Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Cardiology for February 2014. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Higher Child BMI in Areas With Higher-Priced Fruits, Vegetables
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Children living in areas where fresh fruits and vegetables are more expensive have higher body mass indexes (BMIs), according to a study published online Feb. 10 in Pediatrics.
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Dietary Glycotoxins Linked to Dementia, Metabolic Syndrome
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- High intake of dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which have been linked to Alzheimer's disease and metabolic syndrome, are associated with cognitive and motor deficits and insulin resistance in mice and humans, according to a study published online Feb. 24 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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CT Scans Don't Interfere With Cardiac Rhythm Devices
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Cardiac rhythm management devices should not be a cause for delaying computed tomography (CT) imaging procedures, according to research published online Feb. 26 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Going Live With EHR Leads to Frustrations, Productivity Hit
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Implementing an electronic health record (EHR) system takes excessive physician and staff time and disrupts practice, according to survey results published Feb. 24 in Medical Economics.
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Low Vitamin D Tied to Markers of Inflammation in Elderly
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- There is a significant association between low vitamin D status and markers of inflammation (including the ratio of interleukin-6 [IL-6] to interleukin-10 [IL-10]) in elderly adults, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
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Hospital Size, Market Share Affect Inpatient Care Prices
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Size and market share are the greatest differentiators between hospitals receiving low prices and high prices for inpatient care, according to a study published in the February issue of Health Affairs.
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Strokes in Young People Leave Many Disabled
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Strokes at a young age leave many young adults with long-lasting disability, according to a study published online Feb. 27 in Stroke.
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Antihypertensives Tied to Serious Fall Injuries in Elderly
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Antihypertensive medications are associated with an increased risk of serious fall injuries in the elderly, particularly among those with previous fall injuries, according to a study published online Feb. 24 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Stethoscopes Contaminated After Single Physical Exam
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Stethoscopes get contaminated after a single physical exam, with the contamination greater than that seen on most of the physician's dominant hand, barring the fingertips, according to a study published online Feb. 27 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
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Myocardial Injury Predicts Death After Noncardiac Surgery
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) is common and is an independent predictor of mortality, according to a study published in the March issue of Anesthesiology.
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FDA's New Food Labels Would Focus on Calories, Sugar Content
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration formally proposed Thursday updating the "nutrition facts" labels on food products to better reflect Americans' current eating habits and health concerns.
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Prevalence of Obesity Remains High in the United States
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of obesity among youth or adults in the United States did not change significantly between 2003-2004 and 2011-2012, according to research published in the Feb. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Review: AHA Should Include Depression As Risk Factor in ACS
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Evidence suggests that depression should be considered a risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association published online Feb. 24 in Circulation.
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Cardiovascular Risk Increased in Month After Partner Death
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For elderly adults, the death of a partner is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, as well as other rarer cardiovascular events, according to a study published online Feb. 24 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Cocaine Use Doesn't Raise In-Hospital Mortality With MI
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Cocaine users with myocardial infarction (MI) are younger and generally have fewer risk factors, and do not have increased odds of in-hospital mortality, according to research published in the March 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Variation Seen in Blood Transfusion Practices After PCI
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), blood transfusion rates and practices vary among hospitals, and transfusion receipt is associated with adverse coronary outcomes, according to a study published in the Feb. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Review: Vegetarian Diet Linked to Lower Blood Pressure
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Consumption of a vegetarian diet is associated with lower blood pressure, according to a review and meta-analysis published online Feb. 24 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Not All Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Get Appropriate Tx
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly one in five eligible patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome do not receive American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) class I guideline-recommended angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
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Doctors Pleased With Congress' Medicare Payment Agreement
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physician groups are expressing optimism over the Congressional agreement to revamp the Medicare physician payment system, according to an article published Feb. 26 in Medical Economics.
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Doctors Slower to Prescribe HTN Meds to Younger Patients
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors wait longer to prescribe blood pressure medications to young adults than to older patients, according to a study published online recently in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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More Than Seven Million Patient Record Breaches in 2013
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The number of patient records breached increased more than 137 percent and affected over seven million records in 2013, according to an annual report published by Redspin.
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In Nonvalvular A-Fib, AAN Urges Routine Anticoagulation
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Most people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) should be taking oral anticoagulants to prevent stroke, according to an American Academy of Neurology (AAN) guideline published in the Feb. 25 issue of Neurology.
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USPSTF: Evidence Lacking for Vitamin Prevention of CVD, CA
MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has found that the evidence is insufficient to evaluate the benefits and harms of multivitamins and most single- or paired-nutrient supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The Task Force findings have been published in a final recommendation statement available online Feb. 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Quality Measures Data Added to Physician Compare Website
MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Data for quality measures have been added to Physician Compare, the website that helps consumers search for information about physicians, according to a report published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
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London's Bike Sharing Program Has Health Benefits
MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- London's bike sharing program is having a positive impact on health, with clearer benefits seen for men and older users, according to a study published Feb. 13 in BMJ.
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Distinct Effects for Excess Saturated vs Polyunsaturated Fat
MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Overeating saturated fats is associated with increased liver and visceral fat storage compared with overeating polyunsaturated fats, according to a study published online Feb. 18 in Diabetes.
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Obese Patients Affected by Perceived Judgment of Doctor
MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Patients who discuss weight loss with their physicians but do not feel judged may be more likely to attempt and succeed in losing weight, according to research published online Feb. 9 in Preventive Medicine.
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FDA to Step Up Oversight of Indian Drug Makers
MONDAY, Feb. 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is to increase monitoring of drugs from pharmaceutical companies in India, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D., said during a Friday afternoon news conference.
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ACC Calls for Patient-Centered Approach in Cardiac Imaging
FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Quality, patient outcomes, and costs must all be assessed in determining the appropriateness of noninvasive cardiovascular imaging, according to an American College of Cardiology (ACC) health policy statement published in the Feb. 25 issue of in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Patient-Centered Medical Homes Cut Care Costs
FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Primary care practices that embrace the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model reduce the cost of care and the number of patients treated inappropriately in the emergency department, according to an article published Jan. 15 in Medical Economics.
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Public Access Defibrillation Underutilized in Cardiac Arrest
FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- In out-of-hospital (OOH) cardiac arrest, public access defibrillation (PAD) prior to ambulance arrival may be only rarely used, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in Heart.
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Unfilled Hospital Openings for Doctors Growing, Survey Finds
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The need for hospital physicians is growing, according to an article published Jan. 3 in Medical Economics.
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Intracranial Carotid Artery Calcification Heralds Stroke
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Intracranial atherosclerosis predicts, and may significantly increase the risk of, stroke in the general white population, according to research published online Feb. 17 in JAMA Neurology.
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Direct Fitness Measures Better Predict Cardiometabolic Risk
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Directly measured fitness is more strongly associated with cardiovascular risk than self-reported physical activity level, according to research published in the Feb. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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ACC, AHA Releases Heart Disease, Stroke App for Docs
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A mobile and web-based app has been released to help health care professionals determine their patients' 10-year and lifetime risks of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
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Before Implementation, Full EHR Cost Needs Consideration
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- From the outset of electronic health record implementation, hospitals and governments need to understand the major cost categories involved and identify the factors that may impact these costs, according to research published online Feb. 12 in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
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Smoking Cessation Leads to Better Mental Health
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Those who stop smoking have significant improvements in mental health compared with those who continue to smoke, both in healthy and clinical populations, according to research published online Feb. 13 in BMJ.
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CAS, CEA Equally Effective for Long-Term Stroke Prevention
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis, carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are equally effective for long-term prevention of ipsilateral ischemic stroke, according to a study published in the Feb. 1 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions.
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'Talking' Medical Devices, Apps Continue to Evolve
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- "Talking" medical devices and apps, among other techy health-focused inventions, can help people manage everyday wellness routines, such as taking pills and checking blood sugar levels, as well as dire medical circumstances, say experts.
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Ablation May Be First-Line Option for Atrial Fibrillation
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Radiofrequency ablation is more effective than medications in treating previously untreated paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, suggesting that ablation may be considered as a first-line treatment, according to a study published in the Feb. 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Online Ratings Do Affect Patient Choice of Physician
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- About two-thirds of the general U.S. population is aware of online physician rating sites, according to a research letter published in the Feb. 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Antibody Prevents Thrombosis Without Increasing Bleeding
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A humanized antibody prevents thrombosis without increasing bleeding in extracorporeal circulation in animal models, according to a study published in the Feb. 5 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
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Direct-to-Consumer Genomic Testing Concerns Explored
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Various concerns relate to direct-to-consumer genomic testing, according to an ideas and opinions piece published online Feb. 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Physicians More Likely to Be Burned Out Than Non-Doc Peers
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Trainees and early-career physicians are more likely to be burned out than control population samples, according to research published online Jan. 20 in Academic Medicine.
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Fitness, Not Fatness, Linked to Mortality in Prediabetes
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Unfit individuals with prediabetes have a higher mortality risk than fit individuals, regardless of adiposity measures, according to a study published in the February issue of Diabetes Care.
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Sustained Weight Loss Prevents Sleep Apnea Progression
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A moderate, sustained weight loss may prevent the progression of, or even resolve, mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in obese patients, according to research published online Feb. 3 in Sleep Medicine.
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Best Practice Alerts Up Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening program using electronic medical records (EMR) can increase AAA screening, according to research published online Feb. 10 in the Journal of Vascular Surgery.
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Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Improves Function
MONDAY, Feb. 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with clinically important benefits in physical function and disease-specific quality of life, according to research published in the Feb. 18 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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USPSTF Advises Against Carotid Artery Stenosis Screening
MONDAY, Feb. 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in the general adult population, according to a draft recommendation statement published online Feb. 17.
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Most Patients Hospitalized With Flu Are Unvaccinated
MONDAY, Feb. 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Few patients hospitalized for influenza have been vaccinated, with the rate even lower among those requiring intensive care unit (ICU) care, according to a research letter published in the Feb. 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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AAFP: Telemedicine Can Help With Increased Demand for Docs
MONDAY, Feb. 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Telemedicine offers a potential solution to the increased demand for physician-patient interaction, according to a report from a recent forum. The forum was hosted by the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care, and the results of the discussion were published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
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Lower-Intensity Statin Combo Rx Option for Resistant Patients
MONDAY, Feb. 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Among high-risk patients who cannot tolerate or respond to high-intensity statin monotherapy, treatment with a lower-intensity statin plus a bile acid sequestrant or ezetimibe should be considered, although the long-term clinical outcomes are unknown, according to research published online Feb. 11 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Non-Traditional Office Hours Can Reap Big Financial Benefits
MONDAY, Feb. 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians can reap significant financial benefits by extending their office hours to include non-traditional hours, according to an article published Jan. 8 in Medical Economics.
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Spousal Ambivalence Linked to Heart Disease Risk
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Spouses who view each other as sometimes helpful and sometimes upsetting have higher levels of coronary artery calcification (CAC) compared with spouses who view each other primarily positively, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in Psychological Science.
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Women Have Worse QOL Than Men Up to 12 Months Post-Stroke
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For up to 12 months after ischemic stroke, women have worse quality of life (QOL) than men, according to research published online Feb. 7 in Neurology.
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Post-PCI Deaths Increasingly From Noncardiac Causes
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Deaths following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have shifted from cardiac to noncardiac causes over the past two decades, according to a study published online Feb. 10 in Circulation.
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Congress Agrees on Legislation to Replace SGR Formula
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Congress has agreed on legislation to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula, which will guarantee Medicare providers annual 0.5 percent reimbursement increases as new payment models are introduced, according to an article published Feb. 11 in Medical Economics.
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CMS Extends 2013 Meaningful Use Attestation Deadline
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have extended another deadline for the Medicare electronic health record (EHR) Incentive Program, according to an article published Feb. 11 in Medical Economics.
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Type 2 Diabetes Usually Develops in Stably Overweight
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Most people who develop type 2 diabetes are stably overweight for years before diagnosis, according to a study published online Feb. 11 in PLOS Medicine.
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ICD-10 Implementation Likely to Be Financial Disaster
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The American Medical Association (AMA) is continuing its efforts to stop implementation of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), citing the huge financial burden for physicians.
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Affordable Care Act Enrollment Nears 3.3 Million
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- 3.3 million Americans have signed up for health insurance through the state and federal marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act, the Obama administration announced Wednesday.
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CDC: More Americans Getting Blood Pressure Under Control
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about two-thirds (64 percent) of people with high blood pressure had the condition under control during 2012, the latest year for which figures are available. The report is published in the Feb. 14 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Health Benefits for Condemnation of Behavior, Not Self
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Self-condemnation is associated with negative health outcomes, while condemnation of behavior is associated with primarily beneficial outcomes, according to research published in the January/February issue of Basic and Applied Social Psychology.
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Whole Diet Approach Beats Low-Fat Diets in Heart Health
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A Mediterranean-style diet incorporating vegetables, fruits, fish, whole grains, and olive oil can reduce cardiovascular events and provide benefits similar to statins, according to a review published online Dec. 31 in the American Journal of Medicine.
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Recommendations Issued for Preparticipation Physical Exams
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Recommendations for preparticipation physical examinations (PPEs) have been updated and standardized, according to a position statement from the National Athletic Trainers' Association published in the January/February issue of the Journal of Athletic Training.
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30-Day Readmission From Postacute Rehab 11.8 Percent
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients discharged from inpatient rehabilitation facilities, 30-day readmission rates are 11.8 percent overall, according to a study published in the Feb. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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FDA Panel Sees No Heart-Safety Advantage With Naproxen
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The science isn't convincing enough to say that naproxen is safer for the heart than other popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, U.S. health advisers ruled Tuesday.
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FDA to Investigate Saxagliptin for Possible Heart Failure Risk
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it will investigate possible links between the diabetes drug saxagliptin and a heightened risk for heart failure among users.
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Mid-Sized Companies Get Extra Year to Comply With ACA
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Medium-sized companies will have another year before they have to provide employees with health insurance or face tax penalties, the Obama administration announced Monday.
Other Health Highlights: Feb. 10, 2014
Collaborative Depression Care Cuts CVD Event Risk
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Collaborative depression care involving antidepressants and psychotherapy can reduce the risk of hard cardiovascular disease (CVD) events for older patients without baseline CVD, according to a study published in the January issue of Psychosomatic Medicine.
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Perceived Control Reduces Mortality Risk for Lesser Educated
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Stronger beliefs of control over one's life are associated with reduced risk of mortality among those with lower levels of educational attainment, according to research published online Feb. 3 in in Health Psychology.
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Guidelines Issued for Managing Hospital Medicine Groups
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A new assessment guide comprising 10 principles has been developed for effective management of hospital medicine groups (HMGs), according to research published in the February issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
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New Rule Allows Patients to Access Laboratory Test Results
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- In a final rule relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a patient or their personal representative can access their completed test reports directly from the laboratory, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
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FDA Advisers Revisit Heart Risks Posed by NSAIDs
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Naproxen seems safer for the heart than other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), U.S. health officials say. And it's possible that labeling will soon reflect that finding.
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Residents Concerned About Lack of Time With Patients
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Many U.S. medical residents are concerned about reduced face-time with patients and report that engaging patients in their own care is more challenging than anticipated, according to a report from the American Resident Project, sponsored by ThinkWellPoint.
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Merck to Offer $100 Million Settlement in NuvaRing Lawsuits
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Merck will pay $100 million to settle thousands of lawsuits over the company's NuvaRing birth control device, according to insiders.
Other Health Highlights: Feb. 7, 2014
AHA/ASA Release Female-Specific Stroke Prevention Guidelines
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Gender-specific guidelines aimed at reducing strokes based on risk factors unique to women have been published online Feb. 6 in Stroke in a statement for health care professionals from the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association.
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Racial/Ethnic Differences in CHD Outcomes Not Due to Statins
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For hospitalized patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), racial and ethnic differences in one-year outcomes are due to demographics and comorbidity, not differential statin prescriptions, according to a study published in the Feb. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
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Rapid Recovery on Exercise ECG May Obviate Need for More Tests
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Additional testing for ischemic heart disease is less likely to yield benefit in those with rapid recovery of electrocardiographic (ECG) changes on the exercise treadmill test (ETT), according to research published online Feb. 5 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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CLER Pathways to Excellence Document Issued
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The Clinical Learning Environment Review (CLER) Pathways to Excellence document has been released for graduate medical education as a foundation for preparing the physician workforce in patient safety and quality improvement, according to a report from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
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Mediterranean Diet Has Cardiac Benefits in Young, Active Men
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Greater adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet is inversely associated with metabolic syndrome, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and weight gain, according to a study published online Feb. 4 in PLOS ONE.
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BP Patterns in Young Adulthood Predict Later Atherosclerosis
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Patterns of higher blood pressure (BP) levels in young adulthood are associated with increased risk of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in middle age, according to research published in the Feb. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Added Sugar in Diet Ups Risk for Cardiovascular Mortality
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Higher intake of added sugar is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, according to research published online Feb. 3 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Choosing Wisely Tips Should Prompt Doc-Patient Discussion
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 5, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The Choosing Wisely recommendations can form a starting point for discussing cost and appropriate use of testing with patients, according to an article from the American Medical Association (AMA).
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ICD-10 Transition May Impact Practice Cash Flow
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 5, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians and health plans remain unprepared for the disruption that implementation of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) will bring to their cash flow, according to an article published Jan. 14 in Medical Economics.
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CVS Caremark to Stop Selling Tobacco Products
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 5, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The national drug store chain CVS Caremark said Wednesday that it's phasing out the sale of tobacco products at its more than 7,600 stores across the United States.
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EHR Use During Patient Visit May Mean Missed Non-Verbal Cues
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 5, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Patterns of eye gaze change with the use of electronic health records (EHRs), and this influences physician-patient interaction, according to research published in the March issue of the International Journal of Medical Informatics.
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Atrial Scarring Tied to Poor A-Fib Catheter Ablation Results
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 5, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of left atrial scarring in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are associated with poor outcomes of first AF catheter ablation, according to a study published in the Feb. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Intensive BP Reduction Doesn't Prevent Cognitive Decline
TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Intensive treatment to lower blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol does not reduce the risk of cognitive decline in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a study published online Feb. 3 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Rates of Steroid Use High in Gay, Bisexual Adolescent Boys
TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of steroid misuse is much higher in gay or bisexual adolescent boys than in heterosexual boys in the United States, according to research published online Feb. 2 in Pediatrics.
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Testosterone Use Ups Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Men
TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The risk of myocardial infarction (MI) is increased following initiation of testosterone therapy (TT) in men, according to research published online Jan. 29 in PLOS ONE.
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Online Medical Records Trump Colleagues As Docs' Info Source
TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Online patient medical records are the top source of information for doctors, based on the mean annual exposure, according to the results of a survey conducted by Kantar Media.
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Video Game Ups Childrens' Knowledge of Stroke Symptoms
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Video games can provide a novel mechanism to improve stroke knowledge among children, according to a study published online Jan. 30 in Stroke.
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FDA Will Review Safety of Testosterone Therapy
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Spurred by a recent report that popular testosterone treatments might raise men's heart risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it now plans a review of the therapies' safety. "FDA is investigating the risk of stroke, heart attack, and death in men taking FDA-approved testosterone products," the agency said in a statement released late Friday.
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Health Reform Differs Across States: Report
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- California is one of 10 states that have done the most to roll out provisions of the Affordable Care Act, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report. These states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Vermont, have committed to implementing "the most significant aspects of health reform," the report states.
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Excessive Salt Consumption Among U.S. Teens
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The mean sodium consumption of U.S. adolescents is more than twice the American Heart Association's recommended daily intake, according to a study published online Feb. 2 in Pediatrics.
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Strategies ID'd for Cutting Sodium in Restaurant Meals
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Various strategies are available to help encourage restaurants to reduce the sodium content of food items, according to a study published Jan. 23 in the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.
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