June 14th, 2013
New European Hypertension Guidelines Released with Simplified Blood Pressure Target
Larry Husten, PHD
New hypertension guidelines from the European Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Cardiology were released in Milan today at the European Meeting on Hypertension & Cardiovascular Protection. The authors of the guidelines write that “despite overwhelming evidence that hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk, studies show that many are still unaware of the condition, that […]
June 13th, 2013
Too Much, Too Fast? Cross-Country Skiing and Heart Arrhythmias
Larry Husten, PHD
When it comes to exercise, it may be true that you can do too much or go too fast. It might seem counterintuitive, but a new study finds that among cross-country skiers, the risk for having a cardiac arrhythmia is highest in those who race the fastest or most often. Although lack of exercise is almost […]
June 11th, 2013
People with Sleep Apnea at Increased Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death
Larry Husten, PHD
Although people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have an increased risk for death and cardiovascular disease, the relationship between OSA and sudden cardiac death (SCD) has not been clear. Now a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology provides evidence that OSA is in fact associated with an increase in the risk […]
June 7th, 2013
FDA Advisory Panel Backs Looser Restrictions on Avandia
Larry Husten, PHD
After two days of deliberation an FDA advisory panel has recommended that the severe restrictions (REMS) placed on rosiglitazone (Avandia, GlaxoSmithKline [GSK]) be modified. The vote constitutes a modest revival in fortune for the embattled drug and its maker after many years of controversy and bad news. Only 5 panel members voted to continue the current severe restrictions. […]
June 4th, 2013
Study Finds More Musculoskeletal Problems in People Who Take Statins
Larry Husten, PHD
An observational study published in JAMA Internal Medicine provides new evidence suggesting that people who take statins are more likely to develop musculoskeletal problems. Ishak Mansi and colleagues analyzed data from 6,967 statin users and an equal number of propensity-matched nonusers who were active-duty soldiers, veterans, and their families in the San Antonio Military Area. They found that the […]
June 4th, 2013
With One Big Exception FDA Reviewers Back More Benign View of Avandia Trial
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA has released a 538-page briefing document for an advisory panel meeting on Wednesday and Thursday that will reassess a key clinical trial and reconsider the fate of the now-tarnished former blockbuster diabetes drug rosiglitazone (Avandia, GlaxoSmithKline). (Click here for the FDA documents.) As reported last week, the re-adjudication of the RECORD safety trial performed by […]
June 4th, 2013
Day Two At the NLA: Interviewed On The Radio
Reva Balakrishnan, MD, MPH
June 2– The early part of my second day at the NLA conference started out in an exciting way. As a third place winner of the Young Investigators abstract competition I was invited to talk about my research on “Lipid Luminations,”XM radio’s Reach MD station hosted by Dr. Alan Brown. My research, titled “Prevalence of […]
June 3rd, 2013
Waiting For ATP IV In Las Vegas
Reva Balakrishnan, MD, MPH
May 31– Today was the first full day of the National Lipid Association meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a first time attendee, I notice many differences compared to the larger meetings. Firstly, there are ~ 700 people in attendance; this dwarfs in comparison to the AHA and ACC which count attendees in the thousands. […]
May 31st, 2013
Two FDA Officials Quarrel Over Safety of Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers
Larry Husten, PHD
Two FDA officials are quarreling in public about their different views about the safety of angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), according to a story by Thomas Burton in Friday’s Wall Street Journal. One official, Thomas Marciniak, contends that ARBs may increase the risk for cancer. Marciniak has been a vocal critic of FDA’s efforts to assess drug safety. In the […]
May 30th, 2013
True or False: Fitness Program + Statin = No Fitness Program?
Catherine R Mikus, PhD and John Thyfault, PhD
Catherine Mikus and John Thyfault discuss their study group’s small randomized trial suggesting that statin use may blunt the benefits of exercise.
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