Heart Archives

Diabetes duration and advancing age independently predict diabetes complications

Duration of diabetes and advancing age independently predict diabetes complications, risk of death – The duration of diabetes and advancing age independently predict diabetes severity and risk of death in older adults with type 2 diabetes. In a new study led by Kaiser Permanente and the University of Chicago, researchers investigated contemporary rates of diabetes complications and risk of death then contrasted them across categories of age and duration of diabetes.

Women specific chest pain symptoms not enough in heart attack diagnosis

Findings Not Supportive of Women-Specific Chest Pain Symptoms in Heart Attack Diagnosis – Using chest pain characteristics (CPCs) specific to women in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI, heart attack) in the emergency department does not seem to be supported by the findings of a study published by JAMA.

High salt in some medicines may increase heart attack and stroke risk

High salt levels in common medicines put patients at increased risk of cardiovascular events — Researchers call for salt content of medicines to be labeled in same way as foods – Taking the maximum daily dose of some medicines would exceed the recommended daily limits for sodium, without any additional dietary intake. Public should be warned about the potential dangers of high sodium intake from prescribed medicines, reveals new study.

Regular physical activity in later life boosts healthy aging sevenfold

Regular physical activity in later life boosts likelihood of ‘healthy aging’ up to sevenfold — Helps stave off major ill health and dementia even for those getting started relatively late – It’s never too late to get physically active, with even those starting relatively late in life reaping significant health benefits, reveals researchers. Four years of sustained regular physical activity boosted the likelihood of healthy ageing sevenfold compared with consistent inactivity.

US FDA bans 23andme direct to consumer genetic testing kit

FDA Orders Genetic Testing Firm 23andme to Stop Marketing DNA Analysis Service — Blocks Sale of a Company’s Mail-Order Gene Tests – The Food and Drug Administration, USA has ordered 23andme – the maker of a popular genetic-testing kit to stop sales of its heavily marketed product, saying the mail-order tests haven’t been proven effective and could dangerously mislead people about their health.

Nut consumption lowers risk of diseases

Large study links nut consumption to reduced death rate — Research also shows people who eat nuts weigh less – In the largest study of its kind, people who ate a daily handful of nuts were 20 percent less likely to die from any cause over a 30-year period than were those who didn’t consume nuts, say scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Harvard School of Public Health.

A cup of coffee increases blood flow in small blood vessels

Coffee may help perk up your blood vessels – The caffeine in a cup of coffee might help your small blood vessels work better, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2013.

Mitral valve replacement may be more effective than mitral valve repair

Study may impact guidelines for mitral valve surgery for severe ischemic mitral regurgitation — New findings showing mitral valve replacement may be more effective than mitral valve repair reported at AHA Scientific Sessions 2013 and in New England Journal of Medicine – The Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN), whose Data and Clinical Coordinating Center is at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is reporting for the first time evidence on whether or not there is any significant difference between the two current surgical approaches to treat patients with severe ischemic mitral regurgitation — mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement.

SMS reminders about heart medication improved patient adherence

Texting heart medication reminders improved patient adherence – Getting reminder texts helped patients take their heart medicines (anti-platelet and cholesterol-lowering drugs) more regularly, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2013.

Healthier diets possible in low-income rural communities in US

Healthier diets possible in low-income, rural communities in America — According to new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – In the United States, children don’t eat enough fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Instead, their diets typically include excessive amounts of sugars and solid fats, counter to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes.

Disrupting an antioxidant pathway prevents heart failure

Disrupting an antioxidant pathway prevents heart disease caused by reductive stress – Researchers have found that deficiency of an antioxidant response protein called nuclear erythroid-2 like factor-2 (Nrf2) delays or prevents hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a type of a heart failure in which the heart muscle grows abnormally thick.

Older people exposed to aircraft noise may face hospitalization from heart problems

Older people exposed to aircraft noise may face greater risk of hospitalization from heart problems – Older people exposed to aircraft noise, especially at high levels, may face increased risk of being hospitalized for cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that, on average, zip codes with 10-decibel higher aircraft noise had a 3.5% higher cardiovascular hospital admission rate.