CardioExchange Archive

June 9th, 2014

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: June 9th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include the CORONARY trial, the association of azithromycin with mortality and CV events among older patients hospitalized with pneumonia, and more.

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April 29th, 2014

Dietary Fiber After MI Linked to Improved Survival

Larry Husten, PHD

Consuming more dietary fiber after myocardial infarction is associated with a reduced risk for death. In a report published in BMJ, researchers analyzed long-term data about diet and other risk factors from more than 4000 healthcare professionals who had an MI. Nine years after the MI, people who were in the highest quintile of fiber consumption had a […]

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April 15th, 2014

Case: Assessment of Cardiac Risk and Need for Preventive Medications

Seth Shay Martin, MD and James Fang, MD

A 68-year-old white woman with a history of obesity and depression is seen for cardiac risk assessment. The quality of her diet varies greatly, and she admits to many dietary indiscretions. She has tried several different diets, including low-carbohydrate/high-fat diets. She does not use the treadmill or stationary bicycle in her house or routinely exercise […]

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March 17th, 2014

Studies Provide Little Support for Guidelines on Dietary Fats and Supplements

Larry Husten, PHD

The precise cardiovascular effect of dietary fats and supplements has been the subject of heated controversy. Although there is no strong supporting evidence from clinical trials, current guidelines tend to discourage or minimize the role of saturated fats and trans fats and to encourage the intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Two new studies published today help clarify […]

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February 24th, 2014

Meta-Analysis Links Vegetarian Diet and Lower Blood Pressure

Larry Husten, PHD

A new meta-analysis provides the strongest evidence yet that a vegetarian diet is strongly associated with lower blood pressure. Although various health benefits of a vegetarian diet have often been proposed, a rigorous examination of the effect on blood pressure has not been previously performed. In a paper published in JAMA Internal Medicine, Japanese researchers analyzed data from […]

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December 19th, 2013

More Walking and More Fiber: Good for the Heart

Larry Husten, PHD

It probably won’t come as a surprise, but walking more and eating more fiber are probably good for your heart. That’s the conclusion of two new studies, but because the studies relied on observational data it should be emphasized that they are incapable of demonstrating cause and effect. And it’s by no means clear that most […]

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November 20th, 2013

Consumption of Nuts Linked to Mortality Benefit

Larry Husten, PHD

Nut consumption has long been linked to healthy lifestyles. Now, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine extends the finding and demonstrates a strong association with improved mortality. Ying Bao and colleagues examined data from nearly 120,000 people enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study to assess the relationship of […]

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November 4th, 2013

Healthy Diet in Middle Age Leads to Healthier Old Age

Larry Husten, PHD

New results from a long-running study offer fresh evidence that a “healthy” diet is actually good for you. The study shows that women who followed a healthy diet while in middle age had a much better chance of reaching age 70 without any of the major illnesses or impairments usually associated with old age. In a […]

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November 4th, 2013

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: November 4th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include an observational study of better diet quality and decreased mortality among MI survivors and a clinical review of circulatory shock.

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July 9th, 2013

Look AHEAD: More Questions Than Answers

Kasia Lipska, MD, MHS

Reflecting on the LOOK AHEAD trial, an endocrinologist asks some important questions: Should we hold lifestyle interventions to the same high standards of scrutiny as pharmacological interventions? Don’t we already have enough evidence about the impact of lifestyle interventions to implement them in care?

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