Hypoxemia (Low Blood Oxygen): Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
An 8085 Retrocomputer From The Heart
The world of 8-bit retrocomputing splits easily into tribes classified by their choice of processor. There are 6809 enthusiasts, 6502 diehards, and Z80 lovers, each sharing a bond to their particular platform that often threads back through time to whatever was the first microcomputer they worked with. Here it's the Z80 as found in the Sinclair ZX81, but for you it might be the 6502 from an Apple ][. For [Craig Andrews] it's the 8085, and after many years away from the processor he's finally been able to return to it and recreate his first ever design using it. The SBC-85 is not wire-wrapped as the original was, instead he's well on the way to creating an entire ecosystem based around an edge-connector backplane.
The CPU board is an entire computer in its own right as can be seen in the video below the break, and pairs the 8085 with 8k of RAM, a couple of 2732 4k EPROMs, and an 8155 interface chip. This last component is especially versatile, providing an address latch, timer, I/O ports, and even an extra 256 bytes of RAM. Finally there is some glue logic and a MAX232 level shifter for a serial port, with no UART needed since the 8085 has one built-in. The minimal computer capable with this board can thus be slimmed down significantly, something that competing processors of the mid 1970s often struggled with.
Craig's web site is shaping up to be a fascinating resource for 8085 enthusiasts, and so far the system sports that backplane and a bus monitor card. We don't see much of the 8085 here at Hackaday, perhaps because it wasn't the driver for any of the popular 8-bit home computers. But it's an architecture that many readers will find familiar due to its 8080 heritage, and could certainly be found in many control applications before the widespread adoption of dedicated microcontrollers. It would be interesting to see where Craig takes this next, with more cards, and perhaps making a rival to the RC2014 over in Z80 country.
Weight Loss Drug Cuts Risk Of Heart Problems, Maker Says
A new obesity drug, Wegovy, slashed the risk of serious heart problems by 20 percent in a large trial, the drug's maker said on Tuesday, a finding that could challenge the perception of weight loss drugs as nothing more than cosmetic medicines and put pressure on insurers to cover them.
The trial was the first to demonstrate that the new class of obesity drugs could bring lasting benefits to heart health for people who were overweight but did not have diabetes.
With obesity affecting 100 million adults in the United States and accounting for nearly $150 billion in annual health care spending, the new treatments could help address some of the most significant and costly afflictions in American medicine.
The results "demonstrate the urgent need for patients living with obesity to be offered this effective and safe drug to prevent future disease," said Simon Cork, an obesity expert at Anglia Ruskin University in England who has no ties to the drug.
Many details were missing from the announcement on Tuesday by Wegovy's maker, Novo Nordisk. The company said that the drug reduced the overall risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths by 20 percent. But it did not break out the effects of the drug on each of those outcomes individually.
The company also did not describe how much weight patients lost or provide details on side effects of the drug and how many patients decided to stop taking it. The data has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal; the company said it would present more detailed results at a scientific conference later this year.
Still, the trial included nearly 18,000 adults with previous cardiovascular disease and tracked them for up to five years. It bolstered the idea that obesity drugs can deliver long-term health benefits in addition to helping patients lose weight, experts said, undermining the argument that they are merely vanity drugs with little bearing on patients' underlying health.
That could prompt more insurers to pay for the drug, at least for patients who, like the trial participants, already had evidence of heart disease.
"It's going to make it much harder to deny coverage and not pay for these products for a non-diabetic population," said Craig Garthwaite, a health economist at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. "It's going to make it very difficult to make the argument that this isn't part of an essential health benefit when there are cardiovascular benefits."
Medicare does not cover weight loss medications and some employer insurance plans have refused to pay for them, owing to the view that the drugs are not essential medical remedies. The drug's high list price of $1,349 a month puts it out of reach for most whose insurance will not cover it.
Reducing the risk of heart attacks or strokes could not only spare many Americans years of suffering and medical complications but also bring other economic benefits, restoring productivity losses from heart disease and reducing spending on less effective obesity treatments, Dr. Garthwaite said.
Even so, he said, the benefits for patients' heart health are far enough down the road that insurers themselves may not see direct cost savings. If other drugs from the new class of obesity treatment also prove able to reduce cardiovascular disease, he said, that could create competition between products that eventually drives down their prices.
Wegovy is currently approved for chronic weight management in the United States. Novo Nordisk said it would ask regulators in the United States and Europe to clear the drug for additional medical indications as well, but did not say which ones.
Another version of the same drug made by Novo Nordisk, Ozempic, is approved for lowering blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. A smaller trial found that Ozempic also reduced the risk of heart complications in diabetes patients.
Martin Holst Lange, the company's executive vice president for development, said that the latest trial demonstrated the drug "has the potential to change how obesity is regarded and treated."
Scientists said that it was not clear precisely how the drug cut people's risk of heart complications.
The new class of obesity drugs has been shown to have some direct effects on blood vessels and the heart, including in studies finding that animals given the drugs are better able to survive heart attacks, said Dr. Daniel Drucker, a senior scientist at the Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto who helped identify the hormone that gave rise to the new drugs and been paid consulting or speaking fees by Novo Nordisk.
But they may also indirectly lower the risk of heart disease by reducing body weight, blood pressure or inflammation.
The new class of obesity drugs "has two shots on goal to improve cardiovascular health," he said.
Further details from the new trial will allow researchers to study the relationship between how much weight patients lost and their cardiovascular benefits, potentially making clearer how Wegovy was improving people's heart health.
"It's really the beginning of a new chapter in improving the health of people with obesity," Dr. Drucker said.
Even so, he said that the trial would also help researchers understand the incidence of side effects, especially given the size and duration of the study. Patients have reported nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and stomach pain, and some have stopped taking the medication because of these effects.
Experts said the trial could also change an approach to obesity that has long emphasized the responsibility of patients for fighting their own weight gains.
"Obesity's not a personal choice — it's not behavioral, it's not something that people choose," said Dr. Ania Jastreboff, an endocrinologist and obesity-medicine specialist at Yale University who was an investigator on the Wegovy trial and consults for makers of obesity drugs. "Medications like this, we believe, are potentially treating that underlying biology."
The latest results, she said, "underscore the need to treat obesity as we treat any other disease."
17 Incredibly Heart-Healthy Foods
Certain foods, including leafy greens, whole grains, and fatty fish, can benefit your heart health and lower your risk of heart disease.
Diet plays a major role in heart health and can impact your risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death for adults in the US (1).
The food you eat can influence heart disease risk factors, including:
Here are 15 foods you should eat to maximize your heart health.
Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens are well known for their wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
In particular, they're a great source of vitamin K, which helps protect your arteries and promote proper blood clotting (2).
They're also high in dietary nitrates, which have been shown to reduce blood pressure, decrease arterial stiffness, and improve the function of cells lining the blood vessels (3).
The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that an increased leafy green vegetable intake was associated with more significant benefits to cardiovascular health and a lower risk of heart disease than other fruits and vegetables (4).
Summary
Leafy green vegetables are high in vitamin K and nitrates, which can help reduce blood pressure and improve arterial function. A higher intake of leafy greens is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
Whole grains include all three nutrient-rich parts of the grain:
Common types of whole grains include:
Refined carbohydrates increase the risk of coronary heart disease. But whole grains are protective. An extra 1 or 2 daily servings of these foods increases or decreases risk by approximately 10-20% (5).
Multiple studies have found that eating more whole grains can benefit your heart health.
The AHA recommends eating whole grains rather than refined grains daily can reduce your risk for (6):
Adopting a diet rich in plant-based foods, whole grains, low fat dairy products, and sodium intake within recommended limits can help prevent and manage hypertension (7).
When purchasing whole grains, make sure to read the ingredients label carefully. Phrases like "whole grain" or "100% whole wheat" indicate a whole grain product, while words like "wheat flour" or "multigrain" may not.
Summary
Eating whole grains is associated with lower cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, as well as a lower risk of heart disease.
Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are jam-packed with nutrients that play a central role in heart health.
Berries are also rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins, which protect against oxidative stress and inflammation that can contribute to the development of heart disease. Higher anthocyanin intake may raise your risk of coronary artery disease, including heart attack and hypertension (8).
Eating blueberries daily may also improve the function of cells that line the blood vessels (vascular function), which help control blood pressure and blood clotting (8).
According to a review of research, berry consumption may be an effective intervention for metabolic syndrome by helping reduce oxidative stress and inflammation while improving vascular function (9).
Berries can be a satisfying snack or a delicious dessert. Try adding a few different types to your diet to take advantage of their health benefits.
Summary
Berries are rich in antioxidants. Eating them can reduce multiple risk factors for heart disease.
Avocados are an excellent source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which have been linked to reduced cholesterol levels and a lower risk of heart disease. Eating at least two servings of avocado each week was linked to a 16% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21% reduced risk of coronary heart disease (10).
A comprehensive review of studies determined that avocado may help improve (11):
Avocados are also rich in potassium, a nutrient essential to heart health, and can help reduce blood pressure. One serving of avocado (150 grams) supplies 725 milligrams of potassium, or about 21% of the amount you need daily, based on the adult male daily adequate intake (12).
Summary
Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats and potassium. They may help lower your cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of metabolic syndrome.
Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been studied extensively for their heart-health benefits.
Omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish may have a protective role in the risk of developing heart disease and slightly reduce the risk of CVD events and arrhythmias (13).
Eating fish over the long term may support lower levels of (14):
Fish consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, and mortality (15).
If you don't eat much seafood, fish oil is another option for getting your daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids.
Fish oil supplements may reduce rates of all-cause mortality, cardiac death, sudden death, and stroke (16).
Other omega-3 supplements like krill oil or algal oil are popular alternatives.
Summary
Fatty fish and fish oil are both high in omega-3 fatty acids and may help reduce heart disease risk factors, including blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol.
Walnuts are a great source of fiber and micronutrients like magnesium, copper, and manganese (17).
Research shows that incorporating a few servings of walnuts into your diet can help protect against heart disease.
Evidence for cardiovascular disease prevention is strong for some varieties of tree nuts, particularly walnuts (18).
Diets supplemented with walnuts may decrease LDL (bad) and total cholesterol (19).
Interestingly, some studies also found that regularly eating nuts, such as walnuts, is associated with a lower risk of heart disease (20).
Summary
Walnuts can help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure and may be associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
Beans contain resistant starch, which resists digestion and is fermented by the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Resistant starch can potentially exert a healthy impact on the gut and certain members of its resident microbiota (21).
Multiple studies have also found that eating beans can reduce certain risk factors for heart disease.
In one study of 73 adults with elevated LDL cholesterol, eating canned beans significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (22).
One review found that eating beans and legumes can decrease LDL cholesterol, improve glycemic control and blood pressure, and may reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, especially in people with diabetes (23).
Summary
Beans are high in resistant starch and have been shown to reduce levels of cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and improve glycemic control.
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, which can help boost heart health.
Consuming chocolate in moderation (less than six servings a week) may decrease your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes (24).
Remember that though some studies show an association, they don't necessarily account for other factors that may be involved.
Additionally, chocolate can be high in sugar and calories, negating many of its health-promoting properties.
Be sure to pick a high quality dark chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 70% and moderate your intake to make the most of its heart-healthy benefits.
Summary
Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants like flavonoids. It has been associated with a lower risk of developing calcified plaque in the arteries and coronary heart disease.
Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, a natural plant pigment with powerful antioxidant properties (25).
Antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals, preventing oxidative damage and inflammation, which can contribute to heart disease.
Low blood levels of lycopene are linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke (26).
Increasing the intake of tomato products and lycopene supplementation positively affects blood lipids, blood pressure, and endothelial function (27).
A review of research noted that one serving of raw tomatoes, tomato sauce, or tomato sauce with refined olive oil may lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol (28).
The body absorbs lycopene better from cooked tomatoes and tomato products than fresh tomatoes (28).
Higher HDL (good) cholesterol levels can help remove excess cholesterol and plaque from the arteries to keep your heart healthy and protect against heart disease and stroke (29).
Summary
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and have been associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol.
Almonds are incredibly nutrient-dense, boasting many vitamins and minerals crucial to heart health.
They're also a good source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber, two important nutrients that can help protect against heart disease (30).
Research suggests that eating almonds can have a powerful effect on your cholesterol levels.
One study involving 48 people with high cholesterol showed that eating 1.5 ounces (43 grams) of almonds daily for 6 weeks reduced belly fat and levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, two risk factors for heart disease (31).
The research also shows that eating almonds is associated with higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, which can help reduce plaque buildup and keep your arteries clear (29, 31).
Remember that while almonds are very high in nutrients, they're also high in calories. Measure your portions and moderate your intake if you're trying to lose weight.
Summary
Almonds are high in fiber and monounsaturated fats, and have been linked to reductions in cholesterol and belly fat.
Chia seeds, flaxseeds, and hemp seeds are all great sources of heart-healthy nutrients, including fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
Numerous studies have found that adding these seeds to your diet can improve many heart disease risk factors, including inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Hemp seeds are high in arginine, an amino acid associated with reduced blood levels of specific inflammatory markers (32).
Supplementing your diet with milled flaxseed may lower cardiovascular disease and cancer risk and help other conditions like gastrointestinal health and diabetes (33).
Chia seeds are another great food source for heart health, as they contain dietary fibers, antioxidants, and omega‐3 fatty acids. Eating them may help reduce blood pressure, blot clots, and LDL cholesterol (34).
Summary
Human and animal studies have found that eating seeds may improve several heart disease risk factors, including inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Garlic has potent medicinal properties that may help improve heart health.
This is thanks to the presence of a compound called allicin, which is believed to have many therapeutic effects (35).
A meta-analysis of 12 trials noted that garlic supplements lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and were as effective as a common prescription drug at reducing blood pressure (36).
Garlic can also inhibit platelet buildup, which may reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke (35).
Be sure to consume garlic raw or crush it and let it sit for a few minutes before cooking. This allows for the formation of allicin, maximizing its potential health benefits.
Summary
Garlic and its components have been shown to help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. They may also help inhibit blood clot formation.
Olive oil is packed with antioxidants, which can relieve inflammation and decrease the risk of chronic disease (37).
It's also rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which many studies have associated with improvements in heart health.
One study from 2014 involving 7,216 adults at high risk for heart disease showed that those who consumed the most olive oil had a 35% lower risk of developing heart disease.
Furthermore, a higher intake of olive oil was associated with a 48% lower risk of dying from heart disease (38).
Olive oil is high in oleic acid and antioxidants and can help prevent and treat hypertension (39).
You can drizzle olive oil over cooked dishes or add it to vinaigrettes and sauces.
Summary
Olive oil is high in antioxidants and monounsaturated fats. It has been associated with lower blood pressure and heart disease risk.
Edamame is an immature soybean frequently found in Asian cuisine.
Like other soy products, edamame is rich in soy isoflavones, a type of flavonoid that may help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health.
Including soy protein in your diet may lead to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (40).
If combined with other changes to diet and lifestyle, even slightly reducing your cholesterol levels can greatly impact your risk of heart disease.
One study showed that including 30 grams of soy protein daily in a lipid-lowering diet improved participants' blood lipids, reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease (41).
Edamame and other soy products are also a good source of other heart-healthy nutrients, including dietary fiber and antioxidants (42).
Summary
Edamame contains soy isoflavones, which can help decrease cholesterol levels. Edamame also contains fiber and antioxidants, which also benefit heart health.
Green tea may have several health benefits, from increased fat burning to improved insulin sensitivity to cancer prevention (43).
Its polyphenols and catechins can act as antioxidants to prevent cell damage, reduce inflammation, and protect the health of your heart.
Many studies have shown green tea increases leptin, a hormone that regulates our appetite, and reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol. Green tea extract may also improve blood pressure and glycemic control (43).
A review of studies found that taking green tea extract for 3 months reduced blood pressure, triglycerides, LDL (bad), and total cholesterol compared to a placebo (44).
Taking a green tea supplement or drinking matcha made with powdered whole green tea leaves may also benefit heart health.
Summary
Green tea is high in polyphenols and catechins. It has been associated with lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.
As new evidence emerges, the link between diet and heart disease grows stronger.
What you eat can influence many aspects of heart health, including blood pressure, inflammation, cholesterol levels, and triglycerides.
Including heart-healthy foods in a nutritious, well-balanced diet can help keep your heart in good shape and minimize your risk of heart disease.
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