Cardiology news: award winning coverage by heartwire

Hypertension

Hatha yoga reduces blood pressure in mildly hypertensive patients

1 COMMENT - May 20, 2013 14:45 EDT

Hatha yoga introduced to individuals with hypertension appears to lower blood pressure, and while the reductions in blood pressure aren't earth-shattering, they might just be enough to avoid starting antihypertensive medications, say researchers.

Interventional/Surgery

BP reductions with renal denervation durable to 30 months: SYMPLICITY HTN-2

2 COMMENTS - May 17, 2013 17:45 EDT

New data from the Symplicity HTN-2 study confirm the long-term efficacy of renal denervation in patients with resistant hypertension. At 30 months, there was a sustained reduction in systolic blood pressure, but researchers say this is only the beginning in terms of understanding the potential of the procedure.

Lipid/Metabolic

Dietary saturated fat has undeserved bad reputation, says review

6 COMMENTS - May 17, 2013 16:45 EDT

It calls for a reappraisal of health recommendations that focus on cutting saturated-fat intake levels, as "mechanisms for adverse health effects are lacking."

Hypertension

Physician inertia to blame for small BP changes in BARBER-1

May 17, 2013 11:45 EDT

A new analysis of BARBER-1 suggests that physician inertia might be the reason African American men failed to reduce their blood pressure lower than hoped.

Prevention

Never too old to get moving: Aerobic fitness lowers risk of death in elderly

1 COMMENT - May 17, 2013 10:30 EDT

If you don't use it, you're going to lose it—the old chestnut is supported by a new VA Medical Center study showing that fit elderly patients with hypertension had a lower risk of death than those with low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Prevention

How low should you go? Experts debate latest salvo in the war on sodium

8 COMMENTS - May 16, 2013 09:30 EDT

Earlier this week, the Institute of Medicine stirred up controversy when it stated the data are insufficient to recommend lowering sodium levels beyond 2300 mg per day. The AHA came out against the IOM report, but hypertension experts heartwire spoke with say the recommendations are right on the money.

Prevention

IOM: No clear benefits to slashing sodium intake to 1500 mg/day

5 COMMENTS - May 15, 2013 11:40 EDT

Citing a lack of evidence linking lower sodium targets to a reduction in hard events, the IOM concludes that while Americans are consuming more sodium than required for health, the low limits set for certain high-risk groups are not supported by current evidence. The AHA respectfully disagrees.

Prevention

Rover Rx? Pet ownership may lower CVD risk, says AHA

May 14, 2013 16:00 EDT

The data suggest that owning a dog increases physical activity, but there are also good data on pets decreasing mental stress and decreasing blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association.

Lipid/Metabolic

Hormone therapy associated with MI in male-to-female transsexuals

3 COMMENTS - May 14, 2013 14:00 EDT

Hormone therapy given to transsexuals during gender reassignment appears to be associated with a greater likelihood of cardiovascular disease in men who subsequently become women.

Prevention

Sodium levels through the restaurant roof—no reductions in past six years

2 COMMENTS - May 13, 2013 16:30 EDT

A new study published today showed that while the sodium content of processed foods declined from 2005 to 2011, the overall reduction was just 3.5%. Restaurants, on the other hand, fared even worse, with researchers reporting that sodium levels actually increased by 2.6% over the same six-year period.

Prevention

No benefit of fish oil in high-risk patients

18 COMMENTS - May 8, 2013 17:00 EDT

N-3 fatty-acid supplementation had no effect on the study's primary end point in this group of patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors or atherosclerotic disease, but no previous MI. Researchers also saw no effects on the rate of death from coronary causes or sudden death from cardiac causes or major ventricular arrhythmias.

Lipid/Metabolic

Diabetes increases stroke risk, particularly in under-65s

1 COMMENT - May 6, 2013 16:00 EDT

A new study shows up to a 12-fold increase in risk of stroke in younger patients with diabetes compared with nondiabetics of similar age.

Prevention

Physical activity low among American adults

4 COMMENTS - May 3, 2013 13:15 EDT

Approximately 50% of American adults meet the guidelines for aerobic activity, and only a quarter participate in muscle-strengthening activity.

<i>Lancet</i> antitobacco series launches as ACC chides FDA inaction

Prevention

Lancet antitobacco series launches as ACC chides FDA inaction

2 COMMENTS - May 2, 2013 18:30 EDT

One of the Lancet papers reviews the successes, failures, and ongoing challenges in beating back the "global tobacco epidemic," including a report from FDA scientists touting the impact of the 2009 Tobacco Control Act in the US.

Lipid/Metabolic

Case made for metabolic bariatric-surgery eligibility criteria

May 1, 2013 11:15 EDT

Current eligibility criteria for gastric bypass and other bariatric surgeries mean it isn't offered to many patients for whom it might provide remission from diabetes, say researchers presenting at the PDMS sessions.

News

Stopping dabigatran ups stroke risk: New boxed warning

1 COMMENT - Apr 30, 2013 13:30 EDT

It raises the profile of a caution already in the oral anticoagulant's prescribing information.

Prevention

To [vitamin] D or not to D? That is the question

23 COMMENTS - Apr 29, 2013 17:00 EDT

In a lighthearted debate on whether everyone needs more vitamin D, endocrinologists here agreed, at least, that there are specific groups of people in whom sufficient vitamin D is mandatory.

Prevention

Addition of naturopathic medicine boosts CV risk reduction

10 COMMENTS - Apr 29, 2013 12:00 EDT

Experts who commented on the study, conducted by Canadian naturopathic physicians, said cardiologists should keep their minds open to whatever strategies might help patients do better at reducing their risk of future events.

News

US cardiologists see incomes climb in changing healthcare climate

5 COMMENTS - Apr 26, 2013 09:00 EDT

Salaries for US cardiologists climbed in 2012, making them the second-highest paid specialty, according to the 2013 Medscape Physician Compensation Report. Some intriguing new numbers suggest changes to healthcare delivery in the US may be influencing income.

Prevention

Newest study confirms a soda a day ups diabetes risk by 20%

3 COMMENTS - Apr 25, 2013 17:45 EDT

Drinking a can of sugary soda a day can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 22%. This latest rigorous research from Europe corroborates the findings of numerous other studies, say scientists.

Lipid/Metabolic

Bariatric surgery in type 2 diabetes: Half in complete or partial remission at six years

Apr 25, 2013 17:15 EDT

Experience at a single busy center over a recent four-year period suggested one-fourth of patients are cured of diabetes. But there are limitations on the definition of "cure," and that's only one way diabetes-management-response terminology isn't straightforward.

Lipid/Metabolic

Side-effect concerns, herbal options among reasons for not filling statins scrips

3 COMMENTS - Apr 25, 2013 12:45 EDT

More than half of patients reported not filling their statin prescriptions because of concerns about side effects, while two out of every three patients expressed general concerns about taking the lipid-lowering medication. A majority of patients also decided to try making changes to their lifestyle before filling the prescription at the pharmacy.

Prevention

Intestinal flora again implicated in CAD; but this time, also CV events

9 COMMENTS - Apr 24, 2013 17:15 EDT

From the group that recently demonstrated links between dietary carnitine, gut bacteria, and atherosclerosis comes a study with analogous findings on a different molecule found in meat and eggs and a graphic demonstration that gut flora participate in human metabolism.

Heart failure

AHA forecasts rising burden of heart failure in the US

5 COMMENTS - Apr 24, 2013 15:30 EDT

The AHA is predicting that more than eight million Americans will have heart failure by 2030 and that the total direct costs associated with the disease will rise from $21 billion in 2012 to $70 billion in 2030.

Prevention

CDC support for new AMA initiative on CVD, prediabetes

1 COMMENT - Apr 24, 2013 14:00 EDT

One CDC doctor has given his support to a new initiative from the American Medical Association to help prevent cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, calling it "a big endorsement."