How the shock of prostate cancer diagnosis raises risk of heart attack by up to 11 times

The shock of being diagnosed with prostate cancer greatly increases the likelihood of a fatal heart attack, researchers have warned.

Men are up to 11 times more likely to die from cardiac problems in the week after being told they have the disease, with younger men and those with no history of heart disease at particular risk.

The threat stays high for the first year after diagnosis and the likelihood of suicide is also raised, a Swedish study involving more than four million men found.

Prostate cancer kills 10,000 British men every year and researchers say it is vital doctors are aware of the dangerous effects of the stress of diagnosis.

They said: 'Careful monitoring of the psychological health of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients is needed.

'It is not unreasonable to believe that similar effects could be observed among women with breast cancer.'

The researchers analysed the medical records of 4.3million men, including 170,000 diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1961 and 2004, the journal PLoS Medicine reports.

In Britain, Dr Sarah Cant, of the Prostate Cancer Charity, urged caution over the findings.

She said: 'The study fails to take into account several well established risk factors for cardiovascular and suicide, such as age, high blood pressure or mental illness.

'It is important to remember that even if further research did prove a strong association between a diagnosis of prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease or suicide, this does not mean that being diagnosed with prostate cancer causes cardiovascular disease or men to commit suicide.

'There is much research still to be done do understand why possible link exists between these two events.'

But she added: 'This research does underline the need for all men diagnosed with prostate cancer to be given information about, and access to, the support services they need to help them cope with impact that the diagnosis and treatment of the disease can have.'


P.S. protect your HEART by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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What You Must Know About Heart Disease

Here are some lifesaving facts about the number one killer of women.

Each year some 88,000 women ages 45 to 64 have a heart attack -- which is why knowing how to protect yourself is crucial. It's time to separate the rumors from the facts about this deadly disease -- and lower your risk now.

True or False?

The telltale sign of a heart attack is crushing pain in your chest.

False. Up to 70 percent of female heart attack victims experience no chest pain at all. More common symptoms include nausea or vomiting; cold sweats; shortness of breath; a heartburnlike pain; light-headedness or fainting; and pain in the jaw, throat, back or arm that won't go away. You may also notice unusual fatigue and have problems sleeping. "If routine things like climbing the stairs now take you twice as long to do or leave you out of breath, see your doctor," says cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, M.D., author of The Women's Healthy Heart Program.

True or False?

Body Mass Index is the best way to predict whether you'll have a heart attack.

False. Waist-to-hip ratio may be a better gauge, says a recent study published in the journal Lancet. To find out your ratio, divide your waist measurement in inches by your hip measurement. For women, 0.85 or above means you're at risk of having a heart attack. The higher the number, the higher the risk.

True or False?

Drinking alcohol can help lower your risk.

True -- but only in moderation. Having one alcoholic beverage a day (12 oz. of beer, 4 oz. of wine or 1 oz. of liquor) can decrease your heart disease risk by up to 40 percent. Why that's so: Alcohol is thought to slightly increase good cholesterol, and it also contains resveratrol, a substance that helps prevent blood clots. (Teetotalers, take heart: You can get similar benefits by drinking red or purple grape juice.) For optimum health, choose red wine; it's high in flavonoids, antioxidants that protect heart cells from damage. Warning: Drinking more than what's recommended can raise blood pressure.

True or False?

An aspirin a day keeps a heart attack away.

False. Aspirin lowers the risk of heart attack for those who've already had one, but it doesn't do much to prevent first-time attacks.

True or False?

If a product is labeled "heart-healthy," it will improve your heart health.

False. As long as manufacturers don't claim that a food prevents or treats a specific disease or condition, phrases such as "heart-healthy" or "heart-smart" can pop up anywhere, says Bonnie Liebman, R.D., director of nutrition at the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, DC. "However, if a food touts an ability to lower cholesterol or fight heart disease, the claim is backed by good evidence and has been approved by the FDA." Yoplait's Heart Healthy Yogurt, Benecol margarine and Nature Valley Healthy Heart Granola Bars all contain plant sterols, extracts that inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the body. Aim for 0.8 g of sterols each day -- about two (6 oz.) yogurts, 1 tbsp. of Benecol or two granola bars.

True or False?

A little chocolate helps your heart.

True -- but only dark chocolate. It's rich in flavonoids, which also lower blood pressure. "It's still best for your health -- and waistline -- to have chocolate only as a treat and instead choose healthier flavonoid-rich snacks such as apples, raspberries or green tea," says Goldberg.

True or False?

Not catching enough z's can harm your heart.

True. Women who sleep five hours or less a night are 30 percent more likely to have heart disease, according to research from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. But snoozing more than nine hours often can be a bad sign, too. The connection: Insomniacs are often tense, while oversleepers tend to be depressed. These psychological stressors have been linked to high blood pressure and higher levels of cholesterol, insulin and cortisol (a stress hormone), says Sharonne Hayes, M.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Women's Heart Clinic in Rochester, MN. Have sleep issues? Talk to your doctor so you -- and your heart -- can rest easier.

P.S. protect your HEART by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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Suppressing Anger May Cause Heart Problems

When people think they're treated unfairly at work, does the way they deal with their anger affect the health of their heart?

THIS STUDY involved 2,755 male employees, 41 years old on average, who never had suffered a heart attack. About a fourth of them were supervisors. In the next 10 years, 47 had a heart attack or died of heart disease. Men who used avoidance tactics to deal with conflict or unfair treatment at work -- including walking away from the situation or letting things pass without saying anything -- were twice as likely to have had a heart attack or died of heart disease as were men who openly expressed their anger. Risk was highest for those who walked away.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Men who experience job-related stress or anger. Some studies have linked emotionally upsetting events, especially those involving anger, with heart problems. CAVEATS Behavioral data came from the men's responses on a questionnaire. The study did not suggest what might be healthier coping strategies.

FIND THIS STUDY Nov. 24 online issue of the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

P.S. Protect your HEART by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.

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What Are Beta-Blockers? What Are Beta-Blockers For?

Beta-blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-adrenergic antagonists, or beta antagonists, are a type of drug that block the action of the sympathetic nervous system of the heart, resulting in a relief of stress on the heart.

A beta-blocker blocks beta-adrenergic substances, for example adrenaline (apinephrine) in the involuntary nervous system (autononomic nervous system). Beta-blockers slow down the heart beat, reduce the force of the heart muscle's contractions, and decrease blood vessel contraction in the heart, brain, and the rest of the body.

Patients with cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), tachycardias (accelerated heart rates), or irregular heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation), such as premature ventricular beats may be prescribed beta-blockers. They may also be useful in treating angina because they lower the heart muscle's demand for oxygen - angina pectoris occurs when the heart's demand for oxygen is greater than the supply.

Beta-blockers are useful in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) because their effects on blood vessels lowers blood pressure. They are also key drugs in improving survival rates for patients after a heart attack.

Beta-blockers are also used for preventing migraine headaches and some familial or hereditary tremors.

In other words, beta-blockers are known as beta- adrenoreceptor blocking agents and are used to treat:

Commonly

• Angina
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation)
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
  
  Less commonly
• Prevention of migraine
• Thyrotoxicosis (overactive thyroid)
• Anxiety
• Tremor
• Glaucoma (as eye drops)

The first clinically useful beta adrenergic receptor antagonist was called Propranolol. It was invented by Sir James W. Black (born 1924), a Scottish doctor and pharmacologist. Sir James also synthesized Cimetidine (for the treatment of heartburn and peptic ulcers) and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1988. Propranolol revolutionized the medical management of angina pectoris - it is considered as one of the major contributions to clinical medicine and pharmacology of the 20th century.

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary

A beta-adrenergic blocking agent is "a class of drugs that competes with β-adrenergic agonists for available receptor sites; some compete for both Beta₁ and Beta₂ receptors (propranolol) whereas others are primarily either Beta₁ (metoprolol) or Beta₂ blockers; used in the treatment of a variety of cardiovascular diseases for which beta-adrenergic blockade is desirable."

Types of beta-blockers

There are various types of beta-blockers (beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents). Which one a patient has depends on his/her condition.

Below are some examples:

Acebutolol (Sectral)
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Betaxolol (Betoptic)
Bisoprolol (Cardicor, Emcor, Zebeta)
Carteolol (Teoptic)
Carvedilol (Coreg, Eucardic)
Celiprolol (Celectol)
Labetalol (Trandate)
Levobunolol (Betagan)
Metipranolol (Metipranolol Minims)
Metoprolol (Betaloc, Lopresor, Lopressor, Toprol XL)
Nadolol (Corgard)
Nebivolol (Bystolic, Nebilet)
Oxprenolol (Trasicor)
Pindolol (Visken)
Propranolol (Inderal LA)
Sotalol (Beta-Cardone, Sotacor)
Timolol (Betim, Nyogel, Timoptol)

What do beta-blockers do?

Beta-blockers block the release of noradrenalin in parts of the body. Noradrenalin is released by the nerves when they are stimulated - it is a chemical that conveys messages to other parts of the body, including muscles, blood vessels and the heart.

• Heart problems - for a patient with heart problems beta-blockers can reduce the workload for the heart; so that it does not have to work so hard to supply all parts of the body with oxygen-rich blood. For people with angina, heart failure, or after a heart attack, reducing the heart's workload is crucial.
  
  Beta-blockers can also block the stimulation of the heart form electrical impulses - they can control irregular heartbeats - thus lowering the activity of the heart and slowing down the heart rate.


• Hypertension - beta-blockers lower blood pressure by slowing down the heart rate, as well as reducing the force of the heart. Blood still gets to all parts of the body, but at reduced pressure.


• Glaucoma - pressure within the eyeball is reduced with beta-blocker eye drops. The medication lowers the production of fluid inside the eye ball (aqueous humor).

Things to bear in mind with beta-blockers

The following people should not take beta-blockers:

• Patients with a history of asthma (unless the doctor says so)
• Patients with a history of bronchospasm (unless the doctor says so)
• Patients with second or third degree heart block
• Patients with severe peripheral arterial disease (including Raynaud's syndrome)
• Patients with worsening, unstable heart failure (can be used for stable heart failure)

For the following people, beta-blockers should be used with caution:

• Patients with diabetes, especially those with regular episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Patients with MG (myasthenia gravis)
• Patients with a slow heart rate (bradycardia)
• Patients with low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Patients with hypertension that results from an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
• Patients with high blood acid levels (metabolic acidosis)
• Patients with Prinzmetal angina

Pregnancy and breastfeeding - in some cases certain types of beta-blockers may be used.

Getting off beta-blockers - Patients must not stop taking beta-blockers suddenly without their doctor's advice and close supervision. Suddenly ceasing beta-blocker treatment may exacerbate the patient's condition, especially after a heart attack or for the treatment of angina.

What are the side effects of beta-blockers?

The most common side effects are:

• Cold feet
• Cold hands
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Very slow heartbeat

The following less common side effects are also possible:

• Sleeping difficulties and disturbances
• Bad dreams (nightmares)
• Erectile dysfunction (male inability to achieve or sustain an erection during sex)

Driving - some patients may experience dizziness or fatigue; in such cases they should not drive. However, this is rare.

Beta-blocker interactions with other drugs

Drug interaction is the extra effects two different medicines can have on the body when taken together - effects beyond their primary purposes. Beta-blockers can interact with the following medications:

• Antipsychotics - these medications are commonly prescribed for patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. When taken with some beta-blockers the risk of arrhythmias is greater.


• Clonidine - a medication prescribed for either patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) or migraines. A patient who is taking both clonidine and beta-blockers and then suddenly stops taking clonidine has a greater risk of experiencing a sudden and sharp rise in blood pressure (rebound hypertension).


• Digoxin - prescribed for patients with congestive heart failure and certain cardiac arrhythmias. When taken with beta-blockers there is a higher risk of slow heart rate (bradycardia).


• Diltiazem - a medication that dilates blood vessels, prescribed for patients with angina pectoris or hypertension. When taken with beta-blockers there is a higher risk of slow heart rate (bradycardia).


• Drugs to control high blood pressure (antihypertensives) - when taken with beta-blockers the patient may experience hypotension (a serious drop in blood pressure).


• Drugs to control irregular heartbeats (anti-arrhythmics) - when taken with beta-blockers the risk of impaired function of the heart (myocardial depression) is greater, as is the risk of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).


• Mefloquine - a drug for the treatment of malaria resistant to chloroquine phosphate. When taken with beta-blockers the result may be bradycardia.


• Nifedipine - this drug reduces calcium ions available to heart and smooth muscle, used in the treatment of angina pectoris. When taken with beta-blockers there is a higher risk of hypotension (low blood pressure).


• Nisoldipine - a calcium channel blocker used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). When taken with beta-blockers there is a higher risk of hypotension (low blood pressure).


• Verapamil - used in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, and certain cardiac arrhythmias. When taken with beta-blockers there is a higher risk of hypotension (low blood pressure).

Check with your pharmacist or doctor for a more comprehensive and up-to-date list of beta-blocker interactions.


P.S. Boost your Heart Health by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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Heart drugs may help treat colon cancer

A group of drugs used to treat heart failure shows promise for fighting colon cancer, researchers in Sweden said.

Jenny Felth and Joachim Gullbo both of of Uppsala University and colleagues said cardiac glycosides -- a family of naturally derived drugs used to treat congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms -- may prove useful in fighting many types of cancer.

As part of a larger study to screen and identify natural substances with activity against colon cancer, the researchers tested five of these heart drugs against laboratory cultures of human colon cancer cells and found they were all effective, to varying degrees, in killing the cancer cells.

The sensitivity was rather low when compared with that of other cancer cell types reported previously. However, several of the drugs also showed increased anti-cancer activity when combined with certain drugs used for standard chemotherapy.

The findings, published in the Journal of Natural Products, suggest the heart drugs may affect colon cancer outcome when used alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy drugs.


P.S. Protect your HEART by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.




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Sulfonylureas for Diabetes increase risk of Heart Disease and Death, Study finds

Sulfonylureas, the first family of oral drugs used for treating type 2 diabetes, increase the risk of death from all causes by as much as 61% compared with the newer drug metformin, British researchers have found. Some researchers have suspected that the drugs carry an increased risk, but the new study reported online in BMJ.com is the first to quantify the risks. BMJ.com is the website of BMJ, formerly the British Medical Journal.

The good news from the study is that the new family of drugs called thiazolidinediones is not associated with an increased risk and that one of them, pioglitazone, actually reduces risk by as much as 39% compared with metformin.

Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic status, with more than 180 million victims worldwide and nearly 24 million in the United States. It is most common among the elderly and is associated with obesity, but the growing incidence of obesity in youth is causing the disease to appear in an ever-younger population. Diabetes by itself doubles the risk of heart disease, which complicates the task of identifying increased risks from drugs. U.S. guidelines call for using metformin as first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes, and the new results support that recommendation.

The sulfonyureas, which include Glucotrol, Diabeta, Glipizide, Gliclazide, glyburide, Amaryl, chlorpropamide, tolbutamide and tolazamide, have been marketed in the United States since 1955 and are taken once or twice daily before meals. They stimulate the release of insulin by the pancreas and may help sensitize cells to the action of the hormone.

Dr. Paul Elliott, an epidemiologist at Imperial College London, and his colleagues studied health records of 91,521 diabetic men and women (with an average age of 65) in the U.K. General Practice Database between 1990 and 2005. Among that group, in an average follow-up period of seven years, there were 3,588 myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), 6,900 cases of congestive heart failure and 18,548 deaths.

Compared with metformin, the team observed a 24% to 61% excess risk for deaths from all causes among users of first- and second-generation sulfonylureas and an 18% to 30% excess risk of congestive heart failure for users of the second-generation drugs. The thiazolidinediones rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos) were not associated with an increased risk of heart attacks. Actos was associated with a 31% to 39% decrease in risk of all-cause mortality compared with metformin. Comparing the two thiazolidinediones to each other, the team found that Avandia was linked to a 34% to 41% higher risk of death, but the team concluded the increased risk was not statistically significant when other factors were taken into account.

Experts cautioned, however, that the study suffers from a problem characteristic of all such retrospective studies -- researchers cannot know what diagnosis prompted physicians to describe specific drugs. High-risk patients with high blood levels of creatine, for example, are not likely to be prescribed metformin and would probably receive a sulfonylurea instead. Because the high creatine levels increase the risk of death by themselves, an increased risk might inappropriately be blamed on the drugs.


P.S. Protect your Heart by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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Body clock link to heart disease

Scientists have raised the possibility that cardiovascular disease is linked to disturbances in the body's 24-hour clock.

Working on mice, the Japanese team found a genetic risk factor for a form of high blood pressure is influenced by 24-hour or circadian rhythms.

The study appears online in the journal Nature Medicine.

Malfunctions in the body clock - which influences much of the body's chemistry - have been linked to many diseases.

And lead researcher Professor Hitoshi Okamura said the latest study was in line with data which suggested shift workers, long-distance flight crews and people with sleep disorders have a heightened risk of heart problems.

High blood pressure - known as hypertension - can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and many other medical problems.

Many genes have been identified as being essential elements making up the circadian clock.

For example, mice lacking a pair of molecules known as cryptochromes have an abnormal circadian rhythm.

The latest study, by Kyoto University, found these mice were vulnerable to high blood pressure because of abnormally high levels of a hormone called aldosterone that prompts water retention in the kidneys.


Strong correlation

The researchers showed that the circadian clock directly controls a gene that plays a key role in production of the hormone.

The researchers say a similar gene is found in humans.

They stress more work is needed to determine whether a misfiring circadian clock can lead to high blood pressure in humans.

But Professor Okamura said the research raised the prospect of new ways to treat hypertension.

Professor Bryan Williams, an expert in hypertension at the University of Leicester, described the study as "fascinating".

He said: "We know that there is a strong correlation between time of day and cardiovascular events, which often coincide with the early morning surge in blood pressure.

"So this does provide some insights into the mechanism that might underpin blood pressure deregulation in some people."

Professor Williams said some people with high blood pressure were known to have high levels of aldosterone.

But he added: "What we don't know is how common this mutation might be in human hypertension."

Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Hypertension is common, but the genes controlling blood pressure are not well understood.

"Their identification will help design better treatments for high blood pressure."

But he also stressed more research was needed before it became clear whether the study had identified a potential target for new treatments.


P.S. protect your HEART by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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6 Best Habits for a Healthy Heart

The cardiologist who created the South Beach Diet shares his top advice for living healthy.

I'm 62 and, thankfully, have never been hospitalized, nor can I remember calling in sick. I still work 12-hour days, walk the golf course, hit the heavy bag, and, not too long ago, even played ice hockey. Other than some minor colds, flus, and heartburn, I have been very healthy, and I take no regular medications. How I've managed this isn't a secret. My philosophy is in my books. But for this special issue of Prevention, I want to summarize it for you--what I eat, how I exercise and beat stress, even my own advice that I struggle with. Here's my personal Rx--feel free to make it your own:

Eat three squares and a snack: I start most days with a three-egg omelet (one yolk and whites) and some green tea with a scoop of Benefiber (a natural fiber supplement). For lunch, I usually order baked salmon and grilled veggies from a nearby restaurant. I never eat fast food. And for dinner, my wife, Sari, typically makes fish or chicken with veggies. We eat little starch at home. If I get hungry during the day or when I'm traveling, I'll have a mozzarella stick, fruit, wasabi-coated soy nuts, other nuts, or a high-fiber bar.

Indulge in moderation: I love dark chocolate. I keep a stash in the office and usually eat a piece after lunch. I try to limit myself to that single daily indulgence, although I also have a weakness for rugelach, a rich pastry my wife buys when our boys come home from college. If I'm lucky, they consume most of it before I have the opportunity to yield to temptation.

Exercise early and regularly: On weekdays, I'm up and in my home gym by 6:15 am. Three days a week, I use a machine called the Power Plate, which vibrates as I do various exercises. It helps warm up my old bones, while building balance and core strength. Then I'll do Pilates. This workout normally lasts an hour. The other two weekdays I'll do 20 to 30 minutes of interval training on an elliptical machine. This type of high/ low intensity is great for the heart. On weekends, I golf, play tennis, or occasionally do a boxing workout.

Go easy on the supplements: I believe a good diet will provide most of the essential nutrients I need. So, besides Benefiber, the only supplements I take are fish oil, turmeric, and Cold-Eeze when I travel. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil protect the heart, while some doctors I respect believe the curcumin in turmeric helps prevent Alzheimer's disease. Cold-Eeze contains zinc, which may prevent colds or lessen their symptoms.

Prioritize sleep: I get at least 7 hours per night. I also believe in naps. If I have an evening social engagement, I'll nap for 30 minutes before going out.

Cultivate closeness: I've been married for 28 years, and my wife and I have not only a wide circle of friends but also two much-loved sons who come home often. We all try to spend a few weeks vacationing together in the summer. Studies show that a strong social and family network is not only helpful for your general health but also for preventing heart disease.

Good news for your heart
Read Agatston's blog for the latest advice and ask him questions at prevention.com/dragatston.


By Arthur Agatston , Arthur Agatston, MD, is a preventive cardiologist and Prevention's "From the Heart Doc." He is also a member of Prevention's medical advisory board.



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Tall Tales of the Heart

Every day, patients ask my opinion about various treatments and remedies they've found on the Internet. Just as there are stories about mammoth alligators lurking in Manhattan's sewers, urban legends regarding heart disease and what causes it abound. Here are the verdicts on a few I've heard lately:

You can stop a heart attack by coughing. True.

Coughing alternately increases and decreases chest pressure, which can raise a slow heart rate, boost cardiac output, and sometimes even stop an arrhythmia. It's called "cough CPR." If you have coronary disease and feel palpitations and are lightheaded, take deep breaths and cough repeatedly. This may support your circulation a bit longer until help arrives.

Learn how to lower your heart attack risk from the experiences of other patients.

Roller coasters are dangerous for your heart. True.

That's why there are all those warning signs at Walt Disney World. If you have a heart condition, any thrill ride can trigger a rush of adrenaline that could cause an irregular heartbeat and even a coronary. People with heart disease should stick to It's a Small World.

The higher your cholesterol, the greater your chance of heart disease. Sort of true.

Total cholesterol tells us which populations have higher risks of heart attack. For example, Americans' average cholesterol levels are much higher than those of the Chinese, and we have a much higher rate of heart attack. However, if you look at the population of this country alone, total cholesterol is a very poor predictor of heart disease risk. Studies show that total cholesterol levels among people who've had heart attacks are almost the same as those of people who haven't. You have to look at the types of cholesterol (HDL, LDL) and their size. These are the most helpful measurements.

You're at risk of a heart attack if there's a crease in your earlobe. Perhaps.

This phenomenon is something I look for and have observed in patients. Some studies show that if you have a pronounced crease running diagonally across one or more lobes, your body's level of elastin is low. Elastin is a protein that affects blood vessel function. It's particularly abundant in your largest artery, the aorta.

The balder the man, the greater his heart attack risk. Probably false.

Balding is triggered in a roundabout way by high levels of testosterone. High testosterone levels are good for a man's sex drive and for lean muscles and good bone mass, but low testosterone levels are associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, both risk factors for heart disease. Although some earlier studies have suggested an association between baldness and heart disease, more recent ones refute the notion.

Follow Dr. Agatston's 6 tips for a healthy heart.

You're probably a bit surprised that so many of these supposed urban legends have an element of truth to them. But keep in mind that even though there may be some science there, it's soft science. Cardiologists routinely do so many tests to assess heart disease risk that oddball theories like these, even if partially true, become relatively minor. Now, about those alligators ...

Arthur Agatston, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is the author of The South Beach Diet Supercharged: Faster Weight Loss and Better Health for Life. He maintains a cardiology practice and research foundation in Miami Beach, Fla.

Good news for your heart

Read Agatston's blog for the latest advice and ask him questions at prevention.com/dragatston.

6 Ways to Avoid Dying of a Surprise Heart Attack

The facts are scary: Despite the progress made against heart disease in the past several decades, almost half the people who die suddenly from a heart attack or other cardiac problem have no prior symptoms. Even knowing someone's risk factors for heart disease, it's often tough to pinpoint who will actually go on to get the disease. And once blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked and a heart attack happens, it's not exactly clear why some people experience sudden cardiac arrest, which killed Meet the Press host Tim Russert last week, and others don't.

Those uncertainties, however, don't mean that you are powerless to protect yourself from dying of a heart attack. Here are steps to take to improve your odds:

1. Follow the standard prevention guidelines. The American Heart Association has three basic tips for preventing heart disease, stroke, and heart attack: Don't smoke, be more active, and make good nutritional choices. This is good general health advice, regardless of your heart disease risk.

2. Exercise. Yes, we mentioned it above, but it's worth repeating. "Exercise raises good cholesterol and lowers bad cholesterol," says Rob Michler, director and chairman of heart surgery at the Montefiore-Einstein Heart Center in New York. Worrying that exercise is going to give you a heart attack is not a valid excuse for skipping it; while it's true that exercise raises your odds of a heart attack in the moment, the long-term benefits vastly outstrip this short-term risk. (Still, check with your doctor first if you're obese, have health problems, or haven't exercised in years.)

3. Know your risk. Find out your Framingham risk score, which gives the odds of heart attack or heart disease-related death in the next 10 years. It requires you have certain basic information, like your cholesterol numbers and blood pressure. This score isn't perfect, especially for young people and for women, who can find alternative ways to gauge risk, but it's a good place to start. Talk to your doctor about your risk score, and do something about what is controllable, like your weight or tobacco habits. "Recognize when you have a risk and modify that risk as much as you can," says Steve Owens, a cardiologist at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan.. If your odds of heart disease are high enough, talk with your doc about the pros and cons of medications like statins or aspirin.

4. Get a family history. "Your genetic profile is the one risk factor we can't modify," says Michler. But if you have a family history of early-onset heart disease, tell your doctor even if you're in perfect health yourself. If your father had a heart attack at 40 (even if he survived it), that's crucial information about your possible genetic risk.

5. Know the symptoms of heart problems. It's not just crushing chest pain. U.S. News wrote recently about how to know if you're having a heart attack and what to do about it and also looked at how women may not be alert to the signs of heart disease.

6. Learn CPR. Clearly, you can't perform it on yourself, but you can help someone around you who is experiencing cardiac arrest. "If people can make it until EMS arrives, then their chances of survival are wonderful," says Judith Hochman, clinical chief of cardiology at New York University, who says she's seen three recent cases of patients saved by CPR. The American Heart Association says it improves survival two to threefold and recently urged laypeople to learn how to do it. And it needn't be complicated: Chest compressions alone can help heart attack victims. Meantime, if you're in a public space like a gym or casino when someone has an attack, look for an automated external defibrillator, Hochman advises.


P.S. boost your heart health by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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Erectile Dysfunction Often a Sign of Heart Disease, Diabetes

Erectile dysfunction, once thought to have primarily psychological causes, is now recognized to often stem from physiological problems such as poor blood flow to the penis. Increasingly, research indicates that ED can be an early warning sign of coronary artery disease, which also results from obstructed blood flow and, if untreated, can lead to heart attacks and stroke. Recent studies—including two published online today—also link sagging erections to diabetes, which has negative effects on cardiovascular health. More than half of American men age 40 to 70 suffer from erectile dysfunction, so that's a lot of men who may be at risk of vascular disease—and may not realize it.

"Symptoms of erectile dysfunction seem to occur three to four years before symptoms of coronary artery disease," says Robert Kloner, a cardiologist at Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles, Calif. Researchers first started tracking a link between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular problems in the mid-'90s, and in the last few years they have recognized that erectile dysfunction precedes and is therefore predictive of future cardiovascular problems.

"Patients should not [ignore] the presence of erectile dysfunction. And physicians should always investigate the presence of ED in high-risk patients," notes Carmine Gazzaruso, that study's author and a professor at the University of Pavia in Italy. In 2005, leading physicians published a consensus statement that every man who reports having erectile dysfunction without an obvious cause should be screened for vascular disease.

In diabetics, it turns out, ED may be even more of a red flag than it is in other men. Two new studies published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggest that men with both diabetes and erectile dysfunction face a greater cardiovascular risk than men with erectile dysfunction alone. "It's a real wake-up call for men with both erectile dysfunction and diabetes," says Allen Seftel, a urologist at Case Western University. In light of the new findings, he says, diabetics who develop ED should be especially prompt about seeking medical attention and getting tested for cardiovascular disease.

One of the studies, led by Gazzaruso, tracked diabetic men with silent (symptomless) coronary artery disease for several years. It found that those who initially had erectile dysfunction were more likely to experience a major cardiac event such as a heart attack than those who didn't. In the ED-affected group, 61.2 percent had a major heart problem during the four-year study. By comparison, 36.4 percent of men who didn't have erectile dysfunction had major heart problems.

The other study, conducted by researchers in Hong Kong, followed 2,306 men with diabetes without cardiovascular problems for an average of four years, finding that men who had erectile dysfunction had about a 60 percent higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, heart failure, and chest pain. "Even mild symptoms of erectile dysfunction can mean your glucose, blood pressure, and lipid levels are very abnormal," says Peter Tong, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the author of the study.

Making some simple changes, experts say, might save a man's life—not just his sex life. Men with erectile dysfunction—especially those who also have diabetes—need to be especially vigilant about finding ways to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and abstain from smoking. A 2004 study found that men who started exercising in midlife had a 70 percent reduced risk of erectile dysfunction relative to men who remained sedentary. In that study, about a third of obese men with erectile dysfunction had regained their sexual function after two years. "Getting off the couch will not only reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but it can also prevent erectile dysfunction," says Elizabeth Selvin, a Johns Hopkins researcher. Last year, Selvin found men who were physically inactive were much more likely to have ED than men who were active.

The most important thing for men, however, is simply to get to the doctor if they have erectile dysfunction. "A lot of men still don't feel comfortable talking to their doctor about it," says Kloner. Yet avoiding the doctor might mean passing up access to powerful medications that can help counteract flagging erections and clogging arteries. For example, a class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors—which includes Viagra (which just celebrated its 10th birthday), Levitra, and Cialis—can help men achieve erections by increasing blood flow to the penis, while statins, if used appropriately, can lower LDL cholesterol levels. The Italian study found that the cholesterol-lowering medications could cut the risk of hear problems by a third, and it hinted that PDE5 inhibitors might have a protective effect as well.


P.S. boost your overall health by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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Former WWE wrestler Edward 'Umaga' Fatu dies of heart attack

The wrestling community is reeling today after news that ex-WWE superstar Edward “Umaga” Fatu has died.

Formerly known to World Wrestling Entertainment fans as Umaga, Fatu died Friday after suffering a heart attack, CNN reports. The 36-year-old's wife reportedly found him unconscious with blood coming out of his nose. He was rushed to a hospital in Houston, TX, but was pronounced dead at around 6:00 pm EST.

In 2007, The News reported that Fatu was one of many superstars who bought prescription drugs from an online pharmacy, which violated the WWE "Talent Wellness" program. The wrestler had purchased a growth hormone called somatropin in the months following a WWE rule was instituted stating its fighters could not buy drugs from online sources.

Fatu was the cousin of Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, and a member of the Anoa'I wrestling family. He was nicknamed the Samoan Bulldozer for his powerful technique and won the WWE Intercontinental title two times. But despite his stellar performances, Umaga was ultimately fired by the WWE after violating the Wellness Program again by not entering rehab.

On its official website, the WWE expressed "its deepest condolences to Mr. Fatu's family, friends and fans on his tragic passing."

Fatu had just taken part in Hulk Hogan's Hulkmania tour in Australia when he passed away.


P.S. protect your HEART by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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Signs of Heart Attack That Many Patients Don't Know

Nearly half of heart patients don't fully grasp the symptoms of an attack. Make sure you know them.

Monday's news that many people with heart disease may be lacking in their knowledge about the signs of a heart attack led U.S. News to believe the general public might benefit from a refresher, too. In fact, two colleagues recently wrote that both sexes could stand to be a bit more heart aware: Deborah Kotz blogged about how women having heart attacks are often slow to get help, and Adam Voiland noted that a not-so-subtle clue, erectile dysfunction, might be a sign of heart disease or diabetes. Vincent Bufalino, cardiologist and spokesman for the American Heart Association, offers up the must-know information that could save your ticker—and your life—should a heart attack strike.

Signs and symptoms that could indicate a heart attack include:

* Exertion-related discomfort—say, going up the stairs or carrying a heavy box—such as pressure, burning, squeezing, or tightness in the chest

* Radiating pain or pressure into either arm, the neck, or the jaw

* Breathlessness along with profound fatigue or exhaustion. (Women, in particular, tend to experience these more subtle signs.)

If you develop any of these symptoms, it means you should call 9-1-1 right away, says Bufalino. "We don't want people driving in [to the hospital] and having a sudden cardiac event in the car where nothing can be done." That goes for having a worried spouse ferry you to the hospital, too. Significant damage can be avoided the sooner you get medical help.

And don't try to tough it out, either, says Bufalino. "You don't need that elephant standing on your chest to come in." If you're downing antacids because you think you're having heartburn but the burning isn't subsiding, make that call for medical help. It can't hurt to pop an aspirin while you're waiting, he adds. "The paramedics will give you aspirin first thing."



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Stifled Anger at Work Doubles Men's Risk for Heart Attack

Men who bottle up their anger over unfair treatment at work could be hurting their hearts, a new Swedish study indicates.

Men who consistently failed to express their resentment over conflicts with a fellow worker or supervisor were more than twice as likely to have a heart attack or die of heart disease as those who vented their anger, claims a report in the Nov. 24 online edition of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

In fact, ignoring an ongoing work-related conflict was associated with a tripled risk of heart attack or coronary death, the study of almost 2,800 Swedish working men found.

"It is not good just to walk away after having such a conflict or to swallow one's feelings," said study co-author Constanze Leineweber, a psychologist at Stockholm University's Stress Research Institute.

The study did not specify good ways of coping with work-related stress -- "We just looked at the bad side of coping," Leineweber explained.

The study doesn't advocate being belligerent at work, Leineweber cautioned. "Shouting out, and so on, is not proper coping," she said.

But venting one's anger outside of the workplace didn't seem to take a cardiovascular toll, at least. "Getting into a bad temper at home" was not associated with an increased risk of heart attack or cardiac death, the study authors found.

The findings echo those from a study published last year in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. That study, also from Sweden and involving more than 3,100 men, found that having an overbearing or incompetent boss boosted workers' odds for angina, heart attack and death.

Leineweber stressed that what is true for men might not be true for female workers. While the study included more than 2,000 women, too few of them had heart attacks or died of heart disease to allow conclusions to be drawn.

"Earlier studies have indicated that women use different coping strategies than men," Leinewaber said. "So for women, strategies such as going away and not saying anything might not be good."

Women in general appear to handle stressful situations better than men, noted Dr. Bruce S. Rabin, director of the Healthy Lifestyle Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

"Social interaction, having people to talk to, is extremely important," Rabin said. "If you keep things to yourself, you have high levels of stress hormones. Women are more comfortable in social interactions than men. They talk more, while men tend to keep within themselves."

A study, conducted by the Swedish researchers in 2005, found that women did not have the same levels of cardiovascular risk factors as men, Rabin noted.

There is no one key to handling on-the-job stress, because the level of stress depends on an individual's environment, at work and in the home, he said.

"Work environment is important," Rabin said. "You need interaction between people so that everybody feels they can express their opinions about their work. You shouldn't come to work with a feeling that no one cares."

"And when you go home, it is very important to share your feelings with whomever you are sharing with," Rabin added. "Also, you should understand that children learn from the behavior of parents. You can have a meaningful effect on the long-term health of children by being good role models. The message is that the environment you culture can affect not only your health but also the health of those who are important to you."



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Ginkgo Won't Prevent Heart Attack, Stroke in Elderly

Among people aged 75 and older, the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba does not prevent heart attacks, stroke or death, a new study finds.

There is some evidence that the popular herbal remedy might help prevent the leg-circulation problem known as peripheral artery disease, however.

Ginkgo contains nutrients called flavonoids, which are also found in fruits, vegetables, dark chocolate and red wine, and are believed to offer some protection against cardiovascular events, the researchers say. The supplement, which is popular in the United States and Europe, has been touted to improve memory, and to prevent dementia, heart disease and stroke.

However, "ginkgo had no benefit in preventing heart attack or stroke," said study lead researcher Dr. Lewis H. Kuller, distinguished university professor of public health and professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh.

"But, surprising to us, was that the results were consistent with the observations in Europe that ginkgo appeared to have some benefit in preventing peripheral vascular disease," he said.

This could be due to flavonoids acting as both antioxidants and also causing blood vessels to expand, Kuller said.

The report was released online Nov. 24 in advance of publication in an upcoming print issue of the journal Circulation. Last year the same University of Pittsburgh team reported that ginkgo biloba had no effect on preventing dementia.

For their latest study, Kuller's group randomly assigned 3,069 patients to 120 milligrams of highly purified ginkgo biloba or placebo, twice a day as part of the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study.

Over the six years of the trial, 385 participants died, 164 had heart attacks, 151 had strokes, 73 had mini-strokes ("transient ischemic attacks") and 207 had chest pain, the researchers found.

There was no significant difference between those taking ginkgo or placebo for any of these outcomes, Kuller said.

However, among the 35 people who were treated for peripheral artery disease, 23 received placebo and 12 were taking ginkgo -- a statistically significance difference, the researchers noted.

About 8 million Americans have peripheral artery disease, which typically affects the arteries in the pelvis and legs. Symptoms include cramping and pain or tiredness in the hip muscles and legs when walking or climbing stairs, although not everyone who has PAD is symptomatic. The pain usually subsides during rest.

"This study demonstrated that there were absolutely no benefits of ginkgo biloba in reducing cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke or in reducing death due to cardiovascular disease," said Dr. Gregg A. Fonarow, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

"Individuals interested in maintaining cardiovascular health should stick to interventions that have been proven to be beneficial, including not smoking, engaging in regular exercise, and maintaining healthy weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels rather than taking herbal supplements," Fonarow said.

Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, an independent non-profit educational organization, pointed to the study's more positive outcome.

"I believe it is important to emphasize that the results of this current exploratory trial do not in any manner reduce or negate the existing positive results of ginkgo biloba as an effective treatment in peripheral artery disease patients, which has been evaluated, confirmed, and approved by government regulatory drug authorities in leading Western European countries like Germany and France," he said.

In addition, Blumenthal said, the trial showed that ginkgo biloba was safe and well-tolerated.

P.S. protect your heart naturally by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.

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Cholesterol Plays Role in Heart Failure Risk

Abnormal cholesterol levels can significantly increase the risk of heart failure, a new study has found.

U.S. researchers analyzed data on 6,860 participants in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study. None of the participants, average age 44, had coronary heart disease at the start of the study. After about 26 years of follow-up, 680 people had developed heart failure.


The incidence of heart failure was:

* 12.8 percent in participants with low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol. Low HDL is less than 40 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in men and less than 50 mg/dL in women.

* 6.1 percent among participants with desirable HDL levels (at least 55 mg/dL in men and 65 mg/dL in women).

* 13.8 percent in participants with high levels (at least 190 mg/dL) of non-HDL cholesterol, which includes triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol.

* 7.9 percent in those with desirable levels (less than 160 mg/dL) of non-HDL cholesterol.

When the researchers factored in age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, diabetes and smoking, the risk of heart failure was 29 percent higher in participants with high non-HDL cholesterol than in those with lower levels, and 40 percent lower in those with high HDL-cholesterol than in those with lower levels.

Further analysis showed that the risk of heart attack was 13 percent higher in participants with high non-HDL cholesterol and 25 percent lower in those with high HDL cholesterol.

"This study goes a step further in implicating cholesterol levels (both HDL and non-HDL) in heart failure and suggests that cholesterol-altering therapy may have long-term benefits in preventing heart failure above and beyond its effects on preventing [heart attack]," study senior author Dr. Daniel Levy, director of the Framingham Heart Study, said in a news release from the American Heart Association.


P.S. maintain good cholesterol by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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Birth Control Pills May Cause a Heart Attack or Stroke

Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella are popular birth control pills that have been linked to alarming side-effects such as heart attacks and strokes. Reportedly, Drospirenone, the key ingredient in Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella is responsible for raising the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is important to note that according to some reports, no other birth control pill contains Drospirenone.

Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella can cause strokes and heart attacks by creating abnormal blood clots. Ordinarily, blood clots serve the important function of stopping bleeding from cuts. Within the body, the blood clotting process repairs damage to the skin, blood vessels and other body tissues. It has been reported however, that the use of Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella can result in unnecessary blood clotting within a blood vessel, vein or artery. If the blood clot causes a blockage near the heart, the clot can prevent blood flow from reaching the heart, resulting in a heart attack. If the blood clot creates a blockage in the brain, the blockage can cause a stroke. It has been suggested that the combination of chemicals and hormones in Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella can increase the risk of blood clots by more than 600%.

A leading personal injury law firm, Weitz & Luxenberg is offering free, online case reviews to those who have suffered side-effects from using Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella. For a free case review, send an e-mail to kumarsingh011@gmail.com. In your e-mail, please state the following:

# Your name
# Your date of birth
# The start date and end date of your use of Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella
# A description of the side-effects that you experienced


About Weitz & Luxenberg lawyers


Weitz & Luxenberg is a leading personal injury law firm. The firm has won more than $1 billion in a wide range of personal injury cases. The cases that the firm handles include defective products such as Yaz birth control pills and asbestos cancer cases such as mesothelioma. Weitz & Luxenberg has successfully represented shipyard workers, boilermakers and others who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma from job-related asbestos exposure.

Weitz & Luxenberg has been recognized as the "Best Lawyers of New York" by New York Magazine.

Remember: The law limits your time to file a lawsuit. Don't lose your rights by waiting too long to explore your legal options.



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Abnormal Cholesterol Raises Heart Failure Risk

Abnormal levels of cholesterol have long been associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke, and now you can add heart failure to the list. Results of a new study show, among other findings, that the risk of heart failure is 29 percent higher in individuals who have high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and triglyceride levels than those who have lower levels.

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump a sufficient amount of blood to meet the body’s needs. An estimated 5.7 million Americans have heart failure and experience its symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles and lower legs, heart palpitations, and cognitive difficulties. The most significant risk factor for heart failure is high blood pressure, while others include coronary artery disease (characterized by narrowed arteries), heart attack, diabetes, and irregular heartbeat.

This latest study, which was led by Dr. Daniel Levy of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, evaluated data from 6,860 individuals who had participated in the Framingham Heart Study and who were free of heart disease when they entered the study. All of the subjects were followed for an average of 26 years.

Dr. Levy and his team found that 680 of the participants had developed heart failure. When the researchers analyzed the data for these patients, they found that 12.8 percent of them had low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol), and only 6.1 percent had desirable levels (defined as 55 mg/dL or greater in men and 65 mg/dL or greater in women). Levels of LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides were high in 13.8 percent of the patients and desirable (less than 160 mg/dL) in only 7.9 percent.

After the investigators made adjustments for age, sex, body weight, smoking, blood pressure, diabetes, and other factors, they found that patients who had high levels of LDL had a 29 percent greater risk of experiencing heart failure, while patients who had high levels of HDL had a 40 percent reduced risk of heart failure. When heart attacks were factored in, the scientists found that high cholesterol levels were still associated with a statistically significant risk of heart failure.

The results of this study suggest that improving cholesterol levels through use of cholesterol-lowering drugs (mostly statins), instituting dietary changes, getting regular exercise, stopping smoking, and limiting intake of alcohol can not only help prevent heart attack and stroke but heart failure as well.


P.S. protect your heart naturally by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.




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One heart attack is enough

Too many heart attack victims don’t exercise as instructed, stop smoking, or lose weight to prevent a second heart attack. Many patients fail to follow Doctor's orders.

Ask survivors to describe the impact of their heart attacks, and a common theme is that it was a “wake-up call.”

Unfortunately, many people seem to hit the snooze alarm once the danger has passed. Some ignore advice that can protect the heart; others gradually let it fall by the wayside.

In a study of nearly 2,500 heart attack survivors across the country, researchers looked at the so-called discharge instructions given to these men and women when they left the hospital. These instructions should cover everything from who to call in case of an emergency to what long-term steps to take to prevent another heart attack.

One month after their attacks, more than 90 percent of the participants said they were taking all of the medications on the discharge list. In contrast, less than 50 percent were exercising as instructed, had stopped smoking, or were losing weight. Just one-third had enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program, one of the best things you can do to prevent a second heart attack.

Does following discharge instructions make a difference? Participants who followed fewer than half of their discharge instructions were 68 percent more likely to have chest pain with activity or stress (angina) a year after their heart attacks than people who followed all or most of the instructions (American Heart Journal, March 2009). Angina is a sign of active coronary artery disease.

Preventing the next one

On a personal level, a heart attack is an all-too-real sign that you aren’t going to live forever. Healthwise, it is an outward sign that you’re living with atherosclerosis. This disease stiffens and narrows arteries throughout the body. In addition to setting off a heart attack, it can cause a stroke, damage the kidneys and lead to problems in the legs.

Stiff, cholesterol-clogged arteries make your heart work harder. So does the scar tissue that forms in the part of the heart damaged by a heart attack. Keeping atherosclerosis at bay and strengthening the heart muscle will help you feel better, ward off a future heart attack or stroke and lessen the chances that the damage will evolve into heart failure.

There’s no magic wand you, or your doctor, can wave to make atherosclerosis go away. But you can stop it from getting worse, and maybe even reverse it, by exercising more, shifting to a healthier diet, losing weight if needed, quitting smoking, reducing stress and taking medications as needed.

Power of prevention

Simple steps started before middle age could demote heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases from the leading cause of death in America to a distant runner- up. Two long-term studies suggest that most cases of high blood pressure and heart failure could be avoided if people made better choices.

In a 14-year study of female nurses, six factors emerged as important ways to keep blood pressure in check: a healthy diet, daily exercise, a healthy body weight, moderate alcohol intake (no more than one drink a day), sparing use of over-the-counter painkillers and taking folic acid every day. The researchers estimated that if all women adopted these six practices, almost 80 percent of cases of high blood pressure would be avoided.

A 22-year study of male physicians found an equally large reduction in heart failure, a common consequence of high blood pressure or heart attack, with maintaining a healthy body weight, not smoking, regular exercise, moderate alcohol intake (one to two drinks a day), having cereal for breakfast and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Getting help

For some people, a heart attack is a true wake-up call. Take Jim Lehrer, the host of PBS’ “NewsHour.” In a cover story in the American Heart Association’s Heart Insight magazine, Lehrer credits his 1983 heart attack with changing the way he lived. He stopped smoking, started exercising and eating better, and he took time to relax.

Many people head the other direction. Let’s face it, a heart attack can be a frightening life changer. It affects your work, your play, your relationships with family and friends. A twinge of chest pain can rev up worries that you’re having another heart attack. And it can be extremely difficult trying to make major changes in diet, exercise, weight, smoking and other choices that are meant to protect you against another heart attack. It’s no wonder that some heart attack survivors slide into the fog of depression.

One reason why cardiac rehabilitation is such a good undertaking is that it helps you cope with all the aspects of life after a heart attack. It offers support, education, encouragement, connections with others who are going through the same thing you are, and help with exercise and diet. Think of it as one-stop shopping for healing the heart.

P.S. protect your heart naturally by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.

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Rates of heart attacks increasing for middle-age women

Middle-aged men still have higher rates of heart attacks and heart disease than middle-aged women, but those gender differences appear to be narrowing, according to a study published Monday.

The findings follow earlier research, published in a 2007 issue of the journal Neurology, establishing that stroke prevalence among women ages 45 to 54 was double that of men of the same age. Together, the findings suggest "an ominous trend in cardiovascular health among midlife women," said the lead author of both studies, Dr. Amytis Towfighi, an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Southern California.

Women have been thought to be largely protected from heart attacks and stroke prior to menopause due to hormonal influences. But the rising rate of obesity, which is higher in middle-aged women than middle-aged men, could undermine that natural benefit.

"People didn't think that women in that age group were at high risk for heart disease and stroke," she said. "But I suspect that with growing rates of obesity, women aren't as protected as much as they have been in the past."

The new study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, examined national survey data from 1988 through 1994 and from 1999 through 2004. More than 4,000 men and women, ages 35 to 54, participated. Researchers looked at heart attack rates as well as scores from a measure used to predict the risk of a having a heart attack in 10 years. This risk-assessment tool includes factors such as age, cholesterol levels, blood pressure and smoking history.

In both time periods, men had more heart attacks than women. But the rates of men improved from 2.5% in the earlier period to 2.2% in the second time frame; women's rates increased from 0.7% to 1%.

Men's cardiovascular risk factors improved or remained stable over the two study periods, whereas the only risk factor that improved in women was high-density lipoprotein levels. This suggests that precursors to heart disease, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are not assessed or treated as aggressively in women, said Towfighi, also chairwoman of the neurology department at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.

"There have been several studies that have found women have their risk factors checked less frequently than men," she said. "When they are checked, women are less likely to receive medication than men. And when they receive medication, their symptoms are not as controlled as much as men."

However, a second paper published in the same journal reveals that some strides are being made in treating women's cardiovascular health. That study found survival rates following a heart attack improved in both men and women between 1994 and 2006, with the biggest improvements seen in women.

Researchers led by Dr. Viola Vaccarino of Emory School of Medicine, looked at in-hospital death rates following heart attacks in 916,380 patients. Women younger than 55 had a 52.9% reduction in the risk of death over the time period, whereas men of the same age had a 33.3% reduction.

The two studies looked at somewhat different risk factors and different time periods, which could account for the more positive findings of the study on death rates, Towfighi said. "The second study is encouraging. But although mortality is improving in recent years, women are having more heart attacks," she said.



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Smoking blamed for 1 in 5 heart attacks

OUT of every five cases of a heart attack in Metro Manila, one can be attributed to exposure to secondhand smoke, the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday, citing the results of a survey conducted by antismoking advocates.

World Lung Foundation (WLF) and the Paris-based International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) calculated that between 10 and 20 percent of heart attacks in Metro Manila could be linked to secondhand smoke depending on the number of hours of exposure per week.

The groups based their findings on a survey conducted by WLF and DOH earlier this year as well as published global medical risk estimates for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) from exposure to secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke, also known as passive smoking, is defined as the smoke from the burning tip of a cigarette and the smoke inhaled by a nonsmoker from a smoker.

According to the WLF, secondhand smoke is more toxic.

Children who are exposed to tobacco smoke are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, ear problems and severe asthma.

Studies also showed that exposure to secondhand smoke for more than 21 hours per week can increase one’s risk of a heart attack by as much as 62 percent.

The WLF-DOH survey showed that 52 percent of people in Metro Manila were exposed to secondhand smoke every day in workplaces, restaurants and other public places.

While most nonsmokers reported that they get upset when they are exposed to secondhand smoke, only eight percent said they asked the smoker to put out their cigarette.

The DOH and its partner agencies—the Bloomberg Philanthropies The Union and WLF—presented the new data yesterday as the department received a grant to press its campaign for the implementation of a smoke-free policy in all public places.

“The new evidence linking secondhand smoke to heart attacks makes it even more clear that tobacco use is harming people who do not smoke,” said Health Undersecretary Alex Padilla in a press conference.

“We also know that we can stop this trend by eliminating exposure among innocent mothers, fathers, children, neighbors and colleagues,” he added.

“Tobacco is taking a devastating toll on the Philippines and people are dying every day, even those who don’t use tobacco. The way to reverse this epidemic is through proven policies such as creating 100 percent smoke-free public places and work places,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

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Less Tobacco Smoke Means Fewer Heart Attacks

Tobacco deaths rarely make headlines, but the World Health Organization says tobacco smoke kills one person every six seconds. Studies have shown that tobacco smoke is not just deadly for tobacco users. Those who breathe in smoke from other people's cigarettes also have an increased risk for heart attacks. A new study shows that smoking bans have significant health benefits for everyone.

Virginia is the latest U.S. state to ban smoking in restaurants and bars. As communities across the country ban smoking in public places, fewer people are dying from heart attacks.

A study earlier this year in Pueblo, Colorado by the Centers for Disease Control showed heart attacks dropped by 40 percent after a law was enacted to ban smoking at work or in public spaces. New research now supports this and similar studies.

Dr. Neil Benowitz is one of the researchers on this latest report. "If you expose someone to second hand smoke, within minutes you see blood platelets and blood clotting increasing," he explains. "We see that the function of the blood vessels is impaired."

And that is when heart attacks can occur. Dr. Lynn Goldman is the report's principal author. "We did conclude a cause and effect relationship between heart disease generally and second hand smoke exposure," she says.

"Even a small amount of exposure of second hand smoke can increase blood clotting, can constrict blood vessels and can cause a heart attack," adds Dr. Benowitz.

The researchers examined data from 11 studies in various countries. They found that smoking bans reduced heart attacks by anywhere from six percent to nearly 50 percent.

"One of the things to understand and appreciate about these smoking bans is that they are all slightly different. Some are enforced consistently, others are not enforced consistently," Dr. Goldman explains. "But despite that, they all show a consistent reduction in acute myocardial infractions and heart attacks after the bans."

Critics say the study is skewed because people who already had heart disease were not screened out. But the researchers say that would have been impossible.

"Most people who are diagnosed with heart disease have their diagnosis when they have their first heart attack," Dr. Benowitz says.

The study was released by the Institute of Medicine, an advisory group for the U.S. government.

As for the Pueblo, Colorado study, 400 people suffered heart attacks before the ban went into effect. In the 18 months after the ban, fewer than 240 people had heart attacks.

Neighboring areas without smoking laws had no change in their heart attack rates.


P.S. reduce heart attack chances by eating Vitamin C and Vitamin D rich foods and fruits.



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Fish Oil Supplements Don't Help Depressed Heart Patients

In a surprise and not very welcome finding, researchers report that fish oil supplements do not ease depression in individuals who suffer from both depression and coronary heart disease.

Participants in the study, which is published in the Oct. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, were also taking the antidepressant sertraline (Zoloft). Some studies have suggested that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish might enhance the effects of Zoloft.

"Unfortunately, it's not where we wanted to be. We were kind of disappointed, to say the least," said study author Robert M. Carney, a professor of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

The findings leave physicians still facing the problem of how to boost depression recovery rates so as to also lower cardiovascular risk. The question is a pressing one, given that depression can double or even triple the risk of dying in heart patients, Carney said.

"We're not just treating depression, we're treating a risk factor," he said.

Fish oil, or omega-3 fatty acid, supplements have been touted as a potential panacea for a variety of ailments, notably heart disease, but they have been losing their luster as of late.

A study published earlier this year found that patients receiving optimal drug therapy after experiencing a heart attack do not gain any additional benefit from taking supplemental omega-3 fatty acids. There was no difference in rates of heart attack, stroke, sudden cardiac death or death from any cause, regardless of whether they were taking the supplements or not.

That finding contradicted previous studies, which suggested that taking omega-3 fatty acids improved long-term survival.

Studies involving omega-3 fatty acids and depression have shown similarly uneven results.

For this study, 122 patients with major depression and coronary heart disease took 50 milligrams of Zoloft a day, then were randomized to receive either 2 grams a day of omega-3 acid ethyl esters or a corn-oil placebo capsule.

There was no difference in depression scores before and after 10 weeks of treatment, the researchers found.

The study authors noted that tweaking any of the variables in the study -- amount of Zoloft, dose of fish oil, form of fish oil or duration of treatment -- might yield more positive results.

In general, the effects of antidepressants in people with both depression and heart problems are the same as in a normal "healthy" population, Carney said.

"The problem, from our point of view, is that that's just not good enough," he added. "It's definitely better than placebo, better than doing nothing. We're trying to find a treatment or combination of treatments that's going to significantly improve the depression outcome."

Had this study turned out more positively, the next step would have been to see if improvements in depression translate into improvements in heart outcomes.

As it is, scientists are back to the drawing board.

"We're still exploring other possibilities," Carney said.

That includes an increased dose of omega-3, lengthening the study and identifying a subset of patients for whom this protocol might be more effective than antidepressants alone.

But it's not time to stop taking fish oil capsules yet, one expert said.

"The American Heart Association still does have recommendations based on the data we do have," said Dr. John Erwin III, professor of internal medicine at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, and senior staff cardiologist with Scott & White Hospital in Temple.

"We also use fish oil to reduce triglyceride levels and it's very effective in that use. I wouldn't encourage people who are taking fish oil caplets to stop it now because of this study. It just means we have a little bit more work to do on the depression side of things," he said.

Some of the study authors, including Carney, declared financial ties with different pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer Inc., which makes Zoloft. The study was funded by the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. GlaxoSmithKline Inc. provided both omega-3 and placebo capsules, while Pfizer supplied the Zoloft.



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