A human heart used in the spelling of “LOVE”. Although the hearts won’t be available by Valentine’s day, Carmat hopes to have them on the market by the end of 2021. Photo and design by Dolapo Agunbiade
The month of February is a month designed to remind people of matters of the heart. That’s right, Heart Awareness Month is currently being celebrated across the globe. It is a time when people can reflect on their lifestyle choices, bring awareness and raise money for those who suffer from heart disease.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women across the United States and also worldwide and a lot of that is highly preventable,” said cardiologist Dr. Alex Harrison to KEYT News.
According to the Irish Heart Foundation, heart failure is one of Ireland’s leading causes of death. They stated that, in Ireland, there are approximately 10,000 new cases each year. The best remedy for severe heart failure is a transplant. However, thousands die each year waiting for their operation.
“The idea behind this heart was to create a device which would replace heart transplants”
Stéphane Piat
French company Carmat received their CE marking on 22 December from European regulators. This mark gives them the permission to sell their total artificial heart system. Their product, Aeson – named after a character in Greek mythology who drank a potion that added more years to his life – is designed to impersonate real hearts by using biological sensors and materials. The artificial heart is able to regulate blood flow by using its mechanical pump.
“The idea behind this heart, which was born nearly 30 years ago, was to create a device which would replace heart transplants, a device that works physiologically like a human heart, one that’s pulsating, self-regulated and compatible with blood,” Stéphane Piat, Carmat’s CEO, told Reuters.
For now, the three-part device will be used as a stopgap until a transplant is available for those suffering from severe, incurable heart disease. This will give patients who may not have received an organ in time a chance to wait patiently for donations. Even though the battery operated piece of technology is a temporary solution, it has been recorded that the hearts can last up to five years, allowing patients to live comfortably in the meantime.
In the company statement they say, “Carmat aims to provide a lasting solution to the treatment of terminal heart failure, a disease for which there are very few effective options today, the main one being heart transplants.”
However, this device may not be available to everyone. It has been recorded that Aeson will be sold at the price range of €150,000 and upwards. This extravagant price-point is not suitable for lower-income patients who are in dire need of support.
Another possible disadvantage of Carmat’s artificial heart is its weight. The device weighs in at 900g, which is three times more than the average heart – the average ranging from 250 to 300g. This size also alienates children in need from receiving the company’s temporary heart.
I spoke with former senior cardiology specialist Dr. Oye Akindele to understand the possible negative outcomes of artificial hearts.
Dr. Akindele said, “the implications of an artificial heart are numerous. Due to its mechanical nature, parts can wear out or the electrical motor system could fail causing the blood passing through the system to form clots and cause strokes.”
He continued, “also, some patients are prone to severe bleeding. Their blood may be too thin from previous medications used to support the artificial heart.”
Dr. Akindele then stressed the importance of heart donors and how the right donor should improve and prolong the recipient’s quality of life.
A 3D demonstration of Carmat’s hear at work
The three-part device might not be ready just in time for 14 February, but Piat estimates there will be “a smooth commercial launch during the second quarter of 2021”. The introductory launch will be focused on France and Germany and then subsequent distribution across Europe will follow.
What are the signs of heart failure? According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of heart failure include but aren’t limited to; shortness in breath, fatigue, rapid or irregular heartbeats and lack of appetite.
If you believe that you or a loved one is suffering from heart disease, please contact your local doctor.
Valentine’s Day can be a tough time for single people. Scrolling through photos of happy couples sometimes triggers that voice in your head that reminds you – you’re alone.
Add a global pandemic, isolation, and government-imposed celibacy to the mix, and it’s not a far reach to assume this year’s going to be a lot harder than usual.
In-person socialising has been put on hold and life is happening online. It is no surprise that the sense of loneliness this brings can have a massive impact on someone’s mental health.
“Dating is, at its core, about hope and connecting with somebody”
Roe McDermott
Speaking to TheCity, Roe McDermott, Sex and Relationships Expert at The Irish Times, said she believes people are really underestimating the importance of physical contact and dating throughout the pandemic.
“Dating is, at its core, about hope and it’s about connecting with somebody. Even a mediocre or bad date, it’s the hope that you’ll get an entertaining story to tell your friend. Losing that sense of hope and connection when we are so isolated is seriously psychologically damaging,” she says.
Many people have turned to online dating as a means of coping with this. Match Group – who own popular dating platforms like Tinder and match.com – have reported a significant increase in users since the pandemic hit.
Enda Collins, a 22-year-old musician from Dublin, has been taking part in online dating for the past year.
“One guy sent me, let’s just say a very explicit picture, with the caption ‘Can you handle this?’ I was like oh my god. You’ve ruined it!”
Enda, musician
“I think it can be good, but I miss physical contact. You get to that point after a few days of chatting online where you want to meet up but it’s like… you just can’t,” he says.
While he feels these conversations can be helpful to combat loneliness, some users only have one thing on their mind – and it’s not the R number.
“You get people messaging you like ‘what do I have to do to get you to come out now?’
“One guy, we were chatting for over an hour and really hitting it off. Next minute, he sends me, let’s just say a very explicit picture with the caption ‘Can you handle this?’ I was like oh my god. You’ve ruined it!”
“I believe online dating is great if you know how to use it correctly and know how to sell yourself,” she says.
“You have to be strategic in the way you use it. I advise my clients to be online as you can throw your net so much wider in the pool of potential partners. The more you put yourself out there, the better chance you have of meeting the right person.”
McDermott also believes online dating can be a great experience, but its potential benefits are relative to how you present yourself. Being clear about what you’re looking for is essential and can help you navigate the online world more easily, as well as counteract any time wasting or negative experiences.
“The basic act of filling out your profile – which a lot of people don’t do – is about saying what you’re looking for and telling people what you have to offer. It takes [dating] to a different level of thoughtfulness and seriousness,” she explains.
Your profile is in your hands, so why not put your best self out there, you might not meet the right person, but you might get a funny story or two and find a welcome respite to lockdown boredom.
Online dating presents its own set of challenges, it is far from perfect, but it can be what you make of it, and for singles everywhere, now is the perfect time to give it a try.
For those out there who are reluctant to dive into the world of online dating, Frances thinks it’s worth a shot.
“For people who are reluctant, I would say just give it a try. There are different apps so try a few to see which one you prefer. You can always come off if you hate it.”
Every Hallmark holiday has a massive carbon footprint – Valentine’s Day lockdown edition will be no different.
What is different, however, is that this year we have more control than ever before over the amount of waste we create. No excessive portions at restaurants; no glossy tickets to throw away and no decorative garnishes in plastic-laden cocktails. This year, as we celebrate Valentine’s Day from the comfort of our own homes, there are several easy swaps you can make to show your love for the planet
If you’re going to see your loved one face-to-face, there’s no need to scribble your feelings on a card that’s destined for the recycling bin.
However, if you really feel you must give your partner a card this year, there are some alternatives to the standard shop-bought Valentines, which, let’s face it, are fairly pricey for something that’s going to be thrown away after a few days.
You can go digital! There are plenty of subscription-based services which allow you to send e-cards for all occasions. These can be sent via email or they can be posted to the Facebook wall of the object of your affection.
Or, if you’re crafty, you can always make a card out of materials you have at home!
Yes, it will ultimately still end up being in the bin, unless your partner is a hoarder, but it will eliminate all of the carbon-producing processes which go into manufacturing and distribution of shop-bought cards.
This way, you have total control over what your card is made of so, you can be sure the materials are fully recyclable.
What’s more romantic than a big bouquet of red roses?
Perhaps some flowers that won’t die after a week and arrive swaddled in cellophane.
This year, why not consider seeds or a potted plant for your partner’s garden -or, more likely, windowsill? The pot can be used again and the longevity of the plant is a more romantic symbol of your relationship.
Flowers in a vase perish. Garden plants, if nurtured and cared for, will last a lot longer and bloom again and again.
For the crafty ones among us, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube which show you how to make a bouquet of flowers out of recycled paper or newspaper. Not only is this a big help for the environment, but paper flowers will last as long as your relationship and it shows greater effort, which your partner is sure to appreciate.
The glossy wrapping paper and anything with plastic-based glitter, such as most glitter, cannot be recycled. This must be taken into consideration if you’ve bought your loved one a present that requires some kind of wrapping.
Instead, why not invest in a few reusable gift bags or boxes? These can be just as attractive-looking and will save you money, and carbon footprint points, in the long run.
If you absolutely must go the traditional wrapping paper route, make sure the paper you buy is (a) recyclable and (b) comes in little or no packaging. Even if the paper itself is recyclable, the light plastic film around it is not.
Before your partner recycles your carefully-selected wrapping paper, make sure all sticky tape is removed because, once again, this cannot be recycled. Don’t let tape be the downfall of all your effort to get plastic-free wrapping paper!
As a lover of chocolate myself, I understand the desire to satisfy your sweet tooth for Valentine’s Day. I really do.
But the special Valentine’s Day chocolates – drizzled and dipped and decorated in heart-shaped boxes – all come with ludicrous amounts of packaging. There’s more plastic than consumables in those boxes.
Instead of buying into the over packaged and overpriced Valentine’s Day chocolate market, why not bake something sweet for yourself and your partner?
Flour, sugar, eggs, milk… all the basics are probably already in your kitchen and the packaging of these products are almost always recyclable or compostable.
Again, this shows your partner you’ve gone to a greater effort, and you’ve saved yourself some money and a plastic-induced headache.
If you’re not a baker, you can just pay extra attention to the options in your supermarket.
While Valentine’s chocolates will probably always come buried in plastic, if you look carefully you should be able to find some chocolate that comes in 100% recyclable materials.
This one’s simple. We’re all going to be stuck inside ordering takeaway for this Valentine’s Day, right?
Well, no, not necessarily. Takeaways come with a small mountain of trash: grease-stained bags, cartons, receipts, napkins, condiment sachets, plastic straws, you name it.
Cooking at home drastically cuts down the amount of waste produced by your meal. It means you’re using up what you already have and you know exactly what you’re consuming.
It’s healthier for you, it’s healthier for your wallet and it’s healthier for the planet. Funny how often those three coincide.
So, that’s five tips that I hope were helpful so, hopefully we can all show the planet a bit of love this year on Valentine’s Day.
Kate Brayden speaks to TheCity.ie readers worldwide about their homegrown customs and traditions on Cupid’s favourite day
There are plenty of valid reasons why a person doesn’t acknowledge Valentine’s Day as a holiday worth celebrating, unless you’re a hopeless romantic who counts down the days until red roses appear and chocolates manifest themselves in front of your eyes. Maybe you’re more of a believer in Galentine’s Day, or Palentine’s Day?
How does February 14 play out in different countries around the world? Some nations have unique traditions and customs that Westerners have never even heard of, but it’s usually the cliché of dinner dates under the Eiffel Tower that make it onto Hollywood movie sets.
TheCity.ie asked its readers from around the globe if they worship Saint Valentine with candles and a decreasing bank balance (do you realise how expensive red roses are?), and whether they treat their significant other any differently based on the calendar date.
There are some niche ideas to show love to those around you hidden within this article, so take note. Some of these customs may need to die a slow death, based purely on their patriarchal origins: try to park those thoughts at the door and you just might end up as a Hallmark salesperson one day.
Japan (31-year-old Hitomi Kaguyama)
Photo: Pexels
“In Japan, we don’t “celebrate” Valentine’s Day per se. Valentine’s day is the day people give chocolates unilaterally or bilaterally. We follow this custom because we imagine the meaning of Valentine’s Day is the day of giving chocolates, instead of the day of celebration. In Japan, the feeling of “everyone is doing” tends to be focused more than the actual reason for the action.”
“Most of the time, a “Giri-Choco” is the chocolates which people give to somebody without a sense of love or affection. When girls feel too shy to present chocolates to the only person who they like, they give chocolates to other people as camouflage. Like that, giving a “Giri-Choco” is the way to distract their shyness as well as to thank their bosses, friends etc. whom they think they are supported by in everyday life.”
Women spend obscene amounts of yen buying male colleagues chocolates in the practice of “forced giving”, with men under pressure to reciprocate on March 14. White Day is an event essentially dreamed up by chocolate makers in the 1980s to earn more cash.
Godiva's dig at obligatory Valentine's chocolates stirs debate in Japan. Should we/should women give out giri choco (courtesy chocolate) to men, or not? What do you think? https://t.co/WF1wU6rUJw
“I used to think “why only girls have to do it?” but now I don’t care at all because Valentine’s Day is only a day in which we are expected to follow the custom in society. So, even if girls are expected to do something on the day, it doesn’t matter for me anymore.
“For me, Valentine’s Day is the day I feel weary of the pressure from my company by which I need to consider whether I should give chocolates to someone or not. Also, in case someone gives me a ‘Giri-Choco’, I would have to think whether I should return them something back on ‘White Day’ on March 14, which is quite tiring.”
The sense of obligation can arguably lead to incidents of harassment and abuse in the workplace, the Guardian article argues.
Belgian chocolatier Godiva ran a full-page newspaper ad urging businesses to encourage female employees not to hand out giri choco if they felt they were doing so under duress.
“Valentine’s Day is a day when people convey their true feelings, not coordinate relationships at work,” said the advertisement.
South Korea, 23-year-old Jamie
“Well, Pepero Day is basically a day when you give a ‘pepero’ or a ‘pocky’ to someone you care about! It’s like a Korean Valentine’s Day, I guess, and Pepero Day is celebrated on November 11 as the date shows resemblance to pepero sticks!”
While this sounds all very jovial, an alternative tradition for single people sounds slightly depressing. In South Korea, people who do not receive gifts on Valentine’s Day or White Day gather to eat Jajangmyeon (noodles with black sauce).
The unusual holiday takes place on April 14, and anyone who wants to celebrate the occasion of loneliness wears all-black clothes for the meal of comfort food. Unorthodox as it may be, black noodles are a delicious delicacy which would almost encourage someone to stay single for the day.
India, 24-year-old Anmol and 24-year-old Sangha
“In India, Valentine’s Day is still celebrated on the 14th. It’s a similar idea, with a lot of gift exchanges, holidays or going out to dinner. It’s very Westernised – it was never a real thing, it was adopted by India. It’s seen as cool to celebrate because it’s the same holiday that America has. Interestingly, the people aren’t really allowed to engage in PDA, or there’s a sort of moral policing of sorts.”
Woman selling roses in India. Photo: Pinterest
Some rowdy protests take place every year on February 14th – mainly because the holiday is seen as overly-Westernised, but also because it is seen as a corporate scam for economic gain. The day is an unwelcome influence of Western culture on India, according to certain political parties.
The Mumbai city unit chief Nana Wadekar of Shiv Sena has stated that Valentine’s Day encourages obscene and vulgar acts. Sri Ram Sena leader Pramod Muthalik was quoted in saying that couples seen celebrating the day by his activists would be forcibly married. If the couples reject marriage, then the girl will be forced to tie rakhi to the boy, a ritual which would make them siblings. The Luke and Leia storyline doesn’t exactly scream romance, in our opinion…
Brazil, 28-year-old Schillachi
“There’s no original Brazilian Valentine’s Day, it’s celebrated every second Friday of June instead of during February.”
Photo: Unsplash
Brazilians celebrate Dia dos Namorados (‘Sweethearts’ Day’) on June 12. This date is special for Brazilian people, as it occurs on the eve of St. Anthony’s Day – the famous matchmaker and protector of lovers in the country’s folklore. Women who are single pray and practice rituals to the saint in the hopes of finding a husband. Drowning an image of the saint upside down in water until someone proposes is just one option. We haven’t acquired any hard evidence of the success of this tactic, but we suspect it’s usually a failure.
South Africa, 26-year-old Kevin
“In South Africa, go wear the name of the person you love, or have romantic feelings for, pinned to your wrist. It’s literally wearing your heart on your sleeve!”
It’s a tradition dating back to the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia, and sometimes men partake in the act. It’s a stealthy way to communicate your secret crush, but some people prefer to advertise this on billboards or via cloud writing. To each their own.
Bulgaria (Trifon Zarezan), 29-year-old Mattas
“Saint Trifon (also referred to as ‘Trypho’) was a 3rd-century Christian who lived in the Roman Empire, or modern-day Turkey. He acquired fame for his healing abilities, but was persecuted for his religion and died as a martyr.”
According to Bulgarian scientists, Saint Trifon was transformed by the pagan pre-Christian wine god Dionysius, who was worshiped by the ancient Thracians. Legend has it that Saint Trifon went to his vineyard to cut some branches away from the vines. A beautiful woman passed him by, seducing him in such a way that he accidentally cut his nose off with the clippers. Easily done, in some cases.
In Bulgaria today is actually not St Valentine's day but the day of Trifon Zarezan, patron saint of vineyards and wine. So if you're not in love with the idea of love… have a glass of wine instead.
— elitsa nedyalkova🩸✨ (elitsa-nn.bsky.social) (@elitsa_nn) February 14, 2019
He is now considered a guardian of vineyards, and wine is a token of celebration each year for Bulgarians, rather than sharing red roses and chocolates with a lover. Why not do both, we say? The Day of Saint Trifon is celebrated by the church on February 1, while February 14 is when the bigger public celebrations take place. Bulgarians can’t decide what they love more: Their other half, or a glass of wine. To celebrate Trifon Zarezan or Valentine’s Day? That is the question. Our vote is for Trifon, 100%.
France (30-year-old Jonas Hopp)
Photo: Unsplash
“It’s customary to gift flowers and chocolate, prepare a fine meal for Saint-Valentin if you have the skills, maybe allowing to commemorate the spirit of the beginning of the relationship with some candles and good wine. Usually, it’s possible to find a romantic restaurant somewhere in town. It’s mostly the responsibility of boys to find and plan something, but as the celebration of love, ladies are welcome to have a gift for boys too! It’s pretty balanced in this regard. Sometimes the gifts can be a bit risqué to encourage the intimacy of the couple. Usually people only gift their partner for this event, and the ‘free’ people can go to some events organised in bars and things. Red roses, of course, are a must.”
Of course, France wins the romance race. Who among us is surprised?
The average age of Irish brides and grooms in opposite sex marriages is the highest recorded to date, continuing a trend of people deciding to marry later in life. The average age of the groom has increased by 8.1 years since 1987 and the average age of the bride has increased by 9.3 years, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Source // CSO
In the last five years, the average age of the groom has risen by 1.4 years and the average age of the bride has risen by 1.5 years, according to the CSO.
Source // CSO
The CSO figures show the average age for same sex marriages decreased from 2016 to 2017. In 2016, the average age of males in same sex marriages was 40.5 compared to 40.3 in 2017. The average age of females in same sex marriages in 2016 was 41.0 and dropped to 40.5 in 2017.
The marriage rate in Ireland is down 0.2 per 1,000 population since 2016. There were 605 less marriages in 2017 than in 2016. There were 759 same sex marriages in 2017 and 21,262 opposite sex marriages. In 2017, Just over a half of all opposite sex marriages were Roman Catholic ceremonies (52.8 percent) and July and August were the most popular months to wed.
Over the last 30 years, the average age for first time mothers has increased by 4.8 years, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). In 1987, the average age of first time mothers was 26.2, compared with 31.0 in 2017.
Source // CSO
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) looked at reproductive trends in 200 countries for a report published last month. It found that Ireland has the fourth highest average age of childbearing in Europe, after Spain, Switzerland, Italy, and Luxembourg. Outside Europe, Ireland’s average age for childbearing is beaten only by Libya, Korea, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong.
Lily Collins’ eyebrows. This was the main reason I wanted to see “Love, Rosie”. Obviously the trailer has me interested, who doesn’t love a good rom com.
The film is loose adaptation of Cecelia Ahern’s book, “Where Rainbows Ends…” and follows Rosie and Alex, childhood friends, and their constant conflict with bad timing in search of their happily ever after. Through flashbacks and passing years the film shows life’s strain on the typical boy/girl friendship. However despite the supposedly ageing lead characters, Lily Collins and Sam Claflin looked as young as ever by the end of the film.
Cecelia Ahern’s latest book adaptation was shockingly good. I know not to judge a book by it’s cover but with the ‘Diddly aye potato’ accents that came with ‘PS I Love You’s’ adaptation I had my concerns, however I needn’t have with director, Christian Ditter abandoning half attempted Irish accents.
The film is set in England and Boston, however Irish viewers will notice that all is not as it seems with the supposed backdrop of England really being set in our own fair city with views from St Stephen’s Green shopping centre and The Harlequin on Drury Street.
The 102 minute rom com had laughs, sighs and a few tears as well from beginning to end. And although there was no complete plot twist, the film definitely had the viewer hooked from beginning to end with it’s cringe situations and witty one liners.The film itself was uplifted by it’s time travelling soundtrack with tunes from The Ketchup song to Lily Allen’s “F**k You”.
The daughter of Rock’n’Roll royalty, Lily Collins is an ideal lead as the part of English Rose meets girl next door. Her portrayal of the hopeless heroine Rosie Dunne, without being the typical chick flick damsel in distress breaths a new lease of life into this romantic comedy. And her on-screen chemistry with the film’s eye candy, Sam Claflin brought the characters credibility.
Overall “Love, Rosie” was an extremely enjoyable film which kept me entertained until the end and had me wanting to watch it again. And yes, Lily Collins’ eyebrows were fabulous and flawless throughout.
Ever wondered if you are the only one out there whose had a spectacularly good or bad date?
Well you’re not alone, turn outs we’ve all had embarrassing and wonderful dating experiences!
Watch the video above to see thecity.ie asking people in Dublin about their dating experiences!
by The City crew member’s – Blaithin, Aidan and Brendan.
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