Heart Health e-News: March 2012

Please click here if the e-mail below is not displayed correctly.
To ensure that you always receive our newsletter, please add the e-mail address "HealthNews@HealthBanks.com" to your address book.
March 02, 2012

In This Issue
FDA Adds Safety Warnings to Statins
Stents No Better Than Medicine for Stable Heart Disease, Study Says
Many Women Having a Heart Attack Don't Have Chest Pain
Treatment Advances Improve the Odds for Heart Failure Patients
Study Finds Gene Behind Inherited Cases of Enlarged Heart
Mediterranean Diet Might Be Healthier for Brain
Heart Disease May Be Risk Factor for Prostate Cancer
Heart Disease Risk Gene May Pass From Dads to Sons
Today's Feature



Welcome to Dr. Caren and Dr. Urman's
Heart Health e-Newsletter

This complimentary monthly educational service is for our patients and their families but please forward it to anyone who might find it of interest. Click on the header above or here to enter our website and learn more about our practice. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions or wish to make an appointment.  

The "Featured" column on the right has heart-related stories and health tips from the last several weeks which we feel are most important and most likely to be of interest to our patients.  This month we focus on two areas that can improve your heart health without doctors or medical technology: exercise and diet.  Additional general information and recent news about our office can also be found to the right.  The "Health News" section below has the most recent heart-related news.




Enhanced Access Membership Program

  • Personalized concierge services not covered by Medicare or Private Insurance
  • Increasing levels of priority and enhanced access for routine appointments and testing
  • Increased phone and email access to our staff and doctors on routine matters
  • Priority completion of administrative paper-work with fees waived
  • Validated parking and convenient VIP parking for office visits

Three Plans to choose from.  Please contact our office for more information.




CardioHealth®
 

Carotid IMT provides early detection of risk for heart attack and stroke.  It's quick, non-invasive, painless and could save your life!




Health News

FDA Adds Safety Warnings to Statins

But side effects, like increased blood sugar, don't outweigh the cholesterol drugs' benefits, agency says

TUESDAY, Feb. 28 The popular cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins will now come with revised labels warning of a slight increased risk of elevated blood sugar levels, which could lead to type 2 diabetes, as well as a warning on rare cases of confusion and memory loss, U.S... » Read the full article



Stents No Better Than Medicine for Stable Heart Disease, Study Says

Three-quarters of the costly procedures may be unneeded, researcher reports

MONDAY, Feb. 27 Many people with stable heart disease undergo an expensive artery-opening procedure when medication would work just as well, a new study suggests.

The procedure involves placing a tiny mesh stent, or tube, in a clogged artery. As many as three-quarter... » Read the full article



Many Women Having a Heart Attack Don't Have Chest Pain

Misinterpreting symptoms may be a reason why women face higher in-hospital death rates, researchers say

TUESDAY, Feb. 21 Two out of five women having a heart attack do not experience chest pain, according to a new study.

Instead, they may have harder-to-recognize symptoms, such as pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders or back; stomach discomfort; or sudden trouble breathing... » Read the full article



Treatment Advances Improve the Odds for Heart Failure Patients

Experts say new drugs, devices have upped quality of life, life expectancy in past decade

THURSDAY, Feb. 16 Although a growing number of Americans now struggle with heart failure, experts say new treatments have dramatically improved both quality of life and life expectancy for these patients.

"The present environment for heart failure is substantially im... » Read the full article



Study Finds Gene Behind Inherited Cases of Enlarged Heart

Mutation in TTN gene affects ability of heart muscle fibers to work properly, researchers say

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 15 Researchers have discovered a defective gene that's responsible for more than one-quarter of cases of inherited dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious heart muscle disease that often leads to heart failure by middle age.

In the study, published in the ... » Read the full article



Mediterranean Diet Might Be Healthier for Brain

Study found less damage to small blood vessels in people who ate certain foods

MONDAY, Feb. 13 Eating a Mediterranean-style diet appears to reduce damage to small blood vessels in the brain, a new study says.

Researchers tracked the brain health of almost a thousand people who completed a questionnaire that scored how closely they followed a Me... » Read the full article



Heart Disease May Be Risk Factor for Prostate Cancer

Study found men who had the first had 74% higher chance of developing the second

THURSDAY, Feb. 9 Heart disease may be a risk factor for prostate cancer, a new study suggests.

If this link is confirmed in future research, it means that lifestyle changes that reduce heart disease risk -- such as weight loss, exercise and a healthy diet -- may also... » Read the full article



Heart Disease Risk Gene May Pass From Dads to Sons

Male-only Y chromosome can raise risk by 50%, study finds

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 8 An increased risk for coronary artery disease can be passed genetically from father to son on the male Y chromosome, a new study says.

The Y chromosome, a part of DNA present only in men, appears to play a role in the inheritance of coronary artery ... » Read the full article



Featured:
Health Tip: How to Lower Your Risk of Stroke
  A healthy lifestyle -- including diet and exercise -- is key
An Orange a Day May Lower Women's Stroke Risk
  Compound found in citrus fruits seems to have protective benefits.
Desk Jockeys Urged to Take Small Steps to Get Exercise
  Expert offers tips for those whose jobs require sitting all day
Even for the Overweight, Exercise Helps the Heart
  Study finds changes in physical fitness affect disease risk at any weight
Health Tip: Set Exercise Goals
  Here are suggestions for what to do
Health Tip: Before You Start an Exercise Program
  Review with a doctor your medical history
Health Tip: Seniors Need Exercise, Too
  Strength training could offer many benefits
Exercise a Defense Against Dementia: Study
  Odds of dying from brain deterioration were less for physically fit individuals
Exercise in Pregnancy Safe for Baby, Study Finds
  Moderate to vigorous activity is recommended, but check with your doctor first
Any Exercise Benefits Kids' Heart Health: Study
  Better blood pressure, cholesterol, weight accompanies activity, regardless of sedentary time
Dr Urman and Dr Caren Make US News Top Doctors List
  Both have been selected by peer-nominated process to the prestigious Castle and Connolly Top Doctors list
Switching to Water, Diet Drinks Linked to Modest Weight Loss
  People who substituted for high-calorie beverages lost about 5 pounds in study
Health Tip: Offer Healthy Breakfast Choices
  Here are some suggestions
When Prodded, Restaurant Diners Often Opt for Smaller Portions
  Study found power of suggestion worked, even when smaller meal was not discounted
How to Keep From Overeating When Eating Out
  Try ordering a la carte and skipping foods that aren't your favorites.
FDA Advisers Back Weight-Loss Drug Qnexa
  Drug had been previously rejected because of concerns about possible heart problems, birth defects
Everyday Foods Add Up to Major Salt Problems: CDC
  Ten food types, including bread, account for higher risk of heart disease, stroke
Big Drop in Americans' Blood Levels of Trans Fats, CDC Says
  New findings focus on whites but studies on other groups underway
No Cancer Benefit From Vitamin B, Omega-3 Supplements in Heart Patients
  Taking different doses of either did not alter cancer incidence, death rates significantly
Pregnancy Complications May Predict Heart Trouble Later
  Mom-to-be's high blood pressure, diabetes boost risk for cardiovascular disease
Study Links 'Body Clock' to Sudden Cardiac Death
  Discovery might lead to new ways to prevent or treat the fatal heart problem
New Guidelines Seek to Prevent Sudden Death in Young Athletes
  They recommend all teams have emergency action plans, quick access to defibrillators
Family Tree May Aid Treatment of Inherited Heart Disorders
  Archived data may help pinpoint age range when genetic heart rhythm disorder death risk rises
Aspirin as Good as Plavix for Poor Leg Circulation: Study
  Both work equally well in condition that causes pain while walking
Circulatory Disorder Not Studied Enough in Women, Experts Say
  Gender-specific research on peripheral artery disease may help prevent strokes, heart attacks
Poor Lung Function Linked to Heart Failure in Study
  Findings strengthen hypothesis that airway disorders affect heart's ability to pump blood
Heart Failure, Osteoporosis Go 'Hand-in-Hand': Researchers
  Cardiac condition raises the risks of falls and may contribute to bone-density loss
Stem Cell Treatment Might Reverse Heart Attack Damage
  Patients' own cardiac stem cells reduced scarring in preliminary study from the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute
For 59-year-old heart attack patient, TV news leads to role in clinical trial
  Read about one of 17 heart attack patients who received an infusion of their own cardiac stem cells in the Cedars-Sinai clinical trial
Heart Stem Cell Research: Past, Present and Future
 
Irregular Heartbeat May Predict Mental Decline in Some
  Abnormal heart rhythm linked to brain function problems in heart disease patients
What is atrial fibrillation?
  Learn more about the most common arrythmia as we age
Health Tip: Is Your Blood Pressure Too Low?
  Here are possible explanations
Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Protect the Aging Brain
  Those who consumed the most did better on tests of mental functioning
More Doubt on Link Between a Blood Chemical and Heart Disease
  Researchers say prior tie between homocysteine, cardiovascular woes was due to faulty data
Hard Drug Use in Middle Age Could Prove Fatal, Study Finds
  Those who continue to 'dabble' into their 50s tend to be at greater risk for bad outcomes in general
Scientists May Be Closer to Developing 'Red Wine' Drug
  Resveratrol's secrets revealed in work with mice
Heart Disease Still is the Number One Killer of Americans. What Is Your Risk?
  Find out about the latest technology in our office to assess your risk of heart attack or stroke
Insurance and Billing FAQ's
  Also, learn why we believe our policies allow us to maintain our high level of personalized patient care.
Meet Dr. Caren
  Get to know the man behind the camera.
Meet Dr. Urman
  Learn more about the founder and medical editor of our patient newsletter
Office News
  Recent news about our doctors and office.
Newsletter Archive
  In case you have missed our previous newsletters
The news stories provided in this e-newsletter are a service of the nationally syndicated HealthDay news and information company. Stories refer to national trends and breaking health news, and are not necessarily indicative of or always supported by the physicians in our practice. This information is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please see our full Terms of Use for more information.

Manage Your Newsletter
If you don't want to receive this newsletter anymore, please let us know.
© 2012 HealthBanks, Inc. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
HEALTHBANKS, INC. 25 Burlington Mall Road Burlington, MA 01803