The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a screening tool called the Listing of Impairments to identify claimants who are so severely impaired that they cannot work at all and thus immediately qualify for benefits. In this report, the IOM makes several recommendations for improving SSA's capacity to determine disability benefits more quickly and efficiently using the Listings.

Coronary Heart Disease: Clinical, Pathological, Imaging, and Molecular Profiles presents a comprehensive picture of ischemic heart disease for practitioners, students, and investigators dealing with the varied facets of this complex subject. Individual chapters introduce the anatomy of the coronary blood vessels and cardiac development, while others consider current imaging modalities utilized for ischemic heart disease, including stress echo, nuclear diagnostic tests, non-invasive coronary artery imaging, and coronary angiography. Imaging chapters provide key clinical information on techniques and indications, and include examples of both normal and abnormal patterns. The principle thrust of the book concerns coronary atherosclerosis, the pathology of which is presented in conjunction with the results of anatomic, non-invasive imaging and angiographic studies. Related chapters cover atherogenesis, presenting new insights into the pathophysiology of the vulnerable plaque, the role of progenitor cells in vascular injury, inflammation and atherogenesis, and the genomics of vascular remodeling. Additional topics covered include angina pectoris, acute coronary syndromes, healed myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure, catheter-based and surgical revascularization, and surgical treatment of myocardial infarction and its sequelae. With contributions from a diverse group of internationally-known physicians with broad experience in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease, this book will be a valuable resource for practitioners in clinical cardiology, thoracic surgery, pathology, and cardiovascular molecular research, as well as for students in training.

This guide begins by describing the basic science of coronary heart disease. It then explains who is at risk and how the disease is detected and diagnosed. Finally, the book covers all the treatment options, from medications to surgery.

Translational Research in Coronary Artery Disease: Pathophysiology to Treatment covers the entire spectrum of basic science, genetics, drug treatment, and interventions for coronary artery disease. With an emphasis on vascular biology, this reference fully explains the fundamental aspects of coronary artery disease pathophysiology. Included are important topics, including endothelial function, endothelial injury, and endothelial repair in various disease states, vascular smooth muscle function and its interaction with the endothelium, and the interrelationship between inflammatory biology and vascular function. By providing this synthesis of current research literature, this reference allows the cardiovascular scientist and practitioner to access everything they need from one source. - Provides a concise summary of recent developments in coronary and vascular research, including previously unpublished data - Summarizes in-depth discussions of the pathobiology and novel treatment strategies for coronary artery disease - Provides access to an accompanying website that contains photos and videos of noninvasive diagnostic modalities for evaluation of coronary artery disease

Chronic diseases are common and costly, yet they are also among the most preventable health problems. Comprehensive and accurate disease surveillance systems are needed to implement successful efforts which will reduce the burden of chronic diseases on the U.S. population. A number of sources of surveillance data-including population surveys, cohort studies, disease registries, administrative health data, and vital statistics-contribute critical information about chronic disease. But no central surveillance system provides the information needed to analyze how chronic disease impacts the U.S. population, to identify public health priorities, or to track the progress of preventive efforts. A Nationwide Framework for Surveillance of Cardiovascular and Chronic Lung Diseases outlines a conceptual framework for building a national chronic disease surveillance system focused primarily on cardiovascular and chronic lung diseases. This system should be capable of providing data on disparities in incidence and prevalence of the diseases by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic region, along with data on disease risk factors, clinical care delivery, and functional health outcomes. This coordinated surveillance system is needed to integrate and expand existing information across the multiple levels of decision making in order to generate actionable, timely knowledge for a range of stakeholders at the local, state or regional, and national levels. The recommendations presented in A Nationwide Framework for Surveillance of Cardiovascular and Chronic Lung Diseases focus on data collection, resource allocation, monitoring activities, and implementation. The report also recommends that systems evolve along with new knowledge about emerging risk factors, advancing technologies, and new understanding of the basis for disease. This report will inform decision-making among federal health agencies, especially the Department of Health and Human Services; public health and clinical practitioners; non-governmental organizations; and policy makers, among others.

Most of us want to live a long, healthy life, but how do we do that? Drawing upon lessons from his own life, Mayo Clinic cardiologist Stephen Kopecky offers a holistic, evidence-based approach to preventing common diseases and chronic illnesses and living a longer life of pleasure and purpose. In the past century, the leading causes of death around the world have shifted from infectious diseases to long-term chronic illnesses. What’s killing us today isn’t so much flu or tuberculosis, but heart disease and cancer. In fact, more than 1.2 million Americans die from these two diseases each year. Paradoxically, these chronic diseases are a consequence of living longer than ever. But even if we’re living longer, are we living better? The overwhelming number of people now living under the burden of chronic illness indicates otherwise. After surviving two bouts of cancer, Dr. Stephen Kopecky, M.D set out to discover the behaviors people can adopt to live longer lives free of chronic illnesses and diseases. What he discovered was that the answer lies in just six habits that require small changes to your daily life, but reap big results long-term. From adopting better diet and exercise habits to managing stress and sleep, these behaviors will not only preserve your health, they can improve your quality of living and extend your life. The secret, however, lies not just in the steps themselves but in how you accomplish them. This book offers in-depth insights on: The best foods to eat and why Increasing physical activity and improving fitness Why your sleep habits matter The dangers of stress and what to do about them The true impact of alcohol and tobacco on our bodies How to make changes that will last a lifetime After 30 years of research in the field of cardiovascular disease prevention, Dr. Kopecky is sharing what he’s learned from his practice and own personal experience about staying healthy, preventing chronic illnesses, and living younger longer.

This textbook is a readily accessible educational tool for all fellows undertaking subspecialty training in interventional cardiology, while also serving as a refresher to early career interventional cardiologists. The key objective is to equip the reader with an evidence-based expert-led resource focussed primarily on pre-procedural planning, peri-procedural decision-making, and the salient technical aspects of performing safe and effective coronary intervention, the intention being to support the therapeutic decision-making process in the emergency room, coronary care unit or cath lab in order to optimize patient outcome. The Interventional Cardiology Training Manual provides readers with a step-by-step guide to the basic principles underpinning coronary intervention and facilitates rapid access to best practice from the experts, presented in a pragmatic, digestible and concise format. Uniquely, each chapter has been written in a heart center-specific manner, affording the reader an opportunity to learn how individual institutions perform a specific procedure, which algorithms and guidelines they follow and what evidence they draw on to instigate the best possible care for their patients.

Cardiovascular Diseases: Genetic Susceptibility, Environmental Factors and Their Interaction covers the special heritability characteristics and identifying genetic and environmental contributions to cardiovascular health. This important reference provides an overview of the genetic basis of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. Included are important topics, ranging from lifestyle choices, risk factors, and exposure, to pollutants and chemicals. Also covered are the influences of Mendelian traits and familial aggregation and the interactions and interrelationships between genetics and environmental factors which, when compared, provide a sound understanding of the interplay between inherited and acquired risk factors. The book provides a much needed reference for this rapidly growing field of study. By combining the latest research within the structured chapters of this reference, a better understanding of genetic and environmental contribution to cardiovascular disease is found, helping to substantiate further investigations in the field and design prevention and treatment strategies. - Provides an overview of the genetic basis of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors - Reviews several large population-based studies which indicate that exposure to several environmental factors may increase CVD morbidity and mortality, exploring the plausibility of this association by data from animal studies - Reflects on future studies to help understanding the role of genes and environmental factors in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease

Review quote "An excellent handbook which covers all aspects of coronary heart disease and will serve as a very useful reference for nurses working in primary and secondary health prevention". evidence-based content ensures a firm scientific basis for practice the practical nature of the content can be immediately applied in the working environment e.g. smoking cessation strategies, dietary counseling and risk assessment the multidisciplinary group of contributors ensures that the content reflects the multidisciplinary nature of CHD prevention work case studies and practice exercises enable the application of theory to practice summaries of key points facilitate understanding and retention the implications from clinical governance legislation, the National Service Frameworks and Joint British Recommendations on prevention of CHD in clinical practice recent research outcomes e.g. the HOT trial diabetes and its links with CHD material relating to ethnic minorities more 'global' statistics where possible to make the text more appealing to international markets the inequalities arising from socio-economic exclusion

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common and serious diseases in the United States, affecting 12 million Americans. This new edition addresses the concerns of those diagnosed with CHD, giving the most up-to-date and concise information regarding the disease and its treatment options. With the right medical treatment and lifestyle changes, those who suffer from CHD can live healthier and happier lives. Chapters explain how cholesterol affects the heart, what medical tests are needed, how medications work, what is involved in an angioplasty or bypass surgery, and how to spot the warning signs of a heart attack.