Latest news with #cardiac
Fox News
a day ago
- Health
- Fox News
Francis Ford Coppola's treatment sheds light on heart condition affecting millions
Francis Ford Coppola, director of "The Godfather," was hospitalized in Italy last week for a non-emergency cardiac procedure. The filmmaker, 86, sought to update a "30-year-old AFib procedure," according to a post on his Instagram page. AFib, or atrial fibrillation (AFib), is an "irregular and often rapid heart rhythm" that can raise the risk of blood clots, heart failure, stroke and other heart-related complications, according to the American Heart Association. After Italian media sources reported the director's hospital visit, a representative for Coppola called it a "scheduled update procedure" and said he was "resting nicely." "All is well," according to his representatives. "Da Dada (what my kids call me) is fine," the director said on his social media, speaking for what appears to be the first time about his condition. He continued: "Taking an opportunity while in Rome to do the update of my 30-year-old AFib procedure with its inventor, a great Italian doctor — Dr. Andrea Natale! I am well!" Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company, spoke with Fox News Digital about the condition. "AFib is typically not immediately life-threatening, but it can lead to complications or issues in the future," said the cardiologist, who has not treated Coppola. With AFib, the normal electrical activity in the heart changes to chaotic electrical signals, according to the Maryland-based cardiologist. This causes the heart to beat quickly and get out of rhythm. Instead of contracting normally, the upper chambers of the heart — called atria — start to quiver, causing blood clots to form. "When these clots break free, they can travel to the brain, causing a stroke," Serwer cautioned. For many people, AFib may have no symptoms, but for some, it can cause a fast or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath or lightheadedness. "AFib can be challenging due to its diverse manifestations," Serwer noted. There are several procedural approaches to treat atrial fibrillation, according to the cardiologist. The most common procedure is called an ablation, which is when a specialized cardiologist uses catheters to follow the heart's electrical activity. The doctor then burns the sites where the AFib begins. "This procedure has a high rate of success and complications are low, making it a highly valued option," Serwer noted. If a patient is undergoing open-heart surgery for coronary artery disease or valvular heart disease, a surgeon can perform a "maze procedure," which creates a "maze-like pattern of scar tissue" in the upper chambers of the heart to block irregular electrical signals, according to Mayo Clinic. There are also procedures to reduce the risk of stroke in patients who have AFib, but who may not be able to take blood thinners. By placing a small device where blood clots form, the rate of stroke drops significantly, Serwer said. In some cases of atrial fibrillation, the condition can come and go, but other patients may experience persistent AFib, the cardiologist said. For more Health articles, visit While it's not usually life-threatening, AFib is still considered a serious medical condition that requires proper treatment. Serwer advised, "If you experience sudden-onset dizziness or palpitations that persist, it is imperative to seek immediate evaluation from a medical professional."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FDA Monitors Safety Issue with Boston Scientific Defibrillator Leads
Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) is one of the best high-volume stocks to invest in. On August 6, the FDA announced that it is monitoring a safety issue with Boston Scientific Corporation's ENDOTAK RELIANCE defibrillation leads, which are used with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators to prevent sudden cardiac death. Earlier this year, the company sent a letter to healthcare providers on July 24, warning that calcification of the leads' expanded polytetrafluoroethylene/ePTFE coating could lead to a gradual increase in low-voltage shock impedance/LVSI. This can reduce the effectiveness of life-saving shocks and even result in patient death. A surgeon examining a patient's brain in an operating room, paramedics nearby. The affected leads were manufactured and distributed between 2002 and 2021 and are no longer available. As of July 24, Boston Scientific had reported 386 serious injuries and 16 deaths linked to this issue. The FDA has categorized this as a potentially high-risk problem and is actively reviewing data to determine further regulatory action. Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It has 2 segments: MedSurg and Cardiovascular. While we acknowledge the potential of BSX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Morton legend Andy Ritchie reveals how he discovered he'd had two heart attacks
In the past few months in these columns, I have addressed a number of sports from football to snooker, darts, horse racing and now, of course, I am enjoying the tennis at Wimbledon. If you have been following closely, and I am grateful that you have, you may have noticed a pattern: all my sports activity has come from being parked on the sofa in front of the telly. Advertisement Now, there was always a school of thought that, if I wasn't kicking a ball, I would be lying idly in front of the box. I can tell you – not true. Well, mostly not true! Andy Ritchie reveals the health concerns that have affected him over the last 18 months or so. (Image: George Munro) However, the reason I am not out much has been, regrettably, a wee downturn in my physical health. I have felt for the best part of the last 18 months that I was not in full vigour, and I was putting that down to a lot of factors. I now know, that really since the turn of the year, my health has deteriorated and, after a spell of not feeling myself, I eventually went to a doctor who referred me to a consultant. Advertisement I have had an ECG, I'm waiting on an angiogram, and my medication has increased - because, according to said consultant, I have had a couple of what I believe are called 'cardiac episodes'. In plain talk, that means heart attacks. Two of them. Naturally, I couldn't be happy with just one. I needed the full bhuna with nan bread. READ MORE: I have also become aware in my local manor that there has been a bit of talk about this and, before the dam bursts, so to speak, I wanted to let everyone know in my own way. This sort of news can travel faster than a Carlos Alcaraz forehand, so I wanted to be in charge of the story. Advertisement So, where am I now? Well, as I said, the angiogram awaits, and from there, a precise course of treatment will be acted upon. That could range from even more meds up to a possible bypass. We shall see. Of course, the worst thing about this, and don't judge me, is that the fags are on their way out. I have smoked for over 50 years, even as a professional player. Then again, so did Johan Cruyff and John Robertson, so I am in good company. Andy Ritchie says that after more than 50 years he's given the fags the boot. (Image: Archant) I have curtailed my habit and, going forward, I will conquer it - not least of all because of Robin, my local pharmacist, who is helping me with this one. Advertisement Night times are difficult because the new meds disrupt my sleeping pattern, but on the whole, I am generally fine and looking forward to the new season. I just felt that I wanted to share this with the good folk of Inverclyde who have shown me many kindnesses in the past. Hopefully, I will see some of you in due course perhaps at Cappielow but do not offer me a ciggy! Onwards and upwards, folks!
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Morton legend Andy Ritchie reveals how he discovered he'd had two heart attacks
In the past few months in these columns, I have addressed a number of sports from football to snooker, darts, horse racing and now, of course, I am enjoying the tennis at Wimbledon. If you have been following closely, and I am grateful that you have, you may have noticed a pattern: all my sports activity has come from being parked on the sofa in front of the telly. Now, there was always a school of thought that, if I wasn't kicking a ball, I would be lying idly in front of the box. I can tell you – not true. Well, mostly not true! Andy Ritchie reveals the health concerns that have affected him over the last 18 months or so. (Image: George Munro) However, the reason I am not out much has been, regrettably, a wee downturn in my physical health. I have felt for the best part of the last 18 months that I was not in full vigour, and I was putting that down to a lot of factors. I now know, that really since the turn of the year, my health has deteriorated and, after a spell of not feeling myself, I eventually went to a doctor who referred me to a consultant. I have had an ECG, I'm waiting on an angiogram, and my medication has increased - because, according to said consultant, I have had a couple of what I believe are called 'cardiac episodes'. In plain talk, that means heart attacks. Two of them. Naturally, I couldn't be happy with just one. I needed the full bhuna with nan bread. READ MORE: Looking after players well can play a big part in success, says Andy Ritchie Social media abuse has no place in sport or in life, says Morton legend Andy Ritchie explains why horse racing helped his mental health, if not his wallet 'I hope Dougie Imrie can get a UNITED support from Morton', says Andy Ritchie I have also become aware in my local manor that there has been a bit of talk about this and, before the dam bursts, so to speak, I wanted to let everyone know in my own way. This sort of news can travel faster than a Carlos Alcaraz forehand, so I wanted to be in charge of the story. So, where am I now? Well, as I said, the angiogram awaits, and from there, a precise course of treatment will be acted upon. That could range from even more meds up to a possible bypass. We shall see. Of course, the worst thing about this, and don't judge me, is that the fags are on their way out. I have smoked for over 50 years, even as a professional player. Then again, so did Johan Cruyff and John Robertson, so I am in good company. Andy Ritchie says that after more than 50 years he's given the fags the boot. (Image: Archant) I have curtailed my habit and, going forward, I will conquer it - not least of all because of Robin, my local pharmacist, who is helping me with this one. Night times are difficult because the new meds disrupt my sleeping pattern, but on the whole, I am generally fine and looking forward to the new season. I just felt that I wanted to share this with the good folk of Inverclyde who have shown me many kindnesses in the past. Hopefully, I will see some of you in due course perhaps at Cappielow but do not offer me a ciggy! Onwards and upwards, folks!
