Memory loss, less common in older Americans

Good news on gray matter: Memory loss and other cognitive impairment becoming less common in older Americans, U-M study finds; Better education, finances & cardiovascular care may be boosting brain health. – It appears that memory loss and thinking problems are becoming less common among older Americans. A new study shows a downward trend in the rate of “cognitive impairment” – the umbrella term for everything from significant memory loss to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease – among people aged 70 and older.

Cholesterol drug statins may reduce heart’s atrial fibrillation

Special issue of JACC features intriguing link between statins and Atrial Fibrillation (AF) prevention, tools to ensure the highest-quality AF care, and more. – When we’re young, a racing heart often means love is in the air. If you’re a “baby boomer,” it might mean you’ve just joined the 2.2 million Americans who have atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregularity in the heart’s rhythm that grows more common as we age and markedly increases the risk for stroke.

Cholesterol lowering drug may fight staph infection

Cholesterol lowering drug could offer a new direction for therapies against staph infection – a bacterium that’s becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. – An international team of researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has blocked staph infections in mice using a drug previously tested in clinical trials as a cholesterol-lowering agent. The novel approach, described in the February 14 online edition of Science, could offer a new direction for therapies against a bacterium that’s becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.

Part of ACCORD study halted due to safety concerns

Canadian Diabetes Association has issued its position statement regarding safety concerns of diabetes treatment in ACCORD study. It is important that people with diabetes not make any changes to their treatments or adjust their blood glucose targets without speaking to their healthcare team. – Canadian Diabetes Association has issued its position statement regarding safety concerns of diabetes treatment in ACCORD study – “It is important that people with diabetes not make any changes to their treatments or adjust their blood glucose targets without speaking to their healthcare team”.

Most with high blood pressure do not follow DASH diet

The dietary profile of adults with HTN (Hypertension) in the United States has a low accordance with the (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) DASH dietary pattern, and the dietary quality of adults with HTN has deteriorated since the introduction of the DASH diet, suggesting that secular trends have minimized the impact of the DASH message. – A relatively small proportion of individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure) eat diets that align with government guidelines for controlling the disease, according to a report in the February 11 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Healthy lifestyle for long life

70-year-olds who take regular exercise, eat well, and do not smoke greatly increase their chance of living until 90. – A healthy lifestyle during the early elderly years-including weight management, exercising regularly and not smoking-may be associated with a greater probability of living to age 90 in men, as well as good health and physical function, according to a report in the February 11 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Gain control of your heart health

February is US’ National Heart Month. And now is a great time to gain control of your heart health. – Dr. Charlotte Bai, a noted cardiologist with special expertise in cardiac imaging, has a special message for people with risk factors for heart disease: What you don’t know can hurt you. “February is National Heart Month. And now is a great time to gain control of your heart health,” said Bai, assistant professor, cardiology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine.

Abbott to educate Chicago-area women about heart disease

Abbott named exclusive Chicagoland ‘Hometown’ Partner of the American Heart Association’s ‘Go Red for Women’ Campaign – As a leader in cardiovascular treatment and the exclusive Chicagoland “hometown” partner for the national “Go Red for Women” program, Abbott is partnering with the American Heart Association (AHA) to raise awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death for women in America.

Ongoing review of cholesterol drug Vytorin

FDA issues early communication about an ongoing review of vytorin, and advises patients to talk with their health care providers if they have questions about the ENHANCE study. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public that the agency will conduct a review of Merck and Schering Plough’s recent trial once the FDA receives the final study results.

Burgers, fries, diet soda lead to metabolic syndrome

A Western diet heavy in meat, fried foods, burgers, fries, diet soda and refined grains puts people at higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome with risk for heart problems, stroke and type 2 diabetes, a new study found. – Otherwise-healthy adults who eat two or more servings of meat a day – the equivalent of two burger patties – increase their risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 25 percent compared with those who eat meat twice a week, according to research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Health Newstrack