Stroke News and Research

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A stroke is a medical emergency. Strokes happen when blood flow to your brain stops. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. There are two kinds of stroke. The more common kind, called ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. The other kind, called hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. "Mini-strokes" or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), occur when the blood supply to the brain is briefly interrupted.

New evidence to support a range of healthy behaviors

Five new studies provide evidence to support simple steps we can take to prevent illness and improve our overall health. In the June issue of The American Journal of Medicine, researchers report on fish consumption to reduce the risk of colon cancer; the effectiveness ofhypnotherapy and acupuncture for smoking cessation; regular teeth cleaning to improve cardiovascular health; the effectiveness of primary care physicians in weight loss programs; and the use of low-dose aspirin to reduce cancer risk.

5 Jun 2012

Scientists propose new theory of the brain activity behind arm movements

Unlike their visual cousins, the neurons that control movement are not a predictable bunch. Scientists working to decode how such neurons convey information to muscles have been stymied when trying to establish a one-to-one relationship between a neuron's behavior and external factors such as muscle activity or movement velocity.

4 Jun 2012

Patients with normal lipoprotein(a) levels may retain risk of atherosclerosis due to elevated LDL-P number

LipoScience, Inc., an in vitro diagnostic company advancing patient care by developing high value proprietary clinical diagnostic tests using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, today announced results from a clinical study demonstrating that patients with normal levels of lipoprotein(a) may retain significant risk of atherosclerosis due to an elevated low density lipoprotein particle (LDL-P) number.

2 Jun 2012

Reumofan Plus may have harmful pharmaceutical ingredients, warns FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that Reumofan Plus, marketed as a "natural" dietary supplement for pain relief and other serious conditions, contains several active pharmaceutical ingredients not listed on the label that could be harmful.

2 Jun 2012

Non-invasive stimulation of cerebellum helps individuals learn new walking patterns

In a step towards improving rehabilitation for patients with walking impairments, researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute found that non-invasive stimulation of the cerebellum, an area of the brain known to be essential in adaptive learning, helped healthy individuals learn a new walking pattern more rapidly.

2 Jun 2012

HealthSouth to build comprehensive physical rehabilitation hospital in greater Orlando

HealthSouth Corporation today announced it has received permission from the state to proceed with building a comprehensive physical rehabilitation hospital in the greater Orlando, Fla., market. The 50-bed hospital will provide comprehensive physical rehabilitation to patients who have experienced stroke, trauma, brain and orthopedic injuries or other major illness or injuries.

2 Jun 2012

Strong causal link between alcohol consumption and serious palpitations in patients with AF

The term "holiday heart syndrome" was coined in a 1978 study to describe patients with atrial fibrillation who experienced a common and potentially dangerous form of heart palpitation after excessive drinking, which can be common during the winter holiday season. The symptoms usually went away when the revelers stopped drinking. Now, research from UCSF builds on that finding, establishing a stronger causal link between alcohol consumption and serious palpitations in patients with atrial fibrillation, the most common form of arrhythmia.

2 Jun 2012

Psoriasis linked to sexual dysfunction in men

Men with psoriasis are at an increased risk for sexual dysfunction, research suggests.

1 Jun 2012

Highly active middle-aged people can avoid arterial stiffening

Indiana University researchers found that the highly active middle-aged subjects in their study appear to avoid the arterial stiffening -- when arteries become less compliant as blood pumps through the body -- that typically comes with aging.

1 Jun 2012

Moderately higher risk of stroke for women than men with irregular heart rhythm

Women with irregular heart rhythm (known as atrial fibrillation) have a moderately increased risk of stroke compared with men, suggesting that female sex should be considered when making decisions about anti-clotting treatment, finds a study published on bmj.com today.

1 Jun 2012

Heart problems in high risk people could be prevented by dark chocolate

Daily consumption of dark chocolate can reduce cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, in people with metabolic syndrome (a cluster of factors that increases the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes), finds a study published on bmj.com today.

1 Jun 2012

JSUMC completes first procedure with TAVR

Jersey Shore University Medical Center proudly announces the completion of its first procedure with the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), the latest minimally-invasive, life-saving innovation for non-operative patients with critical aortic stenosis.

1 Jun 2012

4,600 lives could be saved a year by cutting daily alcohol intake to half a unit (5g)

Cutting daily alcohol intake to just over half a unit (5 g), could save 4,600 lives a year in England, say experts in the online journal BMJ Open.

31 May 2012

Researchers look into value of adapted yoga for stroke rehabilitation

Researchers looking into the value of adapted yoga for stroke rehabilitation report that after an eight-week program, study participants demonstrated improved balance and flexibility, a stronger and faster gait, and increased strength and endurance.

31 May 2012

Kona Medical raises $30 million in Series C financing

Kona Medical, Inc. today announced it has raised $30 million in Series C financing to advance its novel hypertension therapy.

31 May 2012

BHD launches Statin Induced Myopathy Genotype test

Boston Heart Diagnostics (BHD) announced today the commercial launch of the Statin Induced Myopathy (SLCO1B1) Genotype test licensed from the University of Oxford's technology commercialization company Isis Innovation.

31 May 2012

Acorda Therapeutics launches Ampyra Dialogues on World MS Day

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., makers of Ampyra (dalfampridine), today announced the launch of Ampyra Dialogues, the first-ever online talk show where patients and medical experts talk about how walking problems affect people living with MS.

31 May 2012

Posttraumatic stress hits stroke secondary prevention

Patients who develop posttraumatic stress disorder after stroke or transient ischemic attack are at high risk for being nonadherent to secondary prevention medications, say researchers.

30 May 2012

Studies outline dilemmas on new generic heart drugs, hormone replacement therapy

One heart drug's move to generic status has complicated treatment options for some patients and doctors, the Wall Street Journal reports. Also, another study raises concerns about hormone replacement therapy in women.

30 May 2012

State roundup: The effects of proposed Calif. budget cuts; Fewer free vaccinations in Texas

Low-income children in rural California communities are in jeopardy of losing their doctors and health care plans under Gov. Jerry Brown's budget proposal, state lawmakers, doctors and health advocates say. The governor is proposing to transfer nearly 900,000 children enrolled in Healthy Families, the state's Children's Health Insurance Program, to Medi-Cal – a program aimed at serving the state's poorest families, seniors and disabled residents.

30 May 2012