How to Catch High Blood Pressure

How to Catch High Blood Pressure

By Tom Secrest

The word cytomegalovirus (HCMV or HHV-5), which means ‘big cell virus’ in Greek, may sound a little disquieting, but for most people it produces only a mild infection with minor, virtually insignificant, symptoms. As a member of the Human Herpes family of viruses (HHV-5), it is characterized by its ability to remain latent for years or even decades.

Estimates suggest that 50% to 80% of adults have been infected with this virus. Most people seem to have been infected during childhood. When symptoms do occur, they often take the form of infectious mononucleosis marked by a prolonged, low-grade fever and mild hepatitis.

Generally, serious infections are only associated with those who have compromised immune systems. HCMV is also part of a group called TORCH infections; TORCH being an acronym for Toxoplasmosis; Other diseases (e.g. HIV, Syphilis, Hep. B); Rubella; Cytomegalovirus; and Herpes simplex virus. The diseases in this group can lead to congenital abnormalities if a pregnant woman experiences a primary infection or serious reactivation during pregnancy.

It may be, however, that HCMV is responsible for something else as well. Early studies with mice (reported in the Washington Post, 14 May 2009) suggest that CMV infections, together with high cholesterol diets, may lead to chronic inflammation of blood vessels, which could ultimately result in those vessels becoming less compliant and stiffer. Additionally, CMV-infected mouse and human cells also produced more renin than normal. Either of these factors could play a role in elevated blood pressure.

Therefore, if you are HCMV positive (which, statistically speaking, you are) and have high blood pressure: rather than blaming the Big Mac you had for lunch yesterday or the day before, it might be more accurate to blame the unknown person who, years ago, gave you HCMV and, in the process, high blood pressure as well.

Perhaps science is on the verge of finding an infection-based explanation for heart disease and hypertension but, for now, the jury is still out.

Vocabulary

* blood pressure – krevní tlak

* disquieting – znepokojový, zneklidnující

* insignificant – bezvýznamný, neduležitý, zanedbatelný

* estimate – odhadovat

* seem – pravdepodobne, zdát se

* occur – objevit se,

* pregnant – gravidní

* stiffer – tužší

* blame – dávat vinu, obvinovat

* verge – okraj

Some Like it Hot!

Some Like it Hot!

By Tom Secrest

If you’re a film buff or a Marilyn Monroe fan, then the title of this article brings to mind the film, which is considered by many, or perhaps most, to be the greatest American comedy film of all time. The film is from 1959 and stars Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon.

However, as it turns out, this article has nothing to do with film and to all of Marilyn’s fans, I offer my heartfelt apologies. Instead, this article is about a bit of research (British Medical Journal, March 2009), which emanates from Iran and concerns the dangers of drinking exceedingly hot beverages.

In Iran, black tea is an extremely popular drink, just as it is in many countries around the world. Just like those countries which share Iran’s propensity for hot tea, Iran has a particularly high rate of esophageal cancer, in fact one of the highest in the world. At first blush, there appeared to be a relationship between consumption of the popular refreshment and the occurrence of esophageal cancer; so researchers at Tehran University set out to decipher the riddle of the increased incidence of esophageal cancer among tea drinkers.

As it turns out, it’s not the tea at all, it’s the temperature. The hotter the tea and the faster it is imbibed, the greater the risk of developing esophageal cancer. Those who consumed scalding hot tea (temperatures greater than 70 °C) had an eight-fold increased risk. The association between tea drinking and esophageal cancer declined with temperature and no association was noted, between tea drinking and cancer, in those who consumed lukewarm tea (56–60 °C). Of course the same would logically also apply to other hot concoctions such as coffee or soup. A good rule of thumb is to pour it, and then wait at least 4 minutes before drinking it.

The connection between cancer and temperature is not well understood and certainly warrants further study. There is speculation that regular scorching of the esophagus maintains a level of chronic inflammation, which over time could lead to increased susceptibility.

So the next time you’re in the mood for something hot, rent the movie, and enjoy it with a nice tepid cup of tea.

Vocabulary

* buff – nadšenec

* considered – považovaný

* heartfelt – srdecný, uprímný

* apologies – omluvy

* emanate – pocházet

* exceedingly – mimorádne, nadmíru, neobycejne

* propensity – náchylnost, dispozice, tendence, sklon

* esophageal cancer – karcinom jícnu

* declined – pokles

* appeared to be – zdál se být

* riddle – rébus, hádanka

* scalding – horký, pálivý

* lukewarm – vlažný, netecný, lhostejný

* concoctions – odvar, smes

* scorching – horký, palcive horký

* susceptibility – vnímavost, citlivost, schopnost, náklonnost

Apples and Aspirin

Apples and Aspirin

By Tom Secrest

There’s an old proverb which goes something like this, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” This little bit of wisdom, in a somewhat modified version, probably had its origin in Wales and dates back to the second half of the 19th century. It was certainly true, as we now know that apples have potential health benefits ranging from strengthening the immune system (vitamin C) and reducing cholesterol (phenols), to possibly offering protection from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinsonism (phytonutrients).

However, we have a new maxim to consider today. “An aspirin a day keeps the doctor away.” Acetylsalicylic acid was first concocted by the French chemist Charles Gerhardt in1853 and patented under the name of aspirin in 1899. Today, an estimated 40,000 metric tons of aspirin are consumed annually. Despite its old age, this geriatric pharmaceutical friend still has value. No longer used in high doses as an anti-inflammatory agent, it has found a new lease on life in the form of small, daily doses of less than 100 mg.

New medical guidelines (The Annals of Internal Medicine, March 2009) now suggest that an aspirin a day for men over 45 and women over 55 should be considered in preventive therapy for myocardial infarctions and strokes, respectively. Data from various studies continues to trickle in, with each new study providing more and more guidance as to who should receive aspirin and what dose they should take. However, all the facts are not yet in and, for now, patients need to understand both the risks (e.g. GI bleeding, hemorrhagic stroke, etc.) and the benefits (reduced risk of MI and CVA) of daily aspirin. The responsibility falls on the shoulders of the physician, to assess the patient's risk factors, clearly explain the benefits and risks and perhaps suggest that, along with an apple a day, they should also include a low-dose aspirin tablet, as well.

Vocabulary:

* proverb – prísloví

* wisdom – moudrost

* health benefits – prínosy pro zdraví

* to offer protection – nabízet ochranu

* maxim – zásada, výrok, rcení

* to consider – zvážit, uvážit, vzít v úvahu

* to concoct – laboratorne pripravit (dosl. uvarit)

* to estimate - odhadnout

* despite – pres, nehlede na

* lease – lhuta, trvání

* guidelines – závazná doporucení, pokyny

* stroke – mozková mrtvice, cévní mozková príhoda

* trickle in – pricházejí po kapkách

* guidance – smernice, vodítko

* MI – infarkt myokartu (myocardial infarction)

* CVA – mozková mrtvice (cerebrovascular accident)

* to assess - odhadnout