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 'hdl'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:09:19 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911479&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fstatins-reduce-heart-disease-risk-but-probably-not-because-they-lower-cholesterol%2F2011.06.08 When cyclists find out that I am a heart doctor, they most frequently ask about cholesterol numbers. “…My cholesterol is this…What do you think?” “…My doctor wants me to take a statin…But I read that these drugs might lower my functional threshold power 2.014 watts/40km.” All this focus on numbers saddens me. Remember, I am a forest guy, not a tree guy. What’s more, as a doctor that revels in the adrenaline rush of ablating rogue circuits with technology that would impress even a twenty-something, I find questions about biochemistry dreary–like eating quinoa. I wish folks would ask me about how to terminate AF with a catheter, or how an (evidenced-based) ICD saved a mom’s life, or perhaps even this: “Do you do heart surgery?” But more often than not people want t... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911479 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 21:00:58 +0100 4911479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872477&cid=t_107505_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FgXmYGKYgYhk%2F A study run by the National Institutes of Health was ended 18 months early after finding that adding Niaspan to a statin in people with heart disease did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes. Moreover, Niaspan may have boosted the risk of ischemic events, raising questions about the benefit of raising HDL, or so-called good cholesterol, to fight heart disease. The 3,414-person study, which added the Abbott Laboratories pill to Merck’s Zocor, found the combination was linked to stroke in 1.6 percent of patients, compared with 0.7 percent among those given a placebo. The combo failed to reduce heart attacks, heart-related hospitalizations and the need for procedures to reduce chest pain and restore strong blood flow to the heart. “The... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872477 Thu, 26 May 2011 16:07:59 +0100 4872477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4829300&cid=t_107505_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FjslS28kfTmI%2F Will Abbott Laboratories lose what was to have been a big money maker? The answer should be known on Thursday, when an FDA advisory committee meets to decide the fate of Trilipix, a so-called fenofibrate pill that was approved in 2008 for lowering cholesterol but, more recently, was linked to a higher rate of heart problems among women who combined the drug with a statin. However, the clinical significance of the finding, which was disclosed in a study known as ACCORD, is not entirely certain, which is why the FDA panel is meeting. However, one question to be addressed is whether the FDA should withdraw approval for using the med in conjunction with a statin or, instead, revise the labeling and possibly include study results. Another option is to require another study (see this). The ACCOR... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4829300 Tue, 17 May 2011 12:51:04 +0100 4829300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4121852&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsugar-consumption-a-deliciously-disgusting-ad-campaign%2F2010.10.31 New York City’s war on sugary soft drinks had to balance evidence-based medicine with a short, simple message that would go viral in the community. Going viral won, according to e-mails of internal discussions between the city’s health commissioner, his staff, and the ad agency that crafted the campaign. The statement that soda would cause a person to gain 10 pounds a year is contingent upon many factors, argued the staff, but the desire to produce a media message with impact overruled the details. One nutritionist called the campaign “deliciously disgusting.” Chocolate may moderate HDL cholesterol in type 2 diabetics, according to the November issue of Diabetic Medicine. High polyphenol chocolate increased HDL cholesterol in diabetics without affecting weight, insu... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4121852 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 12:00:00 +0100 4121852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751978&cid=t_107505_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FxgmapjZC0Zw%2F According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, high blood cholesterol affects over 65 million Americans. High cholesterol can lead to heart disease and one that is often preventable, or at least manageable. Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the blood and the body’s cells. The body needs cholesterol as it’s a building block, but not all cholesterol is good and not all cholesterol is bad. Which is which? The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered the “bad” cholesterol and what doctors are looking for when they’re sending you for cholesterol tests. The best way to remember is L is for lower and you want the LDL to be low. The “good” cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein (HDL). You want this one to be h... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751978 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:20:26 +0100 2751978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2260356&cid=t_107505_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fstatin-ed.html Funny how issues can swirl right past you, until they become personal. Then suddenly you awake to find yourself at the center of the storm!  What I’m getting at here is that a few weeks ago, my endo decided I should start taking a statin drug.  And all of a sudden, all the hullaballoo over [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2260356 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:30:42 +0100 2260356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2160582&cid=t_107505_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FLMyeiuz9ypg%2F In today’s fast pace, fast food world even our children have high cholesterol. It is more important than ever to know your cholesterol levels. Good cholesterol HDL levels for men should be higher than 40 and 50 for women. When the levels are over 60 it lowers your risk factors for heart disease. The HDL removes cholesterol from the arteries, taking it back to the liver where it passes from your body. Bad cholesterol or LDL builds up in the walls of the arteries. The walls of your blood vessels will narrow over time, due to the build-up of the fatty deposits. The fatty build-up will slow the blood flow, eventually causing heart failure. It is wise to have a complete physical once a year, this will aid in preventing problems such as high cholesterol. To learn more about choleste... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2160582 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:00:00 +0100 2160582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074610&cid=t_107505_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FM1V-Bz3d6H4%2F Researchers have found a gene known only to the Amish population so far. This information may prove to be extremity important in heart research, leading to new methods of preventing heart problems. The researchers found that the older Amish people were the best test subjects. Older Amish are genetically homogenous, that can trace their families back 14 generations all the way to Europe in the 1700 hundreds.  Amish people live a slower pace of life and eat homegrown foods that do not contain preservatives. They get more exercise and have higher levels of good HDL-cholesterol, lower levels of LDL or bad cholesterol. “People who have the mutation all have low triglycerides,” said Toni Pollin of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, who led the study r... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074610 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:10:35 +0100 2074610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065451&cid=t_107505_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FvRStkhMKr7E%2F Having a glass of wine over the holiday’s will actually be good for your heart. A glass or two of wine per day will increase the Omega-3 fatty acids in the blood. A research study led by Dr. Romina Di Giuseppe of the Catholic University in Campobasso, Italy, found that the link is stronger among wine drinkers. The link was not as strong in those who drink beer and other alcoholic drinks in moderation. Fish such as salmon and mackerel also lower your triglycerides. Which in turn reduces risk of heart failure due to reducing inflammation and preventing disturbances in the rhythm of the heart. Wine also reduces the chances of blood clots by boosting the blood levels of your good HDL cholesterol. The study will be published in the January issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrit... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065451 Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:42:38 +0100 2065451 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1492321&cid=t_107505_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F304078718%2F The good cholesterol that scientists have thought helped unclog arteries had no effect on heart disease in a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association, casting doubt on a theory drugmakers have spent more than $1 billion pursuing, Bloomberg News writes. Researchers studied people who have a genetic condition that causes them to produce very low levels of HDL cholesterol, expecting they’d be about twice as likely to have heart disease. Instead, they had no greater risk, throwing into question the notion that raising HDL helps reduce plaque in arteries, a theory Pfizer, Merck and Roche have all pursued at various times, the wire notes. “There is really no evidence that this method is going to work,” Anne Tybjaerg-Hansen, a study and clinical... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1492321 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:08:25 +0100 1492321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1243622&cid=t_107505_107_f&fid=36585&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHighlightHEALTH%2F%7E3%2F237977491%2F This article was published on Highlight HEALTH. Related articlesLiving Healthy Isn’t Cost Saving, It’s Cost EffectiveOverweight Kids and TV: An Advertising EpidemicHealthy Fast Food Not So HealthyChiropractic Adjustments and Artery Dissection: Is Your Neck in Safe Hands?Lack of Health Insurance Increases Risk of Cancer Death (Source: Highlight HEALTH) Highlight HEALTH blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1243622 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:10:51 +0100 1243622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1188767&cid=t_107505_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F225897368%2F The drugmaker says revenue will increase less than 10 percent this year - the slowest rate since 2004 - thanks to slowing sales of the flu vaccine as well as the Herceptin breast-tumor treatment. Tamiflu sales will decline by about $1.6 billion, because governments have stockpiled enough of the product for an avian influenza outbreak, ceo Franz Humer tells Bloomberg News. At the same time, Roche reported strong sales of Avastin and MabThera cancer drugs helped lift full-year net profit by 25 percent. You can read more detail in the Roche statement. Meanwhile, Humer says the drugmaker is proceeding with plans to develop a med to raise HDL, the good cholesterol. A simliar Pfizer drug called torcetrapib crashed and burned in 2006 over deaths in a late-stage trial, raising questions about the ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1188767 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:11:08 +0100 1188767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1093298&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2F199845338%2F With the Mitchell report on drug use by scores of pro baseball players about to land, the Health Blog thought it was high time to dig in on the pharmaceuticals at issue. So we checked in with Eric Coris, a sports medicine specialist at the University of South Florida, and did a bit of research on our own. Coris reviewed for us a long roster of drugs used by athletes, but said anabolic steroids and stimulants are probably the two most popular classes. “Steroids for their … strength benefits, for home runs and slugging percentage,” he said. “Stimulants I think are a larger problem in terms of day-to-day use in all of competitive sports but particularly in baseball.” He called drugs “a significant problem not only for the athletes but also for the fans, because... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1093298 Fri, 14 Dec 2007 02:42:36 +0100 1093298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1025487&cid=t_107505_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F184640687%2F As we gaze out the window, the large number of falling leaves is matched only by the volume of events to track. We hope to make it easy for you by sifting through the piles. Here are a few that we found…. Roche And Ventana Finally Start Talking (Bloomberg News) Schering-Plough’s Hassan Is Cautious About HDL Drugs (Yahoo/Reuters) Sanofi Says EU Backs Diabetes Testing On Acomplia Label (Forbes/AFX/Thomson) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1025487 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:56:31 +0100 1025487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1005359&cid=t_107505_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F180077912%2F We are quickly approaching the one-year anniversary when Pfizer withdrew its much-hyped cholesterol pill during a Phase III trial. Known as torcetrapib, the drug was supposed to be nearly revolutionary because it would raise HDL, the good cholesterol. But instead of preventing heart attacks and deaths, torcetrapib caused them, raising questions about this type of med, known as a CETP-inhibitor, HDL and whether similar pills being developed by Merck and Roche would cause the same problems. Since then, the study has been picked over and this morning the results were finally disclosed at the annual American Heart Association meeting in Orlando, Florida (you can also read them in The New England Journal of Medicine). The upshot: in part, HDL increases weren’t the problem. But torcetrapib... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1005359 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:07:03 +0100 1005359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=923688&cid=t_107505_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F10%2F3%2Fis-the-new-age-of-enlightenment-finally-dawning.html By Dov Michaeli MD, Ph.DHere are three headlines from today’s paper:Front page: “GOP Losing Grip On Core Business Vote”. For obvious reasons.Opinion page: “Immigration Losers” by Richard Nadler, President of Americas Majority Foundation, a Midwest public policy think tank (and I might add, a Republican organization in the mold of the Taft dynasty): “ …Republicans need to repudiate… the immoral, uneconomical goal of mass deportation”.Opinion page: “The Future of Bioenergy”, by Juan Enriquez, managing director of Excel Medical Ventures, cofounder of Synthetic Genomics, and founding director of Harvard Business School Life science Project.The first article Chronicles the takeover of the Republican party by the social conserva... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=923688 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:30:11 +0100 923688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=904615&cid=t_107505_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F161471601%2F Leave it to the power house of all discount pricing Wal Mart to help battle diabetes and provide a more affordable kind of health care. Seriously speaking, it is a great contribution to this region of America. Over 7% of the US population has diabetes and I can guarantee that half of Americans do not have the resources to treat their disease! Wal Mart is teaming up with Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to help persons prevent, and treat their diabetes. Through the health fairs that will be provided, residents will be encouraged to see health care professionals and keep on top of managing their illness. Each Hometown Health Fair will include free biometric screenings: body composition, including weight, body fat and body mass index; total cholesterol check; HDL, LDL and triglycerides levels a... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=904615 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:48:42 +0100 904615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=856782&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F10%2Feven-a-little-bad-fat-can-be-too-much%2F Filed under: Diet, American Heart AssociationEven one fatty feast can cause your body to stop protecting itself from cardiovascular disease, a recent study showed, at least temporarily. When study participants were given a high-fat meal -- the equivalent of a double cheeseburger, large fry, and a chocolate shake -- their HDL (or good) cholesterol lost the ability to protect their arteries from inflammation. But when participants ate the same meal, this time prepared with polyunsaturated fat, the ability of HDL to prevent inflammation actually improved.Researchers say this study points out the importance of avoiding saturated fats as much as possible. In fact, they say that a maximum of 10% of your calories should come from saturated fats, and the AHA takes that one step further and recomme... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=856782 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 856782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=832560&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F30%2Fred-yeast-rice-a-scam%2F Filed under: Alternative therapies, Daily newsYou may have heard of red yeast rice as a simple way to lower your cholesterol. After all, that's what some manufacturers want to believe. But don't fall for it -- it's a scam. What's more, many red yeast rice manufacturers have been spiking their product with statins to make them seem more effective. If you're interested in lowering your cholesterol, there are better ways to do it than wasting your money -- exercising and eating well will do more for your health than any so-called miracle cure will.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Cardio Blog) The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=832560 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 832560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=822305&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F25%2Fwhy-dont-women-prioritize-cholesterol%2F Filed under: Women Heart HealthHere are some scary statistics for you, especially considering that heart disease is the #1 killer of women: Only 1/3 of women know their current cholesterol levels Twice as many women know what they weighed in high school than know their current cholesterol levels 9 out of 10 women are aware that high cholesterol can cause build-up of plaque in the arteries, so what's the deal? Why don't women seem to care or take their cholesterol seriously? Do you know what you weighed in high school? Do you know what your cholesterol is? For me I admit it's yes and no. And yeah, there's something wrong with this picture.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Cardio Blog) The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=822305 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 822305 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=819526&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F23%2Fcholesterol-101%2F Filed under: Women Heart Health, Men Heart Health, Aging Heart HealthThe list of health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids seemingly grows every day. Among the more well-known positive effects this fatty acid has on the body is that has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack by 36 percent when it is consumed at least once or twice a week. Foods that are high in Omega-3s -- such as salmon, brown rice, and olive oil -- can also help to lower your LDL ("bad") cholesterol. But, inasmuch as many of us know this by now, what we don't know is how this actually takes place. What is cholesterol? And how does it effect our bodies? Now I'm not a doctor, and I'm definitely not a scientist, but I am curious -- so I looked it up. Cholesterol is made by the liver. Just about every animal that is eate... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=819526 Thu, 23 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 819526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828373&cid=t_107505_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F145497023%2F Do you take medication to help raise your “good” cholesterol, better known as HDL? New research warns that this could actually be harmful to you. The Cleveland Clinic has concluded that raising HDL is actually not a matter of quantity but quality. The authors concluded that while efforts to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad cholesterol”) “have consistently reduced cardiovascular disease risk, HDL-based approaches are much more complex and sometimes disappointing.” As a result, “the primary focus should be on LDL,” said review co-author Mehdi Shishehbor, D.O., of the Cleveland Clinic. Yes, it is true that HDL aids in moving fat molecules out of the arteries and towards the liver, but when HDL is large in nature, that helpful choleste... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828373 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 13:20:09 +0100 828373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=780641&cid=t_107505_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F8%2F5%2Fthe-cardiometabolic-syndrome-a-complex-metabolic-web-that-re.html by Bill Besterman The underpinning for much of the death and disability from arterial vascular disease in this country is the metabolic syndrome. One of the real authorities on the metabolic syndrome is a Dr. Ralph DeFronzo.  I particularly like his description of of this collection of disorders as a “complex metabolic web.”  The patients who have this diagnosis are burdened with multiple chronic conditions: hypertension, high bad or LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, low HDL or good cholesterol, and high blood sugar ultimately resulting in type 2 diabetes. These patients routinely have vascular systems where the vessels are inflamed and the blood more likely to clot. Early in the condition the arteries are thicker and less distensible than in people witho... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=780641 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 20:24:06 +0100 780641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=716853&cid=t_107505_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fdiabetes-risk-model-without-help-from.html This study which was published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine(a very respected academic journal for primary care physicians) showed that Parental diabetes, obesity, and a low good cholesterol were better predictors of diabetes risk than complicated algorithms and complex clinical models.The incidence of type 2 diabetes is skyrocketing and predicting onset can help us guide interventions. In the public health schema it can have tremendous effects when anticipation guides development of preventative strategies. This is the case with heart disease and cholesterol lowering modifications.Parental history of diabetes, obesity, HDL(good cholesterol) less than 40 predict diabetes onset at a greater rate than ANY GENETIC TEST OUT THERE!Most importantly, your insurance pays for the HDL... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=716853 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:26:00 +0100 716853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=703056&cid=t_107505_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F6%2F28%2Fwhen-it-comes-to-diabetes-drugs-what-matters-is-event-reduct.html by Bill Bestermann, MDThe medication rosiglitazone or Avandia has been the subject of a great deal of controversy in recent months and there have been a couple of entries here on this topic :  Truth and consequences:  The sad tale of Avandia, GSK, the FDA, and medical research, Avandia, GlaxoSmithKline and bullying; or, how did we get into this mess? , and Avandia, the FDA, and the assault on scienceDr. Stephen Nissen and John Buse have been the objects of personal attacks described here at TDWI. The discussion does bring up a larger issue that often becomes blurred in the complexity of caring for patients.Virtually everything that happens to a diabetic patient is vascular. Most people understand that the heart attacks, strokes and amputations are re... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=703056 Thu, 28 Jun 2007 22:05:48 +0100 703056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682802&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F18%2Fpistachios-for-heart-health%2F Filed under: Diet, PreventionDo you have high cholesterol? Apparently pistachios may help, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. This challenges the long-held notion that only a diet low in fat will help combat cholesterol, since pistachios have moderate amounts of fat. True, it's a healthy fat but it's a at nonetheless. If you're concerned about your cholesterol, however, it's recommended that you get between one and two handfuls a day -- no more than that and certainly not in ice cream form.So I think the moral of the story is: Fat isn't always the enemy. In moderation, of course.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Cardio Blog) The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682802 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 682802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=644984&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F29%2Fexercise-boosts-cholesterol-the-good-kind%2F Filed under: Prevention, ExerciseNormally high cholesterol is something we fight against, but don't forget that there's also "good" cholesterol in our systems called HDLs that we want to keep. In fact, not having enough good cholesterol has been linked to cardiovascular disease -- so it's not just about lowering the bad kind. But research has shown that one way to raise your good HDLs is to exercise. Results vary depending on the person and type of workout, but in general those who are more active have more good cholesterol, and so have healthier cardiovascular systems. And obviously exercise does more good stuff for your body than just raising HDLs, so if you're not already -- get moving!Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments ... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=644984 Tue, 29 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 644984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=638903&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F27%2Fbeer-good-for-your-heart%2F Filed under: Nutrition, Daily news, Women Heart Health, Men Heart Health, Aging Heart HealthI'll admit, I'm a fan of beer but I don't drink it that often because of the side effects (hangover), and also because I suspect it's damaging to your health -- or at least I assume anything that can cause that much of a headache the day after must be. But that's not so according to this. Beer is actually good for your heart and even your overall health. In a Dutch study, it was found to raise levels of good (HDL) cholesterol, reduce the occurrence of strokes in women, improve sleeping patterns, increase blood vessel dilation, slow down the development of cataracts, help prevent cancer and more! That's a pretty amazing array of benefits, don't you think? Now I'm not saying you should throw a kegger ... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=638903 Sun, 27 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 638903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=638012&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F25%2Fyou-have-high-cholesterol-what-now%2F Filed under: Prevention, Women Heart Health, Men Heart Health, Aging Heart HealthIt's not a death sentence but it's still pretty scary to hear the words, "you have high cholesterol." After all, high cholesterol is linked to a whole slew of problems, including cardiovascular disease. But unlike being diagnosed with cancer or some other dreaded health problem, this is something you can change. You're lucky, in fact, to have this wake-up call that some people don't get. All you have to do to change your fate is, well, change your life. It sounds overwhelming but it's not. Incorporating fruits, veggies, whole grains, healthy fats and moderate amounts of exercise seems daunting but it's easy. All it takes is for you to invest a bit of time in yourself and your health. Nothing is more precious t... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=638012 Fri, 25 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 638012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=629133&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F22%2Flifestyle-changes-protect-the-heart-postmenopause%2F Filed under: Diet, Prevention, Nutrition, Exercise, Women Heart HealthWhen the news broke the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) -- which had been used for years to treat symptoms of menopause and improve the heart health of menopausal women -- might actually harm the heart, many women quit using it. But because HRT actually did improve HDL (good) cholesterol levels and decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol, women were faced conditions that are common post-menopause -- high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and no way to treat them.But a recent five-year study involving 240 women found that diet and lifestyle changes can have a major impact on heart health, even after stopping HRT. The women were placed into two groups. One group ate a 1300-1500 calorie per day diet, exercised 150 minutes per w... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=629133 Tue, 22 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 629133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=629131&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F22%2Frhuematoid-arthritis-may-be-caused-by-high-triglycerides%2F Filed under: Prevention, Research, ExerciseWant to reduce your risk of heart disease? Keep your triglyceride levels down. Want to reduce your risk of rheumatoid arthritis? Keep your triglyceride levels down. A Dutch study revealed that people who suffer from late onset arthritis tended to have higher triglyceride levels and lower HDL (good) cholesterol while in their youth. Why this correlation may exist remains unknown, although some researchers speculate that it may have something to do with having a poor lipid profile, and how that may make someone more prone to the inflammation that ultimately causes rheumatoid arthritis. Related studies on rheumatoid arthritis have shown that regular exercise can reduce a person's risk of developing this impairment by around 40 percent. Given the fa... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=629131 Tue, 22 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 629131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=590856&cid=t_107505_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F5%2F4%2Fgot-diabetes-then-buy-this-book.html Living with diabetes can be tough. There is so much stuff to learn and so many things to do. It can be hard to keep track of everything. And, it can seem overwhelming, particularly around the time you are first diagnosed. That’s why I am recommending if you have diabetes or if you know someone who has diabetes, get your hands on a great little book, "Know your Numbers, Outlive your Diabetes.” It is written by Richard Jackson, MD, a doc at the world famous Joslin Diabetes Center and Amy Tenderich, a professional journalist who also happens to have diabetes (check out her website: www.DiabetesMine.com). Five Numbers to KnowThis book points out that there are five essential tests everyone with diabetes should have:Hemoglobin A1c (often just called A1c). This is a measure of t... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=590856 Sat, 05 May 2007 00:41:23 +0100 590856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=587056&cid=t_107505_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F5%2F2%2Fmusings-on-the-drunks-of-oulu-wine-and-good-cholesterol.html  The recent posting by Dr. Salber describing the ostensible superiority of wine drinking over beer or spirits reminded me that I actually saw with my own eyes one of the confounding factors of the study, namely, lifestyle differences. In the mid-80's, I was a visiting scholar at the University of Turku (also called Oulu ) where the study was done. OuluOn weekend nights the streets were littered with drunks asleep (comatose is a more apt description of their state) on the sidewalks, the gutters, and the roads. It was a sobering sight to behold: well-dressed, seemingly upright citizens, mostly men, wallowing in the mud. I asked my colleague, a surgeon at the University hospital, what was the drink of choice. It was vodka, he said. What about beer? That’s for kids. And wine? Only w... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=587056 Thu, 03 May 2007 06:35:05 +0100 587056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=511991&cid=t_107505_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F3%2F30%2Faerobic-exercise-and-the-mindbody-connection.html We all know the devastating statistics: · 13.5 million people in the US suffer from coronary artery disease · 8 million people have diabetes type 2. · 95,000 people are diagnosed every year with colon cancer, and a sedentary lifestyle increases the likelihood of getting this disease by 40%. · People who don’t exercise have about a 60% increase in osteoporosis; 250,000 suffer from hip fracture every year. · 50 million suffer from hypertension. · More than 60 million people in the US are overweight. You might conclude from the last bullet that obesity is the culprit. You’d be only partly right. Lack of physical fitness is the other culprit, regardless of percentage of body fat. Even if we take people with a high % of body fat (more than 2... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=511991 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:54:49 +0100 511991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=505487&cid=t_107505_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F3%2F27%2Fa-blockbuster-study-do-stents-prevent-heart-attacks.html Every once in a while a medical research study is published that significantly alters clinical practice. The paper on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with stable coronary artery disease, published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine on March 26, 2007, is one such study.  The results show that PCI plus optimal medical management (lifestyle changes and drugs) are no more effective than optimal medical management alone at preventing heart attacks and death in individuals with stable coronary artery disease. In the NY Times’ story about the study, Steven E. Nissen, MD, President of the American College of Cardiology, describes the study as a blockbuster. And, indeed it could lead to some folks’ blocks being busted (particularly stent co... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=505487 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 03:18:28 +0100 505487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=503979&cid=t_107505_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F27%2Fstop-the-pop%2F Filed under: Diet, Prevention, ResearchFour things I knew about the effects of soda on your health: 1 - It contains extremely high amounts of sugar, in the form of sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, and just about every other form known to man. 2 - It is bad for your teeth and gums, due chiefly to the aforementioned high sugar content. 3 - It can be high in caffeine; something that can be looked at as being either a good or bad thing. But, considering the fact that so much soda is consumed by kids, I'd venture to say that it's definitely a bad thing. 4 - It can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. One thing that I just learned about the effects of soda on your health: 1 - It can raise your risk of heart disease. Canadian researchers analyzed the diets of more than 600 healthy peo... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=503979 Tue, 27 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 503979