Interview with Channel Seven's Today Tonight programme - June 05, 2008

Nearly a year after my heart attack I was interviewed by one of our local television stations, it was the day before my 55th birthday, a birthday I was lucky to see.

The morning of this interview, an article appeared in our local newspaper, The Bulletin, which talked about my heart attack. Soon after the edition hit the streets, I received phone calls from radio stations here on the coast where we live and in Brisbane and from TV stations asking to do an interview. This is one I did with the Channel Seven programme Today Tonight which goes to air each night after the evening news.

Diabetics may not necessarily have the classic symptoms when suffering a heart attack - Promoting Awareness

Diabetics may not necessarily have the classic symptoms when suffering a heart attack!!!

You can get one of these mouse pads online at: http://www.zazzle.com/diabetics_do_not_necessarily_have_mouse_pad-144983064230611638

Following a massive heart attack in July, 2007 and in an attempt to try and raise CVD, Heart Disease and Awareness about Diabetes and the fact that not all diabetics may necessarily have the classic warning signs when having a heart attack (which is what happened in my case), I started to create a number of items to help me raise this awareness.

More items I have designed to promote CVD can be found at: 
http://www.zazzle.com/katzworkz/gifts?cg=196012506852892228 &  
http://www.zazzle.com/katzworkz/gifts?cg=196570847093443878 - 
feel free to drop by and check these out.

L-arginine - Side Effects and Warnings

I posted this on my Facebook page a few of years ago when a debate was raging on a group I was a member of regarding supplements and herbal medicines being used in place of traditional medicines.

I thought this might be an opportune time to repost this note now as it is as relevant now as it was then.

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Below are reasons why anyone considering using L-arginine products should only to do so in consultation with their doctor/cardiologist/specialist especially if they have a heart condition/disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney problems, bleeding issues, just to name a few conditions. I am not saying that L-arginine products do not have a place in today's world, what I am saying is that using L-arginine products should be done in consultation with your doctor or specialist. 

The following is taken from the MAYO clinic website:

L-arginine - Side Effects and Warnings

Note : According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, pediatric overdosing of arginine hydrochloride injection (R-Gene 10®) has been reported, due to packaging and labeling confusion. Revisions have since been made to the product's packaging. The new label warns that R-Gene 10® infusions should be used cautiously in children to prevent overdose, which may result in hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, cerebral edema, or possibly death.

There is no current suggested daily intake or tolerable upper intake for arginine. This amino acid is considered to be nonessential. The therapeutic dosage (maximum dose considered to be safe) is 400-6,000 milligrams.

In general, L-arginine is well tolerated when taken by mouth, delivered intravenously, or applied to the skin.

Arginine may cause bloating; diarrhea; endocrine changes; gastrointestinal discomfort; hives; increased blood urea nitrogen, serum creatine, and serum creatinine; increased inflammatory response; leg restlessness, lower back pain; nausea, numbness (with arginine injection); rash; reduction in hematocrit; severe tissue necrosis with extravasation; systemic acidosis; or venous irritation.

In heart disease patients, arginine may cause high white blood cell count, increased post-heart attack deaths, lack of energy and strength, and vertigo or increased blood pressure (in heart transplant patients).

Arginine may increase the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised in patients with bleeding disorders or those taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.

Arginine may change blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may need to be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, and medication adjustments may be necessary.

Use cautiously in patients with impaired kidney function or those at risk for hyperkalemia (abnormally high levels of blood potassium), including those with diabetes or using drugs that elevate potassium levels, such as potassium-sparing diuretics and potassium supplements, as arginine may cause hyperkalemia. Fatal cardiac arrhythmia occurred in one patient.

Use caution with phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil [Viagra®]), due to a theoretical risk of additive blood vessel widening and blood pressure lowering.

Use with caution in postmenopausal patients, as night sweats and flushing have been reported.

Use with caution in patients with herpes virus, as L-arginine may worsen this condition. L-arginine may increase the risk of herpes simplex cold sores.

Use with caution in individuals at risk for headaches, as headache has been a reported side effect. In mountain climbers, L-arginine increased the risk of developing a headache.

Use with caution in patients with immunological disorders.

Use cautiously in patients with acrocyanosis, sickle cell anemia, and hyperchloremic acidosis, as arginine may cause worsening of symptoms.

Use cautiously in patients with guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency. This enzyme is involved in the conversion of amino acids such as arginine to creatine.

Avoid in women with high-risk pregnancies, as, in women with multiple diseases, intravenous arginine resulted in premature delivery, pre-eclampsia, and death in two cases.

Avoid use in those with low blood pressure or those using blood pressure-lowering agents, due to the reported blood vessel-widening and blood pressure-lowering effects of L-arginine.

Avoid with nitrates, as concurrent use may result in additive blood pressure-lowering and blood vessel-widening effects.

Avoid use in patients given spironolactone, because arginine monohydrochloride has resulted in abnormally high potassium levels and fatal cardiac arrhythmia.

Avoid use in patients with asthma, as arginine may cause an allergic and response, aggravate airway inflammation, and amplify inflammatory airway response. In human research, L-arginine increased exhaled nitric oxide, suggesting increased inflammatory response in asthmatic and cystic fibrosis subjects.

Avoid use in patients at risk for or with a history of heart attack, as arginine may worsen outcomes and increase the risk of mortality.

Avoid use in breast cancer patients.

Avoid with known allergy or hypersensitivity to arginine. Symptoms may include rash, itching, or shortness of breath. Anaphylaxis has occurred after arginine injections. In clinical research, one patient experienced a mild allergic skin reaction to intravenous L-arginine. Hives have been reported.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Avoid in pregnant or breastfeeding women, due to a lack of sufficient available safety and efficacy data.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/l-arginine/NS_patient-arginine/DSECTION=safety

Learn more about the LUCAS 2 Automatic CPR Machine and how it operates

In this video you will learn more about the LUCAS 2 automatic CPR machine. As someone who survived a massive heart attack that included full on cardiac arrests and 29 resuscitations/cardioversions I can totally identify with just how beneficial this machine can be.

The LUCAS Chest Compression System is designed to deliver uninterrupted compressions at a consistent rate and depth to facilitate ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation). It delivers automated compressions from first response in the field to ambulance transport and throughout the hospital. LUCAS facilitates consistent blood flow from the moment it is turned on, helping to improve a patient's chance for a successful outcome. With LUCAS, defibrillation can occur during ongoing compressions that can prime the heart for a successful shock. Also continuous compressions help maintain coronary perfusion pressure needed to facilitate ROSC. 

· Effective, consistent and uninterrupted compressions according to current AHA guidelines

· Maintain good blood flow

· Increasing operational effectiveness

· Easy to use and efficient to own

· Keep personnel safe during CPR 

You now have the choice between an air driven and battery powered LUCAS device. The original LUCAS 1, is a pnuematically-driven device and requires no electrical supply for operation. It is powered by compressed air from a portable compressed air cylinder or wall outlet. LUCAS 2 runs off of Lithium-ion Polymer battery technology, which has a long shelf life and requires no test-cycle maintenance. Both devices are equally easy to use and are designed to deliver uninterrupted compressions at a consistent rate and depth to facilitate ROSC.

Improving Operations in the Field 

Reduce the number of EMTs or firefighters to assist with CPR during a cardiac emergency 
Provide continuous, effective compressions, helping to maintain good circulation in the patient while medics remain seat-belted for better safety in a mobile environment 
Simple and easy to use with minimal training, keeping the cost of ownership low
For the clinically progressive agency 

Deliver chest compressions according to the guidelines -- ensuring compressions continue uninterrupted at a consistent depth to facilitate ROSC
Work in tandem with cooling therapies or impedance threshold devices for a comprehensive approach to patient resuscitation
Deliver effective, consistent, uninterrupted chest compressions and can help effectively manage the code scene while helping the patient to maintain good circulation
Help maintain coronary perfusion pressure without interruption which is crucial to improving patient outcomes 
Enable the intervention to continue in the event of a cardiac arrest in the cath lab by providing consistent, guidelines-quality chest compressions, which facilitates blood circulation to supply oxygen to vital organs.

LUCAS™ CPR - Automatic CPR Machine saving lives

LUCAS™ CPR

Keeping the flow up

In order to be able to save the lives of sudden cardiac arrest patients and avoid neurological damage, a steady supply of oxygen to the heart and brain is necessitated. Life-sustaining circulation can be created through effective and uninterrupted chest compressions. 

Performing manual chest compressions of high quality is both difficult and tiring, and impossible in certain situations. The quality varies depending on who provides CPR and  deteriorates quickly after only one, two minutes.

LUCAS™ - standardising the quality of chest compressions

The LUCAS™ Chest Compression System is a safe and efficient tool that standardises chest compressions in accordance with the latest scientific guidelines. It provides the same quality for all patients and over time, independent of transport conditions, rescuer fatigue, or variability in the experience level of the caregiver. By doing this, it frees up rescuers to focus on other life-saving tasks and creates new rescue opportunities.

Safe and effective

Experimental studies show that the mechanically controlled LUCAS™ compressions are able to sustain a higher blood flow to the brain and heart compared to manual compressions. The side-effects are similar as for manual compressions. LUCAS™ does compressions according to guidelines - on the middle of the chest, not more, not less.

Easy and quick

The LUCAS device is easy to carry and handle, and can be applied to the patient with interruptions of manual compressions of less than 20 seconds. 

LUCAS™2

Now electrically powered, the life-saving medical device offers the most compact, lightweight and portable solution to maintain circulation in cardiac arrest patients.

Link to this article and more information: http://www.lucas-cpr.com/en/lucas_cpr/lucas_cpr

See this machine in operation in an interview with heart attack survivor Graeme Webb. http://www.9jumpin.com.au/show/mornings/videos/4327426121001/

Brought back to life after heart stops beating for 40 minutes

An incredible story worth posting here which highlights the importance of new, modern technology in dealing with someone having a heart attack.

From The Daily Telegraph, June 25, 2015

"GRAEME WEBB was clinically dead for more than 40 minutes after suffering a heart attack and going into cardiac arrest in the emergency department at Liverpool Hospital.

Graeme Webb with emergency physician Trudi Davis (right) who led the resuscitation and clinical nurse Kathryn Spears who looked after Graeme's wife Alison during the ordeal. Photo: Jonathan Ng

An emergency staff member performed CPR on the father of two for six minutes until an automatic chest compression device was connected to do it automatically.

This allowed staff the time to transport him to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory for emergency surgery.

While Mr Webb was connected to the LUCAS 2 machine, interventional cardiologist Christian Mussap said a coronary angioplasty was performed and a blocked artery scented.

“We achieved a truly amazing outcome considering the situation,” Dr Mussap said.

“Mr Webb is extremely lucky to be alive.”

The saga began when Mr Webb was driving home to Hammondville from work on March 30. He rang wife Alison and said he wasn’t feeling well.

“I got home, then had this tingling sensation in my mouth,” he said.

“I called an ambulance ... it was 1.19pm on my phone ... I remember looking at the time ... then I called my wife and told her. I remember the ambulance arriving, walking out and hopping in, I remember the ride, but after that, I don’t remember much at all until a few days later.”

Emergency Department Staff Specialist Trudi Davis was part of the team that kept Mr Webb alive and said had it not been for the machine Mr Webb would have sustained a severe brain injury.

“It makes things possible that weren’t before,” Dr Davis said.

“Within seconds after Graeme went into cardiac arrest, a large amount of senior doctors were around him.

“We were continually doing CPR and giving him electric shocks and medication but his heart wouldn’t start.

“He had shown subtle indicators that he would be OK. When you go into cardiac arrest, there are progressing heart rhythms — Mr Webb’s stayed in the first one — which gave him a better chance of survival and less likely to have brain damage.

“As he was being transferred into surgery, we gave his heart one more shock ... it started to beat.”

The machine, which is currently only available in seven NSW hospitals, was removed for the catheter surgery.

“The cardiologist was as shocked as all of us that Mr Webb was awake the next day and speaking,” Dr Davis said.

“We all agree that if it had been another time or another hospital, he’d be dead.”

Dubbed the Miracle Man, Mr Webb said he was embarrassed to carry the title and felt the miracle lay within the hospital.

“The staff at Liverpool — they’re the miracle,” he said.

“The only thing I can say is ‘thank you’.”

After waking up, doctors and staff asked Mr Webb if he suffered chest pains or any other signs of a heart attack.

“It’s like my body was doing me a favour and shutting down so I didn’t experience the heart attack or cardiac arrest ... I have no knowledge of it,” Mr Webb said.

“Afterwards I was upset. I was a wreck. I was like it for a few weeks.”

Mr Webb said it was a real scare, especially for his 19-year-old son Matt and 18-year-old daughter Sarah.

“How they feel, you can’t put into words. That was one of the things. I hated putting them through that,” he said.

“You see how easy it is to be taken from your family and friends. I don’t take things for granted like I used to. It definitely makes you appreciate what you’ve got.

“You don’t expect to have a heart attack. Even when I woke up, I had no idea what had happened or how much time I’d lost.

“I wouldn’t have even know that I had a blocked artery. I’m a typical male, I didn’t go to the doctor as much as I should have.”

Mr Webb celebrated his 52nd birthday two weeks after his experience and said he spent it “very quietly”.

Mr Webb is now looking forward to returning to work as a data manager with Australia Post, a job he has held for more than 30 years.

“When I wake up in the morning now, I feel grateful,” he said.

The $21,000 LUCAS 2 machine which brought him back to life was donated earlier this year by three hospital auxiliaries — Busby, Liverpool Hospital and Moorebank-Chipping Norton.

Hospital general manager Robynne Cooke thanked the auxiliaries for the donation.

“This is a great example of fundraising by our auxiliaries really making a difference to the lives of our patients and to the services we are able to provide,” Ms Cooke said.

“We are extremely grateful for their ongoing generosity and support. It clearly does make a difference.”"

Read the original story using this link:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/south-west/brought-back-to-life-after-heart-stops-beating-for-40-minutes/story-fngr8hxh-1227411171329

Listen to the story and see this machine in operation in an interview with Graeme Webb. http://www.9jumpin.com.au/show/mornings/videos/4327426121001/

Heart Foundation of Australia 'Recognize Your Heart Attack' Campaign - February, 2010

In February, 2010 I was invited by the Heart Foundation of Australia to participate in the launching of their 'Recognize Your Heart Attack' Campaign here on the Gold Coast. The launch and interview took place on the ambulance ramp to the hospital and was covered by the local newspaper and TV station.

It was indeed a privilege and honour to be asked to address those in attendance and to participate in the launch of this important campaign by the Heart Foundation. It was also a very emotional moment for me.

More information on the can be found using these links:

http://www.heartattackfacts.org.au/

http://www.heartattackfacts.org.au/warning-signs/