Heart Archives

Cholesterol and blood pressure control may reverse atherosclerosis

Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels below current targets in adults with type 2 diabetes may help to prevent ? and possibly reverse ? hardening of the arteries. – Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels below current targets in adults with type 2 diabetes may help to prevent ? and possibly reverse ? hardening of the arteries, according to new research supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. Hardening of the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, is the number one cause of heart disease and can lead to heart attack, stroke, and death.

Gene variant CHI3L1 increases risk of asthma

A tiny variation in a gene known as CHI3L1 increases susceptibility to asthma, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and decline in lung function, researchers report early online in the New England Journal of Medicine. – A tiny variation in a gene known as CHI3L1 increases susceptibility to asthma, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and decline in lung function, researchers report early online in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Heart disease predetermined by oxygen levels in the womb

The amount of oxygen available to a baby in the womb can affect their susceptibility to developing particular diseases later in life. – The amount of oxygen available to a baby in the womb can affect their susceptibility to developing particular diseases later in life. Research presented at the annual Society for Endocrinology BES meeting in Harrogate shows that your risk of developing cardiovascular disease can be predetermined before birth, not only by your genes, but also by their interaction with the quality of the environment you experience in the womb.

20 minutes of housework boosts mental health

Scottish Health Survey reveals first time that just 20 minutes of any physical activity, including housework, in a week is enough to boost mental health. – A Scottish Survey reveals first time that just 20 minutes of any physical activity, including housework, in a week is enough to boost mental health. While regular exercise is known to be good for mental health, no one seems able to agree on how much, or what type of activity, is best.

New blood pressure drug telmisartan has fewer side effects

A new drug telmisartan is as effective as the popular drug ramipril in reducing cardiovascular death in high risk patients and it has fewer side effects. – A major Canadian-led global study has found that a new blood pressure medication is effective in reducing cardiovascular death, with fewer side effects than the current standard of care. The study found a new drug telmisartan is as effective as the popular drug ramipril in reducing cardiovascular death in high risk patients and it has fewer side effects.

Type 2 diabetes genes associated with prostate cancer

Six new genes identified which play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes, and among the group is the second gene known to also play a role in prostate cancer. – Scientists have identified six new genes which play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes, and among the group is the second gene known to also play a role in prostate cancer.

Obesity in midlife increases dementia risk

Kaiser Permanente Study Shows That a Larger Abdomen in Midlife Increases Risk of Dementia; Overweight and obese individuals with large bellies have double or triple the risk of dementia – People in their 40s with larger stomachs have a higher risk for dementia when they reach their 70s, according to a study published in the March 26, 2008, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

VereFlu portable lab-on-chip for detection of bird flu

STMicroelectronics and Veredus Laboratories Launch Market?s First Lab-on-Chip for Rapid Molecular Flu Detection at Point of Need – Following the success of the evaluation trials conducted at the prestigious National University Hospital of Singapore, Veredus Laboratories and STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) announced the commercial availability of VereFlu, a portable lab-on-chip application for rapid detection of all major influenza types at the point of need.

Less folate in diet cause abnormal sperm

Healthy men who report lower levels of the nutrient folate in their diets have higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm. – Healthy men who report lower levels of the nutrient folate in their diets have higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Protein Robo4 may reverse macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy

Two major eye diseases and leading causes of blindness?age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy?can be reversed or even prevented by drugs that activate a protein found in blood vessel cells. – Two major eye diseases and leading causes of blindness-age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy-can be reversed or even prevented by drugs that activate a protein found in blood vessel cells, researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine and several other institutions have announced in a new study.

Disabilities due to alcohol consumption

Indian government is cognizant of the fact that consumption of alcohol in excessive amounts can lead to social economic and health related problems. – The Indian government is cognizant of the fact that consumption of alcohol in excessive amounts can lead to social economic and health related problems. A study conducted by NIMHANS for WHO published in the year 2006 shows that nearly 30% of adult men and less than 5% of women consume alcohol giving a male to female ratio of 6:1.

Pregnant women need more help to quit smoking

Pregnant women need more help to quit smoking. Midwives and doctors should do more to encourage pregnant women to give up smoking. – Midwives and doctors should do more to encourage pregnant women to give up smoking, research suggests. A survey by the Auckland Tobacco Control Research Centre (ATCRC) at The University of Auckland showed that only 11% of midwives and 71% of GPs suggest women abstain completely from smoking during pregnancy.