DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY

A stroke (sometimes called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)) is the rapidly developing loss
of brain function(s) due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to
ischemia (lack of blood flow) caused by blockage (thrombosis, arterial embolism), or a
hemorrhage (leakage of blood).[1] As a result, the affected area of the brain is unable to function,
leading to inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or
formulate speech, or inability to see one side of the visual field.[2]

A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications,
and even death. It is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and Europe and it is
the number two cause of death worldwide.[3] Risk factors for stroke include advanced age,
hypertension (high blood pressure), previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), diabetes,
high cholesterol, cigarette smoking and atrial fibrillation.[4] High blood pressure is the most
important modifiable risk factor of stroke.[2]

A stroke is occasionally treated with thrombolysis ("clot buster"), in the "stroke unit" of a
hospital. Secondary prevention may involve antiplatelet drugs (aspirin and often dipyridamole),
blood pressure control, statins, and in selected patients with carotid endarterectomy and
anticoagulation.[2] Treatment to recover lost function is stroke rehabilitation, involving health
professions such as speech and language therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

ischemic and hemorrhagic

Dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM is a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and
enlarged, and cannot pump blood efficiently. The decreased heart function can affect the lungs,
liver, and other body systems.

DCM is one of the cardiomyopathies, a group of diseases that primarily affect the myocardium
(the muscle of the heart). Different cardiomyopathies have different causes and affect the heart in
different ways. In DCM a portion of the myocardium is dilated, often without any obvious cause.
Left or right ventricular systolic pump function of the heart is impaired, leading to progressive
cardiac enlargement and hypertrophy, a process called remodeling.[1]

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. It occurs

more frequently in men than in women, and is most common between the ages of 20 and 60
years.[2] About one in three cases of congestive heart failure (CHF) is due to dilated
cardiomyopathy.[1] Dilated cardiomyopathy also occurs in children.

LOW CHOLESTEROL DIET

The most important factor in considering any diet that lowers cholesterol is watching the amount
and types of fats that you consume. Unsaturated fats, also known as your "good" fats, are heart-
healthy and can actually lower your LDL cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, and raise your HDL
cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol. It is important that the fats you do consume in your diet
should be of this type of fat. Foods that are high in unsaturated fats include:

 Nuts, such as walnuts and pistachios

  Fish, especially salmon

 Certain types of oils, like olive oil

 Avocado

 Seeds, such as sunflower seeds

Another group of heart healthy foods are whole grains, such as oatmeal, flaxseed, and whole
wheat bread. These are high in fiber, which can help to bind cholesterol and prevent its passage
into the bloodstream.

You also do not have to shy away from animal meats on a low cholesterol diet. However, you
should chose leaner meats, such as chicken and turkey. Additionally, any spare fat you see
attached to the meat should also be trimmed away before consuming. And, if you get tired of
these meats, try eating fish. Fish, especially salmon, are high in unsaturated fats.

And lastly, fruits and vegetables are also an important part of any heart-healthy diet. They are
low in fat and calories and high in nutrients.

Hemoglobin A1C

The hemoglobin A1c test -- also called HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin test, or glycohemoglobin --
is an important blood test used to determine how well your diabetes is being controlled.
Hemoglobin A1c provides an average of your blood sugar control over a six to 12 week period
and is used in conjunction with home blood sugar monitoring to make adjustments in your
diabetes medicines.

Hemoglobin is a substance within red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body.
When your diabetes is not controlled (meaning that your blood sugar is too high), sugar builds up
in your blood and combines with your hemoglobin, becoming "glycated." Therefore, the average
amount of sugar in your blood can be determined by measuring a hemoglobin A1c level. If your
glucose levels have been high over recent weeks, your hemoglobin A1c test will be higher. The
amount of hemoglobin A1c will reflect the last several weeks of blood sugar levels, typically
encompassing a period of 120 days.

Glycosylated hemoglobin: Hemoglobin to which glucose is bound. Glycosylated hemoglobin is

tested to monitor the long-term control of diabetes mellitus.

The level of glycosylated hemoglobin is increased in the red blood cells of persons with poorly
controlled diabetes mellitus. Since the glucose stays attached to hemoglobin for the life of the red
blood cell (normally about 120 days), the level of glycosylated hemoglobin reflects the average
blood glucose level over the past 3 months.

The normal level for glycosylated hemoglobin is less than 7%. Diabetics rarely achieve such
levels, but tight control aims to come close to it. Levels above 9% show poor control, and levels
above 12% show very poor control. It is commonly recommended that glycosylated hemoglobin
be measured every 3 to 6 months in diabetes.