Stroke Prevention

More Good News for Chocolate Lovers

Results from a recent study being presented at the American Academy of Neurology 62nd Annual Meeting suggest that higher chocolate consumption may be associated with a lower risk for stroke and stroke-related death. They showed a 22% reduction in stroke risk for people who had 1 serving of chocolate per week and a 46% reduction in stroke mortality from weekly consumption of flavonoids in 50 grams of chocolate versus no consumption. Flavonoids are antioxidants that are found naturally in plants. Foods that contain high amounts of flavonoids include blueberries, red beans, cranberries, and blackberries as well as wine and some varieties of tea. Among chocolates, dark chocolate has the highest flavonoid content and previous studies have also shown it to be beneficial for cardiovascular health. While it’s good news that chocolate may have so many health benefits, researchers warn that the amounts that are required to affect stroke risk may bring a load of sugar and fats that may work counter to the beneficial effects. More studies are called for to examine the full impact chocolate has on stroke risk.

Click here to read the full Medscape article: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/716923?sssdmh=dm1.589791&src=nldne&uac=123328BV

Breast Health

Paxil Use Linked to Breast Cancer Deaths

In a new study published in BMJ, results have shown a link between the antidepressant Paxil (paroxetine) and increased mortality rates in breast cancer patients over the age of 66. The observational study looked at data on 2,430 patients treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer along with a single SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) for depression. Women who took Paxil for 25% of the duration of their tamoxifen treatment had a 24% increase in risk of death from breast cancer. Patients taking Paxil for 75% of the duration saw their risk jump to 91%. However, women taking other antidepressants with tamoxifen, including other SSRIs, did not have an increased risk of breast cancer death. This may be due to the fact that unlike other antidepressants, Paxil’s effect on a particular enzyme is permanent, neutralizing the effect of the cancer-fighting drug. The lead investigator of the study predicts forthcoming warnings from the FDA and Health Canada.

Click here for the full ParmExec.com article: http://pharmexec.findpharma.com/pharmexec/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=656474

The Great Breast Cancer Screening Divide

The new breast cancer screening guidelines issued by the United States Preventive Services Task Force  in November caused an uproar when they suggested that most women start routine mammograms at age 50 rather than 40 and reduce their frequency to every two years, from once a year. Now, an editorial in this week’s issue of the journal, Annals of Internal Medicine says doctors seem to be more inclined to accept the new recommendations; but patients still want early and annual screenings. In a survey taken by the journal, most of the 345 doctors who responded said they would stop offering routine mammograms to women in their 40s, and most said they would advise women 50 to 74 to have mammograms only every other year. However, most of the 241 patients who responded said they did not believe in giving up routine mammograms in their 40s, even if the doctor recommended a change, and were not likely to switch to an every-other-year routine. The editor of the journal suggested this would open up more discussion between doctors and their patients about breast cancer screening, which is what she believes the guidelines were intended to do.

Click here to read the full New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/health/16mamm-.html

General Health

New Guidelines for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection

Catheter-associated bacteriuria, or urinary tract infection is the most common health care-associated infection worldwide and is a result of the widespread use of urinary catheterization. A urinary catheter is a sterile tube that’s inserted into the bladder to drain urine, and can be used for short-term or long-term use. Among other things, it can be used for urinary hesitancy, if there’s an obstruction, for nerve-related bladder dysfunction, or after surgery. These new guidelines issued by the Expert Panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America are intended to better identify those patients who need catheterization to ensure proper placement to lower the incidence of urinary tract infections. They suggest that hospitals and long-term care facilities have policies and procedures in place for catheter insertion, maintenance, removal, and replacement to minimize or prevent infection. Overuse of catheters has been blamed for the rising incidence of infection, so the aim is to limit their use to those who really need them.

Click here to read more about these new guidelines in the full Medscape article: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/716906

Heart Health

Having Migraines Could Mean a Higher Risk for Heart Attack

A new study shows that people who have migraines are more like to have a heart attack. According to the journal Neurology, the incidence of heart attacks in people with migraine is almost double that of those without. There was an even higher incidence in those who experienced migraine with aura (characterized by visual disturbances such as flashes of light, zigzagging patterns or even blind spots). While the reasons why these two conditions are linked are not clear, there have been suggestions of a genetic link. Studies are underway to see whether better control of migraine can reduce the cardiovascular risk. The majority of people who have migraines are women, and doctors suggest that people with migraines should be particularly vigilant about controlling their body weight, keeping their blood pressure low, and modifying all the risk factors that are within their control.

Click here to read the full U.S. News & World Report story: http://www.usnews.com/health/family-health/heart/articles/2010/02/10/migraine-linked-to-increased-heart-attack-risk.html