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A Visual Guide to Heart Disease

Air Pollutants Mediate Effects on Heart Health Through Inflammation and Thrombosis

Arteries Under Pressure Early On: Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet Show Signs of Artery Damage After Only Six Weeks “High fat diets cause damage to blood vessels earlier than previously thought, and these structural and mechanical changes may be the first step in the development of high blood pressure. … The authors conclude: "These results suggest that, at an early stage of obesity, the structural properties of small and large arteries are altered whereas arterial stiffness is only observed in small vessels. This implies that small vessels are targeted earlier compared to large arteries, and this could therefore play a role in the development of hypertension associated with a long-term caloric-enriched diet.”

Association of Particulate Air Pollution With Daily Mortality: The China Air Pollution and Health Effects Study. (Am J Epidemiol. 2012)

Association of Sweetened Beverage Intake with Incident Hypertension. (J Gen Intern Med. 2012)

Autism: Early Screening by Pediatricians

Banned Antibiotics Found in Poultry Products

Body mass index and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and all-cause mortality. (Can J Public Health. 2012) “The results demonstrate significant relationships between BMI and mortality from all causes, CVD and cancer. The increased risk of all-cause, CVD and cancer mortality associated with an elevated BMI was significant at levels above 30 kg/m2; however, overweight individuals (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) also had an approximately 60% higher risk of CVD mortality.”

Childhood obesity increases blood pressure in adolescence, study shows

Common Environmental Contaminant Linked To Rapid Breast Cancer Growth “"Many of us are exposed to very low levels of cadmium from the environment on a daily basis, and our research shows that even small concentrations of this metal at prolonged exposures can cause breast cancer cell growth. Cadmium is produced mainly as a byproduct from mining, smelting and refining sulfidic ores of zinc, lead and copper. Rocks mined to produce phosphate fertilizers also contain varying amounts of cadmium. Cadmium also is found in rechargeable batteries and cigarette smoke. Cadmium enters the body through consumption of contaminated food, water or inhalation of cigarette smoke.”

Dental X-rays Linked to Brain Tumors

Diabetes Groups Issue New Guidelines on Blood Sugar

Dietary Sodium and Risk of Stroke in the Northern Manhattan Study. (Stroke. 2012)

Dietary sodium intake deleteriously affects blood pressure in a normotensive population (European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2012)) “In a normotensive population, BP shows a linear relationship with DSI. Our results emphasize the potent deleterious impact of DSI on BP.”

Eating low-fat dairy foods may reduce your risk of stroke

Even Young Teens Show Signs of Sun Damage

Exercise protects against high-fat diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation. (Physiol Behav. 2012)

Exposure to particulate air pollution and cognitive decline in older women. (Arch Intern Med. 2012) “Long-term exposure to PM(2.5-10) and PM(2.5) at levels typically experienced by many individuals in the United States is associated with significantly worse cognitive decline in older women.”

First Evaluation of the Clean Water Act's Effects On Coastal Waters in California Reveals Major Successes

Fish tied to lower colon cancer risk: study

Food Ingredients Most Prone to Fraudulent Economically Motivated Adulteration

Genetic Study Questions HDL Levels and the Risk of MI

Head Blows May Hamper Learning in College Athletes

Here Are the Women Who Need Mammograms in Their 40s: Study “A new analysis that may help women in their 40s interpret mammogram guidelines says those with a family history of breast cancer or extremely dense breast tissue should start getting regular screenings.”

High Blood Pressure, Glucose a Global Problem

High salt intake linked to higher stroke risk “Right now, the AHA suggests that people limit their sodium intake to no more than 1,500 milligrams a day. That's a bit more strict than some other recommendations; the World Health Organization, for example, advises a limit of 2,000 milligrams. But people in the current study -- mainly black and Hispanic New Yorkers -- typically consumed well above those recommendations. They averaged 3,031 milligrams of sodium per day.”

Impact of Diastolic and Systolic Blood Pressure on Mortality: Implications for the Definition of “Normal” (Journal of General Internal Medicine 2012) “The mortality rate for individuals over age 50 began to increase in a stepwise fashion with increasing DBP levels of over 90. However, adjusting for SBP made the relationship disappear. For individuals over 50, the mortality rate began to significantly increase at a SBP=140 independent of DBP. In individuals=50 years of age, the situation was reversed; DBP was the more important predictor of mortality. Using these data to redefine a normal blood pressure as one that does not confer an increased mortality risk would reduce the number of American adults currently labeled as abnormal by about 100 million. … Our examination of the independent effects of diastolic and systolic blood pressure on mortality confirms a central tenet of the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7): systolic blood pressure elevations are more important than diastolic blood pressure elevations in persons over age 50. In fact, in our data, diastolic blood pressures are largely irrelevant in this age group. The situation was reversed in persons age 50 and younger: in whom diastolic blood pressure was the more important predictor of mortality. Our analysis was also directed at a broader question that we hope JNC 8 will consider in its ongoing deliberations: What is the impact of various definitions of normal blood pressure? The current definition of normal is less than 120/80. Our analysis offers one possible alternative definition: a blood pressure that does not confer an increased mortality risk in a cohort of over 10,000 individuals followed for nearly 20 years. From our data this would mean that abnormal for individuals over age 50 would be a SBP of =140 (independent of DBP), and for individuals less than 50, a DBP?=100 or a SBP?=200. While it should not be viewed as the final word on this topic, we hope it serves as an example of an alternative approach. If nothing else, our findings highlight that the choice about the approach used to define normal blood pressure will impact literally millions of Americans.”

Infection Causes 1 in 6 Cancers Worldwide: Study

Low oxygen in cells promotes cancer growth

Morning Hypertension - Morning High Blood Pressure

Predicting the 30-Year Risk of Cardiovascular Disease. The Framingham Heart Study (Circulation 2012)

Sodium Consumption Among Hypertensive Adults Advised to Reduce Their Intake: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004 (The Journal of Clinical Hypertension 2012) “The mean (±standard error) sodium intake among hypertensive adults was 3341±37 mg and differed by sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, and body mass index (P<.05), with the lowest intake among adults aged 65 years and older (2780±48 mg). Mean intake did not differ significantly by action status either overall or by subgroup except for one age category: among patients 65 years and older, mean intake was significantly lower among those who took action (2715±63 mg) than among those who did not (3401±206 mg; P=.0124). Regardless of action, mean intake was well above 1999–2004 recommendations for daily sodium intake and about twice as high as the current recommendation for hypertensive adults (1500 mg).”

Study Finds Direct Link Between Obesity, Heart Disease

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Healthy Living

A Fish a Day Keeps the Doctor Away?

A Little More Education, a Little Longer Life?

Be Food Safe: Protect Yourself from Food Poisoning

Berries, Tea May Cut Men's Odds for Parkinson's: Study

Choosing a Healthy Breakfast Cereal

Computer Use Plus Exercise Cuts Risk of Cognitive Impairment “"We observed that engaging in computer use and moderate physical exercise is associated with decreased odds of having MCI and we have controlled for age, sex, education, and caloric intake. Therefore these findings cannot be explained by these factors," Yonas Geda, MD, from the Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, commented in a Mayo Clinic podcast.”

Daily Physical Activity May Reduce Alzheimer’s Disease Risk at Any Age“The study also showed that those individuals in the bottom 10 percent of intensity of physical activity were almost three times (2.8 times) as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease as people in the top percent of the intensity of physical activity.”

Eating Berries Might Help Preserve Your Memory

Eating More Foods Rich in Omega-3s May Lower Alzheimer's Risk: Study

Effect of Modest Salt Reduction on Blood Pressure, Urinary Albumin, and Pulse Wave Velocity in White, Black, and Asian Mild Hypertensives (Hypertension 2012) “These results demonstrate that a modest reduction in salt intake, approximately the amount of the current public health recommendations, causes significant falls in blood pressure in all 3 ethnic groups. Furthermore, it reduces urinary albumin and improves large artery compliance. Although both could be attributable to the falls in blood pressure, they may carry additional benefits on reducing cardiovascular disease above that obtained from the blood pressure falls alone.”

Effects of low-sodium diet vs. high-sodium diet on blood pressure, renin, aldosterone, catecholamines, cholesterol, and triglyceride (cochrane review) (American Journal of Hypertension 2011) “Sodium reduction resulted in a significant decrease in BP of 1% (normotensives), 3.5% (hypertensives), and a significant increase in plasma renin, plasma aldosterone, plasma adrenaline, and plasma noradrenaline, a 2.5% increase in cholesterol, and a 7% increase in triglyceride.”

Effects of Swimming Training on Blood Pressure and Vascular Function in Adults >50 Years of Age (The American Journal of Cardiology 2012) “Forty-three otherwise healthy adults >50 years old (60 ± 2) with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and not on any medication were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of swimming exercise or attention time controls. Before the intervention period there were no significant differences in any of the variables between groups. Body mass, adiposity, and plasma concentrations of glucose and cholesterol did not change in either group throughout the intervention period. Casual systolic BP decreased significantly from 131 ± 3 to 122 ± 4 mm Hg in the swimming training group. Significant decreases in systolic BP were also observed in ambulatory (daytime) and central (carotid) BP measurements. Swimming exercise produced a 21% increase in carotid artery compliance (p <0.05). Flow-mediated dilation and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity improved after the swim training program (p <0.05). There were no significant changes in any measurements in the control group that performed gentle relaxation exercises. In conclusion, swimming exercise elicits hypotensive effects and improvements in vascular function in previously sedentary older adults.”

Effects of vitamin C supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (Am J Clin Nutr 2012) “In short-term trials, vitamin C supplementation reduced SBP and DBP."

Even More Reasons to Eat Less, Exercise More

Exercise May Help Patients With High Blood Pressure Live Longer “The researchers also found that inactivity increased the risk of death during the study approximately the same amount as would an increase in blood pressure of 40 to 50 milligrams of mercury.”

Exclusive Breast-Feeding Best for Baby: Experts

Exercise Lowers Alzheimer's Risk, Even If You Start Late

Exercise May Help Those at Higher Risk for Alzheimer's: Study

Exercise Plus Computer Time May Boost Seniors' Brains

Fish, Flaxseed May Lower Alzheimer's Risk

For a Healthy Aging Brain, 'Use It or Lose It'

Health Tip: Buy Lean Meat “ Choose meats with the word "round" in the name, such as bottom round or top round. Look for meats with the word "loin" in the name, such as sirloin, top loin and tenderloin. Look for meats labeled "95 percent lean." Trim any visible pieces of fat before cooking. Prepare meat using methods that cut down on fat, such as grilling, stewing, braising, stir-frying or steaming.”

Higher Vitamin D Dietary Intake Is Associated With Lower Risk of Alzheimer's Disease: A 7-Year Follow-up. (J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2012)

Joggers Live Longer, Study Says“Jogging at a slow pace for one to two and a half hours weekly provided the most significant benefits.”

Low-Salt Diets: Eating Out

Lowering Your Blood Pressure With DASH

Maintain Your Brain: The Secrets to Aging Success "There is quite solid evidence that staying physically and mentally active is a way towards brain maintenance," Nyberg says."

Make Your Walk a Workout

Mediterranean diet and longevity in sicily: survey in a sicani mountains population. (Rejuvenation Res. 2012)

Regular Jogging Shows Dramatic Increase in Life Expectancy “Undertaking regular jogging increases the life expectancy of men by 6.2 years and women by 5.6 years, reveals the latest data from the Copenhagen City Heart study presented at the EuroPRevent2012 meeting. Reviewing the evidence of whether jogging is healthy or hazardous, Peter Schnohr told delegates that the study's most recent analysis (unpublished) shows that between one and two-and-a-half hours of jogging per week at a "slow or average" pace delivers optimum benefits for longevity. … Further analysis exploring the amounts of exercise undertaken by joggers in the study has revealed a U-shaped curve for the relationship between the time spent exercising and mortality. The investigators found that between one hour and two and a half hours a week, undertaken over two to three sessions, delivered the optimum benefits, especially when performed at a slow or average pace. "The relationship appears much like alcohol intakes. Mortality is lower in people reporting moderate jogging, than in non-joggers or those undertaking extreme levels of exercise," said Schnohr. … Jogging, said Schnohr, delivers multiple health benefits. It improves oxygen uptake, increases insulin sensitivity, improves lipid profiles (raising HDL and lowering triglycerides), lowers blood pressure, reduces platelet aggregation, increases fibrinolytic activity, improves cardiac function, bone density, immune function, reduces inflammation markers, prevents obesity, and improves psychological function.”

Top 10 Hotspots for Human Longevity

Total daily physical activity and the risk of AD and cognitive decline in older adults (Neurology 2012) “A higher level of total daily physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of AD.”

Vigorous-intensity leisure-time physical activity and risk of major chronic disease in men. (Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2012) “Vigorous- and moderate-intensity physical activity were associated with lower risk of major chronic disease and cardiovascular disease. Increasing amounts of vigorous activity remained inversely associated with disease risk, even among men in the highest categories of exercise.”

Vitamin D Blood Level for Reducing Major Medical Risks in Older Adults Identified, Study Suggests “Vitamin D provides many different beneficial effects on health because it is actually not a vitamin, but a prohormone. It can suppress the hormonal systems that cause fluid to be retained and blood pressure to go up, modulate the function of immune cells, and stop abnormal cells from overgrowing.”

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Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Exercise protects against high-fat diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation. (Physiol Behav. 2012)

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Patient Safety

3-Fold Risk of Infection for Elderly After ER Visits

CDC: Life-Threatening Germ a Danger in Medical Facilities

Choosing Wisely

Dental X-rays Linked to Brain Tumors

Doctors question 45 common medical tests

Fake Drug Sales Are Increasing On the Internet and Turning Up in Legitimate Supply Chains, Review Finds

Grapefruit and Medication

INFOGRAPHIC: America Is Over-Medicated

Loud hospital rooms linked to poor patient sleep

NIH - Pillbox – identification of pills

Norovirus Top Cause of Hospital Infection Outbreaks, Says Study

Sore throat: Do antibiotics make it go away faster?

Treatment options

U.S. to Force Drug Firms to Report Money Paid to Doctors

Vital Signs: Preventing Clostridium difficile Infections (MMWR 2012)

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