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 'coronary'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:56:40 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174619&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-news-stories-beware-of-insufficient-evidence%2F2011.08.28 After seeing the NBC Nightly News last night, a physician urged me to write about what he saw: a story about a “simple blood test that could save women’s lives.” Readers – and maybe especially TV viewers – beware whenever you hear a story about “a simple blood test.” And this is a good case in point. Brian Williams led into the story stating: “Two of three women who die suddenly of cardiac heart disease have no previous symptoms which is all the more reason women may want to ask their doctors about a blood test that can be a lifesaver.” Then NBC News chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman said: “It’s not a new test, it’s not an experimental test but nonetheless it’s a test not a lot of people know about and tha... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174619 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:00:15 +0100 5174619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107523&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-best-thing-a-patient-can-do-following-a-heart-attack%2F2011.08.07 I’ve been telling my smoking patients for years that nothing I do for them is going to make an ounce of difference until they quit smoking for good.  And the Italians are out to prove me right.  The American Journal of Cardiology reported July 11th, 2011 on the Effect of Smoking Relapse On Outcome After Acute Coronary Syndrome. In a study of just under 1,300 patients,  Reuters reports that just over 1/2 the patients started smoking within 20 days of hospital discharge, despite in-hospital smoking cessation consultation for all patients.   Researchers also found that resuming smoking increased  death 3-fold compared with those that did not relapse and quitting smoking had a similar lifesaving effect as taking cholesterol and blood pressure medications.  And I’m sure these ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107523 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0100 5107523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086169&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fheart-health-related-to-satisfaction-with-life%2F2011.08.01 For centuries, health providers have focused on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. This time-honored paradigm has generated phenomenal advances in medicine, especially during the last 60 years. It has also created a bit of an image problem for providers. That’s because the paradigm encourages consumers to perceive health care as a negative good; an economic term describing a bundle of products and services that we use because we must, not because we want to. Recent trends towards empowered consumers are a symptom of this problem more than a solution to it, as I described here. Recently, the concept of Positive Health has emerged as a possible antidote for the malaise. Pioneered by University of Pennsylvania psychologist Martin Seligman, Positive Health encourages us to i... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086169 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:00:39 +0100 5086169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952846&cid=t_139616_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=4893453&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fstop-watches-may-be-better-than-ct-scans-at-predicting-heart-disease%2F2011.06.02 It is hardly news to say that we need better means to predict who will die of heart disease. No matter how much you may hear about medical errors, hospital acquired infections, or even distracted driving, it’s still heart disease that kills the most of us. The inflammation that begins narrowing our arteries starts when we are young. It percolates quietly, stealth-like for years. The young usually skate by unscathed. But all the cookies, beers, chips, inactivity and work stress adds up. The tension of life squeezes our arteries, daring them to crack or fissure. This cataclysm is one of the ways that middle age may introduce herself. A friend, or colleague, or sibling dies suddenly of heart problems. Those of us that our “masters-aged” have likely felt these sensations of sadness, and ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893453 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:00:39 +0100 4893453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841686&cid=t_139616_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_139616_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=4626835&cid=t_139616_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FL1d65XzpRt4%2F Musings on the point of equipoise for investigating and discharging chest pain patients in light of a new paper in the Lancet describing a rapid rule-out protocol for acute coronary syndromes (the ASPECT trial). (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626835 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:55:13 +0100 4626835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549752&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmore-potassium-fewer-strokes%2F2011.03.04 There are few medical conditions that people fear more than a stroke. We know that blood pressure control and lowering cholesterol levels reduces stroke risk. Now, thanks to a huge analysis from Italy published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, we know that higher dietary consumption of potassium is associated with lower rates of stroke and could also reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and total cardiovascular disease, too. What is even more remarkable is that the results apply to all parts of society and not just to specific “at-risk” subgroups. Most doctors aren’t even aware of how important it is to eat potassium-rich foods. And what are these foods that have potassium? Surprise: It’s fruits and vegetables like bananas, tomatoes, o... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549752 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:00:00 +0100 4549752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517236&cid=t_139616_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=4512395&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcoronary-stent-thrombosis-and-your-body-clock%2F2011.02.23 Add coronary stent thrombosis to the list of cardiac events influenced by circadian rhythms, with more events occurring during the early morning hours and in a summertime window of late July and early August. Coronary stent thrombosis joins several other adverse cardiac events that also follow a circadian pattern, such as stroke, unstable angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death, according to researcher published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Most studies that addressed circadian variations in cardiovascular disease were done before the advent of stents, so, researcher from Mayo Clinic-Rochester conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records and the clinic’s registry, finding 124 patients who presented with coronary stent thrombosis betwee... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4512395 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4512395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4459969&cid=t_139616_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F4kuUyHw9VaA%2F Review of Peter L Thompson's "Coronary Care Manual (2E)". (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4459969 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:20:09 +0100 4459969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4459959&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-forecast-for-heart-disease-gloomy-with-a-strong-chance-of-boomers%2F2011.02.10 As a youngster, I loved being part of the baby boom — it meant there were dozens of kids on my block who were ready to play hide-and-seek or join mysterious clubs. Now that I’m of an AARP age, there’s one club I don’t want to join: The one whose members have bypass scars, pacemakers, or other trappings of cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association’s (AHA) gloomy new forecast on cardiovascular disease tells me it won’t be easy to avoid. The AHA foresees sizeable increases in all forms of cardiovascular disease (see table) between now and 2030, the year all of the boomers are age 65 and older. Those increases will translate into an additional 27 million people with high blood pressure, eight million with coronary heart disease, four million with stroke, and thr... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4459959 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:00:43 +0100 4459959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424235&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcardiovascular-care-costs-could-triple-by-2030%2F2011.02.01 Real total direct medical costs of cardiovascular disease (CVD) could triple, from $273 billion to $818 billion (in 2008 dollars) by 2030. Real indirect costs, such as lost productivity among the employed and unpaid household work, could increase 61 percent, from $172 billion in 2010 to $276 billion. Results appeared in a policy statement of the American Heart Association. CVD is the leading cause of mortality and accounts for 17 percent of national health expenditures, according to the statement. How much so? U.S. medical expenditures rose from 10 percent of the Gross Domestic Product in 1985 to 15 percent in 2008. In the past decade, the medical costs of CVD have grown at an average annual rate of 6 percent and have accounted for about 15 percent of the increase in medical spending... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424235 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:00:00 +0100 4424235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399522&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fexercise-now-weigh-less-later%2F2011.01.26 People know it’s important to avoid excessive weight gain as they get older, and that exercise is a key to success in this regard. But until recently, scientists had published surprisingly few studies purporting to quantify the impact of habitual exercise on weight gain over the long haul. Dr. Arlene Hankinson and her colleagues at Northwestern University set out to do just that. Using data from a prospective follow-up study, Hankinson’s group showed that men who were able to maintain high activity levels over an extended period gained six fewer pounds, and five fewer centimeters of waist circumference than those in the lowest activity group. Women in the highest activity group gained 13 fewer pounds and nearly seven centimeters less around their waists. To reach these conclusions... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399522 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:00:20 +0100 4399522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360978&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fprotect-your-heart-when-shoveling-snow%2F2011.01.18 After shoveling the heavy, 18-inch layer of snow that fell overnight on my sidewalk and driveway, my back hurt, my left shoulder ached, and I was tired. Was my body warning me I was having a heart attack, or were these just the aftermath of a morning spent toiling with a shovel? Now that I’m of an AARP age, it’s a question I shouldn’t ignore. Snow shoveling is a known trigger for heart attacks. Emergency rooms in the snowbelt gear up for extra cases when enough of the white stuff has fallen to force folks out of their homes armed with shovels or snow blowers.  What’s the connection? Many people who shovel snow rarely exercise. Picking up a shovel and moving hundreds of pounds of snow, particularly after doing nothing physical for several months, can put a big strain on the heart. ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4360978 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:00:40 +0100 4360978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4337937&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2F%25e2%2580%259cjust-in-case%25e2%2580%259d-heart-tests-can-they-do-more-harm-than-good%2F2011.01.12 Here’s an important equation that all of us — doctors include — should know about healthcare, but don’t: More ≠ Better “More does not equal better” applies to diagnostic procedures, screening tests meant to identify problems before they appear, medications, dietary supplements, and just about every aspect of medicine. That scenario is spelled out in alarming detail in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Clinicians at the Cleveland Clinic describe the case of a 52-year-old woman who went to her community hospital because she had been having chest pain for two days. She wasn’t having symptoms of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath, unexplained nausea, or a cold sweat, and her electrocardiogram and other tests were fine. The woman’s doctors concluded that her ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4337937 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:00:10 +0100 4337937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294630&cid=t_139616_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=4277833&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Falcohol-and-cancer-a-beverage-guide-for-the-holidays%2F2010.12.21 Guest post submitted by MD Anderson Cancer Center* When you raise your glass at this year’s holiday toast, choose your beverage wisely. Research shows that drinking even a small amount of alcohol increases your chances of developing cancer, including oral cancer, breast cancer and liver cancer. Yet, other research shows that drinking small amounts of alcohol may protect the body against coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Some evidence even suggests that red wine may help prevent cancer. Researchers are still trying to learn more about how alcohol links to cancer. But, convincing evidence does support the fact that heavy drinking damages cells and contributes to cancer development. Confused? Use our beverage guide to choose a drink with the lowest health risk, and learn your reco... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4277833 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:00:35 +0100 4277833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4205915&cid=t_139616_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fphysiological-effects-intraaortic-balloon-pump%2F Intra-aortic balloon pumps are inserted through the femoral artery with inflation at the onset of diastole and deflation just before systole. There are a number of physiological effects: 1. displaces blood both proximally and distally 2. decreases myocardial oxygen demand 3. increases myocardial oxygen supply 4. increases coronary artery perfusion 5. increases systemic artery perfusion 6. increases cardiac output 7. increases systolic ejection fraction 8. increases mean arterial pressure 9. decreases heart rate 10. decreases pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 11. decreases systemic vascular resistance (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4205915 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 07:14:27 +0100 4205915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172063&cid=t_139616_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FGAAAvssZU0o%2F Can you spot the subtle ECG abnormality that will help you nail the diagnosis in this patient with chest pain? (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172063 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:19:12 +0100 4172063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164487&cid=t_139616_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=4055677&cid=t_139616_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F11%2Fdiversity-in-health-and-care-2010-vol-7-no-3%2F This article evaluates training courses run by the British Heart Foundation to improve the knowledge of health advocates and trainers within the context of a multi-cultural society. Contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Current Awareness, Journals, Primary Care Tagged: Coronary Heart Disease, Ethnicity, Health Advocates, Health Inequalities, Training and Education, Voluntary and Community Provision (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4055677 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 08:42:47 +0100 4055677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4025690&cid=t_139616_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D1187 Please Shay it isn’t so Shay-la Hershey – Size 38KKK!  (World’s Largest Breasts Record) No need to hit the GYM – just head to the beach instead! Just 10 minutes of staring at the charms of a well-endowed female is equivalent to a 30-minute aerobics work-out,” said author Dr. Karen Weatherby, a gerontologist. So, since Shayla’s chest is over 7 sizes larger than a D cup,  you can get get a 3 1/2 workout by looking at her bust for just ten minutes! Boob oglers have a lower blood pressure, slower resting pulse rates and decreased risk of coronary artery disease.  Of course, right after seeing large breasts there usually is a temporary increase in blood pressure and heart rate, but then it settles down with time.  Playboy King, Hugh Hefner may therefore ... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4025690 Sat, 02 Oct 2010 05:29:04 +0100 4025690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993906&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Flarge-healthcare-systems-are-they-gouging-patients%2F2010.09.22 With patients having to pay more of what’s charged for their healthcare, comparisons between medical systems like this one in Pennsylvania make us wonder if bigger necessarily means better. From the Times-Tribune: The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council study looked at four regional hospitals that offer cardiac surgery: Geisinger Wyoming Valley, Plains Twp.; Community Medical Center and Mercy Hospital, Scranton; and Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. Among the four, Geisinger Wyoming Valley carries the biggest price tag. In 2008, the average hospital charge for a coronary artery bypass graft surgery was $108,029 and the average hospital charge for valve surgery was $132,740, according to information in the report. (more…) *This blog post was original... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993906 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3993906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993922&cid=t_139616_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FWqkh2EcpPFA%2F A 4 year-old boy has been brought to the emergency department by his worried parents. He has had fevers for the past 6 days. They are concerned because he is not getting better despite repeated visits to a number of doctors. Each time they were told he had a viral illness. Can you kickstart this diagnosis? (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993922 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:56 +0100 3993922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987102&cid=t_139616_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2010%2F09%2F21%2Fautumn-and-seasonal-affective-disorder-and-acute-coronary-syndrome%2F It’s this time of the year again, autumn. The time for great wines and game and truffle and ….. Also time for some of us to sit behind your lamps every morning for half an hour for two weeks on stretch against seasonal affective disorder. Depressive disorder is not the only disease influenced by seasonality. In a large retrospective study in Bejing the presentation of Acute Coronary Syndrome which usually presents in the late stages of coronary heart disease also has a significantly seasonal and monthly rhythm. The highest seasonal incidence occurred in winter and decreased as the season changed from winter to autumn, the monthly cases reached it’s high in March and it’s lowest in September as can be seen in the graphs above. Beijing is characterized by warm tempe... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987102 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:28:08 +0100 3987102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3920838&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmagnet-guided-medicine-hits-the-spot%2F2010.08.31 Researchers at Lund University in Sweden successfully used magnets to guide clot-dissolving drugs (fibrinolytics) directly to the site of a thrombus stuck within a coronary stent. They did this by attaching the drugs to magnetic nanoparticles and using external magnets to move them to the right spot. From the press release: Guiding drug-loaded magnetic particles using a magnet outside the body is not a new idea. However, previous attempts have failed for various reasons: It has only been possible to reach the body’s superficial tissue, and the particles have often obstructed the smallest blood vessels. The Lund researchers’ attempt has succeeded partly because nanotechnology has made the particles tiny enough to pass through the smallest arteries and partly because the target has been ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3920838 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:43 +0100 3920838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3858157&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbaby-boomers-are-bypassing-primary-care%2F2010.08.11 Office-based practices are focusing increasingly on patients 45 and older, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2008, those 45 and older accounted for 57 percent of all office visits, compared to 49 percent in 1998. Prescriptions, scans and time spent with the doctor also became increasingly concentrated on those middle aged and older, according to data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. Also, physician visits increasingly concentrated on medical and surgical specialists and less on care provided by primary care practitioners for those ages 45 and older. Furthermore, for patients ages 65 and older, the percentage of visits to primary care specialists decreased from 62 percent to 45 percent from 1978 to 2008, while the percentage of visits ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3858157 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:00:00 +0100 3858157 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3746694&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2F187105%2F Anxiety Leads to Heart Problems: A new study found that people with stable coronary heart disease and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) had a higher rate of cardiovascular events than patients without GAD. (via ABC News) Post from: BlissTree (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3746694 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:28:55 +0100 3746694 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3679736&cid=t_139616_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F21%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-303-no-20-2%2F This article considers the case of Mr Q, a 42-year-old man who has consistently sought ways to preserve his health and is at a crossroads in his discussions with his doctor about the health effects of his regular, limited alcohol intake. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of the article. Filed under: Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals, Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Alcohol, Coronary Heart Disease, Health Benefits (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3679736 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 06:59:22 +0100 3679736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648599&cid=t_139616_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F10%2Fhow-do-you-heal-loneliness%2F If I had to name the most common complaint I hear among people with depression, it is that they are lonely. Just a little while back, I replied on a thread within Group Beyond Blue to a woman who started a thread called “Who Do I Turn To?” She wants so badly to connect with another woman — as the anchors in her life, her mother and friends, have either passed on or moved. So many of us are lonely. It is at the core of so many disorders and illnesses. Not just the imaginary ones made up in our psyches (or so many think), but heart disease and immunity functions and nervous system disorders. Many of our health issues in this country stem from loneliness. In his PsychCentral blog entry, “Loneliness Is Not a DSM-5 Disorder, But It Still Hurts,” Psychiatrist Ron Pi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648599 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:05:27 +0100 3648599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3635746&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fis-red-meat-hazardous-to-your-health%2F2010.06.06 Red meat consumption has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer (breast, colorectal, stomach, bladder, prostate, and lymphoma). There are plausible mechanisms: Meat is a source of carcinogens, iron that may increase oxidative damage, and saturated fat. But correlation and plausibility are not enough to establish causation. Is red meat really dangerous? If so, how great is the risk? A couple of recent studies have tried to shed light on these questions, but they have raised more questions than they have answered. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Science-Based Medicine* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3635746 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:00:39 +0100 3635746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595587&cid=t_139616_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_139616_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_139616_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=3508243&cid=t_139616_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F27%2Floneliness-is-not-a-dsm-5-disorder-but-it-still-hurts%2F The recent controversy over the still-developing DSM-5 — that compendium of mental disorders the media love to call, inappropriately, “The Bible of Psychiatry” –has gotten me thinking about loneliness. Now, thankfully, nobody has seriously proposed including loneliness in the DSM-5. Indeed, loneliness is usually thought of as simply an unpleasant part of life — one of the “slings and arrows” that pierce almost all of us from time to time. Loneliness, in some ways, remains enmeshed in a web of literary and cultural clichés, born of such works as Nathaniel West’s darkly comic novel, Miss Lonelyhearts, and the Beatles’ whimsical anthem, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” But loneliness turns out to be a serious matter. And as psychiatry debat... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508243 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:31:32 +0100 3508243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331224&cid=t_139616_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fburt-reynolds-recovering-heart-bypass-surgery%2F Veteran actor Burt Reynolds is recovering at home following surgery last week at an undisclosed Florida hospital to bypass blocked coronary arteries. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331224 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:50:50 +0100 3331224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298358&cid=t_139616_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=3279925&cid=t_139616_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F17%2Fbmj-2010-vol-340-no-7740%2F content page Fade Fave: Home based versus centre based cardiac rehabilitation: Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis Fade Skinny: Coronary heart disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Although mortality from coronary heart disease has decreased in many developed countries in recent decades, morbidity is increasing as a result of improved diagnosis and more successful treatment of acute illness, which has resulted in an increase in the number of people who survive myocardial infarction. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Filed under: Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Athens Password, Coronary Heart Disease, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Health Centres, Home Healthcare, Rehabilitation (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3279925 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:31:08 +0100 3279925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3178797&cid=t_139616_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fphoto-gallery-heart.html Click image to enlargeThe above is a retouched photograph of an 82 year old patient's chest x-ray with a pacemaker and pneumonia that hails from the photo gallery from National Geographic.You can download "wallpaper" sized images from their collection at the link above to adorn your computer monitor's background or the wall of your office or lab.-WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. (Source: Dr. Wes) Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3178797 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:03:00 +0100 3178797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3157504&cid=t_139616_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_139616_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_139616_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=3023068&cid=t_139616_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F24%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2009-vol-302-no-19%2F This article tests the effectiveness of telephone-delivered collaborative care vs usual physician care. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online. Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Coronary Heart Disease, Depression, Telephone-delivered Care (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023068 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:14:16 +0100 3023068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3018947&cid=t_139616_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F23%2Farchives-of-general-psychiatry-2009-vol-66-no-11%2F content page Fade Fave: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Fade Skinny: Among patients with heart disease, PTSD is more strongly associated with patient-reported cardiovascular health status than objective measures of cardiac function. Future studies should explore whether assessing and treating PTSD symptoms can improve function and quality of life in patients with heart disease. NHS Athens is required to access this article online Posted in Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Athens Password, Coronary Heart Disease, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Heart Disease, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Quality of Life (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3018947 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:06:03 +0100 3018947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999592&cid=t_139616_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F11%2F17%2Freducing-marital-stress-through-communication%2F One heavily researched area within psychology is couples’ and marital communication. How a couple chooses to communicate — especially during a conflict — affects all sorts of things in the relationship: stress, relationship health, intimacy, even each person’s health. As Gouin et al. (2009) note in a summary of our existing research on this issue: Individuals reporting lower marital satisfaction experienced more non-specific physical illness symptoms over a 4-year period than individuals with higher marital satisfaction. Among healthy women, lower marital satisfaction was also associated with a more rapid progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Furthermore, women who were initially dissatisfied in their marital relationship were more likely to develop metabolic syn... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999592 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:23:39 +0100 2999592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862627&cid=t_139616_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=2751834&cid=t_139616_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F01%2Fheart-2009-vol-95-no-18%2F Contents page Fade Fave: Therapeutic strategies after coronary stenting in chronically anticoagulated patients: the MUSICA study Fade Skinny:Finds that in patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT), triple therapy (TT) was the most commonly used regimen after stenting percutaneous coronary intervention and stent implantation (PCI-S). Double antiplatelet therapy (DAT) was associated with the lowest rate of bleeding events and a similar efficacy to TT in patients at low thromboembolic risk. TT should probably be restricted to patients at moderate–high thromboembolic risk. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Posted in Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Heart Diseases Tagged: Athens Password, Coronary Stents, Current Awareness, Drug Therapy, E-Journa... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751834 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:25:35 +0100 2751834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757710&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7814 I have seen local community forums where lay persons are advising others to take aspirin like “multivitamins” to prevent strokes and heart attacks. We do not have sound evidence for doing so in the healthy population. In fact indiscriminately popping low dose aspirin would probably result in seeing more bleeding complications. Recent research from Britain shows that Aspirin does more harm than good in healthy people At a conference for leading doctors, British scientists said they have found that for healthy people taking aspirin does not significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack. At the same time they found it almost doubles the risk of being admitted to hospital due to internal bleeding. The findings show that for otherwise healthy people the risks of taking aspirin ou... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757710 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2757710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2667560&cid=t_139616_125_f&fid=38161&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalheroes.com%2Fperiodontal-disease-atherosclec-coronary-heart-disease%2F Periodontal disease and risk of atherosclerotic coronary heart diseaseIncreasing evidence supports the notion that periodontitis is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis… (Source: Dental Heroes) Dental Heroes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2667560 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:28:26 +0100 2667560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2602062&cid=t_139616_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FXArcjkn4ce8%2F Women don’t only get heart disease, they’re getting heart disease in larger and larger numbers. In fact, according to the FamilyDoctor.org: heart disease is the leading cause of death among women over 65. American women are 4 to 6 times more likely to die of heart disease than of breast cancer. Heart disease kills more women over 65 than all cancers combined. To watch a video on how women need to be more aware of their risk of heart disease, click on this TV screen: And to watch a video on coronary heart disease itself, click on this TV screen: ~~~~ Images: iStock.com Share and Enjoy: Post from: Blisstree Video Tuesday: Women and Heart Disease (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2602062 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:08:35 +0100 2602062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2591587&cid=t_139616_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_139616_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_139616_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_139616_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=1993575&cid=t_139616_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2008%2F11%2Faftb-lecture-notes-acute-coronary-syndromes-part-iii%2F RISK STRATIFICATION OF PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED AMI Less than 30% patients currently admitted to CCU have final diagnosis AMI. Conversely 2-5% AMI patients are inadvertently sent home, accounting for 25% of all emergency care malpractice dollars awarded in litigation. Twenty-five percent AMI patients have atypical symptoms and signs, 50% an initial non-diagnostic ECG. EDs +/- chest pain [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1993575 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:00:48 +0100 1993575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1985774&cid=t_139616_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2008%2F11%2Faftb-lecture-notes-acute-coronary-syndrome-part-i%2F MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION / ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES (ACS) - Part I EPIDEMIOLOGY Over 32,000 deaths per year in Australia: largest single cause. 50% reduction age-adjusted mortality (by risk-factor modification) since 1960, still falling now, but those with chronic CAD are increasing commensurately. Still 60-70% die prehospital (this proportion unchanged) - thus overall 28-day mortality has improved little, compared with reduced [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1985774 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:00:43 +0100 1985774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1733979&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D4213 A great video that “tells it like it is” the symptoms of a heart attack. It is imperative that anyone suffering from a heart attack receive treatment as soon as possible. This means getting very quickly to a hospital with CCU facilities. Don’t dilly dally. If possible, pop an aspirin on the way. Pre-hospital treatment in the ambulance with other anti-platelet agents may be beneficial e.g. in STEMI. (originally via Dr Wes) Remember: Time is myocardium a Heart attack (VIDEO) (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1733979 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1733979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1334489&cid=t_139616_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F259894335%2Fdrugcoated_stents_get_new_fda.html The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced new guidelines for testing drug-coated stents. This comes after two years and is in response to safety concerns towards the use of the devices. It will be recommended that large, analytic studies be done before and after these stents are submitted to the FDA. The FDA says that these companies should be tracking patients for up to five years in order to monitor blood clots, heart attacks and any other fatal occurrence. The cost, however, would be in the millions. Stents are used to hold open arteries after these arteries have been cleared of fatty plaque. Drug coating began to be used in 2003 and is used to prevent scar tissue from growing over the tiny mesh wires called stents. Soon as the effects of the drug coating came into the light, i.e.... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1334489 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:23:51 +0100 1334489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024364&cid=t_139616_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F184167964%2F Patients that deal with RA, rheumatoid arthritis, have something to celebrate. There has been a breakthrough in research that may prove to aid in the risk of heart attacks associated with the inflammatory disease, by 80%. Just what is RA you ask? Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and limitation in the motion and function of many joints. An estimated 2.1 million Americans have RA, most of them women. Although joints are the principal body parts affected by RA, inflammation can develop in other organs as well. Heart attacks, resulting from inflammation of the coronary vessels, are more common in RA sufferers. Researchers have been studying reducing the risk of heart attacks among patients by using a TNF-inhibitor in conjunction with the tried an... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024364 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:40:11 +0100 1024364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=927971&cid=t_139616_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=926318&cid=t_139616_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F164971877%2F Do you worry yourself to death? Are you anxious and easily panicked? I am a very anxious person by nature and tend to worry about things that I can’t even control. But there is new research that states that women who have at least one full blown panic attack increase their risk for heart attack, stroke and an untimely death. Well, well, well… if that isn’t reason enough to get my worries under control, I don’t know what would be. The results add panic attacks to the list of emotions and psychiatric symptoms that have already been linked to cardiovascular risk, including depression, anger and hostility, the authors note. Panic attacks could be associated with other cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension. Alternatively, anxiety could contribute to adverse c... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=926318 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 01:19:17 +0100 926318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=918866&cid=t_139616_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F10%2F2%2Fnew-technology-to-determine-risk-of-heart-attack.html by Bill Bestermann, MDIn my last post, I discussed the untimely death of Wake Forest Basketball coach Skip Prosser and the relationship of vulnerable plaque to sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction. Only 14% of heart attacks are caused by a fixed artery blockage of 70% or greater. For 70% of heart attack patients, the blockage in the coronary artery is less than 50% (non-obstructive). A non-obstructive plaque causes no symptoms and usually would not produce a positive stress test. Since the 50% blockage typically causes no symptoms, for 70% of myocardial infarction patients, the heart attack or sudden death is their first symptom. We try to overcome this by using the Framingham risk score, assigning points for risk factors including HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, age, t... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=918866 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:17:52 +0100 918866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=918091&cid=t_139616_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F163809143%2F Hmm… I will present this to you with no opinion or comments from me. It seems that researchers out of The Bristol Heart Institute in Britain have confirmed the belief that certain patients that have survived heart attacks and heart disease become more naturally pre-conditioned than their healthy counterparts. … Discovered surprising responses of the heart to mock cardiac surgery in a mouse model. When the heart was stopped and restarted — mimicking the conditions used in most heart bypass surgery — scientists found hearts with coronary disease from genetically modified mice were more resistant to damage than hearts without coronary disease. So what do you think? Have you ever heard of this before? The research team detailed their findings in the October issue of th... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=918091 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:39:59 +0100 918091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=848431&cid=t_139616_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F153229249%2F Twice as many women as men ages 45 to 64 have undetected or “silent” myocardial infarctions, suggesting a general diagnosis problem; however, Warwick University Medical School researchers say doctor’s gender may hinder early diagnosis of heart disease in women. This is sort of interesting. The doctors gender affects the diagnosis of heart disease. And which sex had the “quicker hand” to diagnosing coronary disease? If you guessed the female physicians then you are correct, but only towards males. The female doctors showed a clear bias in favor of male patients when considering age as a diagnostic factor, opposed to their male counterparts. So I guess this would mean on the other hand if you have a female doctor and you are a women, then you have more of a cha... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=848431 Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:25:44 +0100 848431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=797934&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F14%2Fleft-sided-breast-cancer-radiation-spikes-heart-risk%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, RadiationI hate it when I fit the mold for some not-so-great research finding. Like the recent news about how women with early-stage cancer of the left breast (that's me) who are treated with radiation following lumpectomy (me again) face an increased risk of developing radiation-related coronary damage. OK, so the benefits of radiation therapy still outweigh the risks. Still, when radiation is applied to the breast on the same side as the heart, there are worries. I knew about these concerns. My radiation oncologist addressed them prior to my treatment. Hearing that an actual, important, convincing study confirms what I already knew may be a side effect, though, makes my heart race a little bit more.There were 961 women with stage I and II breast cancer who wer... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=797934 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 797934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=747659&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F21%2Fheart-x-ray-linked-to-risk-of-cancer%2F Filed under: Women Heart Health, Children Heart HealthWhen a doctor wants to see inside a heart, one option is to use a procedure called computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography, which can identify problems inside the heart and arteries without making a cut. But the use of the higher radiation procedure on certain patients is being questioned. By taking what they know about certain kinds of radiation, researchers were able to predict the risk of developing cancer for various groups of people. What they found was that women who underwent the procedure were especially at risk, because the breasts may be damaged by the x-ray. Young women, especially, had an increased chance of developing cancer, because their is a longer period of time in front of them for cancer to develop. There are ot... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=747659 Sat, 21 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 747659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=690005&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F22%2Fwomen-in-their-50s-on-estrogen-have-healthier-arteries%2F This study has nothing to say about healthier arteries in those taking the combo hormone therapy. Besides, most menopausal women are afraid of hormone therapy after the National Institutes of Health suddenly stopped the WHI estrogen/progesterone trials five years ago after finding menopausal hormone therapy was associated with heart-attack risk. Possibly one BIG overreaction -- here's the key -- the heart effects of hormones depend on a woman's age and how recently she entered menopause. Start hormones ten or more years past menopause and you're at greater risk for heart attack, but using the hormones at the start of menopause appears to lower risk. Leading the analysis, WHI investigator JoAnn E. Manson says this does not mean women should start popping estrogen for heart health. Ho... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=690005 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 690005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=658840&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F05%2Fmagic-mushrooms-to-combat-syndrome-x%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Diet, Research, ProductsLooks like 'shrooms might become a swanky and healthy thing to do! The fungi is affectionately called the Maitake mushroom, and literally means "dancing mushroom. Research has found it lowers blood pressure, abdominal obesity, and lipids in the blood. Maitake Products plans to target the maitake (grifola frondosa) mushroom to treat metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a common precondition for both coronary disease and type 2 diabetes. The condition is characterized by a group of metabolic risk factors including: abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, high blood pressure and insulin resistance. With the growing number of people affected by these conditions, Maitake claims there is significant market potential for its drug... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=658840 Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 658840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=650947&cid=t_139616_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F31%2Fwhat-you-need-to-know-about-coronary-heart-disease%2F Filed under: Prevention, Research, Women Heart Health, Men Heart HealthHow much do you know about coronary heart disease? I'll admit that I don't know much -- afterall, I'm young and healthy and far from heart problems ... at least I hope I am. But everyone should be informed about their health. We don't need medical degrees but we should know what risks we face and what arising symptoms could mean.Dr. Naidu of Heart Matters recently posted this info on coronary heart disease, including the risk factors and prevention methods. By living a healthy lifestyle, not smoking, being active and managing my stress, I'm doing pretty well at preventing coronary heart disease, and it's good to know what I'm doing right. Don't you think?Read | Permalink | Email this | Link... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=650947 Thu, 31 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 650947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=462385&cid=t_139616_115_f&fid=34670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsumerdoc.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Ftunneled-coronary-artery.html "Tunneled coronary arteries are clinically relevant due to their association with myocardial ischemia.The coronary arteries may dip into the myocardium for varying lengths and then reappear on the heart surface. The muscle overlying the intramyocardial segment of the epicardial coronary artery is termed as myocardial bridge and the artery coursing within the myocardium in called a tunneled artery." One of the conditions where CT coronary angiography can give mor einformation than angiography.Reference-Garde PS, Karandikar AA, Tavri OJ, Patkar DP, Dalal AK. Tunneled coronary artery: Case report. Indian J Radiol Imaging [serial online] 2006 [cited 2007 Feb 21];16:283-284.From Sumer's Radiology Site http://www.sumerdoc.blogspot.com -The Top Radiology Magazine (Source: Sumer's Radiology Site) Sumer's Radiology Site blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=462385 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:26:00 +0100 462385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=486522&cid=t_139616_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_139616_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_139616_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_139616_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