Heart disease is the narrowing or blockage of the arteries and vessels that provide oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the heart. It is caused by atherosclerosis, an accumulation of fatty materials on the inner linings of arteries that restricts blood flow. When the blood flow to the heart is completely cut off, the result is a heart attack because the heart is starved of oxygen.
Statin risks may outweigh benefits for patients with a history of brain hemorrhage – People with brain hemorrhage – a type of stroke – should avoid taking cholesterol lowering drugs called statins, revealed by researchers in US.
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.
Updated guidelines include new research, advances in stroke prevention — American Heart Association scientific statement – Healthy lifestyle choices and emergency room interventions can help prevent first-time strokes, according to revised American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines.
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.
New research shows genetic test for lung cancer risk prompts smokers to quit – New research shows a gene-based test for lung cancer risk assessment motivates smokers to quit or cut down, according to results of a clinical study presented today at the American Association of Cancer Research’s Ninth Annual Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research.
Mandatory curbs on food salt content 20 times more effective than voluntary curbs — Cost effectiveness of interventions to reduce dietary salt intake – Imposing statutory limits on the salt content of processed foods could be 20 times more effective than voluntary curbs by industry, finds research published online in the journal Heart.
Studies provide new insights into the genetics of obesity and fat distribution – An international consortium has made significant inroads into uncovering the genetic basis of obesity by identifying 18 new gene sites associated with overall obesity and 13 that affect fat distribution.
A diet rich in walnuts and walnut oil may prepare the body to deal better with stress – walnuts can reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. – A diet rich in walnuts and walnut oil (containing polyunsaturated fats) may prepare the body to deal better with stress, also influence blood pressure at rest and under stress.
Using chest compressions first just as successful as immediate defibrillation after cardiac arrest — But in cases of long waits for EMS, University of Michigan Health System study shows chest compressions first approach may be better – Chest compressions before defibrillation in patients with sudden cardiac arrest is equally successful as immediate treatment with an electrical defibrillator, according to a new study by the University of Michigan Health System.
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.
