Prescriptions cost tops GBP1bn

"The net cost of NHS prescriptions in Scotland passed GBP1 billion last year for the first time, figures have revealed. The total cost of prescriptions was GBP1.066 billion. The most commonly prescribed drug in Scotland is aspirin, prescribed more than three million times, followed by the cholesterol drug simvastatin and the co-codamol painkiller" - Fife Today

E-connect: Saskatoon Health Region's employee newsletter 3/16

E-connect: Saskatoon Health Region's employee newsletter volume 3, issue 16, September 24, 2008 is now available online

Statins do not increase risk of Lou Gehrig's Disease

"A U.S. Food and Drug Administration's analysis provides new evidence that the use of statins does not increase incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease often referred to as 'Lou Gehrig's Disease.' The analysis was reported on Monday, September 29, 2008 in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety" - Health Newstrack

Alzheimer's boom expected in 2010

"A new study of baby boomers shows that by 2010 there could be 500,000 new cases of Alzheimer's in the United States"

Police officers have higher heart risk

"Policing is a psychologically stressful work filled with danger, high demands, ambiguity, human misery and exposure to death, U.S. researchers said. John M. Violanti of the University of Buffalo's School of Public Health and Health Professions said more more than 400 police officers have participated in the study to date, completing questionnaires on lifestyle and psychological factors such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, in addition to measures of bone density and body composition, ultrasounds of brachial and carotid arteries, salivary cortisol samples and blood samples. The officers also wear a small electronic device to measure the quantity and quality of sleep throughout a typical police shift cycle. Violanti's pilot studies have shown, among other findings, that officers over age 40 had a higher 10-year risk of a coronary event compared to average national standards; 72 percent of female officers and 43 percent of male officers, had higher-than-recommended cholesterol levels; and police officers as a group had higher-than-average pulse rates and diastolic blood pressure" - UPI

Will new shock images stop smokers?

"This week, graphic pictures will appear on cigarette packets in the UK warning about the dangers of smoking. The UK is the first European country to introduce such images, which will include pictures of a tumour, heart surgery and a diseased lung" - BHF

Residents' performance in cardiac surgery on par with that of staff surgeons

"For patients undergoing cardiac surgery, long-term outcomes were similar whether a resident or a staff surgeon did the procedure, a single-center study found. Having a resident as the primary surgeon was not associated with death or readmission for cardiovascular reasons through a median of 2.7 years after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), aortic valve replacement, or both (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.17, P=0.42), according to Roger Baskett, M.D., of the Maritime Heart Center at Dalhousie University" - MedPage Today

Check all heart patients for depression?

"Heart disease and depression are so common that all heart patients should be routinely screened for depression and referred for professional help if necessary, according to new recommendations issued by the American Heart Association. The recommendations were spurred by growing evidence suggesting that depression is common among cardiac patients and that the condition can worsen patients' outcomes, making them more vulnerable to continuing or recurrent heart problems. This is the Heart Association's first 'call to action' addressing cardiac patients and depression, says Erika Froelicher, RN, MPH, PHD, professor of nursing and epidemiology and statistics at the University of California, San Francisco and co-chair of the writing group that created the recommendations" - WebMD

Tests start on pill that could lengthen millions of lives

"A drug that combines four different medicines and could halve deaths from heart attacks and stroke around the globe will enter human trials this week in London. The once-a-day polypill has been the dream of doctors for many years, but because the drugs it contains, including aspirin, are cheap, there has been no financial incentive for the pharmaceutical industry to get involved. Now, however, international teams of researchers, with the backing in the UK of the Wellcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation, are just a few years away from making the polypill an accessible reality" - Guardian

Inhibiting cholesterol-associated protein reduces high-risk blockages in arteries

"Using the drug darapladib, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and colleagues have inhibited a cholesterol-and immune system-associated protein, thereby reducing the development of heart-disease plaques that may cause death, heart attacks, and strokes in a pig model of atherosclerosis and diabetes. The study recently appeared online in Nature Medicine" - ScienceDaily

Plant power: Natural help for high cholesterol

"Artichoke leaf extracts may lower cholesterol, according to a new study published in Phytomedicine. This study confirms prior research demonstrating that certain plant extracts have cholesterol-lowering, antioxidant, and other health-promoting properties. High total cholesterol is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, a serious condition that can lead to heart attacks and stroke. The authors report, 'On a global level, the World Health Report estimates that about 8% of all disease burden in developed countries is caused by raised cholesterol levels.' Lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, exercise, and weight loss can help lower cholesterol" - Medfinds

CARG Cardiac Evenings

Are mornings too busy for you? Are you heading back to work and need to exercise in the evening? Then join us Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings:

Exercise Room: 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Track: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Class Times:

Tuesday and Thursday
Group Warm-up: 6:45pm to 6:55pm
Group Strength and Stretch: 7:25pm to 7:45pm

Wednesday
Group Warm-up: 6:45pm to 6:55pm
Group Core and Stability Class: 7:30pm to 7:45pm

Talk to your exercise therapist about the evening program to get started

Fall...in motion

"With autumn fast approaching, it's time to get started planning your physical activities and find ways to eat healthy during the fall and winter. To help you get started, October has been declared as in motion month. As a kick off, we are again sponsoring Fall...in motion and the Get Moving Challenge. This kick off will be held in Saskatoon on October 3, 2008 at 12:00 noon at River Landing. There will be a quick warm-up and then a brisk walk along the beautiful Meewasin Trail. If you can't make it to River Landing, consider getting your friends, family or your Forever...in motion group together and be physically active for at least 30 minutes between 11:00 and 1:00 that day. Register your activity at www.in-motion.ca for the chance to win some great prizes. We'll find out how many people were active on October 3 and publish the results in the Star Phoenix and on the in motion website"

Jellyfish risotto anyone?

"Fancy a jellyfish soup? Or a mini-bundle of blanched vegetables with julienne strips of jellyfish? A prestigious Catalan chef plans to take advantage of the gloopy stinging creatures that plague Mediterranean beaches every summer and float them on to the region's menus as a gastronomic delicacy. 'Jellyfish contain 95 per cent water and the rest comprises mainly proteins. They contain almost no lipids, carbohydrates or cholesterol, so they could be a source of healthy food,' according to the Bionaturis report, which was backed by Andalucias's Innovation and Development Agency" - Independent

DRI develops alternative drug to statins

"The Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, India, has received the 'Innovation Award' from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for developing a new drug which is a better alternative to the statins used worldwide for lowering high cholesterol levels. CDRI Director Rakesh Tuli said unlike the statins, the new drug - Gugulipid - has no side-effects. 'Statins have various side-effects like muscular fatigue, pain and degeneration of muscles. Some patients even develop kidney problems,' said Tuli" - Indian Express

Statins 'prevent artery ageing'

"Drugs given to heart patients to lower cholesterol may have an additional benefit - keeping their blood vessels feeling younger. Advanced heart disease patients have arteries which have effectively aged faster than the rest of their bodies. University of Cambridge scientists, writing in the journal Circulation Research, say statins may be able to hold back this process. They hinted the same drugs might also prevent damage elsewhere in the body" - BBC

Healthy Caribbean 2008

Chronic diseases are the number one cause of premature death and reduced quality of life in the Caribbean. The Pan American Health Organization, the InterAmerican Heart Foundation and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados have organized this Healthy Caribbean 2008 conference to be held 16-18 October, 2008, in Barbados to bring together policy makers and opinion leaders capable of changing the course of this epidemic

Walk to Work Day (Australia)

"Walk to Work Day is an event to promote regular walking and physical activity. It is an annual, national event in which the community can become involved in a healthy and environmentally friendly activity. You can be a Walking Class Hero on Friday 3 October 2008 by simply walking all or part of the way to work. Use public transport and get off the bus, train, tram or ferry a few stops earlier and walk the rest of the way. Or take a half-hour walk at lunch-time. And where possible, walk up stairs. But please leave the car at home. If you have to drive, leave the car at least a kilometre or two from your destination and walk the remaining distance"

21st Century Treatment of Heart Failure conference

21st Century Treatment of Heart Failure: Synchronizing Surgical and Medical Therapies for Better Outcomes will be held October 16-18, 2008, at the Intercontinental hotel and Bank of America Conference Center, Cleveland Ohio USA

Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program at The Credit Valley Hospital

"The Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program at The Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, Canada, is dedicated to the promotion of a heart healthy lifestyle to the people we serve in the Halton-Peel region as well as the global community visiting this website. When it comes to heart health you will find care that is 'World Class Right Here' at the Credit Valley Hospital. Our goal is to provide participants and their families with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve and maintain their heart health in order to achieve optimal well-being"

Mobile heart monitor is boom for (UK) patients

"Patients in Cannock and Stafford are benefiting from a new hi-tech mobile heart monitor. The cardiac telemetry system is a way of checking patients' heart rates and rhythms while they are exercising. Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust is one of the few hospitals in the country to have it. The trust's cardiac rehabilitation team has recently taken delivery of the telemetry system, after donations from three local charities and previously donated funds, which has enabled them to purchase the equipment. The team organises a range of individual exercise programmes, including gym sessions and Tai Chi classes, and offers educational and relaxation programmes to all heart patients in Cannock, Stafford, Rugeley and Stone. Cardiac rehabilitation manager Maria Glover said: 'The telemetry system is going to be great for us. It's a mobile cardiac monitoring unit, which patients can wear whilst exercising'" - Express & Star

Drugs of the Future for the Elderly conference

Drugs of the Future for the Elderly: Although the health of those over 65 in this country (UK) has never been better and the number of people reaching 85 is increasing year on year by more than 5 percent, ill health in the over 65s accounts for almost half the national spend on hospitals and community health. The objective of this conference is to bring together healthcare professionals, decision-makers and informed members of the public to discuss the rationale behind the development of new drugs and devices, the methods used to assess their effectiveness and safety and their availability through the health service. This high-profile event will focus on a number of areas of current concern to older citizens: dementia, Parkinsonism, visual and hearing loss, late onset diabetes, heart failure and the processes which, in effect, ration the availability of prescription medicines. The one-and-a-half-day conference will bring together specialist speakers from the pharmaceutical industry, clinicians and specialists in regulatory affairs, and will include an evening session open to the public which will focus on the principles and pressures governing the availability of prescription medicines for the elderly, and their ethical implications - 29-30 September, 2008 - Edinburgh, Scotland

More (UK) people cleared to give blood

"Some people with diabetes and high blood pressure are to be allowed to donate blood for the first time. A committee of experts has ruled it is safe for these groups to give blood, even if they are taking medication to control their condition. However, donors must have no complications or underlying medical conditions - and people taking insulin for diabetes remain barred" -BBC

Statins can hinder muscle repair

"Statins, taken by millions to lower cholesterol, may hinder the body's ability to repair muscles, University of Alabama researchers report. The most frequently reported side effect of statin therapy is fatigue, with about 9 percent of patients reporting muscle pain. As doses of the medication are increased, and physical activity is added, these effects can be more pronounced. These side effects are found in all commonly used statins. 'While these are preliminary data and more research is necessary, the results indicate serious adverse effects of statins that may alter the ability of skeletal muscle to repair and regenerate due to the anti-proliferative effects of statins,' lead researcher Anna Thalacker-Mercer said in a statement. Results of the study were presented Thursday at a meeting of the American Physiological Society, in Hilton Head, S.C" - MedLinePlus

Research suggests why aspirin may prevent atherosclerosis

"Aspirin may prevent the build up of plaques in arteries by increasing expression of proteins that help breakdown lipids and remove of LDL cholesterol, new research suggests. Aspirin has been shown to prevent atherosclerosis in animal studies, but this is not accounted for by its known mechanisms of action. Researchers from Ohio State University showed that salicylate, the active by product of aspirin, increased the expression of the paraoxonase 1 protein, which helps break down toxic lipid peroxides, seven times and the expression of apolipoprotein A1, which removes LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, 12 times in mice. These findings, together with previous studies linking HDL deficit to low PON1 expression, suggest that improved PON1 activators could be developed for use in the prevention of atherosclerosis, the researchers said" - Healthcare Republic

Real food makes a comeback: You may now kiss your local farmer

"Here's a brief history of civilization: First 5,000 years, almost everybody is a farmer. Last 50 years, almost nobody is a farmer. The 2 percent of Americans who farm are exotic, largely invisible pixies who magically turn petrochemicals into grocery-chain products encased in plastic wrap. Last couple of years: Everyone wants to be a farmer. Or hug a farmer. Or at least buy and eat local food that isn't sprayed, injected, modified, adulterated and transfatted into inedibility. People are revolting against tomatoes with the resilience of tennis balls, strawberries that ship like Styrofoam, farmed salmon injected with dye, chickens that have never seen the sun, pet food from China stretched with melamine and fast food that speeds the way to a heart attack" - Seattle Times

Silvestre's operation a heart moving story

"Being born with a heart in the wrong place is a virtual death sentence but little Silvestre's parents did not give up hope. Today, four years later, thanks to the efforts of MediAssist4U, Silvestre has been given a new lease of life. Silvestre was born with an ectopic heart, a very rare condition where the heart is found in an abnormal position. Instead of lying safely in the middle of the chest, protected by the breastbone and ribs, Silvestre's heart was located outside his abdomen, covered only by a thin layer of skin" - NST Online

Don't ignore child's chest discomfort

"Ignoring your adolescent child's chest discomfort or presuming it to be muscular pain might be dangerous as it could actually be a precursor to a major heart attack. Given the higher propensity in Indians towards cardiac ailments as compared to people of other races, there is an urgent need to make people aware of the danger from an early age, doctors say" - Times of India

When to stop cardiac resuscitation

"Cardiac arrest strikes 166,000 Americans each year. When a victim's heart stops beating, there are plenty of ways that bystanders and EMS crews can get it started again. But if those efforts fail and the patient doesn't respond, when should such efforts stop? This question leads to EMS teams and hospital ER teams spending countless hours and healthcare resources on patients who have no chance of surviving. Often times this happens at the expense of other patients who need an ambulance or have spent hours in ER waiting rooms. Now, researchers from the University of Michigan Health System, Emory University and the Henry Ford Health System have come up with simple guidelines to determine when efforts to revive an unresponsive cardiac arrest patient should be terminated" - JAMA

CARG Newsletter - October 2008 issue

The October 2008 issue of the CARG Newsletter is now available

British Heart Foundation Annual Review 2008

"Meet Pat McKenna - a heart attack survivor from Scotland who attributes her survival to cardiac rehabilitation. Pat was a non-smoker and a hillwalker with normal blood pressure and cholesterol but in 1999 she had a heart attack. After having a double bypass operation she began walking on the hills again with the support of a cardiac rehab team. She now mentors others and supports our campaign for high quality cardiac rehab treatment. Pat's inspirational story is one of dozens in our 2008 Annual Report" - British Heart Foundation

Grind flax seeds for maximum health benefits

"According to the Flax Council of Canada flax has been grown since the beginnings of civilization. Around the eighth century, King Charlemagne considered flax so important for the health of his subjects he imposed laws requiring its consumption. Flax is grown for its fibre and its oil-rich seeds, the latter of which is harvested from blue-flowered plants grown in such places as the Canadian Prairies. It's rich in protein and contains fibre and essential nutrients, including iron, niacin, calcium, vitamin E and phosphorous. Flax seed is gluten-free and provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, which studies have shown can have numerous health benefits such as helping to reduce the risk of heart disease, and it also contain lignans, compounds that may help protect against certain kinds of cancer. For maximum health benefit the Flax Council says you should grind the seeds, because whole flax seed will pass through your system undigested" - Canada.com

CardioEgypt2009

CardioEgypt2009 will be held 24-28 February, 2009 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Gurnee woman walks to recovery

"Less than a year ago, doctors gave Brooke Lannert of Gurnee, Illinois, a 20 percent chance of surviving the severe stroke she suffered at age 32, the result of heart-related complications. Tomorrow, the 32-year-old participates in the 3-mile Metro Chicago Start! Heart Walk in Grant Park to raise money and awareness about the No. 1 killer of women - heart disease. "This walk means a first step toward recovery for me and toward helping eradicate heart disease for all," said Lannert. Her team, the Heart Beaters, includes 16 friends and family members who have raised $4,000 for the American Heart Association"

Grammer: 'I'm trying to rehabilitate my heart'

Kelsey Grammer has admitted that he has to "chill out a bit" following his heart attack in May. The Frasier actor told Metro that a rigorous work schedule is out of the question while he recuperates. "I'm trying to rehabilitate my heart so I have to chill out a bit," he said. "A long run working on any one project isn't on the cards for some time but shooting on set for a month or two might be just the ticket." The sitcom star added that his recent health problems came as a shock, saying: "The heart attack wasn't anticipated. I had gained a little bit of weight and had started an 'I'm going to lose all my weight in one day' exercise programme. That wasn’t wise. "There are actual steps I can take to fix things, so it's not that bad."

Watch out ladies, lest your heart may betray you

"When Anisha Tewari, 29, was admitted to Bombay Hospital after she complained of chest discomfort a few months ago, her parents never expected the doctor to suggest an angiography. They were more astonished to learn that her left main artery was 90% blocked. It was later discovered that apart from being a diabetic, Anisha was also a heavy smoker. An angioplasty (widening of obstructed blood vessels) was performed on her and two arteries were unblocked subsequently..." - DNA

Heart-stopping facts about India's health

"The rising graph of ailments in India is directly proportional to the rapidly changing traditional food habits, believe experts. In about a decade's time, India has earned the dubious distinction of being the capital for diabetes, hypertension and heart ailments. And, steadily even obesity is sneaking into the Indian households. Of all the ailments, the spurt in cardiovascular diseases has been the most steep and rapid. The prevalence of coronary artery disease has reached to 14% in contrast to 11% in 2003 and just 1% in 1960. According to the World Health Organisation), mortality due to cardiovascular diseases has decreased by 60% in Japan and Finland, 50% in the US, and 25% in Canada and Australia. But, on the other hand, it is projected that by 2015, mortality due to cardiac ailments will increase by 100 per cent in India" - DNA

US government probes chelation-heart disease study

"The largest alternative medicine study the U.S. government has ever launched has stopped enrolling people while officials investigate whether participants were fully informed of the risks and are being adequately protected, The Associated Press has learned. More than 1,500 heart attack survivors are involved in the research, which tests a controversial treatment called chelation. It is mainly used to treat lead poisoning. More than two people have died, although the Miami doctor leading the study said the deaths were not a direct result of the treatments. He said he doesn't know exactly how many deaths have occurred"

Lung disease treatment carries heart risks

"The long-term use of inhaled drugs, referred to as 'anticholinergic,' such as ipratropium and tiotropium, for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and death, the results of a review study suggest. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, incorporates two principal diseases, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Both conditions are strongly linked to smoking and involve difficulty in moving air through the lungs. Both can also be severely disabling and have life-threatening complications. The findings mirror those of a study on ipratropium use in COPD reported last week in the Annals of Internal Medicine" - Reuters

Angioplasty not cost-effective for chronic coronary disease

In patients with coronary artery disease, angioplasty isn't a cost-effective treatment, according to a U.S. study that assessed the costs of hospitalization and medication among 2,287 patients treated between 1999 and 2004. The researchers analyzed data from the COURAGE trial and concluded that angioplasty may add $10,000 to treatment costs "without significant gain in life years or quality-adjusted life years. The study was published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes"

In women, oversize waistlines are a potent risk factor for heart disease

"A heart expert at Johns Hopkins is calling for all women with a waistline measuring more than 35 inches to get an annual check-up and detailed risk assessment for heart problems because excess abdominal fat, even in the mildly obese and overweight, leads more than a third of women to underestimate their lifetime risk of having a heart attack, stroke or chest pain (angina). Cardiologist Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S. says the recommendation is based on a national, multicity screening of 8,936 women, ages 35 to 63, for heart disease risk factors. The screening, she says, found a strikingly high number of overweight American women whose stretched girth was tied to a serious underestimation of risk using traditional tools to assess heart health"

CSIRO brings out healthy heart book

"The CSIRO have just published a book called the CSIRO Healthy Heart Program which offers tips on how you can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. Experts say that heart disease affects 45,000 Australians each year and for men between 40 and 60 years of age, the first sign of the disease is a heart attack. CSIRO scientists Dr Manny Noakes and Dr Peter Clifton have spent the past eighteen months coming up with advice on how you can keep your heart and blood vessels healthy in their new book. 'It's a manual, so if you want to take your health seriously, it really tells you how to go about it, looking at your risk factors and what you can do to change your diet and exercise pattern,' Dr Clifton said. The book includes information on heart disease risks and how to avoid them, but it offers easy solutions to solve your health crisis. There is a 12-week healthy heart eating plan which includes full menu plans, advice for vegetarians, exercise advice and well over 100 recipes"


CSIRO Heart Diet

Drug-coated heart stents save more cardiac victims, study finds

"Drug-coated stents cut death rates for heart attack victims by 16 percent over older, bare-metal versions, researchers said, offering fresh evidence for the safety of the next generation of the devices. Sales of drug-covered stents, the mesh metal tubes used to prop open clogged arteries, fell 30 percent last year amid concerns their coatings could cause fatal clots. The results suggest there's less to fear from the new stents in patients who've already had heart attacks, said Laura Mauri, the lead author of the study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. About 1.1 million Americans suffer heart attacks each year and half die, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Of the 1 million stents implanted in U.S. patients annually, about half are used for heart attack victims. The new stents are coated with a drug intended to prevent scar tissue from reclogging arteries and patients who get them usually take anti-clotting medicine, which also might improve survival, Mauri said" - Bloomberg

Old Hollywood & Big Tobacco

"What did the Hollywood studio head say to the cigarette? Stick with me, baby, and I'll make you a star. That seems to have been the sentiment behind deals cut from 1951 and earlier with movie moguls, stars, and the big tobacco companies of the day. Researchers have unearthed contracts between big tobacco companies and Hollywood movie studios and stars who endorsed certain brands of cigarettes. The research was led by the University of California-San Francisco's Stanton Glantz, PhD. Glantz is director of the university's Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education" - WebMD

Textronics Inc. and NuMetrex heart rate monitor apparel featured on WHYY TV

Scientist plans to test for blood pressure genes affected by age

"A geneticist at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston plans to scan the genomes of about 4,000 people in the hopes of finding out why blood pressure often increases as young adults age. The two-year study by principal investigator Myriam Fornage, Ph.D., is funded with a new $1.1 million grant from the Genes, Environment and Health Initiative (GEI) of the National Institutes of Health. The grant was one of six announced today during the second round of funding from the program aimed at finding genetic factors that influence common disorders" - GEN

Zookeeper Thomas Doerflein, who hand-reared Knut, found dead

"Thomas Doerflein, the zookeeper who gained fame for hand-rearing the celebrity polar bear cub Knut, has died of a heart attack. He was 44. Doerflein was found dead in a Berlin apartment on Monday. With the cause of death unclear, an autopsy was conducted and concluded that a heart attack was the cause of death, authorities said. Doerflein gained fame in Germany and beyond as the ever-present caretaker for Knut, abandoned by his mother after his birth in late 2006. Knut became a worldwide sensation when the Berlin Zoo decided to raise him by hand, and Doerflein was on hand at every stage of the bear's growth" - Newsday

Co-operative Health Care Conference - Saskatoon

Co-operative Health Care Conference - The Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, University of Saskatchewan, and the Community Health Co-operative Federation are pleased to invite you to attend a day-long conference on the topic of: The Role of Co-operatives in Health Care; National and International Perspectives - October 30, 2008 - TCU Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This event will be of particular interest to researchers, health care administrators, practitioners, policy makers, elected officials and students

The wrist as a route to the heart

"About a million artery-clearing angioplasties are performed in the United States each year, and the usual route is to thread a tube to the heart through an artery in the groin. But a major study this summer showed that going through the wrist instead can significantly lower the risk of bleeding, without the discomfort of lying flat for hours while the incision site seals up. Just one-in-100 angioplasties in the United States is done via the wrist, and the approach isn't for everyone. But the study promises to spur more specialists to use the method"

Watch Dr. Howard Cohen, a cardiologist, explain it on The Early Show (CBS):

Inhalers may up heart death risk

"Inhalers prescribed for serious lung disease may increase the risk of deadly heart problems, say researchers. Trials on more than 15,000 patients found inhaled anticholinergic drugs increased the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death by 58%. The drugs, Atrovent and Spriva, open up the airways to help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to breathe. The work is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association" - BBC

Dark chocolate: half a bar per week may keep heart attack risk at bay

"6.7 grams of chocolate per day represent the ideal amount for a protective effect against inflammation and subsequent cardiovascular disease. A new effect, demonstrated for the first time in a population study by the Research Laboratories of the Catholic University in Campobasso, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute of Milan. The findings, published in the last issue of the Journal of Nutrition, official journal of the American Society of Nutrition, come from one of the largest epidemiological studies ever conducted in Europe, the Moli-sani Project, which has enrolled 20,000 inhabitants of the Molise region so far..." - ScienceDaily

Uncontrolled high blood pressure? Skip the salt

"People who have uncontrolled high blood pressure despite taking multiple blood pressure-lowering drugs can lower their blood pressure by adopting a low-salt diet, according to a study released today at the American Heart Association's 62nd Annual Fall Conference of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research in Atlanta. 'A high-salt diet contributes importantly to treatment-resistant hypertension (high blood pressure),' Dr. Eduardo Pimenta from the Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology, Sao Paulo, Brazil, told Reuters Health."

Exercise helps pregnant women quit smoking: study

"There's never a better time for a woman to quit smoking than when she's pregnant, doctors say, and all it may take is a little exercise. Researchers from St. George's University in London, UK, found that even just one day of exercise a week could help pregnant women quit smoking before giving birth. In a study of 32 pregnant women, 25 per cent kicked the habit. That figure is comparable to non-pregnant smokers who use nicotine replacement, such as patches and gums, to quit. 'These results are very encouraging and we are now conducting a randomized controlled trial with 850 women,' lead study author Michael Ussher said in a statement. 'Regular exercise is ideal for any pregnant women who smoke as it's obviously safe and the benefits are enormous.' The findings are published in the open access journal BMC Public Health" - CTV

Survival rates after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest vary widely

"People who suffer cardiac arrest at home or on the street are much more likely to survive after emergency treatment in some cities than in others. Survival rates after treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest ranged from 3% in Alabama to 16.3% in the Seattle area, reported Graham Nichol, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Washington, and colleagues in the September 24 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association"

Statins linked to increased risk of postoperative delirium

"Older patients who take statins regularly, particularly those past 70, have an increased risk of delirium following elective surgery. After adjusting for other variables, including age and length of surgery, statin use was associated with a 28% increased risk of postoperative delirium, according to Donald A. Redelmeier, M.D., of Sunnybrook Health Services Center of the University of Toronto, and colleagues" - MedPage Today

Isle of Wight Circumnavigation for the BHF

"This website has been put together as a resource detailing the challenge 3 brothers have set themselves to windsurf around the Isle of Wight this autumn 2008. There are several motives for this windsurfing based circumnavigation attempt but one of particular importance is to help raise money for the British Heart Foundation"

Cool invention helps tired players bounce back

"Players for the San Francisco 49ers trotted off the field during Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions and grabbed for the requisite towels and Gatorade. A few went for something else on the bench, slipping their hands into a coffee-pot-like contraption that stops cramping and overheating. The device, called the Glove and invented by two Stanford biologists, is used by the Niners during games and at practice for players' health. But its applications are far broader: from treating stroke and heart attack victims to allowing soldiers to remain in the field longer under intense heat" - SFGate

Passive smoking raises artery disease risk in women

"Breathing second-hand tobacco smoke significantly increases the risk of women developing peripheral artery disease (PAD), heart disease and stroke, a study in China has found. Previous studies have drawn strong links between passive smoking and stroke and heart disease, but this is the first time that an association between second-hand smoke and PAD has been found. PAD is a circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, causing pain and increasing the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. The study, published in the journal Circulation, involved 1,209 non-smoking women in Beijing over the age of 60. Of these, 477 were passive smokers either at home or at work. Researchers documented 431 prevalent cases of coronary heart disease, 172 cases of stroke and 271 cases of PAD during the course of the study and the findings showed consistently that the passive smokers were at far higher risk." - Reuters

Paramedic 'ignored heart patient'

"A paramedic has been criticised for not cutting short a break to help a woman who had suffered a heart attack. Catherine Cowie, 50, died two days after collapsing in Fraserburgh, Scotland. An ambulance technician was on the scene within four minutes, but a paramedic did not attend with her because he was on a break. Mrs Cowie's daughter has said she was 'completely disgusted' with the response of the paramedic, and intends to make an official complaint" - BBC

Cardiologist fears (Irish) rehabilitation projects may be target of cutbacks

"There is a risk that cardiac rehabilitation, despite contributing to a major reduction in heart disease in the Irish Republic, may fall victim to financial cutbacks, a leading heart specialist has said. Dr Vincent Maher, president of the Irish Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation and consultant cardiologist at the Adelaide, Meath and National Childrens hospital, Tallaght, said the rehabilitation of patients after heart attack or bypass surgery was one of the great successes of the national cardiovascular strategy. 'However, my fear is that this important initiative will be considered less important than emergency care as health service finances come under pressure,' he told The Irish Times"

Stanford athletes undergo extensive heart screening

"Stanford searches the world to recruit athletes with heart. On Sunday, it made sure those hearts were healthy. Hundreds of student-athletes underwent extensive heart checks in the school's most ambitious effort yet to prevent sudden cardiac death, the leading killer of young American athletes. Young, strong and fit, athletes from 35 teams seemed to be the picture of health as they awaited electrocardiograms (ECG) and echocardiograms at the Sports Medicine Center of the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation. But heart ailments can be silent killers, said Stanford's Dr. Victor Froelicher, lead cardiologist for the Sunday screening. 'There are 200 sudden cardiovascular deaths a year in young athletes. We would like to see that it doesn't happen here,' he said. 'It is such a paradox, that the kid who is the best physical specimen can die suddenly' - San Jose Mercury News

Obesity more harmful to heart than smoking: study

"Heart attacks are hitting the overweight more than a decade sooner than 'normal' weight people, researchers are reporting. A study of more than 111,000 people is one of the first to put real numbers to the risk of obesity and suggests 'excess adiposity' - fat tissue - is more dangerous to the heart than smoking. 'The leading theory in cardiology right now is that the fat tissue is actually producing factors that precipitate heart attacks,' says lead author Dr. Peter McCullough, consultant cardiologist and chief of nutrition and prevention medicine at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. The study appears in the most recent issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Heart diseases catch us young - Bangalore, India

"The increasing rate of heart disease among today's youth has emerged as a serious concern now. About 5 per cent of the patients who undergo angioplasty and other heart surgeries in the city are said to be in the age group of 30-35 years. Recently, a 30-year-old employee with a private news channel died after a massive cardiac arrest at his workplace. There have been many such instances before too. 'Modernisation' and changing lifestyles contribute to the spurt in heart diseases among the youth. The average age when a person may suffer a heart attack has dropped from 40 years to 30 years. The rate of coronary heart disease in young men here is almost twice as high as their western counterparts," says Dr Devananda N S, noted cardiovascular surgeon. 'Lack of physical activities, food habits, high-level of stress, increase in smoking and alcohol consumption are the major factors that instigate heart problems,' he adds" - MiD-Day Infomedia

Irish Heart Week 2008

Irish Heart Week September 22-28 2008 - If you are over 50, be proactive about your blood pressure for Irish Heart Week and get it checked with your doctor. As we get older our risk of having high blood pressure increases. A recent Irish survey showed that:
* 34% of men and women had high blood pressure but were not on medication to control it.
* 18% were on medication but their blood pressure was still high.
* Only 40% of Irish men and women over the age of 45 had normal blood pressure levels

The first Teamredlaces Berkshire walk

The first Teamredlaces Berkshire walk will take place on Sunday 28 September 2008 at Wellington Country Park (UK). The sponsored walk is open to everyone and dogs are very welcome (on leads). The aim of this walk is to raise awareness of the dangers of high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease whilst promoting exercise as a means of reducing risk and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. It is hoped that the sponsored walk will generate vital funds for H·E·A·R·T UK thus allowing the charity to continue providing support, information and knowledge to patients and their families

Nutritional supplements

"Nutritional supplements are big business. Every day, ads and news stories tell us about supplements promising to prevent heart disease and cancer, improve our memory, and much more. But is it all true?" - Yahoo Canada

US National health groups applaud House Committee vote for The HEART For Women Act

"National health groups commended the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee for approving crucial legislation aimed at fighting heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in women, their No. 1 killer. The American Heart Association, Society for Women's Health Research, WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. and their millions of volunteers, advocates and supporters are urging Congress to enact the Heart disease Education, Analysis and Research, and Treatment (HEART) for Women Act" - AHA

Why heart attack victims do better with social support

Researchers have identified specific damages to the brain that may occur when heart attack victims are socially isolated from others. The study in mice found that those animals that lived alone before undergoing a heart attack showed five to eight times more damage to neurons in one part of the brain than did similar animals that lived with others. The study appears in the October 2008 issue of the journal Molecular Psychiatry

12th Annual Scientific Meeting of the HFSA

12th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America will be held September 21-24, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Heart patients given culinary aid

"A pioneering heart-friendly cooking course is getting under way at a Scottish hospital. Cardiac patients at the Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh will be urged to choose a healthy diet and ingredients to prevent future health problems. Chef Bosco Santimano, from Peebles, will be passing on expert advice during the informal 90-minute lessons. A total of 18 patients from the cardiac rehabilitation unit have already signed up for the course, funded by the NHS. - BBC

WomenHeart Leadership Symposium

WomenHeart Leadership Symposium - October 11-15, 2008 - Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota - This is a four-day science and leadership training course for women heart patients who want to:
* Learn the basic science of women's heart disease-prevention, diagnosis and optimal treatment and care
* Discover new ways to thrive by healing body and mind
* Advocate for the best care for yourself
* Educate other women and community groups about heart disease risks in women
* Give effective interviews to the media
* Improve how women with heart disease are treated within the healthcare system
* Serve as an official WomenHeart spokeswoman

Scientists discover molecular mechanism behind irregular heartbeats

"German researchers have uncovered the molecular mechanism whereby virus infections cause cardiac arrhythmia. Experts at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch say that they have discovered that the receptor that the virus uses to infect heart cells is normally necessary for regular heartbeat in mice"

Exercise vs. diets: weighing the benefit

"There's even more evidence that it is never too late to start exercising. When overweight older people start walking or riding a stationary bike, they are able to improve their exercise efficiency, according to a new study. Exercise efficiency refers to using fewer calories to perform a physical activity. Also, exercisers burn more fat and lose less muscle than older people who simply diet for weight loss. People tend to lose lean muscle mass as they age, and if they lose too much, it can interfere with the activities of daily living. The study is published in the Journal of Applied Physiology" - WebMD

Cholesterol Sandwich

Ever wonder why you had a "heart event"? Here's why:

Hot trend: Treadmill desks

"Terri Krivosha, a partner at a Minneapolis law firm, logs three miles each workday on a treadmill without leaving her desk. She finds it easier to exercise while she types than to attend aerobics classes at the crack of dawn" - New York Times

Diabetes on the rise in Canada

"More Canadians are at risk of developing diabetes and its complications the Canadian Diabetes Association has warned as it released new clinical guidelines that emphasize early identification and treatment of patients at risk. The association said up to six million Canadians have prediabetes and 25 per cent could progress to Type 2 diabetes within three to five years" - Canadian Diabetes Association

Device helps keep heart in sync, sends text to doctor

"Gary Claiborne had not been to a doctor in almost 20 years, until his first heart attack in 1991. But now, he gets a heart checkup once a day - without stepping in to a physician's office. Claiborne, of Fairview, was the first patient in Tennessee to have a new heart device implanted in his chest. The stopwatch-size device will perform daily tests on his heart to make sure the chambers beat in sync and at the best pace. It has a mouthful of a name: cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator. Simply put, it sends a shock to put an errant heartbeat back into normal rhythm, and delivers a text message to a doctor's cell phone if something is wrong" - The Tennessean

New mechanism for cardiac arrhythmia discovered

"It has long been thought that virus infections can cause cardiac arrhythmia. But why has not been understood. Ulrike Lisewski, Dr. Yu Shi, Michael Radke and Professor Michael Gotthardt of the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch, Germany, have now discovered the molecular mechanism. The researchers demonstrated that the receptor which the virus uses to infect heart cells is normally necessary for regular heart beat in mice..." - PhysOrg.com

Guided Relaxation for Blood Pressure?

"Elderly people with high blood pressure might want to give guided relaxation audio programs a try, new research shows. In a small study, elderly people with hypertension (high blood pressure) who listened to a guided relaxation audio program lowered their systolic blood pressure (the first number in a blood pressure reading) more than those who listened to a Mozart sonata. The elders who took part in the study were already taking drugs to help lower their blood pressure, but it was still a bit above normal when the study began. They were assigned to listen to the relaxation program or Mozart at least three times a week for four weeks..." - WebMD

Medical students use Heartworks virtual heart without spilling blood

"It pumps, beats and swells just like the real thing, but a new 'virtual' model of a human heart could improve the quality of training for medical students without a drop of blood being spilled, researchers say. Created by heart specialists from the University College Hospital, London, and computer animation experts, the Heartworks model is a representation of a working heart designed to be viewed from any angle in photorealistic detail. In a teaching context, it will be combined with a mannequin simulator to teach cardiac anatomy and ultrasound heart exams for trainee doctors where no such models previously existed" - Times

Study into near-death experiences

"A large study is to examine near-death experiences in cardiac arrest patients. Doctors at 25 UK and US hospitals will study 1,500 survivors to see if people with no heartbeat or brain activity can have 'out of body' experiences. Some people report seeing a tunnel or bright light, others recall looking down from the ceiling at medical staff..." - BBC

Top-selling prescription drug mismarketed to women

"Lipitor has been the top-selling drug in the world and has accounted for over $12 billion in annual sales. It has been prescribed to both men and women to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with common risk factors for heart disease. However, a new study appearing in the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies was unable to find high quality clinical evidence documenting reduced heart attack risk for women in a primary prevention context. Furthermore, advertising omits label information relevant to women. Theodore Eisenberg of Cornell Law School and Martin T. Wells of Cornell University assembled studies for a meta analysis of drugs' effects on cardiovascular risk, taking into account all relevant studies reporting risks for both men and women" - Blackwell Publishing

From rose hips for joints to blackberries for lung cancer - wild plants are being harnessed for new wonder drugs

"They're bursting with health benefits, require no prescription and cost nothing. Research shows that Britain's hedgerow plants are full of vitamins and antioxidants. Furthermore, scientists are investigating their uses as medicines for a host of conditions, including cancer and high blood pressure" - Daily Mail

Toni Braxton medical concerns as she takes on Dancing With The Stars

"Toni Braxton, 40, is facing a daily fight to get herself into shape for this season's Dancing With the Stars as she has been recently diagnosed with a heart condition. In May and June, Toni had to cancel a number of her Las Vegas shows after severe breathing problems sent her to the hospital. Toni has since been diagnosed with coronary microvascular angina, a condition which starves parts of the body of oxygenated blood. Due to the fact that she has spent the summer trying to control the condition by learning how to balance her medication, she has decided that her goal is not to win the contest, but make it through rehearsals to get to episode one" - RealityTVMagazine.com

Irish patients have heart valves replaced without open surgery

"In a major breakthrough in the treatment of heart disease in the Republic of Ireland, for the first time a patient here has had a heart valve replaced without the need for open-heart surgery. Two patients in their 80s had replacement aortic valves placed inside their hearts using a new form of keyhole surgery. The groundbreaking procedures, each of which took two hours to perform, were carried out at the Blackrock Clinic, Dublin, last Wednesday" - Irish Times

Survival rates up for common heart defect

"Young adults with the most common type of congenital cardiac abnormality are likely to experience subsequent cardiac events. However, they do not appear to have lower survival rates compared to the general population, according to a new study. Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve in the heart, which is a valve that only has two flaps that open and close instead of three, were followed for an average of nine years. Twenty-five percent experienced one or more primary cardiac events, such as cardiac death, aortic death or congestive heart failure..." - Ivanhoe Newswire

Statin use too low among elderly heart patients

"The use of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs by elderly patients with clogged arteries or 'atherosclerosis' remains suboptimal despite improvements in the last 10 years, according to a study conducted in Canada. Many practice guidelines advocate the use of statins in people with atherosclerosis, but several studies have shown under utilization of statins in this population, the study team notes in the Journal of Vascular Surgery this month" - Reuters

Pilot project is helping heart attack victims in Gloucestershire, UK

"A pilot project aimed at helping heart attack patients recover more quickly is benefiting Gloucestershire patients. A report published by the British Heart Foundation has found that only 47 per cent of patients in the South West receive cardiac rehabilitation after suffering a heart attack. But it has praised the work being trialled by Gloucestershire Hospitals. In collaboration with Gloucestershire Heart Failure Service, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Cardiac Rehabilitation Service has been working towards the development of a multi-disciplinary cardiac rehabilitation pilot programme specifically for patients with chronic heart failure" - Gloucestershire Media

Marathoners show higher-than-expected heart risks

"Some older marathon runners may have a greater chance of suffering a heart attack than their risk factors belie, new research suggests. In a study of male marathoners age 50 and up, researchers found that, despite their high activity levels, the runners were as likely as other men their age to have calcium buildup in their heart arteries. And when compared with men who had a similar amount of heart disease risk factors, marathoners actually tended to have more calcium in their arteries" - Reuters

New health risks linked with bisphenol A, chemical found in some plastic bottles

"The first major study of health effects in people from a chemical used in plastic baby bottles, food cans and a host of other products links it with possible risks for heart disease and diabetes. It suggests a potential new concern about the safety of bisphenol A or BPA. And because of the possible public health implications, the results 'deserve scientific follow-up,' the study authors said. But the study is preliminary, far from proof that the chemical causes heart disease and diabetes. Two Dartmouth College analysts of medical research said the study raises questions but provides no answers about whether the ubiquitous chemical is harmful" - The Canadian Press

Go Red For Women and NBC local media join to tell the untold stories of real women and heart disease

"On September 20, the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women is bringing the real faces of women and heart disease into living rooms across the country in a new 30-minute NBC television special, Go Red For Women presents - Untold Stories of the Heart. The special will air on NBC's ten owned-andoperated stations (check your local listings for various times). For every heart, there is a story. Unfortunately, these stories often go untold because women lack awareness of their risk factors and an understanding of the choices they can make to prevent heart disease. This fall, those stories will be told"

Making the Connection

Making the Connection is a program dedicated to the ongoing education of Canadians about the dangers of high cholesterol, and to encouraging Canadians to take action to control high cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Making the Connection is a partnership of the Canadian Lipid Nurse Network, the Canadian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Diabetes Quebec, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Diabetes Association, Blood Pressure Canada, and Pfizer Canada Inc

2008 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress

The 2008 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress will be held 25-29 October in Toronto, Ontario

Migraines linked to vein blood clots

Migraine sufferers appear to be at increased risk for stroke, and now a new study may help explain why. The study included 574 Italians age 55 and older, including 111 people with a history of migraines followed for five years. The study appears in the September 16 issue of the journal Neurology

Opening of second Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City

"Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, managed by Cleveland Clinic, has announced the opening of a new ultra-modern Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory for performing adult diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures. The new 'cath lab' is considered the first to provide Ambient Experience Catheterization in the Middle East. It has been designed with comforting scene projectors, special lighting and sound effects that are targeted at optimizing patient care and comfort as well as enhanced staff interaction and efficiency. With the launch of the new cath lab, the Adult Cardiology Division at SKMC became a regional reference site for Philips Ambient Experience cath lab, echocardiography and cardiovascular information solutions"

Fewer deaths with drug stents than bare metal: study

"Drug-coated stents implanted into clogged heart arteries are associated with a significantly lower risk of death than bare-metal versions, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic said on Monday. Use of stents coated with drugs to prevent scar tissue from reclogging arteries cleared of plaque has fallen as much as 50 percent in recent years due to concerns the tiny wire-mesh tubes can cause blood clots long after they are implanted" - Reuters

Red Bull may hike heart attack risk

"While the makers of Red Bull claim their ragingly popular beverage 'gives you wings,' a new study suggests that the taurine- and caffeine-based energy-enhancer may also give you a higher risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Drinking one 250 ml can of sugar-free Red Bull increased the 'stickiness' of a drinker's blood, causing a higher risk of blood clots, which can be a precursor to life-threatening strokes, according to a study released last month by the Cardiovascular Research Centre at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia" - Harvard Crimson

Study measures firefighters' racing heart rates

"An Indiana University study that measured firefighters' heart and breathing rates found that their cardiovascular stress hit peak levels at fires where civilians or other firefighters faced imminent danger. During one fire, in which firefighters worked to rescue a mother and three children trapped in a burning house, five firefighters had heart rates at or above their predicted maximum for more than 30 minutes" - The Herald-Times

Resistance training aids recovery from heart disease

"Until recently, patients were kept bedridden for weeks following major surgery. This was especially true for those who had had a heart attack, heart bypass graft or other surgical procedure designed to keep blood flowing to the heart. Today, hospital protocols are different. We now know that recovery is accelerated by getting patients up and walking within a day or two after having surgery. It's also typical to have patients begin a physical therapy program within a week or two of being hospitalized. Once discharged, however, it's usually up to the patient to continue rehabilitating the heart via regular exercise" - The Coloradoan

Stem Cell Therapy: new hope for the failing heart

"The Bangkok Heart Hospital is now treating the patients with heart failure and patients with damaged heart muscle from blockage of the coronary artery using angiogenic precursor cells produced from the patient's own peripheral blood"

Lack of cardiac care 'putting heart patients lives at risk'

Telegraph.co.uk: "Only 40 per cent of patients receive rehabilitation after a heart attack or heart surgery, the research shows, despite a UK Government target to offer it to 85 per cent of them. Staff shortages mean those who do receive the care get just one third of the recommended hours of physiotherapy. The report, released today by the British Heart Foundation failed to find a single cardiac rehabilitation programme in Britain with the minimum recommended number of staff. Studies have shown that patients who do not receive cardiac rehabilitation are 26 per cent more likely than those who do to die within five years"

Seniors' Week in Saskatchewan

September 29 to October 5, 2008 has been designated Seniors' Week in Saskatchewan. On October 1 there will be a Spotlight on Seniors at TCU Place, Saskatoon, from 10am to 4pm. Booths, entertainment, fashion show, information for seniors, lunch is available for purchase, there will be complimentary coffee and donuts in the morning and coffee, tea and cupcakes in the afternoon. Manicures will be available for the ladies, by the students from Marvel. Country entertainer Brad Johner will perform at 1:15 p.m.

Statin pioneer wins Albert Lasker Medical Research Award

Akira Endo wins the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for the discovery of the statins - drugs with remarkable LDL-cholesterol-lowering properties that have revolutionized the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease

Railway hospital to train cardiac patients in yoga

"In an innovative move, Perambur Railway Hospital will offer yoga therapy to cardiac patients as part of postoperative care and preventive care. Patients suffering from cardiac condition will be taught yoga exercises by trained instructors in batches. The exercises have been specially modified so that patients can practise while seated on a chair" - Times of India

Scottish Campaign for Cardiac Rehabilitation

"The Scottish Campaign for Cardiac Rehabilitation has been launched by an alliance of patient organisations, health professionals and heart charities creating one powerful voice to champion the cause of cardiac rehabilitation. Our demand is that 'Cardiac Rehabilitation must be fully recognised as being central to the treatment and care of heart patients. By the end of 2010, every heart patient must have access to a high quality cardiac rehabilitation programme'"

KinSpin...Run, Walk & Roll

The College of Kinesiology is presenting their inaugural KinSpin...Run, Walk & Roll the morning of Saturday September 27, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in the University of Saskatchewan Bowl. Get your family, friends and colleagues together and participate in a 1k walk/wheelchair/rollerblading event or a 5 k run routed through campus. All proceeds from the event will go towards Special Needs funding in the College of Kinesiology. Special entertainment draws and snacks are being arranged for participants and everyone who registers gets a long-sleeve t-shirt plus if you register before September 16, you will get a personalized runners bib