, Lloyds TSB, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Fitness First and Lidl stores. �
 

And there are other ways that shopping can help the BHF. If you buy one of Argos‘s selected fitness products, you’ll be helping to raise £25,000 for the BHF. Also, for each Colgate product you buy at Boots from the 27th January to 23rd February, Colgate will donate 10p to the BHF. Or you could buy New Covent Garden Food Co’s new ‘Heart Warming Soup’ this February and help raise £10,000 for the BHF.

For more info you might want to look at the BHF Facebook page.

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Medical inventions that improve quality of life

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

A quick scan of the papers has revealed some very interesting medical devices that have been invented. Both devices seem to really improve quality of life for people with medical conditions. Check them out below:

  • An article in the Mail on Sunday on the 17th Jan talked about a Wrist replacement for Arthritis. Janet Hickton, a grandmother of 8, has had  a new procedure – the Maestro total wrist replacement – as a solution for the severe pain from her arthritis. A condition so painful that she was unable to even hold her grandchildren’s hands. The surgery takes about an hour to perform and, like other joint replacements, the procedure is suitable for  middle aged and elderly patients, with healthy bones. The £10,950 procedure is available on the NHS but, as it is so specialist, only 5 or 6 centres currently offer it. Now Janet is virtually pain free and has regained her dexterity, giving her more freedom to live her life and enjoy her leisure time.
  • An engineer has designed a life saving heart repair kit, giving hope to 1000s of people with an inherited heart condition, that otherwise might prohibit them from a number of sporting activities and holidays etc. In 2000, Tal Goldsworthy was told he would need major heart surgery as a result of his medical condition, Marfan Syndrome, which was causing his aorta to gradually expand, and be in danger of splitting, causing a fatal heart attack. The surgery would involve removing the faulty blood vessel and replacing it with an artificial artery. After that, Tal would need to be on blood thinning drugs for the rest of his life to prevent clots forming inside the artificial artery. What is more, this surgery would restrict his life as it would prohibit him from undertaking any activities that might pose a risk of injury – not great for someone who enjoys sporty activities. Instead, Tal decided to come up with his own solution, working with Imperial College, London. The project took 2 years and the result was EARS or External Aortic Root Support: a polyester sleeve  that wraps around the aorta to prevent it expanding. Each knitted sleeve is created using scans of the individual patients aorta and computer assisted design to product a device that fits precisely around the aorta. In May 2004, Tal became the first recipient of EARS. The operation was a complete success and now a further 19 patients have undergone the EARS procedure. Tal is now just so thankful that he is not dependent on anticoagulant drugs so he can still enjoy skiing and cycling. The operation has not compromised his lifestyle in any way.

 We will keep you updated on any other new developments we see that might be of interest for people travelling with medical conditions.

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