Health - Heart latest news

A new article indicates that an increased intake in minerals such as potassium, and possibly magnesium and calcium by dietary means may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and decrease blood pressure in people with hypertension. A high intake of these minerals in the diet may also reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. These findings are published in a supplement appearing with the July issue of The Journal of Clinical Hypertension.

A meta-analysis published in the July issue of JAMA finds that a particular ratio of blood pressure measurements, called the ankle brachial index (ABI), has the potential to improve predictions of cardiovascular risk. Currently, the ABI has been used to measure risk of peripheral artery disease and atherosclerosis.

University of Pittsburgh-led researchers could provide new insight into how two common congenital circulatory problems - aortic arch deformity and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) - develop in humans, as reported in the June 15 edition of Developmental Biology.

Prevention efforts that include proven methods for reducing cardiovascular disease could reduce heart attacks by 36% and strokes by 20% over the next three decades, according to a report published online Monday in the journal Circulation, the Oakland Tribune reports (Bohan, Oakland Tribune, 7/7).

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a controversial set of recommendations last week regarding the treatment of lipid abnormalities in children. The new recommendations, apparently stimulated by growing...

Title: Pregnancy Boosts Heart Attack RiskCategory: health newscreated: 7/9/2008 2:00:00 amlast Editorial review: 7/9/2008

Title: Kids' Obesity May Lead to Epidemic of Adult DiabetesCategory: health newscreated: 7/9/2008 2:00:00 amlast Editorial review: 7/9/2008

Title: Ankle-Arm Blood Pressure Test Predicts Heart Disease RiskCategory: health newscreated: 7/9/2008 2:00:00 amlast Editorial review: 7/9/2008

Pfizer announced that new statin users who took Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium) were significantly more likely to stay on their medication compared to those who took simvastatin, according to an observational study of more than 186,000 patients in one of the largest U.S. managed care claims databases. The results were published in the July issue of Current Medical Research and Opinion.

Title: Low Iron Levels Cut cancer Risk in Men With PADCategory: health newscreated: 7/9/2008 2:00:00 amlast Editorial review: 7/9/2008