Your Heart Health e-News - March 2011

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March 04, 2011

In This Issue
Kidney Transplant Patients Urged to Keep Fit to Survive
Tight Blood Sugar Control May Put Some Diabetics at Risk
Heart Failure Patients Don't Need Continuous Infusion of Diuretics: Study
Diabetes Ups Death Risk Overall, Study Shows
Teens With Congenital Heart Disease Need Help Moving to Adult Care
Napping May Help Keep Blood Pressure in Check
In Battle of the Bulge, Canada Trumps U.S.
Seniors Concerned About Side Effects of Heart Drugs
Today's Feature

Welcome to Dr. Caren and Dr. Urman's Heart Health e-Newsletter

We hope you find this complimentary monthly educational service for our patients and their families helpful. Please click on the header above to enter our website and learn more about our practice. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or wish to make an appointment.  

The column on the right has heart-related stories from the last several weeks which we feel are most important and most likely to be of interest to our patients. February was National Heart Month which highlighted increased awareness of heart disease in women. Also, the International Stroke Conference was in Los Angeles last month so several of the news items are related to stroke risk factors, prevention and treatment.  

Additional general information and recent news about our office can also be found to the right. The latest news items from the last week about heart health are found below.

Important Information for our patients with Anthem/Blue Cross medical insurance policies: ==> ==>  ==>

Look at the bottom of the right column to see important information regarding a change in our policy with Anthem / Blue Cross taking effect March 15, 2011.  This change is taking place to preserve our cherished doctor-patient relationships. 

Health News

Kidney Transplant Patients Urged to Keep Fit to Survive

Low levels of physical activity linked to raised risk of early death, researchers warn

THURSDAY, March 3 Exercise may help kidney transplant patients live longer, according to a new study.

Dutch researchers assessed the health of 540 kidney transplant recipients between 2001 and 2003 and monitored their physical activity levels until 2007. The investig... Read the full article

Tight Blood Sugar Control May Put Some Diabetics at Risk

Death risk higher in those with type 2 and heart disease striving for 'normal' glucose levels: study

WEDNESDAY, March 2 Intensive blood sugar control doesn't benefit people with both type 2 diabetes and heart disease -- and it may harm them, researchers say.

Trying to maintain the blood sugar levels typical of people without diabetes can increase the risk of death f... Read the full article

Heart Failure Patients Don't Need Continuous Infusion of Diuretics: Study

One dose at a time is less expensive and eliminates need to walk around with IV pole, expert says

WEDNESDAY, March 2 Answering lingering questions about the treatment of acute heart failure, investigators have determined that there are no real differences in how patients fare when they're given diuretic therapy one dose at a time or continuously.

Nor was there a... Read the full article

Diabetes Ups Death Risk Overall, Study Shows

Cancer, infectious diseases, even suicide, more common among diabetics

WEDNESDAY, March 2 People with diabetes are 80 percent more likely to die prematurely than those without the disease -- and it's not just diabetes that's killing them.

Besides dying from vascular problems caused by diabetes, people with the blood sugar disease are al... Read the full article

Teens With Congenital Heart Disease Need Help Moving to Adult Care

Parents should begin the process as child enters adolescence, experts say

WEDNESDAY, March 2 Early adolescence is the time that patients with congenital heart disease should start preparing for the move from pediatric to adult medical care, says a new American Heart Association scientific statement.

Congenital heart disease, which occurs b... Read the full article

Napping May Help Keep Blood Pressure in Check

Despite stress, levels are lower for those who sleep a bit during the day, study finds

WEDNESDAY, March 2 A daytime nap of at least 45 minutes may help stressed-out people lower their blood pressure and protect their heart, a new study suggests.

The finding comes from a study that involved 85 healthy university students, divided into two groups. One gr... Read the full article

In Battle of the Bulge, Canada Trumps U.S.

More than a third of Americans now obese, compared to about 24% of Canadians, study finds

WEDNESDAY, March 2 -- When it comes to land mass, Canada may claim bragging rights. But when it comes to the average girth of its citizens, Americans are typically bigger than their neighbors to the north, a new study of adult obesity rates in both countries shows.

T... Read the full article

Seniors Concerned About Side Effects of Heart Drugs

Medications need to offer considerably more benefit than risk to interest them, study says

TUESDAY, March 1 Older adults carefully weigh the benefits and risks of cardiovascular disease prevention drugs before they decide whether to take them, finds a new study.

And if the benefits don't greatly outweigh the risks, they aren't t... Read the full article

Featured:
New Guidelines OK Pradaxa Blood Thinner as Option for Irregular Heartbeat
  Updated recommendation is for atrial fibrillation patients not suited for warfarin
Another New Blood Thinner May Help Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Avoid Stroke
  Compared to daily aspirin, apixaban cut the odds by 55%
Too Little Sleep, Too Often, May Harm Your Heart
  Expert describes chronic deprivation as a 'ticking time bomb'
More Evidence Ties Moderate Drinking to Heart Health
  Two new studies find a drink or two a day may cut disease risk, boost 'good' cholesterol
Insurance and Billing FAQ's
  Also, learn why we believe our policies allow us to maintain our high level of personalized patient care.
Stars Strut on the Runway for Women's Heart Health
  Red Dress show in New York City raises awareness of #1 killer of American women
Dr Urman Receives City Proclamation for Womens' Heart Health & To Help National Heart Prevention
  He receives it on behalf of AHA from Beverly Hills Mayor for National Wear Red Day and is also invited to serve on Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Committee of the American College of Cardiology (ACC)
New Heart Disease Guidelines for Women
  American Heart Association advisory stresses prevention through diet, exercise, weight control
Severe Heart Attack No More Deadly to Women Than Men
  But women who have a certain type of heart attack tend to be older and sicker, raising death risk
New Heart Failure Therapy Proves Most Effective in Women
  CRT-D device led to 72% reduction in death among female patients, study found
Obesity Alone Raises Risk of Fatal Heart Attack, Study Finds
  Analysis suggests something about carrying extra weight is at play
Diet High in Fiber Might Lengthen Your Life
  Eating lots of whole grains reduced risk of dying from any cause, study found
Processed, Fatty Foods May Dumb Down Your Kids: Study
  But healthful diet for toddlers can boost intelligence later on, researchers say
High Cholesterol, Hypertension May Harm Memory in Middle Age
  Study finds link between cardiovascular disease and lower scores on mental skills tests
Could Poor Memory Signal Raised Stroke Risk?
  Study found participants who performed worst on recall test were more likely to suffer a stroke
High Triglyceride Levels Linked to Increased Stroke Risk: Study
  This stroke risk seems to be more pronounced for triglyceride fats than it is for cholesterol
Diet Soda Might Boost Your Stroke Risk
  Researchers find a 61% increased risk among those who drink daily. Water is always the best beverage.
Leg Discomfort Might Signal Heart Trouble
  Early detection, treatment of peripheral arterial disease may thwart deadly consequences, researchers say
MRI-Friendly Pacemaker Approved
  System designed to work with magnetic resonance imaging devices
Wireless Device Can Cut Heart Failure-Related Hospitalizations
  Doctors able to track fluid pressure in lungs, make medication adjustments, study shows
Meet Dr. Caren
  Get to know Dr. Caren.
Meet Dr. Urman
  Learn more about the founder and medical editor of our patient newsletter
Office News
  Recent news about our doctors and office.
Newsletter Archive
  In case you have missed our previous newsletters
In Focus:
Important Update for Patients with Anthem Blue Cross Medical Insurance
  Please read about our new policy to improve our ability to deliver personalzed care
Information for MEDICARE Patients with Anthem BLUE CROSS Supplemental Plans
  Overall effect on most Medicare patients with supplemental Anthem/Blue Cross expected to be minimal (if at all)
The news stories provided in this e-newsletter are a service of the nationally syndicated HealthDay news and information company. Stories refer to national trends and breaking health news, and are not necessarily indicative of or always supported by the physicians in our practice. This information is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please see our full Terms of Use for more information.

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