Archive for the 'Cardiovascular Disease' Category
December 4th, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Depression increases the risk of death in patients with heart failure, but the risk apparently disappears with antidepressant use, according to a recent study from Duke University Medical Center.
Depression is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It is a true medical condition like diabetes or hypertension, and it is often an overwhelming disease.
More people suffer from depression than you might think. Twenty-five percent of all women and up to 12% of all men in the U.S. will experience an episode of major depression some time in their lives. A person who is depressed to the point that it interferes with daily activities should seek medical care.
Read about the symptoms of depression from Bay Area Medical Information
Source: Archives of Internal Medicine, November 10, 2008.
December 1st, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Undeclared drugs have been detected in two dietary supplements which has prompted a recall by the the FDA. Two potentially dangerous ingredients have been found in the products that are not listed on the label.
Distributed in the U.S. and sold via the Internet, Zhen De Shou capsules were found by the FDA to contain sibutramine, a potentially dangerous appetite suppressant. Sibutramine has been shown to increase blood pressure and pulse rate in some people, and may be a significant risk for those with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke. The Zhen De Shou capsule is sold in a box with an inner foil pouch that contains a blister pack of light and dark green capsules. The recall affects all lots.
Starcaps Diet System supplements is the second drug to be recalled. The FDA has detected an undeclared ingredient, bumetanide, which is a prescription-only diuretic. The drug has been distributed nationwide through U.S. retail outlets and online sales. Currently, the recall applies only to lot 12/2011 — 84810, but the company is in the process of testing other lots. Potential adverse effects of bumetanide include fluid and electrolyte loss, hypotension, fainting and an elevation in uric acid concentrations. Serious drug-drug interactions can occur, particularly with digoxin and lithium, which could lead to an increased risk of toxicity.
In general, diet drugs should be avoided altogether. Aside from their potential side effects, they entice people into a weight-loss program that can’t be sustained. The weight loss achieved with appetite suppressants can’t be maintained without a true change in life style. Weight loss quickly turns into weight gain once the appetite suppressants are stopped.
via FDA, Recall of Zhen De Shou Fat Loss Capsules, November 2008
via FDA, Recall of Starcaps Diet System supplements, November 2008
October 24th, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
New medical guidelines released, with regard to treating people with type 2 diabetes, which excludes the use of the drug Avandia. A related drug, Actos, remains on the list of recommended treatments.
Amid concerns over a possible link with an increased risk of heart attack, the FDA has issued black box warnings for Avandia regarding the potential for myocardial infarction. Both rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos) carry black box warnings for congestive heart failure.
Sales of Avandia this past year have plummeted yet the drug remains on the market. The FDA has asked for extensive long-term trials to determine Avandia’s cardiovascular safety.
Further troubling news about both Avandia and its’ cousin, Actos, includes a link with an increased risk of osteoporosis. While there has been a growing body of evidence that both Actos and Avandia promote bone loss, a concerning study by Swiss researchers, published in April 2008, found that both drugs may actually double or even triple the risk of broken bones after a year or two of use. The researchers did not find any increased risk for bone loss related to any of the other diabetes drugs.
via MedPage Today, October 22, 2008
via Nathan D, et al “Medical management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a consensus algorithm for the initiation and adjustment of therapy” Diabetologia 2008; DOI: 10.1007/s00125-008-1157-y
September 29th, 2008 by Chris Thompson
Energy drinks can contain as much caffeine as two six-packs of Coke, according to a recent study out of Johns Hopkins. Unlike soda, such as Coke or Pepsi, energy drinks are sold as dietary supplements and aren’t required to limit the amount of caffeine the way traditional sodas are. Although soda manufacturers aren’t required to disclose on the label the amount of caffeine in their products, they are restricted by the FDA to 71mg of caffeine per 12 ounces. Some energy drinks have been found to have as much as 500 mg of caffeine, and are not required to reveal this on the label.
This is legal in the United States because energy drinks fall into the category of dietary supplements. Interestingly, an over-the-counter stimulant medication, which falls into a different category, containing 100 mg of caffeine per tablet must include warnings on the label.
The public is not only unaware of the amount of caffeine in these products but also the consequences of caffeine intoxication, according to the researchers. The symptoms of caffeine toxicity include nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, GI upset, tremors, tachycardia, and psychomotor agitation. At least 42 cases have been reported to US poison control centers as a result of energy drinks between 2002 and 2004, but more recently energy drinks are growing in popularity and the incidence of caffeine toxicity is on the rise. Further, these drinks are heavily marketed towards young males, many of whom do not have the tolerance to caffeine that many adults have.
Another danger of high-caffeine energy drinks is that combining caffeine and alcohol can be a problem. One study, for example, found that Red Bull mixed with vodka reduced the participants’ perception of motor coordination compared with vodka alone.
via MedPageToday, Sept 25, 2008
September 22nd, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
A report based on several studies has hinted at a possible correlation between a Mediterranean diet and a reduction in mortality related to cardiovascular disease, cancer and even some neurological disorders. There are always limitations with these types of findings as they are based on a compilation of studies. However, time and again, the Mediterranean diet seems to be associated with good health. Specifically, they found a 9% reduction in overall mortality and a 13% reduction in incidences Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
One important caveat to this study and the Mediterranean diet in general is the risk associated with alcohol consumption. There are significant hazards associated with alcohol and certain people should abstain from drinking altogether.
via MedPageToday
September 2nd, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
In a group of chronic heart failure patients, one daily prescription fish oil capsule (1 g/day over a period of four years) in addition to standard medical therapy, significantly reduced the number of hospital admissions and deaths according to Italian researchers from the GVM Hospitals of Care and Research.
Although the absolute reduction in mortality was quite small (just 1.8%), it was statistically significant, and even more importantly, this study adds to the growing body of literature surrounding the health benefits of fish oil.
Read more important facts and precautions about taking fish oil supplements.
via MedPage Today, August 31, 2008
via “Effect of rosuvastatin in patients with chronic heart failure (the GISSI-HF trial): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial” Lancet 2008; Published online Aug 31.
August 19th, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Less than nine hours of good quality sleep puts teenagers at risk for high blood pressure, as well as a number of other physical and psychosocial health problems.
In a recent study from Case Western Reserve University, high blood pressure was significantly linked with inadequate sleep. In this research, teens who slept fewer than 6 1/2 hours a night had more than twice the risk of high blood pressure and those with troubled sleep had more than triple the risk.
Often referred to as “the Silent Killer”, high blood pressure can insidiously damage any organ in your body for years before symptoms develop.
Read more from Bay Area Medical Information (www.bami.us):
via Javaheri S, et al., “Sleep quality and elevated blood pressure in adolescents” Circulation 2008; DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.766410
via MedPage Today, August 2008
August 12th, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Low vitamin D levels may raise the risk of death from any cause, say researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In a recent study, Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased all-cause mortality risk by 26% compared with optimal levels. Low levels were considered below 17.8, whereas optimal levels were defined as above 32.1 ng/mL.
Many recent studies have found that adequate levels of Vitamin D appear to be critical in preventing chronic disease, yet the deficiency is widespread in the U.S. and worldwide.
Ask your doctor about checking a blood test for Vitamin D levels.
Read more about Vitamin D from Bay Area Medical Information (www.bami.us)
via Archives of Internal Medicine, August 11, 2008
August 8th, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Heart disease and lower cognitive test scores were significantly associated in a recent European study of about 10,300 adults ages 35 to 55. This was most pronounced in areas of reasoning and vocabulary. Researchers also said the longer a person had heart disease, especially among men, the greater the cognitive impairment.
via European Heart Journal, July 23rd online, 2008.
August 3rd, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
In a review of published clinical trials, researchers again found a significant correlation between increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids with a lower prevalence of depression. Fish and fish oil, as well as flax seed oil, are rich sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
Omega-3 fatty acids are also thought to reduce cardiovascular disease risk by lowering triglyceride levels, decreasing the growth rate of atherosclerotic plaques, decreasing risk of sudden death and arrhythmias, decreasing thrombosis (blood clots), improving arterial health, and by lowering blood pressure.
via Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, July 2007
via “Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Health” from the Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institute of Health
Read about Fish Oil Supplements from Bay Area Medical Information (www.bami.us)
