Transplant patient amazes docs

From breaking news to bizarre tidbits, Health Beat is the blog to turn to for a daily dose of health information. Recent posts:

Keeps on ticking

The Associated Press reported on an Ohio man who has lived longer with a transplanted heart than anyone ever has.

Tony Huesman got his new heart 28 years ago, and it has kept on ticking ever since.

In the AP article, Huesman says, “The doctors were just amazed that I was still around. I’m living proof a person can go through a life-threatening illness, have the operation and return to a productive life.”

Survival after heart transplant has steadily increased since the first operation was performed nearly 40 years ago – but it’s still a tough road.

More than a quarter of all transplant patients in 1998 through 2000 were dead five years after getting their hearts, the AP reported.

When should you go to the ER?

Ever wonder if you or a loved one are sick enough to require a trip to the emergency room? The American College of Emergency Physicians recently put out a list of 10 red flags:

•Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath

•Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure

•Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness

•Changes in vision

•Confusion or changes in mental status

•Any sudden or severe pain

•Uncontrolled bleeding

•Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea

•Coughing or vomiting blood

•Suicidal or homicidal feelings

In children, it can be more difficult to tell if something is an emergency, the press release says. So, it’s best to err on the side of caution.