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Heart Disease News - media coverage related to heart healthWe scan the media for news stories about heart disease and heart health, and summarize them here for your interest. The study of 11,000 patients with heart disease found a patient with a pulse rate above 70 beats per minute is 34 per cent more likely to die of cardiovascular disease, 53 per cent more likely to have heart failure, and 46 per cent more likely to have a heart attack. The research found that lowering the heart rate with a drug called Ivabradine reduced the risk of heart attack by almost a third. "The study will change the way we manage heart disease because we will be looking at the heart rate," Professor Sindone said. abc.net.au (September 3, 2008) Apple, Orange Juice Don't Mix with Pills. Apple, orange, and grapefruit juice can decrease the absorption of other drugs including certain antibiotics and beta blockers -pills widely prescribed for high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart beats, and chest pain. Drugs are almost always best taken with water and people should avoid drinking juices for at least two hours (after taking the meds), the time it takes most drugs to be absorbed. Canadian News Service (August 20, 2008) Cholesterol Drugs Don't Boost Cancer Risk, Study Says Cholesterol-lowering drugs taken by millions of Americans don't raise the risk of cancer, according to a new report that calms fears raised by an earlier study from the same authors. The findings appear to clear drugs including Pfizer Inc.'s Lipitor and AstraZeneca Plc's Crestor from responsibility for the cancers, said Richard Karas, director of preventive cardiology at Tufts Medical Center and the senior author of the paper. "It's important that people don't worry that their medicines may be contributing to cancer," Karas said. Bloomberg.com(August 20, 2008) Does fitness offset fatness? Exercise is the single best thing you can do to prevent or control heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, gallstones, depression, and a host of other physical woes. That’s true whether your weight is in the normal range or you could afford to lose a few pounds. Consider exercise and a healthy weight in your efforts to stay healthy or get healthy. Physical activity and weight loss (when needed) improve the flexibility of arteries. They lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. They ease inflammation throughout the body. And they make blood less likely to form clots inside arteries, which can trigger heart attacks and strokes. Exercise helps you lose or maintain weight, while losing weight can give you more energy and mobility for exercise. This doesn’t mean you need to run marathons. Walking at least 30 minutes a day is great. Walking for longer, or doing something more intense, is even better. You don’t need to instantly slim down to a healthy weight, either. If you are overweight, losing just 5% to 10% of your weight will start you on the road to better health. Harvard Medical School HEALTHbeat (August 19, 2008) New Implant Device Remotely Monitors Heart Failure Patients Cardiologists at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute of Northwestern Memorial Hospital may be able to curb visits for some of their patients as they recently became Chicago’s first researchers using a new wireless pressure sensor technology that allows them to track the pulmonary artery pressure of patients at home. The implanted pressure sensor is about the size of a standard paper clip. It is implanted into the pulmonary artery through a catheter-based procedure. Subjects can get readings from home when they lie on a pillow containing an antenna that interacts with the implanted device to get readings on heart and lung pressures. Northwestern Memorial has implanted three patients to date and seven more are planned. With this system, pressure data is transmitted to a secure database that makes the data available to physicians from a proprietary Web site. Data can also be made available to physicians on a hand held device, like a BlackBerry. ScienceDaily (August 8, 2008) Fatal medication errors occurring at home increased substantially from 1983 to 2004. The overall rate of a fatal medication error, irrespective of location, rose by 360% during the years studied. Fatal medication errors at home and not combined with other drugs or alcohol rose by 560%. When domestic fatal medication errors were combined with consumption of alcohol or street drugs, the percentage increase skyrocketed to 3200%. Fatal medication errors were distributed across a wide range of ages, demographic, and geographic areas. The increases were highest for men, whites, and middle-aged people (40–59 years). In fact, more than half of all fatal medication errors occurred in middle-aged people. The explanation for the increase may be more than the inability or unwillingness of people to take drugs properly at home. Deaths may have occurred because patients were both ill and inappropriately at home. The high costs of hospital care make early discharge the norm, even when it's not appropriate for certain patients; home health services can be inadequate or non-existent; doctors might fail to counsel patients on proper drug use and the dangers of drug–drug or drug–alcohol interaction; and over-the-counter availability could make drugs seem safer than they are. These statistics make an urgent case for increased awareness and education about proper use of drugs and drug interactions, and they highlight the responsibility of all health professionals, including pharmacists, to incorporate this information into routine care of patients. The Lancet, Volume 372, Number 9637 (August 9, 2008) Size Does Matter An article published in Heartwire reports the results of a Danish study to determine whether risk of cardiovascular disease is reduced for obese people if they engage in an otherwise healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity, not smoking, and a healthy diet. The study found that acute coronary syndromes (ACS) were significantly associated with increased body-mass index (BMI). The study of 55,000 middle aged (50 – 64) participants did show a slight reduced risk of ACS in obese non-smokers compared to their heavy smoking counterparts and obese physically active people fared slightly better than inactive obese subjects. However, those eating a Mediterranean-style diet had no change in risk for future ACS. The authors of the study say that even obese people who exercise, don’t smoke, eat well, and consumed a moderate amount of alcohol faced an increased risk of ACS. A higher BMI was strongly associated with higher ACS risk. The authors conclude that, "The most important message from our study is that maintaining weight and avoiding weight gain is important for the prevention of coronary heart disease, no matter whether you are a smoker or not, physically active or not, and whether you follow a more or less healthy dietary pattern.” Medscape Medical News (June 25, 2008) Research linking low vitamin D levels with deaths from heart disease and other causes bolsters mounting evidence about the role of vitamin D in good health. Experts say the results shouldn't be taken as a reason to start popping Vitamin D pills or to spend hours in the sun. Megadoses of vitamin D can be dangerous and the risks of skin cancer from too much sun are well-known. Low vitamin D levels could be related to age, lack of physical activity and other lifestyle factors that also affect health. Results of the research don't prove that low levels of vitamin D are harmful but the evidence that it might be, is becoming significant. Wall Street Journal (June 24, 2008) Are we salting ourselves to death? Canadian study blames too much sodium for 17,000 strokes, heart attacks a year According to new Canadian research from the University of Calgary and Simon Fraser University, our addiction to salt is causing up to 17,000 excess cases of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure in Canada. The average Canadian consumes about 3,500 mg of sodium every day… more than double what the U.S. Institute of Medicine considers an adequate intake for adults… 1,100 to 1,500 mg per day… according to the study that was published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology on June 11, 2008. "Dramatic as they are, these figures really are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the health benefits that would arise from reducing the average blood pressure of Canadians," says Kevin Willis, director of partnerships for the Canadian Stroke Network. "High blood pressure is now recognized as being the leading cause of mortality worldwide." Researchers calculated that reducing sodium by 1,840 mg per day can prevent up to 11,549 cardiovascular events per year. We are eating about seven times more sodium than we need says the study’s co-author Dr. Michel Joffres, a professor in the faculty of health sciences at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. Most of the sodium in the diet comes from salt added during food processing. Processed foods contain about 10 times the salt of natural food. The Edmonton Journal (June 11, 2008) People with high blood pressure should regularly test their blood pressure at home just as diabetics measure their blood sugar according to North America's leading heart associations: the American Heart Association, the American Society of Hypertension, and the Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses' Association. The reason is that readings in a doctor's office are often higher due to "white coat syndrome." Home readings may be more accurate. Home monitors with upper arm cuffs are recommended. Bloomberg.com (May 22, 2008) Canada Orders Vitamin D Study Health Canada will launch a study by fall 2008 to investigate claims that a lack of vitamin D could be linked to ailments such as cancer, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis. Canadians, living in more northerly latitudes, are at higher risk of vitamin D insufficiency than citizens of the United States. This is because most of a person's vitamin D is made from exposure to sunlight. Leading international vitamin D researchers have recently issued a public letter advising the United States and Canadian governments that they need to revise their Vitamin D recommendations to 1,000 - 2,000 IU a day - significantly higher than what is currently recommended. The Globe and Mail (May 10, 2008) Women who stick to a DASH diet — high in plant-based foods and low in saturated fats and sodium — are less likely to suffer from stroke or coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths. In the April 14, 2008 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers say the results are consistent with those from shorter-term randomized clinical trials linkingthe DASH diet to lower blood pressure, but provide new insights into the longer-term effects. Dr. Teresa T. Fung (SimmonsCollege, Boston, MA) said, "We showed that adherence to aDASH diet can actually reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke." According to Fung and colleagues, women with the highest DASH scores — reflecting high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes and lower consumption of red and processed meats, sweetened beverages, and sodium — had the lowest rates of stroke, heart attack, or CHD deaths. Medscape.com (April 15, 2008) Meditation is effective in controlling high blood pressure without the possible side-effects and hazards of anti-hypertension drugs, according an analysis at the University of Kentucky. Reported in the American Journal of Hypertension, the analysis evaluated nine trials and found that meditation was associated with approximate reductions of 4.7 mm systolic blood pressure and 3.2 mm diastolic blood pressure. Ottawa Citizen (March 30, 2008) What's special about vitamin D? You can't get very much of it naturally through your diet. And, many Americans are deficient in this vital nutrient. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to high blood pressure in several studies, but further research is needed to determine whether consuming additional vitamin D — either in food or pills — lowers blood pressure or heart attack risk. The recommended dietary intake of vitamin D goes up as people age; however, most experts recommend at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day. How can you get 1,000 IU of vitamin D a day? You could eat vitamin D–rich foods (fatty cold-water fish, fortified breakfast cereals and juices, and milk), but you'd have to eat a lot to raise your blood levels. Getting more sun can increase vitamin D, but doing so means raising your risk for skin cancer. If your daily multivitamin contains less than 1,000 IU of Vitamin D, you can take a vitamin D supplement to make up the difference. Harvard Medical School, HEALTHbeat (March 27, 2008) Almost 40 percent of American adults haven't seen a dentist in the past year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's important to get an exam regularly, because the health of your mouth affects your overall health. Plaque build-up can lead to gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, which can contribute to heart disease. Lansing State Journal (March 23, 2008) - From the editors of Fitness magazine Happy marriage aids blood pressure. A study at Brigham Young University found that men and women in happy marriages scored four points lower on 24-hour blood pressure readings than single adults with a good group of supportive friends or relatives. According to the study, it's not just being married that benefits health - what's most protective of health is having a happy marriage. Edmonton Journal (March 22, 2008) A vaccination for high blood pressure? A phase II study shows promising results in reducing blood pressure for people with hypertension. The vaccine developed by the Swiss company Cytos produced significant reductions in blood pressure that lasted for four months. There were no serious side-effects, but the trial involved only 48 patients receiving a single course of injections. Authors state: "Vaccination for hypertension may turn out to be very useful in many patients." The Lancet Journal (March 8, 2008) Editor's note: These findings are very promising but it will likely be some years before this hits the marketplace. Certain oral contraceptives may pose health risks, study suggests. The finding raises concerns about long-term effects of synthetic hormones on vascular health in young women. "The logical conclusion of this study is that over a long period of time it would not be good to have exposure to an agent that is reducing blood vessel flexibility, because it could be associated with the development of heart disease or related problems," said co-author Dr. Paul F. Kaplan, Eugene gynecologist and senior researcher. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence to suggest that estrogen is beneficial to arterial vascular health of women, but we don't know how synthetic hormones taken by young women affect their long-term cardiovascular health. Effects may not be noticed while women are young, but they may be adding to the fact that rates of cardiovascular disease are so high in women. Dr. Kaplan stressed that a longer, larger study is needed. Additional research is planned under a grant from the National Institutes of Health, ScienceDaily (March 11, 2008) Dark chocolate is supposed to be good for the heart. It's artery-opening activity is attributed to compounds called flavanols abundant in cacao beans (as well as in onions, apples, berries, beans, and some types of tea). Just because cacao beans contain flavanols doesn't mean that chocolate does. In fact, the bitter-tasting flavanols are traditionally removed. You can't tell the flavanol content from the color of a chocolate bar or the percent cocoa it contains. Look for the least-processed chocolate you can find. Skip chocolate that has been treated with alkali. And keep in mind that you don't need much - an ounce, sometimes less — of flavanol-rich chocolate. The tough part is stopping with a small piece. An ounce of dark chocolate delivers about 150 calories. Eat that much every day without cutting back elsewhere and the girth you gain would far outweigh any benefit from chocolate. Harvard Heart Letter (February 2008) Cholesterol - How low do you go? The latest research sets the cholesterol bar even lower, particularly for people who already have heart disease. Lowering your LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) is even more important than previously thought. One of the safest and cheapest ways to treat high cholesterol is to change your eating habits: no more than 25% to 35% of your total daily calories from fat, more fiber such as that found in oat bran, and increased consumption of plant stanols and sterols, which are found in a number of food products such as certain margarines. Genetic and physiological differences influence how dietary fat affects cholesterol levels. Some people can influence their cholesterol levels through exercise and diet, others require medication. Harvard Medical School, HEALTHbeat (February 5, 2008) Exercise can reduce your chances of getting heart disease. For those who already have heart disease, exercise reduces the chances of dying from it. Aerobic exercise is the centerpiece of any fitness program. Nearly all of the research regarding the disease-fighting benefits of exercise revolves around cardiovascular activity, which includes walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling. Experts recommend working out at moderate intensity. This level of activity is safe for almost everyone and provides the desired health benefits. Whether you're 9 or 90, evidence shows exercise can enhance your health and well-being. Harvard Medical School, HEALTHbeat (January 31, 2008) Editor's Note: Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program. Can calcium supplements increase vascular events? According to a report on Medscape, a new study has shown that calcium supplementation might increase vascular events in elderly women. The findings are unexpected because previous trials have shown that calcium improves blood cholesterol levels. Age may play a role. In women in their 50s and 60s the correlation with vascular events and calcium supplementation wasn't as strong as in more elderly women. According to Dr. Erin Michos of Johns Hopkins University, this is a thought provoking study but further work should be done. Others have warned it is premature to make treatment decisions on the basis of this new study. Heartwire - a professional news service of WebMD (January 24, 2008) Editor's Note: If you are currently taking calcium supplements, discuss this with your doctor. People who are physically active and who drink moderate amounts of alcohol have a lower risk of of death from heart disease and other causes. A study in the European Heart Journal on January 9, 2008 reports that people who don't exercise or drink have a 30 - 49% greater risk of heart disease than those who exercise, drink moderately, or both. Studies conducted with over 12,000 participants over 20 years revealed physical activity combined with light to moderate intake of alcohol is associated with reduced risk. Heartwire - a professional news service of WebMD (January 11, 2008) Editor's Note: This may be inappropriate advice for those who don't drink due to religious beliefs or alcoholism. Fewer heart patients visiting the dentist will be recommended for pre-procedure antibiotics. According to the American Heart Association, only an extremely small number of cases of infective endocarditis may be prevented by antibiotics prior to dental procedures. Antibiotics should only be recommended for people undergoing dental procedures who have underlying cardiac conditions associated with a high risk for an adverse effect from infective endocarditis. According to researchers, further studies are necessary to look at the efficacy of preventive treatment on infective endocarditis among people who undergo a dental or medical procedure. Cardiology Today (January 2008) Editor's note: Talk to your doctor if you have previously had antibiotics for dental procedures. More restaurants going trans fat free. Starting January 1, 2008, restaurants in Calgary, Alberta will be not be allowed to cook with fats and oils that have more than 2% trans fats. New York City was the first jurisdiction in the US to implement a ban of trans fats from its restaurants. Trans fats are generated when liquid oils are turned into semi-sold fats such as margarine and shortening used in cooking and baking. Trans fats have been linked to obesity, clogged arteries, and increasing bad cholesterol levels while lowering the good cholesterol. Globe and Mail (December 31, 2007)
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