Heart Archives

New guideline on treatment of high blood pressure

Radical change in blood pressure diagnosis and treatment – University of Leicester professor chairs major new guideline from NICE on the treatment of high blood pressure – High blood pressure patients should have the diagnosis confirmed at home, according to new guidelines. The way blood pressure is diagnosed and treated is set to be revolutionised following new guidelines for the medical profession issued by NICE and developed in conjunction with the British Hypertension Society (BHS).

Door-to-balloon time is 90 min in 91% of heart attack patients in US

Heart attack patients winning the race to angioplasty treatment – The period from hospital arrival to angioplasty is called “door-to-balloon” time (D2B). A new study showed that 91 percent of patients were treated in a D2B time of less than 90 minutes in 2010, compared with 44 percent in 2005.

Former US President Bill Clinton turns to vegan diet

Former US President Bill Clinton says he has gone totally vegan – no meat, no dairy, no eggs or even oil. – Former US President Bill Clinton is speaking out about his plant based, heart healthy diet, saying that he believes the vegan regimen or vegan diet is helping to reverse the damage to his heart and blood vessels caused by cardiovascular heart disease.

Depression linked to 29% increased risk of stroke in women

Depression linked to increased risk of stroke in women – Depressed women may face an increased risk of stroke, according to new research reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. A variety of mechanisms may lead depression to cause stroke.

Rivaroxaban can prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation patients

Study shows ability of new agent to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation – Rivaroxaban, an anti-clotting drug, was shown to be an attractive alternative to warfarin in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, revealed by researchers recently.

Red meat increases type 2 diabetes risk

Red meat linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes — Processed red meats especially boost risk – A recently published study by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) finds a strong association between the consumption of red meat-particularly when the meat is processed-and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Obesity counseling should focus on neurobehavioral processes

Obesity counseling should focus on neurobehavioral processes, not personal choice, researchers say – Current approaches to dietary counseling for obesity are heavily rooted in the notion of personal choice and will power ? the ability to choose healthy foods and portion sizes consistent with weight loss while foregoing sweets and comfort foods. According to preventive medicine and behavioral experts at Rush University Medical Center, research supports a new counseling approach that views obesity as a result of neurobehavioral processes – ways in which the brain controls eating behavior in response to cues in the environment.

People seek early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

International survey highlights great public desire to seek early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s — Results from Europe and US highlight interest in early diagnosis despite wide fear of and familiarity with the condition – Results of an international survey reveal that over 85% of respondents in the five countries surveyed say that if they were exhibiting confusion and memory loss, they would want to see a doctor to determine if the cause of the symptoms was Alzheimer’s disease. Over 94% would want the same if a family member were exhibiting the symptoms.

Soy milk protein dietary supplements lower blood pressure

Soy/milk protein dietary supplements linked to lower blood pressure – Milk and soy protein supplements were associated with lower systolic blood pressure compared to refined carbohydrate dietary supplements. The study’s results suggest that partly replacing refined carbohydrates with foods or drinks high in soy or milk protein may help prevent and treat high blood pressure, said Jiang He, M.D., Ph.D., lead researcher of the study in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Chantix increases risk of heart attack or arrhythmia

Chantix associated with 72 percent increased risk of serious CV events — Popular smoking cessation drug significantly increases risk of hospitalization due to serious cardiovascular problems – Smoking cigarettes is a dangerous habit that many are struggling to break, but for the smokers who choose to use one of the most popular smoking cessation drugs on the market, new warnings about the risk of serious cardiovascular events are on their way. Use of varenicline ? marketed by Pfizer under the brand name Chantix ? is associated with a 72 percent increased risk of hospitalization due to a serious adverse cardiovascular (CV) event, such as heart attack or arrhythmia.

Low body fat may not lower risk for heart disease and diabetes

Genetic study shows that low body fat may not lower risk for heart disease and diabetes – Researchers revealed that some people with a specific form of the gene are more likely to have lower percent body fat, but also more likely to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes, because the gene lowers only the “subcutaneous” fat under the skin, but not the more harmful “visceral” fat that surrounds organs. People with this gene variant are less able to store fat safely under the skin and may, therefore, store fat elsewhere in the body, where it may interfere with normal organ function.

Motivational interviews reduce depression, increase survival after stroke

‘Motivational’ interviews reduce depression, increase survival after stroke – Researchers revealed that patients who received several sessions of a “motivational interview” early after a stroke had normal mood, fewer instances of depression and greater survival rates at one year compared to patients who received standard stroke care.