New blood thinner cuts down repeat heart attacks
Orlando, FL, United States (AHN) – A new anti-clotting drug reduces the risk of heart-related death, heart attack and stroke in patients who have been hospitalized with a heart attack or unstable chest pain.
The findings were presented Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association.
The drug, rivaroxaban, is marketed by Johnson & Johnson with Bayer AG under the brand name Xarelto. If approved for such use, the drug would open up a major new market and hopefully save scores of lives.
About 1.2 million people in the United States alone are discharged from hospitals each year after a heart attack or heart-related unstable chest pain.
Currently, the only anti-coagulant prescribed for such patients when they leave the hospital is warfarin. But difficulties in managing the 50-year-old medicine means it is not often used to prevent heart attacks. Numerous other trials have attempted to find a better alternative, but have failed.
Two doses were tested in the trials–a 2.5-milligram dose and a 5-milligram dose, each given twice daily.
When all patients taking the drug were analyzed, researchers found that 8.9 percent of those on rivaroxaban either died of heart causes or suffered a heart attack or stroke within two years, compared with 10.7 percent who were taking a placebo.
The 2.5-milligram dose was associated with a 34 percent reduction in the risk of heart-related death, 2.7 percent on the drug in comparison with 4.1 percent on the placebo, and a 32 percent reduction in death from any cause.
The study specifically excluded patients who had suffered a prior stroke or had a mini stroke. Such patients should not be candidates for treatment with the drug, the researchers say.
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The Mediterranean Diet
While we’re often suspicious of diets that are said to work magic, the Mediterranean diet is one we can actually get behind. Not only is it supported by studies of that region’s inhabitants, but the Mediterranean diet was named the second-best diet overall by the U.S. New & World Report , which assembled a team of actual health experts to produce the rankings. So, in support of better — and delicious — eating, here’s our guide to the Mediterranean diet. Besides sporting beautiful beaches , beautiful people and a downright agreeable climate, the Mediterranean boasts a diet that promotes both longevity and a decreased risk of heart disease. What is it about this menu that’s made it a contender for inclusion on Unesco’s world heritage list? Once you learn the secrets of this tasty and exotic diet, not only will you understand why it’s considered a cultural treasure worth preserving, you can also begin to incorporate Mediterranean-style cuisine into your own lifestyle and become more like the Adonis you know you are. what is the mediterranean diet? The Mediterranean countries border the Mediterranean Sea and include Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Malta, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, and Israel. Since so many countries constitute the Mediterranean , there is no single diet that straddles the entire area; however, most Mediterranean cuisines share some common characteristics, and these shared elements make the Mediterranean diet healthier than a North American or a Northern European diet. eat like adonis At the top of the Mediterranean food pyramid are grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, cheeses, yogurt, nuts, and legumes, all of which are consumed on a daily basis. Foods eaten on a weekly basis are fish and seafood, poultry, eggs, and sweets. Mediterranean people consume red meat less often on a monthly basis, and red wine accompanies most suppers, working out to about 1-2 glasses per day. the magic of the diet Fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains The staples of the Mediterranean diet, fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, which help prevent cancer and heart disease, and boost the immune system. Most Mediterranean dishes contain copious amounts of garlic and onions. While they won’t do much for your breath, onions and garlic will help lower your blood pressure and fight infections. Olive oil Another main staple in the Mediterranean diet is olive oil. Mediterranean inhabitants can’t get enough olive oil; it is the main source of fat in the Mediterranean diet — and for good reason. Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fat, which, unlike the saturated fat found in animal products, helps lower blood-clogging LDL cholesterol. Not only does olive oil protect against heart disease by lowering blood pressure, but it coats the stomach to protect against ulcers, and contains several antioxidants to help fight cancer. Seafood & fish Since the Mediterranean countries are so conveniently close to the Mediterranean Sea, fresh seafood and fish dishes are eaten several times a week. The Mediterranean people may have thick skin, but they’ve got thin blood: Seafood contains omega-3 fatty acids, which lower the risk of heart disease by preventing blood clot formation in the arteries. Read on for more Mediterranean diet tips…
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Living well 101: preserving youth with lignans
First, it’s hot flashes, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, and weight gain- we have to start worrying about our bones, blood pressure, cholesterol, cardiovascular system, blood sugar, and breast and colon health.For men, the story isn&rsquo…
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Healthy choices that may lower blood pressure and cholesterol
With so many people having high blood pressure as well as high cholesterol, some in Charlotte are looking for easy ways to lower cholesterol and blood pressure without taking medications.While studies sometime differ in answers offered for those…
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FDA finds no link between common blood pressure pill and cancer
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – Good news for people taking blood pressure medication. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said this week that a common class of hypertension drugs does not increase the risk of developing cancer.
The FDA evaluated 31 randomized clinical trials comparing patients taking angiotensin receptor blockers and those not taking the drugs.
The review of the 155,000 patients revealed no evidence that the ARBs increased a patient’s risk of cancer.
ARBs are used alone or in combination to treat high blood pressure and other heart-related conditions. Brand names include Atacand, Avapro, Benicar, Cozaar, Diovan, Micardis, Teveten and Several.
 
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Rain And Temperature Predict Cholera Risks
Bad blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are predictors for future health problems. You won’t definitely have a heart attack, for example, but your risk is higher. Now researchers have developed a similar-style early warning system for the public health of an entire region. They found that an analysis of particular environmental conditions helps predict the risk of an outbreak of the deadly disease cholera. The work is in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene . [Citation to come] [More]
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Reducing Need for Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Osteoarthritis Drugs
WebMD discusses the lifestyle steps that may reduce your need for drugs that treat diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and osteoarthritis.
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Statins May Improve Blood Flow After Stroke
Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins may help clot-busting drugs treat strokes, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The research involved 31 patients with ischemic stroke, a disorder when a clot blocks blood flow to part of the brain. In 12 patients who were already taking statins to control their cholesterol, blood flow returned to the blocked areas of the brain more completely and quickly…
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3 Tests Help Patients Better Protect Their Heart
You know blood pressure checks and cholesterol tests can paint a picture of your heart health. Some heart tests are routinely offered. However, others are not.
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Treating high BP, cholesterol, diabetes may delay Alzheimer’s
A new study has suggested that treating high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and other vascular risk factors may help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people who already show signs of declining thinking skills or memory problems.
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