Heart Archives

More good cholesterol is not always good for health

More ‘good’ cholesterol is not always good for your health — HDL cholesterol can transform from good to bad actor in heart-disease process
– We’ve all heard about the importance of raising HDL, or the so-called “good” cholesterol, and lowering LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, to improve heart health. While we’ve come to assume HDL cholesterol is an inherently good thing, a new study shows that for a certain group of patients, this is not always the case.

Education of clinicians improves prescribing for high blood pressure patients

Strategy May Help Translate Research Findings About Blood Pressure Treatment Into Clinical Practice – Academic detailing-a method involving face-to-face education of clinicians by investigators trained to present trial findings and guidelines-may have been associated with a small change in prescribing patterns for patients with high blood pressure, according to a report in the May 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Beta blockers may benefit COPD lung disease

Beta-Blockers May Be Associated With Benefits in Patients With Lung Disease – Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have fewer respiratory flare-ups and longer survival if they take beta-blocker medications, according to a report in the May 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

World leaders focus on stroke prevention, care

World leaders focus on stroke prevention, care as Stroke journal turns 40 – On the 40th anniversary of the journal Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, stroke leaders from around the world celebrated stroke research accomplishments and set an agenda for the future, according to a special report in the journal.

Supercomputer can predict heart attack

3-D model of blood flow by supercomputer predicts heart attacks – EPFL Laboratory of Multiscale Modeling of Materials, in Switzerland, has developed a flowing 3D model of the cardiovascular system that should allow for predictions of certain heart diseases before they become dangerous.

Abdominal fat at middle age linked to dementia

Abdominal fat at middle age associated with greater risk of dementia — Study confirms that obesity is associated with lower total brain volume – Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine determined that excess abdominal fat places otherwise healthy, middle-aged people at risk for dementia later in life. Preliminary findings suggest a relationship between obesity and dementia that could lead to promising prevention strategies in the future.

Exercise may keep cancer patients healthier

Exercise may keep cancer patients healthier during, after treatment – Breast and prostate cancer patients who regularly exercise during and after cancer treatment report having a better quality of life and being less fatigued, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Home monitoring web based tool improves blood pressure control

Home monitoring, Web-based tool improves blood pressure control – A pharmacist-led home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) program supported by the American Heart Association’s Heart 360 website dramatically improved blood pressure control for patients with uncontrolled hypertension, according to a study.

A new drug may reduce inflammation and atherosclerosis

Patients at high risk of recurrences of heart disease: Breakthrough in prevention – A clinical study directed by Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif of the Montreal Heart Institute confirms the potential of a medication to reduce inflammation in patients with atherosclerosis.

Drinking less soda beverage may lower high blood pressure

LSUHSC researcher finds surprising link between sugar in drinks and blood pressure – Researchers have found that there is an association between sugary drinks and blood pressure and that by cutting daily consumption of sugary drinks by just one serving a day, people can lower their blood pressure.

Drinking beetroot juice boosts stamina

Beetroot juice boosts stamina, new study shows – Drinking beetroot juice boosts your stamina and could help you exercise for up to 16% longer. A University of Exeter led-study shows for the first time how the nitrate contained in beetroot juice leads to a reduction in oxygen uptake, making exercise less tiring.

Smoking ban would reduce heart attack admissions in hospitals

Nationwide smoking ban would help reduce heart attack admissions, slash costs – Smoking ban would save more than $90 million in US and significantly reduce hospitalizations for heart attack, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.