@drportnay

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Friday, October 30, 2009

Know Your Numbers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You must know these numbers to ensure that you do everything possible reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and vascular disease.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ASK YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO PROVIDE YOU WITH YOUR DATA

Total Cholesterol (fasting): 
- Desirable: less than 200 mg/dL
- Borderline High: 200-239 mg/dL
- High: > 240 mg/dL

HDL Cholesterol (fasting):
- <40 mg/dL for men and <50mg/dL is a major risk factor for cardivascular disease

LDL Cholesterol (fasting):
- optimal: <100mg/dL
- near optimal: 100-129 mg/dL
- High: > 130 mg/dL

Blood Glucose (fasting):
- Normal: 99 mg/dL and below
- Prediabetes: 100-125 mg/dL
- Diabetes: >125 mg/dL

Blood Pressure:
- Normal: < 120/80 mm/Hg
- Prehypertension: 120/80 - 139/89
- Hypertension: > 140/90

Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): A test that compares the blood pressure readings in your arms and ankles to help determine whether you have PAD
- Normal: 1.0-1.3
- Possible PAD: 0.91-0.99 or > 1.3
- PAD: < 0.90


P.A.D. - Take steps to learn about Peripheral Arterial Disease

PAD (peripheral arterial disease) means clogged arteries in your legs. It raises your risk for heart attack and stroke.
PAD develops when your arteries become clogged with plaque-fattty deposits that limit blood flow to your legs
Just like clogged arteries in the heart, clogged arteries in the legs mean you are at higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms of PAD: fatigue, heaviness cramping or pain in the leg muscles during activity that goes away with rest
Other symptoms of PAD: leg or foot pain that disturbs sleep and/or sores/wounds/ulcers on the toes/feet/legs that are slow to heal
Risk Factors for PAD:
  • age > 50
  • African American
  • current or ex-tobacco use
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Personal history of vascular disease, heart attack or stroke
Questions for your Health Care Provider:
  1. Does my medical history raise my risk for PAD?
  2. Do I need to do anything about my blood glucose, blood pressure or cholesterol?
  3. Which screening tests or exams are right for me?
  4. If I have PAD, what steps should I take to treat it?
  5. What steps can I take to reduce my risks for heart attack and stroke?
  6. What can I do to quit smoking? 

Researchers say aspirin use may be linked to Brilinta's effectiveness

From ACC:

Bloomberg News (10/30, Kelley) reports that "AstraZeneca Plc is looking into whether greater use of aspirin reduces the effectiveness of its experimental clot-busting medicine Brilinta [ticagrelor]." Earlier this year, the drug "beat Sanofi-Aventis SA and Bristol- Myers Squibb Co.'s blood thinner Plavix [clopidogrel] in a study, preventing 16 percent more heart attacks, strokes, and deaths." On Thursday, however, the drugmaker "said...that researchers noticed a link between higher doses of aspirin and Brilinta's potency." Reuters (10/29) also covered the story
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Hot off the Press: Update on Diabetes

Taken from a newsletter sent out by the ACC:

Diabetes cases rising rapidly in US, survey indicates.WebMD (10/28, Hendrick) reported that "diabetes cases are rising rapidly in the US, with the disease afflicting 11.3% of American adults in the third quarter of 2009, according to a new Gallup survey." Should "current trends continue," according to Gallup, "more than 37 million will be living with the disease by the end of 2015." WebMD added, "Not coincidentally, the survey shows the US obesity rate is up about one percentage point in quarter-over-quarter comparisons to 2008."       

Diet, exercise may reduce diabetes risk in certain individuals, study suggests. The Chicago Tribune (10/29, Graham) reports that "interventions urging people to lose weight and get more exercise reduced the incidence of diabetes," according to a new study published in the journal The Lancet.       

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (10/29, Fabregas) reports that "the study, known as the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study," is "sponsored by the National Institutes of Health." Researchers found "that lowering fat and calories in the diet and increasing regular exercise to 150 minutes a week cut the rate of developing type 2 diabetes by 34 percent in overweight and obese people."       

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (10/29, Templeton) reports, participants who "took metformin prevented the onset of type 2 by 18 percent, compared with the control group on a placebo." The Miami Herald (10/29, Tasker), MedPage Today (10/28, Gever), WebMD (10/28, Boyles), HealthDay (10/28, Reinberg), Reuters (10/29, Steenhuysen), and the UK's Press Association (10/29) and BBC News (10/29) also covered the story
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Diet Beats Drugs for Diabetes Prevention

This is huge!!!!

"Lifestyle changes resulting in long-term weight loss of just a few pounds proved to be roughly twice as effective as drug treatment for preventing type 2 diabetes in an ongoing government-sponsored trial."

http://diabetes.webmd.com/news/20091028/diet-beats-drugs-for-diabetes-prevention?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Swine Flu is Everywhere!!!

Swine Flu is Everywhere!!! Please, please, please -- WASH YOUR HANDS!!!

FYI: I've had many discussions with my Infectious Disease Specialist friends, Purell works as well (maybe even better since no really washes their hands well)

Get your flus shot too!!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sunday, October 25, 2009

WEEKLY TWEETS - THIS WEEKS IMPORTANT AND RELEVANT NEWS, EDUCATION AND OPINION ON HEART DIEASE AND NUTRITION FOR THE EVERYDAY PERSON

  1. New Blog Posting: As expected and predicted -- Swine Flu back with a vengeance http://bit.ly/OwsFY
  2. Universal phone charger OK'd --- Thank God http://viigo.im/1hTG
  3. New Blog Posting: Seven tips from Dr. Oz to prevent a heart attackhttp://bit.ly/1YOG06
  4. I agree with most of these recommendations - Seven tips from Dr. Oz to prevent a heart attack http://viigo.im/1hNq
  5. @jamesbeckerman thanks. Had not heard of this association previously. Just starting to follow now. #NAMCnews
  6. Orexigen obesity drug shows added benefits -- lowers cholesterolhttp://viigo.im/1htX
  7. Autumn in Southern CT -- just beautiful http://twitpic.com/mqc9d
  8. Review: Statins reduce mortality and cardiovascular events in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease http://viigo.im/1hlq
  9. Obama visited Stamford today -- nice to get a dose of presidential love once in a while
  10. RT @theheartorg: heartwire: NT-proBNP "remarkable predictor" of incident atrial fibrillation http://bit.ly/1Jsj4l
  11. I love this time of year in New England (the foliage is just beautiful and you can smell football in the air)
  12. RT @heartdisease: Omega-3 deficiency may be hurting our hearts - http://trim.li/nk/sq7
  13. Poll: If there was a way to get more time in your day, how much time would you want/need? 0hr? 1hr? 2hr? 4hr? 8hr?
  14. I'm convinced I need another 4 hours in everyday to do all that I need/want to do -- anybody know someone who can give me those hours?
  15. The Mediterranean Diet for Heart Health http://viigo.im/1h37
  16. The H1N1 Flu and Heart Disease http://viigo.im/1h30
  17. Review: Statins reduce mortality and cardiovascular events in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease http://viigo.im/1h2Z
  18. Three Runners Die Suddenly During Detroit Marathonhttp://viigo.im/1h2O
  19. Why doctors should reconsider ordering a CRP to screen patients for heart disease http://viigo.im/1h2N
  20. Groups Develop New Algorithm for Type 2 Diabeteshttp://viigo.im/1h2K
  21. Liraglutide Beneficial for Non-Diabetic Obese Adultshttp://viigo.im/1h2z
  22. The Powerless Patient Syndrome - why do patients continue going to doctors they don't like ? http://viigo.im/1h2u
  23. Obese People Without Diabetes: Liraglutide Reduces Weight And Prevalence Of Risk Factors http://viigo.im/1gLv
  24. Relation of Troponin I Levels Following Nonemergent PCI to Short- and Long-Term Outcomes http://viigo.im/1gLm
  25. @Berci Well done my friend. I just opened up the latest edition of mdng magazine (prime care/card edit) & there Webicina is on page 18
  26. @perpetualwealth thanks for the follow.
  27. Screening for Depression and Suicidality in Patients With Cardiovascular Illnesses http://viigo.im/1grP
  28. Was hoping for a Yankee v Dodger world series - esp from a historical perspective. Oh well, an Amtrack series (nyc vs philly) would b cool 2
  29. Very cool -- RT @DrVes: Google Chrome is available as a Portable download - no install needed, runs from a USB drivehttp://bit.ly/2i5lET
  30. Iloprost prevents contrast-induced nephropathy in high-risk patients undergoing coronary intervention http://viigo.im/1fVc
  31. Yeah!!!!! Coming to Google Labs: Social search resultshttp://viigo.im/1fUX
  32. RT @TCTMD: Registry Data Show Less Angina as PCI Evolves...www.tctmd.com/show.aspx?id=...
  33. @HEARTSTRONG1 We now have Rx's in phase III trial that will make warfarin obsolete - direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors
  34. @cardiosource less than 5%
  35. Vegetable Juice Aided In Dietary Support For Weight Loss And Lower Blood Pressure http://viigo.im/1fIS
  36. Current risk equations may overestimate CVD risk in diabetic patients http://viigo.im/1fIO
  37. @Andrew_Large Here's the source of this novel mechanism of cardioprotection http://ow.ly/vLUL
  38. NPD Finds Moms' Eating Habits And Nutritional Knowledge Influences What Their Kids Eat http://viigo.im/1fpj
  39. Statin drugs lower costs and complications of aortic surgeryhttp://viigo.im/1feP
  40. Just one-third of heart-failure patients receive aldosterone antagonists http://viigo.im/1feL
  41. LETTERS: Lipoprotein(a) Measurement and Determining Risk of Myocardial Infarction http://viigo.im/1feI
  42. A diagnosis of CVD was significantly associated with risk of subsequent hip fracture http://viigo.im/1feH
  43. Omega-3 Augmentation of Sertraline in Treatment of Depression in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease http://viigo.im/1feC
  44. Is patent foramen ovale closure indicated for migraine?: PFO Closure Is Not Indicated for Migraine http://viigo.im/1few
  45. Is patent foramen ovale closure indicated for migraine?http://viigo.im/1feu
  46. I'm a big user of intravascular ultrasound - I never cease to be amazed at how often angio over/under-estimates dzhttp://viigo.im/1feg
  47. Alternate-day fasting: a novel dietary strategy for weight loss and cardioprotection #Obesity#eating disorders http://viigo.im/1fdX
  48. More reasons to eat chocolate!!!! http://viigo.im/1fdS
  49. Fiber, fiber, fiber -- the more you eat, the fuller you feel -- proven to be inversely related to fat levels http://viigo.im/1fdM
  50. Intermittent fasting does not affect whole-body glucose, lipid, or protein metabolism http://viigo.im/1fdJ
  51. Are energy-dense foods really cheaper? Reexamining the relation between food price and energy density http://viigo.im/1fdH
  52. @Andrew_Large what's the source?
  53. Not good!!!RT @heartdisease: ... A sperm donor passed on a potentially deadly genetic .. http://1cxrl.tk
  54. New Blog Posting: Facebook http://bit.ly/sIfzZ
  55. SCAI Statement on JAMA Study Showing Reduction in Heart Attack Mortality http://viigo.im/1faZ
  56. Timing of Noncardiac Surgery After Coronary Artery Stenting With Bare Metal or Drug-Eluting Stents http://viigo.im/1f4c
  57. I could not agree more -- SCAI Can Not Support Draft Senate Finance Committee's Version of Health Care Reformhttp://viigo.im/1f4b
  58. Comparative Effectiveness of ACE Inhibitors or Angiotensin II-Receptor Blockers for Ischemic Heart Disease http://viigo.im/1f49
  59. RT @HEARTSTRONG1: Support Women with Heart Disease with Heartscarves http://ow.ly/v0o1
  60. RT @NutritionExpert Your body burns more calories post-workout after doing intervals than after doing a steady paced workout#exercise
  61. RT @heartdisease: Exercise Helps Brains Bounce Back -http://m1e1v.tk
  62. Reducing Cardiovascular Risks of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs by Using Topical Formulations http://viigo.im/1ejP
  63. Is there a way to report twitter SPAM?
  64. Amazing, infuriating that SPAM has made its way to twitter!!!
  65. RT @fitoverfifty: 55% of early deaths are due to poor decisions: smoking, overeating, unsafe sex, etc. In 1900 it was 5%.
  66. RT @thegreatwarning: How Could Someone In Nearly Perfect Health Die From Cardiac Arrest? http://bit.ly/3caddP
  67. @Berci Interestingly, you can use the website for free as a tracker for activity and nutrition log without having to buy the device.
  68. @Berci I like the idea. I'm a fan of anything that motivates people to get healthy and fit. Way too expensive though!
  69. Meta-Analysis Finds Flu Linked to Heart Attack and Deathhttp://viigo.im/1dQA
  70. Many Factors Figure Into Cardiovascular Risk Estimationhttp://viigo.im/1dQz
  71. Well done Strick - you are a great Doc: Physician of the Year at St. V's called compassionate - http://9vf1t.tk
  72. Wear Fitbit all day long... Interesting looking device - thanks @Bercihttp://ow.ly/v4iz
  73. @dryadusingh Thanks for the follow
  74. Fish Oil Deemed Safe for Antiplatelet Therapy Patientshttp://ow.ly/v3Ws
  75. How to Know You Won't Have a Sudden-Death Heart Attack Over the Next Ten Years http://ow.ly/v3Wg
  76. Controversial -- Folate Linked to Fewer Deaths in Coronary Artery Disease http://viigo.im/1dDM
  77. The Heart Truth: what's that little red dress all about?http://viigo.im/1dDL
  78. Wise owls tweet with #HootSuitehttp://hootsuite.com
  79. RT @fitoverfifty: RT @HarvardHealth: high BP increases risk of cognitive impairment http://bit.ly/1fWjgV (so #exercise & watch#sodium)
  80. By increasing levels of HDL by just 1%, the risk of heart disease can be reduced by 2% in men and 3% among women