MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'artery disease'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:04:20 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952846&cid=t_157511_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-new-world-view-of-coronary-artery-disease%2F2011.06.20 In 2007, when the results were published from the COURAGE trial, all the experts agreed that this study would fundamentally change the way cardiologists managed patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).* ____ *”Stable” CAD simply means that a patient with CAD is not suffering from one of the acute coronary syndromes – ACS, an acute heart attack or unstable angina. At any given time, the large majority of patients with CAD are in a stable condition. ____ But a new study tells us that hasn’t happened. The COURAGE trial has barely budged the way cardiologists treat patients with stable CAD. Lots of people want to know why. As usual, DrRich is here to help. The COURAGE trial compared the use of stents vs. drug therapy in patients with stable CAD. Over twenty-two hundred patie... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952846 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:00:25 +0100 4952846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841686&cid=t_157511_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D267 What a revolutionary concept: reshaping the heart to treat coronary artery disease (CAD) and mitral regurgitation.  Each year an estimated 95,000 surgical procedures are performed to treat the 500,000 Americans that are diagnosed with heart valve disease.  Although mitral valve surgery has improved over the years, the procedure it is not without risks.  Damage to the heart muscle as a result of the surgery has mortality ranges from 2% to 7%, depending on the condition of the patient. The promise of preventing heart valve leakage without the need for surgical replacement or cardio-pulmonary bypass technology has several companies developing devices.  Designs are based on a combination of biocompatible mesh wraps and strips that are implanted around the heart.  These can be adjusted to ... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841686 Thu, 19 May 2011 17:41:38 +0100 4841686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670216&cid=t_157511_117_f&fid=37824&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doctorkalitenko.com%2Fblog%2Fheart-attack-prevention-fish-oil%2F Your heart is the most important organ of the body because it supplies oxygen and other nutrients to the rest of our .  Without the heart working – life is impossible.  Therefore it’s so important to keep your heart healthy. However this is not so easy, because coronary artery disease, caused by heart blood vessels clogging, is the number one killer in the US.  Why? Because it causes heart attacks as well as heart failure and sudden cardiac death. When statins were invented including blockbuster Lipitor, some scientists claimed, that by the year 2000 heart attacks would disappear. But it didn’t happen. Why not? There are 2 main reasons why drugs did not work as well as we thought: 1.  Cholesterol and triglycerides  are not the only risk factors for coronary artery disease. T... Doctor Kalitenko antiaging blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670216 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:53:31 +0100 4670216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517236&cid=t_157511_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D196 A blood test that can identify obstructive coronary artery disease in its early stages?  Talk about an impact considering over 17 million Americans suffer from coronary artery disease (CAD), a treatable disease if diagnosed early.  Technologies such as PET, CTA, and MRI have come a long way in assisting in diagnosing CAD before a cath lab is required, but due to safety concerns and a cost-sensitive environment, they are not prescribed until symptoms appear. The Corus CAD blood test is designed to measure a patient’s genetic activity as an indicator for CAD and uses 23 genes as biomarkers for plaque build up and inflammatory disease.  Combined with an algorithm that adds clinical data such as age and sex, the test provides a numeric score of 1 to 40; the higher the value, the greater t... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4517236 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:33:42 +0100 4517236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294630&cid=t_157511_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftop-cardiology-stories-of-2010-and-predictions-for-2011%2F2010.12.27 The end of the year marks a time for list-intensive posts. Recently Larry Husten from CardioExchange and CardioBrief asked for my opinion on the three most important cardiology-related news stories of 2010. Additionally, he wanted three predictions for 2011. Here goes: Top Cardiology Stories Of 2010: 1. By far, the #1 heart story of 2010 was the release of the novel blood-thinning drug dabigatran (Pradaxa) for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation. Until this October, the only way to reduce stroke risk in AF was warfarin, the active ingredient in rat poison. Assuming that there aren’t any post-market surprises, Pradaxa figures to be a true blockbuster. Doctors and patients have waited a long time to say goodbye to warfarin. 2. The Dr. Mark Midei stent story: Whether D... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294630 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 22:00:00 +0100 4294630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164487&cid=t_157511_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fhigh-stress-jobs-increase-heart-attack-risk-women%2F A new report just out is suggesting that women who have high stress jobs suffer from an increased rate of heart attacks and coronary artery disease. The lead researcher is cardiologist Dr. Michelle Albert of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164487 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:48:20 +0100 4164487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3981014&cid=t_157511_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FwaAb5QlVs3Q%2F A Florida hospital has filed a lawsuit against Astellas Pharma over Adenoscan, a med given to people who unable to run on a treadmill during cardiac stress tests, because the drugmaker argues hospitals would violate a method-of-use patent if they fail to sign licensing agreements and purchase its brand-name injectable instead of lower-cost generics. According to the lawsuit, Astellas associate general counsel Catherine Leavitt sent threatening letters to Lakeland Regional Medical Center saying that “Astellas is the only party that can authorize the patented use of adenosine infusion for MPI studies. Such permission is only granted when Adenoscan is purchased from Astellas.” MPI, or myocardial perfusion imaging, is a test used to determine cardiac artery disease. And so, Lakela... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3981014 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:57:30 +0100 3981014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595587&cid=t_157511_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-epidemic-of-sedentary-behavior%2F2010.05.25 “I never worry about action, but only about inaction.”  — Winston Churchill Winston Churchill was right: Experts are saying sedentary behavior is an epidemic, with the resulting health effects potentially devastating. Lack of muscular activity is associated with higher incidence of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, as well as a heightened risk of death. And this is regardless of one’s level of structured physical exercise, according to the authors of an article published [recently] in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The team from Stockholm, Sweden, says that sedentary behavior has become synonymous with lack of exercise, but that this is inaccurate and misleading. Rather, sedentary behavior should be defined as whole body muscular inactivity... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595587 Tue, 25 May 2010 12:00:32 +0100 3595587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585644&cid=t_157511_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Ftiny-camera-peeks-inside-coronary.html For a better look inside coronary arteries comes Optical Coherence Tomography (video at link):Optical Coherence Tomography, or OCT, approved by the FDA in April 2010, forms images by reflecting light inside blood vessels, which allows doctors to see 10 times more detail of an artery than the conventional ultrasound.Please note that this technology has been around since at least 2002. Is it really new? Or is it really that the company's news of FDA approval is "new?" More importantly, the million dollar question is not if it makes pretty pictures, but rather what does it add to the cost of the procedure and will it improve outcomes?A brief review of a similar technology, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), has demonstrated that it's not so easy to demonstrate improved outcomes in most routine ... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585644 Thu, 20 May 2010 17:38:00 +0100 3585644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524113&cid=t_157511_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Famerican-obesity-and-sugar-sweetened-beverages%2F2010.05.01 We are a nation stricken with an epidemic of obesity, which contributes to the incidence of diabetes and heart disease. Each of these has been linked to consumption of sugar intake, and in particular, sugar-sweetened beverages. There’s nothing evil about sugar — it’s just that too much of it in certain forms is bad for you. For the purpose of definition, sugar-sweetened beverages contain added, naturally-derived caloric sweeteners such as sucrose (table sugar), high-fructose corn syrup, or fruit juice concentrates. (more…) This post, American Obesity And Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, was originally published on Healthine.com by Paul S Auerbach M.D., M.S.. (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524113 Sat, 01 May 2010 22:00:00 +0100 3524113 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298358&cid=t_157511_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fdick-vs-bill.html Bill Clinton gets chest pain, hits the hospital, gets a few stents and, voilà, is back at work. A veritable poster child for stents. No doubt JNJ stock climbed on the news.On the flip side today: Dick Cheney gets chest pain, hits the hospital, and (I'll bet) he stays a while.What do you mean, Dr. Wes? Can't cardiologist magically fix everything? Do a cath! Give him a stent! Cardiology is so slam bam thank you ma'am, isn't it? Heck, he's got an ICD! He's the bionic man!Cardiology is easy until it isn't. No doubt Mr. Cheney has had impecable cardiovacular care. But despite that care, after three bypasses, a history of atrial fibrillation, deep venous thrombosis, a cardiomyopathy that requires a defibrillator or two, and scores of medications to stabilize the angina - you've suddenly got a ... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298358 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:30:00 +0100 3298358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3157504&cid=t_157511_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fguys-finally-some-news-you-can-use.html I'm not making this up. From the American Journal of Cardiology:"In multivariate models adjusted for age, covariates, ED (erectile dysfunction), and the Framingham risk score, a low frequency of sexual activity in men (once a month or less vs ≥2 times weekly) was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 2.01)."And yes, the lead author was a woman. Honey, you readin' this?-WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. (Source: Dr. Wes) Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3157504 Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:42:00 +0100 3157504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3156492&cid=t_157511_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fnevada-supreme-court-denies-insurance.html Could this be the start of a trend?The Nevada Supreme Court on Friday upheld a ruling that a Las Vegas police officer was not entitled to coverage for heart disease.Under state law, a police officer continuously employed for more than five years is entitled to the presumption that any heart disease is work related. Patricia Guesman, however, was denied coverage by both the hearing officer and a district judge.The Supreme Court noted coverage is not automatic if “after the police officer's annual medical exam, the examining physician ordered her in writing to correct a predisposing condition that was within her ability to correct and the officer failed to do so.”The three-justice panel of Ron Parraguirre, Michael Douglas and Kris Pickering pointed out that smoking is a predisposing cond... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3156492 Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:26:00 +0100 3156492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142596&cid=t_157511_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fscreen-hearts-not-boobs.html The recently-released USPSTF guidelines changed the recommendations to start mammogram screening for breast cancer in women from age 40 to age 50 based on extensive review of the costs, risks and benefits. As a result, when spun as “women’s care under siege,” the recommendation has become a potent political weapon.Ironically in Texas, a new law was just enacted that requires insurers to pay up to $200 to screen for coronary artery disease based on controversial "entrepreneurial guidelines" proposed by SHAPE, a group of cardiologists that includes the entrepreneurs themselves.So there you have it: how politics does preventative medicine...... completely anatomically, of course.-Wesh/t: Kevin, MDMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. (Source: Dr. Wes) Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142596 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:18:00 +0100 3142596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862627&cid=t_157511_122_f&fid=35055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsarasotaneurology.com%2F2009%2F10%2F04%2Fcaffeine-natures-own-wonder-drug%2F Much has been said and written about caffeine over the past half century. There have been over 20,000 studies conducted looking at the various effects and benefits of caffeine over this period of time. Numerous studies have demonstrated the tremendous health benefits that can be derived from regular daily consumption of caffeine, most commonly delivered through the consumption of coffee or energy drinks such as Red Bull or similar beveragage. All of these have a high caffeine content.  In almost any way that caffeine is consumed, there are certain health benefits that it delivers. Despite all the negative press that has been attributed to caffeine, there has never been a study that has shown that caffeine has long term negative health effects, quite the contrary. The vast majority ... Sarasota Neurology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862627 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:36:58 +0100 2862627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782101&cid=t_157511_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FsTpZcGJjmd8%2F Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when your blood circulation is compromised, because your arteries are narrowing, making it more difficult for the blood to flow through. Your arteries are the blood vessels that carry refreshed and oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Having PAD raises your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. People at highest risk of PAD are those who smoke or have diabetes, but also people who are African American and seniors have a higher risk than most others. PAD isn’t rare. It’s estimated that about 10 million American live with PAD. Since PAD doesn’t have any symptoms* until it has been present for a while and is causing problems, finding out if you’re at risk may help you seek help and be diagnosed before it becomes an issue... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782101 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:51:04 +0100 2782101 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2591587&cid=t_157511_122_f&fid=35055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsarasotaneurology.com%2F2009%2F07%2F10%2Fcoffee-tea-reduce-risk-of-stoke-and-tia%2F In conclusion, it is clear from the available data published in several medical journals, such as Stroke and Circulation, that there is a significant reduction in rate and prevalence of TIA, stroke and stroke symptoms with daily consumption of tea and/or coffee. Higher coffee consumption appears to be associated with a greater reduction in stroke prevalence. This in combination with a healthy diet, exercise of any kind and optimized medical therapy will provide individuals with the greatest protection against having a stroke and stroke prevention. (Source: Sarasota Neurology) Sarasota Neurology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2591587 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:37:54 +0100 2591587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2752039&cid=t_157511_122_f&fid=35055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsarasotaneurology.com%2F2009%2F07%2F10%2Fcoffee-tea-reduce-risk-of-stroke-and-tia%2F In conclusion, it is clear from the available data published in several medical journals, such as Stroke and Circulation, that there is a significant reduction in rate and prevalence of TIA, stroke and stroke symptoms with daily consumption of tea and/or coffee. Higher coffee consumption appears to be associated with a greater reduction in stroke prevalence. This in combination with a healthy diet, exercise of any kind and optimized medical therapy will provide individuals with the greatest protection against having a stroke and stroke prevention. (Source: Sarasota Neurology) Sarasota Neurology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2752039 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:33:53 +0100 2752039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2380768&cid=t_157511_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6790 VIDEO: Polyunsaturated Fats Reduce Coronary Artery Disease, Teriparatide Speeds Up Healing Process of Fractures, PTSD Influenced by Current Health Status strWebsiteID = window.document.location.toString();strSplitWeb = strWebsiteID.split("/")strWebsiteID = strSplitWeb[2];document.write(”“); from the Malaysian Medical Resources VIDEO: Polyunsaturated Fats Reduce Coronary Artery Disease, Teriparatide & Fractures, PTSD (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2380768 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2380768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2107832&cid=t_157511_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FmUkj0B3ak3o%2F I am not trying to push dark chocolate, but the fact is that we are all trying to improve our health. Our heart is the jewel of our body, when the heart is not functioning properly the whole body suffers. While looking for ways to improve our heart health we all look for everything available on heart. Finding that a small amount of dark chocolate daily is good for the heart, is a great treat. Dark chocolates are fully loaded with many flavaniods. So by simply eating 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate daily we may improve our heart health. A spot on CBS News, told of a research study that included 20 male smokers’ that were divided into two groups. The men were given 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate or white chocolate and then waited for two hours for the results. The men that ate the dark chocola... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2107832 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:31:52 +0100 2107832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1646466&cid=t_157511_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Fct-angiography-a-scambusters-report%2F If you see advertisements for or your doctor recommends you undergo CT angiography because it’s a relatively quick, painless way to get detailed images of your heart and its blood supply, and could uncover hidden abnormalities even though you have no symptoms of heart disease, consider asking the following questions: Do you, or does your practice, own or lease the CT scanning machine? How much money do you or your practice stand to gain from this test? If I went to another cardiologist, who doesn’t own or lease a CT scanning machine do you think they would also recommend the test? Turns out that there’s a significant controversy surrounding the increasing use of CT angiography. Not surprisingly, most of its proponents own or lease the equipment while its detract... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1646466 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:40:48 +0100 1646466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1300351&cid=t_157511_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F250676426%2F Peripheral artery disease image showing ‘furring up’ of arteries  Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) can affect the arteries, the veins or the lymph vessels. The most common and important type of PVD is peripheral artery disease, which affects about 8 million Americans.  It becomes more common as a person gets older, and by age 65, about 12 to 20 % of the population has it. Diagnosis is critical, as people with peripheral artery disease have a four to five times higher risk of heart attack or stroke.  Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) results from fatty deposits (plaque) that build up in the arteries outside the heart (peripheral arteries); mainly the arteries supplying the legs and feet. This buildup narrows or blocks a person’s arteries and reduces the amount of... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1300351 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:21:13 +0100 1300351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1072302&cid=t_157511_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F12%2F05%2Fnew-from-bmj-e-learning%2F Nocturnal enuresis in childhood: diagnosis and management is a just in-time module from BMJ Learning aimed at Foundation programme, Practice nurse CPD, Hospital doctor CPD, GP CPD, GP trainee, Other healthcare professionals and Practice manager CPD. Stable angina: drug management in primary care summarises the management of angina pectoris in primary care and is aimed at Foundation programme, Practice nurse CPD, GP CPD, and GP trainees. Peripheral arterial disease: an update on management is a just in time module aimed at Foundation programme, Practice nurse CPD, GP CPD, and GP trainees. BMJ Masterclass Highlight - Cardiology asks you to read and reflect on current issues; see what others think; and have your sa... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1072302 Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:26:07 +0100 1072302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1044138&cid=t_157511_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F188429924%2F … he has identified how two different kinds of Chlamydia can cause both coronary artery disease and miscarriages. Solving one mystery gave him clues that he needed to figure out the other. By focusing on the immune system mechanisms in Chlamydia infections, Azenabor has identified an important link in seemingly unrelated health problems. The result could be new treatments and prevention strategies for both heart disease and infertility. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a microbe that normally causes pneumonia and bronchitis, but it has long been associated with atherosclerosis, a cardiovascular disease also called “hardening of the arteries.” Huh? Chlamydia? Yes, when the macrophages’ cell walls are infected with the C. pneumoniae their usually tight cholesterol, which they ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1044138 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:20:52 +0100 1044138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=927971&cid=t_157511_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F165447073%2F Heart disease of the left main coronary artery has been found to be an inherited condition. Families tend to “share” this form of heart disease. “In our study we focused on the coronary disease pattern underlying coronary artery disease and found that, for left main coronary artery disease, 49 percent of the phenotypic variation that is due to genetic effects was inherited. This substantial heritability is even higher than that for coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction in general.” Why is this important? It can provide for more intensive screening and treatment strategies for patients that have known heart disease clumped in their family. It really does offer some very important clinical implications. Let’s hope we can pinpoint even more aspects of ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=927971 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:39:35 +0100 927971 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=658875&cid=t_157511_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F05%2Flaugh-away-heart-disease%2F Filed under: PreventionLaughter is about more than just feeling happy in the moment, because it can do so much more than just boost your mood. Previously studies have shown that laughing can help alleviate stress and help people lose weight, and now there's evidence that it also helps fight heart disease. Laughing lowers blood pressure, increases blood flow to the heart, and even strengthens artery walls. So what are you waiting for? If spontaneous giggles aren't your thing, take a look at this video of a laughing baby that That's Fit blogger Adams Briscoe found. The giggles are contagious! You won't be able to help yourself.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Cardio Blog) The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=658875 Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 658875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=486522&cid=t_157511_131_f&fid=34996&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftalk.genesanddrugs.com%2F2006%2F12%2F06%2Fback-in-the-saddle%2F I retired from fulltime medical practice earlier this year. My intention was to relax, travel, and then return to part-time practice. I enjoy the practice of medicine and I think it’s too early in life to give it up completely. So I registered with a locum tenens agency and was hired back by my former medical group to do fill-in work. And then—before I could get back to work—I became a patient. If you’ve been following this blog, you know that I needed an entirely unexpected coronary bypass surgery. I made the diagnosis of coronary artery disease myself while on a four-mile run in the hills near my home. Fortunately, the surgery went well and today—ten weeks post surgery—I’m just about back to baseline. I’ve started bicycling and running on a treadmill, and I feel fine. Tha... Genes & Drugs Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=486522 Wed, 06 Dec 2006 19:21:31 +0100 486522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479721&cid=t_157511_90_f&fid=34927&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbhavin.typepad.com%2Fcardiac_lit%2F2005%2F10%2Flimited_diagnos.html This article from Switzerland is one of the first that shows poor results with 16-slice CT, in unselected patients.. The results shown in this article, in 149 consecutive patients, are really dismal with an overall sensitivity of picking up significant CAD of 86%, but a specificity of just 49%. On a per segment basis, the sensitivity was just 30%. This article obviously needs to be read in more detail. What is seen, is that the patients were truly unselected no calcium scoring was performed before the procedure. No attempt was also made to control the heart rate and though not statistically significant, those with higher heart rates had poorer results. The biggest problem according to the authors was calcification, which both masked and simulated disease, where it was present. A similar... Cardiac CT & MRI Literature blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479721 Sat, 01 Oct 2005 02:11:20 +0100 479721 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479724&cid=t_157511_90_f&fid=34927&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbhavin.typepad.com%2Fcardiac_lit%2F2005%2F09%2Fenhanced_corona.html This article furthers the argument that high coronary artery calcium scores are associated not only with enhanced plaque burden, but also endothelial dysfunction Link: Enhanced Coronary Calcification Determined by Electron Beam CT Is Strongly Related to Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Suspected Coronary Artery Disease -- Huang et al. 128 (2): 810 -- Chest. (Source: Cardiac CT & MRI Literature) Cardiac CT & MRI Literature blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479724 Sun, 04 Sep 2005 04:43:57 +0100 479724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479733&cid=t_157511_90_f&fid=34927&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbhavin.typepad.com%2Fcardiac_lit%2F2005%2F05%2Fjama_abstract_n.html This is finally the "big" one. Following in the vein of all the previous articles by authors from Germany and Netherlands, this one by Hoffman et al shows how well CT angiography on a 16-slice CT does, as compared to conventional catheter angiography. The negative and positive predictive values are above 90%. As with previous articles, almost all false positive cases are related to the presence of extensive calcification. Link: JAMA -- Abstract: Noninvasive Coronary Angiography With Multislice Computed Tomography, May 25, 2005, Hoffmann et al. 293 (20): 2471. (Source: Cardiac CT & MRI Literature) Cardiac CT & MRI Literature blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479733 Wed, 25 May 2005 04:18:31 +0100 479733