MedWorm: Heart Disease

Titin Diversity—Alternative Splicing Gone Wild

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0100

Titin is an extremely large protein found in highest concentrations in heart and skeletal muscle. The single mammalian gene is expressed in multiple isoforms as a result of alternative splicing. Although titin isoform expression is controlled developmentally and in a tissue specific manner, the vast number of potential splicing pathways far exceeds those described in any other alternatively spliced gene. Over 1 million human splice pathways for a single individual can be potentially derived from the PEVK region alone. A new splicing pattern for the human cardiac N2BA isoform type has been found in which the PEVK region includes only the N2B type exons. The alterations in splicing and titin isoform expression in human heart disease provide impetus for future detailed study of the splicing m...

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[Myocardial necrosis and severe biventricular dysfunction in the context of chronic ephedrine abuse.]

Adicciones — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:48:05 +0100

We present the case of a patient, with pre-existing psychiatric conditions, who developed congestive heart failure and pulmonary oedema in the context of severe biventricular dysfunction and myocardial necrosis secondary to longstanding ephedrine abuse. Secondary causes of dilated myocardiopathy such as alcohol abuse, autoimmunity, hemochromatosis, thyroid alterations, viral or bacterial myocarditis and coronary heart disease, were ruled out. Five years after total cessation of use of the drug containing ephedrine, the patient is symptom-free, with partial recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction. PMID: 20300711 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Adicciones)

Mad Honey Toxicity

The Poison Review — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:59:01 +0100

2.5 out of 5 stars Clinical Events in Mad Honey Poisoning: A Single Centre Experience. Bostan M et al. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol Jan 2010;84:12-22. Abstract As TPR noted in a previous post entitled “Mad Honey Sex“, pollen of certain Rhododendron species contains grayanotoxins, cyclic hydrocarbons that maintain sodium channels of nervous tissue in the open position, depolarizing the nerve cells. Important presenting signs and symptoms of mad honey poisoning include dizziness, hypotension, and bradycardia. Toxicity usually resolves with support, administration of fluids, and treatment with atropine for hemodynamically significant bradycardia. This paper, from Rize Training and Research Hospital in Turkey, reviews 33 patients with diagnosis of mad honey poisoning seen in...

PPIs May Help Reduce Hospitalizations for Gastroduodenal Bleeding in Patients Treated With Clopidogrel

Medscape Today Headlines — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:08:13 +0100

Concurrent use of proton pump inhibitors in patients with serious coronary heart disease treated with clopidogrel was associated with fewer hospitalizations for gastroduodenal bleeding. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

ViroPharma Launches 'Ryze Above(TM)', A Personalized Patient Resources Program For Patients With Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

ViroPharma Incorporated (Nasdaq: VPHM) announced the launch of 'Ryze Above', an exclusive patient resources program within the company's patient support program, CINRYZESolutions®. The Ryze Above program was created for HAE patients prescribed Cinryze, the first and only drug specifically approved to help prevent swelling and/or painful attacks in teenagers and adults with HAE... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

ViroPharma Launches 'Ryze Above(TM)', A Personalized Patient Resources Program For Patients With Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)

Public Health News From Medical News Today — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

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Service organisation for the secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease in primary care.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 06:22:03 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: There is weak evidence that regular planned recall of patients for appointments, structured monitoring of risk factors and prescribing, and education for patients can be effective in increasing the proportions of patients within target levels for cholesterol control and blood pressure. Further research in this area would benefit from greater standardisation of the outcomes measured. PMID: 20238349 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

Interventions to improve adherence to lipid lowering medication.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 06:22:03 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: At this stage, reminding patients seems the most promising intervention to increase adherence to lipid lowering drugs. The lack of a gold standard method of measuring adherence is one major barrier in adherence research. More reliable data might be achieved by newer methods of measurement, more consistency in adherence assessment and longer duration of follow up. More recent studies have started using more reliable methods for data collection but follow-up periods remain too short. Increased patient-centredness with emphasis on the patient's perspective and shared decision-making might lead to more conclusive answers when searching for tools to encourage patients to take lipid lowering medication. PMID: 20238331 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systemati...

Obesity’s role in cancer

L.A. Times - Health — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:04:23 +0100

It may not cause the disease, but studies show a link between fat and certain types. Packing on the pounds gets a well-deserved bad rap. Most Americans understand that excess weight contributes to heart disease and diabetes, not to mention the urge to hide behind the kids in family photos. But obesity as a risk factor for cancer? (Source: L.A. Times - Health)

GE Healthcare Announces New Compatibility For Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) Evaluation With The Mac-Lab(R) XT And XTi Hemodynamic Recording Systems

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

GE Healthcare, the $17 billion medical technology division of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), today announced the Mac-Lab's validation of compatibility with the Volcano's SmartMap® Pressure Instrument and PrimeWire® Pressure Guide Wire for evaluation of Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR). Coronary heart disease caused 425,425 deaths in 2006 and is the single leading cause of death in America today1. It is caused by atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the coronary arteries due to fatty build ups of plaque. It's likely to produce angina pectoris (chest pain), heart attack or both... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Association of hyperhomocysteinemia with left ventricular dilatation and mass in human heart

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:52:47 +0100

Conclusions: Hyperhomocysteinemia appears to be, at least in part, involved in a disproportional LV dilatation, where the ensuing hypertrophy is not sufficient to compensate for the increased wall stress. A potential mechanism is the hyperhomocysteinemia associated increase in oxidative stress that favors muscle fiber slippage. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:555–60. (Source: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine)

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Erectile Dysfunction a Red Flag for Mortality, Cardiovascular Events

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:52:32 +0100

New findings suggest that erectile dysfunction is a marker for an increased risk for death and myocardial infarction in men with heart disease. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

High-dose aprotinin does not affect troponin I, N-Terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptid and renal function in children submitted to surgical correction with extracorporeal circulation

Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Cardiovascular — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:46:08 +0100

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se o uso de aprotinina em altas doses hemostáticas pode influenciar as funções miocárdicas, renais e metabólicas em crianças operadas com circulação extracorpórea (CEC). MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo randomizado em crianças de 30 dias a 4 anos de idade, submetidas à correção de cardiopatia congênita acianogênica, com CEC e divididas em dois grupos, um denominado Controle (n=9) e o outro, Aprotinina (n=10). Neste, a droga foi administrada antes e durante a CEC. As disfunções miocárdicas e multiorgânicas foram analisadas por marcadores clínicos e bioquímicos. Foram consideradas significantes as diferenças com P

Gene expression profile in flow-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension with neointimal lesions

AJP: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:05:33 +0100

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a pulmonary angioproliferative disease with high morbidity and mortality, characterized by a typical pattern of pulmonary vascular remodeling including neointimal lesions. In congenital heart disease, increased pulmonary blood flow has appeared to be a key mediator in the development of these characteristic lesions, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the pulmonary vascular lesions are largely unknown. We employed a rat model of flow-associated PAH, which induced specific pulmonary neointimal lesions. We identified gene expression profiles in rats specifically related to the addition of increased pulmonary blood flow to monocrotaline and the associated occurrence of neointimal lesions. Increased pulmonary blood flow induced the expression of the...

Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Projects

Grants.gov — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:15:28 +0100

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-DP10-1023E Opportunity Category: EarmarkFunding Instrument Type: Cooperative AgreementCategory of Funding Activity: HealthCFDA Number: 93.068Eligible Applicants Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)Agency Name HHS-CDC (Source: Grants.gov)

Medtronic Starts International Study Of CoreValve

Hospital IT Europe — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:37:32 +0100

Moving to expand the evidence base for the future of structural heart disease therapy (Source: Hospital IT Europe)

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The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Bench to Bassinet Program: A New Paradigm for Translational Research

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:00:32 +0100

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect and is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in children. Despite considerable recent progress in the clinical arena, we have a lot yet to learn about the causes of CHD and the genetic modifiers of clinical outcome. It is our hope that an improved understanding of the etiology of CHD will lead to improved care for the patient with this disease. To accelerate discovery in these areas, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) launched a novel translational research program in pediatric cardiovascular disease, the Bench to Bassinet program, in September 2009 (http://www.benchtobassinet.com). (Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

Screening for Cardiovascular Risk in Asymptomatic Patients

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:00:25 +0100

We describe 6 risk algorithms (Framingham Risk Score for coronary heart disease events and for cardiovascular events, Adult Treatment Panel III, SCORE [Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation] project, Reynolds Risk Score, ASSIGN [Assessing Cardiovascular Risk to Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network/SIGN to Assign Preventative Treatment], and QRISK [QRESEARCH Cardiovascular Risk Algorithm]) for outcomes, population derived/validated, receiver-operating characteristic, variables included, and limitations. Areas of uncertainty include 10-year versus lifetime risk, prediction of CVD or coronary heart disease end points, nonlaboratory-based risk scores, age at which to start, race and sex differences, and whether a risk score should guide therapy. We believe that the best high-risk approach...

Huge Health Disparities Revealed Among Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians, Asian Immigrants

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Although Asian Americans have long been portrayed as a "model minority" with few major problems, data released online in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) reveal that distinct groups of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPI) differ widely in death and disease rates, including from breast cancer and other conditions such as heart disease, and stand to benefit strongly from culturally appropriate care. In the first issue of a major health journal devoted to AA and NHPI populations, data show striking disparities... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Huge Health Disparities Revealed Among Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians, Asian Immigrants

Breast Cancer News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Although Asian Americans have long been portrayed as a "model minority" with few major problems, data released online in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) reveal that distinct groups of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPI) differ widely in death and disease rates, including from breast cancer and other conditions such as heart disease... (Source: Breast Cancer News From Medical News Today)

'Hearts And Minds' Promotes Wellness; African Americans Living With Mental Illness Have Higher Risk For Other Illnesses

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has launched a new health education program to promote sound "mind and body" health practices among individuals who live with serious mental illness. The "Hearts and Minds" initiative focuses on combating risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity for major illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. The program has significant implications for African Americans living with mental illness, who face these risk factors as well as additional disparities in access to and quality of health care... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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'Hearts And Minds' Promotes Wellness; African Americans Living With Mental Illness Have Higher Risk For Other Illnesses

Mental Health News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has launched a new health education program to promote sound "mind and body" health practices among individuals who live with serious mental illness. The "Hearts and Minds" initiative focuses on combating risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity for major illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes... (Source: Mental Health News From Medical News Today)

Clinical Trial Of Minimally Invasive Stenting System For Carotid Arteries Available At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Patients who suffer from plaque-related narrowing of a carotid artery but are not good candidates for open surgery may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of a minimally invasive procedure designed to open carotid arteries the way angioplasty and stenting clear arteries of the heart. The carotid arteries of the neck supply oxygenated blood to the brain... (Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today)

Clinical Trial Of Minimally Invasive Stenting System For Carotid Arteries Available At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Patients who suffer from plaque-related narrowing of a carotid artery but are not good candidates for open surgery may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of a minimally invasive procedure designed to open carotid arteries the way angioplasty and stenting clear arteries of the heart. The carotid arteries of the neck supply oxygenated blood to the brain. Plaque buildup can lead to stroke by restricting the flow of blood and increasing the risk of clot formation... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Mesothelial Cells vs. Skeletal Myoblasts for Myocardial Infarction [ORIGINAL ARTICLE]

Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:53:54 +0100

Cell transplantation for the regeneration of ischemic myocardium is limited by poor graft viability and low cell retention. Omental flaps in association with growth factors and cell sheets have recently been used to increase the vascularization of ischemic hearts. This experimental study was undertaken to evaluate the hemodynamic evolution and histological modifications of infarcted myocardium treated with mesothelial cells, and to compare the results with those of hearts treated with skeletal myoblasts. Myocardial infarction was created by surgical ligature of 2 coronary branches in 34 sheep; 6 died immediately due to ventricular fibrillation. Mesothelial cells were isolated from greater omentum, and myoblasts from skeletal muscle. After expanding the cells for 3 weeks, infarcted areas we...

Statement From American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown On Congressional Approval Of The PACT Act

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

We're pleased that Congress has taken another significant step in reducing tobacco use in the U.S. with passage of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act of 2009. This measure will support ongoing efforts to protect children and adults from heart disease, stroke and other chronic illnesses linked to tobacco use. The bill regulates Internet and mail-order sales of tobacco products, restricting children's access to tobacco products online and ensuring that all appropriate taxes are paid when tobacco products are sold. This legislation will have a tremendous impact on public health... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute Physicians Present Findings At American College Of Cardiology Scientific Meeting

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Physician scientists from the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute presented new findings on the effectiveness of routine aspirin therapy for preventing heart disease, a drug therapy for atrial fibrillation and the role left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) may play in weight reduction for obese patients with chronic end-stage heart failure who are considered for heart transplantation. These presentations were made at the American College of Cardiology's Scientific Session in Atlanta. Brief highlights from these studies are included below... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute Physicians Present Findings At American College Of Cardiology Scientific Meeting

Medical Devices News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Physician scientists from the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute presented new findings on the effectiveness of routine aspirin therapy for preventing heart disease, a drug therapy for atrial fibrillation and the role left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) may play in weight reduction for obese patients with chronic end-stage heart failure who are considered for heart transplantation... (Source: Medical Devices News From Medical News Today)

Statement From American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown On Congressional Approval Of The PACT Act

Smoking / Quit Smoking News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Association of inflammation of the left anterior descending coronary artery with cardiovascular risk factors, plaque burden and pericardial fat volume: a PET/CT study

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:49:09 +0100

Conclusion FDG uptake measurement in the LAD correlates with hypertension, coronary heart disease, BMI, PFV and CPB. However, due to myocardial FDG uptake these measurements are only feasible in one half of the patients. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00259-010-1432-2Authors Tobias Saam, University of Munich Institute of Clinical Radiology Munich GermanyAxel Rominger, University of Munich Department of Nuclear Medicine Marchioninistr. 15 81377 Munich GermanySarah Wolpers, University of Munich Department of Nuclear Medicine Marchioninistr. 15 81377 Munich GermanyKonstantin Nikolaou, University of Munich Institute of Clinical Radiology Munich GermanyCarsten Rist, University of Munich Institute of Clinical Radiology Munich GermanyMarti...

Heart Disease: More Accurate Prediction

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new measure more accurately predicts risk for cardiac disease and death, according to recent research. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)

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Asians Differ When it Comes to Rates of Disease

RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0100

Scientists for decades have lumped Asians into one homogenous group when studying conditions like breast cancer and heart disease, leading to false conclusions that don't take into account the health disparities among different nationalities, researchers now say. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality)

Association between industry affiliation and position on cardiovascular risk with rosiglitazone: cross sectional systematic review

BMJ Online First — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:05:33 +0100

Objective To explore a possible link between authors’ financial conflicts of interest and their position on the association of rosiglitazone with increased risk of myocardial infarction in... (Source: BMJ Online First)

Awareness of heart disease risk still lacking in women

Modern Medicine — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Despite a gain in public awareness, almost half of all American women are unaware that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Idiopathic inflammatory myositis is associated with a high incidence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus

APLAR Journal of Rheumatology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We report a novel association of IIM with hypertension, diabetes and ischemic heart disease, indicating that a comprehensive assessment of vascular risk factors is essential in IIM. (Source: APLAR Journal of Rheumatology)

Bisphenol A activates Maxi-K (KCa1.1) channels in coronary smooth muscle

British Journal of Pharmacology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Background and purpose: Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to manufacture plastics, including containers for food into which it may leach. High levels of exposure to this oestrogenic endocrine disruptor are associated with diabetes and heart disease. Oestrogen and oestrogen receptor modulators increase the activity of large conductance Ca2+/voltage-sensitive K+ (Maxi-K; KCa1.1) channels, but the effects of BPA on Maxi-K channels are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that BPA activates Maxi-K channels through a mechanism that depends upon the regulatory [beta]1 subunit.Experimental approach: Patch-clamp recordings of Maxi-K channels were made in human and canine coronary smooth muscle cells as well as in AD-293 cells expressing pore-forming [alpha] or [alpha] plus [beta]1 subunits.Key results: BPA (...

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Low-Fat Diet May Not Reduce Cardio Risks After Menopause

Modern Medicine — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In postmenopausal women, a low-fat diet has little effect on cardiovascular risk factors and no overall effect on coronary heart disease and stroke, according to a study published online Feb. 17 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (Source: Modern Medicine)

No effect of 14 day consumption of whole grain diet compared to refined grain diet on antioxidant measures in healthy, young subjects: a pilot study

Nutrition Journal — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: No differences in antioxidant status were found when subjects consumed whole grain diets compared to refined grain diets. (Source: Nutrition Journal)

The association between effort-reward imbalance and coronary atherosclerosis in a Chinese sample

American Journal of Industrial Medicine — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Previous studies of job strain and coronary heart disease (CHD) have produced mixed findings. We aimed to examine the association between job stress evaluated by the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model and coronary atherosclerosis assessed by coronary angiography in a Chinese sample.Three-hundred twenty participants accepting coronary angiography for the first time were enrolled in series. Job stressors were evaluated by the ERI model. The presence and severity of CHD were assessed by measuring the coronary artery stenosis (the presence of >50% luminal stenosis in one or more major coronary arteries). The association between job stressors and CHD was examined by multivariate analysis.Compared with the low-level group, high-level effort, overcommitment, and ERI increased CHD risk with odds ...

Plasma levels of Hsp70 and anti-Hsp70 antibody predict risk of acute coronary syndrome.

Cell Stress and Chaperones — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study assessed whether there is a significant association between extracellular human Hsp70, anti-Hsp70 antibody and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable angina (SA), and examined dynamic changes in Hsp70 and anti-Hsp70 antibody levels induced by acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Plasma Hsp70 and anti-Hsp70 antibody levels in 291 patients with ACS (179 AMI, 112 unstable angina), 126 patients with SA and 417 age and sex-matched healthy subjects, and in 40 patients after admission for AMI, and on day 2, 3, and 7 after the onset of AMI were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Hsp70 levels were significantly higher in ACS and SA and anti-Hsp70 antibody levels were only markedly lower in ACS than controls. After adjustment for traditional CHD risk factors, increasing ...

Atypical ST Segment Elevation and Ventricular Fibrillation without Structural Heart Disease: A New Electrocardiographic Presentation of a Channelopathy?

Cardiology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Cardiology 2010;115:232235 (DOI:10.1159/000297686) (Source: Cardiology)

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Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome diagnosed using three different definitions and risk of ischemic heart disease among Kaunas adult population.

Medicina (Kaunas) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:02:03 +0100

CONCLUSION. In Kaunas population aged 35-64 years, the highest prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was determined according to the International Diabetes Federation definition. Usage of the International Diabetes Federation and the Adult Treatment Panel III definitions in establishing diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome provides more opportunities to identify subjects with ischemic heart disease. PMID: 20234165 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Medicina (Kaunas))

Study Explains Why Women's Heart Attacks Differ From Men's

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:33:00 +0100

A new study sheds more light on why women and men differ, when it comes to heart attacks. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but new findings show women who have heart attacks, compared to men who do, are twice as... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Impotence 'a sign of heart problems'

NHS News Feed — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:49:00 +0100

Conclusion This was a well-conducted study that confirms previous observational studies on erectile dysfunction and heart disease. There are some points to consider when interpreting the results. Participants in the two trials that originally provided data for this study were randomly assigned to treatment groups (randomised), but those in the substudy were not. They were instead grouped according to their history of impotence, making this an observational study rather than a randomised trial. This means that it is prone to the biases that occur in observational studies, although the researchers have correctly taken these into account in their reporting and analysis. At the start of the study, there were differences between the two groups in terms of the numbers of men with diabetes...

Clinical implication and prognosis of normal baseline cerebral blood flow with impaired vascular reserve in patients with major cerebral artery occlusive disease

Annals of Nuclear Medicine — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:26:16 +0100

Conclusion In the present prospective study, patients with sufficient baseline CBF showed good prognosis and no difference in recurrent stroke risks even though they had poor CVR in the affected hemisphere, indicating that these patients can be treated by medication for cerebral circulation and baseline diseases if they have high risk factors for neurosurgical treatment. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s12149-010-0367-9Authors Makoto Isozaki, University of Fukui Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho Fukui 910-1193 JapanYoshikazu Arai, University of Fukui Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho Fukui 910-1193 JapanTakashi Ku...

Assessment of cardiac injury in patients with blunt chest trauma

European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:11:39 +0100

Conclusion Indicators such as cardiac enzymes and ECG have low sensitivity and specificity when used alone. The reliability of ECG in the diagnosis of BCI decreases in the later hours of trauma. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00068-010-0005-1Authors Mucahit Emet, Ataturk University, School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine 25090 Erzurum TurkeyAyhan Akoz, Ataturk University, School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine 25090 Erzurum TurkeySahin Aslan, Ataturk University, School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine 25090 Erzurum TurkeyAyhan Saritas, Ataturk University, School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine 25090 Erzurum TurkeyZeynep Cakir, Ataturk University, School of Medicine Department of Eme...

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Ethnicity-related differences in left ventricular function, structure and geometry: a population study of UK Indian Asian and European white subjects

Heart — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:24:40 +0100

Conclusion Compared to European white people, Indian Asians had attenuated longitudinal LV function, higher LV filling pressure and demonstrated a greater degree of concentric remodelling independent of other demographic and clinical parameters. (Source: Heart)

Only 1 In 10 Get Their 5 A Day! UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

While increasing fruit and vegetable consumption remains a national priority, a new international survey has revealed the extent to which people are not meeting government guidelines on diet and nutrition in the UK. Current recommendations are that everyone should eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day to reduce the risks of cancer, coronary heart disease and many other chronic diseases. The reality in the UK is that only 11% believe they actually achieve their 5 a day in a week... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Bench To Bassinet Program Seeks Congenital Heart Disease Treatments

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

What: To help speed the translation of scientific discoveries into usable treatments in congenital heart disease, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health launched the Bench to Bassinet Program. This program, which involves several major research institutions across the country, will be highlighted in the March 23 edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Congenital heart disease affects the lives of 40,000 newborns a year in the United States, and up to 2 million adults are living with congenital heart disease... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Bench To Bassinet Program Seeks Congenital Heart Disease Treatments

Pediatrics News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Virtually all kidney disease patients on dialysis have vitamin D deficiency

NaturalNews.com — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) Research abounds that adequate vitamin D is essential for good health (http://www.naturalnews.com/Vitamin_D.html). Unfortunately, however, millions of Americans are not getting enough of this so-called "sunshine" vitamin. Now it turns out that one group in particular is almost universally lacking in vitamin D. According to a study slated for publication in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN), kidney disease patients who have low blood protein levels and who start dialysis during the winter are at extremely high risk of being seriously deficient in vitamin D.Ishir Bhan, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital, and his research team studied data from 908 U.S. dialysis patients in the Accelerated Mortality on Renal Replacement (ArMO...

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Reducing Heart Disease Risk with Vitamin D

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Treating heart disease can be as simple as adding Vitamin D supplements to your diet. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)

Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute physicians present findings at ACC scientific meeting

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0100

(Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) A study questions the effectiveness of routine aspirin therapy in preventing heart disease, while another suggests that LVADs may aid in weight loss for obese patients awaiting a heart transplant. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Studies show huge health disparities among Asian-Americans, native Hawaiians, Asian immigrants

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0100

(Burness Communications) Although Asian-Americans have long been portrayed as a "model minority" with few major problems, data released online today in the American Journal of Public Health reveal that distinct groups of Asian Americans, native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPI) differ widely in death and disease rates, including from breast cancer and other conditions such as heart disease, and stand to benefit strongly from culturally appropriate care. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Boston Scientific Corp - CircuCool Fluid Circulation Pump - Class 2 Recall

Medical Device Recalls since July 07, 2006 — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:00:05 +0100

CircuCool Fluid Circulation Pump used in the Chilli Cooled Ablation System, Model Number M00480050, manufactured by Barnant ThermoFisher Scientific, Barrington, IL. Distributed by Boston Scientific Corporation, San Jose, CA. The Chilli Cooled Ablation System is indicated for cardiac electrophysiological mapping, delivering diagnostic pacing stimuli and radiofrequency ablation of mappable ventricular tachycardias attributable to ischemic heart disease or cardiomyopathy in patients who have failed drug therapy. (Source: Medical Device Recalls since July 07, 2006)

Outcome and quality of life after aorto-bifemoral bypass surgery

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This study shows that congestive heart disease and APACHE II were risk factors for mortality after AFB surgery. Survivors who have undergone AFB perceive an improved quality of life although they are more dependent in ADL tasks and have worse scores in almost all SF-36 than the population to which they belong. (Source: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders)

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Researchers discover chemical that may protect hearts of muscular dystrophy patients.www.eurekalert.org

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Researchers discover chemical that may protect hearts of muscular dystrophy patients By administering a chemical called a 'molecular band-aid,' U of M researchers were able to prevent heart injury in dystrophic canines MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (March 15, 2010) Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have discovered a chemical that may, over the long term, protect the hearts of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients – a fatal and most common form of muscular dystrophy in children. The chemical, which Medical School scientists have termed a "molecular band-aid," seeks out tiny cuts in diseased heart muscle. When injected into the bloodstream, the molecular band-aid finds these microscopic cuts and protects them from harmful substances so the heart muscle cells can survive ...

Improvements in Coronary Heart Disease Risk Indicators by Alternate-Day Fasting Involve Adipose Tissue Modulations.

Obesity — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bhutani S, Klempel MC, Berger RA, Varady KA The ability of alternate-day fasting (ADF) to modulate adipocyte parameters in a way that is protective against coronary heart disease (CHD) has yet to be tested. Accordingly, we examined the effects of ADF on adipokine profile, body composition, and CHD risk indicators in obese adults. Sixteen obese subjects (12 women/4 men) participated in a 10-week trial with three consecutive dietary intervention phases: (i) 2-week baseline control phase, (ii) 4-week ADF controlled feeding phase, and (iii) 4-week ADF self-selected feeding phase. After 8 weeks of treatment, body weight and waist circumference were reduced (P < 0.05) by 5.7 +/- 0.9 kg, and 4.0 +/- 0.9 cm, respectively. Fat mass decreased (P < 0.05) by 5.4 +/- 0.8 kg, whereas ...

FDA Orders 2 Companies To Stop Marketing Unapproved Nitroglycerin Tablets

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:00:00 +0100

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today ordered Glenmark Generics of Mahwah, N.J., and Konec Inc. of Tucson, Ariz., to stop marketing unapproved nitroglycerin tablets. The tablets are placed under the tongue to relieve chest pain or to stop a heart attack and are marketed in 0.3 mg, 0.4 mg, and 0.6 mg dosages. The FDA does not anticipate a supply problem for these products. Pfizer Inc. markets FDA-approved sublingual nitroglycerin tablets in the same strengths and is able to supply the market with approved products... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

FDA Orders 2 Companies To Stop Marketing Unapproved Nitroglycerin Tablets

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:00:00 +0100

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today ordered Glenmark Generics of Mahwah, N.J., and Konec Inc. of Tucson, Ariz., to stop marketing unapproved nitroglycerin tablets. The tablets are placed under the tongue to relieve chest pain or to stop a heart attack and are marketed in 0.3 mg, 0.4 mg, and 0.6 mg dosages. The FDA does not anticipate a supply problem for these products. Pfizer Inc... (Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today)

Boy of five labelled obese and given heart disease warning

Telegraph Health — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:51:29 +0100

A five-year-old boy has been branded obese despite weighing just 4st 2lbs. (Source: Telegraph Health)

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Erectile dysfunction a red flag for mortality, cardiovascular events

theHeart.org — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:45:57 +0100

New findings suggest erectile dysfunction is a marker for increased risk of death and heart attacks in men with heart disease. For complete story visit theheart.org. (Source: theHeart.org)

Hop-on and USAcig Comment on New Clinical Trial

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:25:00 +0100

LOS ANGELES, March 17, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hop-on (Pink Sheets:HPNN) and USAcig, Inc. continue their efforts on trying to educate the smoking community of the potential health benefits of quitting smoking. Major study shows, after one year of quitting smoking, smokers' arteries showed signs of improvement, which can drastically reduce the risk of heart disease. Results were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Metabolic Abnormalities and Coronary Heart Disease Risk in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Adults

Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:40:56 +0100

Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders)

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Postgraduate Medical Journal — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:07:51 +0100

(Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)

Search For New Diabetes And Heart Disease Treatments Unresolved

Hypertension News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

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Health Care Delivery Fixes Somewhat Helpful In Heart Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Research has shown that heart disease patients who make lifestyle improvements, take recommended medications and control risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure can prevent heart disease from worsening. A new review of studies looked at whether such patients would be more likely to reduce their risks if health care providers also made changes in appointment planning, patient education and monitoring of heart disease risk factors and medication use. "Well-organized care certainly does work," said lead author Brian Buckley, Ph.D... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Search For New Diabetes And Heart Disease Treatments Unresolved

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Treatment with the anti-hypertensive drug valsartan (Diovan) led to a modest reduction in the development of type 2 diabetes but did not significantly reduce cardiovascular events in patients with impaired glucose tolerance, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center and the University of Oxford. They jointly reported results at the American College of Cardiology meeting from the world's first study designed to find ways to control the progression to diabetes and cardiovascular disease in people at risk... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Mount Sinai Researchers Are The First To Identify Heart Abnormalities In World Trade Center Workers

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine are presenting more than 20 ground-breaking studies at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 59th annual scientific session (ACC.10) in Atlanta. Their research includes data showing that the World Trade Center (WTC) collapse has caused potentially dangerous heart problems in responders on-site. Jacqueline Moline, MD, Vice Chair, Department of Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine leads The World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program. The Program provided federal funding for two WTC heart studies, of which Dr... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Urban Pollution Affects Cardiac Function, Initial Results In The Healthy Rat

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

In the healthy rat, prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) under conditions that mimic urban pollution leads to changes to cardiac morphology and function. Compensatory mechanisms develop in these animals to sustain normal cardiac activity, but they become more vulnerable to heart disease. These results, published on 15 March 2010 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine by CNRS and INSERM researchers, thus provide cellular proof in the rat of a direct effect of urban pollution on cardiac function. Studies are ongoing to verify these findings in humans... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Mount Sinai Researchers Are The First To Identify Heart Abnormalities In World Trade Center Workers

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

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Urban Pollution Affects Cardiac Function, Initial Results In The Healthy Rat

Water Quality / Air Quality News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Treating vitamin D deficiency significantly reduces heart disease risk, studies find

ScienceDaily Headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Researchers in Utah last fall demonstrated the link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk for coronary artery disease. These new studies show that treating vitamin D deficiency with supplements may help to prevent or reduce a person's risk for cardiovascular disease and a host of other chronic conditions. Researchers also establish what level of vitamin D further enhances that risk reduction. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Identification Of Gene That May Play A Key Role In Atherosclerosis And Other Diseases

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

To understand the role of inflammation in cardiovascular and other diseases, it is essential to identify and characterize genes that induce an inflammatory response in the body -- and the genes that regulate them. A study published online this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that a gene called Hu antigen R (HuR) plays a critical role in inducing and mediating an inflammatory response in cells experiencing mechanical and chemical stresses. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

GE's Virtual Sleep Lab Enables Sleep Apnea Testing In Hospitalized Cardiac Patients

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

GE Healthcare introduced MARS® Virtual Sleep Lab (VSL), the first device to provide a streamlined view of quantitative cardiac and sleep apnea analysis from any GE-monitored inpatient bed, helping enhance speed of diagnosis. MARS VSL is being featured at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 59th Annual Scientific Session, held March 14 to 16 in Atlanta. Integrating a sleep disorder diagnostic tool into hospital cardiac care represents an important advance, as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) impacts up to 50 percent of all heart disease patients... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Identification Of Gene That May Play A Key Role In Atherosclerosis And Other Diseases

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

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Dual Action Drug Fights High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new dual-action drug, called LCZ696, is well tolerated and provides significantly greater reductions in blood pressure than the established angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)

Mayo Clinic Study On How To Minimize Radiation Risks Of Angioplasty Shows Highest Doses In Men, Large Body Mass, Complex Cases

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:00:00 +0100

Body size, gender and the complexity of heart disease significantly influence how much cumulative radiation skin dose that patients receive during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) therapy, also known as angioplasty, according to a new Mayo Clinic study. The study was undertaken as a quality control initiative to reduce the potential radiation risks of cancer to patients and PCI operators... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Mayo Clinic Study On How To Minimize Radiation Risks Of Angioplasty Shows Highest Doses In Men, Large Body Mass, Complex Cases

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:00:00 +0100

Intensive Lipitor Therapy Was Associated With Reduced Risk Of Cardiovascular Events In Two High-Risk Patient Groups

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:00:00 +0100

Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium) 80 mg was associated with a significantly reduced risk of major cardiovascular events compared with Lipitor 10 mg among patients with both coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were obese or had metabolic syndrome. These data, from two sub-analyses of the Treating to New Targets (TNT) trial that were designed and completed following the completion of TNT, were presented today at the 59th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in Atlanta, Ga... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Intensive Lipitor Therapy Was Associated With Reduced Risk Of Cardiovascular Events In Two High-Risk Patient Groups

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:00:00 +0100

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Keep Your Arteries Fat Free Naturally

Disabled World — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:42:15 +0100

Three Natural Ways to Keep Your Arteries Fat-Free - Cardiovascular disease is the No.1 killer in North America. And high cholesterol is one of the primary risk factors of coronary heart disease and stroke. (Source: Disabled World)

Experts' guide to saving money in health

BMJ Online First — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:05:45 +0100

(Source: BMJ Online First)

Ex-Smokers Improve Heart Health

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Quitting smoking can turn back time. A year after kicking the habit, smokers' arteries showed signs of reversing a problem that can set the stage for heart disease, according to the first big study to test this. The improvement came even though... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Type 2 Diabetes Study: Drugs Don't Cut Heart Disease Risk

TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:04:02 +0100

New data suggest that aggressive drug treatments to reduce known heart-disease risk factors don't actually help Type 2 diabetes patients. Why? And what now? (Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories)

Health Buzz: Heart Disease Plus ED Equals Trouble for Men

U.S. News - Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:30:00 +0100

Autism genetic test won’t answer most parents’ questions; is a knee replacement right for you? (Source: U.S. News - Health)

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Women More Likely to Die After Heart Attack

MedlinePlus Health News — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:44:18 +0100

When it comes to matters of the heart, women should be treated more like men. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Heart Attack, Heart Disease in Women (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Erectile dysfunction a warning sign for heart disease

CTV Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:04:51 +0100

For the first time, researchers have shown that erectile dysfunction is a strong predictor that a man with heart disease will die of heart-related event. (Source: CTV Health)

ACC: BP Variability Linked to Adverse CV Outcomes (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Geriatrics — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:57:19 +0100

ATLANTA (MedPage Today) -- Hypertensive patients with the most variability in blood pressure between healthcare visits have a greater risk of stroke and coronary heart disease than patients with those with more stable pressure, researchers found. (Source: MedPage Today Geriatrics)

Bench to Bassinet Program Seeks Congenital Heart Disease Treatments

National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:51:00 +0100

To help speed the translation of scientific discoveries into usable treatments in congenital heart disease, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health recently launched the Bench to Bassinet Program. This program, which involves several major research institutions across the country, will be highlighted in the March 23 edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Congenital heart disease affects the lives of 40,000 newborns a year in the United States, and up to 2 million adults are living with congenital heart disease. (Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases)

Commentary on transfusion triggers

Current Anaesthesia and Critical Care — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:42:24 +0100

In this review article Bunker et al. present their approach to the clinical conundrum regarding the use of red cell transfusion triggers. The impetus to use numerical values of haemoglobin concentration as transfusion triggers has been driven by several factors that have been clearly outlined by the authors. Whilst public perception may differ, blood itself has never been safer and currently the most pressing problem associated with this pharmacological product is the reduction in the donor pool and the exponential rise in cost due to even more sensitive screening tools and pathogen inactivation methods. This has to be tempered with the fact that decisions at the bedside will depend ultimately on the rapidity of blood loss that leads to anaemia and the co morbidities of the patient that m...

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How To Minimize Radiation Risks Of Angioplasty Shows Highest Doses In Men, Large Body Mass, Complex Cases

Men's health News From Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

How To Minimize Radiation Risks Of Angioplasty Shows Highest Doses In Men, Large Body Mass, Complex Cases

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Treating Vitamin D Deficiency Significantly Reduces Heart Disease Risk

Nutrition/Agriculture News From Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Preventing and treating heart disease in some patients could be as simple as supplementing their diet with extra vitamin D, according to two new studies at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Murray, Utah. Researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute last fall demonstrated the link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk for coronary artery disease... (Source: Nutrition/Agriculture News From Medical News Today)

Treating Vitamin D Deficiency Significantly Reduces Heart Disease Risk

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Preventing and treating heart disease in some patients could be as simple as supplementing their diet with extra vitamin D, according to two new studies at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Murray, Utah. Researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute last fall demonstrated the link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk for coronary artery disease. These new studies show that treating vitamin D deficiency with supplements may help to prevent or reduce a person's risk for cardiovascular disease and a host of other chronic conditions... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Patients should have access to all treatments

BMJ Online First — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:36:35 +0100

(Source: BMJ Online First)

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Anger Expression and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: Evidence From the Nova Scotia Health Survey

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:04:24 +0100

Anger's effects on heart disease may vary depending on the type of anger that is expressed. American Heart Journal (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

New Players in the Field of Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Therapy in Coronary Heart Disease - Current Therapeutic Issues and Hot Topics

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:04:23 +0100

Coronary heart disease and acute coronary syndrome treatments are ever changing. This review provides an update on new agents to consider. Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Study Finds New Measurement Tool Better At Determining Cardiac Risk

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Researchers from the Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, have devised a better way to determine an individual's risk for problems, such as heart attack and heart failure, according to a new study. The research team has developed the Intermountain Risk Score, a measurement tool that looks at age and sex, but also adds the results of routine blood tests, which are not included in the assessment system commonly used by physicians today... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Key Predictor Of Cardiovascular Death Identified By UBC-Providence Health Team

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) hospitalizes more than 160,000 Canadians every year, and almost one quarter of those patients die from this common form of heart disease. But now a team of Vancouver-based researchers has identified a key predictor of mortality in CAD patients, which means that specialists can better determine how to treat and improve outcomes for patients with CAD. Coronary artery disease is the most frequent cause of heart disease and occurs when important blood vessels become narrow or blocked and can no longer give enough blood to meet the heart's demand... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Study Finds New Measurement Tool Better At Determining Cardiac Risk

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

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Warning - your child is unfit: Parents of pupils who fail school fitness tests to get letters from health police

the Mail online | Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:43:16 +0100

If they fail, their parents will be told they are at risk of heart disease, brittle bones and obesity. The scheme was outlined by the Government's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Abdominal CT Scan Showing Plaque Is Strong Predictor Of Heart Disease, Worse Long-Term Outcomes

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The presence of plaque on an abdominal CT scan is a strong predictor of coronary artery disease and mortality, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study. Researchers found that patients are nearly 60 percent at risk of having coronary artery disease when the CT scan showed very high levels of abdominal aortic calcium, commonly known as plaque. High levels of the abdominal aortic calcium also increased their risk of dying, researchers say... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Abdominal CT Scan Showing Plaque Is Strong Predictor Of Heart Disease, Worse Long-Term Outcomes

GastroIntestinal News From Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The presence of plaque on an abdominal CT scan is a strong predictor of coronary artery disease and mortality, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study. Researchers found that patients are nearly 60 percent at risk of having coronary artery disease when the CT scan showed very high levels of abdominal aortic calcium, commonly known as plaque... (Source: GastroIntestinal News From Medical News Today)

Diabetes Trial: Drug Treatment May Not Cut Heart Disease

TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:04:02 +0100

New data suggest that aggressive drug treatments to reduce known heart-disease risk factors don't actually help diabetes patients. Why? And what now? (Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories)

Interventional Radiologists Examine Simple Test That Might Predict Heart Attacks

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

The prevalence of abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI) test results among individuals tested for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and who are not considered at high risk of a coronary heart event by Framingham-based risk factors is high and provides another way to identify those who may be at risk for future heart attacks, say researchers at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 35th Annual Scientific Meeting in Tampa, Fla... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Interventional Radiologists Examine Simple Test That Might Predict Heart Attacks

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

The prevalence of abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI) test results among individuals tested for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and who are not considered at high risk of a coronary heart event by Framingham-based risk factors is high and provides another way to identify those who may be at risk for future heart attacks, say researchers at the Society of Interventional Radiol... (Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today)

Researcher urges caution in reducing blood pressure

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:55:00 +0100

For patients with diabetes and heart disease, less isn't always more — at least when it comes to blood pressure. New data show an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or death for patients having blood pressure deemed too high — or too low,... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Erectile dysfunction is strong predictor of fatal heart ailments, study finds

L.A. Times - Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Men treated for ED should routinely be checked for cardiovascular problems, experts say. For the first time, researchers have shown that erectile dysfunction is a strong predictor of the likelihood that men will die of heart disease. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)

Erectile dysfunction is strong predictor of fatal heart ailments, study finds

Los Angeles Times - Science — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

ED, Heart Disease May Be Deadly Duo

MedicineNet Cholesterol General — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: ED, Heart Disease May Be Deadly DuoCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/16/2010 9:59:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/16/2010 9:59:28 AM (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)

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ED, Heart Disease May Be Deadly Duo

MedicineNet Heart General — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: ED, Heart Disease May Be Deadly DuoCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/16/2010 9:59:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/16/2010 9:59:28 AM (Source: MedicineNet Heart General)

ED, Heart Disease May Be Deadly Duo

MedicineNet Diabetes General — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: ED, Heart Disease May Be Deadly DuoCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/16/2010 9:59:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/16/2010 9:59:28 AM (Source: MedicineNet Diabetes General)

ED, Heart Disease May Be Deadly Duo

MedicineNet Senior Health General — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: ED, Heart Disease May Be Deadly DuoCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/16/2010 9:59:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/16/2010 9:59:28 AM (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General)

ED, Heart Disease May Be Deadly Duo

eMedicineHealth.com — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

(Source: eMedicineHealth.com)

ED, Heart Disease May Be Deadly Duo

MedicineNet Mens Health General — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: ED, Heart Disease May Be Deadly DuoCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/16/2010 9:59:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/16/2010 9:59:28 AM (Source: MedicineNet Mens Health General)

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Bench to bassinet program seeks congenital heart disease treatments

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0100

(NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute) To help speed the translation of scientific discoveries into usable treatments in congenital heart disease, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health launched the Bench to Bassinet Program. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Dr. Arnall Patz dies at 89; helped eliminate major cause of blindness

Los Angeles Times - Science — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:35:00 +0100

In one of the first clinical studies, Patz found that excess oxygen given to premature babies in incubators led to a disease that causes blindness; he later received a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Dr. Arnall Patz, a Johns Hopkins University physician who discovered and eliminated a major cause of blindness in children, died Thursday of heart disease at his home in Pikesville, Md. He was 89. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)

Plaque on CT scan is strong predictor of heart disease, worse long-term outcomes

ScienceDaily Headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:00:00 +0100

The presence of plaque on an abdominal CT scan is a strong predictor of coronary artery disease and mortality, according to a new study. Researchers found that patients are nearly 60 percent at risk of having coronary artery disease when the CT scan showed very high levels of abdominal aortic calcium, commonly known as plaque. High levels of the abdominal aortic calcium also increased their risk of dying, researchers say (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Vitamin D linked to lower heart disease risk

Los Angeles Times - Science — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:47:00 +0100

By raising low levels of the vitamin to normal levels, patients reduce their risk of heart disease by about 30%, an observational study finds. Raising the amount of vitamin D in the blood appears to help some people -- at least those deficient in the vitamin -- reduce their risk of heart disease by about 30%, researchers announced Monday. The findings, though preliminary, support further investigation of the interplay between vitamin D and heart health. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)

Vitamin D linked to lower heart disease risk

L.A. Times - Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:47:00 +0100

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Arteries, cholesterol improve soon after smokers quit

CTV Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:04:42 +0100

A year after kicking the habit, smokers' artery function improved by one per cent, which dramatically lowered their risk of heart disease, according to a study released Monday. (Source: CTV Health)

Pfizer: More Lipitor Cuts Heart Complications More

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A reanalysis of research data found a high dose of popular cholesterol pill Lipitor lowers risk of heart attack and stroke in some patients with both heart disease and kidney disease, the drug's maker said Monday. Pfizer Inc. said the new analysis, which... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Erectile dysfunction is strong predictor of fatal heart ailments, study finds

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

For the first time, researchers have shown that erectile dysfunction is a strong predictor of the likelihood that men will die of heart disease. Men who suffer from the problem, which some consider more an emotional than a physical issue, are twice as... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Concurrent PPI and clopidogrel: fewer GI bleed hospitalisations, little effect on cardiovascular outcomes?

NeLM - News — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Ann Intern Med Area: News Concurrent use of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) and clopidogrel decreases the risk of hospitalisation for gastro-duodenal bleeding, and does not significantly increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, according to a cohort study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Clopidogrel increases the risk of gastro-duodenal bleeding, hence prophylaxis with PPI has been suggested in patients at increased risk from such bleeds. The overall benefits of this approach have been questioned by studies suggesting that PPI may reduce the cardiovascular benefits of clopidogrel by reducing its metabolic activation, however the evidence so far is conflicting. The authors of this retrospective cohort study used data from US healthcare databases to ex...

Study: E.D., Heart Ailments Linked

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

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The USPSTF Recommendation Statement on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment.

Annals of Internal Medicine — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Matteson EL, Crowson CS, Gabriel SE PMID: 20231580 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)

The USPSTF Recommendation Statement on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment.

Annals of Internal Medicine — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Budoff MJ PMID: 20231576 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)

Outcomes with concurrent use of clopidogrel and proton-pump inhibitors: a cohort study.

Annals of Internal Medicine — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: In patients with serious coronary heart disease treated with clopidogrel, concurrent PPI use was associated with reduced incidence of hospitalizations for gastroduodenal bleeding. The corresponding point estimate for serious cardiovascular disease was not increased; however, the 95% CI included a clinically important increased risk. Primary Funding Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. PMID: 20231564 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)

The case for C-reactive protein as a risk marker for coronary heart disease.

Annals of Internal Medicine — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cook NR PMID: 20231582 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)

The case for C-reactive protein as a risk marker for coronary heart disease.

Annals of Internal Medicine — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Buckley DI, Helfand M PMID: 20231581 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)

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The USPSTF Recommendation Statement on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment.

Annals of Internal Medicine — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Calonge N, Pettiti D PMID: 20231579 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)

The USPSTF Recommendation Statement on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment.

Annals of Internal Medicine — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Blaha MJ, Campbell CY, Horne A PMID: 20231578 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)

The USPSTF Recommendation Statement on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment.

Annals of Internal Medicine — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Glynn RJ PMID: 20231577 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)

The dogmas of nutrition and cancer: time for a second (and maybe third) look

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In many peer-reviewed articles, the assertion that 30[ndash]40% of cancers can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle and appropriate dietary measures has become axiomatic. The information often is derived from an expert panel's opinion as opposed to hypothesis-driven research. Unquestionably, the single most effective and validated cancer prevention measure is to not smoke, or if one does, to cease. However, obesity avoidance reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes and probably some cancers. While for some Americans the consumption of an unhealthy diet is by choice, for many it is driven by financial constraints and the search for calories of any kind. Regrettably, beyond that, there is little compelling evidence on how diet can be used to prevent cancer. (Source: Annals of the New ...

Arteries Improve After Smokers Quit, Study Finds

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:04:10 +0100

Quitting smoking can turn back time. A year after kicking the habit, smokers' arteries showed signs of reversing a problem that can set the stage for heart disease, according to the first big study to test this. (Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire)

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Intensive Lipitor Therapy Was Associated With Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Events In Two High-Risk Patient Groups

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:49:19 +0100

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 15, 2010 - Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium) 80 mg was associated with a significantly reduced risk of major cardiovascular events compared with Lipitor 10 mg among patients with both coronary heart disease (CHD)... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

Dr. Arnall Patz dies at 89; helped eliminate major cause of blindness

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:35:00 +0100

Dr. Arnall Patz, a Johns Hopkins University physician who discovered and eliminated a major cause of blindness in children, died Thursday of heart disease at his home in Pikesville, Md. He was 89. The director emeritus of the Wilmer Eye Institute at... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

ED predictor of heart disease death

CNN.com - Health — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:19:34 +0100

Erectile dysfunction is a strong predictor of death in men with cardiovascular disease, according to new research out this week. (Source: CNN.com - Health)

Impotence plus heart disease ups death risk: study

Reuters: Health — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:11:22 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Men with heart disease who also complain of erectile dysfunction die sooner than other male heart patients, researchers reported on Monday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Adding fat-lowering drug no help for diabetic hearts

Reuters: Health — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:06:47 +0100

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Adding a drug that lowers blood fats known as triglycerides to cholesterol-fighting statins provided no additional protection from heart attack, stroke and death from heart disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes, according to data from a large study. (Source: Reuters: Health)

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Erectile Dysfunction Plus Heart Disease Raises Death Risk

MedlinePlus Health News — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +0100

Study confirms that impotence is a risk factor for heart trouble Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Erectile Dysfunction, Heart Attack, Heart Diseases (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Adding Fat-Lowering Drug No Help for Diabetic Hearts

MedlinePlus Health News — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:06:47 +0100

Adding a drug that lowers blood fats known as triglycerides to cholesterol-fighting statins provided no additional protection from heart attack, stroke and death from heart disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes, according to data from a large study.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Diabetes, Heart Diseases, Statins (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Vitamin D linked to lower heart disease risk

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:47:00 +0100

Raising the amount of vitamin D in the blood appears to help some people -- at least those deficient in the vitamin -- reduce their risk of heart disease by about 30%, researchers announced Monday. The findings, though preliminary, support further... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy: Value of Echocardiography

Current Cardiology Reports — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:00:07 +0100

Abstract Cardiovascular disease in women during pregnancy poses particular challenges. It continues to be a leading cause of maternal mortality and contributes to significant morbidity. Echocardiography is essential in characterizing the extent and effects of heart disease prior to, during, and after pregnancy. By understanding the physiologic adaptation in pregnancy with increases in heart rate, blood volume, and cardiac output, and decrease in vascular resistance, one can anticipate and recognize the effects of these changes on various cardiac lesions. Cardiomyopathy, severe, obstructive valvular disease, aortic dilation due to Marfan’s disease, and cyanotic congenital heart disease are poorly tolerated in pregnancy. These disorders can be readily distinguished from no...

Vitamin D Linked to Lower Heart Disease Risk

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:47:00 +0100

Raising the amount of vitamin D in the blood appears to help some people - at least those deficient in the vitamin - reduce their risk of heart disease by about 30%, researchers announced Monday. The findings, though preliminary, support further... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

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Mortality risk score in primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator recipients with non-ischaemic or ischaemic heart disease

European Heart Journal — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:45:23 +0100

Conclusion Utilization of an easily applicable baseline risk score can create an individual patient-tailored estimation on mortality risk to aid clinicians in daily practice. (Source: European Heart Journal)

Incidence and characteristics of newly diagnosed rheumatic heart disease in Urban African adults: insights from the Heart of Soweto Study

European Heart Journal — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:45:23 +0100

Conclusion These data reveal a high incidence of newly diagnosed RHD within an adult urban African community. These data argue strongly for the first episode of RHD to be made a notifiable condition in high burden countries in order to ensure control of the disease through register-based secondary prophylaxis programmes. (Source: European Heart Journal)

microRNAs in heart disease: putative novel therapeutic targets?

European Heart Journal — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:45:22 +0100

microRNAs (miRs) are short, approximately 22-nucleotide-long non-coding RNAs involved in the control of gene expression. They guide ribonucleoprotein complexes that effect translational repression or messenger RNA degradation to targeted messenger RNAs. miRs were initially thought to be peculiar to the developmental regulation of the nematode worm, in which they were first described in 1993. Since then, hundreds of different miRs have been reported in diverse organisms, and many have been implicated in the regulation of physiological processes of adult animals. Of importance, misexpression of miRs has been uncovered as a pathogenic mechanism in several diseases. Here, we first outline the biogenesis and mechanism of action of miRs, and then discuss their relevance to heart biology, patholo...

Circulating microRNA: a novel potential biomarker for early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in humans

European Heart Journal — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:45:22 +0100

Conclusion Elevated cardiac-specific miR-208a in plasma may be a novel biomarker for early detection of myocardial injury in humans. (Source: European Heart Journal)