Medical blog » Heart

Genetic Test for Heart Disease Risk in the Works

admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:01:51 +0000

SUNDAY, Feb. 8 (HealthDay News) — Perhaps five years from now, you might actually hear your doctor casually say, “While we’re at it, let’s do a blood test to see if your genetic makeup puts you at high risk of having a heart attack.”
So says Dr. Sekar Kathiresan, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of preventive cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is the leader of a group that has identified three new genetic variants associated with an increased risk of heart attack.
That finding, which brings the total of such risk-associated variants to nine, is reported in the Feb. 8 online issue of
. The journal highlights a total of five papers from groups around the world looking at the genetics of heart disease.
The study led by Kathiresan, done by a group of six organizations called the Myocardial Infarction Genetics Consortium, is the largest of the five. It compared the genomes of about 3,000 people who had suffered heart attacks relatively early in life — under 50 in men, under 60 in women — with those of 3,000 people who hadn’t had a heart attack.
It’s known that heart disease tends to cluster in families, Kathiresan said, in part because family members tend to share bad habits, such as smoking. The aim of the study was to single out the role of genes in increased familial risk.
“We looked at about 1 million different spots in the genomes, the frequency of the letters in the genomes in cases and controls,” Kathiresan said. “The genome-wide study identified nine spots associated with an increased risk of heart attack, six of which had been previously described. We showed that when you combined the information from the nine different spots, the 20 percent of the people who had the most unfavorable profile had a 2.25-fold greater risk of having a heart attack, compared to the 20 percent with the best genetic profile.”
Work needs to be done before this information can be put to medical use, he said. “We must test this panel in other studies,” he said. “If the results hold up, it will be worth doing tests in clinical situations.”
Such a genetic test would not be a big deal compared to tests now done routinely, Kathiresan noted. “It would be no more expensive than the standard tests that are done to measure blood cholesterol levels,” he said.
Such a test “could be useful in guiding treatments, such as who should get statins at an early age to lessen LDL cholesterol levels,” Kathiresan said. Meanwhile, research is being done to learn how these genetic variants increase heart attack risk.
“Of the nine, three seem to be acting through LDL cholesterol,” Kathiresan said. “One gene region seems to directly increase the risk of build-up of atherosclerotic plaque in heart arteries.”
The four other studies in the journal indicated that a heart attack risk test would not be limited to those nine genes. A report from France described an association with clusters of variants of three genes on chromosome 6. A Japanese study found an association with a gene, designated BRAP, that may be involved in inflammation. Researchers in Iceland identified five genetic variations governing the blood cells called eosinophils, which also play a role in inflammation. A German study described a gene that is highly expressed in the cardiovascular system and might be involved in the adhesion of cells to one another.
“We know that this is not the end,” said Jeanette Erdmann, a professor of genetics at the University of Lubeck, and lead author of the German report. “It is hard to predict how many loci you might find.”
Such tests probably wouldn’t be used in childhood, Erdmann said. “But I can imagine a 30-year-old man with a family history of heart disease having one,” she said. “It would be good for him to get a test of these genetic variants and find out if it is important to modify the other factors that lead to heart disease, such as obesity and high blood pressure.”
A next step for the German group, which collaborates with the French researchers, is to do “some kind of meta-analysis of the genome,” Erdmann said. “It will be an analysis of 15,000 cases and 15,000 controls,” she said. “We have started doing it.”

5 Tips to Prevent Heart Disease

admin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:06:37 +0000

, a time to raise awareness about one of the deadliest killers on the planet: heart disease.
.
But there are plenty of things Americans can do to improve their chances when it comes to heart health.
Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, the director for women and heart disease at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Lenox Hill Hospital, joined “Good Morning America” to share her top five lifestyle changes that could keep Americans just a little healthier.
See her tips below and, for more information on heart health,
.
1. Keep Blood Sugar Low
go up, the insulin your body produces is not as effective,” Steinbaum said. “This ‘pre-diabetes’ condition is known as metabolic syndrome, which means your body has a problem handling sugars. You’ll see the effect of this in a sluggish metabolism, a slight increase in blood pressure, a big belly, high tryglicerides and high blood sugars.
“We know that the chances of heart disease increases seven-fold if you have diabetes. So if you have borderline elevated blood sugars — that ‘pre-diabetes’ condition — you need to watch your diet. Too many bagels, pasta, sweets, a big belly and big tush — all can raise your blood sugars and raise your risk of heart disease,” she said.
2. Try a Mediterranean Diet
“The nurses health study, made up of 75,000 women, found that the
reduced the risk of heart attack by 29 percent and the risk of stroke by 13 percent,” Steinbaum said.
“It is almost as powerful as statins in reducing your risk of heart-related problems. If you eat lots of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats like olive oil, small portions of nuts, little red meat and fish on a regular basis, you’ll lower your risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and heart disease,” she said.
3. Don’t Rely on Multivitamins
“Multivitamins are seen as antioxidants, and the reason people take them — other than those who need to boost a bad diet — is for the prevention of heart disease and cancer. A huge trial by the women’s health initiative followed 160,000 women who took high dose multivitamins with big doses of Vitamin B, selenium and zinc. The results showed
of heart attacks, strokes or thromboembolism (blood clots). So, multivitamins can’t be seen as prevention,” Steinbaum said.
“However, what it also tells us is that people who take multivitamins to prevent a risk of heart disease are most likely very committed to keeping healthy. They make a good diet and exercise part of their lives and are healthier anyway,” she said.

Matters of the Heart: A Women's Health Forum/sold out event

admin — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:05:38 +0000

PORTSMOUTH — Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in America. It is for that reason Portsmouth Regional Hospital developed and held a day-long program to inform women about heart disease, how it affects them and how to prevent it.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Nieca Goldberg, the national spokesperson for the American Heart Association’s “Go Red” campaign and author of the books “The Women’s Healthy Heart Program” and “Women Are Not Small Men.”
There were free screenings, breakout sessions and enlightening stories of treatment and recovery by patients, their cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. WMUR-TV’s Jennifer Crompton was the day’s master of ceremonies.
The women’s health forum honored the memory of Carolyn Bateman, a beloved Portsmouth Regional Hospital registered nurse and staff member who died last year at age 52 from heart disease.
The event was held at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel. For more information, go to www.portsmouthhospital.com.

Read it: Muscle & Fitness books aren’t for the faint of heart

admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 10:07:12 +0000

magazine and its female companion,
Muscle & Fitness Hers,
(Triumph, $14.95).
These books essentially are expanded versions of the magazine. There are plenty of buff models illustrating demanding routines. The emphasis is on revving up metabolism and obtaining washboard abs.
The workouts definitely skew toward younger overachievers.
From the women’s book: “Do cardio in the morning and weight training in the evening. If you really want to blast whatever fat you might still want to lose, try doing cardio twice a day a couple of days a week.”
From the men’s book: “Your training intensity will increase . . . [by] applying advanced techniques past the point of failure. This strategy isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s for those who are ready to dig in and work to achieve their goals.”
Yikes!
There is nothing gimmicky about the advice. You will get results if you are willing to put in the work. The weight training employs heavy/light periodization techniques and the cardio routines emphasize high-intensity interval training. The nutritional advice is sound.
The women’s book is more diverse, with half of it covering nutrition and recipes. The men’s book is mostly about pumping iron and getting bigger.

Residents aren't taking heart health seriously

admin — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 12:58:54 +0000

heart disease.
CHEYENNE — Heart disease is Wyoming’s No. 1 killer.
But the state spends 12 times more money on cancer prevention and research.
And residents may hear messages to use less salt, eat healthy and exercise more, but the advice isn’t always a priority as people juggle families, jobs and bills.
Even those who know they are at risk for diabetes or cardiovascular disease may not know what they can do to prevent a heart attack, said Dave Ivester of the state Department of Health’s heart disease and stroke prevention program.
And those with diagnosed disorders may not know how to keep their symptoms under control.
“A lot of us are guilty,” he said. “We don’t go to a doctor unless we’re ill.”
One piece of legislation in the general session of the Legislature aimed to provide $150,000 for a diabetes and cardiovascular disease outreach effort. But it did not meet the House deadline for consideration on first reading.
Two lawmakers used amendments to try to insert the program into the budget bill before members of the House and the Senate. But both sides of the Capitol rejected the heart healthy program.
Bill sponsor Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, said the goal was to highlight the link between diabetes and heart attacks.
While heart disease impacts more of Wyoming’s families, it doesn’t raise the same emotions as cancer. But even Wyoming’s third leading killer — chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — earns more money for prevention than the state’s deadly leader.
Zwonitzer added that since both sides of his family have high rates of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks, he understands the threat firsthand.
Ivester said the best way to lessen the impacts of heart disease is prevention.
He added that the $150,000 investment would have allowed public health offices and worksite wellness coordinators to teach patients how to manage risk factors and how to get screened.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity and smoking contribute to the problem, but it can be part of a family’s health history too. And patients with diabetes are four times more likely to die from heart disease than patients without diabetes.
But intervention often doesn’t arrive until after someone is diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or has a heart attack. Health-care providers may work with patients after surgery to prevent another heart attack, but little is done to help people avoid the problem in the first place.
And proactive health care is less expensive health care, Ivester said.
Cardiovascular disease cost Wyoming patients more than $327 million in 2006. The diabetes price tag during the same year was more than $88 million.
And the numbers do not include the cost of any follow-up care or stroke rehabilitation.
“People in Wyoming need to be proactive (and get screened),” Ivester said. “Most live into their adult years with one lifestyle. Hearing (health advice) once or twice isn’t enough. The message needs to be repeated.”

Area women take health screenings to heart

admin — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:13:37 +0000

Bobbi Gaither wants to keep her heart healthy.
The 65-year-old Pensacola resident was among dozens of crimson-clad women and a few men who took advantage of free, cardiovascular health screenings at Cordova Mall on Friday during the Wear Red Day event at Belk. Participants filled out questionnaires, chatted with health-care officials, and had cholesterol and blood pressure checks.
“I’m always concerned about my cholesterol, and this is more convenient than making a doctor’s appointment,” Gaither said. “Plus, it’s free, and that’s a wonderful thing for those people who can’t afford to go to the doctor for regular check-ups.”
Baptist Heart and Vascular Care, Cardiology Consultants, Belk and the American Heart Association sponsored the event, which served to educate women on cardiovascular disease risk factors and a heart-healthy lifestyle.
According to officials, early prevention is key in women’s cardiovascular disease, named the No. 1 “silent” killer of all American women.
“For a long time, it was thought of as a man’s disease,” said Leslie Estes-Smith, director of Baptist Heart and Vascular Care. “But the latest statistics show that while one in 30 women dies of breast cancer, one in three women dies of heart disease. And for many women, by the time they start showing symptoms, it’s too late.”
Gwendolyn Brown, 46, of Pensacola, attended the Wear Red Day event to show her support for women’s heart health.
“Women need to know about their hearts, and it’s easy to come to the mall for a free screening,” Brown said. “I’m here because I want to learn more and make sure I’m doing OK.”

Heart health takes centerstage

admin — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 05:01:32 +0000

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Thai FDA okays heart drug

admin — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:20:33 +0000

Bangkok – Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has certified the quality of the Indian-made generic heart drug Clopidogrel which is 23 times cheaper than its patented alternative Plavix, media reports said on Saturday.
“We confirm that every lot of Clopidogrel imported from India has been tested, with its quality and efficacy approved by the Department of Medical Science before being distributed to hospitals,” FDA deputy secretary Veerawan Tangkaew said in an interview with The Nation newspaper.
The certification was deemed necessary after hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and individuals questioned the efficacy of the copycat drug which costs only 0.08 cents per pill compares with $2.03 for its patented rival Plavix.
Thailand has already imported 6 million Clopidogrel pills from India under its Compulsory Licensing scheme, that allows the government to import generic pharmaceuticals to treat major diseases prevalent in the country.
The generic pharmaceuticals are only used for patients under the Universal Health Scheme and the Social Security Fund, both of which are heavily subsidized by the government. In theory, private hospitals and their patients must use patented pharmaceuticals.
Thailand's use of Compulsory Licensing, a tactic which is recognized by the World Trade Organization (WTO), has been highly controversial, pitting several multinational pharmaceutical giants against the kingdom. – Sapa-dpa

Taking good health to heart: survivor takes action for heart health

admin — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:50:06 +0000

Today, Fortenberry leads an active lifestyle by staying busy with her children and grandchildren, as well as the new shop she owns with her husband Joe, called The Ironing Board in Oak Grove. She is also an assistant teacher at Oak Grove Elementary, where she says it is a true blessing to work with the kids and to feel that perhaps she is making a difference in their lives.
February, observed as National Heart Month, is an opportunity for women like Tracy Fortenberry, who have struggled with the uncertainty and worry that heart disease brings, to encourage other women to take action for their heart health.
Fortenberry advises that all women, especially those who are often more concerned for their familys health than their own, should go to their doctor regularly and follow their advice. If you notice symptoms, dont just say Oh, it will go away, said Fortenberry. Your doctor does know what he is talking about, so pay attention and follow his advice and instructions.
Tracy is the bravest person I have ever known, said her husband of 23 years, Joe Fortenberry. She has gone through so many problems and so much pain, but is a true encouragement to all women that life doesnt end after unfortunate events. Tracy has really proven that if you keep fighting, then you keep surviving.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women, claiming the lives of about 500,000 women each year. Fortunately, it is also a disease that we can do something about.
The American Heart Association has created Circle of Red, locally sponsored by Forrest General, which is a national campaign to increase awareness for heart disease and inspire women to take action for their health. The Circle of Red is made up of women who know how important it is to be heart-healthy in every stage of life. This elite group of women, who have the passion and resources to help the American Heart Association in reaching their goals, serve as ambassadors and attend members-only events featuring excellent speakers and the opportunity for fellowship with other women in the group.
Circle of Red members will be recognized at the Go Red for Women luncheon on Feb. 27 at Southern Oaks House and Gardens. Women who join Circle of Red will receive a free ticket to this event. The upcoming Day of Dance for Health on Saturday, Feb. 28, hosted by Forrest Generals Spirit of Women program, will also feature recognition of Circle of Red members.
If you are interested in becoming a part of Circle of Red or for more information on the Go Red for Women luncheon, please contact the American Heart Association at (228) 604-5310. For more information on Spirit of Womens Day of Dance for Health, call FGH OnCall at (800) 844-4445.

Women: Be proactive in heart health

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:11:34 +0000

Many women never talk to their physicians about heart disease because they think only men are at risk. In reality, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women, causing more deaths each year than all cancers combined. And, according to the American Heart Association, more women than men in the United States die of heart disease.
Cardiologist Dr. Philip Hoffman, who practices at Blount Memorial Hospital, says that while women cannot completely eliminate their risk for developing heart disease, they can improve their odds by asking questions and making a sincere effort to control their risk factors. “Both men and women would like a surefire method to guarantee heart health, but there really isn’t one. All you can do is plan for the future, practice good health habits and educate yourself about your personal risk. There is a little bit of luck involved, too. Sometimes, people who do all the right things still have heart disease.”
Hoffman encourages women to be proactive about their heart health. “Go into your next doctor’s appointment with specific questions related to your personal risk for heart disease,” he says. “There are simple questions women should be asking their physicians and asking themselves. The answers will help women assess their risk for heart disease and develop a clear understanding of what they need to do to reduce that risk.”
Start by asking your physician about the importance of blood pressure and cholesterol levels. While every primary care visit includes a blood pressure check, many patients aren’t given a clear explanation of what is being tested and what the numbers mean, adds Hoffman. “Ask your doctor: ‘How is my blood pressure? Is it too high or too low? Why is blood pressure called the silent killer?’ Then ask him or her a few questions about cholesterol: ‘Why is cholesterol important? What are my bad (LDL) and good (HDL) cholesterol levels? What can I do to improve my cholesterol levels? What about statins (medications used to lower cholesterol)?’”
Additional topics to discuss with your primary care physician include how much you should be exercising to promote good heart health, how your family history of heart disease impacts your own risk for developing the disease and what screening tests are available to help assess your risk for heart-related health issues. In addition, Hoffman suggests that menopausal women ask their physicians about the potential effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the heart and cardiovascular system.
Being proactive about your heart health requires asking yourself some questions as well, Hoffman says. “The biggest question is, ‘Why am I still smoking?’ A follow-up question for your physician would be, ‘What is available to help me quit?’”
Hoffman invites women to bring their heart-related questions to Blount Memorial’s Heart Month Lecture Series program, “Questions and Answers Related to the Heart,” from 12 to 1 p.m. Friday. The program will be held in the Blount Memorial Medical Fitness classroom on the 2-east floor of the hospital, and Hoffman will answer as many questions as time allows.
The Women’s Health column is provided by the staff and associates of Blount Memorial Hospital. It appears every Sunday in Women’s Times. For more information on this column call 983-7211.