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• May 9, 2008

  Drug-Coated Stents Still Spark Debate
  Doctors divided on the risks posed by the artery-opening devices
• New Class of Drugs Might Treat Many Conditions
  Vaptans ease painful periods, glaucoma, depression and many other diseases, researchers say
• Training Student Leaders Cuts Peers' Smoking Rates
  U.K. study finds overall 25% drop in those who take up the habit

• May 8, 2008

  Noise in Artery Could Warn of Heart Risk
  Carotid bruits linked to increased odds of heart attack, death, study finds
• Study Offers Clues to Link Between Arrhythmia, Sudden Death
  Uncovering molecular underpinnings could lead to new, genetically targeted therapies
• Stroke Survivors Walk Better With Human Help
  Rehab with therapist had more benefit than those using robotic devices, study finds
• Kidney stone treatment not linked to hypertension
  The use of shock waves to break up kidney stones does not seem to lead to the development of high blood pressure, according to Japanese researchers.
• Top US lawmaker reprimands drugmakers over ads
  Pharmaceutical companies need to be more responsible in touting their products to consumers or else face tighter controls from Congress, a top U.S. Democratic lawmaker said on Thursday.

• May 8, 2008

  B vitamins fail to cut heart risk in study
  Giving B vitamins and folic acid supplements to reduce high levels of a blood protein that is a marker for heart disease did nothing to protect women from heart trouble, according to a study released on Tuesday.
• Awareness of stroke symptoms lacking in US
  A survey in 13 states and the District of Columbia reveals that most people are not aware of the five most common symptoms a stroke, according to findings reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Alzheimer's disease risks are gender specific
  The risks of developing Alzheimer's disease differ between the sexes, with stroke in men, and depression in women, critical factors, according to a French study.
• Early poverty may impair heart's nighttime rest
  A person's blood pressure normally drops during the night, but his or her socioeconomic status in childhood appears to influence how readily this occurs in adulthood, new Canadian research shows.
• Workouts sculpt heart as well as muscles
  Exercise can cause structural changes in the heart, and these changes vary depending on the type of training an athlete is engaged in, new research shows.
• Group wants FDA to pull J&J birth control patch
  A U.S. advocacy group is urging the Food and Drug Administration to pull Johnson & Johnson's birth control patch from the market after studies found an increased risk of dangerous blood clots.
• Socially isolated women have increased stroke risk
  Women with a sparse social network are apparently at greater risk for having a stroke than women with plentiful social connections, researchers have found.

• May 7, 2008

  Women Who Quit Smoking Lower Heart Risks Quickly
  Study saw significant declines in several death risks within 5 years of stopping
• Folic Acid Doesn't Help the Heart
  Long-term study, involving women, deals another blow to homocysteine theory
• Obesity-Related Inflammation Boosts Heart Risks
  Blood chemicals in overweight participants were key predictors of organ failure, study says
• Some smoking-related risks cut soon after quitting
  Deaths from vascular disease due to smoking are substantially reduced in women within 5 years after they quit smoking, according to findings from the Nurses' Health Study.
• Brittle bones linked to heart disease
  Among people checked out because of chest pain, the likelihood that the pain is due to obstructed coronary arteries is greater for those with low bone mineral density (BMD) than those with normal BMD, researcher report.

• May 6, 2008

  Anti-Clotting Drug as Good as Aspirin at Stopping Second Stroke
  Cilostazol also resulted in fewer brain bleeds than aspirin, study finds
• High-fat, low-carb diet helps kids with epilepsy
  The results of a study provide strong evidence that a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates -- a so-called "ketogenic diet" -- can help control seizures in children with stubborn epilepsy that does not respond well to drug therapy.
• Cilostazol found may be safer than aspirin post-stroke
  The anti-platelet drug cilostazol is as effective as aspirin at preventing recurrent stroke and appears to be linked to fewer bleeding events, a study in China has shown.
• Future of lucrative cholesterol drugs murky
  Doctors are waiting for new preventive heart medicines beyond popular statin therapies, but a tough regulatory climate and fierce debate over the effectiveness of some newer drugs has clouded the future of cholesterol treatments.
• Needle-free device delivers pain-free analgesia
  A new needle-free device that delivers a local anesthetic to the skin promises to help make delivering drugs and drawing blood less painful for children.

• May 5, 2008

  Can Women be fat and fit?
• Suffering of Heart Failure Similar to Cancer
  Same kind of palliative care may be needed, researcher says
• Younger Women Often Miss Signs of Heart Attack
  Small study found they attributed symptoms to stress, indigestion and fatigue
• Simple Steps Lead to Better Blood Pressure Control
  Veterans' facility reports improvement in patients within 18 weeks

• May 3, 2008

  Frequent headache linked with smoking risk in teens
  Adolescents who have frequent headaches appear to be at increased risk of becoming daily smokers, Dr. Karen E. Waldie of the University of Auckland, New Zealand, told Reuters Health.
• HDL cholesterol linked with improved leg control
  Higher blood levels of the "good" HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) correlate with better functional performance of the leg in older, non-disabled individuals, according to a report in the April issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

• May 2, 2008

  Health Tip: Healing Mentally After a Heart Attack
  Don't neglect your emotional needs

• May 2, 2008

  Most high blood pressure in developing world-study
  More than 80 percent of high blood pressure disease occurs in the developing world, and mostly among younger adults, researchers said on Thursday in a report that belies the image of hypertension as a disease of harried, overfed rich people.

• May 2, 2008

  Thyroid Hormone Linked to Heart Disease

• May 2, 2008

  Birth Control for Brain Injuries?
• Hypertension Takes Huge Toll in Developing Countries
  Eighty percent of high blood pressure-related deaths occur in poorer nations, study shows
• Exercise, Counseling Benefits Depressed Heart Failure Patients
  Aerobic workouts, counseling therapy boosted physical ability, lessened melancholy
• Home Monitoring Program Improves Outcomes for Heart Patients
  Remote screening cut hospital readmissions, provided timely intervention

• May 1, 2008

  More kids fainting after shots, CDC reports
  An unprecedented number of U.S. youngsters are fainting after getting shots, especially teenage girls, and doctors need to keep an eye on them, federal health experts cautioned on Thursday.
• Ontario moves to ban smoking in cars with children
  Smokers in the Canadian province of Ontario will be fined C$250 ($247) for lighting up in their cars in the presence of children, if a new law introduced on Wednesday is passed.
• Electromagnetic fields affect infant heart rate
  The electromagnetic fields that are generated by incubators in hospital nurseries influence the heart rate variability in newborns, suggesting that such fields are capable of altering autonomic nervous system activity, new research indicates.

• May 1, 2008

  Heart Danger for Osteoporosis Drug Users

• April 30, 2008

  Incubators Affect Newborns' Heart Rates
  Electromagnetic fields seem to cause drop in heart rate variability, researchers report
• New stem cell type coaxed into forming heart tissue
  A new type of powerful stem cell made from ordinary skin cells has been coaxed into becoming three different types of heart and blood cells in mice, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday.
• Food crisis unlikely to cause famine soon: U.N.
  Global food shortages and higher prices are more likely to cause malnutrition than outright famine, at least in the near term, the coordinator of a new United Nations task force said on Wednesday.
• Low-dose pot eases pain while keeping mind clear
  Giving carefully calibrated doses of smoked marijuana to people with neuropathic pain, which can be difficult-to-treat and extremely painful, can ease their pain without clouding their minds, California researchers report.
• Mouse Skin Cells Reprogrammed to Act Like Embryonic Stem Cells
  New cells were coaxed into becoming three kinds of cardiac cells
• Don’t Sleep too Much or too Little

• April 29, 2008

  Heavy people's brains may age faster
  Middle-aged people who are overweight or obese have lower levels of certain brain chemicals that signal good brain health and function, according to a new study using high-tech brain scans.
• Low thyroid output tied to heart attacks in women
  Women with a slightly underactive thyroid gland appear to be at increased risk for death from heart attacks and other types of heart disease, according to findings from a Norwegian study reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
• Birth size linked to weight gain and inflammation
  The results of a study published in the European Heart Journal indicate there is an association between lower birth weight and greater weight gain from childhood to adulthood and with low-grade inflammation in adulthood.
• Nordic scientists start trial on nicotine vaccine
  Nordic scientists have launched a trial on a vaccine designed to help smokers kick the world's deadliest habit by depriving them of one of its chief pleasures, the firm that owns the vaccine said on Tuesday.
• Exercise Cuts Women's Risk of Heart Disease
  But without losing pounds, activity alone unlikely to reverse dangers for overweight
• Secondhand Smoke Blocks Artery Repair
  Toxins' effect on heart health may be worse than thought, study suggests
• Pituitary Hormone May Boost Women's Heart Risk
  Thyrotropin levels increasing even within normal range associated with dangers
• Poor diet undermines health of northern Afghans
  Lunch at Gada Mohammed's single-room mud-brick house in Afghanistan's far north is the same as most other meals: dry bread washed down with tea.
• Alendronate may raise risk of irregular heat beat
  Women who have ever used alendronate, also known by the trade name Fosamax, may have an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, according to findings from a new study. However, the overall risk is low and is likely outweighed by the benefits of fracture prevention in patients with osteoporosis if they have no other risk factors for atrial fibrillation, the investigators conclude.
• Phenytoin may cause bone loss in young women
  Treatment with the anti-seizure medication phenytoin appears to lead to the loss of bone mineral density at the hip in young women, whereas treatment with other antiepileptic agents, such as carbamazepine and lamotrigine, does not, U.S. researchers report.
• Chocolate may reduce pregnancy complication risk
  Indulging in chocolate during pregnancy could help ward off a serious complication known as preeclampsia, new research suggests.
• Biomarkers prognostic in heart failure patients
  Lower vitamin D levels and higher C-reactive protein levels are associated with poor aerobic capacity and greater frailty in elderly patients with heart failure, according to findings published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society.
• Doses of high blood pressure drugs needed in winter
  Some hypertensive patients may need to take higher doses of medication during winter months to control their high blood pressure, a Mexican study suggests. The findings were presented here at the XV Argentine Congress of Hypertension.
• Heart risks of obesity reduced with exercise
  Women who are overweight or obese can reduce their risk of heart disease by exercising more, results of a new study indicate.
• Tough job: Volunteers needed for chocolate study
  Calling all chocoholics: British researchers recruiting volunteers willing to eat a bar of chocolate daily for a year, guilt-free and all in the name of science.
• Infection, Cardiac Woes Send Heart Failure Patients to the Hospital
  Pneumonia, arrhythmias, poor blood flow blamed for almost 2 of every 3 admissions
• New Worries Over Blockbuster Meds Avandia, Fosamax
  Diabetes drug Avandia linked to fractures, while bone drug Fosamax is tied to irregular heartbeat
• HRT Increases Stroke Risk
  Timing of hormone therapy did not matter, study finds
• Experimental Blood Substitutes Unsafe, Study Finds
  FDA delay in acting on heart hazards might have put some in jeopardy, researchers say

• April 28, 2008

  Elderly More Likely to Battle Sleep Disorders
  Meds they take, changes in biological clock put many at risk for serious disease

• April 26, 2008

  Gender difference in heart risks starts early
  The lower risk of heart disease enjoyed by women compared to that for men is already evident in the teenage years, a new study shows.
• C-section delivery may raise risk of stroke
  Pregnant women who have a cesarean delivery appear to be more likely to suffer a stroke during the following year than women who give birth normally, researchers in Taiwan have shown.
• Greater wealth tied to lower stroke risk
  For people aged 50 and 64 years, being wealthy seems to protect them against having a stroke, according to new research. After age 65, however, wealth appears to make little difference in stroke risk.
• Study highlights heart disease risk in India
  India, expected to account for 60 percent of the world's heart disease cases by 2010, could prevent many deaths by ensuring the poor get better access to treatment, Indian and Canadian researchers said on Friday.

• April 26, 2008

  Diluted Seawater Boosts Nutritional Content of Tomatoes
  A 12% solution increased levels of antioxidants, researchers say

• April 25, 2008

  Natural enzyme linked to heart risk in diabetics
  High blood levels of a naturally occurring enzyme linked to blood vessel function predict heart-related events and an increased risk of progressive kidney disease in patients with type 1 diabetes and kidney disease, according to new research.
• Healthy diet cuts teens' blood pressure
  Adolescents with elevated blood pressure can lower their blood pressure and improve their nutrient intake by following a teen version of the so-called DASH diet, results of a new study suggest.
• Beijing says full smoking ban "impossible"
  Banning smoking completely in Beijing is "impossible" but the city will do its best to ensure a smoke-free environment for the Olympics through new regulations to come into force on May 1, officials said on Thursday.
• Embryonic stem cells coaxed into key heart cells
  Scientists say they have coaxed human embryonic stem cells into becoming three of the major cell types in the human heart, and they improved cardiac function when transplanted into mice.

• April 25, 2008

  Higher Wealth Linked to Lower Risk of Early Stroke
  Money makes less of a difference after 65, study finds
• New Heart Disease Markers Discovered
  Genes associated with elevated CRP levels play role in metabolic syndrome, studies say

• April 24, 2008

  Cutting Phosphate May Protect Kidney Patients From Heart Trouble
  High levels are major source of cardiovascular death risk in those with chronic disease
• Embryonic Stem Cells Turned Into Three Types of Heart Cells
  When transplanted into mice, they improved heart function, researchers report
• Sleep Apnea Screening Cuts Surgical Complications
  Canadian team develops simple test to identify those at risk

• April 23, 2008

  Soy protein beneficial in type 2 diabetics: study
  A diet rich in soy protein appears to have a lasting beneficial effect on the heart, blood vessels and kidneys of people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, Iranian researchers report in the journal Diabetes Care.
• Program helps keep teens away from cigarettes
  A smoking prevention and cessation intervention involving pediatricians and older peer counselors has proven effective in helping adolescent smokers to quit and preventing nonsmokers from taking up the deadly habit.
• Fish oil has heart-rhythm stabilizing effects: study
  In a prospective clinical study, the consumption of fish oil supplements had the effect of reducing the electrical irritability of the heart in people with heart rhythm disturbances.
• Next-generation heart stent beats older device
  A next-generation artery-opening device from Abbott Laboratories Inc worked as well or better than an older stent at keeping blood flowing through diseased arteries, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.
• Large waist may raise death risk for women
  Women with large bellies may die earlier of heart disease and cancer than other women, regardless of their weight, a large U.S. study suggests.
• Group urges heart test before kids get ADHD drugs
  Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder should get their hearts checked before starting treatment with Ritalin or other stimulant drugs, experts recommended on Monday.
• Personalized Web messages help smokers quit
  Smokers seeking to quit who look for help from Web-based programs will be more likely to kick the habit if that program is personalized and tailored specifically to them, a new study shows.
• Heart care differs during hospital "off-hours"
  Heart attack patients who arrive at the hospital at night or on weekends or holidays undergo fewer overall procedures to open clogged arteries and have significantly longer wait times for these procedures than their counterparts who arrive during the day, new study findings indicate.
• New Drug-Coated Stent Does Well in Early Trial
  But doctors want more data, and device not yet approved for use in U.S.

• April 23, 2008

  Factors in Cancer Death Rates Stay Stagnant
  Efforts that fueled recent declines have hit a plateau, report says
• Quality Care, Not Number of Procedures, Determines Bypass Results
  As the number of heart surgeries has declined, so has death rate, study finds
• Gene Variant Boosts Risk for Stress-Related Ischemia
  Patients 3 times more likely to suffer dangerous spike in blood flow to heart, study finds

• April 22, 2008

  Saliva test may speed heart attack diagnosis
  A simple saliva test may one day be used in ambulances, restaurants, neighborhood drug stores, or other places in the community to quickly tell if a person is having a heart attack.
• Cholesterol drugs destroy esophageal cancer cells
  Drugs that are commonly used to lower cholesterol can block the proliferation and promote the destruction of esophageal cancer cells in the laboratory, according to a report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology by UK researchers.
• Heart surgery results good in low-volume hospitals
  The rate of in-hospital deaths after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has steadily declined since 1997, and the proportion of CABG procedures performed at low-volume institutions has increased, according to a report in the April Archives of Surgery.
• World map of metabolism finds blood pressure clues
  Researchers creating a map of human metabolism around the world have found compounds in urine that point to some surprising differences affecting blood pressure, based not on genes but on what people eat and their gut bacteria.

• April 22, 2008

  Heart Tests for Kids With ADHD
• Off-Hours Heart Patients Less Likely to Get Angioplasty
  But study also finds survival rates similar, no matter when admission occurred
• Heart Disease Risks Hit Boys in Teens
  Girls protected by hormones during adolescence, study suggests
• New Atrial Fibrillation Surgery Improves Results
  Called a 'box lesion,' it helps isolate electrical impulses causing irregular heartbeat
• Gene Variant Protects Black Heart Failure Patients
  Has same effect as beta blocker drugs in 40% of blacks, study finds

• April 21, 2008

  Overeating, Not Fat, Causes Metabolic Syndrome

• April 19, 2008

  Chest pain in middle-age an ominous sign, study hints
  In a long-term follow-up study, chest pain felt by men and women in their 40s was a major risk factor for premature death due to heart disease later on.
• Prenatal exposure to smoking may affect menopause
  Women who were exposed to cigarette smoke prenatally may go through menopause earlier than other women, a study has found.
• Newer OCs may boost levels of heart-risk protein
  In young, healthy, normal-weight women, use of newer "third-generation" oral contraceptive pills may raise levels of an inflammatory protein linked to heart disease known as C-reactive protein, or CRP -- potentially placing these women at higher risk for blood clots and heart disease, researchers report.
• Older diabetics struggle with blood sugar control
  The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising in the US elderly population, and nearly half of affected individuals fail to adequately control their blood sugar, new research shows.
• Metabolic Syndrome Triggered by Overeating, Not Obesity
  Mouse study concludes weight gain is an early symptom, not a direct cause

• April 18, 2008

  Vitamin D found to guard against artery disease
  Vitamin D may protect against an artery disease in which fatty deposits restrict blood flow to the limbs, researchers said on Wednesday.
• Mid-life high cholesterol raises Alzheimer's risk
  High cholesterol levels in your 40s may raise the chance of developing Alzheimer's disease decades later, according to a study underscoring the importance of health factors in middle age on risk for the brain ailment.
• Skin Test Spots Heart Risks in Healthy People
  No blood sample required with noninvasive cholesterol test, study shows
• Migraines' Frequency Influences Heart Attack, Stroke Risk
  But the absolute risk to patients remains very low, expert says

• April 17, 2008

  Barbra Streisand donates $5 million to hospital
  Singer and actress Barbra Streisand has donated $5 million to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for a women's heart education and research program, the hospital said on Wednesday.
• Rich-poor gap linked to heart disease - study
  Reducing inequalities in income may also help to cut a growing number of cases of cardiovascular disease in rich and poor countries, researchers said on Wednesday.

• April 17, 2008

  Timing of HRT May Influence Heart Risks
  Study found women with risk factors who took it early in menopause did not have diminished vessel function
• Cardiac Patients Admitted During Week More Likely to Survive
  Those going to hospital on weekend faced 13.4% lower chance of recovery, study finds
• Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Leg Artery Blockages
  But doctors are divided on whether supplements are a good option
• Health Tip: If You Have High Cholesterol
  Suggested questions to ask your doctor

• April 16, 2008

  Diet, exercise changes cut diabetes risk factors
  Quite small changes in lifestyle can help reduce abdominal obesity and development of the metabolic syndrome, reports Dr. Pirjo Ilanne-Parikka, of the Finnish Diabetes Association in Tampere.
• Prolonged Fasting Boosts Risk of Rare Stroke
  Avoiding food during religious holidays such as Ramadan increased risk almost 3-fold
• Health Tip: Having High Blood Pressure
  Are you at risk?

• April 15, 2008

  Heart Medication Leads to Hip Bone Loss

• April 15, 2008

  Diabetic Eye Problem Linked to Heart Failure
  Retinopathy more than doubled the risk of heart problems, study found
• High Blood Pressure May Be Buffer Against Headaches
  But experts stress that hypertension should still be treated
• New Benefits From Old Heart Measures
  Statins lower blood pressure, DASH diet cuts cardiovascular risk, studies find
• Hormone Replacement May Cut Risk for Age-Linked Eye Disease
  Estrogen may prevent advanced macular degeneration, study finds
• Heart's Stem Cells Not Created Equally
  Progenitor cells may not follow same pathways, researchers say

• April 14, 2008

  Stroke Treatment Unclogs Neck Arteries

• April 12, 2008

  Smoking, drinking imperil lymphoma survival
  Smoking and moderate-to-high alcohol consumption negatively affect the survival of people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, dubbed NHL, a European study shows.
• Heart ills not to blame for women's poor sex life
  A woman's satisfaction with her sex life appears to have very little to do with the health of her heart and circulation, according to a new analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative.
• Trans-fats linked to breast cancer risk in study
  Trans-fats, which are being phased out of food because they clog arteries, may raise the risk of getting breast cancer, European researchers reported on Friday.
• Meditation technique can lower blood pressure
  Practicing a particular type of meditation twice a day can significantly reduce blood pressure, according to an analysis of existing research on the technique.
• U.S. lawmakers cite unusual finding from Vytorin probe
  Two top Democrats investigating why Schering-Plough Corp and Merck & Co's delayed the release of data on their cholesterol drug Vytorin said their probe has uncovered "some unusual circumstances" and is far from over, according to a letter released on Friday.

• April 11, 2008

  High blood pressure hard on the aging brain
  High blood pressure is associated with worse brain function than normal blood pressure in people aged 60 and older, according to a report by doctors at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC.
• German dealers added lead to marijuana - report
  Drug dealers looking for extra profits apparently added lead flakes to packets of marijuana, inflating their value while causing dozens of cases of serious poisoning, doctors in Germany reported on Wednesday.
• High cholesterol may boost survival in ALS
  Elevated lipid levels (also called hyperlipidemia) appear to significantly impact survival in patients with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, French researchers have found.

• April 11, 2008

  Atherosclerosis May Also Harm Vital Organs
  Toxic byproduct of plaque formation wreaks havoc on heart, lungs and liver, study suggests
• Special Treadmill Helps Stroke Patients Regain Normal Gait
  Harness offers partial support as patients re-learn to walk
• Birth Size, Early Weight Gain Tied to Boost in Heart Risks
  Finnish study says early start to healthy lifestyles can pay big dividends later
• Postmenopausal Women's Sexual Dissatisfaction Not Linked to Heart Troubles
  Study did see modest tie between displeasure, peripheral artery disease
• Egg Consumption Poses Risks for Diabetic Men: Study
  Study of doctors shows 7 eggs a week raise risk of dying

• April 10, 2008

  Drug regime reverses heart disease in diabetics
  Aggressive use of drugs to lower cholesterol and blood pressure helped reverse heart disease in people with diabetes, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.
• Seven or more eggs a week raises risk of death
  Middle-aged men who ate seven or more eggs a week had a higher risk of earlier death, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday.
• China toughens smoking ban in schools before Games
  China has further tightened smoking restrictions -- targeting schools and day care centers -- as it extends a crackdown linked to its pledge to hold a smoke-free Olympics.
• Low insulin linked to Alzheimer's disease risk
  Impaired insulin response appears to be involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to findings from a long-term population-based study conducted in Sweden.
• Infant heart defects tied to maternal smoking
  A woman who smokes during pregnancy increases the risk that her child will be born with a heart defect, a new study published in Pediatrics shows.
• Study debunks heart attack-male baldness link
  A new study of more than 5,000 men calls into question the idea that baldness can signal a greater risk of heart disease.

• April 10, 2008

  Apples at the Core of Good Health

• April 10, 2008

  Kids With Heart Disease: Behavior Issues
• Stenting as Good as Surgery for Stroke Prevention
  Three-year follow-up of study shows similar results
• Gene Mutations for Rare Heart Disease Also Found in Kids
  Test for adults with muscle-thickening disorder may also identify children at risk

• April 8, 2008

  Kidney disease tied to sudden death in women
  Advanced kidney disease appears to increase the risk of sudden death in women with heart disease, according to findings from the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study.
• REFILE: Clothes-pin-like device fixes heart problem
  A new device, which resembles a small clothes pin, can be used as minimally invasive treatment for mitral regurgitation, a potentially serious heart problem in which some blood is not pumped to the rest of the body, but is instead propelled back into the organ. Use of the device may help some patients avoid surgery.

• April 8, 2008

  Get Moving to Kick the Habit
• New Guidelines Tackle Treatment of Resistant Hypertension
  Multi-drug regimens, dose timing, adherence to therapy all matter, heart association says
• HRT Dosing May Determine Risks, Benefits
  Rodent study finds higher levels of estrogen replacement proved more dangerous
• Antipsychotic Drug Boosts Risk of Heart Disease, Diabetes
  French study in rats finds olanzapine changes metabolism in weeks

• April 6, 2008

  Cardio-metabolic risk can occur at normal BMIs
  Patients with a normal body mass index (BMI) can still have a high body fat content, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, a Mayo Clinic team announced here during the American College of Cardiology's 57th Annual Scientific Session.
• Blood protein linked to heart disease
  As levels of lipoprotein(a), a compound that carries fats in the blood, increase, so does the risk of heart disease, researchers report in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
• Strenuous exercise may raise clot risk in elderly
  Elderly individuals who engage in strenuous exercise, such as jogging, are at increased risk for developing blood clots, which can have serious consequences, according to the results of a new study. Still, the authors assert, the benefits of moderate or strenuous exercise in elderly individuals likely outweigh this risk.
• Stress won't boost risk of pregnancy complication
  Being stressed out during the first half of pregnancy may be unhealthy, but it won't increase a woman's risk of developing a serious complication known as preeclampsia, Dutch researchers have found.
• Folate may help prevent heart damage
  Pretreatment with high doses of folate, water-soluble vitamin B obtained from food, can reduce damage to the heart muscle that is caused when the blood flow is cut off, the results of an animal study suggest.
• Walking speed may predict stroke risk
  An older woman's walking speed may help predict her risk of suffering stroke, over and above traditional risk factors, a new study suggests.

• April 5, 2008

  Lowering Blood Pressure Improves Brain Hemorrhage Outcomes
  Aggressive action is safe and may cut risk of disability, death, study finds

• April 4, 2008

  Psoriasis Poses Danger for More Serious Complications
  At-risk patients need care to avoid heart disease, cancer, task force report says
• Better-Educated Smokers More Likely to Quit After Seeing Ads
  Study finds 65% with college degree made attempt, but economic status also plays role

• April 3, 2008

  Gene Variants Linked to Lung Cancer Identified
  Whether they affect smoking behavior and cancer incidence not clear yet, expert says
• HIV Drugs Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Attack
  FDA reviewing safety profile of abacavir, didanosine

• April 2, 2008

  Avandia May Slow Atherosclerosis After Bypass Surgery
  But this new study of diabetes drug doesn't prove it's safe, critics say
• Drug Failed to Reduce Heart Attack Risk After Bypass
  MC-1 had no benefit for postoperative stroke, atrial fibrillation or kidney function
• Home Defibrillators Fail to Boost Survival Rates
  But they still may be valuable for heart attack patients, study suggests
• Obesity Drug Shows Mixed Success Against Atherosclerosis
  Hope is that Acomplia might help fight coronary disease
• Normal Weight Doesn't Always Equal Healthy Weight
  Many have high percentages of body fat, leaving them prone to heart disease, diabetes

• April 1, 2008

  Small Brain Lesions More Common Than Thought in Those Over 60
  High blood pressure, smoking, genetics determine where they occur
• Two Drugs Better Than One for High Blood Pressure
  Pairing ACE inhibitor with calcium channel blocker beat pairing it with diuretic; Celebrex study finds dose related to heart risk
• Diabetics Face Doubled Risk of Heart Attack
  Danger level same as non-diabetics who already have had a heart attack, study says
• Hands-Only Resuscitation OK for Cardiac Arrest
  New American Heart Association guidelines don't require ventilation
• Angioplasty Proves Reasonable Alternative to Bypass Surgery
  But patients who received stents required more procedures to reopen arteries, study found
• Elderly Can Benefit From High Blood Pressure Treatment
  Lowering pressure significantly reduces risk of stroke and heart failure for those over 80, study finds
• Diabetes Drug Slows Clogging of Arteries
  Actos better at fighting plaque build-up than older medication, study finds
• ACE Inhibitor as Effective as More Expensive Blood Pressure Drug
  Study focused on more than 17,000 people with coronary artery disease or diabetes

• March 31, 2008

  Cholesterol Drug Controversy Continues
  Doctors debate worth of lipid-lowering agent that combines 2 medications

• March 31, 2008

  Increased Heart Risk Seen for Retired NFL Players
  Screening should begin in high school, researchers say
• Combining Internet With Office Visits Cut Heart Attack Risks
  Enhanced doctor-patient communication showed big drops in blood pressure, disease scores
• Anticoagulant Drugs Had Similar Outcomes After Angioplasty
  Study also finds drug-releasing stents appear to work better than uncoated ones
• Drug-Eluting Stents Safe After Heart Attack
  Long-term study indicates they lower restenosis risk and don't increase mortality probability

• March 30, 2008

  Anniversary of Parent's Passing Can Trigger Death
  Sudden death occurred in 13 percent of fatal coronaries in study
• Managing Stress Can Lower Heart Death Risk
  Treatment of anxiety can reduce threat from disease, study says
• New Drug Shows Promise in Use With Coronary Stents
  Antiplatelet prasugrel may protect better than Plavix, study shows

• March 29, 2008

  Key Protein Limits Damage of Heart Attack
  Activating Gi compound in mice was important protective mechanism, researchers say
• Dads' Substance Use Hurts Expectant Moms' Efforts to Quit
  Many mothers return to old habits if father continues smoking, drinking, study says
• Smokers at Increased Risk of Aneurysm Recurrence
  Yet a third of tobacco users continue the habit after initial coil treatment surgery
• Health Tip: How a Pacemaker Helps the Heart
  Why the device is prescribed

• March 28, 2008

  IPods Don't Interfere With Pacemakers, Study Shows
  Finding contradicts results of research published a year ago
• Depression After Stroke Can Be Debilitating
  Prevents return to work almost as often as physical disability does, study shows

• March 27, 2008

  Toxic Sewer Gas Induces Suspended Metabolism in Mice
  Heart rate dropped 50% while maintaining blood pressure
• Calcium Scans Help Predict Coronary Risk
  But the cost of such tests is a potential stumbling block, experts say

• March 26, 2008

  Heart Failure Raises Risks After Non-Cardiac Surgeries
  Post-op odds of dying increased for patients with the common condition, study found

• March 25, 2008

  Drug Therapy Boosting Heart-Attack Survival Rates
  10-year study finds less long-term mortality
• High Blood Pressure Runs in Families
  Long-term study firms up link between parents' hypertension, kids' lifetime risk
• Patients Do Better at Hospitals With Clinical Trials
  Attributes encouraged in the trials process may improve overall care, researchers say

• March 22, 2008

  Pacemakers Change Biology of the Heart
  Study with dogs shows devices much more than a mechanical fix for ailing patients
• Lack of Sleep Hurts Women's Hearts Most
  Creates more stress, biomarkers for diabetes, heart disease than in males

• March 21, 2008

  Happy Marriage, Happy Heart
  Study finds contented mates enjoy lower blood pressure

• March 20, 2008

  Skip the Elevator and Take the Stairs!

• March 20, 2008

  Surgery Safe for Seniors

• March 20, 2008

  Gene Variants Can Predict Threat of Heart Disease
  Cholesterol-associated variants increase risk and may be early indication, study shows
• Artery Plaque Boosts Hispanics' Odds for Stroke
  Even a small amount in neck artery quadrupled the risk, study found

• March 19, 2008

  Head and Neck Cancer Outcomes a Mixed Bag
  Study finds quality of life suffers, but mental acuity may actually improve
• Genetic Medicine Making Inroads Against Disease
  Advances against PTSD, bone loss and heart woes cited in new research
• New Foam Treatment for Varicose Veins
  Study says it passed safety tests and is relatively painless
• The Elderly Can Be Candidates for Angioplasty, Stenting
  Those 80 and older may not need to be hospitalized, study says
• Balance in Old Age Tied to Brain Changes
  Monitoring white matter levels may assist early identification of walking problems

• March 18, 2008

  Secondhand Smoke Affects Toddlers Most

• March 18, 2008

  Chest Pain May Signal Cocaine Use in Young Patients
  It's important that doctors ask about drug use upfront, experts say
• Angina More Common in Women Than Men
  That means many women may be under-treated for the heart condition, study suggests
• Some Imperfect Hearts OK for Transplant
  Ventricular thickening didn't affect outcomes, could expand donor pool, experts say

• March 14, 2008

  Severe Menopause Symptoms Raise Heart Risks
  The worse the symptoms, the higher the chances of trouble, study shows
• White Men With Chest Pains Treated Fastest in ERs
  Government study found minorities, women not given heart treatments as quickly
• Heart Risk Can Be Predicted Without Lab Tests
  Finding might help spot high-risk cases in developing countries
• Anxiety Helps Elderly Women Live Longer
  But stress linked to shorter life for men, study finds
• Health Tip: Cardiac Rehabilitation
  Why it's often recommended

• March 13, 2008

  Melt-Away Stent Works Well in Trial
  Absorbed harmlessly in the body, it could replace traditional metal stents
• Secondhand Smoke Hikes Tots' Risk of Heart Disease
  Younger children are more affected than teens, a new study finds

• March 12, 2008

  Caring for Heart Patients Can Strain Hearts
  Caregivers were stressed, ate poorly, study found

• March 11, 2008

  New Method Boosts Cardiac Arrest Survival
  Emergency crews focus on uninterrupted chest compression, experts say
• Glaucoma May Boost Cardiovascular Death Risk in Blacks
  Inappropriate treatment with beta blockers, other meds also increases odds, study finds
• Magnesium May Lower Risk for Some Strokes in Male Smokers
  Study suggests eating foods such as whole grains cuts risk of cerebral infarction

• March 7, 2008

  Depression After a Heart Attack Dangerous for Years
  Study finds long-lasting increased risk of death, but no clear explanation why
• Even in Middle Age, Starting to Drink May Lower Heart Risks
  Wine is better than liquor, study says; a healthy lifestyle is even better, doctor adds

• March 6, 2008

  Heparin Problems Reported in Germany
  Adverse reactions similar to those in U.S., but product source is different, FDA says
• Vaccine Could One Day Control High Blood Pressure
  Preliminary study results encouraging; it would only be needed a few times a year
• Smoking Boosts 'Bleeding' Stroke Risk in Those With High Blood Pressure
  Study says tobacco use may further damage already weakened vessels
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs May Lower Heart Attack, Stroke Risk
  Reducing inflammation helps blunt cardiovascular threats, study suggests

• March 5, 2008

  Genetic Test Predicts Response to Warfarin
  Using it could save money and lives, expert says
• FDA Finds Contaminant in Baxter's Recalled Heparin Products
  But officials can't say if it's responsible for adverse events, deaths reported

• March 4, 2008

  Raised Breast Cancer Risk Persists After Combo HRT Stopped
  Latest data from Women's Health Initiative points to continued need for mammograms

• March 3, 2008

  Stress Can Help Trigger Stroke
  Study found a clear association, but no such link for depression

• February 29, 2008

  Cholesterol-Lowering Statins Tied to Tendon Woes
  But these side effects are rare and benefits still outweigh risks, experts say
• Genetic Factors for Smoking Boost Chronic Bronchitis Risk
  Swedish study says it's first to quantify heritability of the disease
• Double Lung Transplant Better for Younger COPD Patients
  Study finds those under 60 survived longer than people who had single surgery
• Tobacco poses threat to moms in developing world
  Pregnant women's exposure to tobacco in developing countries is growing at an alarming rate, U.S. government researchers said on Thursday.
• Mortality after a blood clot remains high
  About one in four patients in a population-based study who were treated for blood clots in major blood vessels died within 1 year after their initial diagnosis, a mortality rate that investigators say is not much better than was observed in the 1980s.

• February 28, 2008

  Ginkgo Biloba Might Not Preserve Memory in Octogenarians
  Study saw no clear benefit, but did see small number of strokes, mini-strokes
• Study finds degenerative eye disease raises stroke risk
  People with age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of severe vision loss, have double the usual risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke, Australian researchers reported on Thursday.
• Scientists Find Cancer Culprits in Cigarette Smoke
  Hydrogen peroxide and other oxidants cause lung cells to become malignant
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration Doubles Heart Attack and Stroke Risk
  Eye disease carries same risk as other circulatory problems, experts say
• Curry Ingredient May Cut Cardiovascular Risks
  Findings in mice show curcumin reduces heart enlargement and lowers odds of organ failure
• Clot removal device improves stroke outcome
  A device that suctions out blood clots in the brain causing acute stroke proved safe and effective and was associated with improved neurological outcome on all measures, even when used eight hours after the onset of the stroke, according to results of a study.
• Mexico to ban smoking in eateries, public spaces
  Mexican lawmakers voted on Tuesday to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and other enclosed public spaces across the country, which counts some 65,000 cigarette-related deaths each year.

• February 27, 2008

  Low-fat dairy may help control blood pressure
  Women who regularly consume low-fat milk or yogurt may have a lower risk of developing high blood pressure, new research suggests.
• Statins may cut pneumonia deaths: study
  Statin drugs used to lower cholesterol levels and, to a lesser extent, ACE inhibitors used to lower blood pressure, may reduce mortality in older adults who are hospitalized for pneumonia, research suggests.
• Overweight Hispanic Kids Show Early Markers for Diabetes
  Blood vessel damage sets stage for insulin resistance, heart disease, study finds
• Anemia drugs may raise mortality in cancer patients
  Treating cancer patients with anemia drugs increases their risk of blood clots and death, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday, confirming concerns about these widely used drugs,
• Adult Stem Cells Help Those With Immune Disorders, Heart Disease
  Analysis of studies finds modest benefit with both conditions

• February 26, 2008

  Rise in midlife stroke in women linked to obesity
  The rapidly rising incidence of stroke among Americans is primarily due to the increasing number of middle-aged women who are having strokes. The increasing incidence is also associated with abdominal obesity, investigators told attendees here at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2008.
• Total cholesterol tied to risk of plaque rupture
  In individuals without symptoms who have thickened walls of the carotid arteries, two major arteries located on each side of the neck that provide blood and oxygen to the brain, the total blood levels of cholesterol are strongly associated with the presence a lipid, or fat-based," core within plaque, which have a vulnerability to rupture, researchers report.
• Most Americans lacking in heart attack knowledge
  Relatively few Americans have the knowledge to recognize and properly react to a heart attack, a government study suggests.
• National Effort Needed to Address Hyperglycemia in Heart Patients
  American Heart Association says high blood sugar condition linked to high mortality
• More Elderly Americans Living With Heart Failure
  Incidence has declined, but survival gains place burden on Medicare, analysis finds
• Doing Angioplasty Long After Heart Attack Still Worth It, Analysis Shows
  But author of one of studies in the review challenges the finding

• February 25, 2008

  AMR says crew gave oxygen to dying passenger
  AMR Corp, parent of American Airlines, on Monday said the flight crew had administered oxygen and used a defibrillator to assist an ailing passenger who died on a flight from Haiti to New York last week.
• Cancer risk up in Japanese women exposed to smoke
  The results of a study published in the International Journal of Cancer confirm that passive smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, especially adenocarcinoma, among non-smoking Japanese women.
• Death after heart attack tied to drug prescriptions
  Among patients who survive a heart attack, those who don't fill their prescriptions for heart medications appear to have a higher mortality rate one year after they're discharged from the hospital, Canadian researchers report.
• Vitamin E use may raise tuberculosis risk in heavy smokers
  The use of vitamin E supplements appears to increase the risk of tuberculosis in some middle-aged smokers, according to a study in the British Journal of Nutrition.
• Many Patients Fail to Take Drugs After Heart Attack
  One in five prescriptions were never filled after hospital discharge, study found
• Blood Clots in Legs, Lungs Predispose Patients to Repeat Episodes
  They're at risk for new blockages within 3 years, study finds
• Oldest patients fare well after heart valve surgery
  Age shouldn't be a disqualifying factor for patients who need surgery to replace a major valve in the heart, according to new data.
• Viral Infections Tied to Pregnancy Complications
  Exposure, especially to herpes, linked to high blood pressure, preterm births, study finds
• Stroke risk higher in U.S. than Europe: study
  Barriers to health care, bad habits and poor diet put U.S. adults at far greater risk of stroke than Europeans, researchers in the Netherlands said on Friday.
• Study hints stroke drug could have wider use
  A study aiming to expand the three-hour time window for giving a clot-busting drug to stroke patients fell short of its goal, Australian researchers said on Friday, but the study hinted that certain stroke sufferers might still benefit from late administration of the drug.
• Geneva votes to ban smoking in public places
  Geneva, home to the United Nations' European headquarters and scores of banks catering to the very rich, will ban smoking in public places following a referendum on Sunday, the Swiss news agency ATS said.

• February 23, 2008

  More Risk Factors, Less Access to Care Behind Higher Stroke Rates in U.S.
  Europeans less likely to have an attack, study finds

• February 22, 2008

  Earlier Colon Cancer Screens Urged for Smokers
  Study finds tobacco users diagnosed almost 7 years earlier than nonsmokers
• Heart Disease Deaths Over-Reported in New York City
  Study says doctors overestimated in-hospital mortality by 51%
• Substance use relapse rate low after transplant
  The notion that a liver or other organ transplant is wasted on people with a history of alcoholism or drug abuse doesn't hold true, according to a new report. In reality, the likelihood that such patients will relapse is quite low.
• Low cholesterol linked to stomach cancer risk
  People with very low cholesterol levels seem to be at increased risk of developing stomach cancer, Japanese researchers report.

• February 22, 2008

  Higher heart rate signals later diabetes risk
  Middle-aged people with a higher-than-normal heart rate while at rest run the risk of developing diabetes later in life, and even dying from diabetes, researchers report.
• New Stroke Therapies Show Promise
  Clot buster works longer than thought, lowering blood pressure limits damage, and vacuum device sucks up clots safely for 8 hours
• Stroke Risk Factors Drain Memory
  Cognitive powers decline faster among those who have a higher chance of brain attack
• Stroke More Prevalent in U.S. Than in Europe
  Poor Americans fare worse; risks, health-care system cited as factors
• Experts Offer Clarity on Confusion Surrounding Stents
  Amid flurry of studies, certain advice emerging for heart patients
• Daytime dozing may be warning sign of stroke
  Older people who have significant trouble staying awake during the day have more than four times the normal risk of having a stroke, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.
• Fish Oil Flounders, But Fiber Might Lower Stroke Risk
  Pair of studies examine effect of diet on stroke prevention, outcomes
• Cats Help Shield Owners From Heart Attack
  Study finds 30% risk reduction when felines are in the home
• Daytime Dozing Might Raise Stroke Risk
  Sleep apnea could be the connection, experts say
• Moderate Aerobic Fitness Levels May Cut Stroke Risk
  Findings show just 30 minutes of activity helped men, women regardless of family history
• Awareness of Heart Attack Signs Lags in U.S.
  But most people surveyed know to call 911 when one happens, CDC says
• New Stroke Treatments Reduce Brain Damage, Improve Recovery
  Caffeine-alcohol mix plus clot-busting drug proves potent resource as does body cooling with fever reducer

• February 21, 2008

  Caffeine in pregnancy tied to testes woes in sons
  In a recent study, sons born to women who drank the equivalent of three cups of coffee a day during pregnancy were more likely to have undescended testes at age 2 years.

• February 20, 2008

  More Evidence of Danger From Heart Surgery Drug
  Anti-bleeding agent Trasylol tied to increased death, complications, studies find
• In-Hospital Stroke Deaths Rise on Nights, Weekends
  Staffing changes may be to blame, experts say
• Mammograms Might Spot Stroke Risk
  Calcifications in breast arteries upped chances of cardiovascular trouble, study finds

• February 20, 2008

  Cutting down on salt could help kids stay trim
  Gradually reducing the amount of salt in processed foods could help fight childhood obesity, UK researchers say.
• Cognitive Impairment Declining in Older Adults
  Education, wealth play big part in downward trend, study suggests

• February 20, 2008

  High BMI linked to death from stroke
  Among men who've suffered a stroke, the likelihood of dying from the stroke is increased if their body mass index (BMI) puts them in the overweight range; BMI is not a factor in stroke mortality for lean men, according to a large Chinese study.
• Music Therapy Improves Stroke Outcomes
  Study finds enhanced alertness, mood in those who listened just a few hours a day
• Middle-Aged Women Gaining Weight, Raising Their Stroke Risk
  Study finds both went up simultaneously in recent decades
• Depression plus hostility poses heart risk
  Older adults who are simultaneously hostile and depressed may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
• Stem Cells Repair Stroke Damage in Rats
  Study suggests same technique might one day work in humans
• Music hits right note for stroke patients
  A little Beethoven is good for the brain, according to a Finnish study published on Wednesday showing that music helps people recover more quickly from strokes.
• Stem cells help rats recover function after stroke
  Transplanting brain cells produced from human embryonic stem cells helped fix stroke damage in the brains of rats, according to scientists who hope to test the same thing in people within about five years.

• February 19, 2008

  Breast cancer drugs increase heart risk slightly
  Aromatase inhibitors, a class of drugs used to ward off the recurrence of breast cancer after surgery, increase the risk of cardiovascular disorders slightly more than does treatment with tamoxifen, a new study shows.

• February 19, 2008

  In-hospital cardiac arrest deaths high on weekends
  Hospitalized patients who sustain a cardiac arrest are more likely to die if the attack occurs on the weekend or at night than at other times, a new study shows.

• February 19, 2008

  No Difference Found in Treatments for Acute Kidney Failure
  Continuous vs. intermittent dialysis produced same results, analysis shows
• Heart Attacks in Hospital More Deadly at Night, on Weekends
  Study suggests staffing, systemic issues behind difference in mortality rates
• Sleep apnea dangerous for stroke patients
  Sleep apnea, in which breathing briefly ceases or becomes blocked numerous times during the night, is a risk factor for early death in people who have had a stroke, according to a new study.
• Hypertension a Health Challenge for Women
  Too many don't have their blood pressure under control, researchers say
• Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs May Ease Irregular Heartbeat
  Statins effective against atrial fibrillation, analysis shows
• Free Drugs After Heart Attack Would Save Money, Lengthen Lives
  More patients would take recommended medications, study says
• One Drink May Help Heart, But Two Is Too Many
  Extra glass negates immediate benefits to circulation, Canadian study says

• February 18, 2008

  Single pill helps controls BP, cholesterol
  In African-Americans with poorly controlled high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol, treatment with a single pill containing a blood pressure-lowering drug and a cholesterol-lowering drug may prove particularly useful, researchers say.
• HEPA Filters May Improve Cardiovascular Health
  Danish researchers find reducing air particulates for just 2 days helped small blood vessels
• Very early rehab promising for stroke patients
  Starting rehabilitation within 24 hours after a person has a stroke appears to be safe and beneficial, Australian researchers report in the medical journal Stroke.
• WHO takes aim at tobacco smuggling with new pact
  Nearly 130 countries have taken the first steps towards a new treaty to combat tobacco smuggling, blamed for higher consumption and up to $50 billion in lost tax revenues each year, officials said on Friday.
• Women tea-drinkers have less plaque in arteries
  Women who drink tea may be protecting themselves from a build-up of artery-clogging plaque, so lowering their risk for heart disease and stroke, findings from a French study suggest.
• Salsalate cuts blood sugar levels in obese adults
  A drug approved for the treatment of arthritis may have a role in reducing the risk of diabetes and heart trouble developing in young obese individuals, Harvard researchers report.

• February 15, 2008

  Home air filters may improve elders' heart health
  When high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filters were used for just 48 hours to clean the air in the apartments of 21 older couples, their blood vessel function improved by about 8 percent, Danish researchers have shown.
• Many snack foods have gone 'trans-fat free'
  Many snack foods and spreads on the market are now free of artery-clogging trans fat, but consumers still need to be savvy label-readers, according to researchers.
• Genes that conquered cold blamed for fat
  Genes that helped early humans adapt to cold climates may be driving metabolism-related diseases such as obesity or diabetes in many countries, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.
• Older Smokers More Likely to Deny Habit
  Findings challenge validity of self-reported tobacco use in research, care
• Lung disease in childhood raises adult death risk
  A history of bronchitis, pneumonia, or asthma in childhood appears to raise the risk of death from lung disease in adulthood, according to a UK study.
• Drug Cuts Muscle Damage After Heart Attack
  Safety trial shows novel compound blocks enzyme triggering cell and tissue death
• Common gene boosts breast cancer risk in smokers
  Researchers have confirmed yet another ill effect of smoking cigarettes: it increases the risk of breast cancer in women with a common genetic variation.
• Single Mutation in Mitochondrial DNA Weakens Heart, Muscles
  Changes in tissue similar to effects of aging, report suggests

• February 14, 2008

  Carbon monoxide poisoning causes cardiotoxicity
  Exposure to carbon monoxide gas decreases the heart's ability to contract in a way that is distinct from the effects of oxygen deprivation, and this persists even after all of the carbon monoxide is removed from the system, according to experiments conducted in rats.
• Acute Coronary Events Drop After Italy's Public Smoking Ban
  Analysis shows young people in low socioeconomic areas had greatest reduction
• Drug-Coated Balloons Keep Leg Arteries Open: Study
  Small German trial could be a breakthrough treatment in vascular disease

• February 13, 2008

  Smoking-related deaths to rise sharply in India
  Death attributed to tobacco smoking is likely to account for nearly one million deaths per year by 2010, with more than two thirds of these deaths likely to occur in people who are middle-aged, researchers warn in The New England Journal of Medicine.
• Marijuana may impair brain function in MS patients
  Smoking marijuana may exacerbate cognitive difficulties and contribute to emotional problems in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), the results of a small study suggest.
• Turkey's diehard smokers vow to defy ban
  Turkish smokers are vowing to defy a ban in bars and restaurants that will take effect next year, while anti-smoking campaigners accuse global cigarette companies of targeting the country as a key market.
• Therapy, support help heart patients quit smoking
  Counseling and self-help programs can help people with heart disease quit smoking, according to a review of published studies.
• Airport noise instantly boosts blood pressure
  Living near an airport isn't just irritating, it is also unhealthy, researchers said on Wednesday, in a study that showed loud noise instantly boosts a sleeping person's blood pressure.
• Sutent cancer drug causes heart failure in some
  Fifteen percent of patients who took Sutent, a pill used to treat kidney and stomach cancers, developed heart failure, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday.
• Kidney Cancer Drug Linked to Higher Rate of Heart Problems
  But Sutent's benefits may still outweigh its risks for many patients, experts say

• February 12, 2008

  Airplane Noise Boosts Blood Pressure Even During Sleep
  More must be done to help people living near major flight hubs, researchers say
• Rats give clue to smoking-SIDS link
  The known increase in the risk of a baby succumbing to sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS when the mother smokes during pregnancy may be due specifically to the effect of nicotine, Canadian researchers report.
• Muscle Fatigue Drug May Fight Heart Failure
  It seems to plug calcium leaks that cause tiring in muscles, study says
• Smoking may raise risk of colon polyps
  Cigarette smoking appears to promote the development of polyps in the colon, especially those that are more likely to progress to cancer, a research review suggests.
• US lawmakers examine Web postings in Vytorin probe
  Anonymous messages posted on a Web site raise questions about the handling of data on a Merck & Co Inc and Schering-Plough Corp cholesterol drug, two U.S. House of Representatives Democrats said on Monday.
• Triglycerides Linked to Coronary Disease Risk
  Should be considered along with LDL cholesterol in prevention efforts, study indicates
• Attention to heart health good for the brain
  A recent survey found that two out of three African Americans worry about developing heart disease and two out of five are concerned about developing Alzheimer's disease, yet only one in 20 are aware that heart health is linked to brain health.
• High Blood Pressure on Increase Among American Women
  State-by-state survey also found prevalence rate among men not as low as should be
• Most With High Blood Pressure Don't Follow Recommended Diet
  Those who could benefit most have the poorest eating habits
• Heart disease incidence may be on the rise: study
  Decades of decline in the incidence of heart disease may have come to an end, according to results of a long-term autopsy study conducted at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota.
• Few with high blood pressure follow diet advice
  Americans with hypertension (high blood pressure) today are less likely than they were 10 years ago to follow a diet that can help them to control or even lower their blood pressure, new research suggests.
• Heart disease diagnosis rarely prompts diet change
  A one-year follow-up study of patients with heart disease found that few are meeting recommendations for fruit, vegetable and fiber intake, and they were eating a "disturbing" amount of trans fat, Dr. Yunsheng Ma and colleagues from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester found.

• February 11, 2008

  Smoky bar triggered deadly asthma attack - US study
  A woman in her late teens died from an acute asthma attack triggered by secondhand cigarette smoke shortly after arriving at her job as a waitress in a bar in Michigan, researchers reported on Friday.

• February 8, 2008

  Quitting Marijuana Just as Hard as Quitting Cigarettes
  Study found smokers experienced irritability, anger and sleep disturbances
• Heart Attack Seldom Leads to Healthier Diet
  Most patients were still eating poorly one year later, study found

• February 8, 2008

  Heavy pot smoking boosts lung cancer risk six-fold
  Smoking a joint a day is just as bad for you as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, a study from New Zealand indicates.
• Herbal remedy helps heart failure symptoms
  Hawthorn extract has "significant benefit" for patients with chronic heart failure, and seems to be safe, researchers conclude based on a literature review they conducted.
• Social support impacts blood pressure: study
  Older adults who lack support from family and friends may be at heightened risk of abnormal blood pressure regulation, new research suggests.
• Bayer's Trasylol safe for some heart patients: study
  Bayer AG's anti-bleeding drug Trasylol appears safe in certain heart procedures, according to a study suggesting the treatment linked to kidney damage -- and even death -- poses little risk for some people.

• February 7, 2008

  Drug Combo Tied to Kidney Risk With Some Cardiac Surgeries
  Aprotinin plus ACE inhibitor associated with renal woes during off-pump surgery, U.K. study finds
• Gene Linked to Inflammatory Arthritis Also Raises Heart Risks
  British study found HLA-DRB1 increased chances of dying from cardiovascular causes
• Harnessing Human Energy for Medical Good
  Device could use act of walking to power artificial limbs, insulin pumps, pacemakers

• February 7, 2008

  Intimate partner violence takes a toll on health
  New research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the prevalence of chronic health conditions is increased among victims of intimate partner violence.
• WHO finds anti-smoking efforts fall short
  Global anti-tobacco efforts aimed at avoiding tens of millions of preventable deaths have been slow to take hold, and no country has fully adopted the World Health Organization's recommendations, WHO said Thursday.
• Stress, high blood pressure tied to birthweight
  Pregnant women with both high stress levels and high blood pressure may be at increased risk of having an underweight baby, a study suggests.
• Reduced "exercise capacity" an ominous sign
  People who have trouble exercising on a treadmill are at increased risk of suffering a heart attack or other heart-related event and of dying, according to results of a study.
• Sucking Out Clot Debris Helps Heart Attack Patients
  Dutch study found vacuuming clogged vessels before angioplasty improved outcomes
• Intensive intervention benefits type 2 diabetics
  Among high-risk type 2 diabetics, an intensive intervention with multiple drug combinations and behavioral modification has sustained benefits, a Danish study shows.
• Death Rates From Cardiovascular Causes Vary Widely Across Europe
  Differences were found between and within countries, researcher notes
• Blood Pressure Drugs Might Prevent Parkinson's
  Preliminary study finds some benefit from calcium channel blockers

• February 6, 2008

  Pregnant women rarely use smoking cessation meds
  Women rarely opt to take smoking cessation medication during pregnancy, researchers report.
• High blood pressure pill may cut Parkinson's risk
  People taking a widely used group of drugs to treat high blood pressure known as calcium channel blockers also appear to be cutting their risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to results of a study published Wednesday.
• Avandia not to blame for deaths in trial, U.S. says
  GlaxoSmithKline's diabetes drug Avandia was not to blame for heart deaths in a trial to see if treating diabetes would reduce heart disease, U.S. government-funded researchers said on Wednesday.
• First 90 Days After Stopping Plavix Most Dangerous
  Study finds highest risk of adverse events for heart patients is in early period

• February 5, 2008

  Lung disease common in rheumatoid arthritis
  Interstitial lung disease -- a large group of disorders that involve inflammation of the lower respiratory tract and breakdown of the structures that transfer oxygen to the bloodstream -- is prevalent and progressive in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study utilizing high-resolution computed tomography lung scans.
• Stopping Plavix may carry early clotting risk
  Patients given the blood-clot preventer Plavix after a heart attack or after receiving a stent have a far higher risk of heart attack or death in the three months after they stop taking the drug, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.
• GPS Devices Measure Severity of Peripheral Artery Disease
  Same technology used in cars determined walking abilities of patients, study suggests
• Persistent depression after heart trouble harmful
  Persistent depression is associated with worse physical health a year after heart attack or severe chest pain -- known by the umbrella term "acute coronary syndrome" (ACS), researchers from Canada report.
• Smokers Sleep Less Soundly
  They're 4 times more likely than nonsmokers to report lack of restful slumber, study says
• Good night's sleep is no slumber party for smokers
  For smokers, getting a good night's sleep is no slumber party, scientists said on Monday.
• 1 in 3 Hit Songs Mentions Substance Abuse, Smoking
  Rap music especially prone to these types of lyrics, survey finds
• Drug-Coated Stents Better Than Bare-Metal Ones in Complex Cases
  Survival advantage found in 'off-label' uses, report suggests
• Guidelines identify people at risk of falling
  If you're concerned about an aging family member falling, new guidelines may ease your mind -- or prompt extra vigilance.
• Very high 'good' cholesterol might be bad
  Although HDL cholesterol is typically thought of as 'good' cholesterol, a new of data from a large study suggests that at very high levels, it may actually increase the risk of coronary artery disease.
• Black Men Most at Risk for Kidney Disease Complications
  Black women also less likely to have blood pressure under control, study finds
• Blood pressure tied to black men's kidney risks
  Uncontrolled high blood pressure may help explain why kidney disease often progresses more quickly in African- American men, new research suggests.
• Sad smokers less likely to quit after heart attack
  Smokers who have depressive symptoms during hospitalization for a heart attack will have a harder time kicking the habit, a new study shows.

• February 4, 2008

  Marijuana withdrawal rivals that of nicotine
  Quitting marijuana can cause withdrawal symptoms as severe as those from quitting tobacco, a small study suggests.
• Mobile phones, coffee found unlikely to cause cancer
  Drinking coffee, using mobile phones or having breast implants is unlikely to cause cancer, according to a risk ranking system devised by an Australian cancer specialist to debunk popular myths.

• February 2, 2008

  Stars Don Red to Raise Awareness of Women's Heart Risk
  Dress show is kickoff to campaign on nation's top killer

• February 1, 2008

  Quit-Smoking Drug May Raise Suicide Risk
  FDA asks maker of Chantix to revise warning on product label
• FDA Approves New Drug-Eluting Stent
  To help people with narrowed arteries
• Smoking cessation drug needs stronger warning: FDA
  U.S. regulators on Friday said the smoking cessation drug Chantix (Pfizer Inc.), known generically as varenicline, appears increasingly likely to be linked to serious psychiatric disturbance and called for stronger label warnings.
• Vitamin D deficiency tied to higher blood pressure
  Low blood concentrations of vitamin D may be associated with higher blood pressure in whites, indicating a risk of developing hypertension, or high blood that requires medical treatment, researchers report. However, this relationship was not noted among blacks.
• IPods Don't Interfere With Heart Pacemakers
  Government study checked 4 models and found no problems

• February 1, 2008

  Ipods show no effects on heart pacemakers
  Ipods and other portable media players are unlikely to interfere with heart pacemakers, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration researcher reported on Thursday.
• Sugary Soft Drinks Boost Gout Risk in Men
  Just 2 or more beverages a day increased chances by 85%, study finds
• Weight loss drug safely used in high-risk patients
  Sibutramine, which is marketed under the trade names Meridia and Reductil, appears safe and possibly effective for weight management in patients at a high risk for heart attack and stroke -- for whom the drug is usually not recommended -- according to a report in the European Heart Journal.

• January 31, 2008

  CORRECTION: Antioxidants show little anti-cancer benefit
  Taking antioxidant supplements won't reduce cancer risk, according to a new analysis of a dozen studies including more than 100,000 patients. In fact, the researchers found, smokers who take beta carotene supplements could be increasing their risk of smoking-related cancer and death.
• Most heart attack survivors skip cardiac rehab
  Approximately two thirds of patients in the United States who survive a heart attack do not undergo outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, a program proven to reduce the risk of illness and death, and to also improve psychological recovery, according to findings reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
• Super Bowl Fans Should Heed Heart Risk Finding
  German study found higher chances of cardiovascular trouble during 2006 World Cup matches
• Minimally Invasive Surgery Fixes Aneurysms
  Study finds advantages over conventional operation

• January 30, 2008

  Merck says "media hype" overlooks Vytorin value
  The chief executive of Merck & Co on Wednesday said negative media coverage of a clinical trial of the company's blockbuster Vytorin cholesterol drug has unfairly overlooked benefits of the medicine.
• Heart rate predicts survival after heart attack
  In patients who've experienced a heart attack, the degree to which the heart rate slows down in response to standard medications is a good indicator of survival, new research indicates.
• Signs of emphysema may develop early in pot smokers
  Pot smokers may experience pathological changes in their lungs decades earlier than such changes usually occur in cigarette smokers, a small study of 10 patients shows.
• Metabolic syndrome on the rise among obese teens
  A cluster of heart disease and diabetes risk factors known as the metabolic syndrome is becoming increasingly common in adolescents, paralleling the rise in teen obesity, a new study shows.
• Antioxidants more likely to raise cancer risk
  Taking antioxidant supplements won't reduce cancer risk, according to a new analysis of a dozen studies including more than 100,000 patients. In fact, the researchers found, smokers who take beta carotene supplements could be increasing their risk of smoking-related cancer and death.
• Weight loss by diet or exercise benefits heart
  Shedding excess pounds may restore some of the heart's youth, whether the weight loss comes from eating less or exercising more, the results of a small study suggests.
• Study backs value of U.S. state anti-smoking plans
  U.S. state tobacco control programs are effective at cutting the number of smokers, and states that spend more get the best results, federal health officials said on Tuesday.
• Study Challenges New Benchmark for High-Volume Heart Transplant Hospitals
  Johns Hopkins researchers question government decision to lower requirements for designation
• Health Tip: Understanding an Aneurysm
  Requires immediate evaluation and treatment

• January 29, 2008

  Secondhand Smoke Worsens Lung Function in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
  No safe level for sufferers, especially those with genetic variant, study says
• Genes affect risk from smoke in CF patients
  Any exposure to secondhand smoke reduces lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis, according to investigators at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The adverse effects related to this noxious exposure are magnified by certain gene variants, the team reports in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
• Exercise reverses weight gain from antipsychotics
  In patients who take antipsychotic medication, a supervised exercise program significantly reduces weight and improves cholesterol levels, a Canadian research team has found.
• High-protein diet linked with sustained weight loss
  Middle-aged women who followed a high-protein diet compared with those who followed a low-protein diet lost more weight over a 1-year study period, according to researchers from Australia.
• Study Finds Both Coated Stents Perform the Same
  Incidence of major adverse events was also lower than researchers anticipated
• Stents Slightly Better Than Bypass for Blocked Left Coronary Artery
  But experts question results of small Polish study
• Anti-Clotting Drug Helps Infants With Heart Ills
  Study shows use for small doses of Plavix in children under 2
• Costs for elderly diabetics on the rise in the U.S.
  The costs of caring for elderly people with diabetes, a growing population, are threatening to overwhelm the system designed to pay for their medical care, according to a new analysis of Medicare claims.
• More heart transplants needed for best results
  Patients who undergo heart transplant surgery in hospitals that perform 14 or more procedures each year achieve better outcomes than patients who undergo this procedure at hospitals that perform fewer heart transplants.
• SARS enters host cells via "fatty rafts": study
  The SARS virus, which spread to many countries around the world in 2003 killing about 800 people, invades its victims using "fatty rafts" on the cell membrane, Chinese scientists have found.

• January 29, 2008

  Cannabis bigger cancer risk than cigarettes: study
  Smoking a joint is equivalent to smoking 20 tobacco cigarettes in terms of lung cancer risk, scientists in New Zealand have found, as they warned of an "epidemic" of lung cancers linked to cannabis.

• January 28, 2008

  Diuretics Best for Hypertension and Metabolic Syndrome
  Drugs as good or better than others in treating both conditions

• January 28, 2008

  U.S. dietary guides criticized for potential harm
  Some researchers are questioning whether national guidelines advising Americans to eat a low-fat diet have had the unintended consequence of feeding the current obesity epidemic.

• January 28, 2008

  NY subpoenas Merck, Schering-Plough over Vytorin
  New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has subpoenaed Merck & Co and Schering-Plough Corp for documents and information to see whether the companies hid the results of a study on their cholesterol drug Vytorin.

• January 25, 2008

  FDA Will Wait for Trial Results on Vytorin
  Early findings saw no medical benefit; heart expert calls it 'second-line' medication
• Celebrex disrupts heart rhythm in fruit flies
  Celebrex, an arthritis drug in the same class as the recalled painkiller Vioxx, caused irregular heartbeats in fruit flies and in heart cells taken from laboratory rats, U.S. researchers said on Friday.
• U.S. FDA says it's reviewing Vytorin cholesterol drug
  Regulators said Friday they would review whether to take action over Merck & Co Inc's and Schering-Plough Corp's popular cholesterol medicine Vytorin after a study showed it was no better than a generic drug in preventing the build-up of fatty plaque.

• January 25, 2008

  Undernourished stroke patients have poor outcomes
  A Korean study has shown that undernutrition markedly increases the risk of complications after a stroke, and is also associated with impaired recovery. "We were pretty surprised by it," Dr. Dong-Wha Kang told Reuters Health.
• Medical marijuana users can be fired: California court
  Companies can fire employees who use marijuana for medical reasons even if California law allows such use because federal law prohibits it, the state's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.

• January 25, 2008

  Heavy drinking in youth tied to heart risks later
  People who drink heavily in their youth may have a higher risk of developing a collection of risk factors for heart disease and stroke, new research suggests.

• January 25, 2008

  Widespread failings found in maternity care in UK
  The largest ever survey of maternity care in England has found widespread failings, with services in London criticised as the worst, the government's health watchdog said on Friday.
• German ex-chancellor accused of flouting smoking ban
  German anti-smoking activists are trying to bring charges against 89-year-old former West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt and his wife for breaking a new smoking ban in Hamburg, the group said on Friday.

• January 24, 2008

  Anti-Clotting Drug Trial Shortened by Bleeding Problems
  But study author says medication could help many avoid stroke

• January 24, 2008

  Statins not seen linked to breast cancer risk
  Taking a statin drug does not seem to increase or decrease the likelihood of a woman developing breast cancer, according to a study published in the medical journal Cancer.

• January 24, 2008

  Heart risks increase as degree of obesity climbs
  The heart-damaging effects of excess weight get worse as a person gets heavier, with no plateau in sight, according to new research in a group of severely obese people.
• Smoking linked to lower allergy risk in some
  Smoking, or exposure to parents' smoking, may lower the risk of allergies developing in young people who are genetically prone to them, a study suggests.

• January 24, 2008

  Moving target: Vytorin raises new questions
  A disappointing study of the heart drug Vytorin has led some doctors to reconsider what makes statin drugs so effective at fighting heart disease.
• Surgery Better Than Stents for Multiple Blockages
  Fewer deaths, heart attacks found in 18-month study
• Peripheral Arterial Disease Costlier to Treat Than Heart Trouble
  Prolonged recovery, potential for repeat treatments to blame, study finds
• Bypass better than stents for coronary disease
  For patients with several blockages in their coronary arteries, mortality rates are lower when they undergo bypass grafting rather than having the new generation of drug-eluting stents inserted, a study shows.

• January 23, 2008

  Heart sign in elite athletes may be benign
  When a measurement made on an electrocardiogram, called the QT interval, is longer than normal, it can indicate an increased risk of cardiac arrest. However, within limits, it is not likely to be dangerous if it's seen in elite athletes, according to a report by UK investigators.
• Advanced Therapy Aids Stroke Patients
  Procedure brings clot-busting drugs right to site of blood clot, study reports

• January 23, 2008

  Heart disease goal for 2010 already achieved
  The American Heart Association's 2010 goal of reducing deaths from coronary heart disease by 25 percent has already been achieved, and the same goal for reducing stroke deaths has nearly been reached as well, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the association.

• January 23, 2008

  Study gives scientific weight to high-protein diet
  New research suggests that high-protein foods may be better at curbing a key "hunger hormone" than either fats or carbohydrates.
• A Little Regular Exercise Extends Men's Lives
  Brisk 30-minute walk a few days a week cut death risk in half, study found

• January 23, 2008

  Work-related stress can kill, study finds
  Work really can kill you, according to a study on Wednesday providing the strongest evidence yet of how on-the-job stress raises the risk of heart disease by disrupting the body's internal systems.
• UK agency stent decision now set for next week
  Britain's medicines advisory agency is now planning to publish its latest recommendations on the cost-effectiveness of drug-coated stents late next week, in a decision that could draw fire from manufacturers.
• Genetics Influence Blood Pressure Medications
  A person's gene profile seems to dictate reponse, study finds

• January 22, 2008

  Meat, diet soda linked to heart disease - US study
  People who eat two or more servings of red meat a day are much more likely to develop conditions leading to heart disease and diabetes, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.
• Low vitamin E tied to physical decline in elderly
  Older adults with low levels of vitamin E are likely to see a steeper deterioration in physical function over a 3-year period than those with higher vitamin E levels, a study shows.
• U.S. Deaths Down From Heart Disease, Stroke
  But childhood obesity epidemic could undo gains, heart association says
• Another Study Links Western Diet to Heart, Health Risks
  But it also found that diet soda doesn't protect against metabolic syndrome
• High vitamin C level linked to decreased stroke risk
  A person's level of vitamin C may predict his or her likelihood of having a stroke, according to a long-term study of some 20,000 middle-aged and older residents of Norfolk, United Kingdom.
• Normal doses of methadone may trigger sudden death
  A number of cases of unexplained sudden cardiac death can be blamed on taking regular "therapeutic" doses of methadone, according to investigators at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.
• Smoking ups risk with radiation for breast cancer
  Cigarette smoking dramatically increases the risk that a woman who has undergone radiation treatment for breast cancer will develop lung cancer later on, a new study shows.
• Beijing proposes smoking ban for hotels
  Beijing is to ban smoking in 70 percent of the city's hotel rooms as it strives to clean up its air before this August's Olympic Games.
• Liver Cancer Drug Raises Blood Pressure
  Patients taking Nexavar need to be monitored closely, study says
• Nexavar significantly boosts hypertension risk: study
  Bayer AG and Onyx Pharmaceutical Inc.'s key cancer drug Nexavar significantly raises the risk of high blood pressure, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.
• 'Drug-Free' Stent Coating Shows Promise
  Trial finds polymer reduces inflammatory reaction associated with current devices
• Smoking Worsens Prognosis for IPF Patients
  Study tackles anomaly that current puffers live longer with untreatable lung disease
• Study supports periodic re-certification for doctors
  The time elapsed since a primary care physician's last board certification correlates with a decline in the quality of care provided to patients, according to a study published today.

• January 21, 2008

  Depression impacts discharge destination after stroke
  Patients with depression at the time they are hospitalized for a stroke are more likely to be discharged to institutional care than their non-depressed counterparts, results of a study hint.
• High Blood Sugar Boosts Women's Heart Disease Risk
  Men don't seem to be as prone to problem, study finds

• January 19, 2008

  Smallest Air