theHeart.org: Lipid and Metabolic news related to heart conditions.

Clinical cardiology

Religion, spirituality not associated with better cardiovascular health

14 COMMENTS - Feb 4, 2010 15:15 EST

In fact, the researchers showed that greater religiosity was associated with obesity. At the present time, however, it is unknown whether the obese are more likely to seek out religion and spirituality or if these activities lead to obesity.

Chicago, IL - Increased religious involvement, including more frequent prayer and meditation, is not associated with an improved cardiovascular risk profile or reduced cardiovascular disease events, a new study shows [1]. The findings do not support past studies suggesting better overall health among the more religious and in fact showed that greater religiosity was linked with higher levels of obesity, report investigators. Read full article »

Inside: Lipid/Metabolic

Accredited educational programs, supported by industry, developed by theheart.org

Imaging

Trials and Tribulations: Debating Controversial Topics in Cardiovascular Disease

Dec 21, 2009 09:48 EST

Fellows from The Mayo Clinic, Duke University, and The Cleveland Clinic discuss challenging cases with their mentors.

Other programs

Patients With High- and Very High-Risk Dyslipidemia: Closing the Treatment Gap Between Goal and Reality

Nov 24, 2009 15:01 EST

Do current guidelines provide us with the direction for managing high-risk patients with dyslipidemia? Drs. Blumenthal, Ballantyne, and Ginsberg examine goals and strategies for managing patients at high risk.

Lipid/Metabolic

Lipid Insights From AHA 2009

1 COMMENT - Nov 20, 2009 15:32 EST

Join Drs. Michael Davidson, Christie Ballantyne, Vera Bittner, and Roger Blumenthal for a discussion that advances our knowledge of cardiovascular risk assessment.

Lipid/Metabolic

FDA approves expanded rosuvastatin label

Feb 8, 2010 20:40 EST

The FDA's decision was announced late Monday.

heartbriefs

Higher risk of AMI in women with gout

Feb 7, 2010 19:01 EST

UPDATED WITH COMMENTARY // A link between gout and AMI has been previously documented in men: now a new cohort study suggests gout may be even more important as a comorbidity in women.

heartbriefs

Statins fail to slow progression of small AAAs

2 COMMENTS - Feb 4, 2010 15:45 EST

The negative results, according to researchers, highlight the need for more research to develop medications targeted specifically at reducing abdominal aortic aneurysm growth.

News

Procedure volume is a close proxy for popular hospital quality rankings

1 COMMENT - Feb 3, 2010 14:30 EST

A study comparing cardiovascular outcomes at the "best hospitals," according to two popular hospital ranking systems, shows that the systems do identify high-quality hospitals, but not all of them.

heartbriefs

One in five kids with abnormal lipids

Feb 3, 2010 10:15 EST

Also, nearly one-third of these youths are obese or overweight and based on their BMI are candidates for lipid screening, according to the CDC.

News

Opportunity lost: 400 000 US CHD deaths predicted for 2010, as risk-reduction goals fall short

Feb 2, 2010 16:15 EST

The number of deaths predicted would be half as high, if the US population met goals set out 10 years ago in the Healthy People 2010 report, researchers say. Obesity and diabetes have proved to be the major obstacles.

Clinical cardiology

Herbal heartache: New review reminds cardiologists to query supplement use

Feb 1, 2010 17:00 EST

More than 15 million people in the US alone take herbal remedies and/or vitamins at doses that may be interacting with their cardiovascular medications, potentially putting them at risk.

Interventional/Surgery

POPE published: Avoid NSAIDs for asymptomatic pericardial effusions

1 COMMENT - Feb 1, 2010 17:00 EST

Diclofenac does not reduce pericardial effusions, according to the POPE study. This should signal the end of routine use of NSAIDs in this indication, comments an expert.

Features

Ripe for change: US ponders populationwide salt-reduction policies

19 COMMENTS - Jan 29, 2010 14:15 EST

Most experts agree that reducing salt intake will cut blood pressure and in turn reduce the number of heart attacks and strokes. But messages to limit the amount of salt added to food have had little impact on sodium intake in the West, as more than 75% of salt in the diet there is contained in readily prepared foods. The UK has recently gotten tough with the food industry and cut salt intake by 10%; is it time the US and others took a similar stance? heartwire examines the issues.

Imaging

OCT finds additional at-risk lesions in AMI patients

4 COMMENTS - Jan 29, 2010 13:45 EST

The study is one of the first to compare rates of thin-cap, or vulnerable, plaques in AMI survivors and stable-angina patients, identifying important differences.

Hypertension

Weight loss important in BP management: ENCORE published

Jan 27, 2010 12:45 EST

The ENCORE study, illustrating how weight management augments the blood-pressure-lowering effects of the DASH diet, has been published.

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Editorial Programs

Editorial series

Technology and the future of cardiovascular care

Feb 4, 2010 15:00 EST

Dr Eric Topol talks to heartwire's Shelley Wood about remote monitoring, individualized medicine, and the changing face of cardiovascular care.

Editorial series

Life and times of leading cardiologists with Rob Califf. Guest: Ray Gibbons

Jan 21, 2010 11:15 EST

Join Dr Robert Califf for a thoughtful and timely interview with Dr Ray Gibbons on the core values he learned in his career in science and medicine and why they are imperative for physicians to keep in mind when contemplating the future of healthcare reform.

Editorial series

Perspectives from AHA 2009: Wrapping up the Scientific Sessions with Clyde Yancy and Nancy Brown

Dec 2, 2009 11:15 EST

AHA president Dr Clyde Yancy and CEO Nancy Brown share insights from the recent sessions and discuss ongoing initiatives with heartwire's Shelley Wood.