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IDEA clinical study seeks to promote weight loss among young adults

Obesity It's a national epidemic and on the rise in young adults. Using technology to combat this problem, the University of Pittsburgh Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center will offer the IDEA (Innovative Approaches to Diet, Exercise, and Activity) study, one of seven clinical trials to be funded by the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

1 Dec 2010

Blue Cross launches new payment model with Allina, Essentia, Fairview, and HealthEast

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota today announced it has launched a new "shared incentive" payment model with four of Minnesota's largest care systems — designed to make health care more affordable and to improve the health status and quality of care delivered to its members.

1 Dec 2010

Loyola's mortality rate from heart-bypass surgery 74% lower than at peer hospitals

Loyola University Hospital's mortality rate from heart-bypass surgery is 74 percent lower than the mortality rate at peer hospitals, according to Thomson Reuters Cardiovascular Benchmarks Report.

1 Dec 2010

Arsenic contamination of drinking water in Bangladesh leads to slow-developing diseases

The well-reported arsenic contamination of drinking water in Bangladesh called the "largest mass poisoning of a population in history" by the World Health Organization and known to be responsible for a host of slow-developing diseases has now been shown to have an immediate and toxic effect on the struggling nation's economy.

1 Dec 2010

Research could lead to new drug treatment for metabolic diseases

A team of Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) scientists report finding a molecular "switch" that can "turn off" some cellular processes that are protective against aging and metabolic diseases. While more research is needed, the findings may open doors for new drug treatments to halt or slow development of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes or heart disease. The research findings appear in the December 1, 2010 issue of Cell Metabolism.

1 Dec 2010

Vitamin D supplementation may reduce risk of diabetes, heart disease: Research

Researchers from the UC Davis Health System have found that compared with healthy controls, blood levels of vitamin D are significantly reduced in patients in the Sacramento area with metabolic syndrome, a constellation of disease risk factors that affects about one in three U.S. adults and predisposes them to diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

1 Dec 2010

Angptl4 protein deficiency could promote inflammatory response in people who consume high saturated fat

A new report in the December Cell Metabolism identifies a protein without which diets high in saturated fat lead to a massive inflammatory response that can prove fatal. The studies in mice suggest that deficiencies in this protective pathway could promote inflammation in those who regularly consume high levels of saturated fat.

1 Dec 2010

Common sleep complaints predict development of metabolic syndrome: Study

A study in the Dec. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP found that loud snoring and two common insomnia symptoms difficulty falling asleep and unrefreshing sleep each significantly predicted the development of the metabolic syndrome. The study emphasizes the importance of screening for common sleep complaints in routine clinical practice.

1 Dec 2010

Research reveals tricyclic anti-depressants increase risk of CVD

Research that followed nearly 15,000 people in Scotland has shown that a class of older generation anti-depressant is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study showed that tricyclic anti-depressants were associated with a 35% increased risk of CVD, but that there was no increased risk with the newer anti-depressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

1 Dec 2010

Migraine headache with aura increases risk of stroke among women: Research

Women with a history of migraine headache with aura (transient neurological symptoms, mostly visual impairments) are at increased risk of stroke. However, according to new research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association stroke events in women with migraine with aura are more likely to have mild or no disability compared to those without migraine.

1 Dec 2010

Washington State Hospital Association makes public surgical infection rates

Today, the Washington State Hospital Association is releasing hospital-specific surgical infection rate data. This is the first time this information has been made public.

1 Dec 2010

Cordis to distribute OSTIAL PRO Stent Positioning System worldwide

Cordis Corporation has entered into a distribution agreement with Ostial Solutions for the worldwide distribution of the OSTIAL PRO Stent Positioning System™. The OSTIAL PRO™ is the world's first and only aorto-ostial stent positioning system for coronary and peripheral applications. The OSTIAL PRO™ is intended to optimize the treatment of patients who require a stent implantation for treatment for aorto-ostial blockages.

30 Nov 2010

FDA approves Inspire to begin STAR clinical trial to evaluate UAS therapy for OSA

Inspire Medical Systems, a leading developer of neuro-stimulation therapies for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), announced today that the company has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin its STAR pivotal clinical trial. The STAR trial (Stimulation Therapy for Apnea Reduction), is a multi-center study that will evaluate both the safety and effectiveness of Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

30 Nov 2010

Are vitamin D and calcium supplements needed?

The IOM raised the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D from the amount cited in their last report, released 13 years ago. It said that although 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D or more each day is sufficient to maintain bone health in majority. But those aged 71 and older may need as much as 800 IUs daily, the IOM experts say. However 1997 recommendations advised 400 IUs per day for people aged 51 to 70 and 600 IUs per day for those over 70.

30 Nov 2010

Canadians at increased risk for flu complications not aware of all the facts

It starts with a headache, chills or that all-over-achy feeling. It comes on quickly, yet too many Canadians ignore the rapid onset of flu symptoms. But for the millions of Canadians at increased risk for developing serious complications from the flu, including people 65 and older, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart disease and diabetes, this 'laissez faire' attitude could be putting their health in jeopardy.

30 Nov 2010

Methodist to develop national training center for treatment of cardiovascular disease

The Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center recently received a generous gift to develop a national training center for surgical and interventional treatments for cardiovascular disease, the number one killer of Americans. The benefactor wishes to remain anonymous.

30 Nov 2010

New novel explores conflicts between need for scientific truth and drive for commercial success

Research scientist Jennifer Rohn's newly released novel, The Honest Look, set in a start-up biotechnology company, explores conflicts between the need for scientific truth and the drive for commercial success.

30 Nov 2010

Majority of Americans and Canadians are getting enough vitamin D and calcium, says report

The majority of Americans and Canadians are getting enough vitamin D and calcium to meet their needs, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. Most people up to age 70 need no more than 600 international units, or IUs, of vitamin D per day, and those 71 and older may need as much as 800 IUs, the report finds. The amount of calcium needed ranges, based on age, from 700 to 1,300 milligrams per day.

30 Nov 2010

New ultrasound-based treatment for varicose veins

Rowena Cheng, RN, has spent most of her 34-year career on her feet. Standing for long periods of time comes with the job of being a nurse. For Cheng, however, it exacted a physical toll: knotted, swollen blood vessels in the calf of her left leg.

30 Nov 2010

Amount of vegetables consumed in childhood correlated to arterial stiffness in adulthood

Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables as a child is associated with healthier arteries as an adult. The amount of vegetables consumed in childhood correlated to the amount of arterial stiffness in adulthood. Children who consistently eat lots of fruits and vegetables lower their risk of having stiff arteries in young adulthood, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

30 Nov 2010

Heart News and Research

IDEA clinical study seeks to promote weight loss among young adults

Blue Cross launches new payment model with Allina, Essentia, Fairview, and HealthEast

Loyola's mortality rate from heart-bypass surgery 74% lower than at peer hospitals

Arsenic contamination of drinking water in Bangladesh leads to slow-developing diseases

Research could lead to new drug treatment for metabolic diseases

Vitamin D supplementation may reduce risk of diabetes, heart disease: Research

Angptl4 protein deficiency could promote inflammatory response in people who consume high saturated fat

Common sleep complaints predict development of metabolic syndrome: Study

Research reveals tricyclic anti-depressants increase risk of CVD

Migraine headache with aura increases risk of stroke among women: Research

Washington State Hospital Association makes public surgical infection rates

Cordis to distribute OSTIAL PRO Stent Positioning System worldwide

FDA approves Inspire to begin STAR clinical trial to evaluate UAS therapy for OSA

Are vitamin D and calcium supplements needed?

Canadians at increased risk for flu complications not aware of all the facts

Methodist to develop national training center for treatment of cardiovascular disease

New novel explores conflicts between need for scientific truth and drive for commercial success

Majority of Americans and Canadians are getting enough vitamin D and calcium, says report

New ultrasound-based treatment for varicose veins

Amount of vegetables consumed in childhood correlated to arterial stiffness in adulthood

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