Vitamin C lowers heart disease biomarker

Vitamin C lowers levels of heart disease biomarker, finds study, adds to debate of health benefits – A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, adds to the evidence that vitamin C supplements can lower concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), a central biomarker of inflammation that has been shown to be a powerful predictor of heart disease and diabetes.

Single PILL may prevent heart disease

Auckland participants wanted for polypill trial – A new clinical trial looking at a single pill to prevent cardiovascular disease is starting in Auckland, New Zealand.

Ischemic stroke increases with higher nonfasting triglyceride level

The researchers found that the cumulative incidence of ischemic stroke increased with increasing levels of nonfasting triglycerides. – Elevated nonfasting triglyceride levels, previously associated with an increased risk for heart attack, also appear to be associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke.

Ultrasound helps predict heart attacks in low risk patients

Low risk for heart attack? Could an ultrasound hold the answer? Ultrasound helps predict heart attacks in “low risk” patients. – By adding the results of an imaging technique to the traditional risk factors for coronary heart disease, doctors at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found they were able to improve prediction of heart attacks in people previously considered low risk.

New risk factor for cardiovascular disease

Researchers discover new risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and a way to control it. McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) serves as Canadian centre for international study that could revolutionize treatment options. – A team of international researchers – including scientists from the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and McGill University – have discovered that having high levels of particular protein puts patients at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Decade of change in general practice in Australia

Australia’S GPs are older, more likely to be female and write fewer prescriptions than they did a decade ago. – It’s not only the patients in GP surgeries who are getting older, according to two new reports released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian General Practice Statistics and Classification Centre, an AIHW collaborating unit located at the University of Sydney.

Statins do not increase risk of Lou Gehrig’s Disease

FDA analysis shows cholesterol lowering medications statins do not increase the risk of “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”. FDA recommends no change in prescribing and use of statins. – A U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s analysis provides new evidence that the use of statins does not increase incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” The analysis was reported on Monday, Sept. 29, 2008 in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety.

Poor weight loss in some after gastric bypass surgery

Gastric bypass results in substantial weight loss in most patients. Diabetes and larger pouch size are independently associated with poor weight loss after GBP. – Individuals with diabetes and those whose stomach pouches are larger appear less likely to successfully lose weight after gastric bypass surgery, according to a report in the September issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Some obese individuals appear healthy without heart risk

Some obese individuals do not appear to have an increased risk for heart disease, while some normal-weight individuals experience a cluster of heart risks. – Some obese individuals do not appear to have an increased risk for heart disease, while some normal-weight individuals experience a cluster of heart risks, according to two reports in the August 11/25 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Lower cholesterol early in life

UC San Diego researchers are proposing that aggressive intervention to lower cholesterol levels as early as childhood is the best approach. – With heart disease maintaining top billing as the leading cause of death in the United States, a team of University of California, San Diego School of Medicine physician-researchers is proposing that aggressive intervention to lower cholesterol levels as early as childhood is the best approach available today to reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease.

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