Cholesterol News and Research

RSS

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver, and found in the blood and in all cells of the body. Cholesterol is important for good health and is needed for making cell walls, tissues, hormones, vitamin D, and bile acid.

Social disparities in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Since the introduction of statins to treat high cholesterol, the decline in lipid levels experienced by the wealthy has been double that experienced by the poor. While statins are highly effective in reducing cholesterol and improving heart health, their use may have contributed to expanding social disparities in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, according to research by Virginia W. Chang, MD, PhD, of the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Pennsylvania, and Diane S. Lauderdale, PhD, of the University of Chicago, published in the September issue of Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

25 Sep 2009

Matrix metalloproteinase-8 enzyme increases the risk of heart diseases

Scientists at Queen Mary, University of London have made an important discovery in understanding what causes arteries to clog up. They have discovered that an enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase-8 plays a crucial role in raising blood pressure and causing abnormal build-up of cells in the arteries - both of which increase the risk of heart disease.

25 Sep 2009

Karo Bio announces clinical phase II results of thyroid hormone analog eprotirome

The Swedish biotech company Karo Bio today announced that results from a clinical phase II study of the company’s thyroid hormone analog eprotirome, and its additive effects on dyslipidemia in ezetimibe-treated patients, are subject to a scientific presentation.

24 Sep 2009

Mayo Clinic Health Manager users have access to blood pressure trackers

As part of Mayo Clinic and Microsoft Corp.'s shared vision to help families take better care of their health, the two companies have made enhancements to Mayo Clinic Health Manager, a free online application designed to help people organize and better manage their health. People with conditions such as hypertension and high cholesterol will now have access to a variety of trackers and up-to-date information to help keep their conditions under control.

24 Sep 2009

PNNL Department of Energy researcher earns prestigious NIH Director's New Innovator Award

An analytical chemist at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been recognized with a National Institutes of Health Director's New Innovator Award. The award will support Wei-Jun Qian's drive to make new research and clinical diagnostic tools that are dramatically more sensitive, reliable and faster than current technologies.

24 Sep 2009

Research study links high-fructose diet to increased blood pressure in men

A high-fructose diet raises blood pressure in men, while a drug used to treat gout seems to protect against the blood pressure increase, according to research reported at the American Heart Association's 63rd High Blood Pressure Research Conference.

24 Sep 2009

DMAA Awards for Beaumont Hospitals and Independence Blue Cross

Health Dialog, a leading provider of healthcare decision programs, today announced that two of its customers received DMAA Awards for excellence in improving overall population-based healthcare.

23 Sep 2009

Pregnancy can cause metabolic syndrome

Childbearing is associated directly with future development of the metabolic syndrome - abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, insulin resistance and other cardiovascular disease risk factors - and for women who have had gestational diabetes, the risk is more than twice greater, according to a study co-authored by University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) researchers published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

23 Sep 2009

Celera and Medco collaborate in KIF6 gene variant testing

Celera Corporation (NASDAQ:CRA) and Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MHS), today announced that they have entered into a research collaboration to evaluate whether testing for a gene variant called KIF6 increases patient adherence with statin therapy. Current studies have suggested that only about 50 to 60 percent of the patients who receive a prescription for a lipid-lowering drug are taking the medication after six months.

23 Sep 2009

Next Generation Waters wins "Best New Functional Drink" award

In a category that seems to be expanding by the second, Next Generation Waters is pleased to announce that it has won "Best New Functional Drink" at the 2009 Beverage Innovation Awards, the academy awards of the Beverage Industry. NGW beat out 38 other competitors from 12 different countries including PepsiCo's Lipton Linea, Gatorade's No Artificials, and SoBe's Pure Rush to name a few.

22 Sep 2009

Report on evidence-based disease prevention programs released by TFAH and NYAM

Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) released a new report today featuring a range of evidence-based disease prevention programs that have shown results for improving health and reducing costs in communities.

22 Sep 2009

Health of American workers trending downwards

In the midst of the most vigorous national health care debate in 15 years, and at a time of heightened economic insecurity, new data on employers show that the health of employed American workers is trending downward in a number of important areas. The State of Health in the American Workforce, a report released today by the Families and Work Institute (FWI), finds that only 28% of employees today report that their overall health is "excellent," down from 34% just six years ago.

22 Sep 2009

Many Australians at risk of having a heart attack are not receiving the best possible care: Study

The research suggests that GPs are still managing individual risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol in isolation of one another, and are not adopting recommendations to treat a patient's overall or absolute risk. Absolute risk management is based on the principle that the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease act together. By taking this approach treatment can be targeted to those most likely to benefit.

21 Sep 2009

Simple eye movement exam can differentiate between a stroke and less serious conditions

...

21 Sep 2009

Treatment costs for diabetes care are higher in Texas than other states

The Texas Business Group on Health (TBGH), a non-profit business association, today released its annual report on the prevalence, cost and quality of care for Texans with Type 2 diabetes.

18 Sep 2009

Study compares annual healthcare costs of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals

Risk factors for metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and elevated blood lipid levels, can increase a person's healthcare costs nearly 1.6-fold, or about $2,000 per year. For each additional risk factor those costs rise an average of 24%, according to an illuminating article in a recent issue of Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

18 Sep 2009

PCEC to provide free prostate cancer screenings

This September, the Prostate Conditions Education Council reminds men to set aside 10 minutes to take lifesaving measures. In just 10 minutes, the same amount of time it takes to shave their faces, men can be screened for prostate cancer, the second leading cause of death among American men. For one week this month the Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC) will be coordinating Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (PCAW), which provides free or low-cost screenings to thousands of men across the United States.

16 Sep 2009

Study shows 29 percent patients experienced angina chest pain once a week

The world's largest quality of life study of chronic angina patients has revealed that almost one in three experience frequent chest pain, which affects their daily life.

16 Sep 2009

"High Five" factors in overweight men impacts their energy and health: Building Healthier America

For overweight men ages 45 and older, the "High Five" factors of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar/glucose, poor diet and low testosterone may be impacting their energy and health, sabotaging efforts to lose weight, according to Building Healthier America, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the negative trends of overweight and obesity in the U.S.

15 Sep 2009

Concept of wellness can yield greater savings

According to a new survey released today, 90 percent of plan sponsors believe that minimal attention to personal health and increased incidence of chronic illness such as diabetes and heart disease are at the root of rising health care costs.

14 Sep 2009