Heart Disorders
Hypertension
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
Vegetarian Diet Helps Lower Blood Pressure and Lose Weight - [10/17/08]
Summary: A new book titled The Flexitarian Diet - The Mostly Vegetarian Way To Lose Weight, Lower Blood Pressure, Be Healthier & Add Years To Your Life encourages semi-vegetarian eating to help lower your blood pressure, glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels and reduce the likelihood of diseases and cancers. Being a "flexitarian eater" means lowering your intake of meat, and eating more fruits and vegetables, plant-foods and whole grains. "Being a flexitarian is a more flexible, more realistic way to be a vegetarian" says Dawn Jackson Blatner, the creator of The Flexitarian Diet.
Comment: Vegetarians have been found to weigh fifteen percent less than non-vegetarians, and have lower blood pressure. Because being a full vegetarian is not always possible, this alternative way of eating may benefit your health the same amount, if not more. By abiding by these health guidelines, you can improve your health and the seriousness of your condition.
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 hypertension.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 14, 2008
Guidelines to Address Mortality Increase - [10/12/08]
Summary: The American Society of Hypertension has issued new guidelines to address the high mortality rates for diabetics with hypertension. Physicians are urged to have a personalized, integrated approach to treating these patients, by treating the patient, not the individual conditions. ACE inhibitors or ARBs are recommended, coupled with thiazide-like diuretics or calcium antagonists. Levels of proteinuria need to be reduced in these patients to control their blood pressure and blood sugar.
Comment: About 75% of diabetes currently have hypertension or are taking anti-hypertension medications. Having hypertension and diabetes increases a patients mortality risk about seven times. These guidelines will help patients with diabetes and hypertension control their conditions and have better overall health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 12, 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 hypertension can experience improved health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 10, 2008
WomenHeart's Free Guide to Reduce Risk of Heart Disease - [10/09/08]
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 each 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
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
Efforts to Reduce Ethnic and Racial Disparities - [09/29/08]
Summary: This article outlines current efforts are being made to reduce racial and ethnic health care disparities. These include the Respira program, which focuses on providing asthma education and outreach to Hispanic communities. Another program is a lecture that seeks to improve knowledge of blood pressure management and diabetes. Other efforts involve grants to increase levels of minority students in medical programs, and campaigns to increase medical literacy in minority communities.
Comment: Racial and ethnic disparities exist in most areas of medical care including hypertension. These disparities can often be dangerous to the health of minority people. These programs are aiming to close the gaps in health care, which can result in better care for people with hypertension.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 29, 2008