The heart is a hollow, muscular organ in vertebrates, responsible for pumping blood through the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions. The term cardiac, as in cardiology, means – related to the heart – and comes from the Greek word, kardia, for heart.
Longer life linked to specific foods in Mediterranean diet — Anatomy of the health effects of the Mediterranean diet, the Greek EPIC prospective cohort study, BMJ online. – Some food groups in the Mediterranean diet are more important than others in promoting health and longer life, according to this prospective cohort study from the Greek segment of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (EPIC).
New therapy found to prevent heart failure – Implanted cardiac resynchronization therapy device with defibrillator (CRT-D) reduced a 29 percent reduction in heart failure or death in patients with heart disease, revealed by researchers.
Deaths from heart disease in Canada decreased 30 percent: 10-year national study – Hospital admissions and mortality for heart diseases (cardiovascular disease) declined 30% over a 10-year period in Canada, revealed by canadian researchers.
Government of Canada supports research to help address medical isotope shortage – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, announced that the Government of Canada is supporting research to find alternatives to nuclear-produced Technetium-99m, the principal medical isotope affected by the current shutdown at the Chalk River nuclear reactor.
Red yeast rice capsules reduce cholesterol levels in statin-intolerant patients – Red yeast rice capsules reduce cholesterol LDL (low density lipoprotein) levels in statin intolerant patients without causing any adverse events such as muscle pain and weakness, revealed by researchers.
Psoriasis associated with cardiovascular disease and increased mortality – Psoriasis skin disease is associated with atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries) characterized by an increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and an increased risk of death, revealed by researchers.
Researcher explores why smoking increases the risk of heart disease and strokes – Researchers at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles and Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona have discovered a reason why smoking increases the risk of heart disease and strokes.
Diabetes patients should have regular exercise and weight training — Regular exercise can reduce or eliminate the need for medication in some patients with type 2 diabetes. – To reduce heart or cardiovascular risk, people with type 2 diabetes should do at least two-and-a-half hours per week of moderate-intensity or one-and-a-half hours per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercises, plus some weight training.
Childhood obesity increases early signs of cardiovascular disease – By as early as 7 years of age, being obese may raise a child’s future risk of heart disease and stroke, even without the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, a new study found.
Off-label morning sickness drug deemed safe for fetuses — Ben-Gurion U. researchers. Collaborative research findings published in New England Journal of Medicine support safe use of metoclopramide for morning sickness nausea. – Metoclopramide, a drug approved in the U.S. for nausea, vomiting and heartburn poses no significant risks for the fetus according to a large cohort study published in the June 11 issue of the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, “The Safety of Metoclopramide Use in the First Trimester of Pregnancy”.
BPA may cause heart disease in women, research shows – New research by a team of scientists at the University of Cincinnati (UC) shows that bisphenol A (BPA) may be harmful for the heart, particularly in women. Results of several studies are being presented in Washington, D.C., at ENDO 09, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, June 10-13.
Genetically elevated levels of lipoprotein associated with increased risk of heart attack – A genetic analysis of data from three studies suggests that genetically elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) are associated with an increased risk of heart attack, according to a study in the June 10 issue of JAMA.
