CardioExchange Archive

January 9th, 2012

Statins Elevate Diabetes Risk in Postmenopausal Women

Larry Husten, PHD

Statins increase the risk for developing diabetes in postmenopausal women, according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The study provides more evidence and details about the previously reported link between statins and diabetes development. Using data from more than 153,000 postmenopausal women who were participating in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) and did […]

---

January 5th, 2012

Diets Differ in Effect on Weight Gain and Fat and Lean Mass

Larry Husten, PHD

A new study published in JAMA demonstrates the various effects of overeating of three diets that differed mainly in protein composition. George Bray and colleagues randomized 25 healthy volunteers to participate in an inpatient study to consume low-, normal-, or high-protein diets that provided 40% more calories than required to maintain one’s normal weight. After 8 weeks, […]

---

January 3rd, 2012

Bariatric Surgery Cuts Cardiovascular Deaths and Events

Larry Husten, PHD

Bariatric surgery results in significant reductions in cardiovascular deaths and events, according to a new study from Sweden published in JAMA. But one expert cautions that the results do not mean that obese patients without other weight-related complications should undergo surgery. Analyzing data from more than 4000 obese patients enrolled in the ongoing Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) […]

---

December 21st, 2011

Study Examines Changes in Resting Heart Rate Over Time

Larry Husten, PHD

Although resting heart rate (RHR) has been long known to be associated with cardiovascular risk, change in RHR over time has not been well studied. A new paper from Norway published in JAMA demonstrates that an increase in RHR over 10 years helps predict the risk of all-cause and ischemic heart disease (IHD) death. Javaid Nauman and colleagues analyzed […]

---

December 20th, 2011

22 Years Later, Study Shows Life-Prolonging Effect of Antihypertensive Therapy

Larry Husten, PHD

After more than 20 years, the benefits of antihypertensive therapy are still evident, according to a new paper published in JAMA. John Kostis and colleagues performed a 22-year follow-up study on patients enrolled between 1985 and 1988 in the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP) trial. In 1991, SHEP found that low-dose chlorthalidone in 4736 elderly patients with isolated […]

---

December 20th, 2011

ALTITUDE Study of Aliskiren Terminated Early by Novartis

Larry Husten, PHD

Novartis announced today the early termination of the ALTITUDE trial, which was testing the effect of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren (Tekturna, Rasilez) in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment at high risk for cardiovascular and renal events. The action was based on the recommendation of the independent Data Monitoring Committee, after it found […]

---

December 19th, 2011

More Uncertainty About Vitamin D Supplements

Larry Husten, PHD

Although many experts believe that vitamin D deficiency may play a significant role in cardiovascular disease, there is little evidence to support the use of vitamin D supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. In a narrative review published in Annals of Internal Medicine, Cora McGreevy and David Williams write that the few available studies have […]

---

December 19th, 2011

Should All Children Age 9 to 11 Undergo Cholesterol Screening?

Bruce M Psaty, MD, PhD, Justin P Zachariah, MD MPH and Sarah D. De Ferranti, MD, MPH

The NHLBI (with the endorsement of the American Academy of Pediatrics) has issued new guidelines for cholesterol testing in children. It recommends that all children age 9 to 11 should undergo cholesterol screening and that screening should be repeated at ages 17 and 21. We asked a small panel of experts to review the new guidelines and […]

---

December 15th, 2011

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: AHA Releases Update of Heart and Stroke Statistics

Larry Husten, PHD

Once again, statistics on the cardiovascular health of the United States portray a complicated picture of improvement and decline. On the one hand, deaths from cardiovascular disease continue to decline. On the other hand, ominous trends, many stemming from the increase in obesity, suggest that the good news may not last much longer. The full […]

---

December 12th, 2011

Large Analysis Confirms Safety of ADHD Medications

Larry Husten, PHD

The cardiovascular safety of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) drugs has been uncertain. Now a large new study published online in JAMA provides reassurance that the drugs are safe. Laurel Habel and colleagues analyzed data from more than 440,000 adults, including 150,359 users of ADHD medications, and matched nonusers and found “no evidence of an increased risk of […]

---