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News items on 'Heart Diseases'
Large thighs 'may protect heart'
(BBC 04/09/2009)
Men and women with thighs over 60cm (23.6in) in circumference have a lower risk of heart disease and early death, a study of 3,000 people suggests. The relationship remains even when body fat, smoking and blood cholesterol are taken into account, a Danish team says. Those with narrow thighs may not have enough muscle mass to deal with insulin properly, raising the risk of diabetes and, in turn, heart disease, they say. Experts cautioned that the research needed corroborating. Some said it was too early to change current advice on eating and exercise for heart health, but the researchers said thigh size could be used as a marker for at-risk patients.
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Many 'baffled by basic anatomy'
(BBC 12/06/2009)
A team at King's College London found public understanding of basic anatomy has not improved since a similar survey was conducted 40 years ago. Less than 50% of the more than 700 people surveyed could correctly place the heart, BMC Family Practice says. Under one-third could place the lungs in their correct location, but more than 85% got the intestines right. There are concerns that a poor grasp of anatomy could potentially compromise patient care.
Heart girl dies after baby care
(BBC 09/06/2009)
A student who was born with a heart condition died after a stressful night caring for a fake baby as part of her course, her father has said. Danielle Pilot, 16, of Worthing, West Sussex, died on 5 December 2008. Danielle's father David said she complained of extreme tiredness after 12 hours with the doll provided by Northbrook College in Worthing.
Medicine loves a 'magic bullet' - and here's a new one
(Telegraph 03/04/2009)
Polypill won't work alone as a 'magic bullet' - it must be seen as an adjunct to other attempts to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke says Max Pemberton.
The polypill: Medicine's magic bullet
(The Independent 31/03/2009)
A pill which could prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from heart disease, the biggest killer across the Western world, has been shown to be safe and effective in its first trials on humans. The capsule costs pennies, contains a simple cocktail of medicines, and halves the number of strokes and heart attacks. Doctors want to hand it out in the first mass medication for the middle-aged in Britain. So why are the big drug companies so uninterested?
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The polypill: Medicine's magic bullet
(The Independent 31/03/2009)
A pill which could prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from heart disease, the biggest killer across the Western world, has been shown to be safe and effective in its first trials on humans. The capsule costs pennies, contains a simple cocktail of medicines, and halves the number of strokes and heart attacks. Doctors want to hand it out in the first mass medication for the middle-aged in Britain. So why are the big drug companies so uninterested?
A traditional cuppa is as good for you as green tea, say researchers
(Daily Mail 21/02/2009)
Experiments show black tea blocks the absorption of 'bad' cholesterol into the blood just as effectively as green tea, which has been hailed for its health benefits for centuries.
Antidepressants in pregnancy 'increase risk of babies suffering heart problems'
(Telegraph 24/11/2008)
Scientists followed 2,191 expectant mothers, 410 of whom had taken Seroxat in the first 3 months of pregnancy, 314 had taken Prozac and 1,467 who had taken neither drug. 0.6% of women in the control group gave birth to children with heart anomalies, compared to 2.8% of those who took Prozac and 2% of women who took Seroxat - from Br J of Clinical Pharmacology.
World's first cyber heart hailed as revolution for surgeons
(Daily Mail 19/09/2008)
London doctors today unveiled the world's first 'cyber' heart, which they believe will revolutionise cardiac care. It is expected to improve the accuracy of cardiac operations and speed up surgery times. Doctors can 'slice' through the model displayed on a computer screen to show the internal structures of the heart as well as blood flow.
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