• Blame it on the Y

    Updated: 2012-02-28 22:26:32
    Men and women are different.  Besides the obvious aspects of that statement, men and women differ in their development of coronary disease.  Even though that statement is true, equal numbers of men and women die each year from cardiovascular causes. Cardiovascular death remains the leading cause of death in both men and women in the [...]

  • Depression Risk Lower in Patients Who Take Statins

    Updated: 2012-02-28 21:06:02
    Researchers say statins appear to lower the risk for depression in some patients.

  • Low blood levels of an omega-3 may hasten brain aging

    Updated: 2012-02-28 19:30:46
    A diet lacking in an omega-3 fatty acid, predominantly found in fish, may cause the brain to age faster and lose some of its memory and thinking abilities, according to the results of a study released today by the journal...

  • More evidence to burst the angioplasty balloon

    Updated: 2012-02-27 21:45:57
    If you have stable heart disease the initial treatment should usually be lifestyle changes plus drugs, not angioplasty, according to a study out today in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Yet, as we’ve previously reported, that’s not the way doctors...

  • Statins inhibit thrombosis

    Updated: 2012-02-24 13:22:04
    Hypercholesterolemia is one of the primary risk factors for atherosclerotic coronary disease. Statins have revolutionised lipid management with their proven ability to reduce circulating cholesterol levels and have even demonstrated regression of coronary plaques. Interestingly, statins have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic activities, with several studies having shown statin therapy to be [...]

  • What if no one comes to the party? (Part II)

    Updated: 2012-02-23 23:13:26
    Aspirin and the thienopyridines both antagonize the platelet function of clumping and thrombosis.  They work on different receptors on the platelet.  Aspirin and the drugs clopidogrel and prasugrel permanently bind to the receptors.  Ticagrelor is a reversible binder so that the platelet is reactivated when it is removed. Ticagrelor has greater potency than prasugrel, and [...]

  • Titin implicated in DCM

    Updated: 2012-02-23 07:47:05
    Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common form of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.  While clinical evaluation identifies 30 to 50% of DCM patients as having a relative who is affected or likely to be affected, indicating a possible genetic cause, pathogenic mutations are found in only 20 to 30% of patients.  Therefore a large degree of uncertainty [...]

  • What if no one comes to the party? (Part I)

    Updated: 2012-02-21 18:57:47
    The development of a new drug is a very risky process.  At any step the process can come off the tracks and put a permanent end to the process.  Once the concept is proved in the lab, testing on humans begins.  Once the basic safety testing is done, many studies need to be formulated, approved [...]

  • CE-MARC shows strength of perfusion MRI

    Updated: 2012-02-19 11:09:28
    In recent years it has become clear that treatment of coronary artery disease – and in particular percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) – must be guided by imaging techniques that give some information on the extent of myocardial ischaemia.  While nuclear medicine techniques such as SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) have become widespread, and have a [...]

  • Short-chain triglycerides found in foods are split by what type of specific enzymes

    Updated: 2012-02-18 02:40:21
    Increase Hdl Lower Ldl Hdl Ldl Ratio High Cholesterol Atheroslerosis Low fat Subscribe To This Site Short-chain triglycerides found in foods are split by what type of specific enzymes QUESTION Short-chain triglycerides found in foods are split by what type of specific enzymes Could you please expand it ANSWER Hi , The full name for the triglycerides is triacylglycerol . This molecule is composed of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acids . Under the affect of pancreatic lipase , this molecule is split into glycerol and fatty acids . In this way , the organism can use these substances for energy or for constructive elements . Furthermore , these fatty acids are playing the role of second messengers in the organism , which means that they are participating in the conduction of the signal

  • The SGR and why it matters to you (Part I)

    Updated: 2012-02-14 22:41:47
    There is a famous law that is made up but still useful.  It is known as the “law of unintended consequences.”  This law is most useful to describe the chaos that arises from things that seem like a good idea at the time but are worse when they backfire.  The action is not equal to [...]

  • Another reason to exercise: It trips a heart hormone that burns fat, new Sanford-Burnham study finds

    Updated: 2012-02-09 21:22:32
    If you still need another reason to exercise, here it is: Vigorous exercise can stimulate the heart to release a hormone that helps your fat burn fat, according to new research from Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute in Lake Nona, published this week in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Medical experts know that patients who have chronic [...]

  • To Replace or Not to Replace (Part II)

    Updated: 2012-02-09 21:14:43
    In my last blog, I began to discuss the conundrum of ICD replacement.  Even a casual thinking thru of this process would reveal that our current approach is not correct.  Some patients have co-morbidities that will cause them to likely die within six months.  Some patients no longer have decision-making capabilities.  Some patients may actually [...]

  • To Replace or not to Replace (Part I)

    Updated: 2012-02-07 21:58:13
    I am constantly looking for “ah ha” moments.  Sometimes when they hit me, I realize that I have “been there before” but not with the clarity that the moment deserved, so the importance was not crystal clear and defined. When my daughter was seven years old, she had her appendix taken out.  When it was [...]

  • Startling reduction in Heart Attack Deaths in Wartime Norway

    Updated: 2012-02-02 21:39:58
    This is a fascinating case study that brings relevant evidence pertinent to heart disease directly to the forefront. It should serve as a convincing argument about why people suffer from heart attacks, and also act as a guide on how to avoid them, which is the primary reason that the ‘Lower Blood Pressure’ website exists. [...]

  • Sound bites that hurt (Part IV)

    Updated: 2012-02-02 21:06:04
    Now let’s move from sound bites to full-fledged out-and-out incredible.  I will cop to the fact that I generally don’t watch TV and never commercials since I record everything I watch.  News I get from the sites that I read on the web.  When I want a laugh, I will watch some Fox “News” in [...]

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