Fish oil not helpful in preventing heart events
New research was just published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers from Italy randomized over >12,000 individuals at high risk for heart related events to receive either 1 gram capsule of fish oil or placebo. Patients at high risk included those with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity or other conditions. Most already were taking cholesterol-lowering statins, aspirin and other medicines to lower their chances of heart problems. The researchers found no difference in heart related events. Eating fish 1-2 times per week as part of a balanced Mediterranean Diet has ...
Source: Dr Portnay - May 9, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
#Exercise Tip
Take a brisk walk for 30 min. 5 days; exercise w/ resistance bands 2 days
http://t.co/dEYn2nMqQi (Source: Dr Portnay)
Source: Dr Portnay - May 4, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
#getfit
Today's #getfit tip @PreventionMag:
Dragging today? Exercise is a 'magic bullet' for memory & attention
http://t.co/EqbZrXMpS2 (Source: Dr Portnay)
Source: Dr Portnay - May 4, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
New procedure for high blood pressure: Renal Denervation
A new report compiling many of the recent trials with this new procedure has shown consistent, durable efficacy. Renal Denervation is a catheter-based procedure where the renal arteries are treated with radiofrequency ablation. The procedure has been shown to be safe with a low complication rate. Patients treated in the trial included those that were still hypertensive despite being on three different classes of BP medicationsThe trials have shown a consistent decrease of ~20/10mmHg. The effect seems to be reached within 3 months of the procedure and has held for the first year. Further studies are still in the works study...
Source: Dr Portnay - May 2, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Tweet by L.A. Times Health
L.A. Times Health (@latimeshealth)Added sugar accounts for about 13% of calories consumed by American adults. ow.ly/kCzUV (Source: Dr Portnay)
Source: Dr Portnay - May 1, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Follow-up: Z-pack is safe for young and middle aged folks
A new report out of Denmark has helped clarify the safety concerns with the antibiotic azithromycin (Zithromax/Zmax, Pfizer). Earlier this year, an analysis of Medicate patients showed an increase risk of death in patients that used Zithromax vs those that used none or amoxicillin. The current study has concluded that on its own, Zithromax does NOT raise the risk of cardiovascular death in patients aged 18-64 years. This was based on 12 years if data. Take home message: - Zithromax is safe to use in patients younger than 65 years of age- Zithromax does slightly raise the risk of CV death in patient...
Source: Dr Portnay - May 1, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
When the Doctor Is Overweight - NYTimes.com
This is a fascinating article. I am very interested in hearing from you regarding your thoughts on this topic. Please leave a comment to this blog -- it should make for a very interesting discussion. I know that as a physician, I spend all day speaking to patients about their weight, their level of physical activity, their diet, their smoking and their medical compliance. There are definitely days that I feel hypocritical if I know that recently I have not been exercising or eating well or taking my medicines as prescribed. When I feel this, it helps me relate to my patients and understand just how hard the thing...
Source: Dr Portnay - May 1, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
The Importance Of Physical Activity In Childhood
More evidence on the importance of increasing overall physical activity and decreasing overall screen time in kids:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/259562.php (Source: Dr Portnay)
Source: Dr Portnay - May 1, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Weight Loss Tips
Here are a few of my favorite weight loss tips:- Put your fork down while you chew to slow eating- Try eating with your nondominant hand. This too will slow down eating- Snack on a handful of almonds- Lots and lots of exercise- Get more sleep#getfit#weightloss (Source: Dr Portnay)
Source: Dr Portnay - May 1, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Beetroot juice
Researchers from the journal Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association have shown that in a "proof of concept" study, the use of beetroot juice can significantly lower blood pressure. They speculate that this is due to increased inorganic nitrite ingestion leading to an increase blood level and tissue level of nitric oxide. It's still much too early to begin prescribing this therapy for patients. However, given that many patients suffer from difficult to control BP, a simple change in diet to include foods high in inorganic nitrites may be shown to be helpful in the future. (Source: Dr Portnay)
Source: Dr Portnay - April 30, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Memory and the Mediterranean Diet
More good news about the Mediterranean Diet -- Researchers from Greece have reported in the journal Neurology that adherence to a Mediterranean Diet can significantly improve memory functioning. You will recall that the Mediterranean Diet has been consistently shown to be the most "heart healthy" diet. Key components of the Mediterranean diet:- 2 servings of "oily" fish per week- nuts (almonds and walnuts)- lots of fruits and veggies- low fat or nonfat milk products- red wine- low quantities if red meat- *** frequent exercise (Source: Dr Portnay)
Source: Dr Portnay - April 30, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Childhood Obesity
I am becoming more and more interested in understanding childhood obesity. I have been learning about the its complex cause and about some strategies to help prevent and treat this growing problem in America.Last week, I attended a symposium on the topic and came away more determined then ever to help fight this problem.If kids continue to gain weight and get less exercise, there is the possibility that given obesity's co-existing cardiovascular conditions (atheroslcerosis, HTN, high cholesterol, DM, stroke and sleep apnea) --our children's generation may be the first to have a shorter lifespan than their parent'...
Source: Dr Portnay - April 29, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Sugared Soda = BAD
theheart.org is reporting on new research that a soda a day ups diabetes risk by 20% (Source: Dr Portnay)
Source: Dr Portnay - April 29, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Gut Bacteria and Heart Disease -- the saga continues
On 4/11/2013, I wrote about a recent trial published by Dr Hazen. In this trial, Dr Hazen reported that intestinal bacteria convert carnitine (found in red meat) into a metabolite called TMAO which has been shown to be atherogenic. Dr Hazen is now reporting that similar finding occur within the gut with ingestion of lecithin found in eggs.The importance of these two studies is not that red meat or eggs can lead to heart disease, but the take home message is that the bacteria in our gut play a possible important role in our development of heart disease.While we know that controlling blood glucose levels, blood pressure and ...
Source: Dr Portnay - April 29, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
Red Meat and Heart Disease: What's more dangerous saturated fat in the meat or the bacteria in your gut?
Research now shows a possible new link between red meat consumption and the development of heart disease. It has been known for some time that high consumption of saturated fat increases the risk of heart disease. Dr. Stanley Hazen of the Cleveland Clinic, who led the new study recently published in the journal Nature Medicine, has accumulated evidence for a surprising new explanation of why red meat may contribute to heart disease. Dr Hazen has found that the compound carnitine, which is found in red meat, is broken down by bacteria in the intestine to a metabolite called TMAO. TMAO leads to an enhanced capacity to ...
Source: Dr Portnay - April 11, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr Portnay Source Type: blogs
