Rheumatoid arthritis increases heart attack risk 60%

Heart-attack risk increases rapidly after rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed — Large-scale study reports 60 percent increase in risk just a year after diagnosis – The risk of having a heart attack is 60 per cent higher just a year after a patient has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, according to research published in the December issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine.

Recurrent miscarriage raises heart attack risk

Recurrent miscarriage raises heart attack risk fivefold in later life — Pregnancy loss and risk of cardiovascular disease: A prospective population-based cohort study (EPIC-Heidelberg) – Recurrent miscarriage increases a woman’s chance of having a heart attack fivefold in later life, indicates research published online in the journal Heart.

Binge drinking may increase heart disease risk

Binge drinking may lead to higher risk of heart disease — Research: Patterns of alcohol consumption and ischemic heart disease in culturally divergent countries: The Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME) – Belfast’s binge drinking culture could be behind the country’s high rates of heart disease, according to a paper published on bmj.com today.

Avandia use is restricted for diabetes patients

FDA significantly restricts access to the diabetes drug Avandia — Makes regulatory decisions on RECORD and TIDE trials – FDA will restrict the use of the diabetes drug Avandia (rosiglitazone) to patients with Type 2 diabetes who cannot control their diabetes on other medications. Avandia may elevate risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke.

Rosiglitazone Avandia diabetes drug should be withdrawn

BMJ report into top-selling diabetes drug raises concerns about the drug regulatory system – A BMJ investigation into the top-selling diabetes drug rosiglitazone (Avandia) raises concerns about its safety and the whole system by which drugs are evaluated, regulated, and promoted around the world.

Calcium supplements may increase heart attack risk

Calcium supplements linked to increased risk of heart attack — Research: Effect of calcium supplements on risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular events: meta-analysis – Calcium supplements, commonly taken by older people for osteoporosis, are associated with an increased risk of a heart attack, revealed by researchers. The results suggest that a reassessment of the role of calcium supplements in osteoporosis management is needed.

MMRV vaccine linked to double risk of seizures

Combination MMRV vaccine linked with 2-fold risk of seizures — Electronic health records study of 459,000 children sparked new CDC recommendations – The combination vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (MMRV) is associated with double the risk of febrile seizures for 1- to 2-year-old children compared with same-day administration of the separate vaccine for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and the varicella (V) vaccine for chicken pox.

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