The good news is that clinical trials for heart disease are underway, studying cutting-edge treatments for heart failure that may be a good option for these patients.

One such treatment being studied uses a patient's own cells to promote healing of the heart after a heart attack that has progressed to heart failure. The CardiAMP cell therapy is designed for patients suffering from heart failure who feel tired and breathless despite taking regular medications, and who have had to limit their everyday activities as a result.

Previously published studies of this type of cell therapy have shown meaningful and sustained improvements in quality of life and heart function for patients with few risks.

"Heart failure patients who continue to have symptoms despite a course of optimal medications often seek a minimally invasive treatment as an alternative to open heart surgery. We look forward to studying the potential of this cell therapy to improve heart function and quality of life," said Dr. Natasha Altman, cardiologist and principal investigator of the CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial at UC Health University of Colorado Hospital.

For the treatment, doctors extract cells from a patient's own bone marrow, process them at the point of care and deliver them to the damaged area of the heart in a minimally invasive cardiac catheterization procedure. Researchers emphasize that the bone marrow cells do not turn into new heart tissue cells; instead, they are designed to stimulate the body's natural healing process in the heart.

Pete Hagerstrom, a 73-year-old from Colorado Springs who had a previous quadruple bypass to treat his heart failure, was the first patient in his state enrolled in the ongoing FDA-approved clinical study of the therapy.

Participants who qualify for the study are randomly placed into a treatment group or a control group. While Mr. Hagerstrom will not know until the end of the study if he received the cell therapy, he feels better after participating in the trial.

"Everything is easier. I can walk three miles in about 45 minutes, and it takes a lot less time to garden and shovel snow."

The CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial will include up to 260 patients at 40 medical centers nationwide.

Unlike similar studies, this trial tests a patient's bone marrow before treatment, in order to identify those patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment.

Patients may be candidates for the CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial if they have heart failure as a result of an earlier heart attack and have symptoms that are classified as New York Heart Association Class II or III.

For more information about the CardiAMP Heart Failure trial, visit www.biocardia.com, www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02438306, or ask your cardiologist.

"Lover Boy"
by Stephen Kronwith, M.D.

A lustful physician and a beautiful detective clash in a comedy caper involving a billionaire's murder, his stunning widow and an amorous, aging assassin.

Dr. Joseph Peck has one vice -- he's addicted to love. And one unusual secret -- his best friend is a retired Mafia Don. Anna Franklin learns this secret. She also discovers that her husband will be seeking a divorce, relegating her to a pre-nup pittance instead of billions were he to die -- soon.

Anna enlists the friends, and the Don knows one ex-associate to call upon for the hit -- Lover Boy, who, despite being on Social Security, is still quite able to live up to his deadly reputation -- and nickname. Purchase at https://amzn.to/35Lbwaf.

"The Shade Under The Mango Tree"
by Evy Journey

An epistolary tale of courage, resilience of the human spirit, and the bonds that bring diverse people together.

After two heartbreaking losses, Luna seeks an adventure in which she can make some difference. Lucien, a worldly young architect, finds a stranger's journal at a café. He has pangs of guilt about reading it. But that doesn't stop him, and his decision changes his life.

Months later, Luna and Lucien meet at a bookstore. Fascinated by his stories and spirit, Luna goes to a rural, rice-growing village in a country steeped in an ancient culture and a deadly history. What she finds there defies anything she could have imagined. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3nxSFHt.

"Overcoming"
by Dr. Augustus White III

Twenty inspiring profiles of men and women who've defied the odds to overcome adversity.

The coronavirus COVID-19 has changed our lives forever, confronting us with an adversity like none we have known in our lifetimes. Where can we find the resilience to overcome the changes forced upon us?

The answers lie in Overcoming and the lessons we can learn from everyday heroes who found the strength to persevere through life crises that threatened to overwhelm them, just as we feel overwhelmed today. Groundbreaking physician Dr. Augustus White III, no stranger to adversity himself, has fashioned an essential manual on not only surviving in a post-coronavirus world, but even thriving in it, as those in this book have. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3qXe9Qk.

"Smokescreen"
by Khaled Talib

At an ancient café in Cairo, two veteran spies plot a covert mission to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The pledge: Israel will make a major concession as part of the peace treaty. In Singapore, Jethro Westrope, a magazine journalist, stumbles onto the scene of a murder: the beautiful Niki Kishwani directs him, in her last breath, to a digital recorder, evidence that puts Jethro's life in serious danger. And, much worse, he is framed for Niki's murder.

Jethro sets out to find Niki's killer and is drawn into a web of deception and intrigue involving officials from the Singaporean, Israeli, and American governments, each with a potentially deadly agenda. Against this pulse-pounding backdrop, Jethro races to find answers and save himself. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3mqJbwE.

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

"At the Very Heart and Soul: A Common-Sense Guide to Appreciation and Gratitude for Couple Relationships "
by Timothy Neff Gocke

Named a 2020 Finalist for both the National Indie Excellence Awards and the Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest, this work is "written in a down-to-earth style, acknowledging the difficulties married partners face while providing practical solutions."

The author believes gratitude and appreciation are at the heart and soul of bonding as human beings. He offers personal stories and exercises to help couples understand the importance of appreciation in their long-term relationships. This guide provides many answers and ideas for stressful couples, noting that caring hearts and kinder souls go a long way. Purchase at https://amzn.to/39pd0sQ.

"The Power of How"
by Edward Gwynn and Mary Burkhardt

When leadership is distilled to its core, we are left with two words that describe how leaders can maintain a positive attitude and create the inspiring, motivating environment people desire: energy and influence. During this growth and transformation, we continually overcome fear and self-doubt and live into our true, powerful selves. Resilience, grit and indomitable spirit are themes you will find throughout.

But this powerful journey of leadership is not for the faint of heart. Come along for this life-changing experience. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3nuxdTG.

"The Mom's Guide to a Good Divorce"
by Sarah Armstrong

A practical guide to help women getting a divorce understand all of the details, always keeping in focus what is best for their children. The book is written in a conversational tone from one mom to another and is served up in bite-sized pieces. Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, says, "People need to hear Sarah's guidance in her own captivating voice. It is innovative. It is positive. It needs to be shared with those who need it."

The goal of the book is to help women with children make it through both the divorce process and the post-divorce phase...ultimately putting it in the category of a "good divorce." Purchase at https://www.gooddivorce.guide.

"Back to Serve"
by Cesare Giannetti

A fictional memoir about soon-to-retire army captain Nico Corretti. Before his return home, a beautiful Russian woman informs him that his safety and his post-service stability may be in jeopardy.

He undergoes an extended unemployment period before anxiously taking a government-contract position abroad, which turns out to be more perilous than originally thought. And the mysterious Russian woman may lead him to some of the answers he seeks, as well as to some dangers and desires. After returning home, a swell of terrorist attacks send him back to the Middle East, where he'll need to reach deep within himself to succeed on the battlefield and in life. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2IoQmXR.

NOTE: BookBites is a continuing series bringing readers information and ideas for their next read. For more reading ideas, visit BookTrib.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

But in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, some things remain the same, including the need for smart money management. The start of the new year is an ideal time to revisit your financial goals and plans to ensure they work for you. No matter how the pandemic may have impacted your financial situation, consider taking these important steps now to maximize your money in 2021:

- Avoid or pay off debt. Resolve to pay credit cards and other bills each month by spending within your limits. Try to avoid taking on additional debt outside of a mortgage. If you have debt, pay off the highest interest loans first, and also try to accelerate loan payments when you can. Reducing debt is especially important as you approach retirement age.

- Look for simple ways to save. Make saving a New Year's resolution, especially this year, as the pandemic continues to affect the economy, and job stability may be less uncertain.

In addition to setting aside part of a paycheck for saving, consider how little things you can do now can add up to savings later. For example, use ATM machines for your current banking institution, only to avoid usage fees charged at other banks, consider generic medications or prescriptions, which are often less expensive than "name brand" products, and use cash-back and rewards cards and apps to reduce expenses or to earn rewards on purchases.

- Think retirement now. Even if you are early in your working life, it is never too soon to save for retirement. Don't underestimate the power of compound interest: earning interest on your savings over many years is how you build wealth, and the sooner you start saving, the longer the time to compound your savings, and the more wealth you can build. Resolve to maximize retirement savings through your employer and explore additional ways to save on your own.

- Set up a financial plan. Managing your money is easier when you have a plan. Resolve to consult a financial planner for guidance on how to get the most from your money to help ensure that you reach your financial goals and secure your financial future. Some smart money strategies include creating a budget to track your spending and identify ways to save, establishing an emergency fund, and setting up automatic savings plans when possible.

"Use the start of a new year as motivation to begin or continue the financial planning process," according to the website of the Certified Financial Planner Board, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting professional standards in personal financial planning.

Visit letsmakeaplan.org today for more financial planning tips and guidance, and to locate a CFP® professional in your area who can start you on your way to realizing your financial goals in 2021 and beyond.

Many sports stadiums, both old and new, are works of architectural elegance. The exquisite replicas from Westbrook Sports Classics present these iconic structures from a new perspective that lets fans enjoy the beauty of their favorite ballparks at home on a desk, table, or bookshelf.

The stadium reproductions measure approximately 7 by 7 inches, weigh approximately 10-12 pounds, and come with a protective acrylic case. The models are designed and created by John Kimball Westbrook, an award-winning artist whose background includes both architecture and commercial art. Mr. Westbrook also spent time in Washington, DC, on a scholarship to study with Italian stone carvers during the completion of the National Cathedral, where he developed his passion for sculpture.

"Over the past 30 years, I have worked with different fine art mediums, including carving marble, granite, various semi-precious stones, bronze, wood, ivory, silversmithing, drawing and painting," Mr. Westbrook explains on his website.

The limited-edition ballparks are cast in a bronze composite and mounted on a natural black marble base. Mr. Westbrook creates each mold by hand over a period of approximately two months. Fans will appreciate the attention to details such as handpainted seats and the use of tiny crystals inserted into light poles that refract light to give the appearance of the stadium at night.

The Westbrook Sports collection to date features 17 Major League Baseball stadiums, historic and current, including Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox; Candlestick Park, the former home of the San Francisco Giants; the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field; and both old and new versions of Yankee Stadium. All Major League Baseball trademark copyrights are used with the permission of Major League Baseball. Mr. Westbrook plans to expand the collection to National Football League stadiums, NCAA college stadiums, and British football (soccer) stadiums as well.

For more information and to view photos of stadium models, visit westbrooksportsclassics.com.

Several aspects of the 2020 election cycle have undoubtedly been unique, with a global pandemic, protests for racial justice and extremist groups threatening violence. But from the civil rights movement to the Great Recession, Americans have previously headed to the polls through war, economic downturn and social instability. As the dust settles after this election, it's worth looking back to the past for a bit of historical context.

"In this crazy year, the best way to figure out what will happen to the country after everything settles down again is to understand our history," says Carlos Watson, Emmy-winning journalist, entrepreneur, political commentator, CEO of OZY and host of The Campaigns That Made History, a two-hour documentary that recently aired on HISTORY, covering the most surprising and shocking political contests of the past. For fans who have been following the burgeoning partnership between OZY, which seems to be the definition of media's omni-channel future, and A+E Networks, which owns networks including HISTORY and Lifetime, the documentary was a rare treat that meets the moment, allowing viewers to jump several steps ahead of the curve this election cycle.

"This isn't the first crazy election we've had -- there have been five of these whoppers just over the past 60 years," said Watson, who has become one of the preeminent new media figures helping the public make sense of this moment in history -- perhaps the next Doris Kearns Goodwin. Here are a few lessons from just three of those "whoppers" to help you contextualize the most recent election.

1. Anti-establishment candidates aren't just a 21st century problem

When Ronald Reagan, a former football player and charismatic actor, challenged President Gerald Ford in 1976, he wasn't afraid of abandoning boring political-speak. "Balancing the budget," as he quipped to Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, "is like protecting your virtue: You have to learn how to say 'no.'" The California governor came tantalizingly close to defeating the sitting president. And while Reagan lost, Ford urged him to address the Republican National Convention anyway, assuming he would embarrass himself without a teleprompter. That was a mistake: Reagan delivered a stirring speech, putting him on the path to the presidency four years later.

2. How a contested election could play out

"Florida, Florida, Florida." NBC's Tim Russert's election night mantra in 2000 would play out over weeks as the election outcome hung in the balance, and lawyers and activists descended on Florida for a disputed recount. In the end, the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in Bush v. Gore overruled the state of Florida, halting a recount and giving Bush the win more than a month after Election Day.

3. The Proud Boys of 1968

A tumultuous year marked by racial unrest and assassinations of leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and presidential front-runner Robert F. Kennedy ended up with Republican Richard Nixon topping Democrat Hubert Humphrey. But segregationist George Wallace's third-party campaign, representing Southerners who had ditched the pro-civil-rights Democratic Party, was a shock to the system and a sign of things to come. "In 1968, the equivalent of the Proud Boys wasn't just some crazy group on the edge -- they were on the ballot, got 10 million votes and won five states," says Watson.

After more great insights from history? Catch up on The Campaigns That Made History, from OZY and HISTORY, on history.com.

According to a recent article in the journal Health Affairs, effective vaccination requires four elements: generating demand for the vaccine, allocating the vaccine, distributing the vaccine, and verifying coverage.

The National League for Nursing, the premier organization for nursing education leaders, emphasizes the importance of educating health professionals and the public about the vaccine.

Vaccines in general work by encouraging the body to generate antibodies to protect against an invading infection. The risks of these mild symptoms however, such as pain at the site of injection or symptoms resembling a mild case of the flu, are greatly outweighed by the protection offered by the vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available from multiple pharmaceutical companies. Some require two doses to be fully effective, but other vaccines in development require only one dose. The safety of the public is a top priority, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed v-safe, a smartphone-based tool that uses text messages and online surveys to follow individuals after they are vaccinated. The tool allows users to report symptoms and side effects quickly and easily, and to receive guidance on what to do for any side effects that occur.

The National League for Nursing also emphasizes the importance of vaccine uptake in Black, Latino, and Native American communities, many of which are medically underserved in the best of times. Nurses and nurse educators can do their part to increase trust and vaccine acceptance in these communities,

"Efforts to promote vaccine uptake in the Black community must directly confront and address the deep historical traumas that have created high levels of distrust in the COVID-19 vaccine, and the government and healthcare system overall," according to a survey on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Black and Latino communities conducted by Langer Research Associates.

Latino communities have experienced an especially high burden of COVID-19 infections but the survey data suggests that resistance to vaccination is lower in these communities compared to Black communities.

Overall, equity and access are key to protecting the public, and messaging about the importance of getting a vaccine as soon as it is available should be "open, honest, and comprehensive," according to the National League for Nursing.

For more information about how nurses and nurse educators are taking the lead in educating the public about the safety and importance of COVID-19 vaccination, visit NLN.org.

The benefits of understanding finances at a young age will contribute to children's economic success at all stages of life, so it is never too early to start teaching them about smart money management.

"By providing our children with firsthand experience in earning, saving, and spending money, they are more likely to develop a savvy sensibility and the framework necessary to manage their personal finances as adults," says Marguerita Cheng, CFP®, a certified financial planner professional and mom of three.

The CFP Board, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting professional standards in personal financial planning, offers four important tips to help you teach kids about money:

- Make money management a family affair. Get the whole family involved in financial planning. Talk to your kids about how they think money should be spent, such as saving for college, taking vacations, or dining out, and how to balance short-term indulgences and long-term financial planning goals.

- Model smart spending. Let your kids know how you spend and save on a daily basis. Take them to the grocery store and explain saving money with coupons and sales, and how monthly expenses such as Internet and phone bills, as well as water and electricity, are part of a household budget. Explain how turning off lights saves money, as does making turkey soup for dinner with leftovers after Thanksgiving.

- Let kids earn money. While not all parents approve of allowances, consider giving your child the opportunity to handle his or her own money, whether it is a regular allowance, small stipend, or money gifts from relatives for a birthday or special occasion.

- Establish a savings plan. Open a savings account for children. Show them statements and explain how money grows. Older children can have access to accounts to make deposits and withdrawals for food, clothes, games, and activities with friends. Kids may make some mistakes, but avoid the urge to rescue them. One experience with an overdraft charge on an account can be a valuable lesson for a lifetime of smart money management.

Visit letsmakeaplan.org today for more financial planning tips and guidance for your children or yourself, and to locate a certified financial planner in your area.

When it comes to supplements, more bioavailability is better because the ingredients in the supplement products can be more rapidly absorbed by the body. Pure Craft CBD has demonstrated almost 90 percent absorbability because of the nanoparticles used in production, according to the company. Nanoparticles help keep CBD stable as it is consumed, so it is absorbed at a consistent concentration rate.

"What sets Pure Craft CBD apart from other companies is its dedication to purity," says founder and CEO Jason Navarrete.

"Pure Craft products are 90 percent bioavailable, where most [similar] companies offer products that are no more than 18 percent bioavailable. That's why Pure Craft's slogan is 'Pure Till The Last Drop,'" he says.

Pure Craft follows a "seed to sale," model.

The company's business starts in partnership with informed and educated cannabis farmers, and includes warehouses for the high-tech cultivation of cannabis, as well as manufacturing sites, distribution facilities, and retail outlets.

Pure Craft CBD is derived from a single strain of cannabis and all the oil is processed in a single facility to help ensure consistent, predictable, effective products. Each batch of oil undergoes in-house and third party testing to ensure purity. In addition, all Pure Craft products come with third-party lab COAs (Certificates of Analysis) so consumers know exactly what they are getting.

Pure Craft products contain no binders, fillers, dyes, or unknown substances. The current product line features 16 items including nanotized water-soluble soft gels and nanotized CBD-infused vegan gummies. In addition, a water-soluble nanotized CBD with melatonin is designed to help with sleep. Other products in the pipeline include a full line of nanotized water-soluble tinctures from 600 to 3,000 mg in flavors of peppermint, tropical, strawberry mojito, orange cream, blueberry, and vanilla.

Visit purecraftcbd.com for more company details and product information.

A new ingestible oral spray from established oral care company TheraBreath gives you a combination of vitamins and minerals designed to boost your immune system and help protect you and your family against colds, flu, and other airborne viruses. The spray is packaged in a small bottle that is easy to take anywhere and use on the go.

"The immunity spray fills an untapped niche of oral products that provide an overall health benefit," says CEO and founder, Dr. Harold Katz, a dentist with an additional degree in bacteriology.

"For many years, folks have overlooked the fact that their mouth and throat are the doorways to the rest of their body," he explains.

"TheraBreath Immunity Support Spray is an easy way for everyone to improve their body's natural immunity."

The spray is based on solid science, and is designed to be a simple and efficient way to improve oral and overall health. Just spray and swallow, and you can enjoy the benefits of a traditional vitamin supplement in a Cherry Lemonade flavor that appeals to all ages.

TheraBreath contains no artificial colors or dyes, but contains natural Acerola and Elderberry extracts, which have strong antioxidant properties and are often used in immunity-boosting products.

Other key ingredients include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, and Copper, all of which can help strengthen your body's immune system and natural defenses against illness.

The spray is certified vegan and gluten-free, as well as NSF-certified to ensure that it contains the ingredients listed on the supplemental facts label.

TheraBreath Immunity Support Spray is safe for young and old, and it is easy to carry in a backpack or purse for periodic use throughout the day.

The spray works with any of the other items in the TheraBreath product line, which includes mouthwash, toothpaste, lozenges, and vitamins to promote oral health and tackle the challenging conditions of chronic bad breath and dry mouth. And all products comes with a money-back guarantee.

For more information, visit therabreath.com