MedWorm: Heart Disease

Macrovascular diabetic complications: clinical characteristics, diagnosis and management

Arquivos Brasileiros de Endocrinologia e Metabologia — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:11:07 +0100

O diabetes melito (DM) é um fator de risco independente para doença arterial coronariana, acidente vascular cerebral, doença vascular periférica e insuficiência cardíaca, que são as principais causas de morte nesses pacientes. Além disso, pacientes com DM e doença cardiovascular têm pior prognóstico, por apresentarem menor sobrevida, maior risco de recorrência da doença e pior resposta aos tratamentos propostos. Os avanços diagnósticos e terapêuticos das últimas décadas já mostram uma redução do risco de eventos cardiovasculares nesses pacientes, mas o risco absoluto desses é ainda duas vezes maior em relação ao dos pacientes não diabéticos. Portanto, é prioritária a adoção de um manejo intensivo, com controle rígido dos fatores de risco cardiovasculares. Est...

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Small Increases In Phosphorus Mean Higher Risk Of Heart Disease

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Higher levels of phosphorus in the blood are linked to increased calcification of the coronary arteries a key marker of heart disease risk, according to a study in an upcoming issue of Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). "This may help to explain why even early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk that is not otherwise explained by traditional risk factors," comments Katherine R. (Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today)

Small Increases In Phosphorus Mean Higher Risk Of Heart Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Health Minister Welcomes Torfaen's Hearty Lives Initiative, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Health Minister Edwina Hart will attend the launch of a new initiative to reduce heart disease in Torfaen. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has awarded Â£1.5million in funding and resources to Torfaen Local Health Board to tackle heart disease in the area. It comes as part of the health charity's UK-wide Hearty Lives programme to reduce geographical inequalities in heart disease. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Health Minister Welcomes Torfaen's Hearty Lives Initiative, UK

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Phosphorus level in human body linked with heart disease

Xinhuanet Chinaview Health — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:51:38 +0100

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Higher blood level of ... (Source: Xinhuanet Chinaview Health)

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First-Ever Leading Calcium Supplement To Help Support Bone and Heart Health

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Bone strength and heart health are two of the most important health issues for women. One out of every two women will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime and more than 50 million women have blood cholesterol levels high enough to pose a risk for heart disease. Now there is a new product available to help address both of these issues at the same time. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

First-Ever Leading Calcium Supplement To Help Support Bone and Heart Health

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

[Correspondence] Mortality in patients with schizophrenia

LANCET — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Jari Tiihonen and colleagues (Aug 22, p 620), in their large prospective study on mortality in schizophrenia, show several key points: some positive (any antipsychotic is better than no antipsychotic in the long run), some negative (the mortality gap in schizophrenia remains unchanged after all these years), some surprising (three out of four second-generation antipsychotics are actually associated with a lower risk of death from ischaemic heart disease than perphenazine), and some eyebrow-raising (the restriction on use of clozapine is unfair). All these have important implications. However, we wonder whether an alternative interpretation of these findings can be entertained, which could have equally important policy implications. (Source: LANCET)

Study: Heart failure may worsen with statins

CNN.com - Health — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:13:03 +0100

It's widely known that cholesterol-lowering statins can benefit patients with heart disease, but a new study suggests they may actually harm some people with heart failure. (Source: CNN.com - Health)

Pass on the Salt: Most Americans Would Benefit from Lower Sodium Intake

Mayo Clinic Health Information — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:12:55 +0100

Most Americans consume too much salt, contributing to the risk of heart disease and stroke, reports the September issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource. (Source: Mayo Clinic Health Information)

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Postmenopausal Women With Higher Testosterone May Have Greater Heart Disease Risk

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:56:25 +0100

Postmenopausal women who have higher testosterone levels may be at greater risk of heart disease, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome compared to women with lower testosterone levels, according to a new study. This new information is an important step, say researchers, in understanding the role that hormones play in women's health. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Commentary: Know your heart, know the risks

CNN.com - Health — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:15:30 +0100

You may not think that a woman like me could be at risk for heart disease, but the truth is, I have a heart condition. Fortunately, it isn't a life-threatening one, but not all women are as lucky. (Source: CNN.com - Health)

Distribution of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Patients With Ischemic and Hypertensive Heart Disease and Chronic Heart Failure

The American Journal of Cardiology — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:53:45 +0100

In conclusion, the observed bimodal distribution of EF in patients with chronic HF is a reflection of 2 HF phenotypes with different underlying pathophysiologic features. (Source: The American Journal of Cardiology)

Plasma Concentration of Amino-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Chronic Heart Failure: Prediction of Cardiovascular Events and Interaction With the Effects of Rosuvastatin: A Report From CORONA (Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinational Trial in Heart Failure)

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:50:10 +0100

Conclusions: Patients with heart failure due to ischemic heart disease who have NT-proBNP values (Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

Aortic Valve Replacement: A Prospective Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Versus Biological Valves in Patients Ages 55 to 70 Years

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:50:10 +0100

Conclusions: At 13 years, patients undergoing aortic valve replacement either with MP or BP valves had a similar survival rate as well the same rate of occurrence of thromboembolism, bleeding, endocarditis, and MAPE, but patients who had undergone aortic valve replacement with BP valves faced a significantly higher risk of valve failure and reoperation. (Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

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Current Selection of Optimal Prosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement in Middle-Aged Patients: Still Dealer's Choice⁎

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:50:10 +0100

Selection of the type of prosthetic aortic valve replacement (AVR) is frequently a difficult judgment decision affecting the majority of patients who require surgical AVR. The choices generally include bioprosthetic valves (stented or stentless porcine bioprosthesis, stented pericardial prosthesis) and mechanical prosthetic valves (bileaflet or monoleaflet) (). Mechanical valves have the advantage of structural stability but the disadvantage of requiring anticoagulation with warfarin, whereas bioprostheses have the advantage of not requiring anticoagulation with warfarin but the disadvantage of being subject to time-related structural valve failure (). Although some patients are clearly better served with one valve type or another, as noted below, the choice for many patients has been at t...

Structural Abnormalities of the Pulmonary Trunk in Tetralogy of Fallot and Potential Clinical Implications: A Morphological Study

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:50:10 +0100

Conclusions: Marked histological abnormalities in the PT of hearts with TOF exist compared with controls. These changes were present from infancy and among patients who had undergone palliative or reparative surgery, although operations in this cohort were performed late. Our data suggest that structural abnormalities of the PT, similar to these recently shown in the aorta, are intrinsic. (Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

The J-Curve Between Blood Pressure and Coronary Artery Disease or Essential Hypertension: Exactly How Essential?

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:50:09 +0100

The topic of the J-curve relationship between blood pressure and coronary artery disease (CAD) has been the subject of much controversy for the past decades. An inverse relationship between diastolic pressure and adverse cardiac ischemic events (i.e., the lower the diastolic pressure the greater the risk of coronary heart disease and adverse outcomes) has been observed in numerous studies. This effect is even more pronounced in patients with underlying CAD. Indeed, a J-shaped relationship between diastolic pressure and coronary events was documented in treated patients with CAD in most large trials that scrutinized this relationship. In contrast to any other vascular bed, the coronary circulation receives its perfusion mostly during diastole; hence, an excessive decrease in diastolic press...

Hypertension and the “J-Curve”

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:50:09 +0100

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is one of the most common preventable causes of premature death worldwide. Approximately 8 million deaths/year (i.e., 14% of all deaths worldwide) are directly attributable to an elevated BP, and with the worldwide prevalence of hypertension predicted to increase by more than 50% by 2025, the magnitude of BP-related death is set to increase further (). Abundant data from randomized clinical trials have confirmed that the therapeutic lowering of BP in hypertensive people substantially reduces the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and as a consequence, the routine treatment of hypertension is one of the most common interventions in medicine. BP treatment guidelines have progressively reduced the BP threshold at which treatment should begin and the B...

Evaluating the causal relevance of diverse risk markers: horizontal systematic review

BMJ Online First — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:16:47 +0100

Conclusions This horizontal systematic review pinpoints deficiencies and strengths in the evidence for depression, exercise, C reactive protein, and diabetes as unconfounded and unbiased causes of coronary heart disease. This new method could be used to develop a field synopsis and prioritise future development of guidelines and research. (Source: BMJ Online First)

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Low Levels Of 'Heart Attack Risk' Protein Quantified By NIST

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Low Levels Of 'Heart Attack Risk' Protein Quantified By NIST

Biology / Biochemistry News From Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Searching for a needle in a haystack may seem futile, but it's worth it if the needle is a hard-to-detect protein that may identify a person at high risk of a heart attack circulating within a haystack of human serum (liquid component of blood). C-reactive protein (CRP), a molecule produced by the liver in response to inflammation, normally accounts for less than 1/60,000 of a person's total serum protein, or about 1 milligram per liter (mg/L) of serum. (Source: Biology / Biochemistry News From Medical News Today)

Women smokers unaware of smoking impact

Health News - UPI.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:26:33 +0100

TORONTO, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Most women smokers know smoking can lead to cancer, heart disease and premature death but they are unaware of other health effects, a Canadian survey indicates. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

The ischemic preconditioning effect of adenosine in patients with ischemic heart disease

BioMed Central — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Low-dose adenosine infusion reduced the ischemic burden and improved LV regional systolic function in the ischemic walls of patients with exercise-induced myocardial ischemia, confirming that adenosine is a potential preconditioning agent in humans. (Source: BioMed Central)

Impact of substance use on the physical health of patients with bipolar disorder

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Substance use, mainly tobacco, was common in bipolar patients. Tobacco use negatively impacted CHD risk. (Source: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica)

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Clinical Lipidology: A Companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:16:54 +0100

(Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)

ACE inhibitor-ARB combination 'has no benefit'

Pulse — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:28:00 +0100

Adding an ACE inhibitor to patients with stable ischaemic heart disease whose ventricular function is good reduces the risk of death and heart attack, a systematic review has found. (Source: Pulse)

Restrictive cardiomyopathies

European Journal of Echocardiography — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:08:56 +0100

constitute a heterogenous group of heart muscle conditions that all have, in common, the symptoms of heart failure. Diastolic dysfunction with preserved systolic function is often the only echocardiographic abnormality that may be noted, although systolic dysfunction may also be an integral part of some specific pathologies, particularly in the most advanced cases such as amyloid infiltration of the heart. By far, the majority of restrictive cardiomyopathies are secondary to a systemic disorder such as amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, haemochromatosis, eosinophilic heart disease, or as a result of radiation treatment. The much more rare diagnosis of idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy is supported only by the absence of specific pathology on either endomyocardial biopsies or at po...

Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in asymptomatic diabetic patients assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography: correlation with diabetic duration

European Journal of Echocardiography — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:08:55 +0100

Conclusion In addition to diastolic dysfunction, subclinical LV longitudinal dysfunction is preferentially and frequently observed in asymptomatic diabetes patients with normal LVEF. The decrease in LS correlated with duration of diabetes. 2DSTE has the potential for detecting subclinical LV systolic dysfunction and might provide useful information of the risk stratification in an asymptomatic diabetic population. (Source: European Journal of Echocardiography)

Late gadolinium enhancement-cardiovascular magnetic resonance identifies coronary artery disease as the aetiology of left ventricular dysfunction in acute new-onset congestive heart failure

European Journal of Echocardiography — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:08:55 +0100

Conclusion In patients with new-onset HF and LVSD for whom there are no clinical and exploratory data suggestive of ischaemic heart disease, CMR with LGE is an excellent means of ruling out significant CAD and is a valid alternative to angiography. (Source: European Journal of Echocardiography)

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Lesser-Known Effects of Smoking Can Play Havoc with Women's Health(Nov 4, 2009)

Johnson and Johnson — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:07:34 +0100

Toronto, Canada (November 4th, 2009)- Many women are aware that smoking can lead to lung cancer, heart disease and premature death. But a recent survey conducted by Angus Reid on behalf of nicotine replacement therapy brands, NICODERM(R) and NICORETTE(R) reveals that the majority of Canadian women who smoke are not necessarily aware of the host of other impacts that smoking can have on their immediate and longer term health..... (Source: Johnson and Johnson)

Heart disease risk among post-menopausal women

Medicineworld.org: New Article Alert — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:04:38 +0100

Postmenopausal women who have higher testosterone levels appears to be at greater risk of heart disease, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome in comparison to women with lower testosterone levels, as per a newly released study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM). This new information is an important step, say researchers, in understanding the role that hormones play in women's health........ (Source: Medicineworld.org: New Article Alert)

Statins May Prevent Blood Clots In Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Statins may provide potentially life-saving benefits for patients with cardiovascular disease by helping reduce the incidence of blood clots. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Statins May Prevent Blood Clots In Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Statins may provide potentially life-saving benefits for patients with cardiovascular disease by helping reduce the incidence of blood clots. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Postmenopausal Women With Higher Testosterone Levels May Have Increased Health Risks

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Postmenopausal women who have higher testosterone levels may be at greater risk of heart disease, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome compared to women with lower testosterone levels, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Postmenopausal Women With Higher Testosterone Levels May Have Increased Health Risks

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Postmenopausal women who have higher testosterone levels may be at greater risk of heart disease, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome compared to women with lower testosterone levels, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

A Fundamental Secret to Happiness? Get Enough Sleep.

Psychology Today Depression Center — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:42:26 +0100

I’m working on my Happiness Project, and you could have one, too! Everyone’s project will look different, but it’s the rare person who can’t benefit. Join in -- no need to catch up, just jump in right now. I’ve written before about my resolution to Get more sleep, and I’m bringing it up again, because I’m truly convinced that this is one of the first aspects of life to tackle when you start a happiness project. It’s easy to become accustomed to being sleep-deprived, but it’s not good for you. Many researchers argue that not getting enough sleep has broad health consequences, such as raising your risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and even obesity, but in addition to those, it has a profound effect on your happiness. One study showed that a bad night’s sleep was o...

Tiny Heart Pump Helps Treat The Sickest Patients

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Cardiologists at the University of Illinois Medical Center are using a new heart pump that can be inserted without the need for surgery and allows them to treat high-risk patients with a procedure to unblock their heart arteries. The recently FDA-approved device was used to assist in three angioplasty procedures at the Medical Center last week. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Mayo Clinic Proceedings: New Methods Found Useful For Diagnosing Myocarditis

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Myocarditis is an important, and often unrecognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Several new diagnostic methods, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are useful for diagnosing myocarditis, according to a study published in the November 2009 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. "The use of MRI is particularly significant in the diagnosis of patients with myocarditis because it is a standard, noninvasive method," says Leslie Cooper Jr., M.D. (Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today)

Gladstone And Stanford In Collaboration To Develop IPS Cells For Cardiac Therapies

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (GICD) and Stanford University School of Medicine will collaborate in a new consortium funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to develop stem cell and regenerative medicine therapies. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Researchers Identify The Three Killer Indicators That Are Even Worse Than High Cholesterol

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Researchers at the University of Warwick have identified a particular combination of health problems that can double the risk of heart attack and cause a three-fold increase in the risk of mortality. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Postmenopausal women with higher testosterone levels

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(The Endocrine Society) Postmenopausal women who have higher testosterone levels may be at greater risk of heart disease, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome compared to women with lower testosterone levels, according to a new study accepted for publication in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. This new information is an important step, say researchers, in understanding the role that hormones play in women's health. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Charcoal Treats Heart Disease?

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Charcoal may offer a new hope for treating heart disease in patients with kidney disease. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)

UCF research could lead to speech help for Chinese stroke victims

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Khui Phu has survived diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and civil war. Now, the 58-year-old Orlando resident and native of Cambodia is fighting another battle: to regain his ability to speak and understand the several languages he once... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Abbott Completes Acquisition of Evalve, Inc.

World Pharma News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has completed its acquisition of Evalve, Inc., the global leader in the development of devices for minimally invasive repair of mitral valves. The acquisition provides Abbott with a leading presence in the growing area of non-surgical treatment for structural heart disease. (Source: World Pharma News)

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ECG Quantification of Myocardial Scar Does Not Differ between Primary and Secondary Prevention ICD Recipients with Ischemic Heart Disease

Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion:We found no significant difference in QRS score between the ischemic primary and secondary prevention groups. Therefore, a role of the Selvester QRS score as a risk stratifier remains unlikely. (PACE 2009; 1[ndash]6) (Source: Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE)

The Impact of Statins on Health Services Utilization and Mortality in Older Adults Discharged from Hospital with Ischemic Heart Disease: a cohort study.

BMC Health Services Research — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: As the utilization of statins continues to grow, their impact on the health care system will continue to be important. Future studies are needed to continue to ensure that those who would realize significant benefit from the medication receive it. (Source: BMC Health Services Research)

Aspirin May Not Help Prevent Primary Heart Disease

Modern Medicine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The potential benefits and harms of using aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease are too finely balanced for the drug to be recommended for routine use in at-risk patients with no history of cardiovascular disease, according to a study in the November issue of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Is routine aspirin use not advised?

NHS News Feed — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:58:00 +0100

Conclusion This article represents the considered judgment of the DTB based on the existing research evidence and expert opinion. Although steps would have been taken to identify and include the most relevant evidence, some relevant studies may have been missed. The question of whether apparently healthy people should take aspirin as a preventative measure is difficult to answer due to the fine balance between benefits and risks. Treatment guidelines (such as those issued by NICE) are produced based on the best evidence available at the time. These guidelines are revised as new evidence becomes available, and when they are next updated they could potentially come to similar conclusions as those reached in this review. Until then, doctors will continue to make recommendations about taking a...

An experimental heart valve saves a child with H1N1

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:26:11 +0100

The Wall Street Journal features a story about a Children’s Hospital Boston patient with congenital heart disease who was stricken with H1N1 and required a new heart valve. Because the boy was too sick to undergo open-heart surgery, James Lock, MD, led a team that implanted the new valve using a catheter. Lock and Peter Laussen, MD, chief of cardiovascular critical care at Children’s, talk about how H1N1 presents a serious problem for children with heart disease. Last week, a multicenter study led by Children’s reported good preliminary results in 30 patients receiving this catheter-implanted valve, which is threaded up a leg vein to the heart. Related posts:One patient’s story: in utero heart surgery saves a babyOne mother’s story: our baby’s congenit...

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Chest pain

BMJ Online First — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:30:36 +0100

(Source: BMJ Online First)

Health News of the Day

Clinical Cases and Images — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:36:00 +0100

is a daily summary made from the selected links I post on Twitter. It is in a bullet points format with links to the original sources which include 350 RSS feeds that produce about 2,500 items per day:High fructose intake is linked to high blood pressure - 2.5 sugary soft drinks a day is enough to elevate the pressure. Median fructose intake was 74 gm/day (2.5 sugary soft drinks) - associated with a 36% higher risk of having BP equal or greater than 140/90 http://bit.ly/3DUaI030% decline in kidney function was associated with drinking 2 or more diet sodas a day http://bit.ly/4klebAChildren who watch more TV - even those exposed to TV while other people are watching - more likely to be aggressive http://bit.ly/4xXtJ1A diet heavy in processed and fatty foods may increase the risk of depress...

Combining Calcium Scoring And SPECT Imaging Gives More Accurate Read On Patients' Heart Risk

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

By relying solely on a patient's clinical risk profile or the results of one imaging test when assessing patients with chest pain, physicians may be missing important, early signs of atherosclerotic disease and opportunities to intervene, according to new findings published in the November 10, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Human Clinical Study Finds Benefits Linked To XanGo Juice

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

A new study published in Nutrition Journal indicates that XanGo® Juice, a market-leading, premium mangosteen beverage, has lowered levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in overweight and obese people in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Superfood Profile: Discover the Many Health Benefits of Chlorella

NaturalNews.com — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) With the quality of commercially-grown produce declining rapidly, obtaining nutritious fruits and vegetables is not an easy task. Few of us eat enough fruits and vegetables on a daily basis; it's a fact that grows more true with each generation. So how do we answer these issues, knowing the bounty of nutrients we're missing? One solution is chlorella, a green single-cell algae that packs a huge nutritious punch.Chlorella is an astounding package of complete nutrition, considering it is such a simple life form, which is probably why it is often referred to as nature's multivitamin. The synergistic nature of chlorella's nutrients is undeniable. All of its natural properties function together in a way individual supplements can't touch. Chlorella is famous for providing a vast a...

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Chronic Inflammation: Reduce It to Protect Your Health

U.S. News - Health — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:20:00 +0100

Inflammation is linked to diabetes, depression, heart disease, and cancer; what you can do about it. (Source: U.S. News - Health)

ALDH1A2 (RALDH2) genetic variation in human congenital heart disease

BioMed Central — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: In summary, our screen indicates that ALDH1A2 genetic variation is present in TOF patients, suggesting a possible causal role for this gene in rare cases of human CHD, but does not support the hypothesis that variation at the ALDH1A2 locus is a significant modifier of the risk for CHD in humans. (Source: BioMed Central)

Aspirin should not be used to ward off cardiovascular disease

OnMedica Latest News — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Impact on curbing deaths is 'negligible' say authorsRelated items from OnMedicaPolypill could halve cardiovascular events Ignored cholesterol blamed for heart attacksCall for greater use of statinsHospitals fail women with myocardial infarctionNICE should adopt new risk score for heart disease (Source: OnMedica Latest News)

Adverse event rates in congenital cardiac catheterization - A multi-center experience

Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Objectives: To describe case mix variation among institutions, and report adverse event rates in congenital cardiac catheterization by case type. Background: Reported adverse event rates for patients with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac catheterization vary considerably, due to non-comparable standards of data inclusion, and highly variable case mix. Methods: The Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Outcomes Project (C3PO) has been capturing case characteristics and adverse events (AE) for all cardiac catheterizations performed at six pediatric institutions. Validity and completeness of data were independently audited. Results: Between 2/1/07 and 4/30/08, 3855 cases (670 biopsy, 1037 diagnostic, and 2148 interventional) were recorded, median number of cases per site 480 (308 to 1...

Health care professionals' perceptions of hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation in mainland China: an exploratory study

Journal of Clinical Nursing — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion. The current situation of cardiac rehabilitation in hospitals of China is poor with multiple obstacles prohibiting the development of cardiac rehabilitation services in the country and this has resulted in high rates of recurrence of heart attacks, coronary risk factors going undetected and/or untreated and psychological distress being observed among Chinese coronary heart disease patients.Relevance to clinical practice. The findings provide useful pointers for Chinese health professionals to explore ways of providing an effective, safe, convenient and culturally sensitive rehabilitation programme for Chinese patients with coronary heart disease. (Source: Journal of Clinical Nursing)

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Cerebral Microbleeds Are Uncommon in Ischemic Stroke Associated with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

Journal of Neuroimaging — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study examines the prevalence of cerebral microbleeds (MBs) in stroke patients with NVAF. A total of 132 consecutive ischemic stroke patients with NVAF admitted to our Stroke Unit were recruited if complete magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies including T2* imaging had been performed within less than 72 hours. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores were documented and cerebrovascular risk factors were monitored. Among 132 patients (mean age 74.1 ± 9.8 years), only 9 (6.8%) had MBs (mean number 6.2) as detected on T2* MR images. No statistically significant differences between patients without versus with MBs were observed regarding arterial hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and coronary heart disease. However, small vessel disease (SVD) was significantly more freq...

School of Medicine Researchers Discover New Class of Molecules That May Help Prevent Fatal Complications in Patients with Kidney Disease

University of Maryland School of Medicine News Headlines — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have made an important discovery about why potassium builds up to dangerous levels in the bloodstream, a relatively common medical problem that affects about eight percent of hospitalized patients. They have identified a new molecular pathway and a new class of molecules responsible for preventing potassium from being excreted normally through the kidney. Their study was recently published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The researchers hope their discovery will lead to the development of a new class of drugs to treat the condition, known as hyperkalemia, which is caused when patients can’t properly excrete excess potassium. If it is not treated promptly, it can cause fatal cardiac arrest. “We are particularly e...

Chondroitin sulfate expression is required for cardiac atrioventricular canal formation

Developmental Dynamics — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Defects in cardiac valvulogenesis are a common cause of congenital heart disease, and the study of this process promises to provide mechanistic insights and lead to novel therapeutics. Normal valve development involves multiple signaling pathways, and recently roles have been identified for extracellular matrix components, including glycosaminoglycans. We, therefore, explored the role of the glycosaminoglycan chondroitin sulfate during zebrafish cardiac development. Beginning at 33 hr, there is a distinct zone of chondroitin sulfate expression in the atrioventricular (AV) boundary, in the cardiac jelly between the endocardium and myocardium. This expression is both spatially and temporally restricted, and is undetectable after 48 hr. Chemical as well as genetic inhibition of chondroitin sy...

School of Medicine Researchers Discover New Class of Molecules That May Help Prevent Fatal Kidney Disease Complication

University of Maryland School of Medicine News Headlines — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Get Your Dirty, Sexy Plastic Off My Food and Water!

About.com Breast Cancer — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

First it was just bottled water in those bisphenol A (BPA) plastic bottles. We were told not to drink water that "smelled like plastic" or that had sat in sun-warmed bottles. They told us that the BPA in hard plastics could cause prostate and breast cancers, diabetes and heart disease, as well as reproductive problems. BPA is everywhere: baby bottles, toys, and packaging for some microwaveable foods. So now we use BPA-free bottles, toys, and nuke our food in glass containers. That's good! But what if your food is already tainted with BPA plastic? Well, next time you look into a can of beans, soup, tomatoes, or baby formula, check out the inside of the metal can. If it has a white coating on the inner surface, you may be seeing BPA right in there with your food. Now, aside from heating a c...

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Extra heart scan needed to assess heart risk: study

Reuters: Health — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:39:00 +0100

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A person's long-term risk of heart disease is better assessed by a pair of studies, as performing only one may miss a dangerous buildup of calcium in arteries, U.S. researchers said on Monday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Extra Heart Scan Needed to Assess Heart Risk

MedlinePlus Health News — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:32:42 +0100

A person's long-term risk of heart disease is better assessed by a pair of studies, as performing only one may miss a dangerous buildup of calcium in arteries, U.S. researchers said on Monday. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Topics: CT Scans, Heart Diseases, Nuclear Scans (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Charcoal may help heart of kidney patients

Health News - UPI.com — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:11:19 +0100

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Charcoal may provide a new approach to managing the high rate of heart disease in patients with advanced kidney disease, U.S. researchers said. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: Findings From the Heart and Soul Study

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:05:22 +0100

Conclusions Among patients with heart disease, PTSD is more strongly associated with patient-reported cardiovascular health status than objective measures of cardiac function. Future studies should explore whether assessing and treating PTSD symptoms can improve function and quality of life in patients with heart disease. (Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: Findings From the Heart and Soul Study [Original Article]

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:05:22 +0100

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How Your Child Will Die

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:08:37 +0100

Odds are, sooner or later, your child will die of coronary artery disease (CAD) - fatty deposits in the arteries. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for Americans - strokes are third - and the large majority of both are due to CAD. Diabetes - which shares risk factors with CAD - is the sixth leading cause of death.The bad news - Americans' death rate is higher than most comparable economically advanced (and even several developing) countries. The good news - Americans' death rates are declining. More bad news, younger Americans are rapidly developing their risk profiles for CAD and diabetes, with as yet uncalculated results.White Americans have a significantly lower death rate than African Americans. Americans' infant mortality rate (<1 year) is quite high compared with othe...

Comprehensive First-trimester Prenatal Assessment

NeoReviews recent issues — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:01:26 +0100

Comprehensive first-trimester pregnancy evaluation is a work in progress. The evolution of screening strategies has distilled a combination of maternal factors, early pregnancy analytes in maternal serum, and fetal sonographic parameters into carefully derived risk assessment algorithms. This integrated approach, almost continually supplemented by new information derived from large population-based studies, individualizes assessment to each mother-placenta-fetus triad. Early and accurate, this assessment potentiates informed decision-making and prenatal management. Invasive testing can be limited to those at high risk, decreasing procedure-related losses of unaffected fetuses. Advance warning of preeclampsia and other placenta-based disorders allows stratification of care and opens new win...

Prof Nutt's dangerous drug list

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:58:00 +0100

How harmful are the drugs on the list drawn up by the ousted government drugs adviser and his colleagues?Professor David Nutt was last week forced to resign from his role as chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Research by Nutt and his colleagues, published in the medical journal the Lancet in 2007, rates the following as the most dangerous drugs (They are listed in descending order from the most harmful and all figures are for England and Wales in 2008 unless stated otherwise):1. HeroinClass A drug. Originally used as a painkiller and derived from the opium poppy. There were 897 deaths recorded from heroin and morphine use in 2008 in England and Wales, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). There were around 13,000 seizures amounting to 1.6m tonnes of he...

Exercise, stress and heart risks

NHS News Feed — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:01:00 +0100

Conclusion The findings from this research may have implications for the management of people with coronary artery disease but have little relevance to the general population, who were not the subject of this research. The research also has limitations that affect the interpretation of its results, even within people with coronary heart disease: This is an observational study that did not randomise people when assigning them to the different experimental groups. This means that the results could have been caused by imbalances between these groups and not by the exercise programme itself. As such, this research should be considered as useful in generating an initial hypothesis. The optimal study design to investigate whether exercise reduces mortality and what role stress plays in thi...

Smoking bans cut overall heart disease risk

American Medical News - PROFESSION — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

An IOM report highlights how reducing secondhand smoke can lower threats to cardiovascular health. (Source: American Medical News - PROFESSION)

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Can Charcoal Fight Heart Disease In Kidney Patients?

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Charcoal may provide a new approach to managing the high rate of heart disease in patients with advanced kidney disease, according to preliminary research presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Invention That Revolutionized Coronary Artery Disease Treatment Ears Honour For UT Alumnus

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Back in the 1970s, while watching an angioplasty to widen clogged coronary arteries, John Simpson, Ph.D., M.D., thought there had to be an easier way to perform the procedure. There was, and Simpson, who trained at The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston (GSBS), invented the medical device to do it. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Need For Gender-Specific Research Highlighted at Women And Cardiovascular Health Conference

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death for women worldwide, killing more than 8.6 million, more than the total number who die from cancer, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. However, the risk for women is largely under-estimated, by both the general population and often by the medical profession itself. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Fraudulent "Smart Choices" food labeling program crumbles as food manufacturers flee scrutiny (opinion)

NaturalNews.com — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:00:00 +0100

This report from Yale University researchers details the marketing of sugary cereals to children: http://www.cerealfacts.org/media/Cereal_FACTS_Report.pdfBe sure to watch the movie Food, Inc.: http://www.foodincmovie.com/You'll find the trailer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0 (Source: NaturalNews.com)

Human clinical study finds benefits linked to XanGo® Juice

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

This study also suggests that XanGo Juice has healthful properties for weight management. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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What do halloween, the NY marathon and chocolate have in common?

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:47:25 +0100

The connnection between halloween and chocolate is pretty obvious, but where does a marathon fit in? To understand this connection you may have to have been where I was today, at the race in Central Park, watching runners lurch toward the finish line. "It's the best drug I've ever had," one runner said to me after the race. "What, the runner's high?" I asked? "No, all the people clapping and cheering, for hours, he said. "I've never felt so deeply connected to the human race."Cleary a part of the thrill of the race is a sense of increased status, of being noticed and appreciated by so many people, which as I wrote about recently, is deeply rewarding for the brain. It was amazing to see how many people went to a lot of effort to spend their whole day cheering on complete strangers - shoutin...

Transfusion and mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention

European Heart Journal — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:07:06 +0100

Conclusion Transfusion is associated with 90-day mortality in acute myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Although transfusion may be causally related to mortality, it is likely that at least part of the association is due to confounding. This association illustrates the complex relationship between transfusion, bleeding, and mortality and underscores the need for further research to understand the relationship between transfusion and clinical outcomes. (Source: European Heart Journal)

The relationship between body mass index, treatment, and mortality in patients with established coronary artery disease: a report from APPROACH

European Heart Journal — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:07:06 +0100

Conclusion A paradoxical association between BMI and survival exists in patients with established CAD irrespective of treatment strategy. Patients with obesity may be presenting earlier and receiving more aggressive treatment compared with those with normal BMI. (Source: European Heart Journal)

The Healthy Steps Study: A randomized controlled trial of a pedometer-based Green Prescription for older adults: Trial protocol

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

DiscussionThe findings from the Healthy Steps trial are due in late 2009. If successful in improving physical activity in older adults, the pedometer-based Green Prescription could assist in reducing utilisation of health services and improve cardiovascular health and reduction of risk for a range of non-communicable lifestyles diseases. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

micr'> Micro Management Understanding How Diesel Exhaust Particles Alter Cellular Processes Scientists have known for decades that people living in cities are more susceptible to certain respiratory diseases than are their countryside counterparts. But they haven�t been able to explain why one urbanite develops severe asthma while his neighbor breathing the same city air has healthy lungs. Now researchers are beginning to solve that riddle as they delve into epigenetics, the emerging science of how environmental factors alter gene expression [EHP 117:1745�1751; Jardim et al.]. This new study focuses on airborne particulate matter, which has long been linked with respiratory disease. Emissions from diesel engines are a prominent source of particulate matter, and diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a likely carcinogen. DEP also has been associated with several respiratory disorders including pulmonary inflammation, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The authors speculated that pulmonary inflammation due to DEP exposure could be the result of altered microRNA (miRNA) expression, or activation, in cells lining the respiratory tract. MiRNAs are small molecules that regulate gene expression. Studies have connected aberrant miRNA expression with several diseases including cancer, heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and congenital organ defects. Few studies, though, have examined whether exposures to environmental contaminants alter miRNA expression. The authors studied miRNA expression in bronchial epithelial cells, one of the first targets of inhaled particulates. They collected the cells from the airways of healthy, nonsmoking adults and cultured them in a novel air�liquid interface in which differentiated cells were exposed on one side to air, mimicking the environment of the human airway. DEP generated by a diesel automobile engine was suspended in a liquid that was poured on the cell culture. MiRNA expression changed significantly following DEP exposure. Expression increased in many of the miRNAs and decreased in others. Software identified interrelations between the expression of different miRNAs to assess whether the pattern of up- and down-regulation was consistent with specific biologic pathways. The authors report that pathways involved in inflammation and tumorigenicity are implicated by the patterns they observed. Earlier studies have shown that DEP prompts the release of several proinflammatory immunoregulatory proteins called cytokines. The authors of the current study suggest this response may be at least partly regulated by changes in the pattern of miRNA expression. The authors believe these alterations may be the first steps toward respiratory disease, and they predict future studies will provide a clearer picture of how expression patterns relate to disease. Cynthia Washam writes for EHP, Oncology Times, and other science and medical publications from South Florida.

Science Selections from EHP — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

micr"> Micro Management Understanding How Diesel Exhaust Particles Alter Cellular Processes Scientists have known for decades that people living in cities are more susceptible to certain respiratory diseases than are their countryside counterparts. But they haven�t been able to explain why one urbanite develops severe asthma while his neighbor breathing the same city air has healthy lungs. Now researchers are beginning to solve that riddle as they delve into epigenetics, the emerging science of how environmental factors alter gene expression [EHP 117:1745�1751; Jardim et al.]. This new study focuses on airborne particulate matter, which has long been linked with respiratory disease. Emissions from diesel engines are a prominent source of particulate matter, and diesel exhaust partic...

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youa'> You Are Where You Live The Interrelationship of Air Pollution, Address, and Walkability Exposure to air pollution adversely affects human health by triggering or exacerbating a number of conditions such as asthma and heart disease. Likewise, physical inactivity has been linked to negative health consequences including heart disease and diabetes. Now for the first time a new study offers a quantitative analysis of the intersection between neighborhood �walkability��or how conducive the neighborhood is to walking�and exposure to air pollutants [EHP 117:1752�1759; Marshall et al.]. man walking in Vancouver, British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia image: � Philip and Karen Smith/Getty Images The authors analyzed concentration estimates of nitric oxide (NO), a marker of fresh vehicle exhaust, and ozone (O3), a secondary pollutant formed in the atmosphere from vehicle emissions and other pollutants. Concentrations were estimated for the months of May�September. The authors then compared those levels against neighborhood walkability scores, which they calculated for 89% of the postal codes in Vancouver, British Columbia (the average postal code for the city comprises 39 people or 0.05 km2). Walkability scores were calculated based on residential density, intersection density, retail floor-area, and land-use mix of the postal code area. The study did not measure people�s daily exercise levels or their exposure to air pollution�both of which may vary within a neighborhood and even within a single household. The authors report that lower-income areas tended to have higher walkability scores and lower O3 concentrations than did higher-income areas, but had higher NO concentrations. That finding reflects the tendency of lower-income areas to fall in busier urban areas whereas middle-income areas tend to fall farther from the city center. �Sweet spot� neighborhoods with high walkability and low pollution tended to be located near but not at the city center. They typically featured highly connected streets, mixed land uses, sidewalks, and an absence of large parking lots; they also tended to be in higher-income areas. �Sour spot� neighborhoods with high pollution and low walkability tended to be located far from the city center. The findings indicate that walkable urban settings can offer health benefits but may also come with health costs when exposure to air pollution is considered. The authors write that high NO exposure may occur in low-income areas and in areas where walking, biking, and other forms of �active transportation� are encouraged, and that strategies are required to mitigate exposure to high concentrations of air pollutants. This type of analysis could be used to monitor changes over time in future urban development and redevelopment projects. Tanya Tillett, MA, of Durham, North Carolina, is a writer/editor for EHP. She has been with EHP since 2000 and has represented the journal at national and international conferences. spacer | Purchase This Issue |

Science Selections from EHP — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

youa"> You Are Where You Live The Interrelationship of Air Pollution, Address, and Walkability Exposure to air pollution adversely affects human health by triggering or exacerbating a number of conditions such as asthma and heart disease. Likewise, physical inactivity has been linked to negative health consequences including heart disease and diabetes. Now for the first time a new study offers a quantitative analysis of the intersection between neighborhood �walkability��or how conducive the neighborhood is to walking�and exposure to air pollutants [EHP 117:1752�1759; Marshall et al.]. Vancouver, British Columbia image: � Philip and Karen Smith/Getty Images The authors analyzed concentration estimates of nitric oxide (NO), a marker of fresh vehicle exhaust, and ozone (O3), ...

Electrogram Fractionation due to Subepicardial Fibrosis is Undetectable on Endocardial Mapping

Heart Rhythm — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The right ventricular subepicardium is the primary location of fibrofatty replacement in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and is thought to be the source of right precordial ST-segment elevation in Brugada syndrome. Although structural heart disease is an exclusion criterion for Brugada syndrome, clinically undetectable structural abnormalities have been suggested to play a role in a subset of Brugada patients. Fractionation of local electrograms is then expected but has only rarely been observed in endocardial mapping studies of Brugada patients. We hypothesized that structural changes limited to subepicardial tissue, in combination with sodium channel inhibition, can cause ST-segment changes in right precordial ECG leads and fractionation in epicardial electrograms but not...

Coupling of Isolated Adult Rabbit Ventricular Myocytes to Fibroblasts Under Stress Induces Afterdepolarizations

Heart Rhythm — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is the most lethal cardiac arrhythmia, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. VF occurs most commonly in the presence of markedly increased tissue fibrosis, as seen in aging or heart disease. We hypothesize that electrotonic coupling of ventricular myocytes to fibroblasts under stress can augment stress effects to impair myocyte repolarization reserve and promote the emergence of known VF triggers such as early afterdepolarizations (EADs) and triggered activity. (Source: Heart Rhythm)

Efficacy and Safety of Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Elderly Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Heart Rhythm — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Control of recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an important determinant of quality of life in patients with implantable defibrillators. The role of invasive catheter ablation for this purpose in elderly patients with ischemic heart disease has not been defined. (Source: Heart Rhythm)

Patients with Increasing Over Time Intracardiac Repolarization Lability Experience a Greater Increase in Their Probability of Having Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia

Heart Rhythm — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

It is known that elevated at baseline intracardiac repolarization lability increases the risk of life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT/VF) in patients with structural heart disease. We hypothesize that patients with increasing over 6 months period beat-to-beat QT variability experience a greater increase in their probability of having VT/VF than those with decreasing or stable low intracardiac repolarization lability. (Source: Heart Rhythm)

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Cleft extension and risks of other birth defects in children with isolated cleft palate.

Acta Odontologica Scandinavica — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. The length of the iCP was found to influence the risk of having another birth defect as the total palatal clefts were more often combined with other birth defects compared to partial clefts. Careful medical check-ups are important for newborns with iCP since they have increased risks of other birth defects. PMID: 19878042 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Odontologica Scandinavica)

Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy on endothelial function and inflammatory markers in patients with coronary heart disease.

Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Pizzi C, Mancini S, Angeloni L, Fontana F, Manzoli L, Costa GM We investigated the effect of sertraline on inflammation and endothelial function in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and symptoms of depression. One hundred patients with CHD and depression were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive sertraline or a placebo. We measured symptoms of depression (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score), levels of inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)), and flow-dependent endothelium-mediated dilation (FMD) before and after 20 weeks of treatment. Sertraline treatment significantly reduced the BDI score as compared with both baseline and placebo. Levels of CRP and IL-6 also decreased after 20 weeks of sertraline treatment, whereas the...

Insulin like growth factor binding protein-1 phosphorylation status in subjects with and without ischemic heart disease

Atherosclerosis — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Insulin like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) modulates the activity of IGF-1. It exists in plasma as phosphorylated and less phosphorylated forms. We wished to study the serum levels of these forms of IGFBP-1, using a novel assay, in subjects with and without ischemic heart disease (IHD). (Source: Atherosclerosis)

Risk prediction in coronary heart disease and other conditions: current uncertainties and future opportunities

Atherosclerosis — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Risk prediction models are used to estimate individuals’ likelihood of future disease. Taking into account factors such as personal and family history, lifestyle, physical examination findings, and genetic and molecular biomarkers, risk prediction models apply a mathematical algorithm to estimate the risk of developing a particular outcome. Many models already exist, for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and breast cancer. (Source: Atherosclerosis)

The kif6 719arg allele is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease among males in the welcome trust case control consortium study of coronary heart disease

Atherosclerosis — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Carriers of the KIF6 719Arg allele, compared with noncarriers, have a higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in several prospective studies and in the placebo groups of two randomized trials of pravastatin. In these trials, pravastatin treatment ameliorated the risk associated with 719Arg allele. In the Welcome Trust Case-Control Consortium (WTCCC) CHD study, although no association was observed between the 719Arg allele and CHD, a significant association between the 719Arg allele and CHD was observed in a sex-differentiated test. In order to investigate this sex-differentiated association, we analyzed the association between the KIF6 polymorphism and CHD by comparing carriers of the 719Arg allele with noncarriers separately among males and females of the WTCCC CHD study. Among female...

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Prediction of coronary heart disease risk in a general, pre-diabetic, and diabetic population during 10 years of follow-up: accuracy of the Framingham, SCORE, and UKPDS risk functions: The Hoorn Study.

Diabetes Care — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:28:20 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Framingham function for prediction of the first CHD event is likely to overestimate an individual's absolute CHD risk. In CHD prevention, application of the SCORE and UKPDS functions might be useful in the absence of a more valid tool. PMID: 19875606 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Diabetes Care)

Hybrid ablation therapy effective for persistent AF

MedWire News - Cardiology — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:51:11 +0100

Treatment with combined pulmonary vein isolation and substrate modification is effective for treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation in patients with valvular heart disease, say Chinese researchers. (Source: MedWire News - Cardiology)

Surgical improvement of hepatic venous mixing to resolve systemic arterial hypoxemia associated with post-Fontan pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae.

Texas Heart Institute Journal — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:32:03 +0100

We present our rationale for selected redirection of the conduit and discuss other surgical options that can improve hypoxemia that is associated with pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae. PMID: 19876435 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Texas Heart Institute Journal)

[Mid-term results of surgical radiofrequency ablation for permanent atrial fibrillation.]

Turk Kardiyoloji Dernegi arsivi — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:30:03 +0100

CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation is increasingly performed for the treatment of AF, yielding more successful results. PMID: 19875905 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Turk Kardiyoloji Dernegi arsivi)

Tissue Doppler evaluation of the effects of major lung resection on cardiac functions.

Turk Kardiyoloji Dernegi arsivi — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:30:03 +0100

CONCLUSION: Findings of our study suggest that systolic functions are preserved but diastolic functions are affected after major lung resection in a relatively short time period. PMID: 19875904 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Turk Kardiyoloji Dernegi arsivi)

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$75 Million Awarded To Charles Drew University And Three Other Historically Black Institutions

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

The National Institutes of Health has awarded $75 million to Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science and three other historically black institutions to establish a medical research consortium to combat health disparities in minority and underserved populations. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Can charcoal fight heart disease in kidney patients?

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0100

(American Society of Nephrology) Charcoal may provide a new approach to managing the high rate of heart disease in patients with advanced kidney disease, according to preliminary research being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, Calif. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Micro-positron emission tomography in the evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi-induced heart disease: Comparison with other modalities.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:42:13 +0100

Authors: Prado CM, Fine EJ, Koba W, Zhao D, Rossi MA, Tanowitz HB, Jelicks LA Noninvasive assessment of cardiac structure and function is essential to understand the natural course of murine infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiography have been used to monitor anatomy and function; positron emission tomography (PET) is ideal for monitoring metabolic events in the myocardium. Mice infected with T. cruzi (Brazil strain) were imaged 15-100 days post infection (dpi). Quantitative (18)F-FDG microPET imaging, MRI and echocardiography were performed and compared. Tracer ((18)F-FDG) uptake was significantly higher in infected mice at all days of infection, from 15 to 100 dpi. Dilatation of the right ventricular chamber was observed by MRI from 30 to ...

Nitroglycerin Prescription and Potency in Patients Participating in Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The prescription of nitroglycerin is frequently omitted in patients with coronary heart disease. Those who are prescribed nitroglycerin frequently carry a potentially subpotent medication. Education is necessary for both patients and physicians. The findings have implications for counseling patients who are enrolled in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs. PMID: 19887953 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention)

Physician Clinical Information Technology and Health Care Disparities

Medical Care Research and Review — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:37:39 +0100

The authors develop a conceptual framework regarding how information technology (IT) can alter within-physician disparities, and they empirically test some of its implications in the context of coronary heart disease. Using a random experiment on 256 primary care physicians, the authors analyze the relationships between three IT functions (feedback and two types of clinical decision support) and five process-of-care measures. Endogeneity is addressed by eliminating unobserved patient characteristics with vignettes and by proxying for omitted physician characteristics. The results indicate that IT has no effects on physicians’ diagnostic certainty and treatment of vignette patients overall. The authors find that treatment and certainty differ by patient age, gender, and race. Consiste...

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Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis

Journal of Medical Genetics — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:02:04 +0100

Conclusions: Revised diagnostic criteria are proposed. ECCL is considered to differ from Proteus syndrome in particular, but oculoectodermal syndrome is possibly a mild variant. Pathogenetically, mosaicism for a mutated autosomal gene involved in multiple mesenchymal tumours and vasculogenesis, with or without a second hit event, is discussed. (Source: Journal of Medical Genetics)

Folic Acid – What's It All About?

Journal of midwifery & women's health — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:10:14 +0100

Folic acid is a B vitamin. The body uses folic acid to help make red blood cells and other new cells. The folic acid found naturally in food is sometimes called “folate.” People who do not get enough folic acid in their diet can get anemia—their blood does not carry oxygen well, and they feel tired and weak. Not having enough folic acid can also increase the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, and stroke. (Source: Journal of midwifery & women's health)

Women and Ischemic Heart Disease: Evolving Knowledge

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:04:32 +0100

Researchers have found a pathophysiological explanation for the paradoxical differences in heart disease between men and women, and developed therapeutic strategies for improving outcome in women. Journal of the American College of Cardiology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Cardiac resynchronization therapy upgrade in a patient with dextrocardia and situs inversus

Europace — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:49:34 +0100

We report a case of upgrade of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator to a resynchronization device, in a patient with dextrocardia and situs inversus. The procedure was successfully performed without complication, using a conventional approach and standard equipment. (Source: Europace)

New Guidance On Diabetes And Depression

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published guidance on the treatment and management of depression in adults with chronic physical health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Chinese nurses' perceptions of heart health issues facing women in China: a focus group study.

The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:04:44 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Heart disease, as a significant health issue for women in China, is underappreciated among Chinese nurses. PMID: 19858947 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing)

Expectations, anxiety, depression, and physical health status as predictors of recovery in open-heart surgery patients.

The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:04:28 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Statistical analysis revealed that anxiety (P = .002) and depression (P = .026) scores decreased postoperatively. Significant relationships were found among the preoperative and postoperative variables: expectations, anxiety, depression, and PHS. Analyses also found that preoperative expectations, anxiety, depression, and PHS contributed 38% of the variance of postoperative PHS (P < .001). However, the postoperative variables were not significant predictors of postoperative PHS (P = .075). The findings support the need for interventions to assist patients in developing realistic expectations and for clinicians to screen patients for anxiety and depression before and after surgery. Future research needs to measure PHS at various times postoperatively to identify continued li...

[Editorial] UK to develop a national strategy for liver disease

LANCET — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

On Oct 20, the UK Government announced it will appoint a new Clinical Director to lead the development and implementation of a national strategy for liver disease. In the UK, liver disease is the fifth largest cause of death after cardiovascular, cancer, stroke, and respiratory diseases. Over the past 30 years mortality from liver disease in young and middle-aged people has increased at least six times, with liver admissions and deaths both rising at 8–10% a year. By 2012, the UK is expected to have the highest liver disease death rates in Europe, and without action to tackle the disease, it could overtake stroke and coronary heart disease as a leading cause of death within the next 10–20 years. Coupled with the substantial burden of morbidity and huge economic cost from liver-related ...

[Obituary] Obituary: Joel D Weisman

LANCET — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Physician who helped alert world to HIV/AIDS. Born in Newark, NJ, USA, on Feb 20, 1943, he died of heart disease in Los Angeles, CA, USA, on July 18, 2009, aged 66 years. (Source: LANCET)

Increase in NHS obesity admissions

NeLM - Surgery — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Source: BBC Health News Area: News According to a BBC Health news report, the number of people being treated for conditions related to obesity has risen dramatically, partly due to bariatric surgery now being more widely available on the NHS. The figures from the NHS Information Centre for England show an annual rise of 60% in conditions linked to obesity and a 360% increase on 5 years ago. In 2008-2009, there were 8085 admissions for obesity in England, more than half of these were for surgery, the other half for the treatment of diseases caused by obesity, including for breathing problems, type 2 diabetes, circulation or organ failure, or heart disease. These latter admissions had increased year on year, although the figures are still relatively small, accounting for 3839 of 14.2 millio...

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RCT: Tailored practice and patient care plans on secondary prevention of heart disease in general practice

NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Source: BMJ Area: News A RCT conducted at general practices in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has tested the effectiveness of an intervention designed to improve outcomes for patients with coronary heart disease. The two regions have different healthcare systems: the Republic has a mixed healthcare system and Northern Ireland is served by the UK NHS. The study involved 903 patients with established coronary heart disease registered with one of 48 practices. Their practices were randomised to provide usual care (control practices) or the intervention. The intervention consisted of tailored care plans for practices (i.e. practice based training in prescribing and behaviour change, administrative support, quarterly newsletter), and tailored care plans for ...

ACE inhibitors beneficial for ischemic heart disease with preserved LV

MedWire News - Cardiology — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Adding an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor to standard medical therapy improves clinical outcomes in patients with stable ischemic heart disease and preserved left ventricular function, results of a systematic review show. (Source: MedWire News - Cardiology)

Chronic hyperhomocysteinemia impairs vascular function in ovariectomized rat carotid arteries.

Amino Acids — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, our findings show that severe HHCy can promote an acute decrease in the endothelium-independent contractile responses of carotid arteries to adrenergic agonists. This effect was restored by nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, which further supports the involvement of nitric oxide in HHcy-derived vascular dysfunction. PMID: 19876715 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids)

Lupus patients face heightened risk of heart disease

Arthritis Research Campaign — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

A new study has shown that people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may face a more than twofold increased risk of cardiovascular disease. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)

Early Age at Menarche Associated with Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Early age at menarche (before age 12 yr) was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease events, cardiovascular disease mortality, and overall mortality in women, and this association appeared to be only partly mediated by increased adiposity. PMID: 19880785 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism)

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Arsenic in public water supplies and cardiovascular mortality in Spain.

Environmental Research — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: In this ecological study, elevated low-to-moderate arsenic concentrations in drinking water were associated with increased cardiovascular mortality at the municipal level. Prospective cohort studies with individual measures of arsenic exposure, standardized cardiovascular outcomes, and adequate adjustment for confounders are needed to confirm these ecological findings. Our study, however, reinforces the need to implement arsenic remediation treatments in water supply systems above the World Health Organization safety standard of 10mug/L. PMID: 19880104 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Environmental Research)

Unveiling the causes of heart disease in China

Heart — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:26:16 +0100

(Source: Heart)

Real-time three dimensional echocardiography: current and future clinical applications

Heart — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:26:16 +0100

(Source: Heart)

Lupus linked to heart disease

Reuters: Health — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:51:17 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a more than twofold increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Clinical study on protective effect of Xinmaitong capsule on damage of vascular endothelial cellson damage of vascular endothelial cells

Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:59:11 +0100

Conclusion: Thereis a severs damage of vascular endothelial cells (VEC) in patients of coronary heart disease. XMT could not only reduce significantly the plasma ET content, but also enhance markesdly the production and release of CGRP, so it has a good anti-ischemic effect, which may be closely correlated with its action on improving the function of VEC and regulating metabolism of ET and CGRP. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlesDOI 10.1007/BF02935394Authors Qiu Ruixiang, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences The First Affiliated Hospital 510089 GuangzhouHe Jingbo, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences The First Affiliated Hospital 510089 GuangzhouLan Jun, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences The First Affiliated Hospital 510089 Guangzhou ...

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A Recovery for Americans’ Mental Health

Psychology Today Depression Center — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:53:24 +0100

As Congress and the administration consider a new stimulus, they need to repair the recession's damage to Americans' mental health. We are seeing what we've known for decades: job losses and economic uncertainty increase the rate of psychiatric symptoms, the rate for suicide and the demand for mental health services. Calls this year to suicide crisis lines have increased sharply, with a large percentage linked to economic distress. A just released national survey found that jobless Americans are four times more likely than those with jobs to report severe levels of psychiatric symptoms. They also are four times more likely to have thought of killing themselves. Even those who have full-time employment but who were forced to make a job change during the last year are affected. This group is...

Lupus Linked to Heart Disease

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:51:17 +0100

People with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a more than twofold increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Topics: Heart Diseases, Lupus (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Low vitamin D tied to heart, stroke deaths

Reuters: Health — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:09:33 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Low vitamin D levels in the body may be deadly, according to a new study hinting that adults with lower, versus higher, blood levels of vitamin D may be more likely to die from heart disease or stroke. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Effect of tailored practice and patient care plans on secondary prevention of heart disease in general practice: cluster randomised controlled trial

BMJ Online First — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:05:20 +0100

Conclusions Admissions to hospital were significantly reduced after an intensive 18 month intervention to improve outcomes for patients with coronary heart disease, but no other clinical benefits were shown, possibly because of a ceiling effect related to improved management of the disease. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN24081411. (Source: BMJ Online First)

Low Vitamin D Tied to Heart, Stroke Deaths

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:09:33 +0100

Low vitamin D levels in the body may be deadly, according to a new study hinting that adults with lower, versus higher, blood levels of vitamin D may be more likely to die from heart disease or stroke. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Topics: Heart Diseases, Stroke, Vitamins (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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A Decade Later, Lifestyle Changes or Metformin Still Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk

National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:11:00 +0100

Intensive lifestyle changes aimed at modest weight loss reduced the rate of developing type 2 diabetes by 34 percent compared with placebo in people at high risk for the disease, researchers conclude based on 10 years of data. Participants randomly assigned to make lifestyle changes also had more favorable cardiovascular risk factors, including lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels, despite taking fewer drugs to control their heart disease risk, according to the study. (Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases)

NICE Issues Guidance For Adults With Depression And Chronic Physical Health Problems

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0100

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published guidance on the treatment and management of depression in adults with chronic physical health problems. Chronic physical health problems such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes can have a serious impact on an individual's psychological wellbeing. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Statins Show Dramatic Drug And Cell Dependent Effects In The Brain

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Besides their tremendous value in treating high cholesterol and lowering the risk of heart disease, statins have also been reported to potentially lower the risks of other diseases, such as dementia. However, a study in the October Journal of Lipid Research finds that similar statin drugs can have profoundly different effects on brain cells - both beneficial and detrimental. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Gladstone Scientists Receive $10 Million To Identify Genetic Cause Of Congenital Heart Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (GICD) will receive $10 million over the next 6 years to find the genetic causes of congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease affects 1 percent of all children and often leads to death or long-term illness. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New CVD Guidelines And Position Papers

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Several new guidelines and position papers offering the most up to date information to ensure that clinicians practice evidence-based medicine were released at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009 this week. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Heart Patients Running The Red Light On Traffic Restrictions

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

More than half of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) don't get any counselling on their ability to drive after angioplasty - and this could be putting lives in danger, Dr. Ravi Bajaj told the 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Ezetimibe Makes Atorvastatin More Efficient In Lowering Lipids In Men And Women Age 65 And Older

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Adding ezetimibe to atorvastatin significantly boosted the attainment of lipid targets as specified by both Canadian and European guidelines in elderly patients aged 65 and older and the combination produced superior results than simply increasing the dose of atorvastatin alone, Dr. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

For Some Of Canada's Teens Puberty Is A Gateway To Heart Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

A seven-year ongoing study examining over 20,000 Canadian grade 9 students shows most already have at least one major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, Dr. Brian McCrindle told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Quality Improvement Program Increases Hospitals' Adherence To Evidenced-Based Care, Reduces Gender-, Age-Related Disparities

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Participation in the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines® quality improvement program significantly improves hospitals' adherence to evidence-based therapies and reduces gender- and age-related disparities in the care of coronary artery disease patients, according to research rep (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Organic transplant horrors: Diseased organs routinely implanted into donation recipients

NaturalNews.com — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) Matthew Millington, 31, was an Iraq war veteran who served in the British army. Suffering from an unspecified "serious long condition", doctors told him he would be dead in two years unless he underwent a lung transplant. With tens of thousands of people world-wide awaiting organ transplants, the young man was one of the "lucky" patients who soon received his lungs from a donor. The problem was he was given lungs riddled with a fast growing cancer -- and Millington died less than 10 months after his operation. This is just a horrible, rare, mistake right? Not necessarily, according to a warning just issued by the UK health service. It specifically lists other examples of diseased and damaged organs being inappropriatedly donated for transplantion -- in addition to cancer, the...

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Onset Medical Performs First Human Use Of The SoloPath™ Endovascular Access Catheter To Deliver Percutaneous Aortic Heart Valve

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Onset Medical Corporation announced the first human usage of its SoloPathTM Endovascular Access Catheter in a case performed by Eberhard Grube MD, Chief, Department of Cardiology/Angiology, Helios Heart Center, Siegburg in Germany. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Phytochemicals in plant-based foods could help battle obesity, disease

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The cheeseburger and French fries might look tempting, but eating a serving of broccoli or leafy greens first could help people battle metabolic processes that lead to obesity and heart disease, a new University of Florida study shows. Eating more plant-... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Contributions of Ion Channel Currents to Ventricular Action Potential Changes and Induction of Early Afterdepolarizations During Acute Hypoxia.

Circulation Research — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: EADs occur predominantly because of the increased sensitivity of ICa-L to beta-AR stimulation during hypoxia. beta-AR stimulation is necessary to induce EADs as EADs are never observed during hypoxia in the absence of beta-AR stimulation. PMID: 19875728 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation Research)

Rennes University Hospital Begins SynCardia Certification Training For The Total Artificial Heart

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:00:00 +0100

On Oct. 26 & 27, the surgical team from Rennes University Hospital, led by Dr. Erwan Flecher and Prof. Jean-Philippe Verhoye, completed the first phase of certification training for the SynCardia temporary CardioWest™ Total Artificial Heart in Paris. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Medication adherence in COPD: what have we learned?

Thorax — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:02:09 +0100

(Source: Thorax)

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Twenty four risk factors responsible for nearly half of annual deaths, says WHO

BMJ Online First — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:49:08 +0100

(Source: BMJ Online First)

Long-term heart disease

BHF National News — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100

We believe heart patients with depression need better diagnosis and treatment (Source: BHF National News)

Migraines linked to stroke risk

NHS News Feed — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:31:00 +0100

Women taking the pill are more at risk of a stroke, the Daily Express has warned. The paper reports new research that shows that women who suffer from migraines double their risk if they take the pill. Several news sources have covered this research, although each has focused on different aspects of its findings. The study behind these stories is a systematic review analysis of studies that estimated the association between migraine, stroke and events such as heart attacks. The research found that any type of migraine was associated with stroke but not other events. Migraines with aura (visual distortions, such as seeing flashing lights) were responsible for this link, as highlighted in the BBC’s coverage. The study’s authors advise that being under 45, female, smoking or a user of o...

Journal Scan: Omega-3 Augmentation of Sertraline in Treatment of Depression in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial (JAMA 2009;302:1651-1657.)

Cardiosource — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:51:59 +0100

This was a randomized controlled trial conducted between May 2005 and December 2008. Patients with major depression and CHD were randomized to 2 g/d of omega-3 acid ethyl esters (930 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and 750 mg of docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) or placebo. All patients were on 50 mg/d . . . (Source: Cardiosource)