Heart Disorders
Coronary Artery Disease
Mild Sleep Apnea can Increase Risk of Heart Disease - [10/25/08]
Summary: People with obstructive sleep apnea, even when it is mild, are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This occurs because sleep apnea can cause impaired endothelial function, increased arterial stiffness, and higher blood pressure. The level of arterial stiffness experienced by those with sleep apnea was equal to the decrease in arterial stiffness after six months of CPAP therapy. This suggests that CPAP therapy may be effective to lower the risk of heart disease of those with sleep apnea.
Comment: It as previously known that sleep apnea that disrupts daytime activity can be a risk for heart disease, but this study shows that even mild sleep apnea has cardiovascular risks. Further research is being done to determine the best heart disease prevention methods, such as CPAP, for those with sleep apnea.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 25, 2008
Developing Depression after Heart Attack Increases Mortality Risk - [10/23/08]
Summary: Patients that develop depression after experiencing a heart attack have a seven times higher mortality and remittance risk. This risk even exists with preventative measure for risk factors such as gender, age, and smoking status. It is suggested that depression may be an early warning sign for an inflammatory condition, which can increase the risk of future heart attacks and cardiovascular problems.
Comment: It is difficult to isolate the link between coronary artery disease and depression. It is suggested that biomarkers should be developed to identify the subtypes of depression that can lead to cardiovascular conditions. By discovering which patients have this dangerous subset of depression resources can be allocated properly to prevent readmission and death.
Read article - Science Daily, October 23, 2008
Aspirin is Found to Not Prevent Heart Attacks in Diabetics - [10/17/08]
Summary: Aspirin has been thought to prevent heart attacks in those with diabetes, but new research has proved this incorrect. Antioxidants and aspirin taken regularly do not prevent heart attacks even in high risk patients. Because those with diabetes are two to five times more likely to suffer from heart disease, doctors regularly prescribed aspirin, but because of this new research, aspirin will only be prescribed to those with established heart and stroke disease.
Comment: Heart disease is a major cause of death in those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, making it important to find the right treatment for both conditions, aspirin not being one of them. Because the prolonged use of aspirin can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, it is important to only take this medication if suggested or prescribed by your doctor.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 17, 2008
Patients Misunderstand Written Screening Tests - [10/14/08]
Summary: The majority of physicians require patients to answer written questions while in the waiting room to visit the doctor. However, a new survey has revealed the gap between doctors and patients in the process of answering the written questions. Because of the difference in literacy between patients and physicians, most patients are confused, or don't understand most of the questions. According to Dr. Master, one of the authors of this survey, the predominant reason for this is illiteracy.
Comment: Illiteracy is becoming more common in American which is causing great problems to physicians. Not only is there a problem with illiteracy but also with patients who are innumerate. By answering the surveys to the best of your abilities, you will receive better diagnosis or treatment of coronary artery disease.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 14, 2008
Internet Consulted More Often Than Doctors - [10/12/08]
Summary: New market research shows that over the past year more adults went to the internet to get health information than consulted a doctor. This trend may likely be the product of an increasing consumer comfort in using the web to find reliable medical information. In addition, rising costs of healthcare coverage and visits to the doctor may be adding to the preference for first looking for information online.
Comment: The impacts of this trend, as well as others, will be discussed in an online seminar entitled "Is TV Dead? How the New New Media Changes Pharmaceutical DTC Advertising". The event is scheduled for October 14th at 11am EST and October 16th at 3pm EST.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 12, 2008.
Read article - Register for the Seminar
Vitamin D Linked to Overall Health - [10/10/08]
Summary: Vitamin D has been linked to improved overall health. This vitamin affects 36 organ tissues in the body including bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and uterus tissues. It has also been linked to improving immune systems, insulin secretion, heart health, blood pressure, muscle strength, brain activity, and decreased risk of cancer. For most adults 200-600 IU of daily vitamin D is recommended, but some experts recommend up to 2000 IU daily.
Comment: Vitamin D has previously been thought to improve bone health, but this study shows that it can affect all areas of health. By increased intake of vitamin D people with coronary artery disease can experience improved health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 10, 2008
WomenHeart's Free Guide to Reduce Risk of Heart Disease - [10/08/08]
Summary: Heart disease kills over 6 times more people a year in the United States than breast cancer does. "We can change these statistics. Women can fight back and win against this largely preventable disease by making important lifestyle changes that protect their hearts," said Lisa Tate, chief executive officer of WomenHeart. Tips for lifetime changes include a heart healthy diet, managing stress, exercise, quit smoking or don't start, and watching your weight.
Comment: Being aware of the ways to prevent heart disease and conditions like it is important because of the many deaths a year from these health complications. Heart disease is often misdiagnosed or untreated, making more knowledge about this condition better.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 9, 2008
Occasional Smoking can Cause Artery Impairment - [10/08/08]
Summary: Researchers the University of Georgia used an ultrasound to confirm the prediction that even occasional smoking can impair arteries by changing the blood flow in the body. After smoking a cigarette, the function of the arteries continues to decrease, even weeks after. The decreased function of the arteries is known as impaired flow-mediated dilation, which can often be a sign of cardiovascular disease.
Comment: Those who smoke have a decreased artery function of 24 percent compared to healthy individuals. Because artery damage can cause cardiovascular disease, it is important to understand the effects that tobacco can cause to your body.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 8, 2008
Medicare Eliminates Coverage for 10 "Reasonably Preventable" Errors - [10/02/08]
Summary: New regulations, which will take effect next Wednesday, have Medicare halting payment for 10 errors which they have deemed "conditions that could reasonably have been prevented." Expected to affect hundreds of thousands, the new rules will mostly likely not result in a major reduction in expenses.
Comment: This new decision comes on the heels of announcements by four state Medicaid organizations last year in which they eliminated 28 "never events", preventable errors, from coverage. The trend seems to be growing and could have negative ramifications for millions of Americans. Among others, healthcare professionals have begun expressing concern about the decision.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 2, 2008.
Disease Diagnosis Technology - [10/01/08]
Summary: Scientists at the University of Leeds have developed a biosensor technology that can detect bio-markers (molecules in the body that are often a sign of disease) with the use of anti-bodies. This technology could be used in a simple test that may be able to detect conditions such as multiple sclerosis, heart disease, strokes or cancer. "We've designed simple instrumentation to make the biosensors easy to use and understand," says Dr Millner.
Comment: A method called ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay) uses blood or urine to test for disease markers and is currently the most common one used. However, this test can take up to two hours to complete and can only be used by trained medical personal. This new discovery of technology may lead to great medical advances by making it easier to diagnose and detect serious conditions.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 1, 2008