Abnormal heartbeats caused by changes in ion channel density

Two independent studies have determined how changes in the density of different ion channels in the surface membrane of heart muscle cells can lead to life-threatening abnormal heartbeats, according to research to be published in the August 24 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation - Science Daily

Hopelessness ups stroke risk in women

Feelings of hopelessness can place healthy women at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular events such as stroke, a new study finds. Previous studies had linked depression and hopelessness with heart disease, saying that optimism may protect women against cardiac problems. According to the study published in Stroke, healthy middle-aged women with chronic negative thinking and feelings of uselessness are more vulnerable to developing atherosclerotic plaques in their neck arteries, a precursor of stroke and subsequent heart attack. Thickening of arteries are reported to develop in these women who are generally healthy before relevant cardiovascular diseases occur. Scientists concluded that strong feelings of hopelessness in women are strong and early markers of cardiovascular diseases, adding that such women should seek medical consultation without delay

Little known type of cholesterol may pose the greatest heart disease risk (China)

Health-conscious people know that high levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the so-called "bad" cholesterol) can increase the risk of heart attacks. Now scientists are reporting that another form of cholesterol called oxycholesterol - virtually unknown to the public - may be the most serious cardiovascular health threat of all. Scientists from China presented one of the first studies on the cholesterol-boosting effects of oxycholesterol at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. The researchers hope their findings raise public awareness about oxycholesterol, including foods with the highest levels of the substance and other foods that can combat oxycholesterol's effects. "Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and the heart-healthy high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) are still important health issues," says study leader Zhen-Yu Chen, Ph.D., of Chinese University of Hong Kong. "But the public should recognize that oxycholesterol is also important and cannot be ignored. Our work demonstrated that oxycholesterol boosts total cholesterol levels and promotes atherosclerosis ["hardening of the arteries"] more than non-oxidized cholesterol." - EurekAlert

Cardiovascular disease gets personal

"As personalized cancer treatment edges into the clinic, doctors and scientists are hoping that cardiovascular disease - the world's top killer - will be next to benefit from genomics. An avalanche of studies has linked genetic variants to various cardiovascular conditions and to patients' responses to commonly prescribed drugs. First up could be genetic guidance for the anti-clotting agents warfarin and clopidogrel, followed by testing for genetic variants responsible for conditions such as atrial fibrillation, a heart-rhythm abnormality that is a leading cause of stroke" - Nature

Stenting a good option for left main heart artery

"Twelve-year data on treatment of blockage of the left main heart artery indicate that using a drug-coated stent is an effective alternative to bypass surgery, doctors report. The study of 314 people who underwent the procedure between 1997 and 2008 in Poland supports the findings of a large European trial, which found no difference in the death rate between bypass surgery and angioplasty for the condition, according to a report published online August 19 and in an upcoming print issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology by a group of physicians from Poland and the United States"

Cell is capable of growing new coronary arteries

"Most of the clinical displays of coronary artery disease can be treated by new formations of coronary arteries that replace the constricted or occluded coronary vessels, restoring blood flow to the heart. Unfortunately, this has been so far an impossible task. In this study, Dr. Piero Anversa MD, from Brigham and Women's Hospital and colleagues, have demonstrated that the human heart contains a population of stem cells which has the unique property to form large vessels similar to those commonly affected by atherosclerosis, a disease which can lead to heart attack" - EmaxHealth

Mount Sinai first with new technique to prevent a major cause for heart-related stroke (USA)

"Physicians at The Mount Sinai Medical Center were the first in the USA to perform a non-surgical procedure using sutures to tie off a left atrial appendage, which is the source of blood clots leading to stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. AFib is the most common sustained heart-rhythm disorder in the United States. The procedure was performed Wednesday by Vivek Y. Reddy, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at Mount Sinai Heart, and his colleague, Srinivas R. Dukkipati, MD, Director of Mount Sinai's Experimental Electrophysiology Laboratory. With the patient under general anesthesia, the physicians guided two catheters into the patient's heart to seal the LAA with a pre-tied suture loop. The technique is a safe alternative to drug therapies such as the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin) that can have serious side effects, as well as open-heart surgery, and more invasive implant surgery" - EurekAlert

UBC research sheds light on sudden death in people with high cholesterol (Canada)

"Cholesterol can affect the flow of the electrical currents that generate the heart beat, according to a study from two UBC cardiovascular researchers funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon. The research team has just published the important discovery about the causes of cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats) in one of the world's leading scientific journals. Together with a group from Paris, France, UBC researchers David Fedida and Jodene Eldstrom found that too much cholesterol can affect the electrical currents, perhaps causing the heart to start beating out of rhythm or even stop beating. In contrast, reducing the cholesterol normalized the structures underlying the electrical activity, thus promoting a regular and healthy heartbeat. The researchers discovered that the key mechanism by which this happens is the Kv1.5 potassium channel, a protein that facilitates the flow of electrical charges through heart cells. Cholesterol blocks the functioning of these proteins while lowering of cholesterol levels enhances their function. Prior to this research, scientists already knew that cholesterol plays an important role in regulating the heart's electrical system. However, they didn't know how. This research is published in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a top global journal. As well, the researchers will present their findings next week at a plenary session of the European Society of Cardiology in Barcelona" - EurekAlert

The Prescription Promise Campaign (UK)

The Prescription Promise Campaign brings together 18 charities calling on Gordon Brown to keep the promise he made in his speech to Labour Party Conference 2008 to abolish prescription charges for people with all long-term conditions. As of the 1st April 2009, people with cancer no longer have to pay for prescriptions. This is wonderful news, but many more people in need are still waiting. There is plenty of evidence that many people with long-term conditions currently struggle to afford their prescriptions, and often choose not to fill prescriptions because of the cost. For example:

• A MORI survey for CAB found that 800,000 people failed to collect a prescription during 2007 in England because of the cost involved. People with long-term conditions are particularly affected.

• An Asthma UK survey found that 34% of people who have to pay for their asthma medication sometimes choose not to get some of their prescriptions because of the cost.

• Research published by Rethink in 2008 shows that 38 per cent of people with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia have to choose between paying household bills and paying prescription charges.

We are calling on the Government to set a clear timetable for implementing free prescriptions for everyone with a long-term condition before the next election. We hope that you will lend us your support by emailing your MP and signing our petition.

You can also support the campaign on Facebook

Current membership of the Prescription Promise Campaign:

• Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group
• Arthritis Care
• Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
• Asthma UK
• Behcets Syndrome Society
• British Heart Foundation
• Diabetes UK
• Disability Alliance
• Mind
• MS Society
• National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease
• National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society
• Parkinson's Disease Society -
• Pernicious Anaemia Society
• Rethink
• The Stroke Association
• Skin Care Campaign
• Terrence Higgins Trust

Gary Go releases 'The Heart Balloon' to help the British Heart Foundation

"Singer-songwriter Gary Go has released a new song 'The Heart Balloon' to help raise funds for our fight against heart disease. Gary is making the track available to download for FREE on a pay-whatever-you-want basis, with 100% of all voluntary donations going directly to support our vital lifesaving work. Anyone who donates to download will go into a special prize draw to win fantastic exclusive Gary Go goodies. Gary has been supporting music royalty Take That and Lady Gaga on tour this summer, and has been referred to by Q magazine as a "One Man Coldplay". 'The Heart Balloon' is available to download until midnight on Mon 31 August"

E-connect: Saskatoon Health Region's employee newsletter volume 4, issue 15, August 14, 2009

E-connect: Saskatoon Health Region's employee newsletter volume 4, issue 15, August 14, 2009 is now available online

Grapefruit compound may lower heart disease risks

"A certain compound found in grapefruit and other citrus fruits may prove helpful in preventing heart disease and Type 2 diabetes through its effect on metabolic syndrome. The plant-based molecule, called naringenin, is thought to have positive effects on cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels in the body. A Heart and Stroke Foundation-funded study from Dr. Murray Huff looked at the effects of naringenin in animal diets and saw very promising results. They gave mice a diet high in fat (typical to the Western diet), but supplemented half the group with naringenin. The grapefruit compound corrected the elevations in triglyceride and cholesterol, prevented the development of insulin resistance and completely normalized glucose metabolism. The researchers found it worked by genetically reprogramming the liver to burn up excess fat, rather than store it"

Video watching linked to increased BP in kids

"Children who spent more time in front of video screens tended to have higher blood pressure than those who found other things to do - but not because they weren’t getting exercise, researchers said. Television viewing time and 'screen time' - the combination of all time spent with TVs, video games, and computers - were both significantly correlated with increased systolic blood pressure in 111 children, Joey C. Eisenmann, PhD, of Michigan State University in East Lansing, and colleagues reported in the August issue of Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine." - medpage TODAY

Blood pressure drug may help treat MS

A drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure may also double as a multiple sclerosis treatment. A new study shows the inexpensive blood pressure drug lisinopril blocked development of multiple sclerosis in laboratory mice bred to develop the disease. And when the drug was given to mice with full-blown symptoms of multiple sclerosis, it reversed their paralysis without affecting their overall immunity. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease in which the body's immune system malfunctions and can eventually lead to paralysis or even death. The disease is difficult to treat without compromising normal immune function and protection. But researcher Lawrence Steinman, MD, of Stanford University says multiple sclerosis and high blood pressure both involve inflammatory processes that may benefit from treatment with lisinopril. If future studies confirm these results, lisinopril may provide a less expensive treatment alternative for multiple sclerosis. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, examined the effects of treatment with lisinopril in mice bred to develop brain lesions similar to those found in people with multiple sclerosis after being given a disease-triggering chemical

Up and Walking at The Shaw!!

Larry Mullen, on behalf of the CARG Executive writes: "As of Wednesday, September 2nd, the new CARG exercise program is off and running, er...walking, at the Shaw Centre. The program is scheduled to go every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

We wish Kristin and Stacey luck and good fortune in their new postings as the exercise therapists for the program at the Shaw. We at the Field House will miss them.

Everyone indicating that they wanted to attend the Shaw Centre were sent letters this August. We will be missing some of our regulars at the Field House. Fifty-two people transferred over. Another forty-some from our active list said they would attend. So we have good numbers to get the program started.

Space does not allow us to name and thank every individual and organization that helped lobby the Regional Health District for funds to run the program. But by letter and phone we have extended our gratitude to those involved.

However, we do wish to name and thank CARG past-president Bob Korpan and The Lions for making a generous cash donation for equipment to be used at the Shaw. Once the program gets settled in we will be doing a media event to properly give recognition to the Lions, and formerly announce the program"