Health@Heart
Today in Medicine
Good Drug Combination. Researchers found that among hypertensive (high blood pressure) patients, the combination of the anti-hypertensive drug Norvasc and cholesterol lowering pill Atorvastatin (Lipitor) "significantly reduced their risk of suffering a heart attack "within 90 days of starting treatment." The study involved 19,000 patients, where the combo regimen lowered the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiac events by 53%, "three times more effective at preventing heart attacks than Lipitor and plus a beta-blocker, an older type of blood pressure drug." This report was published in the European Heart Journal.
New "promising" drug scrapped
Drug maker Pfizer, who introduced the wonder drug Lipitor, the world's biggest selling medication, was about to come up with a new kind of anti-cholesterol pill (Torcetrapib), "better" than any other anti-cholesterol medication available today, when it decided to scrap its development. The reason: some adverse side- effects of torcetrapib. This bombshell on Pfizert eliminates the threat to other good cholesterol-lowering drugs like Zetia and Vytorin (Merck and Schering-Plough), and Crestor (Astra Zeneca Plc). In the meantime, Pfizer's exclusive U.S. patent on Lipitor expires in 2011, and this pill becomes as a generic drug thereafter.
Eye signs of stroke
Can a simple peek at the eyes help in making a diagnosis? A new Australian clinical study reports that "a simple eye test (funduscopy) might predict the likelihood of stroke. Persons with "retinopathy," a condition where the arteries of the retina of the eye becomes weak or damaged by high blood pressure or diabetes, which is a tell-tale sign of an increase risk of stroke development. "People who have tiny lesions on the back of the eye are two to three times more likely to suffer a stroke or stroke-related death, within 7 years, independent of other risk factors", according to the research, published in Neurology journal. The eye findings correlate well, and is a reflection of, the blood vessel changes in the brain.
Drug conflict
A new warning from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was issued, informing healthcare professionals and the public that "taking ibuprofen for pain relief may interfere with the benefits of aspirin taken for heart disease." This non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen could render less effective the desired anti-platelet effect of low-dose aspiring (81 mg once a day) for the cardio-protection and stroke prevention, warned MedWatch, the FDA's safety information and adverse event reporting program. Other NSAID pills should be regarded as having the same effect on aspirin as ibuprofen. Occasional use of this NSAID may have minimal risk. The FDA recommends that even in this situation, the NSAID should be taken at least 8 hours after aspirin is taken to avoid interaction. Acetaminophen and narcotics do not interfere with aspirin's anti-platelet effects, says the report. We suggest persons who are now taking these two drugs to consult with their physicians.
Cloned "food" safe
The US Food and Drug Administration stated last week that milk and meat from some cloned animals (cattle, pigs and goats, but not sheep) in the United States are safe to eat. The FDA has not found any risk or danger to humans for consuming these "cloned" food products, and most likely not to require any special labeling for them.
The Silent Killer
Since blood pressure was measured for the first time by Stephen Hales in 1773, hypertension (high blood pressure) has, to this day, remained one of the commonest diseases in the human race, and continues to be a silent killer of man. More than 43 million people in the United States habe high blood pressure (140/90 or higher). This is an important personal, family and public issue because of the morbidity, complications, and mortality associated with hypertension. This illness is a modifiable health risk, and the power is within us and our attending physicians, because modern medicine has available for all of us effective drugs, and pill-combinations to help control our blood pressure to prevent heart attack and stroke. If not treated properly and promptly, hypertension could lead to severe, and even fatal, complications like heart failure, end-stage kidney failure, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Besides the pills, daily exercise, low-cholesterol, low-carbohydrate, low-salt diet, abstinence from cigarettes and moderation in alcohol intake are fundamental part of the effective regimen for blood pressure control.
The classification of blood pressure readings for adults aged 18 and older, based on the recommendations of the Seventh Report of the Joint National committee of Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VII) is as follows: Normal - Systolic lower than 120, diastolic lower than 80; Prehypertension - Systolic 120-139, diastolic 80-99; Stage 1 - Systolic 140-159 or diastolic 90-99; Stage 2 - Systolic equal to or more than 160 or diastolic equal to or more than 100. This is based on the average of 2 or more readings taken at each of 2 or more visits, after the initial screening.
Since hypertension today can easily be controlled by living a healthy lifestyle and taking pills, it does not make sense for us not to avail ourselves of the modern progress in medical therapeutics and end up with a heart attack or stroke. Almost always, more often than not, as far as our health is concerned, the ball is in our court. How we play the game will determine our future score.