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| Vol. 22, No. 13 |
| July 15, 2000 |
 Listen to Your Heart . . . Almost everyone has felt his or her heart "skip a beat" during a moment of stress or excitement, but for more than 4 million Americans, an irregular heartbeat, or "arrhythmia," is a recurring problem requiring careful monitoring by a physician. "There are numerous causes of arrhythmias," says Dr. G. Ali Massumi, a Texas Heart Institute cardiologist. "Some people have congenital conditions, others have some form of heart disease and there are yet others that only have high blood pressure. There are also a lot of people that have no heart disease at all and still suffer from significant rhythm problems." Though most often not life threatening, arrhythmias can be fatal and are sometimes indicators of a more serious heart problem. "Many people with arrhythmias have normal life expectancy," says Dr. Massumi, "but if you experience symptoms of this condition, it is important to be evaluated for any underlying conditions that may need treatment." Symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, feeling "light headed," feeling like your heart is "racing," a strong pulse in the neck, or even loss of consciousness. The most common method of detecting an arrhythmia is from an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Other diagnostic tools include monitors worn over a 24-hour period, long- term ambulatory patient-activated event monitors, and electrophysiology studies (EPS). An EPS is usually performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory and involves mapping the heart's electrical impulses using a wire inserted in a vein through a small incision in the leg and threaded through to the heart. Lifestyle changes combined with medications are the most common method of treating recurring arrhythmias. Depending on the nature and severity of the problem, other treatments such as interventional procedures, implantable devices or surgery may be necessary. A particular form of treatment, called radiofrequency catheter ablation, has become the treatment of choice in many young patients with arrhythmias. - From Texas Heart Institute Video Games Tough on Kids' Hands Video games can be a fun way for children to escape the heat, but the constant assault on the hands - particularly the thumbs - can contribute to problems years later. "Not only is it easy for kids to get hooked on interactive video games, but the repetitive motion can cause injuries and can lead to problems such as tendinitis," says Dr. Adrienne Tilbor, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Texas Children's Hospital. Kids can become so engrossed that they do not take breaks or engage in other activities. Parents can help by setting time limits for usage. Children also should be encouraged to pursue a variety of pastimes that contribute to overall good health and development. - From Texas Children's Hospital Does Food Addiction Really Exist? Many health care professionals see out-of-control eating as an addiction. But some research points to society's fascination with food as the main culprit. Baylor College of Medicine researchers reviewed several studies and found that the inability to control eating may be the result of conflicting primitive responses and today's environment. "Humans used to have to search for food," says Dr. Ken Goodrick with Baylor's Behavioral Medicine Research Center. "Now food searches us out." The current environment is plagued by excessive advertising, large-scale grocery displays, an abundance of high-calorie foods, an obsession with thinness, and a high stress level. Many try to find comfort in food, then follow with restrictive diets. Dr. Goodrick encourages individuals to understand the importance of adopting their ancestors' eating and exercise habits and stop struggling with themselves about weight. - From Baylor College of Medicine Not All Fats Are Created Equal "Fat" might have a bad reputation among many health-conscious eaters, but certain types of fat are essential to a well-balanced, heart-healthy diet. "There are some fatty acids that the body does not make that we must get from the foods we eat," says Dr. Rebecca Reeves, a registered dietitian with Baylor College of Medicine's Behavioral Medicine Research Center. Dr. Reeves recommends that no more than 30 percent of daily calories come from fat, with saturated fat making up 10 percent or less of the total. As a whole, dietary fat is important for proper growth and development. It carries the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, and aids in their absorption in the intestine. "A person needs to be aware of where the fat in their diet is coming from, reduce saturated fat intake and choose more polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat," Dr. Reeves says. - From Baylor College of Medicine
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