Coronary Artery Disease

Some dietary guidelines more heart-friendly

August 17, 2009

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines for Americans are designed to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, but their impact on existing disease hasn't been adequately studied.

Peculiar violaceous, atraumatic rash

By Esan O. Simon, MD, MBA June 02, 2009

A 79-year-old Caucasian man with a history of chest pain, light-headedness, and diaphoresis was admitted to rule out acute coronary syndrome. He incidentally noted a bruise that had appeared spontaneously on his chest without trauma four days prior to admission.

Primary care on front line for atrial fibrillation

May 22, 2009

Diagnosing atrial fibrillation could sharply reduce strokes in the United States, and primary-care physicians have a key role to play, according to experts at the American College of Cardiology.

Hair loss as a side effect of statins?

Question by Jyoti Khatri, MD, Omaha; response by Peter F. Cohn, MD April 15, 2009

A 63-year-old woman wants to discontinue the simvastatin (Zocor) 10 mg she is taking for hypercholesterolemia because she believes the medication is causing her to lose her hair. Is there any evidence supporting this side effect of Zocor?

New findings challenge Framingham heart risk tool

April 14, 2009

Three recent studies indicate that the venerable Framingham risk score goes only so far as a predictor of cardiovascular problems.

Secondary stroke prevention lags

April 07, 2009

Even as researchers are fine-tuning approaches to preventing primary coronary events, a new analysis of unrelated CDC data found that primary-care providers need to focus more on secondary stroke prevention too.

Lowering LDL cholesterol still important, says FDA

January 09, 2009

The agency reaffirmed its position that elevated amounts of LDL are a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and sudden death and that lowering LDL cholesterol reduces the risk of these diseases.

Fibrate used in combination with statin approved

December 16, 2008

The FDA has approved Trilipix (fenofibric acid), a delayed-release capsule for use along with diet to treat dyslipidemia. Trilipix is the first fibrate to be approved for use in combination with a statin.

Statins protect against CVD, not renal disease

December 04, 2008

Statin use does not decrease renal-function loss in patients without cardiovascular disease (CVD) or in those at risk for it, but the drug is effective for primary prevention of CVD, a study found.

Kidney marker warns of heart disease, diabetes

November 20, 2008

A new meta-analysis confirmed "a strong and continuous association between urinary proteinuria and subsequent risk of coronary heart disease (CHD)." Meanwhile, a team of French scientists has tied excessive UAE levels to substantially higher risks of developing diabetes in men.

Omega 3s plus statins help lipids

October 20, 2008

In patients with mixed dyslipidemia, a combination of statin therapy and prescription omega-3 fatty acids may help improve lipid profiles, according to a report in the Oct. 15 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology. Reported at HealthDay.

Study: Aspirin doesn't prevent CV events

October 17, 2008

Among patients with diabetes and asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease, aspirin did not reduce primary fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events compared with placebo, according to a study by Jill Belch, MD, of the University of Dundee in Scotland, and colleagues online in BMJ. Reported at MedPage Today.

Do elevated lipids call for more than statins?

By Robert M. Guthrie, MD January 23, 2008

The goal of cholesterol management is not the correction of lipid numbers but the reduction in heart attack and other cardiac end points. The benefit of adding a second or even a third drug to a statin is unproven at best. There are even potential downsides.

Stents: What you now need to know

June 07, 2007

Once hailed as a breakthrough in the care of heart disease, stents have been in the news and in the crosshairs of skeptics. Here's what you need to know to deal with your heart patients.

High lipids, high liver enzymes

Question raised by Tony Pham, DO, Dallas and answered by Peter F. Cohn, MD February 21, 2007

How should I manage a 62-year-old Hispanic man who has hyperlipidemia and abnormal liver enzymes?

Acute Coronary Syndrome: Find the heart of the matter

By William E. Cayley Jr, MD, MDiv February 10, 2007

Establishing a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) allows you to stabilize the patient while you provide a more thorough evaluation and identify the specific form of unstable CAD involved.

Metabolic syndrome: Call to action

By Roger Zoorob, MD, MPH, and Victoria Smith, MD August 07, 2006

The debate rages on: Does the metabolic syndrome really exist? What are its clinical implications? Does diagnosis help prevent heart disease and diabetes?