Lipid/Metabolic
New meta-analysis: Statins of benefit in primary prevention
9 COMMENTS - Jun 30, 2009 19:01 EDT
A new meta-analysis including some of the more contemporary statin trials has found that the agents significantly improve survival and reduce coronary and cardiovascular end points in primary-prevention populations, a benefit that extends to all subgroups. But the exact cost/benefit equation for each group remains to be determined.

Rotterdam, the Netherlands - Use of statins is associated with significantly improved survival and large reductions in the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients who have risk factors but who do not have established cardiovascular disease, according to a new meta-analysis of major statin trials published online June 30 in BMJ [1].

It shows that the relative risk reduction from long-term statin use in a primary-care setting is comparable to that observed in secondary prevention and confirms the results of the JUPITER study regarding the beneficial effects of statins across a range of patient groups, say the researchers.Read full article »

Inside: Prevention
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Prevention
Preventing Microvascular Complications of Diabetes
1 COMMENT - Oct 10, 2008 10:10 EDT
Can we prevent the microvascular complications from developing and worsening in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Join Drs Sheldon Tobe, David Lau, and Bernard Zinman as they discuss new data from EASD 2008.
 
heartbriefs
Warnings for smoking-cessation drugs varenicline, bupropion
Jul 2, 2009 12:45 EDT
Smoking-cessation drugs varenicline and bupropion must carry a boxed warning in their labeling stating that use of the drugs has been associated with serious mental-health events, the US FDA has announced.
Clinical cardiology
Anxiety, depression, linked to angina frequency
Jun 30, 2009 10:45 EDT
New research shows that ischemic heart disease patients who suffer significant anxiety have close to a fivefold increased risk of experiencing frequent angina and those with depression have more than a threefold increased risk for these episodes.
heartbriefs
Massive vitamin-D/omega-3 trial for CVD, cancer prevention
Jun 29, 2009 17:00 EDT
Study participants will be randomized to one of four groups: daily vitamin D (2000 IU) and fish oil (1 g); daily vitamin D and fish-oil placebo; daily vitamin-D placebo and fish oil; or daily vitamin-D placebo and fish-oil placebo and followed for five years.
Hypertension
Wolves in sheep's clothing: Don't ignore white-coat and masked hypertension
1 COMMENT - Jun 29, 2009 16:00 EDT
White-coat hypertension and masked hypertension should not be regarded as benign, say the authors of a new 10-year study. The risk of developing sustained hypertension is higher in people with the above two conditions than in those who have normal blood pressure, they found.
Prevention
Moderate wine, little meat, many vegetables may be key Mediterranean diet items linked to longer life
8 COMMENTS - Jun 25, 2009 14:30 EDT
A population-based cohort study of individuals in Greece has teased out items in the Mediterranean diet that appear to contribute to the increased longevity associated with this diet.
Imaging
Heart-attack prevention bill, mandating coverage for CAD screening, passes quietly in Texas
13 COMMENTS - Jun 23, 2009 15:30 EDT
UPDATED // After a rocky ride in and out of the Texas legislature (twice) and most recently a perplexing pairing with bariatric surgery, the bill is now poised to become law September 1.
Acute Coronary Syndromes
CV mortality and hospitalizations declining in Canada
Jun 22, 2009 16:30 EDT
From 1994 to 2004, cardiovascular disease mortality declined 30%, while the rate of MI mortality decreased 38.1% and stroke mortality decreased 28.2%.
Hypertension
"Natural" ED product recalled; contains PDE-5 inhibitor
Jun 22, 2009 16:00 EDT
People taking the nonprescription dietary supplement marketed under the name Stamina-Rx "should stop using it immediately," the FDA is warning consumers.
Lipid/Metabolic
More patients at LDL targets, but improvement still needed
Jun 22, 2009 16:00 EDT
Compared with a decade ago, where just 38% achieved LDL-cholesterol guideline targets, 73% of individuals are now at goal.
Clinical cardiology
Psoriasis associated with all vascular disease
5 COMMENTS - Jun 22, 2009 13:45 EDT
As well as being an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, psoriasis is also associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease, a new case-control study has shown.
Thrombosis Risk
Uncertainty remains as to whether genetic testing for VTE improves outcomes
1 COMMENT - Jun 19, 2009 12:00 EDT
It remains unknown whether genetic testing for two prothrombotic mutations improves outcomes for patients with venous thromboembolism or for family members of those with mutations, a new review concludes.
Educational partnerships
Heart failure
What Happened at AHA 2008? Mayo Clinic Perspective
Nov 26, 2008 13:20 EST
In our first program Drs Gibbons, Holmes, and Simari discuss cell therapy and the latest trials in intervention. Our second program features Drs Gibbons, Ackerman, and Redfield discuss personalized genomics and heart failure.
Prevention
What Happened at AHA 2008?: The Johns Hopkins Perspective
Nov 26, 2008 09:03 EST
ABC, it's as simple as 123. Join Drs Blumenthal and Blaha as they provide their feedback from a preventive cardiology point of view as to what happened at the AHA Annual Meeting 2008.
The Heart of a Woman
Drs. Hayes and Foody and a committee of experts address the gaps and correct the misconception that CVD is more common in men than women.
  • Primary and Secondary Prevention of CVD and Stroke in Women
    Primary Prevention in Women: The Role of Lipids
    Jul 2, 2009 00:00 EDT
    The role of lipids in women for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is a challenging issue for all providers. Join Drs. Foody, Mora, and Welty as they discuss limitations to current risk stratification models, recent clinical trial data, and the changing paradigm in the management of lipids in women.
  • Foundational programs
    Battle of the Sexes: Disparities in the Care of Men & Women With CVD
    1 COMMENT - May 29, 2009 00:00 EDT
    Despite increased awareness of CVD in women, contemporary studies demonstrate gender differences in outcomes. Differences in age and comorbidities account for some, but not all of these disparities. Join Dr. Foody as she discusses these issues with Drs. Mieres and Redberg.
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Editorial Programs
Editorial series
After TIPS: What's next for the polypill?
Jun 15, 2009 09:30 EDT
Join Drs Salim Yusuf and Sanjay Kaul for an in-depth discussion on the promise and prospects of the polypill moderated by heartwire's Lisa Nainggolan.
Editorial series
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, athletes, and screening
Jun 5, 2009 09:30 EDT
Is it possible and desirable to envisage a nationwide system to screen athletes for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? Drs Ommen, Maron, and Thompson examine the Italian screening data and review the implications of this model for the US.
Editorial series
Life and times of leading cardiologists with Rob Califf. Guest: Steve Nissen
1 COMMENT - Jun 1, 2009 10:20 EDT
Join Dr Robert Califf for a probing and personal interview with Dr Steven Nissen, about his activist days at the University of Michigan and the development of IVUS, to how he ended up at the Cleveland Clinic and what he thinks about the future of medicine in America.
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