Red Flags - Heart

Exercise Lowers Blood Pressure, Study Confirms

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:42:34 -0400

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Exercise Lowers Blood Pressure, Study Confirms

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“Findings from a new study using 24-hour blood pressure monitoring confirm that physical activity reduces blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure, even when they’re taking medications to address this problem.”

Guidant’s New Owner Recalls 23,000 Heart Devices

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 23:46:23 -0400

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Guidant’s New Owner Recalls 23,000 Heart Devices

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“Boston Scientific Corp. announced Monday that it is recalling 23,000 heart pacemakers and defibrillators and recommended that 27,000 patients who already have the devices implanted in their chests consult doctors.”

Freshest Transfused Blood Linked To Increased Survival After Repeat Bypass

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:37:38 -0400

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Freshest Transfused Blood Linked To Increased Survival After Repeat Bypass

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“When it comes to blood transfused during surgery into very sick heart patients, newer may be better, researchers report.

"High-risk patients who received older blood were more likely to die after cardiac surgery," said lead investigator Dr. Elliot Bennett-Guerrero, director of perioperative clinical research at the Duke University Medical Center.”

Reduction In Use Of Drug-Coated Stents Raises Cardiac Concern

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 20:52:45 -0400

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Reduction In Use Of Drug-Coated Stents Raises Cardiac Concern

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“Some cardiac centers are decreasing their use of the drug-coated stents used to prop open the arteries of heart patients because of rising concerns about potentially deadly blood clots, according to a published newspaper report. The Swiss study cited by The Wall Street Journal was presented at a large cardiology meeting in March.”

Fish Oil Study Yields Inconclusive Results

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 19:21:20 -0400

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Fish Oil Study Yields Inconclusive Results

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“Patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator did not have a significantly lower risk of serious abnormal heart rhythms or death by consuming fish oil supplements, which had been thought to have a protective effect, according to a study in the June 14 issue of JAMA.”

Defibrillators Prevent Only Cardiac Arrest, Not Other Heart Problems

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:09:07 -0400

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Defibrillators Prevent Only Cardiac Arrest, Not Other Heart Problems

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“People who've had a heart attack and receive an implanted defibrillator may be at increased risk of heart failure that often ends in death, a new study found….

“Don't think that because you got a defibrillator, you can go out and have a Big Mac and not exercise," [lead author Ilan Goldenberg Ellenbogen] said. "It is important to address every aspect of heart disease."

Angioplasty Or Bypass Recommended For Heart Attack Patients With Cardiogenic Shock

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 20:34:24 -0400

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Angioplasty Or Bypass Recommended For Heart Attack Patients With Cardiogenic Shock

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“Up to 43,000 of people hospitalized for heart attack develop cardiogenic shock. A new study revealed treating these patients with emergency angioplasty or bypass surgery could significantly increase their survival rates.”

Beating Heart Transplant Performed In Britain

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 17:34:38 -0400

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Beating Heart Transplant Performed In Britain

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“A pioneering form of heart transplant has been performed for the first time in the U.K. Doctors say the technique, which keeps the donor heart beating while it is transported, could double the number of heart transplants each year.”

Now, Even Mild Heart Impairment Increases Stroke Risk

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 18:42:12 -0400

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Now, Even Mild Heart Impairment Increases Stroke Risk

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“Mild, often symptomless, impaired heart function may predispose a person to ischemic stroke, investigators report in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Having any degree of impaired heart function, known as left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), was almost five times more common in stroke patients than age-matched controls.”

Even Modest Brain Cooling Beneficial After Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Fri, 19 May 2006 21:08:44 -0400

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Even Modest Brain Cooling Beneficial After Sudden Cardiac Arrest

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“As many as 400,000 people in North America suffer sudden cardiac arrest. Only 30 percent have their hearts restarted, and only about 6 percent survive to hospital discharge. Once the heart is restarted, a significant factor for subsequent death is brain injury.”

Researchers Find New Predictor Of Cardiovascular Mortality In Elderly

Wed, 10 May 2006 23:09:20 -0400

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Researchers Find New Predictor Of Cardiovascular Mortality In Elderly

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“In old age, high plasma apoE levels precede an increase of circulating CRP and strongly associates with cardiovascular mortality, independent of APOE genotype and plasma lipids.”

Birthday Stress Increases Risk Of Heart Attack And Stroke

Mon, 08 May 2006 20:30:26 -0400

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Birthday Stress Increases Risk Of Heart Attack And Stroke

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“Birthdays may not be happy occasions for people predisposed to strokes or heart attacks, according to a Canadian study.”

Mother’s Heart Disease Influences Children’s Health

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 19:37:08 -0400

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Mother’s Heart Disease Influences Children’s Health

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“When it comes to some matters of the heart, mothers have more influence than fathers, a large-scale study finds, and the effect is particularly pronounced in daughters.”

Loneliness Can Add 30 Points To Blood Pressure In People Over 50

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 20:38:29 -0400

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Loneliness Can Add 30 Points To Blood Pressure In People Over 50

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“People over 50 have greater risk of high blood pressure if they feel lonely most of the time, U.S. researchers say in the latest study.
Physicians have long considered feelings of loneliness as a potential risk factor for hypertension, next only to obesity and sedentary lifestyles. The study shows that loneliness can add 30 points to blood pressure readings for adults over the age of 50.”

Heart Implants Should Be Monitored

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 20:26:12 -0400

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Heart Implants Should Be Monitored

Description:

“Although pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) sustain and save many lives and have a low malfunction rate, their performance should be monitored, especially ICDs, which have a significantly higher malfunction rate than pacemakers, according to two studies in the April issue of JAMA.”