Archive for the Prevention category
Can a cup of green tea a day keep the doctor away?
The cold weather is upon us and a cup of something hot is just the thing to drive the chills away. So what is your favorite hot drink?
This report by Greek researchers published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation suggests we should go for green tea.
Cardiovascular studies are on the decline
In the arena of drug development, cardiovascular medicine is no longer the favorite therapeutic area. This is according to a study published in the August issue of Nature, which analyzed the number of clinical trials registered at ClinicalTrials registery during the last two years, as reported by heartwire. Cardiology, which used to occupy the top priority position in research and development in the pharmaceutical industry, only now ranked 3rd. The top two places are occupied by cancer oncolgy and neurodegenerative medicine, respectively. This is despite the fact that lipid regulators which brought in US$ 35.2 billion worth of drug sales in 2006. The complete list of the six highest-ranked therapeutic/disease areas is given below:
- Oncology
- CNS disorders
- Cardiology
- Infectious diseases
- Endocrinology
- Respiratory diseases
The Smokefree Air Challenge
The American Lung Association (ALA) is actively campaigning for a comprehensive smokefree legislation across the US - the so-called Smokefree Air 2010 Challenge.
According to ALA, there are currently only twenty-three states, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia which have already passed comprehensive laws that protect people indoors -including workers and customers in restaurants and bars- from secondhand smoke. There is a still a lot to be done before the 2010 goal can be reached. More →
Today is World Stroke Day
Today, October 29, is World Stroke Day. The proclamation for this highly relevant day in the journal Stroke states that stroke is “a preventable and treatable catastrophe“.
Current stroke statistics
Wellness programs at the workplace
More and more are spending people more time sitting behind the desk looking at the computer screen than doing physical exercise. This is one of the reasons why obesity and cardiovascular diseases are becoming an epidemic in the developed world.
“Obesity costs U.S. employers more than $13 billion annually and it also adversely affects the quality of life and health of their workers,” according to LuAnn Heinen, director of the National Business Group on Health’s (NBGH) Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity.
Does your waistline predict your risk for heart disease?
If you are female and have a waistline circumference measuring 35 inches (about 89 cm), then you are advised to have a detailed risk assessment of your cardiovascular health. This is according to Dr. Erin Michos, a cardiologist of Johns Hopkins Medicine.
This statement was based on a US-wide study which screened 8,936 women aged 35 to 63 years old for risk factors of heart disease. For the risk assessment, the women from 14 cities underwent physical check-ups and filled out a health questionnaire. The results of the screening were as follows: More →
The lifestyle of the young is not good for the heart
The trend is disturbing. More and more children and young people are having cardiovascular problems. And the causes can be traced to unhealthy lifestyles.
Lack of proper nutrition
Resource post for September: Fibers for our health
What are fibers?
Fibers come from plant materials. Our body cannot digest or absorb fibers. They seldom provide vitamins and nutrients. Yet, fibers in our diet are very important to our health. A lot of fibers are actually in carbohydrates that you eat - yes, carbs - that dreaded word that seems to give weight watchers nightmares. Don’t worry. Fibers are special. More →
Raquel Billiones has a PhD in Biology and has over 15 years experience as a researcher, scientific English teacher, and medical writer. Since 2006, she has been a freelance WAHM specializing in medical writing and scientific documentation. 
