Underweight and extremely obese die earlier than people of normal weight, study finds — A little extra weight may protect people from early death. – Underweight people and those who are extremely obese die earlier than people of normal weight-but those who are overweight actually live longer than people of normal weight, revealed by researchers in US.
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.
Reduced sleep duration and consolidation predicted higher BP levels and adverse changes in BP, suggesting the need for studies to investigate whether interventions to optimize sleep may reduce BP. – Middle-aged adults who sleep fewer hours appear more likely to have high blood pressure and to experience adverse changes in blood pressure over time, according to a report in the June 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
High blood pressure patients with related and non-related co-existing medical conditions were more likely to receive overall good quality care . – Contrary to some previous indications, sicker high blood pressure patients are more likely to receive high-quality care than those with fewer medical needs, researchers report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Certain drug-coated stents may be safe, effective option for elderly patients – Stents coated with the drug paclitaxel may be a safe, effective treatment option for coronary artery disease (CAD) patients age 70 and older and shouldn’t be withheld due to advanced patient age, according to a study reported in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.
Researchers find breast cancer gene that’s blocked by blood pressure drug. Gene overexpressed in up to 20 percent of breast cancers responds to blood pressure drug in lab, U-M researchers report. – Researchers have identified a gene that is overexpressed in up to 20 percent of breast cancers and that could be blocked in the lab by a currently available blood pressure drug, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs statins may help prevent stroke recurrence. – People who take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins after a stroke may be less likely to have another stroke later, according to research published in the May 26, 2009, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Following a healthy lifestyle is on the decline in the US – Researchers urge individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles, particularly in middle age. – Despite the well-known benefits of having a lifestyle that includes physical activity, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, moderate alcohol use and not smoking, only a small proportion of adults follow this healthy lifestyle pattern, and in fact, the numbers are declining, according to an article published in the June 2009 issue of The American Journal of Medicine.
Heart disease patients carrying extra pounds do better, live longer – Weight of evidence still points to purposeful weight loss, further research needed. – Being overweight or obese is a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated risk factors; however, in patients with established CVD, obesity appears to play a protective role.
Study indicates that a common virus could cause high blood pressure – Cytomegalovirus affects majority of adults worldwide. – A new study suggests for the first time that cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common viral infection affecting between 60 and 99 percent of adults worldwide, is a cause of high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.
Diet prescribed to lower blood pressure also reduces women’s risk of heart failure. – The DASH diet was initially developed to help patients lower their blood pressure, but a large study led by investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) demonstrates that women who followed the diet also significantly reduced their risk of developing heart failure.
Health and well-being in old age: It’s still money that counts – The impact that wealth and social class has on people’s well-being in old age is far greater than is often assumed. New research from the Economic and Social Research Council reveals just how great the difference really is in people’s health and well-being between different social groups at older ages.
