Cardio Blog

February 4, 2012
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Confluence of depression and diabetes ups heart death risks

Depression and type 2 diabetes were already known to increase heart attack’s risk but according to a new study, confluence of these two could be more deadly than thought. During the course of this study researchers found that patients with type 2 diabetes and depression were carrying 20 to 30 per cent higher risk of dying than patients just suffering from depression and no diabetes. Throwing more light on this equation of diabetes and depression, researcher Anastasia Georgiades remarked: We found a trend showing that the probability of death increases as the level of depression increases in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease. It means this association between depression and type 2 diabetes can be horrendous. Therefore, it is important to cure any of the symptoms earnestly to avoid further complications. Image credit: Harmony nutrition Via: Post Chronicle

February 4, 2012
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Heart attack on weekends may prove fatal

Believe it or not, heart attack on weekends can be deadlier than other days, a new study by the health experts suggest. This finding is based on an analysis of 231, 164 heart attack patients admitted to New Jersey hospitals from 1987 to 2002. As per the findings of this study, where mortality rate of patients incurring heart attacks on weekends was 12.9 per cent at the same time mortality rate of patients meeting with heart attacks on weekdays was just 12 per cent. Experts, who conducted this study, believe that the fundamental reason behind ‘weekend & higher mortality rate’ equation was lack of skilled medical experts during weekends, as most of them aren’t available on weekends. In the words of Dr. Redelmeier: …the most skilled and savvy people don’t work weekends. Further, he says that in most of the heart attack cases it was found that patients died due to insufficient care on weekends. Where this study shows that heart attacks on weekends may prove fatal at the same time it exposes the darker side of the healthcare facilities too, which heart patients are provided, especially on weekends. Therefore, I strongly believe that lackadaisical attitude adopted by hospitals during weekends, as this report shows, should be dealt with strongly and that is possible just by revamping the whole Medicare system. Image credit: Weird News Today Via: USA Today

February 4, 2012
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CABG linked to bone mineral loss in men: Study

Going for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may not doubt, ensure better cardiovascular health but unfortunately, at the cost of bone mineral loss. A new study published in the American Journal of Cardiology brings out this fact. As per the findings of this study, bone mineral content declines significantly in men who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting. This assumption is based on the findings in which Dr. Larry E. Miller, of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and colleagues evaluated changes in bone mineral and body composition in 26 men, between the ages of 50 and 79 years. On the basis of the finding, looming out of this study, it could be asserted that after undergoing CABG patients turn more susceptible to bone fractures, for bone mineral loss means weaker bones. In the words of Miller: Because there is a strong correlation between bone mineral and fracture risk, CABG patients may be at increased risk for osteoporotic fractures unless preventative steps are taken to minimize bone losses. Image credit: Yahoo Via: Reuters

February 3, 2012
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Firefighters, more susceptible to heart attack risks

Few months back news came in stating, firefighters are more prone to prostate cancer and this time researchers have come out giving another shock to these firefighters, transpiring the fact that firefighting increases firefighters’ vulnerability to coronary heart disease (CHD) by up to 100 times than non-emergency duties. However, this is not for the first time that firefighting has been linked to heart diseases because several studies conducted earlier have also shown that how percentage of patients with heart diseases is growing alarmingly among firefighters. Like- In firefighters 50% of deaths results from heart attacks Heart Attacks Claim More Firefighters Than Any Other Cause Health Inferno: Firefighters’ Greatest Risk May Not Be Fires, But Killer Heart Attacks However, this study is somewhat more convincing than the studies conducted earlier on this issue because results or conclusions looming out of this study are utterly based on long analysis of statistical studies. In the latest study, experts reviewed the data of the past 11 years, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of all deaths on duty on firefighters between 1994 and 2004. Interestingly this data didn’t include those firefighters who linked to the 2001 September 11 terrorist attacks. In the words of Stefanos Kales of Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA states:- Instead, this is a statistical analysis with several different models that allowed us to estimate duty-specific risks. We think we’ve provided the strongest evidence to date that specific firefighting activities can indeed trigger heart events in susceptible firefighters. According to an estimate, heart disease accounts for 45 per cent of deaths among the firefighters from the U.S. alone, which indirectly suggests that firefighters are at higher risk of heart diseases. Unfortunately, heart disease is not the only threat for these firefighters but cancer is also getting over them, which confirms the fact that from health point of view firefighters are not safe. Have a look at the increased vulnerability of firefighters to cancer:- Firefighter cancer risk ‘higher’ Firefighters Face Increased Risk For Certain Cancers Raised cancer risk in firefighters On the basis of this study and by ruminating over the previous studies it could he asserted that a great threat is constantly hovering over the health of these firefighters. Therefore, it becomes quite important to bring out more effective as well as preventive methods so that these valiant firefighters may protect their health in the same way as protect others’. Via: Xinhua Net

February 3, 2012
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Dark chocolate improves blood vessel function

Don’t curb your feelings when next time you stumble upon a big bar of dark chocolate, eating a modest amount will do nothing but benefit your blood vessels. A small clinical study showed that dark chocolate improves the function of blood vessels. Dr. Valentine Yanchou Njike of Yale Prevention Research Center, a co-investigator of the study says: In this sample of healthy adults, dark chocolate ingestion over a short period of time was shown to significantly improve (blood vessel) function. A study was done on 45 people over a period of six weeks in which they were given 8 ounces (227 grams) of cocoa without sugar, cocoa with sugar or a placebo each day. In the test, the FMD(flow mediated dilation)- upper arm artery’s ability to relax and expand to accommodate increased blood flow, was measured before and after daily cocoa or placebo consumption, using a high-frequency ultrasound. The result of the 39 subjects who completed the test showed an increase in the FDA, though a slight variation was recorded depending on the chocolate form they consumed. The ones who ate chocolate without sugar showed a 2.4% increase, those who had it with sugar gained 1.5% and the placebo group registered a 0.8% increase. Though the researchers say that the findings are clear, yet they have called for higher studies on this issue. The findings of the research was presented at the annual American College of Cardiology scientific meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr Nikje said: While the findings from this study do not suggest that people should start eating more chocolate as part of their daily routine, it does suggest that we pay more attention to how dark chocolate and other flavonoid-rich foods might offer cardiovascular benefits. Source.

February 3, 2012
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Good fat keeps heart healthy

It’s commonly said that heart patients should not include fat in their diet. According to new research of American Heart Association, patients with heart trouble should adopt a mediterranean-style diet that should have “healthy” fats. In a conference at an American College of Cardiology, doctors suggested that patient on Low fat diet and Mediterranean -style diet can minimize the risk of suffering another heart attack, a stroke, death or other heart problem compared with heart patients eating in the usual way. “Both diets are prudent choices” How To Deal With for people at high risk of heart disease, said Dr. Katherine Tuttle of Providence Medical Research Center and Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash. Patient should take saturated fat and cholesterol that should be less than 200 milligrams a day. The Mediterranean dieters were allowed to intake 40 percent of calories, with the extra coming from healthier monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and foods like olive oil, avocados and especially fish. The fish is recommended three to five times per week because it has omega-3 fatty acids that is good for heart. Research: The study was done on 202 people who had suffered heart attacks in the previous six weeks. 50 were on low-fat diet and fifty one followed and 51 on the Mediterranean diet. Both group has receive individual diet counseling sessions n the first month and six group sessions over the next two years. All were prescribed standard heart care drugs like aspirin, beta blockers and statins to lower cholesterol. Results (After four years): 83 percent of those on the low-fat or Mediterranean diets had survived without any further heart attack or stroke Cholesterol levels improved Doctor Katherine Tuttle recommends using olive oil instead of margarine or butter. Dr. Steven Nissen, a Cleveland Clinic heart specialist and president of the College of Cardiology who had no role in the study, said the study gave an important choice to people who want to reduce their risk. Via

February 2, 2012
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Study questions reliability of angioplasty

Angioplasty is normally considered a boon for patients with heart diseases. However, a new study by the American Cardiology Meeting in the United States has come out raising questions on its reliability, after it was found not saving lives from heart attacks. Before reaching this conclusion, researches studied a group of almost 2,300 patients with stable heart disease. During this period, all patients were given drugs to lower cholesterol and blood pressure level in order to improve their cardiovascular health. Finally, these researchers concluded that there were similar rates of deaths, heart attack, stroke and hospitalization among those treated with drugs and those getting an artery-clearing angioplasty. No doubt, patients with angioplasty had slightly better relief from chest pain but that was just temporary. On the basis of these findings, researchers are believing that in patients with stable heart disease priority should be given to medication than angioplasty. Giving somewhat similar view Bill Boden, chief of cardiology at Buffalo General Hospital said: The results demonstrate that two treatments are not always better than one. Image credit: South Coast Via: ABC

February 2, 2012
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Patients with gene hemochromatosis at increased risk of stroke

Patients with one of the most common genetic defects called, hereditary hemochromatosis are at an increased risk of stroke, according to a study conducted by the researchers. Hereditary hemochromatosis is an inherited disorder that causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. As a result, toxic levels in the liver go higher, increasing patient’s susceptibility to liver cancer, cirrhosis, etc. During the course of study, researchers focused their attention on the two variants of hemochromatosis gene, namely H63D and C282Y and concluded that risk of stroke in patients with an extra copy of the H63D was almost double. Throwing more light on H63D gene Borge G. Nordestgaard, from Herlev University Hospital in Denmark said that previous studies have also linked H63D to brain diseases like alzheimer’s disease, ALS, Parkinson disease, cerebrovascular disease, etc. However, researchers themselves are not very sure about the way this gene works; therefore, they are planning to move further with their study. As the following words of Nordestgaard reveal: Further research is needed to determine why this gene appears to cause such a significant increased risk of stroke, since our data suggest plaque build-up in the arteries and iron overload are not to blame. Image credit: Brown Via: Eureka Alert

February 2, 2012
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Prevent heart diseases and a few cancers through oranges

Oranges and grapefruits are so tangy, Of all the fruits that are so yummy, Vitamin A, B1 and C in plenty, Vanished are the heart diseases for many. Oranges – Round thick skinned juicy edible fruit that is a reddish-yellow color when ripe. Oranges are one of the most popular and easily available fruits in the world. They are enjoyed as a snack, a recipe ingredient or as an integral part of a healthy breakfast. Oranges originated thousands of years ago in Asia, in the region from southern China to Indonesia from which they spread to India. In India, Nagpur oranges are very famous. Oranges are well-known to be excellent sources of vitamin C. Vitamin-C strengthens the immune system. Its health benefits are well-known since centuries. Some of its health benefits include : Recent research on animal studies have proved lowering of high blood pressure and cholesterol in the presence of its phytonutrients. A daily dose of oranges puts a check on the risk from colon cancer. Fiber present oranges keeps the blood sugar level under control. It also reduces the uncomfortable constipation or diarrhea in those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. A study of women who drank half to one litre of orange, grapefruit or apple juice daily was published in the British Journal of Nutrition. It was found that their urinary pH value and citric acid excretion increased, significantly dropping their risk of forming calcium oxalate stones (kidney stones). Prevents ulcers, stomach cancer and lung cancer. One of the most favorite orange recipes for the summer is Orange Lassi you can enjoy.

February 1, 2012
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Consume less salt to keep your heart safe

Today the most dreaded term is heart attack, because it attacks very silently and once it strikes the person has to suffer for the rest of his life. For long it was believed that heart diseases are common only in those who either drink alcohol or smoke too much, but now new studies have shown that too much of salt intake can also damage a healthy heart. The study also shows that by cutting down on salt one reduces heart stroke chances by as much as 5 per cent. It is very much true that human body requires salt to remain physically and mentally fit. However, if it is consumed more than the prescribed quantity than it can cause high blood pressure, which eventually makes ones prone to heart attacks and other such related ailments. The research highlight the fact that by consuming salt in moderate quantity helps immensely in cutting down cardiovascular disease chances to a quarter and fatal heart disease to fifth. Research also adds that daily salt intake for one individual should not be more than a teaspoonful that is six grams. While conducting this research 3,126 people, who have high to normal blood pressure, were kept under low salt intake then it was found that small reduction in the intake had a big effect in maintaining a good heart. Graham MacGregor, the consultant in cardiovascular medicine at London’s St. George’s Hospital believes that this reduction in the risk factor merely cutting salt intake is a very important feature and in the future it will help in reducing the chances of coronary ailments. Source: IBNLIVE