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.

Burgers, fries, diet soda lead to metabolic syndrome

A Western diet heavy in meat, fried foods, burgers, fries, diet soda and refined grains puts people at higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome with risk for heart problems, stroke and type 2 diabetes, a new study found. – Otherwise-healthy adults who eat two or more servings of meat a day – the equivalent of two burger patties – increase their risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 25 percent compared with those who eat meat twice a week, according to research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Heart and stroke death rates steadily decline in US

American Heart Association goals to reduce deaths from heart disease and stroke by 2010 have been virtually met. – In an appropriate prelude to American Heart Month, which is just ahead in February, new mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that, since 1999, coronary heart disease and stroke age-adjusted death rates are down by 25.8 percent and 24.4 percent, respectively.

Stress at work is linked to heart disease

A stressful job has a direct biological impact on the body, raising the risk of heart disease, research has indicated. – New research has produced strong evidence of how work stress is linked to the biological mechanisms involved in the onset of heart disease. The research published in Europe’s leading cardiology journal, the European Heart Journal.

Vytorin does not appear to be unsafe – American Heart Association

Schering-Plough Corp and Merck & Co are defending their shared cholesterol treatments, Vytorin and Zetia, in advertisements in The New York Times after a failed study generated negative publicity. – Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals released results from the ENHANCE trial, which found that the ezetimibe/simvastatin (Zetia/Zocor) combination drug known as Vytorin was no more effective in reducing artery plaque build-up than simvastatin (Zocor) alone. There were no statistically significant differences in the safety of the drugs, which are used to lower cholesterol.

Depression and anxiety can double heart disease risk

Anxiety and depression are associated with mechanisms that promote atherosclerosis. Most recent studies of emotional disturbances in coronary artery disease (CAD) have focused on depression only. Anxiety and depression predict greater MACE (Major adverse cardiac events) risk in patients with stable CAD (Coronary Artery Disease). – Matters of the mind can affect matters of the heart. A new study from Universit? de Montr?al and McGill University researchers has found that major anxiety and/or depression, can double a coronary artery disease patient’s chances of repeated heart ailments. This is one of the first studies to focus on patients with stable coronary artery disease ? not those who were hospitalized for events such as a heart attack.

Brain strong during waking hours, weaken during sleep

Sleep’s main function is to keep our brains and all its synapses lean and efficient. Brain is more strong during waking hours, weaken during sleep. – Most people know it from experience: After so many hours of being awake, your brain feels unable to absorb any more, and several hours of sleep will refresh it. Now new research from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health clarifies this phenomenon, supporting the idea that sleep plays a critical role in the brain’s ability to change in response to its environment. This ability, called plasticity, is at the heart of learning.

Aspirin resistance increases heart attack, stroke risk

Increased risk of heart attack or stroke for patients who are resistant to aspirin — Aspirin ‘resistance’ and risk of cardiovascular morbidity : Systematic review and meta-analysis – Being resistant to aspirin makes patients four times more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or even die from a pre-existing heart condition, according to a study published in British Medical Journal, UK. The study relates to patients who are prescribed aspirin long term as a way of preventing clots from forming in the blood.

Immune system can help heal patients with heart failure

Immune system can help heal patients with heart failure

The ability to change or modulate the patient?s immune response has now been shown to be attainable as well as successful in treating certain stages of heart failure. – Modifying the immune system of a patient with heart failure reduces the patient’s risk of death and the need for hospitalization, according to research published in recent edition of The Lancet.

Calcium supplements may increase heart attacks in postmenopausal women

Calcium supplements or high calcium intakes may increase heart attacks in postmenopausal women, increased risk of myocardial infarction outweighs the reduction in fractures in older women. – Calcium is an important component of bone, and a sufficient intake of calcium is needed for bone homoeostasis. Calcium supplements can reduce the risk of fractures in elderly women, but high calcium intakes or calcium supplements may increase the risk of heart attack in healthy postmenopausal women.

Use OTC cough and cold products with care

US FDA strongly recommends that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products should not be used for infants and children under 2 years of age because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects could occur. – US health agency FDA is recommending that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products should not be used to treat infants and children less than 2 years of age because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur from such use. OTC cough and cold products include decongestants, expectorants, antihistamines, and antitussives (cough suppressants) for the treatment of colds.

Health Newstrack