Scientists trace link between Alzheimer's, heart failureNovember 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have figured out the link between Alzhemier's disease and chronic heart failure, two leading causes of death. A team of US, Canadian and Italian bio-chemists and cardiologists, led by Johns Hopkins researchers, identified three changes in the chemical make-up of a key structural protein, called desmin, in dog's heart muscle cells.
Just 15 mins of sunbathing a day can cut heart disease, stroke riskNovember 16th, 2009 LONDON - Just 15 minutes of sunbathing a day can boost vitamin D levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in older adults, say researchers. The study involving people more than 50 years of age who had low levels of the sunshine vitamin had double the risk of heart failure and were 78 per cent more likely to have a stroke.
Poor kidney function may increase heart attack riskNovember 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Poor kidney function may increase an individual's risk for suffering heart failure, heart attack, peripheral arterial disease and early death, reveals a new study. Researchers revealed that to evaluate heart health, clinicians should look at their patients' current level of kidney function and also changes in kidney function over time.
Leg pain may be a strong marker for heart disease, strokeOctober 27th, 2009 TORONTO - Researchers at the University of Alberta in Edmonton have found that the nagging pain in the legs while walking is a strong marker for heart disease and stroke. Hence, they're urging people over the age of 40 to get a simple test for peripheral artery disease (PAD).
South Africa, follows lead of New York, Canada, to limit trans fats to fight heart diseaseOctober 15th, 2009 SAfrica to limit trans fats as heart disease risesJOHANNESBURG — South Africa's health department says it will draft regulations aimed at reducing the trans fats South Africans consume. Health officials said in a statement Thursday that they are concerned about a rise in lifestyle illnesses such as heart disease and strokes as some South Africans grow wealthier.
ADHD medications 'making kids suicidal'October 13th, 2009 MELBOURNE - The use of ADHD drugs is turning children as young as five into psychotics, a new study has revealed. Many of them have attempted suicide or are severely depressed while on the controversial drugs.
Vitamin B pills don't cut down risk of heart diseaseOctober 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Vitamin B pills don't cut down the risk of heart disease, says a new study. "There is no evidence to support the use of Vitamin B as supplements for reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke or death associated with cardiovascular disease," says lead researcher Arturo Mart-Carvajal of the Iberoamerican Cochrane Network in Valencia, Venezuela.
Gene transfer can help ailing heart heal itselfOctober 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a major breakthrough, scientists jump-started a failing heart by transferring a gene, which could help the heart heal itself. The breakthrough also offers a tantalizing glimpse of a day when "closed heart surgery" via gene therapy is as commonly prescribed as today's cocktail of drugs.
Calcium scans can help predict heart attack riskOctober 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has found that coronary artery calcium scans can prove to be an effective screening tool for patients with silent heart disease who are at risk for a heart attack or sudden death. Coronary artery calcium scans that detect plaque in the coronary arteries have been shown to be more effective than standard cholesterol and blood pressure measurements in identifying patients who are most vulnerable to heart disease.
Awareness campaign for women against heart diseasesSeptember 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The All India Heart Foundation (AIHF) will launch an awareness drive for heart diseases among women, which they consider the most neglected and least prioritised group in the society. A brainchild of AIHF president S.
Prostate cancer patients on hormone therapy 'at increased heart disease risk'September 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Prostate cancer patients receiving hormone therapy might be at an increased risk of developing heart problems, according to a new study. Hormone therapy is a mainstay of treatment when the cancer is locally advanced and when it has spread to more distant parts of the body, but is increasingly being used in earlier stages of the disease.
Three sewing needles removed from woman's heart - after 23 years!September 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - In a strange case of heart surgery, three sewing needles were removed from the heart of a woman after 23 years. Doctors in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, were successful in taking out the 4-cm-long needles that were stuck in Jiang's heart, reports the China Daily.
New Zealand's Maori people don't have "warrior gene" that makes them violentSeptember 11th, 2009 WELLINGTON - A new research has shown that despite being over-represented in New Zealand's criminal fraternity and prison population, Maori do not have a "warrior gene" that makes them violent. The Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand.
'Thunder thighs' may help beat heart diseaseSeptember 4th, 2009 MELBOURNE - The thinner your thighs, the greater your risk of heart disease - that's the conclusion of a new study. According to the research, which looked at more than 2800 men and women with an average age of around 50, thigh circumference is linked to the risk of heart disease and premature death.
New therapy to prevent heart failureSeptember 2nd, 2009 LONDON - A new study has found that cardiac resynchronization device combined with the defibrillator (CRT-D) can significantly reduce death risk and heart failure in cardiac patients. The researchers found that patients who had a cardiac resynchronization had a 34 percent reduction in their risk of death or heart failure.
