Bob Dylan The Times They Are A-Changin

Cardioventis is undergoing a major restructuring to reflect the Changing times.We are now pivoting towards a new mission.

In today’s world, increasing the quality of health care is vital. It means introducing state-of the art health solutions. Our Philosophy is to accept, existing systems and innovate.

Cardioventis is dedicated to development of innovative body tracking technology and analysis of physiological data using intelligent algorithms’ to improve and save lives, support the advancement of research, and revolutionize human technology interaction.

We are now harnessing the power of Data Management with Intelligent Health Tools.

Contact us for more information.

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Many major Industrial Accidents in the last couple of decades has been related to Sleep deprivation.

How important is Adequate Sleep to your Life.?

Your body requires a certain amount of sleep in order to function properly and if it doesn’t get enough, it will naturally try to find ways to reconcile the problem. For many, a solution isn’t always easy to find.

Many people don’t even recognize they have a problem to begin with, failing to note the subtle symptoms and then, not taking the time to investigate the possible causes.  If your body doesn’t get a sufficient amount of sleep, the effects can begin with fatigue and overall drowsiness.

You may feel tired during the day, which could ultimately impact your physical and mental health. For older people, sleep deprivation typically means that restorative sleep is lacking so their bodies aren’t recharging properly for the next day. This pattern accumulates until it becomes a true medical condition that requires attention.

Another physical effect that a lack of sleep can result in is weight change – in particular, weight gain.  One of the benefits of quality sleep is that your hormone levels are regulated.

But if you suffer from sleep deprivation, then your hormone levels grow to be imbalanced and as a result, some of your psychological processes – such as appetite – also change. You may feel hungry when you’re not – or in some cases, not full when you are.

Chronic sleeplessness can also lead to depression, irritability, and impatience.  Unfortunately, emotional frustration is one symptom that people may feel they don’t need to address.

Some may even fail to see how their mood swings and emotional outbursts or breakdowns are linked to sleep, choosing to assign the blame elsewhere and focusing attention away from the real cause: a lack of sleep.

The dangers of sleep deprivation to one’s physical and emotional well-being range from slurred speech and anger to a slow breakdown of the body’s immune system, making you susceptible to injury, the common cold, and more.

Drowsy Driving. And while it may be a dramatic example, it’s also one that’s all too common – a powerful illustration of how important it is to get enough sleep.

Proper sleep is a vital component to being healthy and it needs to be treated with the same concern and care that your other healthcare issues receive. The consequences of ignoring your sleep deprivation could be harmful to yourself or another person, depending on the circumstances.

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The actigraph unit

The unit itself is an electronic device which generally consists of:

• a piezoelectric accelerometer,
• a low-pass filter which filters out everything except the 2–3 Hz band, thereby ensuring external vibrations are ignored,
• a timer to start/stop the actigraph at specific times, and to accumulate values for a specific time frame,
• a memory to store the resulting values, and
• an interface, usually USB, serial, or low-power wireless, to program the timer and download the data from memory.

Measurements

Actigraphs have a number of different ways of accumulating the values from the accelerometer in memory. ZCM (zero crossing mode) counts the number of times the accelerometer waveform crosses 0 for each time period. PIM (proportional integral mode) measures the area under the curve, and adds that size for each time period. TAT (time above threshold) uses a certain threshold, and measures the length of time that the wave is above a certain threshold. Literature shows that PIM provides most accurate measurements for both sleep and activity, though the difference with ZCM is marginal.

Features

Actigraph units vary widely in size and features and can be expanded to include additional measurements. However, there are a number of limiting factors:

• Fastest sample rate: 1-minute intervals provide adequate detail to measure sleep, but could be too slow for measuring other parameters.
• Amount of memory: Together with sample rate, the amount of memory determines how long measurements can be taken.
• Battery usage: Some actigraphs have a short battery life.
• Weight: the heavier the actigraph, the more disruptive its use.
• Water resistance: for proper measurements it is often desirable that the actigraph be worn in the shower, bathtub, or even while swimming/diving.

For some uses, the following are examples of additional features:

• Watch functionality: making the device more attractive to the user.
• User input: most actigraphs now include a button so the user can indicate a specific event that occurs, for example lights out at bedtime.
• Subjective user input: for example a query function to allow surveys at specific times.
• Sensors which monitor:
• temperature
• ambient light
• sound levels
• parkinsonian tremor
• skin resistance
• a full EEG data stream.

Source:Wikipedia

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Actigraphy is a non-invasive method of monitoring human rest/activity cycles. A small actigraph unit, also called an actimetry sensor,is worn by a patient to measure gross motor activity. Motor activity often under test is that of the wrist, measured by an actigraph in a wrist-watch-like package. The unit continually records the movements it undergoes. The data can be later read to a computer and analysed offline. In some applications, such as the Smart OneHealth Band the data is transmitted and analysed using the software.

Sleep actigraphs are generally watch-shaped and worn on the wrist of the non-dominant arm. They are useful for determining sleep patterns and circadian rhythms and may be worn for several weeks at a time.

Contrary to polysomnography, the patient remains movable and does not necessarily need to be located in a laboratory while the required data is being recorded. This permits the patient to stay in his or her natural sleep environment which may render the measured data more generally applicable. Sleep actigraphs are also more affordable than performing a polysomnography and can therefore be advantageous as well, particularly when conducting large field tests.

Actigraphy is useful for assessing daytime sleepiness in situations where a laboratory sleep latency test is not appropriate. It is used to clinically evaluate insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, excessive sleepiness and restless legs syndrome. It is also used in assessing the effectiveness of pharmacologic, behavioural, phototherapeutic or chronotherapeutic treatments for such disorders.

Actigraphy has been actively used in sleep-related studies since the early 1990s. However, it has not traditionally been used in routine diagnosis of sleep disorders but is increasingly being employed in sleep clinics to replace full polysomnography.

The main reason for this development is the fact that, while retaining mobility, actigraphy offers reliable results with an accuracy that is close to those of polysomnography (above 90%).

The technique is more extensively used in academic research and is being increasingly employed in new drug clinical trials where sleep quality is seen as a good indicator of quality of life.

Source:Wikipedia.

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Better Sleep Management Tips-Part 2

6.Avoid medicines that delay or disrupt your sleep, if possible. Some commonly prescribed heart, blood pressure, or asthma medications, as well as some over-the-counter and herbal remedies for coughs, colds, or allergies, can disrupt sleep patterns.

7.Don’t take naps after 3 p.m. Naps can boost your brain power, but late afternoon naps can make it harder to fall asleep at night. Also, keep naps to under an hour.

8.Relax before bed. Take time to unwind. A relaxing activity, such as reading or listening to music, should be part of your bedtime ritual.

9.Take a hot bath before bed. The drop in body temperature after the bath may help you feel sleepy, and the bath can help you relax.

10.Have a good sleeping environment. Get rid of anything in your bedroom that might distract you from sleep, such as noises, bright lights, an uncom- fortable bed, or a TV or computer in the bedroom. Also, keeping the temperature in your bedroom on the cool side can help you sleep better.

11.Have the right sunlight exposure. Daylight is key to regulating daily sleep patterns. Try to get outside in natural sunlight for at least 30 minutes each day.

12.Don’t lie in bed awake. If you find yourself still awake after staying in bed for more than 20 min- utes, get up and do some relaxing activity until you feel sleepy. The anxiety of not being able to sleep can make it harder to fall asleep.

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Better Sleep Management Tips-Part 1

1.Stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day—even on the weekends.

2.Exercise is great, but not too late in the day. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes on most days but not later than 2–3 hours before your bedtime.

3.Avoid caffeine and nicotine. The stimulating effects of caffeine in coffee, colas, certain teas, and choco- late can take as long as 8 hours to wear off fully. Nicotine is also a stimulant.

4.Avoid alcoholic drinks before bed. A “nightcap” might help you get to sleep, but alcohol keeps you in the lighter stages of sleep. You also tend to wake up in the middle of the night when the sedating effects have worn off.

5.Avoid large meals and beverages late at night. A large meal can cause indigestion that interferes with sleep. Drinking too many fluids at night can cause you to awaken frequently to urinate.

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Higher risk of developing strokes and heart disease has been linked to poor Sleep.Monitoring of Sleep at home with parameters like duration of sleep,restlessness,heart rate and also breathing rate enables to understand the Quality of Sleep and also Science of Sleep.Interpretation of sleep quality,also helps to track the impact of medication,choices of lifestyle and exercise regimens.

A good night’s sleep helps keep your mind and body healthy.

How much sleep do I need?
Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. If you are having trouble sleeping, make changes to your routine to get the sleep you need.

Kids need even more sleep than adults.

• Teens need at least 9 hours of sleep each night.
• School-aged and preschool children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep.
• Newborns sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day.

Why is getting enough sleep important?
Getting a good night’s sleep can have many benefits.

• You will be less likely to get sick.
• You will be more likely to stay at a healthy weight.
• You can lower your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.
• You can boost your brainpower and your mood.
• You can think more clearly and do better in school and at work.
• You can make better decisions and avoid injuries. For example, sleepy drivers cause thousands of car crashes every year.

Why can’t I Sleep?
Many things can make it harder for you to sleep, including:

• Stress
• Pain
• Some medicines
• Caffeine (in drinks like cola, tea, or coffee, and in some medicines)
• Sleep disorders, like insomnia

If you are having trouble sleeping, make changes to your routine to get the sleep you need. For example, stay away from caffeine in the afternoon, or take a hot bath before bed to relax.

How can I tell if I have a sleep disorder?
Signs of a sleep disorder can include:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Trouble staying asleep
• Sleepiness that makes it difficult to do daily tasks like driving a car

If you have any of these signs, talk to a doctor or nurse. You may need to be tested or treated for a sleep disorder.

Source:

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Today, Internet,electronic health records, integrated data warehousing and remote biometric screening applications are proving highly effective in supporting health care efficiency and quality.Companies are changing the way they view employee health,health care and costs.

The focus is evolving away from managing the cost of illness toward working to prevent illness and promote health than curing illness. An activity that was once fairly narrowly defined as health plan management is now better described as building a culture of health — aligning programs, consumers, vendors, providers and technology to support and improve workforce health.

Most important, by considering health more holistically, leading companies are building health and well-being into the organization’s culture as a platform for delivering the business outcomes they strive to achieve. They recognize the strong correlation between employee health and positive financial and operational results — a health dividend that includes lower costs, but also improved performance and overall business success.

Source:Towers Perrin-2009 Health Care Cost Survey:The Health Dividend: Capturing the Value of Employee Health.

Learn How You can Help Yourself and Your Employees to Develop a Culture of Health.

GOOD HEALTH=GOOD BUSINESS

• Increase productivity
• Increase employee satisfaction resulting in greater loyalty
• Decrease sick leave/medical absence and occupational illness
• Decrease health insurance costs and medical bills.

Get your Complimentary Copy of Success with Cardioventis Now.

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Every year, millions of people around the world are affected by heart disease and its complications. We hear about it on T.V, read about it in the newspaper, and listen to it on the radio. Sometimes it is someone we know.

We are shocked and worried for a while, then we forget about it until the next victim comes to our attention. Few of us realize that the complications of heart disease can be avoided by early screening tests and regular checkups with a health care professional. This is all the more important if you have a strong family history of heart disease.We have many reasons to procrastinate about visiting our doctor—it is expensive to do screening tests, we don’t want to wait in a physician’s office with sick people, we have more worthwhile and entertaining activities to pursue. When we are still healthy, we don’t give much thought to our health. Then, one fine day we end up in the emergency room, the place we dread.

Breaking out of this vicious cycle is not easy and there are no miracle cures for heart disease and its complications. But, thanks to the rapid growth of technologies, today it is possible to have a screening test in the comfort of our home, and home health care is now affordable.

We were motivated to start Cardioventis by the struggle physicians and many healthcare facilities face in running their businesses. We realized we could improve healthcare practices with our own experience as practicing physicians. We started the company during the last quarter of 2009. Our goal was to make a business of converging medicine with technology. The objectives are to educate people, support them with technology, and help them keep healthy with these technologies. We work to answer the vexing question, “How can I sleep better at night and not worry I’m going to have a heart attack?”

Along the way, we decided that making a difference to people’s lives was as important as profit. Sharing the profits with other worthwhile non profit organizations through a 3-I program was envisioned. We’re inspired by those who go into business for the benefit of others.

Our work environment skips the formal corporate ladder in favor of a place where anyone with ideas can freely share them—this helps us stay on the edge of the curve, and ensures our customers always come first. We keep ourselves lean with hands-on managers and no red tape, allowing ourselves the freedom to help our customers without the hassle of board room decisions.

Our Vision:

We want to  let noble thoughts come to us from every side, so that we can develop and design innovative methods that allow health care professionals to perform more efficient, accurate ameliorative procedures to improve not only people’s health, but also general wellness.

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Portable Heart Monitors enable users to measure the electrical activities of their heart at home or at office. With a Portable EKG Monitor, they are not required to visit a healthcare facility. They are also not required to pay the added expense of going to the physician’s office or hospital when they need an ECG diagnosis, these can be done at the comfort of their home or at office.People who have had heart disease or strong family history of heart disease and who have an active life with outdoor activities, sports like jogging, long distance running will benefit from using Portable Monitors like Portable EKG Monitors.

What is a Portable ECG Monitor?

An EKG Monitor is a medical diagnostic device,which graphically records the electrical activity of the muscles of the heart. It is used to identify normal and abnormal heartbeats. First invented in the early 1900s, the ECG or EKG (derived from the German electrokardiogramma) has become an important tool for diagnosis of abnormal heart rhythms in hospitals today.

How does an Portable ECG  Monitor function?

ECG Monitor depends on the ability of the heart to produce electrical signals. An electrical impulse is created in this region by the diffusion of various ions across the membranes of cells. The impulse created by the motion of these ions is first transferred to the atria, causing them to contract and push blood into the ventricles. After about 150 milliseconds, the impulse moves to the ventricles, causing them to contract and pump blood away from the heart. As the impulse moves away from the chambers of the heart, these sections relax

Using an EKG allows doctors to measure the relative voltage of these impulses at various positions in the heart. Electrocardiograms are possible because the body is a good conductor of electricity. When an electrical potential is generated in a section of the heart, an electrical current is conducted to the body surface in a specific area. Electrodes attached the body in these areas enable the measurement of these currents.ECG devices have evolved considerably in the last few decades,from being large and bulky to lightweight and portable.The current generation of device can measure the electrical activity of the heart in seconds and give a digital output,These device use “Artificial Intelligence Technology” to detect any abnormal heart beats.

Unlike,the larger counterpart ECG devices, which required the help of well trained ECG professional to help in setting up of the device and measuring the ECG,,the current generation of devices are portable and they require just the finger tips of the user to be placed on the sensor panel measure the electrical activity of the heart.

Why do we need a Portable ECG Monitor?

One of the most important function of portable ECG Monitors is to diagnose Cardiac dysrhythmia also better known as arrhythmia.These are defined as a group of medical disorders which cause abnormal electrical activities in the heart.The heartbeats may vary from normal to either too fast or too slow,it may be regular or irregular.

Some of these arrhythmias are medical emergencies as they can result in sudden death.They may also predispose the patient to life-threatening stroke or embolism. Early diagnoses of these medical conditions is the key to life long healthy life. Portable EKG  Monitors uses Artificial Intelligent Technology can help in early diagnosis of abnormal Heart Rhythms.

However,it is to be noted that these Monitors are only screening devices,and are not a substitute for regular ECG Machines used in hospital setting.

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