CARG obituary: Augustine Mitchell

MITCHELL, Augustine Joseph (Mitch) Born August 1, 1936 at Outlook, SK. Joe passed away suddenly on March 5, 2009. He led a full and active life, enjoyed skiing and was a long-time member of the Canadian Ski Patrol, Batoche Region. His other passion in life was woodworking. He enjoyed teaching, sharing and demonstrating his knowledge as a member of the Woodworker's Guild of Saskatoon. He was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor; and sister, Margaret (Alex) Sobzcak. He is survived by his daughters, Donna (Fraser), their children Callum, Keegan and Connor; Carol (Charles), their children Lee and Sean; Patricia; and Heather (James), their children Rachel and Augustus; also survived by Beth Dueck, a special friend; his sister, Irene (Alex) Buye; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 436 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon. Interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, 279 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8 or St. Andrew's Church Memorial Fund, 426 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3G6. Condolences may be emailed to mail@prairieviewchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Prairie View Chapel & Crematorium, 242-7884. Please view/sign the guestbook

Ankle-brachial index may help predict cardiac risk

"Screening for novel risk factors such as ankle-brachial index (ABI) - which identifies peripheral arterial disease - could help prevent the 25 percent of all heart attacks or sudden cardiac deaths that occur in patients thought to be at low risk. In addition, low re-intervention rates associated with endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms - comparable to those reported for open surgical repair - suggest that the minimally invasive procedure can be recommended as a first-line treatment, according to two studies presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's annual meeting held March 7 to 12 in San Diego"

Heart and Stroke Foundation studies First Nations' food choices to improve heart health (Canada)

"First Nations people in Canada have higher rates of heart disease, high blood pressure and related problems such as diabetes and obesity. While there is much evidence showing that these problems are more consistent in this population, very little is known about the reasons why. Partnering with the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) in London, Dr. Chantelle Richmond and her colleagues Rachel Bezner-Kerr and Kathi Wilson are being funded by the Foundation to find the underlying causes of the heart health problems in First Nations people by looking at what they eat, and examining the social and environment factors that lead to food choices. 'We have questions about why people make the choices they do,' says Dr. Richmond. 'We're looking at what contributes to their shopping behaviour and the way they consume food.' In this pilot study, the researchers will identify dietary patterns and reasons for the food choices among First Nations people living in London, Ontario, as well as on the nearby reserve of The Chippewas of the Thames First Nation"

British Heart Foundation on Twitter

The British Heart Foundation now has an account on Twitter

Abbott Launches VOYAGER™ NC coronary balloon catheter

"Abbott today announced the launch of VOYAGER™ NC Coronary Dilatation Catheter, a next-generation balloon dilatation catheter with high-pressure capability designed to optimize the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease during angioplasty procedures. VOYAGER NC is now available in the United States, Europe and select countries in Asia and Latin America. Featuring Abbott's proprietary technology, the new VOYAGER NC system can be used for both pre-dilatation and post-dilatation procedures. Physicians can use VOYAGER NC to navigate tortuous anatomy and open up lesions before a stent is delivered, or expand a stent more precisely against the vessel wall after it is implanted" - Abbott

Research links depression to cardiac death in women without known heart disease

New data published in the March 17, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggest that relatively healthy women with severe depression are at increased risk of cardiac events, including sudden cardiac death (SCD) and fatal coronary heart disease (CHD). Researchers found that much of the relationship between depressive symptoms and cardiac events was mediated by cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking - GEN

E-connect: Saskatoon Health Region's employee newsletter 4/4

E-connect: Saskatoon Health Region's employee newsletter volume 4, issue 4, February 23, 2009 is now available online

Willie King dies at 65 (USA)

World renowned Pickens County blues musician Willie King died of a heart attack Sunday near his home in Old Memphis. He was 65. King, whose Freedom Creek Festival has attracted top blues musicians and bands since 1997 when he started the two day festival on his farm near the Mississippi state line, first came to prominence outside West Alabama with his critically-acclaimed 2000 CD 'Freedom Creek' on the Rooster Blues Record. With a voice reminiscent at times of Howlin' Wolf and a style similar to John Lee Hooker's, King also brought an understanding of history and contemporary subject matter to the forefront with songs like 'Second Coming,' which invoked both abolitionist John Brown and Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King.

Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference 2009

Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference 2009 - 11-13 March 2009 - Glasgow, Scotland

Children checked for heart disease risk (USA)

"An elementary school might not seem like the most obvious place to conduct a screening for heart disease. But, according to local statistics, it's not a bad place to start. 'We know we've got a problem,' said Dena Mashburn, coordinator of community services for Mercy Health Partners. Since 2004, Mashburn has overseen an outreach program called CARDIAC Kids, which screens fourth- and fifth-graders around East Tennessee for their risk of heart disease. The CARDIAC program, which stands for Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities, has yielded data that reveal that 43 percent of the children screened have at-risk body weights, 23 percent have high cholesterol, and 10 percent have elevated blood pressure. 'If we look to the future, we've got a whole lot of kids with a lot of health problems,' Mashburn said." - Knoxville News Sentinel

StopAfib.org

"StopAfib.org focuses on spreading the word about atrial fibrillation and provides resources for atrial fibrillation patients so they can learn more about controlling and managing their condition. StopAfib.org allows patients to share with other patients. We hope that you will find it valuable. It's not just for women - it's for anyone suffering with atrial fibrillation and for their families and caregivers"

Teenagers help sick driver (UK)

A group of teenagers were today praised after helping a bus driver who collapsed at the side of the road with a suspected heart attack. The six youngsters, aged about 17 to 19, immediately got off the bus to see what they could do for the man - covering him up with a jacket, phoning emergency help and talking to him to reassure him. Other passengers on the vehicle also did what they could to help while they waited for paramedics to arrive. After treatment, the driver - who has not been named - was able to return to the bus to reassure everyone he was all right before being taken to Ipswich Hospital for a check-up - Evening Star

1,000th heart surgery performed at Conway Regional, Arkansas

"Martha Matthews of Conway became the 1,000th patient to have open heart surgery at Conway Regional Medical Center last week. Matthews was resting in her room at the hospital on Thursday with her daughter, Zanette Bell of Conway, nearby. Matthews said she had an angioplasty nine years ago and has seen a cardiologist regularly since then. Recently, she and her daughter noticed she was experiencing shortness of breath. Matthews' family doctor referred her to cardiologist Dr. Parker Norris. She had multiple blocked arteries, a narrowing of the aortic valve and atrial fibrillation, she said. On February 24, Dr. E.J. Chauvin performed three bypasses, an aortic valve replacement and an atrial fibrillation procedure on Matthews, who is 81, according to a news release from the hospital. On Tuesday, Chauvin put in a pacemaker" - The Log Cabin Democrat

Utica Heart Run and Walk draws record crowd (USA)

"Some choose to walk, while others go at a faster pace. Either way, they're all doing their part to help fight heart disease. 'Everyone has been touched by cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and I think that's what the key is, is that you have a bunch of people coming together to really make a difference,' said Mary Kate Hartman, communications director for the American Heart Association. With over 8,000 people taking part in the event, it's easy to see why this is called America's Greatest Heart Run and Walk, but all 8,000 of those people are walking with one thing in mind." - News10Now

The dramatic approach to heart health (UK)

"When pharmacologist Robin Plevin wanted to get a healthy living message across to the public he decided the stage was mightier than the science lab. Every 15 minutes in Scotland someone has a heart attack. Some 10% of Scots are believed to be living with some form of heart or circulatory disease and the country has some of the worst heart health in the UK. So when Robin Plevin was looking for a focus for his plays he did not find it hard to decide on the subject matter - heart health. As part of their grant applications, scientists like Robin are encouraged to get their work out to as wide an audience as possible. Their aim is to demystify science and engage the general public" - BBC