MedNews — High Blood Pressure
Calcium-Channel Blockers No Better Than Diuretics for Treating Hypertension
Diuretics are just as effective as calcium-channel blockers, alpha-blockers or angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors when treating hypertension among patients with metabolic syndrome, according to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Metabolic syndrome is defined as hypertension with at least two of the following factors: high glyceride levels, diabetes, a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30, and low levels of "good cholesterol." Patients with metabolic syndrome are at high risk for complications of cardiovascular disease. More »
Cardiologists Call for New Approach in Treating Chest Pain
In a joint statement by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA), physicians are calling for a more aggressive approach to evaluating patients presenting with chest pain (unstable angina)—and quickly determining whether the therapeutic approach should be medical, invasive or a combination of two.
Guidelines released today by the ACC encourage the early use of tests such as a stress test, an echocardiogram or a radionuclide angiogram (which visualizes the coronary arteries) in patients considered stable. More »
Increased Waist Circumference Flags Health Problems
The consequences of growing a "spare tire" means more than having to wear an oversize Hawaiian shirt to the pool.
According to a recently published study by Dr. Steven Kaplan, professor of urology at Cornell University, increased waist circumference provides "powerful correlation" for predicting whether male patients have an increased incidence of erectile and ejaculatory problems, diabetes, hypertension increased blood pressure, a high lipid level and an enlarged prostate.
Health Campaign Calls for 50% Less Salt Consumption
Because of the modern American diet, most people get too much sodium, though some older adults don't get enough. How much salt is too much?
More and more evidence points to a need for Americans to decrease their salt intake. To that end, the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Dietetic Association (ADA), and the National Institutes of Health have kicked off a campaign with a goal of reducing individuals' salt intake to 50% of the current levels. More »
A Soft-Drink a Day Increases Heart Disease Risk Factors
Adults who drink at least one soft drink per day are 30% more likely to develop new-onset diabetes or have low levels of good cholesterol.
A recent study in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association reports that drinking at least one soft drink a day of a diet or regular soft drink are at greater risk for heart disease than those who don't. The study was conducted on 3,500 middle aged men and women. The study found that soft-drink consumers are more likely to develop matabolic syndrome, a combination of More »
Diabetes and Diet Soft Drinks Linked
Several studies have linked soda drinking--including diet soda-- with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, a series of conditions such as obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
According to the American Heart Association, people with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of coronary heart disease and other diseases related to plaque buildups in artery walls. More »
