Heart Health e-News: August 2012

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August 03, 2012

In This Issue
Even Mild Depression, Anxiety Hurts the Heart: Study
Less Invasive Surgery Safe for Harvesting Bypass Veins: Study
Women May Fare Worse Than Men After Stroke
More Evidence That Shift Work Might Raise Heart Risks
High-Tech CT Scan May Get People With Chest Pain Home Faster
Joint Replacement Boosts Heart Attack Risk Right After Surgery: Study
The Health Benefits, and Risks, of Alcohol
Stressful Jobs Linked to Heart Woes in Women
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.  The "Health News" section below highlights some of 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 boosts cardiac risk prediction.  It's quick, non-invasive, painless and could save your life!

Important Information for our patients with Blue Shield medical insurance policies: ==> ==>  ==>

Look at the bottom of the right column (or click here) to see important information regarding a change in our policy with Blue Shield taking effect September 1, 2012.  This change is taking place to preserve our cherished doctor-patient relationships.

Health News

Even Mild Depression, Anxiety Hurts the Heart: Study

The risk rises as chronic mental distress becomes more intense, study says

TUESDAY, July 31 Even mild depression or anxiety may raise your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and other causes, according to British researchers.

And the greater the level of psychological distress, the higher the odds of death... » Read the full article



Less Invasive Surgery Safe for Harvesting Bypass Veins: Study

No major difference in outcomes of coronary artery bypass graft with minimal or large leg incisions

TUESDAY, July 31 The use of minimally invasive endoscopy to harvest leg veins used in coronary artery bypass graft surgery is as safe as using ankle-to-groin incisions, a new study has found.

The findings contradict previous research that linked the endoscopic method... » Read the full article



Women May Fare Worse Than Men After Stroke

Female patients report more problems with their physical and emotional health, study finds

FRIDAY, July 27 Women have a poorer quality of life after a stroke or a ministroke than men, according to Swedish researchers.

In the study, 379 stroke patients and 117 transient ischemic attack (TIA), or ministroke, patients answered a qu... » Read the full article



More Evidence That Shift Work Might Raise Heart Risks

Review found chances of trouble increased most for those working nights

THURSDAY, July 26 People working evening shifts, irregular shifts, night shifts and rotating shifts are at an increased risk for heart attack and stroke, a large, new review finds.

The best way to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke... » Read the full article



High-Tech CT Scan May Get People With Chest Pain Home Faster

But benefit for low-risk patients isn't clear as test increases cost and radiation exposure

WEDNESDAY, July 25 Using a specialized type of CT scan can help doctors rule out heart attacks faster in people who've come to the emergency room with chest pain, researchers say.

The average length of time in the hospital was shortened by nearly eight hours for thos... » Read the full article



Joint Replacement Boosts Heart Attack Risk Right After Surgery: Study

Experts say doctors need to cut chances of cardiac trouble before procedure

MONDAY, July 23 People who have total hip or knee replacement surgery are about 30 times more likely to have a heart attack in the two weeks after the procedure, a new study finds.

Both surgeries are common treatments for arthritic hips and knees, with almost 2 milli... » Read the full article



The Health Benefits, and Risks, of Alcohol

Moderate consumption may help the heart, but perils also exist

FRIDAY, July 20 Mirroring so much of life, alcohol consumption comes with plusses and minuses.

A lot of recent research has highlighted the potentially beneficial effects on the heart and other parts of the body of drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages. But ris... » Read the full article



Stressful Jobs Linked to Heart Woes in Women

Heart attack risk is higher when women have demanding jobs, lack decision-making opportunities

THURSDAY, July 19 Women with demanding jobs that provide few opportunities to make decisions or use their creativity are at increased risk for heart attacks, according to new research.

For the study, researchers analyzed data provided by 22,000 women over 10 years re... » Read the full article



Featured:
Final-Stage Trial Of Drug That Lowers Cholesterol Planned
  Planning for a final-stage trial of a drug that taps into a gene mutation to lower cholesterol and heart attack risk beyond what statins such as Lipitor can do (Bloomberg News)
More Americans Have at Least 2 Chronic Health Issues: CDC
  Number of people with multiple diseases -- including diabetes, high blood pressure -- rose over decade
Heart Disease Still Leading Cause Of US Deaths
  Although rate of death from cardiovascular disease declined by 31% from 1998 to 2008, the disease is still the No. 1 killer of men (and women) in the USA (USA Today)
Avoid Medicare Land Mines
  If you are among the growing number of people still working when you turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare, you will face more complicated enrollment decisions than your retired peers (WSJ - Subscription required)
Cedars-Sinai ranked among America's Best Hospitals by US News & World Report
  Cedars is ranked 2nd in the state of California, ahead of other venerable institutions such as Stanford and UC San Francisco.
Small Private Medical Practices Are Vital to Patient Care
  Small-sized practices need reliable payment systems to pay for overhead but are finding it increasingly difficult to survive in the current environment. Unpredictable and continued reduction in Medicare reimbursement, coupled with burdensome regulatory requirements have a direct negative impact on small physician practices
Survey Finds Over Half Of Physicians Using Electronic Health Records (EHR)
  Over half have such a system, and another quarter plan to use one in the coming year
Regular Swims Lower Blood Pressure, Help Heart
  Water workouts can help your heart and burn calories (Washington Post)
Want to Live Longer? Turn Off That TV and Stand Up
  Researchers say prolonged sitting may reduce a person's life expectancy.
Need to Get Walking More? Clip on a Pedometer
  Study found use of the device nearly doubled the time seniors spent strolling each week
Diet, Weight Loss Ease Menopause Symptoms: Study
  Large trial shows night sweats, hot flashes were reduced or eliminated with low-fat dieting
Obese Kids May Be at Higher Risk for Heart Disease
  Researchers found two of three already had one risk factor for cardiovascular trouble
Another New Weight-Loss Drug Approved
  Qsymia sanctioned for obese or overweight people with chronic condition
2 New Weight-Loss Drugs Won't Reverse U.S. Obesity Crisis
  Proper nutrition, exercise are key factors that must be part of any diet plan, health experts say
Weight-Loss Keys: Food Journals, Eating In, Not Skipping Meals
  'Ladies who lunch' in restaurants lost the least weight in study
Health Tip: Snack Smartly
  Don't overdo it
New York's Trans-Fat Ban Is Working: Study
  Customers consumed less heart-harming fat after strict restaurant limits imposed
Quitting Smoking Does Mean Weight Gain for Many: Study
  Researchers find extra pounds mount up in first year, but say health benefits still outweigh such concerns
Preventive Measures Pay Off for Those at Risk of Stroke
  Taking steps to reduce smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes saves lives, study finds
Heart Defect at Birth Signals Need to Check for Other Disorders: AHA
  Early evaluations can catch related developmental problems, experts say
Guidelines Issued for New Blood Thinner Brilinta
  Drug should be considered for treating unstable angina along with older drugs, experts say
Lab-Grown Blood Vessels May Improve Heart Bypass
  Researchers grow small vessels using stem cells from fat gathered through liposuction
Cell-Based 'Tracking Devices' Might Help Monitor Treatments
  Following trail of tiny iron filings, docs might observe heart changes, stem-cell treatments
Inactivity May Kill as Many Worldwide as Smoking: Report
  Lack of exercise linked to cancer, diabetes and heart disease, which cause about 10% of deaths worldwide
Health Tip: Keep Cool in Extreme Heat
  Drink plenty of water and wear light clothing
Older People May Have Undiagnosed Heart Abnormalities
  Many older people may have heart abnormalities that they don't know about and they could end up with heart failure if they miss out on treatments that could help, according to a new study (ABC News)
Is Chronic Inflammation Behind America's Deadliest Diseases?
  What is the science? How to measure it? How to reduce it? (WSJ - subscription required)
Health Tip: Flavor Food Without the Fat
  Use high heat for more intense tastes
Exercise Can Shield the Aging Brain, Studies Show
  Weight training, walking helped older adults' memory, according to new studies at Alzheimer's meeting
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.
In Focus:
Important Information for Patients with BLUE SHIELD Medical Insurance
  Please read about our new policy to improve our ability to deliver personalized care. Overall effect on Medicare patients with supplemental Blue Shield coverage is expected to be minimal (if at all)
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.

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