Atrial Septal Heart Defects Linked to Antidepressants

PAXIL AND THE POSSIBLE LINK TO ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECTS Paxil landed on the market in the early 1990s and took the psychiatric world by storm. Psychiatrists quickly began treating their patients suffering from depression with the new miracle drug. And why not...it worked. However, there was a problem. And like a lot of so-called "miracle drugs," those problems didn't really begin to surface until many, many years later.

One of these problems is a congenital heart defect called Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). In layman's terms, ASD is a defect involving the inter-atrial septum of the heart that prevents the uninterrupted flow of blood the left and right chambers of the heart. . Theses defects can range in severity from very small glitches in the heart that resolve themselves to major glitches that require surgery.

A recent public health warning released from the Federal Drug Administration revealed that pregnant women who take Paxil during the first trimester are nearly two times more likely to produce a baby with ASD. Women who take other antidepressants or no drugs at all presented a much smaller chance of having a baby with ASD. The FDA released the report after reviewing two independent studies. The first report was from the Swedish national registry. The second study was culled from United States insurance records. Both sources confirmed that women who used Paxil in the first trimester were one and a half to two times more likely to produce a baby with ASD.

ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECTS AND FUTURE PROBLEMS The Paxil side effect of Atrial Septal Defects in infants may not be enough to convince some patients from taking Paxil. After all Paxil is a mood stabilizer and many patients feel the risk is worth it. But other problems may arise further down the line. An atrial septal defect (better known on the street as a "hole in the heart"), can lead later in life to decompression sickness, paradoxical emboli and migraines.

o Decompression sickness - ASDs are a predisposing risk factor for decompression sickness in divers. If a diver is suffering decompression sickness, blood carrying inert gases like helium and nitrogen does not pass through the lungs. This can cause large gas bubbles to form in the blood stream causing decompression sickness.

o Paradoxical emboli - Put simply, paradoxical emboli are blood clots in the veins. When the blood clot enters the arterial stream, the necessary blood flow can be blocked to parts of the body leading to stroke.

o Migraine - Other studies suggest that ASDs could be predisposing factor to migraines. But the statistical anomalies surrounding the causes of migraines prevent this from being listed as a possible side effect.

WHAT ARE YOUR CHOICES

If you've never taken Paxil, your choices are simple...don't take it. But what if you've been taking it for years and you've come to depend on the mood stabilizing benefits Paxil provides. If this is the case, you need to weigh the pros and cons of the possible side effects of Paxil and determine your best course of action. But at lease now you have the information at hand and are better prepared.

Schmidt & Clark | A National Law Firm specializes in mass torts and drug side effect lawsuits. For more information or a free review of your potential case, please visit: http://www.schmidtandclark.com or Paxil Atrial Septal Heart Birth Defects

The Heart of Leadership - How to Produce More and Live Longer

Emotional Intelligence is at the Heart of Leadership. The emotionally intelligent leader has the ability to recognize and manage his emotions, and can empathize with a diverse range of people. In addition, he possesses a highly fluid, many sided personality composed of a broad range of personality opposites.

An emotionally intelligent leader can share himself authentically, even in the presence of fear.

Leaders who demonstrate Emotional Intelligence inspire loyalty, and trust, retain talent, create atmospheres in which creative ideas flourish and have better bottom lines. No less important, emotional intelligence is a protective force in the battle against the nation's number one killer, heart disease. Leaders with emotional intelligence are able to discharge toxic emotions which effect the heart. Secondly, they are able to create intimate relationships which protect the heart. Finally, they manage their emotions in ways that promote heart healthy behaviors.

Leaders who are inauthentic or self deceptive often face difficulties retaining talent, inspiring trust, and remaining competitive. Perhaps more discomforting, leaders who wear masks increase their odds of succumbing to a heart attack. Continuous secretion of stress hormones, unhealthy behaviors, and compromised relationships increase the risk of heart disease, particularly in those leaders who already have one or more of the known risk factors.

Leaders with emotional intelligence are more likely to have a "Survivor Personality". Their endorsement of a combination of personality opposites allows emotionally intelligent leaders to empathize with a diverse set of people, promoting social harmony and shared values. Such a leader maximizes his chances of creating a vibrant and competitive company, as well as increasing his longevity.

In contrast, leaders with an "At Risk" personality have unipolar personality traits, the product of defensiveness. Disowning or denying significant aspects of himself creates blindspots in the leader. The "banishment" of large parts of himself, leaves the leader vulnerable to excessive stress and makes him less adaptive to change in the workplace.

Emotional Intelligence increases the odds of long term survival for the company, as well as the company's leader. Leaders who are able to recognize and manage their own emotions, and can draw upon a wide range of personality traits, increase the bottom line and maximize their chances of survival.