ErinPharm Gazette October 2006
Heart disease is the most likely cause of death and yet most people avoid thinking about it even though 70 million Americans live with it every day, ranging from high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, heart attack and death. More than 910,000 die each year in the United States. The good news is that at last medical research is at the point of conquering this disease. Read what medical experts are saying, look forward to healthy longevity, start to replan your future.
Reported by CNN
Torcetrapib results show that HDL-cholesterol can be dramatically increased. Medical reports are beginning to appear. Top cardiologists are talking about the eradication of heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
From Medscape
Torcetrapib trials have been terminated due to unacceptable cardiovascular events and mortality. Since the conceptual logic of raising HDL-levels is intact, the race among other pharmaceutical companies to develop a safe molecular candidate to raise HDL levels is now even more vigorous.
From Pfizer
Compelling evidence that detecting early stage lung cancer using CT scans can result in survival. The results, in the October 26 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, pointed out that 85% of the lung cancers detected by this technique were at stage one, such cancers having an 88% survival rate at ten years. There is currently tremendous criticism of such CT scans because they are so detailed that small non-growing tumors could panic individuals into seeking invasive treatment when such a course of action would not be prudent.
The position of ErinPharm is that an initial CT scan should be used only as a baseline precautionary scan for those otherwise healthy. Subsequent scans each year could then be used to look for stage one, and easily treatable, lung cancer.
From Medscape
Yet another beneficial role for statins in those with severe carotid artery disease, in reducing the risk of another stroke, is reported by HeartWire.
Reported by HeartWire
In an animal model Apo A-1 Milano is instrumental in rapidly reducing atherosclerotic plaque. This parallel route of scientific investigation is further evidence that the approach of Pfizer to reduce plaque with the failed frontier studies-trialling torcetrapib-lipitor is on the right track.
Reported by Heartwire
An alarming report from VascularWeb states that 87% of Americans are unaware of the importance in checking and modulating blood triglycerides in the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This is disturbing, particularly since it is known that omega-3 fish oil supplements are very effective in lowering high blood triglyceride levels as well as lowering C-reactive protein levels, another marker for cardiac risk.
Reported by VascularWeb
Sudden cardiac death is not as sudden as the term implies. In many cases the patient experiences other bodily disturbances for one to two hours before the actual precipitating event. Knowing of such symptoms, the average patient should plan for a stategy to reach medical intervention as quickly as possible.
From Medscape
Dr. Bryan McNally, in a video editorial, reveals the shocking statistics on the odds of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest depend on the city you live in, with ten times the chance of surviving in one city rather than another. This is a call up for immediate improvement in cities at the bottom of the list.
From Medscape
A very informative video editorial by Dr. Arthur Kellermann, Professor of Emergency Medicine at Emory University, examines the state of emergency medicine in the United States, and points out it has declined to perilous coverage for the general population. He details the critical condition it has reached and proposes plans for recovery and what must be done.
From Medscape
Debate has begun on the importance of starting statin treatment for patients who have had a stroke or TIA.
From Medscape
For the physician, as well as the patient, risk factors for cardiovascular disease can become apparent long before an actual cardiac event. All individuals need to recognise this, educate themselves, and take the appropriate action to reduce such a serious decline in health.
From Medscape
July 10, 2006 is a date worth noting. Because now a group of eminent cardiologists have proposed that CT scanning has reached a technology where plaque could be directly measured and so therefore the entire adult population, men over 45, women over 55, should get CT scanning and ultrasound to detect even small amounts of plaque in the asymptomatic. Based on such evidence individuals could take action, if necessary, to reverse plaque and avoid cardiovascular disease and heart attack. The founder and president of this association of our best cardiologists, Morteza Naghavi, MD, is promoting a dramatic change in health care as are others in the Association for Eradication of Heart Attack (AEHA) while the group's task force has completed a proposal to do so with 'Screening for Heart Attack Eradication and Education', (SHAPE). With the success of the statins, healthier lifestyles, exercise, omega-3 fish oils, pomegranate juice, the concept of raising HDL while lowering LDL make the vision of this group, eradicating heart disease and heart attack, a practical reality in the relatively near future. Public awareness, participation, and education will be paramount as this dramatic change sweeps across the population of the United States and other countries. It is a drama in development.
Reported by WebMD
The next five or six years will be a drama indeed with critics carping at the changes taking place, purists of clinical trialling, arguing against the change, as the collective instincts and wisdom of the american population will stimulate progress toward the aims of AEHA.
Reported by WebMD
But also time for all to be aware that statins are very powerful medications that do have the potential to cause harm. Any side effect should cause immediate discontinuation of the statin followed by physician consultation.
From Medscape via Reuters
Prompt treatment with a statin within hours of a patient first experiencing an acute coronary event and continuation of that statin significantly reduces the possibility of death. This adds to the accumulation of studies showing statin users have a reduced incidence of mortality from cardiac disease.
From Medscape
While ongoing studies of HDL and LDL lipid components indicate that sub-component analysis needs further investigation.
XIVth Annual Symposium on Atherogenesis
Dr. George Lundberg, editor of MedGenMed, supports the objectives of SHAPE, points out it is a challenge to the cardiology establishment, and suggests the possibility that CT screening be added to the current methods used to detect and treat cardiovascular disease - in a video presentation.
From Medscape
Inflammation as a cardiovascular risk factor is clearly defined in a publication by the American Heart Association and further emphasises the need to reduce C-reactive protein in those at risk, particularly in those with stable angina pectoris or in recovery from a heart attack.
From the American Heart Association
Statins, especially Zocor by up to 72%, are found to reduce the incidence of the most common form of age related cataract, nuclear cataract, in a Wisconsin study of patients taking a statin over a period of time.
Reported by WebMD
Leading researcher says it is now time to incorporate ankle-brachial blood pressure measurements into common clinical practice to detect early signs of peripheral vacular disease and hence cardiovascular disease in individuals who show no obvious signs of disease and are asymptomatic.
From Medscape
Join LEF and support research. $75 annual member cost.
This web page documents major events in medical research that will lead to the eradication of heart disease as a cause of death. Since similar discoveries in cancer research will not be far behind, it raises interesting conclusions. Studies on the oldest old have shown genetic protection against these diseases. Therefore conquest of heart disease and cancer means that a door is opening for the average person to plan for a lifespan of 100 -120 years. Sadly, the means of doing so will be available only to those educated, aware, motivated, financially able, and living in the developed nations of the world. For the large majority of humankind death from these diseases will continue. By 2050 will we look back at a huge divide between us? Or will we have done everything we can to conquer disease, war, and poverty on a global scale? For the 9 billion of humankind expected then. We do have decisions to make beyond a personal healthy longevity.
A review of June to October 2006
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Folic acid intake is still well below projected targets established by the FDA in 1998 when it mandated addition of folic acid to enriched grain products.
This is particularly important for pregnant women and the elderly. Supplementation should be considered.
From Medscape
Prevention strategies for women with migraines at different stages of life are reviewed in this Medscape article. Since fewer than 5% of women seek advice from a physician this is an important alert to women that many different approaches to migraine, with particular strategies, need to be tried before relief can be obtained.
From Medscape
An interesting article from Medscape reports that consumption of tart cherry juice significantly decreased the symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage. This is a study limited in scope but nonetheless again illustrates the multiple benefits of adding high anti-oxidant polyphenolic fruit juice to a regular diet. Can studies on the even more potent pomegranate juice be far behind?
From Medscape
Gene therapy has been shown to halt skin cancer by gene-engineering white blood cells from the patients. Two patients are now disease free. This innovative approach to shrink tumors is now being tried with breast and lung cancers.
From Medscape
The Medscape Resource Center for treatment of lung cancer is continuously updated with the latest advances, data, and articles.
From Medscape
The Medscape Resource Center for treatment of breast cancer is continuously updated with the latest advances, data, and articles.
From Medscape
Highlights of the International Stroke Conference 2006 brought advances in treatment and current management into perspective.
From Medscape
Low risk prostate cancer is often overtreated with radiation or surgery. The anxious male newly diagnosed could well make a decision not supported by the data to get radical treatment.
Reported by Reuters
Potent drug therapies can now reduce HIV levels to virtually undetectable even in those for in which earlier therapies were not effective.
From WebMD
A comprehensive data review concludes that exercise has significant neuroprotective effects, with positive effects on brain structure and function, even if just walking 30-45 minutes three days a week.
From Medscape
Marking a new era for the management of lung cancer, researchers have found that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), causing 80% of lung cancer deaths, can be evaluated using genetic tests and a 'lung metagene predictor' can be used to predict recurrence with up to 90% accuracy. This was a small study and a much larger study is planned.
Reported by the NIH
After radiation or surgical treatment for prostate cancer a small study at UCLA showed that PSA (prostate specific antigen) doubling times went from 14 months to 26 months for patients with Gleason scores below 7 when the patients drank 8 ounces of pomegranate juice a day. While more studies are under way this remarkable fruit once again shows its powerful anti-oxidant properties.
As reported by WebMD
Routine vaccination with Gardasil as protection against cervical cancer is being urged by leading authorities. Protection of up to 80% for cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers found in the USA population is projected.
Mayo Clinic report
The FDA has approved a vaccine to protect against shingles in the elderly. Initial studies show up to 50% protection. Since the majority of the population have had chicken pox or vaccination for chicken pox the possibility of shingles with ageing increases. Vaccination with this vaccine, Zostavax, is a reasonable precaution as we age.
From the FDA
High dose flu shots could increase protection of older people during the seasonal flu season. Doses of 60-microgram shots, four times a regular injection, are indicated and under study.
Reported by MedicineNet
It's important to protect our young people with bipolar (manic depressive) disorder from misreading the expressions on other peoples faces.
ScienceDaily release
This web page is one of a number of ErinPharm web pages designed by me as a synopsis of topics that interest me as well as being a quick reference page for my newsletter subscribers and myself. I have no affiliation of any kind to any pharmaceutical company or medical group. The opinions expressed are my own. I welcome communication and debate. I am an optimist. I look forward to the future with wonder.
John L. Fahey johnfahey@tds.net
Read and replan your future
Torcetrapib update added December 3, 2006.
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