Cardiovascular Health Problems Research Articles

Chronic Kidney Disease in Hospital Cooks

Chronic kidney disease is still a concern for health problems in Indonesia. Complications of chronic kidney disease include hypertension, cardiovascular disease, decreased kidney function to the end stage and even death. One of the potential dangers is heat, which not only causes the risk of kidney and cardiovascular health problems but it can also worsen the condition of the disease. Workplaces such as hospital kitchens have a risk of heat exposure. This shows the importance of fit-to-work assessment based on occupational medicine management. A 55-year-old cook worker with stage IV chronic kidney disease came to the hospital. The result from the last visit suggested that she had dyslipidemia and uncontrolled hypertension. We recommend the worker with job restrictions. She can still work in the nutrition department of the hospital but with restrictions on cooking duties. She can still work in the food filter and serving area. The goal of limiting work assignments is to maintain chronic kidney failure at stage IV. In addition, the hospital is also required to take control measures so that other workers do not have the risk of kidney disease health problems.
 Keywords: chronic kidney disease, cook, occupational medicine management

THE EFFECT OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM ON FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN HUMANS: A REVIEW

Circadian clocks are built-in, self-maintaining timekeeping systems that allow organisms to predict changes in their environment and adjust their behaviour and physiology accordingly (Morse and Sassone-Corsi, 2002). Losing circadian clocks is bad for organisms because it makes them less likely to reproduce and live longer in controlled lab settings and less likely to survive in the wild (Vaze et al 2014). Disruptions in the circadian system can throw biological and behavioural cycles out of sync, which can have severe consequences for human health (Bedrosian and Nelson, 2017). This paper offers an in-depth review of the concept of circadian rhythm, the effect of disruption on human systems and diseases linked to such disruption, such as cancer, immunodeciency, sleep disorders, metabolic and cardiovascular system disorders, mental and health problems. It specically focuses on the adverse impact of disruption in circadian rhythm on the female reproductive system in the form of infertility, ovulatory disturbances, frequent miscarriages, birth defects and breast carcinoma. It also discusses some interventions that can be used to mitigate disruptions in circadian rhythm, based on the existing research. This paper adds to the existing literature on impact of circadian rhythm, especially on issues related to female reproductive health and is a useful resource for students, researchers and medical practitioners.

Ultraprocessed Food Intake Is Associated With Poor Cardiovascular Fitness in US Children and Adolescents

ObjectivesUltraprocessed food intake is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adults, however few studies have examined the association between intake of ultraproecssed foods during childhood and risk for cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to determine the association between eating patterns, specifically consumption of ultraprocessed foods, and markers of physical fitness in a nationally representative sample of children and youth. MethodsUsing data from NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey, the association between ultraprocessed food consumption and cardiovascular fitness level was evaluated. During the NNYFS, cardiovascular fitness was assessed in adolescents aged 12–15 y and locomotor development was assessed in children age 3–5. Dietary intake information was collected using 24-hour recall; recalled foods were classified using the NOVA classification system and NOVA Category 4 (ultraprocessed) were identified. Cardiovascular fitness level was categorized based on gender-age specific cut-points of estimated VO2max. All data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 survey procedures to account for the unequal sampling probability and complex survey design of the. ResultsIn older children, we observed a significant positive association between consumption of ultraprocessed foods and cardiovascular fitness level after controlling for age, sex, race, and household income. Children with cardiovascular fitness levels categorized as “high risk” consumed approximately 200kcal more/day of ultraprocessed foods than children in the “healthy fitness zone”, p = 0.002. In younger children, greater intake of ultraprocessed foods was associated with lower locomotor development score; children with the lowest locomotor development scores consumed 273kcal/more day of ultraprocessed foods than children with the highest locomotor development scores, p = 0.0006. ConclusionsThese findings expand on previous work from our group evaluating the association between childhood eating behaviors and fitness indicators. Interventions that aim to educate families about cost-effective methods of reducing ultraprocessed food intake may assist in decreasing risk for cardiovascular health problems in adulthood. Funding SourcesNone.

Aortic dissection with cerebral infarction

Aortic dissection is a fatal cardiovascular health problem. Chest and back pain are among the common complaints of the patients, and they may also apply with atypical clinics. It is very difficult to diagnose with examination and anamnesis, especially in patients who present with poor consciousness and stroke symptoms. In this study, we wanted to present a 62-year-old female patient who had syncope at home and was unconscious for about 1 hour, has stroke symptoms, and aortic dissection was detected in her examinations. When no hemorrhage was detected in non-contrast brain CT, neck and brain contrast-enhanced CT angiography imaging was performed. Aortic dissection flap extending to the right carotid communis was detected in the imaging. Clinicians should pay attention to detailed examination and be alert for further examinations in order not to harm the patient in terms of underlying causes, especially in unconscious patients who have a stroke clinic and cannot express their complaints in a healthy way.

A Review of Dietary Intake during Postpartum Period

The postpartum period is a critical period for maternal and infant health. There is clear evidence showing the short- and long-term health benefits for women to adopt a healthy diet during this period. An unhealthy diet during this period can lead to cardiovascular disease and mental health problem among the mothers. Besides, optimal food consumption during postpartum is crucial to support the additional nutrient requirements for breastfeeding and to reduce postpartum weight retention. Lack of social support and some harmful traditional dietary practices are among the barriers which prevent postpartum women from consuming balanced and nutritious food. Therefore, there is a need for effective nutritional intervention to promote better health for the population. Furthermore, the intervention should be culturally sensitive to respect the local traditional dietary practices for better community acceptance.

Splinter hemoragije kao mogući znak infarkta miokarda i plućne embolije

Introduction/Objective Subungual splinter haemorrhages (SSH) are a common non-specific clinical sign which is easy to recognize. They can occur in conjunction with many medical conditions of various significance. They present as painless black longitudinal lines towards the distal part of the nail bed. The objective of this article is to present a patient with newly acquired chest pain, a differential diagnostic dilemma between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and pulmonary embolism (PE) whose fingers show signs of SSH. Case report An emergency medical team (HMP) was dispatched to a location where a 58-year-old man was experiencing chest pain. They found the patient in a sitting position, reporting sudden onset of stabbing chest pain with no propagation and lasting a few hours. He stated that he had never before had similar symptoms. Upon examination, the patient was afebrile, hypertensive (180/100 mmHg), mildly tachycardic (84/min), and blood oxygen saturation was within normal limits (97% on room air). ECG: sinus rhythm, left axis deviation, S1 in D1, ST elevation ≤ 1mm in D2, D3 and aVF, ST depression from V4 to V6. The physical examination revealed SSH located on the nail beds of the hands distally. The patient was transported to cardiology where he was continuously monitored. Rising values of troponin T (310, 2628, 1507 ng/l) and creatine kinase (934, 1228 U/l) were noted. However, based on the rising values of D dimer and pulmonary artery multislice computer tomography (MSCT) findings, there were reasons to consider the possibility of pulmonary embolism (PE) as well. Conclusion Future research should aim at defining the connection between SSH and AMI and/or PE. This would be crucial in making a prehospital diagnosis, especially in countries that have huge cardiovascular disease public health problems, such as ours. A quick and simple exam of nailbeds on the hands of patients with symptoms of AMI/PE, but without significant ECG findings, could help with the differential diagnosis if SSH were found to be present.

Social Isolation in Older Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The impact on Quality of Life and Mental health

To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, countries worldwide enacted quarantines, particularly for older adults, as mortality from COVID-19 is inequitably distributed among this group. Notably, social isolation in older adults is associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular, autoimmune, and mental health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety). Furthermore, the mental health of women in particular has been greatly impacted by the pandemic. Although previous research indicates that social isolation among older adults is a “serious public health concern”, less is known about the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue. The primary objective is to investigate the effects of social isolation on mental health indices and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older women in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants include 77 postmenopausal women (aged 60+) who completed self-report measures online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Controlling for education and annual household income in all analyses, we used linear regression models to investigate the effects of social isolation on depression, anxiety, alcohol use, binge eating, and the 8 domains of the SF-36. Results indicate that, when controlling for education and income, social isolation significantly predicted depression, binge eating, and poorer HRQOL in all 8 domains of the SF-36 (all p’s < .01) Social isolation did not predict anxiety and alcohol consumption when controlling for these sociodemographic variables. Enrollment is ongoing; this poster will report updated results. Results indicate the continued need for creative avenues to improve social connectedness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Predictors of health-related quality of life in older New Zealanders with cardiovascular health problems.

With longer life expectancies, cardiovascular diseases are increasingly common among older adults, which also leads to functional changes that severely impact their quality of life. This study aimed to identify the predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among older New Zealanders with cardiovascular health problems. A cross-sectional data analysis of the 2015/16New Zealand Health Survey was performed. In total, 2203 older New Zealanders with cardiovascular health problems were identified and included in the final analyses. The association between demographics, physical activity, health measurements, and HRQOL was examined using a multiple linear regression model. Significant differences in HRQOL were identified between the demographics and cardiovascular risk factors. Predictors of higher HRQOL among older New Zealanders with cardiovascular conditions were increased physical activity (β=0.218), age (β=-0.067), employed (β=0.137), lower waist circumference (β=-0.261), male (β=0.127), and being without a history of diabetes (β=-0.071). Physical activity is the strongest predictor of HRQOL in older adults with cardiovascular problems. Older female New Zealanders with cardiovascular health problems have lower perceptions of their health status. These predictors should be considered while designing and developing intervention and health education that aims to improve the HRQOL of older adults.

The Secret of the Main Campus Water-Wells, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia.

Groundwater is one of the precious water sources for domestic, irrigation, and industrial demands in arid and semiarid regions of the world. The same is true in Ethiopia context. In this study, seven groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for various chemical constituents (pH, TDS, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42−, Cl−, HCO3−, and NO3−) to assess the hydrogeochemical characteristics and water types of the groundwater wells. Among the seven sampled groundwater wells, five wells are found and used for domestic water supply in Arba Minch University (AMU) main campus. The remaining two are used for industrial and irrigation demands located at the compound of Textile Factory and Haile Resort, respectively. Results showed that the main campus groundwater wells are saline and harder than the two wells from Textile Factory and Haile Resort. Moreover, elevated concentration of nitrate and potassium (greater than the maximum permissible level allowed in Ethiopia) were obtained in the groundwater sources used mainly in the AMU main campus wells. These elevated concentrations of potassium and nitrate beyond the enriched salt contents in the AMU main campus wells could pose kidney, cardiovascular, and other related health problems. This study, therefore, recommends the AMU to find other groundwater sources for drinking purpose other than the studied water-well field.

Essential Fatty Acids as Biomedicines in Cardiac Health.

The destructive impact of cardiovascular diseases on health, including heart failure, peripheral artery disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, and other cardiac pathological conditions, positions these health conditions as leading causes of increased global mortality rates, thereby impacting the human quality of life. The considerable changes in modern lifestyles, including the increase in food intake and the change in eating habits, will unavoidably lead to an unbalanced consumption of essential fatty acids, with a direct effect on cardiovascular health problems. In the last decade, essential fatty acids have become the main focus of scientific research in medical fields aiming to establish their impact for preventing cardiovascular diseases and the associated risk factors. Specifically, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as omega 3 fatty acids, and monounsaturated fatty acids from various sources are mentioned in the literature as having a cardio-protective role, due to various biological mechanisms that are still to be clarified. This review aims to describe the major biological mechanisms of how diets rich in essential fatty acids, or simply essential fatty acid administration, could have anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, anti-arrhythmic, antithrombotic, antioxidant, and anti-atherogenic effects. This review describes findings originating from clinical studies in which dietary sources of FAs were tested for their role in mitigating the impact of heart disorders in human health.

Chemically Modified Biomimetic Carbon-Coated Iron Nanoparticles for Stent Coatings: In Vitro Cytocompatibility and In Vivo Structural Changes in Human Atherosclerotic Plaques.

Atherosclerosis, a systematic degenerative disease related to the buildup of plaques in human vessels, remains the major cause of morbidity in the field of cardiovascular health problems, which are the number one cause of death globally. Novel atheroprotective HDL-mimicking chemically modified carbon-coated iron nanoparticles (Fe@C NPs) were produced by gas-phase synthesis and modified with organic functional groups of a lipophilic nature. Modified and non-modified Fe@C NPs, immobilized with polycaprolactone on stainless steel, showed high cytocompatibility in human endothelial cell culture. Furthermore, after ex vivo treatment of native atherosclerotic plaques obtained during open carotid endarterectomy surgery, Fe@C NPs penetrated the inner structures and caused structural changes of atherosclerotic plaques, depending on the period of implantation in Wistar rats, serving as a natural bioreactor. The high biocompatibility of the Fe@C NPs shows great potential in the treatment of atherosclerosis disease as an active substance of stent coatings to prevent restenosis and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Health literacy of patients on oral anticoagulation treatment- individual and social determinants and effect on health and treatment outcomes

BackgroundAssessment health literacy in people with cardiovascular health problems would facilitate the development of appropriate health strategies for the care and reduction of complications associated with oral anticoagulation therapy. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between health literacy and health and treatment outcomes (concordance with oral anticoagulants, Normalized Ratio control and occurrence of complications) in patients with cardiovascular pathology.MethodsObservational, analytic and cross-sectional study carried out on 252 patients with cardiovascular pathology (atrial fibrillation, flutter or valve prosthesis), aged 50–85 years, accessing primary care services in Valencia (Spain) in 2018–2019. Variables referring to anticoagulant treatment with vitamin K antagonists (years of treatment, adequate control, polypharmacy and occurrence of complications, among others) and health literacy (Health Literacy Questionnaire) were analysed.ResultsAll dimensions of health literacy were significantly related to the level of education (p < 0.02), social class (p < 0.02), an adequate control of acenocoumarol (p < 0.001), frequentation of health services (p < 0.001), information by patients to health professionals about anticoagulant treatment (p < 0.03), emergency care visits (p < 0.001) and unscheduled hospital admissions (p < 0.001).ConclusionHealth literacy has a relevant influence on the adequate self-management of anticoagulation treatment and the frequency of complications. The different dimensions that comprise health literacy play an important role, but the “social health support” dimension seems to be essential for such optimal self-management.Trial registrationACC-ACE-2016-01. Registration date: December 2015.

A Study on Various Trans-Humeral Prostheses Using Surface EMG

Upper limb amputation arise due to cardiovascular defects, trauma, health problems, or inborn defects. A disabled person needs an assistive mechanism like the prosthetic arm to perpetrate in their day-to-day activities. A Prosthetic Arm is an artificial system for interfacing my generated signals with external physical activities, which is extensively used to communicate and control the interactions between humans and machines. Many bio-generated signals can be utilized to control prosthetic arm like Surface Electromyogram, Electro Encephalogram, etc. but here using Surface Electromyography (s EMG) signal to control Prosthetic arm. s EMG is an inquiry of electrical activity of the striated muscle which is monitored at the surface of the skin. This signal is interfaced with a prosthetic device which helps to improve the quality level of amputees. Maximum movements are the target, which includes movements of fingers, forearm, and trans-humeral areas. The body-generated signal can be extracted using various electronic equipment and can be analyzed actual brain intention on various hand movements. With the support of artificial devices, one can achieve the goal. Neural networks and advanced Embedded System applications are also included in this prostheses implementation. This paper involves the study of various trans-humeral prostheses using electromyogram.

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Resources and Crime-Related Psychosocial Hazards, Stroke Risk, and Cognition in Older Adults.

Living in neighborhoods with lower incomes, lower education/occupational levels, and/or higher crime increases one’s risk of developing chronic health problems including cardiovascular disease risk factors and stroke. These cardiovascular health problems are known to contribute to cognitive decline and dementia. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of neighborhood socioeconomic resources and crime-related psychosocial hazards on stroke risk and cognition, hypothesizing that cardiovascular health would mediate any relationship between the neighborhood-level environment and cognition. The study evaluated 121 non-demented Chicago-area adults (~67 years; 40% non-Latino White) for cardiovascular health problems using the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile 10-year risk of stroke (FSRP-10). The cognitive domains that were tested included memory, executive functioning, and attention/information processing. Neighborhood socioeconomic resources were quantified at the census tract level (income, education, and occupation); crime-related psychosocial hazards were quantified at the point level. Structural equation modeling (SEM) did not show that the FSRP-10 mediated the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and domain-specific cognition. The SEM results did suggest that higher crime rates were associated with a higher FSRP-10 (β(105) = 2.38, p = 0.03) and that higher FSRP-10 is associated with reduced attention/information processing performance (β(105) = −0.04, p = 0.02) after accounting for neighborhood socioeconomic resources. Clinicians may wish to query not only individual but also neighborhood-level health when considering cognition.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Dyslipidemia Among Psychiatric Patients on Antipsychotic Treatment at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Background:Dyslipidemia is one of the adverse metabolic outcomes associated with psychotropic medications and the nature of the mental illness itself. Therefore, this study aimed to assess magnitude of dyslipidemia and associated factors among patients with severe mental illness on antipsychotic treatments.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 patients with severe mental illness in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama Regional state, Southern Ethiopia. Socio-demographic and other important data were collected using a structured questionnaire through a systematic random sampling technique. Individual dyslipidemia was characterized by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel-III (NCEP ATP-III) guideline.Results:Mean total cholesterol (TC) was significantly higher in males when compared to females (162.2 mg/dl vs 121 mg/dl, P = .023). While, mean LDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in females when compared to males (100.9 mg/dl vs 93.6 mg/dl, P = .028). Overall 58.4% (95% CI: 52.2-64.8) of participants had at least 1 dyslipidemia. The prevalence of TC ⩾200 mg/dl, HDL-cholesterol <40 mg/dl, triglyceride (TG) and LDL-cholesterol were 61 (24.9%), 75 (30.6%), 66 (26.9%), and 47 (19.2%), respectively. Female sex and smoking were significantly and positively associated with LDL-c dyslipidemia, the aOR (95% CI) were 2.1 (1.0-4.2) for female sex and 3.4 (1.1-10.5) for smoking. Also, Age >40 years was significantly associated with TC dyslipidemia, the aOR (95% CI) was 2.0 (1.1-3.7).Conclusion:More than half of psychiatric patients are at risk of developing cardiovascular and other related health problems. Therefore, periodic screening of lipid profiles during healthcare follow-up is mandatory to limit risks of cardiovascular-related comorbidities among patients with severe mental illness.

The cardiovascular effects of exposure to particulate matter from bushfire smoke in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease

Particulate matter in bushfire smoke is linked to increased cardiovascular events, among other effects. It has been postulated that fine particulates may translocate into the bloodstream, causing inflammatory responses. Smoke particles can carry long distances and are linked to increased mortality and long-term health impacts. Given these risks, nurses caring for cardiovascular patients should be aware of the relationship between poor air quality and the increase in cardiac events in patients with existing cardiovascular disease. The seasons in which fires occur across the world are starting earlier, finishing later and are of increasing intensity, thus cardiac nurses need to understand and prepare for the subclinical effects. Adapted, preventative strategies, including health education and awareness of risk to vulnerable populations, will optimise cardiovascular nursing care outcomes for patients with cardiovascular and other chronic health problems.

Identifying the Hypertensive Adolescent

Research Article| October 01 2020 Identifying the Hypertensive Adolescent AAP Grand Rounds (2020) 44 (4): 47. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.44-4-47 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Identifying the Hypertensive Adolescent. AAP Grand Rounds October 2020; 44 (4): 47. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.44-4-47 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsAAP Grand RoundsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Topics: hypertension Source: Wieniawski P, Werner B. Prediction of the hypertension risk in teenagers [published online ahead of print June 9, 2020]. Cardiol J. 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.5603/CJ.a2020.0079Google Scholar Investigators from the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, conducted a cross-sectional study to create a hypertension risk stratification model and algorithm to detect hypertension in adolescents. Eligible participants were middle and high school students aged 15–17 years from schools in and around Warsaw who never had been diagnosed or suspected of having hypertension previously. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding their family history and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Blood pressure measurements were taken 3 times on at least 2 separate visits at least a week apart. Anthropometric measurements, including weight; height; BMI; and hip, arm, and abdominal circumference, also were obtained. The primary outcome was hypertension, defined as systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥95th percentile according to norms for gender, age, and/or height. Among those with hypertension after initial blood pressure measurement, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed for confirmation. Investigators used logistic regression to identify anthropometric and family history variables associated with hypertension, then developed a model including significant variables to predict the risk of hypertension. This model was tested by administering a questionnaire that included these variables to a separate sample of students to determine its sensitivity and specificity for estimating an individual as having a > 50% or > 75% risk of hypertension. There were 690 student participants included in the initial sample, 5.8% (N = 40) of whom were found to have hypertension. Variables significantly associated with hypertension included a high BMI and having at least one parent who had hypertension. In the predictive model, height, weight, waist-to-hip circumference, and family history of hypertension were included. There were 108 participants who completed the predictive model questionnaire. The sensitivity and specificity of the predictive model for estimating a > 50% risk of hypertension were 91% and 97%, respectively; for estimating a > 75% risk, the sensitivity and specificity were 54% and 100%, respectively. The authors conclude that an algorithm including height, weight, waist-to-hip circumference, and family history of hypertension can predict hypertension in adolescents. Dr Sanchez-Kazi has disclosed no financial relationship relevant to this commentary. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device. Hypertension in children is an increasing worldwide health problem (See AAP Grand Rounds. 2020;43[5];591 .) There is increased risk of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular health problems in adults who were hypertensive as children (See AAP Grand Rounds. 2019;41[6];632,3 ), so identifying children who are at risk is important. In the current study, the authors proposed a risk stratification formula to identify adolescents who are at risk of developing hypertension using anthropometric measurements and family history. Multiple worldwide investigators have demonstrated in prospective, observational, and cross-sectional studies that increased weight, high waist-to-hip ratio, and elevated BMI raise the risk of hypertension significantly.3,4 The risk of... You do not currently have access to this content.

Childhood Parental Warmth and Heart Rate Variability in Midlife: Implications for Health.

The current study investigated high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) as a potential mediator between childhood parental warmth and later health and mortality outcomes. Participants were 1,255 adults (56.9% female). Childhood parental warmth was reported retrospectively at mean age 46; resting HF-HRV was measured at mean age 57; cardiovascular health and self-evaluated health were assessed at mean age 57 and 63, and mortality records extracted at mean age 63. Results revealed a positive association between childhood parental warmth and resting HF-HRV, as well as associations between higher HF-HRV and reduced risk of having a later cardiovascular health problem and of mortality by age 63. Mediation analyses revealed a small significant indirect effect of parental warmth, through HF-HRV, on cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular Diseases and Health Literacy Skills of students in the City of Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases will attack, from 2020 in sub-Saharan Africa, according the World Health Organization (WHO, 2018), one in two students aged 20-25. They would constitute the main public health concern for the states of this part of the continent, where the control of the skill level of the populations in health literacy (HL) still escapes the authorities in charge of public health policies. Provided that such control represents a great opportunity for better effectiveness of health promotion policies and preventive, educational and health care for cardiovascular diseases and therefore, a guarantee of good health for citizens (Beauregard, 2010). Objective Given the fact that the level of HL skills varies according to socio-political and economic contexts, according to the culture and the environment in which we find ourselves (WHO, 2013), this study seeks to describe the level of HL skills of students in link with appropriate use of the means of prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Methodology. The study concerns 500 students/ youths enrolled in secondary and university education, whose ages vary between 12 and 20 years. Based on quantitative design, the study aims to describe and report on all of the students and young people's practical experiences related to health literacy skills. Results The results indicate, in general, unequal access of students to health knowledge. In addition, the level of their skills in cardiovascular health literacy varies according to the economic capital of their family, the possession or not of an Android phone with internet connection, the level of prestige of the cultural capital of family. Conclusions The study suggests not only to encourage students to develop their health literacy skills, but also the need to put a particular emphasis within schools and universities on knowledge related to health literacy, in order to better enhance capacities of students to cope with cardiovascular health problems. Key messages The level of their skills in cardiovascular health literacy varies according to the economic capital of their family. The need to put a particular emphasis within schools and universities on knowledge related to health literacy.

Retraction Notice: Shanshan Shui, Xia Wang, John Y Chiang and Lei Zheng. Far-infrared therapy for cardiovascular, autoimmune, and other chronic health problems.

Retraction Notice: Shanshan Shui, Xia Wang, John Y Chiang and Lei Zheng. Far-infrared therapy for cardiovascular, autoimmune, and other chronic health problems.