Atherosclerosis Archives

Weight loss diets reduce atherosclerosis

Weight loss diets significantly reverse arterial clogging — Ben-Gurion University study — 2-year study reveals that carotid artery atherosclerosis reduction is due to weight loss-induced decline in blood pressure from either low-carbohydrate, low-fat or Mediterranean diets – A two-year study led by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) found that healthy, long-term weight loss diets can significantly reverse carotid (main brain artery) atherosclerosis, a direct risk factor for strokes and heart attacks.

HbA1c accurately predicts future diabetes

Hemoglobin A1c outperforms fasting glucose for risk prediction – Measurements of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) more accurately identify persons at risk for clinical outcomes than the commonly used measurement of fasting glucose, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Metformin safe for patients with heart failure and diabetes

UCLA study shows metformin is safe for patients with advanced heart failure and diabetes mellitus — Drug may improve survival rates for these patients – A new study has shown that metformin, a drug often used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, is safe for use in treating patients who have both diabetes and advanced heart failure.

Putting limits on antioxidant vitamin E

Putting limits on vitamin E — The potent antioxidant may do more harm than good, Tel Aviv University research suggests. – Indiscriminate use of high-dose Vitamin E supplementation does more harm than good, revealed by a research group from Tel Aviv University.

Atherosclerosis, heart disease found in Egyptian mummies

Heart disease found in Egyptian mummies — Findings suggest that atherosclerosis is not only a modern disease. – Atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries has been detected in Egyptian mummies, some as old as 3,500 years, suggesting that the factors causing heart attack and stroke are not only modern ones; they afflicted ancient people, too.

Routine use of aspirin not supported

No evidence for the routine use of aspirin in people with asymptomatic vascular events, reported by Professor Gerald Fowkes from the Wolfson Unit for Prevention of Peripheral Vascular Diseases in Edinburgh. – The routine use of aspirin for the prevention of vascular events in people with asymptomatic disease cannot be supported, according to results from the Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis (AAA) study.

Hopelessness increases stroke risk in women

Feelings of hopelessness linked to stroke risk in healthy women – Healthy middle-aged women with feelings of hopelessness appear to experience thickening of the neck arteries, which can be a precursor to stroke, revealed by researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Oxycholesterol cholesterol may pose greatest heart disease risk

Little known type of cholesterol oxycholesterol may pose the greatest heart disease risk – Health-conscious people know that high levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the so-called “bad” cholesterol) can increase the risk of heart attacks.

Stress may lead to obesity and heart disease

New research links social stress to harmful fat deposits, heart disease – Social stress could be an important precursor to heart disease by causing the body to deposit more fat in the abdominal cavity, speeding the harmful buildup of plaque in blood vessels, a stepping stone to the number one cause of death in the world.

Psoriasis linked to increased heart disease risk

Psoriasis associated with cardiovascular disease and increased mortality – Psoriasis skin disease is associated with atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries) characterized by an increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and an increased risk of death, revealed by researchers.

Certain drug coated stents may be safe, effective

Certain drug-coated stents may be safe, effective option for elderly patients – Stents coated with the drug paclitaxel may be a safe, effective treatment option for coronary artery disease (CAD) patients age 70 and older and shouldn’t be withheld due to advanced patient age, according to a study reported in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Genetic factors may predict depression in heart disease patients

Genetic variations contribute to depression in heart disease patients. – Individuals with heart disease are twice as likely to suffer from depression as the general population, an association the medical community has largely been unable to explain. Now, a new study by researchers at The Miriam Hospital, in conjunction with The Montr?al Heart Institute, University of Montr?al and McGill University, reveals there may be genetic variations that contribute to depression in heart disease patients.