Heart

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.

Tobacco use, secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy, may threaten health

Findings from a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study indicate that rates of tobacco use during pregnancy, as well as exposure of pregnant women and their young children to secondhand smoke, are significant threats to health in several low and middle-income countries. – Rates of tobacco use during pregnancy, as well as exposure of pregnant women and their young children to secondhand smoke, are significant threats to health in several low and middle-income countries, reveals a study from National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Patients are benefiting from the new GP contract, says BMA, UK

The new GPs’ contract is benefiting patients as it has enabled GPs to spend more time with them, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said. – General Physicians (GP) are spending more time with their patients and the work they do has become more complex, GP leaders said in response to the National Audit Office (NAO) report on the GP contract in England.

Baxter recalls remaining heparin sodium vial products

Baxter International on thursday recalled nearly all of its heparin blood-thinning products six weeks after they were linked to severe allergic reactions in some patients. – Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) announced that the company is proceeding with the voluntary recall of all remaining lots and doses of its heparin sodium injection multi-dose, single-dose vials and HEP-LOCK heparin flush products.

Clot busting treatment effective if given in 6 hours after a stroke

Results of promising Australian research into clot busting treatments for stroke is announced by researchers at an international stroke conference in the United States. – The study, co-ordinated by the Royal Melbourne Hospital and conducted by the Australasian Stroke Trialists Network including the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Stroke Research Group demonstrates that clot busting (thrombolysis) treatment can be effective when administered up to six hours after a stroke.

Bowel cancer rising in Australia, reports AIHW

The report shows that bowel cancer incidence rates have risen in the last decade, to the point where it is the second most common cancer in Australians-but survival rates have been improving. – A new Australian report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) presents a mixed bag on favourable and unfavourable trends in chronic diseases over time. The report, Indicators for chronic disease and their determinants, 2008, focuses on the 12 chronic conditions that represent a large burden of disease in Australia.

Software helps diagnosing diabetic patients earlier

This research could potentially identify over half a million people who are undiagnosed or at increased risk of developing the condition. – Researchers have developed software which could potentially identify over 600,000 people who are undiagnosed or at increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. The software can highlight people whose higher blood glucose levels have not been followed up.

Improved cognitive health among older Americans

Rates of cognitive impairment among older Americans are on the decline, according to a new study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) comparing the cognitive health of older people in 1993 and 2002. Higher levels of education were associated with better cognitive health. – Higher levels of health education improved cognitive health among older Americans. Rates of cognitive impairment among older Americans are on the decline, according to a new study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) comparing the cognitive health of older people in 1993 and 2002.

New chemical tool kit reveals insights into drug toxicity

A Harvard Medical School team led by Vamsi Mootha has developed a new chemical tool kit that helps in explaining how drugs can affect its users, reveals insights into drug toxicity. – Why do nearly 1 million people taking cholesterol-lowering statins often experience muscle cramps? Why is it that in the rare case when a diabetic takes medication for intestinal worms, his glucose levels improve? Is there any scientific basis for the purported health effects of green tea?

Tougher action needed on alcohol misuse

British Medical Association lobbied for higher taxes on alcohol, an end to happy hours. – A new hard-hitting report ‘Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic’ launched by the British Medical Association (BMA) calls on governments to show leadership and implement a full range of effective control policies that will reduce the burden of alcohol misuse.

Reducing kids’ salt intake lowers soft drink consumption

A reduction in salt intake could play a role in helping to reduce childhood obesity through its effect on sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption. – Children who eat less salt drink fewer sugar-sweetened soft drinks and may significantly lower their risks for obesity, elevated blood pressure and later-in-life heart attack and stroke, researchers reported in the print and online issue of Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.

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