Cardiovascular disease Archives

New blood pressure drug telmisartan has fewer side effects

A new drug telmisartan is as effective as the popular drug ramipril in reducing cardiovascular death in high risk patients and it has fewer side effects. – A major Canadian-led global study has found that a new blood pressure medication is effective in reducing cardiovascular death, with fewer side effects than the current standard of care. The study found a new drug telmisartan is as effective as the popular drug ramipril in reducing cardiovascular death in high risk patients and it has fewer side effects.

Obesity in midlife increases dementia risk

Kaiser Permanente Study Shows That a Larger Abdomen in Midlife Increases Risk of Dementia; Overweight and obese individuals with large bellies have double or triple the risk of dementia – People in their 40s with larger stomachs have a higher risk for dementia when they reach their 70s, according to a study published in the March 26, 2008, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Lowering cholesterol reduces heart attack and stroke risk

Even small reductions in cholesterol can substantially reduce heart attacks and strokes. – New research by the Nutrition and Lifestyle team at The George Institute has indicated that even small reductions in cholesterol can substantially reduce heart attacks and strokes. This occurs across a broad range of individuals, irrespective of age, sex or initial cholesterol level.

Aspirin reduces asthma risk in women

Randomized aspirin assignment and risk of adult onset asthma in the women’s health study. – Aspirin in small quantity on alternate days can cut the risk of developing asthma among women, suggests a large study, published ahead of print in Thorax from UK.

Sexual performance holds key to men’s health

Australian men care about erection problems, perhaps more so than possible cardiovascular disease. This may present an opportunity to improve communication about the benefits of weight loss. – The Australian male pride in sexual performance may help the fight against increasing obesity. This will be one of the messages from internationally regarded expert on obesity, men’s health and ageing Professor Gary Wittert at the University of Adelaide’s free Public Seminar Series.

Weight loss counseling helps maintain weight loss

Monthly personal counseling helps people maintain weight loss. 42 percent of the study members maintained at least a 4-kilogram (9-pound) weight loss for 30 months. – People who shed weight and want to keep it off might benefit from monthly personal contact interventions, researchers reported at the American Heart Association’s Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism.

High GI diets lead to common lifestyle diseases

In the world’s first study of its kind, University of Sydney researchers have found conclusive evidence that diets with a high GI (Glycemic Index – a measure of how different foods affect your blood glucose levels) leads to a higher risk of common lifestyle diseases. – In the world’s first study of its kind, University of Sydney researchers have found conclusive evidence that diets with a high GI (Glycemic Index) leads to a higher risk of common lifestyle diseases.

Moderate alcohol consumption lowers cardiac risk in middle aged

In a study conducted by the Department of Family Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina and published in the March 2008 issue of The American Journal of Medicine, researchers found that middle-aged non-drinkers who began consuming moderate amounts of alcohol saw an immediate benefit of lower cardiac disease morbidity with no change in mortality after four years. – Middle-aged non-drinkers who began consuming moderate amounts of alcohol saw an immediate benefit of lower cardiac disease morbidity with no change in mortality after four years, revealed by researchers.

Snoring linked to cardiovascular disease

Loud snoring with breathing pauses is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and increased health care utilization – Loud snoring with breathing pauses is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and increased health care utilization, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP.

Vitamin supplements may increase lung cancer risk

Supplemental multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate are unlikely to decrease the risk of developing lung cancer. Use of supplemental vitamin E at high doses for a prolonged period of time may slightly increase this risk. – Vitamin supplements do not protect against lung cancer, according to a study of more than 77,000 vitamin users. In fact, some supplements may even increase the risk of developing it. The findings were published in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Reducing kids’ salt intake lowers soft drink consumption

A reduction in salt intake could play a role in helping to reduce childhood obesity through its effect on sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption. – Children who eat less salt drink fewer sugar-sweetened soft drinks and may significantly lower their risks for obesity, elevated blood pressure and later-in-life heart attack and stroke, researchers reported in the print and online issue of Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Managers less likely to suffer from cancers

Managers and administrators are less likely to suffer from cancers according to a University of Sydney study published in the latest Medical Journal of Australia. – Managers and administrators are less likely to suffer from cancers, possibly because they are less exposed to risk factors or because they can more easily afford to retire when their health deteriorates.