Researchers seek patients for diabetes 'dating agency' (UK)

A massive recruitment drive is under way to match up thousands of diabetes patients with research projects aimed at finding a cure for the disease. The scheme is being likened to a kind of "dating agency" that puts researchers and patients in contact. Researchers say about 30% of cancer patients may be taking part in clinical trials, but for diabetes that figure is less than 1%. About 2.8 million people in the UK are known to have diabetes. But the charity Diabetes UK believes another 800,000 people may not know they already have the disease

Windsor's Hotel-Dieu Grace recruits star heart doctor (Canada)

Meet Dr. Nisar Huq. The new star recruit of Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital's cardiology department could serve as poster boy for Canada's reversal of the medical brain drain to the U.S. Huq, a highly trained and successful interventional cardiologist has the professional profile that the Canadian medical profession would have lamented losing just a few years ago. Born in Ottawa and trained in Ontario and Quebec, Huq was eventually lured to the U.S. to pursue more challenging professional opportunities there. The last five years, he worked in Michigan, Illinois and, most recently, Texas. Now he has returned home. "I always hoped to come back," said the 44-year-old specialist, who trained at the Ottawa Heart Institute and Montreal's McGill University. "I enjoyed my time in the U.S. but I love Canada and I'm proud to practise here." He joins Dr. Roland Mikhail and Dr. Amr Morsi to give the local hospital three interventional cardiologists able to perform angioplasties - Windsor Star

Why cardiac rehab saves lives

Cardiac rehabilitation can be extremely effective, yet most people choose to avoid it. New research may make them think twice. Cardiac rehabilitation can improve the ability of the heart to return quickly to a normal rate after exercise, and that in turn can double the chances of survival. "Time and time again, cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to improve survival, to improve quality of life, and of course improve exercise capacity," says researcher Leslie Cho, MD, section head of preventive cardiology and rehabilitation at the Cleveland Clinic. However, experts debate whether it's possible to reverse an abnormally slow return to a normal heart rate, and if doing so can lengthen life. The new research sheds light on both points. "For the first time, we have shown that cardiac rehabilitation can train the heart to return to its normal rate quickly after exercise and improve survival. This is better than any medicine," Cho says. The study is published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association

Men 'more prone to type 2 diabetes'

Researchers say they have discovered why men may be more likely than women to develop type 2 diabetes - they are biologically more susceptible. Men need to gain far less weight than women to develop the condition, study findings suggest. The Glasgow University team found men developed the disease at a lower Body Mass Index than women. They believe distribution of the body fat is important - men tend to store it in their liver and around the waist

Soviet-era pill from Bulgaria helps smokers quit; its low price holds hope for poor countries

A pill developed in Bulgaria during the Soviet era shows promise for helping millions of smokers cheaply and safely kick the habit, the first big study of it shows. It could become a new weapon to combat smoking in poor countries, but it is unclear whether it will ever reach the market in the U.S. or Western Europe. The drug, cytisine, is now used just in Eastern Europe, where smokers usually take the pill for three or four weeks. Generic versions cost as little as $5 to $17 a month, compared with about $100 for an eight-week supply of nicotine patches or about $300 for a 12-week supply of Pfizer Inc.'s Chantix pill - common treatments in rich countries to help smokers quit. Cytisine "is so cheap that even in developing countries, if you can afford to smoke, you can afford to stop," said Dr. Robert West of University College London. He led the study, published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine

Implantable pacemaker inventor Wilson Greatbatch dies

The man who invented the first successful implantable cardiac pacemaker, Wilson Greatbatch, has died in Buffalo, New York, aged 92. His pacemaker was first implanted in humans in 1960 and keeps the heart beating in a regular rhythm. Now, hundreds of thousands of people receive pacemakers every year. Greatbatch's cause of death is not known. But Larry Maciariello, his son-in-law, told reporters his health had been "intermittent". He held more than 150 patents

CARG Newsletter - October 2011

The CARG Newsletter - October 2011 is now available online

Seasonal Influenza Immunization begins on October 11, 2011

Vaccine is available for everyone this Year. All ages benefit from annual influenza vaccine but it is important those considered at high risk be immunized

People at high risk of complications or hospitalization:

* People 65 years of age or older (or turn 65 prior to March 31, 2012)
* Pregnant women
* Children 6 months to 4 years of age
* People who are severely obese
* People of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
* Anyone with chronic health conditions

Household and close contacts:

* Of any of the categories listed above
* Of infants less than 6 months of age
* Households expecting a newborn before March 31, 2012

Other groups:

* Healthcare providers, health care students and registered volunteers
* Physicians and medical office staff
* People providing regular child care to children less than 5 years of age
* People employed in the poultry and hog industry

If you have any questions, contact the Saskatoon Health Region at 655-4620

Food Chat with Rochelle Anthony

Do have a question for Rochelle Anthony, Dietitian for the Cardiac Rehab Program? Dates:

Field House:
Wednesday October 5 @ 9am - 11am
Thursday November 24 @ 9am - 10:30am
Wednesday December 7 @ 9am - 11am

Shaw Centre:
Wednesday November 30 @ 9am - 11am
(Please note that Jackie Boschman, Cardiac Rehab Nurse, will be present on this day)

Diabetes on Track - do you have a question regarding your diabetes?

Marlene Matiko, Diabetes Nurse Educator, and Rochelle Anthony, Dietitian, will be in the track area to answer your questions on:

Field House:
Tuesday October 25 @ 8am - 10am
Monday November 7 @ 8am - 11am

Shaw Centre:
Wednesday October 19 @ 8am - 11am

Please bring your logbook and blood sugar meter. No appointments required but you may book a time. Speak to your exercise therapist about this

Craving Change(TM) - changing your relationship with food

Craving Change(TM) - changing your relationship with food - presented free of charge by LiveWell Dietitians

Understand why you eat the way you do:
Comfort yourself without food - Change your thinking - Change your eating

2 programs available:

Field House:
Thursday October 6 @ 10am - 12pm
Thursday October 20 @ 10am - 12pm
Thursday November 3 @ 10am - 12pm

West Winds:
Tuesday October 18 @ 2pm - 4pm
Tuesday October 25 @ 2pm - 4pm
Tuesday November 8 @ 2pm - 4pm
Please call 655-LIVE or 655-5483 to register

Let's talk about your Diabetes

If you have diabetes, here is a fun and engaging way to learn more about your diabetes.

Join us for a Conversation Map™:

* you learn from others just like you
* share your thoughts and experiences

* Three part session: October, 25; November 8 & 22
* All sessions are 10:30am - 12:30pm at meeting room #2 upstairs at the Field House
* Lunch will be provided
* Facilitators : Marlene Matiko, Diabetes Nurse Clinician and Rochelle Anthony, Dietitian (Phone: 655-2140)
* To register, or for more information, talk to your exercise therapist. Space is limited

Possible new blood test to diagnose heart attacks (USA)

Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine researchers are reporting a possible new blood test to help diagnose heart attacks. In the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, researchers report that a large protein known as cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) is released to the blood following a heart attack. "This potentially could become the basis for a new test, used in conjunction with other blood tests, to help diagnose heart attacks," said senior author Sakthivel Sadayappan, PhD. "This is the beginning. A lot of additional studies will be necessary to establish cMyBP-C as a true biomarker for heart attacks."

The Melville Communiplex Project Fitness Centre (Saskatchewan)

The walking track and fitness facility will give people in Melville a venue for exercise no matter what the weather is like outside. Health and wellness activities are foundational elements for any community. The Sunrise Health Region, which includes Melville, has comparably high rates of smoking, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. Sunrise also has a relatively aging population. For these reasons, the Communiplex is doubly important in Melville. Prevention is an important part of health care and this facility will take a huge step in that direction. The cardiac care centre will provide the people of Melville and area with preventative and recuperative health care. Smoke cessation programs, cardiac rehabilitation, obesity challenges, chronic disease management and Type Two Diabetes intervention are just a few of the resources that will be offered through the centre. Melville is the first community in Saskatchewan to adopt a Cardiac Care Family Fitness initiative. The Sunrise Health Region, St. Peter's Hospital and the Paul Schwann Centre for Rehabilitation will work cooperatively to deliver these services and contribute to a healthier and happier Melville

WHO targets non-communicable 'lifestyle' diseases

The World Health Organization has set out a plan to tackle non-communicable diseases like heart disease, which now pose a greater global burden than infectious diseases. "Lifestyle-related" diseases are now the leading cause of death worldwide, killing 36 million people a year. Much of the toll is in low and middle-income countries and this is where efforts must be focused, says WHO. It suggests affordable steps governments should take. The list includes measures that target the population as a whole, such as excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol, smoke-free indoor workplaces and public places, as well as campaigns to reduce salt and dangerous fats in foods. Other tactics focus on individuals and include screening and treatment for cardiovascular disease and cervical cancer, as well as immunisation against hepatitis B to prevent liver cancer. WHO estimates the total cost for adopting these strategies in all low-and middle-income countries would be $11.4bn (£7.2bn) per year