FT.com / World / International economy - WHO aims to avert 36m premature deaths from an 'invisible epidemic': "WHO aims to avert 36m premature deaths from an 'invisible epidemic'
By Frances Williams in Geneva
Published: October 5 2005 03:00 | Last updated: October 5 2005 03:00
Global action to cut premature deaths from chronic diseases could save the lives of 36m people over the next decade, the World Health Organisation says in a report today.
Diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease are by far the biggest killers, accounting for 60 per cent of all deaths around the world. That proportion is set to rise, WHO says.
Lifestyle changes such as urbanisation, a shift to processed foods and rising tobacco consumption are increasing the risks, especially in the developing world.
Eight in 10 of the projected 35m deaths from this 'invisible epidemic' in 2005 will be in low- and middle-income countries, with Africa now the only continent where chronic diseases are not the leading cause of death.
Cardiovascular disease (heart disease and strokes) will claim 17.5m lives this year, according to WHO, against 2.8m deaths from HIV/Aids, the most deadly infectious disease.
The report estimates that the economic impact of chronic diseases - through lower output and increased health spending - will cost countries such as China, India and Russia billions of dollars in national income over the next 10 years. Accumulated losses between 2005 and 2015 are put at $558bn (�465bn, �310bn) for China, $236bn for India and $303bn for Russia.
'The cost of inaction is clear and unacceptable,' says Lee Jong-wook, WHO director-general.
The world health agency is proposing a global goal to reduce the upward trend of chronic disease death rates by 2 per cent each year until 20"
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Chronic illnesses called epidemic among poor - The Boston Globe
Chronic illnesses called epidemic among poor - The Boston Globe: "Chronic illnesses called epidemic among poor
Report urges global action
By John Donnelly, Globe Staff | October 5, 2005
MAMELODI, South Africa -- Aaron Mathe, 17, took shallow breaths. He had learned four years earlier that he had Hodgkin's lymphoma, and received chemotherapy treatment. But the 10th grader said his doctor recently gave him bad news: His illness appears to be terminal.
''He said he had nothing more he could give me, because the chemotherapy hurts my heart,' Mathe said softly.
Here, in the midst of this vast township of 1 million people a few miles east of Pretoria, Mathe's situation is emblematic of what the World Health Organization calls a ''largely invisible epidemic' -- the overwhelming number of chronic disease cases in poor countries.
In a report released today, the WHO estimates that 80 percent of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes were in low- to middle-income countries, contrary to popular belief that these diseases largely afflict people in wealthy countries.
The report also estimates that 17 million people die prematurely each year from these chronic diseases, and calls for a 2 percent annual reduction in deaths from these diseases. If that goal is reached, according to the report, countries would prevent the deaths of 36 million people in the next decade -- and nearly half the people would be under the age of 70.
Of the projected 58 million total deaths worldwide this year, an estimated 35 million people will die from chronic diseases -- more than double the number of deaths from infectious diseases such as AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, according to the WHO.
''We can stop this global epidemi"
Report urges global action
By John Donnelly, Globe Staff | October 5, 2005
MAMELODI, South Africa -- Aaron Mathe, 17, took shallow breaths. He had learned four years earlier that he had Hodgkin's lymphoma, and received chemotherapy treatment. But the 10th grader said his doctor recently gave him bad news: His illness appears to be terminal.
''He said he had nothing more he could give me, because the chemotherapy hurts my heart,' Mathe said softly.
Here, in the midst of this vast township of 1 million people a few miles east of Pretoria, Mathe's situation is emblematic of what the World Health Organization calls a ''largely invisible epidemic' -- the overwhelming number of chronic disease cases in poor countries.
In a report released today, the WHO estimates that 80 percent of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes were in low- to middle-income countries, contrary to popular belief that these diseases largely afflict people in wealthy countries.
The report also estimates that 17 million people die prematurely each year from these chronic diseases, and calls for a 2 percent annual reduction in deaths from these diseases. If that goal is reached, according to the report, countries would prevent the deaths of 36 million people in the next decade -- and nearly half the people would be under the age of 70.
Of the projected 58 million total deaths worldwide this year, an estimated 35 million people will die from chronic diseases -- more than double the number of deaths from infectious diseases such as AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, according to the WHO.
''We can stop this global epidemi"
WHO sees 'global epidemic' of chronic disease
Health News Article | Reuters.com
WHO sees 'global epidemic' of chronic disease
Tue Oct 4, 2005 8:10 PM ET
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA (Reuters) - Developing countries can tackle a "global epidemic" of chronic disease by adopting cheap measures that have helped cut heart disease deaths in some rich nations by up to 70 percent, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
In a report published on Wednesday, the WHO said nearly half of all deaths from heart disease, cancer, respiratory infections, strokes and diabetes -- to which about 35 million people will succumb this year -- were preventable.
The report, "Preventing Chronic Diseases -- a Vital Investment", said developing countries, where most such deaths occur, must copy Western nations by discouraging tobacco use and curbing salt, sugar and saturated fats in food.
"Today we have a major epidemic and we know that if nothing is done, it will evolve rapidly and even more dramatically," Catherine Le Gales-Camus, WHO assistant director-general of non-communicable disease, told a news briefing.
The WHO, a United Nations agency, said its goal was to prevent the deaths of 36 million people by 2015, by reducing death rates from chronic disease by 2 percent each year.
"It is achievable. We want to stop people dying at an early age, prematurely and painfully, from a preventable condition," said Robert Beaglehole, WHO's director of chronic diseases and health promotion.
Eighty percent of all heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes cases, and over 40 percent of cancer cases, could be prevented, the report said.
Chronic disease also has a huge economic impact. The WHO estimates that such illnesses will cost China $558 billion over the next decade, the Russian Federation $303 billion and India $237 billion.
Low and middle income countries, where the epidemic is worst, need to look to the example of industrialized nations. Some 80 percent of deaths from chronic diseases occur in developing countries, and half are women.
"There is a very pervasive misunderstanding that chronic diseases affect only wealthy men in wealthy countries," Beaglehole said.
Alerting the public to the dangers of high cholesterol levels or blood pressure have paid off in Western countries, the report said. Heart disease death rates have fallen by up to 70 percent in the last three decades in Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States.
Poland lowered death rates among young adults by 10 percent per year in the 1990s at low cost, mainly by ensuring fruits and vegetables were available and by removing subsidies on butter which made it competitive with healthier vegetable oils, according to Beaglehole.
Over one billion people worldwide are overweight or obese -- putting them at risk of deadly heart disease --- and the figure could rise to 1.5 billion in a decade, the report warned.
About 22 million children under age five are overweight.
Child obesity was "a number one public health problem," and talks are scheduled next week with the food and beverage industry to discuss a "plan of action", Le Gales-Camus said.
"Reports of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents -- previously unheard of -- have begun to mount worldwide," the WHO report said, referring to a form of the disease previously known as adult-onset diabetes.
Wang Longde, China's vice-minister of health, said in an introduction to the report: "We have an obesity epidemic, with more than 20 percent of our 7-17 year old children in urban centers tipping the scales as either overweight or obese".
WHO sees 'global epidemic' of chronic disease
Tue Oct 4, 2005 8:10 PM ET
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA (Reuters) - Developing countries can tackle a "global epidemic" of chronic disease by adopting cheap measures that have helped cut heart disease deaths in some rich nations by up to 70 percent, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
In a report published on Wednesday, the WHO said nearly half of all deaths from heart disease, cancer, respiratory infections, strokes and diabetes -- to which about 35 million people will succumb this year -- were preventable.
The report, "Preventing Chronic Diseases -- a Vital Investment", said developing countries, where most such deaths occur, must copy Western nations by discouraging tobacco use and curbing salt, sugar and saturated fats in food.
"Today we have a major epidemic and we know that if nothing is done, it will evolve rapidly and even more dramatically," Catherine Le Gales-Camus, WHO assistant director-general of non-communicable disease, told a news briefing.
The WHO, a United Nations agency, said its goal was to prevent the deaths of 36 million people by 2015, by reducing death rates from chronic disease by 2 percent each year.
"It is achievable. We want to stop people dying at an early age, prematurely and painfully, from a preventable condition," said Robert Beaglehole, WHO's director of chronic diseases and health promotion.
Eighty percent of all heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes cases, and over 40 percent of cancer cases, could be prevented, the report said.
Chronic disease also has a huge economic impact. The WHO estimates that such illnesses will cost China $558 billion over the next decade, the Russian Federation $303 billion and India $237 billion.
Low and middle income countries, where the epidemic is worst, need to look to the example of industrialized nations. Some 80 percent of deaths from chronic diseases occur in developing countries, and half are women.
"There is a very pervasive misunderstanding that chronic diseases affect only wealthy men in wealthy countries," Beaglehole said.
Alerting the public to the dangers of high cholesterol levels or blood pressure have paid off in Western countries, the report said. Heart disease death rates have fallen by up to 70 percent in the last three decades in Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States.
Poland lowered death rates among young adults by 10 percent per year in the 1990s at low cost, mainly by ensuring fruits and vegetables were available and by removing subsidies on butter which made it competitive with healthier vegetable oils, according to Beaglehole.
Over one billion people worldwide are overweight or obese -- putting them at risk of deadly heart disease --- and the figure could rise to 1.5 billion in a decade, the report warned.
About 22 million children under age five are overweight.
Child obesity was "a number one public health problem," and talks are scheduled next week with the food and beverage industry to discuss a "plan of action", Le Gales-Camus said.
"Reports of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents -- previously unheard of -- have begun to mount worldwide," the WHO report said, referring to a form of the disease previously known as adult-onset diabetes.
Wang Longde, China's vice-minister of health, said in an introduction to the report: "We have an obesity epidemic, with more than 20 percent of our 7-17 year old children in urban centers tipping the scales as either overweight or obese".
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
WHO Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion (CHP)
WHO | Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion (CHP)
The rapid rise of chronic, noncommunicable diseases represents one of the major health challenges to global development. The principle chronic diseases are: stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. Chronic diseases currently account for some 60% of global deaths and almost one third of the global burden of disease. The Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion (CHP) leads the global efforts to prevent and control chronic diseases and promote health./.../
The rapid rise of chronic, noncommunicable diseases represents one of the major health challenges to global development. The principle chronic diseases are: stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. Chronic diseases currently account for some 60% of global deaths and almost one third of the global burden of disease. The Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion (CHP) leads the global efforts to prevent and control chronic diseases and promote health./.../
Increased GGT Linked to Cardiovascular Mortality
Increased GGT Linked to Cardiovascular Mortality: "NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Sept 30 - An elevated level of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is an independent risk factor for death from cardiovascular disease, according to a report in the October 4th issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
'People with high GGT had more than a 1.5-fold risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases in comparison to people with normal low levels of GGT,' senior author Dr. Hanno Ulmer, from Innsbruck Medical University in Austria, said in a statement. 'For people under 60 years of age, this risk is even higher, amounting to more than twofold.'
Recent reports have linked GGT levels with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but most studies have had inadequate sample sizes to investigate any association with CVD mortality.
The new findings are based on a study of 163,944 Austrian adults who had GGT levels measured and were followed for up to 17 years.
In both men and women, a high GGT level was independently associated with CVD mortality and a clear dose-response relationship was observed.
In men, a high GGT was linked to death from chronic coronary heart disease, heart failure, and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. By contrast, the association with fatal acute MI did not reach statistical significance.
In women, a high GGT was significantly associated with death from all cardiovascular diseases, except for hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.
In a related editorial, Dr. Michele Emdin, from the National Research Council in Pisa, Italy, and colleagues comment that 'elevation in serum GGT activity predicts outcomes in unselected populations and in patients with ascertained ischemic heart disease, independently of myocardial damage, thus adding to prognostic information provided by traditional risk factors.'
Circulation 2005."
'People with high GGT had more than a 1.5-fold risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases in comparison to people with normal low levels of GGT,' senior author Dr. Hanno Ulmer, from Innsbruck Medical University in Austria, said in a statement. 'For people under 60 years of age, this risk is even higher, amounting to more than twofold.'
Recent reports have linked GGT levels with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but most studies have had inadequate sample sizes to investigate any association with CVD mortality.
The new findings are based on a study of 163,944 Austrian adults who had GGT levels measured and were followed for up to 17 years.
In both men and women, a high GGT level was independently associated with CVD mortality and a clear dose-response relationship was observed.
In men, a high GGT was linked to death from chronic coronary heart disease, heart failure, and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. By contrast, the association with fatal acute MI did not reach statistical significance.
In women, a high GGT was significantly associated with death from all cardiovascular diseases, except for hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.
In a related editorial, Dr. Michele Emdin, from the National Research Council in Pisa, Italy, and colleagues comment that 'elevation in serum GGT activity predicts outcomes in unselected populations and in patients with ascertained ischemic heart disease, independently of myocardial damage, thus adding to prognostic information provided by traditional risk factors.'
Circulation 2005."
Prêmio Zerbini de Cardiologia 2005
Ref: Novas formas de inscrição de trabalhos para o Prêmio Zerbini de Cardiologia – Edição 2005.
Prezado pesquisador,
Informamos a V. Sa. que as inscrições de trabalhos concorrentes ao “Prêmio Zerbini de Cardiologia – Edição 2005”, poderão ser efetuadas das seguintes formas:
1- Através do website da Fundação Zerbini. (www.zerbini.org.br)
2- Mediante o envio do trabalho para seguinte endereço eletrônico: zerbini2005@zerbini.org.br
3- Mediante o envio do trabalho em CD-Rom/ Disquete via correio para o seguinte endereço: Fundação Zerbini - Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima – n. 1884 – 2. andarBairro: Jd. Paulistano / São Paulo – SPCEP 01451-000
Assim sendo, consideramos que estas novas oportunidades de envio de trabalhos irão facilitar a inscrição de trabalhos por parte de V. Sa.
Ressaltamos que a data limite para as inscrições é o dia 28 de outubro.
Estamos desde o momento à sua disposição para eventuais dúvidas e informações adicionais.
Agradecemos antecipadamente,
Kleber Di Pardi (55) (11) 3038 5301 kleber@zerbini.org.br
Ricardo Duailibi(55) (11) 3038 5367duailibi@zerbini.org.br
Prezado pesquisador,
Informamos a V. Sa. que as inscrições de trabalhos concorrentes ao “Prêmio Zerbini de Cardiologia – Edição 2005”, poderão ser efetuadas das seguintes formas:
1- Através do website da Fundação Zerbini. (www.zerbini.org.br)
2- Mediante o envio do trabalho para seguinte endereço eletrônico: zerbini2005@zerbini.org.br
3- Mediante o envio do trabalho em CD-Rom/ Disquete via correio para o seguinte endereço: Fundação Zerbini - Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima – n. 1884 – 2. andarBairro: Jd. Paulistano / São Paulo – SPCEP 01451-000
Assim sendo, consideramos que estas novas oportunidades de envio de trabalhos irão facilitar a inscrição de trabalhos por parte de V. Sa.
Ressaltamos que a data limite para as inscrições é o dia 28 de outubro.
Estamos desde o momento à sua disposição para eventuais dúvidas e informações adicionais.
Agradecemos antecipadamente,
Kleber Di Pardi (55) (11) 3038 5301 kleber@zerbini.org.br
Ricardo Duailibi(55) (11) 3038 5367duailibi@zerbini.org.br
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Acidente Vascular Cerebral
-----Mensagem original-----De: Isaac Roitman [mailto:iroitman@imagelink.com.br] Enviada em: domingo, 2 de outubro de 2005 17:54Para: Aloyzio AchuttiAssunto: Fw: Derrame - Importante - repassando
----- Original Message -----
From: Henrique Galinkin
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 6:37 PM
Subject: Fw: Derrame - Importante - repassando
Subject: Derrame - Importante
Um cardiologista afirma: "Se cada um que receber este e-mail mandá-lo para mais dez pessoas, você pode apostar que, no mínimo, uma vida será salva".
Sintomas de um derrame:
Às vezes, os sintomas de um derrame são difíceis de identificar. Infelizmente, a falta de reconhecimento provoca um estrago. A vítima de um derrame pode sofrer danos cerebrais quando as pessoas em redor não reconhece os sintomas do derrame. Agora, os médicos contam que alguém que convive com a pessoa em questão pode reconhecer o derrame mediante três testes simples.
1. Pedindo à ela para rir
2. Pedindo à ela para levantar os dois braços;
3. Pedindo à ela para falar uma frase simples; se ela tem dificuldade com um destes testes, chame imediatamente o pronto socorro e conte sobre os sintomas a quem atender ao telefone.
Depois de fazer com que um grupo de voluntários não-médicos fosse capaz de identificar um problema facial, um problema nos braços ou dificuldade em falar, cientistas querem que estes os três testes sejam conhecidos pelo maior número possível de pessoas. Eles apresentaram suas conclusões na American Stroke Association na reunião anual em fevereiro de 2004.O uso comum destes testes pode dar oportunidade de uma diagnose imediata e um tratamento de derrame, e prevenir um prejuízo do cérebro.Por favor, partilhe este artigo com quantos amigos for possível......................
----- Original Message -----
From: Henrique Galinkin
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 6:37 PM
Subject: Fw: Derrame - Importante - repassando
Subject: Derrame - Importante
Um cardiologista afirma: "Se cada um que receber este e-mail mandá-lo para mais dez pessoas, você pode apostar que, no mínimo, uma vida será salva".
Sintomas de um derrame:
Às vezes, os sintomas de um derrame são difíceis de identificar. Infelizmente, a falta de reconhecimento provoca um estrago. A vítima de um derrame pode sofrer danos cerebrais quando as pessoas em redor não reconhece os sintomas do derrame. Agora, os médicos contam que alguém que convive com a pessoa em questão pode reconhecer o derrame mediante três testes simples.
1. Pedindo à ela para rir
2. Pedindo à ela para levantar os dois braços;
3. Pedindo à ela para falar uma frase simples; se ela tem dificuldade com um destes testes, chame imediatamente o pronto socorro e conte sobre os sintomas a quem atender ao telefone.
Depois de fazer com que um grupo de voluntários não-médicos fosse capaz de identificar um problema facial, um problema nos braços ou dificuldade em falar, cientistas querem que estes os três testes sejam conhecidos pelo maior número possível de pessoas. Eles apresentaram suas conclusões na American Stroke Association na reunião anual em fevereiro de 2004.O uso comum destes testes pode dar oportunidade de uma diagnose imediata e um tratamento de derrame, e prevenir um prejuízo do cérebro.Por favor, partilhe este artigo com quantos amigos for possível......................
Friday, September 30, 2005
How Do I Start My Exercise Program/ Prescribing Fitness in Your Office Practice
Cardiosource: "Abstract
The Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel or ATP III) estimates that the direct medical costs to diagnose and manage cardiovascular disease (CVD) exceeds $100 billion each year in the United States; indirect costs, such as reduced productivity, accounts for a similar amount./.../
The most cost-effective methods to prevent coronary heart disease, according to ATP III, remain lifestyle modifications such as changes in diet, weight control, smoking avoidance/cessation, and exercise (Slide 1) (Click here for ATP III www.nhlbi.nih.gov). Moreover, new data suggest that one of the most effective prescriptions a clinician can write is an exercise prescription. "
The Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel or ATP III) estimates that the direct medical costs to diagnose and manage cardiovascular disease (CVD) exceeds $100 billion each year in the United States; indirect costs, such as reduced productivity, accounts for a similar amount./.../
The most cost-effective methods to prevent coronary heart disease, according to ATP III, remain lifestyle modifications such as changes in diet, weight control, smoking avoidance/cessation, and exercise (Slide 1) (Click here for ATP III www.nhlbi.nih.gov). Moreover, new data suggest that one of the most effective prescriptions a clinician can write is an exercise prescription. "
Therapeutic angiogenesis
E-Journal - Volume 4 - vol4n3:
"Prof. S. Nikol
Munich, Germany
Member of the Nucleus of the ESC Working Group on Interventional Cardiology
Recommended by Marcelo Gustavo Colominas [mgcolominas@hotmail.com]
Therapeutic angiogenesis : Definition
Therapeutic angiogenesis describes an emerging field of cardiovascular medicine whereby new blood vessels are induced to grow to supply oxygen and nutrients to cardiac muscle tha has mostly been rendered ischaemic as a result of progressive atherosclerosis.
Myocardial ischemia is one of the most promising targets of gene therapy, particularly, in the case of refractory angina.
As life expectancy is increasing, patients with angina pectoris refractory to conventional antianginal therapeutics are a challenging problem. Therapeutic angiogenesis may be one way to approach this problem. "/.../
"Prof. S. Nikol
Munich, Germany
Member of the Nucleus of the ESC Working Group on Interventional Cardiology
Recommended by Marcelo Gustavo Colominas [mgcolominas@hotmail.com]
Therapeutic angiogenesis : Definition
Therapeutic angiogenesis describes an emerging field of cardiovascular medicine whereby new blood vessels are induced to grow to supply oxygen and nutrients to cardiac muscle tha has mostly been rendered ischaemic as a result of progressive atherosclerosis.
Myocardial ischemia is one of the most promising targets of gene therapy, particularly, in the case of refractory angina.
As life expectancy is increasing, patients with angina pectoris refractory to conventional antianginal therapeutics are a challenging problem. Therapeutic angiogenesis may be one way to approach this problem. "/.../
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Hygiene Hypothesis May Explain Rise in Coronary Heart Disease
Hygiene Hypothesis May Explain Rise in Coronary Heart Disease: "Hygiene Hypothesis May Explain Rise in Coronary Heart Disease
By Matias A. Loewy
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters Health) Sept 23 - Early childhood viral infections might reduce the risk of later ischemic heart disease by as much as 90%, researchers from Sweden and Finland reported here on Wednesday at the IV World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery.
According to the investigators, 'improved hygiene in early childhood might partially explain the greatest epidemic of the 20th century, coronary heart disease'.
It is the first time that the so-called 'hygiene hypothesis', which postulates that reduced microbial exposure because of improved sanitation and cleaner lifestyles has facilitated the rise in asthma, allergic disease and multiple sclerosis in the Western world, is linked to the development of heart disease.
Researchers led by Dr. Erkki Pesonen, from the University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, compared 350 patients with unstable angina pectoris or myocardial infarction with paired controls without coronary disease. They all answered a questionnaire about their childhood experience of contagious diseases, specifically whether they had ever had varicella, scarlet fever, measles, German measles, mononucleosis or parotitis.
Childhood contagious diseases were more frequent in the controls, researchers noted. Furthermore, they found a consistent linear trend between the number of childhood infections and the reduction in coronary risk. For instance, two viral infections reduced the coronary risk by 40%, four infections was associated with a 60% decreased risk, and six infections with a 90% reduction in risk.
Dr. Horacio Faella, a pediatric cardiologist at the Garrahan Hospital, Buenos Aires, and member of the Organizing Committee of the meeting, considered the finding to be interesting but preliminary. 'We need to do more studies about the influence of the immune system on the cardiovascular system', he said.
"
By Matias A. Loewy
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters Health) Sept 23 - Early childhood viral infections might reduce the risk of later ischemic heart disease by as much as 90%, researchers from Sweden and Finland reported here on Wednesday at the IV World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery.
According to the investigators, 'improved hygiene in early childhood might partially explain the greatest epidemic of the 20th century, coronary heart disease'.
It is the first time that the so-called 'hygiene hypothesis', which postulates that reduced microbial exposure because of improved sanitation and cleaner lifestyles has facilitated the rise in asthma, allergic disease and multiple sclerosis in the Western world, is linked to the development of heart disease.
Researchers led by Dr. Erkki Pesonen, from the University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, compared 350 patients with unstable angina pectoris or myocardial infarction with paired controls without coronary disease. They all answered a questionnaire about their childhood experience of contagious diseases, specifically whether they had ever had varicella, scarlet fever, measles, German measles, mononucleosis or parotitis.
Childhood contagious diseases were more frequent in the controls, researchers noted. Furthermore, they found a consistent linear trend between the number of childhood infections and the reduction in coronary risk. For instance, two viral infections reduced the coronary risk by 40%, four infections was associated with a 60% decreased risk, and six infections with a 90% reduction in risk.
Dr. Horacio Faella, a pediatric cardiologist at the Garrahan Hospital, Buenos Aires, and member of the Organizing Committee of the meeting, considered the finding to be interesting but preliminary. 'We need to do more studies about the influence of the immune system on the cardiovascular system', he said.
"
Monday, September 26, 2005
Dietary Recommendations for Children and Adolescents: A Guide for Practitioners:
Dietary Recommendations for Children and Adolescents: A Guide for Practitioners: Consensus Statement From the American Heart Association: Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics -- Gidding et al. 112 (13): 2061 -- Circulation:
"Since the American Heart Association last presented nutrition guidelines for children, significant changes have occurred in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and nutrition behaviors in children. Overweight has increased, whereas saturated fat and cholesterol intake have decreased, at least as percentage of total caloric intake. Better understanding of children’s cardiovascular risk status and current diet is available from national survey data. New research on the efficacy of diet intervention in children has been published. Also, increasing attention has been paid to the importance of nutrition early in life, including the fetal milieu. This scientific statement summarizes current available information on cardiovascular nutrition in children and makes recommendations for both primordial and primary prevention of cardiovascular disease beginning at a young age."/.../
"Since the American Heart Association last presented nutrition guidelines for children, significant changes have occurred in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and nutrition behaviors in children. Overweight has increased, whereas saturated fat and cholesterol intake have decreased, at least as percentage of total caloric intake. Better understanding of children’s cardiovascular risk status and current diet is available from national survey data. New research on the efficacy of diet intervention in children has been published. Also, increasing attention has been paid to the importance of nutrition early in life, including the fetal milieu. This scientific statement summarizes current available information on cardiovascular nutrition in children and makes recommendations for both primordial and primary prevention of cardiovascular disease beginning at a young age."/.../
Colchicine in Addition to Conventional Therapy for Acute Pericarditis: Results of the COlchicine for acute PEricarditis (COPE) Trial -- Imazio et al.
Colchicine in Addition to Conventional Therapy for Acute Pericarditis: Results of the COlchicine for acute PEricarditis (COPE) Trial -- Imazio et al. 112 (13): 2012 -- Circulation
Conclusions— Colchicine plus conventional therapy led to a clinically important and statistically significant benefit over conventional treatment, decreasing the recurrence rate in patients with a first episode of acute pericarditis. Corticosteroid therapy given in the index attack can favor the occurrence of recurrences.
Conclusions— Colchicine plus conventional therapy led to a clinically important and statistically significant benefit over conventional treatment, decreasing the recurrence rate in patients with a first episode of acute pericarditis. Corticosteroid therapy given in the index attack can favor the occurrence of recurrences.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Dia Mundial do Coração: 25 de Setembro 2005. Caminhada do Centro de Qualidade de Vida
Comemorando o Dia Mundial do Coração, unindo-se ao que acontece ao redor de todo o mundo neste dia 25 de setembro, o Centro de Qualidade de Vida do Hospital Moinhos de Vento convida a todos, profissionais da saúde e população em geral, para uma caminhada que deverá sair do Shopping Center Iguatemy, até o Parcão.
O lema deste ano é “Healthy weight, healthy shape” ou Peso Saudável, mantenha-se em Forma
O endereço internacional na INTERNET é: http://www.worldheartday.org
Em Porto Alegre, o credenicamento será às 09:00 em frente ao Iguatemi e saída às 09:30.
Em caso de chuva será cancelada a atividade. A distância é de carca de 3 Km, seremos recepcionados pela equipe do Parcão com relaxamento e alongamento na chegada além de dicas de nutrição. A indumentária recomendada é tênis e uma roupa confortável, tipo abrigo/ bermuda, roupa de ginástica, etc... aqui será dado camisetas no cadastro com a arte do convite: os dois saltando e formando um coração.
No Boulevard – PARCÃO , recepcionaremos o público que chegar da caminhada.
Lá teremos:
- Medição dos números da Saúde com os profissionais do ESBE (peso, altura, circunferência abdominal, medição de pressão)
- quiosque da Sanofi com distribuição de folders
- mesa de apoio para o hospital divulgar material educativo.
- distribuição de água
- Profissionais para alongamentos
- Apoio do pessoal do Núcleo da Mama de Porto Alegre
http://www.hmv.org.br/
centro.qualidade.vida@hmv.org.br
O lema deste ano é “Healthy weight, healthy shape” ou Peso Saudável, mantenha-se em Forma
O endereço internacional na INTERNET é: http://www.worldheartday.org
Em Porto Alegre, o credenicamento será às 09:00 em frente ao Iguatemi e saída às 09:30.
Em caso de chuva será cancelada a atividade. A distância é de carca de 3 Km, seremos recepcionados pela equipe do Parcão com relaxamento e alongamento na chegada além de dicas de nutrição. A indumentária recomendada é tênis e uma roupa confortável, tipo abrigo/ bermuda, roupa de ginástica, etc... aqui será dado camisetas no cadastro com a arte do convite: os dois saltando e formando um coração.
No Boulevard – PARCÃO , recepcionaremos o público que chegar da caminhada.
Lá teremos:
- Medição dos números da Saúde com os profissionais do ESBE (peso, altura, circunferência abdominal, medição de pressão)
- quiosque da Sanofi com distribuição de folders
- mesa de apoio para o hospital divulgar material educativo.
- distribuição de água
- Profissionais para alongamentos
- Apoio do pessoal do Núcleo da Mama de Porto Alegre
http://www.hmv.org.br/
centro.qualidade.vida@hmv.org.br
The metabolic syndrome—a new worldwide definition
www.thelancet.com Vol 366 September 24, 2005
(Full text available on request)
The metabolic syndrome (visceral obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, and hypertension), has become one of the major public-health challenges worldwide.1 There has been growing interest in this constellation of closely
related cardiovascular risk factors. Although the association of several of these risk factors has been known for more than 80 years,2 the clustering received scant attention until 1988 when Reaven described syndrome X:
insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, hypertension, low HDL-cholesterol, and raised VLDL-triglycerides. Surprisingly, he omitted obesity, now seen by many as an essential component, especially visceral obesity. Various names were subsequently proposed, the most popular being metabolic syndrome.
The cause of the syndrome remains obscure. Reaven proposed that insulin resistance played a causative role, but this remains uncertain. Lemieux et al suggested visceral obesity and the hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype as a central component,4 but this too has been contested. Several different factors are probably involved, many related to changes in lifestyle.
The ultimate importance of metabolic syndrome is that it helps identify individuals at high risk of both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Several expert groups have therefore attempted to produce diagnostic criteria. The first attempt was by a WHO diabetes group in 1999, which proposed a definition that could be modified as more information became available.5 The criteria had insulin resistance or its surrogates, impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, as essential components, together with at least two of: raised blood pressure, hypertriglyceridaemia and/or low HDL-cholesterol, obesity (as measured by waist/hip ratio or body-mass index), and microalbuminuria. The European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance6 then produced a modification of the WHO criteria excluding people with diabetes and requiring hyperinsulinaemia to be present. Waist circumference was the measure of obesity, with different cutoffs for the other variables./.../
(Full text available on request)
The metabolic syndrome (visceral obesity, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, and hypertension), has become one of the major public-health challenges worldwide.1 There has been growing interest in this constellation of closely
related cardiovascular risk factors. Although the association of several of these risk factors has been known for more than 80 years,2 the clustering received scant attention until 1988 when Reaven described syndrome X:
insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, hypertension, low HDL-cholesterol, and raised VLDL-triglycerides. Surprisingly, he omitted obesity, now seen by many as an essential component, especially visceral obesity. Various names were subsequently proposed, the most popular being metabolic syndrome.
The cause of the syndrome remains obscure. Reaven proposed that insulin resistance played a causative role, but this remains uncertain. Lemieux et al suggested visceral obesity and the hypertriglyceridaemic waist phenotype as a central component,4 but this too has been contested. Several different factors are probably involved, many related to changes in lifestyle.
The ultimate importance of metabolic syndrome is that it helps identify individuals at high risk of both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Several expert groups have therefore attempted to produce diagnostic criteria. The first attempt was by a WHO diabetes group in 1999, which proposed a definition that could be modified as more information became available.5 The criteria had insulin resistance or its surrogates, impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, as essential components, together with at least two of: raised blood pressure, hypertriglyceridaemia and/or low HDL-cholesterol, obesity (as measured by waist/hip ratio or body-mass index), and microalbuminuria. The European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance6 then produced a modification of the WHO criteria excluding people with diabetes and requiring hyperinsulinaemia to be present. Waist circumference was the measure of obesity, with different cutoffs for the other variables./.../
Monday, September 19, 2005
Aplicación del pensamiento complejo e introducción de la Epistemología Crítica en las Insuficiencias Cardíacas
criticamedicina.blogia.com
Artigos discutindo aspectos filosóficos da Medicina e Saúde são frequentemente postados no endereço Crítica Medicina constante na lista de referências colocados na coluna ao lado. Recomendamos aos interessados que visitem periodicamente o endereço. Na medida do possível chamaremos atenção para novas publicações.
Aplicación del pensamiento complejo en las insuficiencias cardíacas Dr. Alejandro Wajner
Aplicación del pensamiento complejo e introducción de la Epistemología Crítica en las Insuficiencias Cardíacas (ICCs)
" Atreverse sigue siendo la mejor manera de lograr algo en la vida"
tomado prestado del Consultorio pedagógico de Emilia Digistani.
1):
¿ Cómo pasar del Corazón como máquina biológica a un “Ser con el Corazón en queja” ?
Una Respuesta:
“ perseguir una pregunta difícil de contestar”( Nicolás Casullo: Revista Confines, N° 16, 2005)
Tal vez atravesar los cuerpos y conocimientos con relaciones y Otros saberes, para abrirlos a la complejidad./.../
Artigos discutindo aspectos filosóficos da Medicina e Saúde são frequentemente postados no endereço Crítica Medicina constante na lista de referências colocados na coluna ao lado. Recomendamos aos interessados que visitem periodicamente o endereço. Na medida do possível chamaremos atenção para novas publicações.
Aplicación del pensamiento complejo en las insuficiencias cardíacas Dr. Alejandro Wajner
Aplicación del pensamiento complejo e introducción de la Epistemología Crítica en las Insuficiencias Cardíacas (ICCs)
" Atreverse sigue siendo la mejor manera de lograr algo en la vida"
tomado prestado del Consultorio pedagógico de Emilia Digistani.
1):
¿ Cómo pasar del Corazón como máquina biológica a un “Ser con el Corazón en queja” ?
Una Respuesta:
“ perseguir una pregunta difícil de contestar”( Nicolás Casullo: Revista Confines, N° 16, 2005)
Tal vez atravesar los cuerpos y conocimientos con relaciones y Otros saberes, para abrirlos a la complejidad./.../
Risk Factor Modification of Coronary Artery Disease, Vol. 5, No. 1, SEMJ
Risk Factor Modification of Coronary Artery Disease, Vol. 5, No. 1, SEMJ:
"Risk Factor Modification of Coronary Artery Disease
A. R. Moarreaf , M.D."
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the third most common cause of death and has two main types: Ischemic (subdivided to thrombotic and embolic) and hemorrhagic (including intracranial hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage). Administration of thrombolytic, anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents are the main treatments of ischemic stroke; while surgical procedures, brain structure decompression, and closure of aneurysm are essential in the management of hemorrhagic ones./.../
"Risk Factor Modification of Coronary Artery Disease
A. R. Moarreaf , M.D."
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the third most common cause of death and has two main types: Ischemic (subdivided to thrombotic and embolic) and hemorrhagic (including intracranial hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage). Administration of thrombolytic, anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents are the main treatments of ischemic stroke; while surgical procedures, brain structure decompression, and closure of aneurysm are essential in the management of hemorrhagic ones./.../
Sunday, September 18, 2005
60o. Congreso da SBC em Porto Alegre. Começa hoje.
COMEÇA EM PORTO ALEGRE O MAIOR EVENTO DE CARDIOLOGIA DO BRASILComeça nesse domingo, dia 18, no Centro de Eventos FIERGS, em Porto Alegre, o 60º Congresso da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia, o maior evento do setor, que traz ao Rio Grande do Sul mais de 4.000 especialistas do Brasil e de outros países, com destaque para 31 conferencistas dos Estados Unidos, Itália, França, Canadá, Venezuela, Portugal e Argentina, todos eles mundialmente famosos por suas pesquisas e conhecimento sobre as moléstias que afetam o coração. O presidente do Congresso, Iran Castro, explica que o coração mata a cada ano 300 mil brasileiros e que a maior parte dessas mortes é evitável, à luz dos modernos avanços da Cardiologia e da prevenção dos fatores de risco. Por isso mesmo o Congresso deste ano não é um evento fechado e exclusivo para médicos, mas inclui um importante fórum de Nutrição em Cardiologia, outro de Fisioterapia em Cardiologia, pois ao contrário do que ocorria há alguns anos, o exercício físico, supervisionado, é essencial até para o infartado. Haverá também um fórum de Psicologia em cardiologia e outro de Enfermagem. O médico destaca ainda duas características especiais deste Congresso: os "highlights", sessões especiais onde será resumido o "estado da arte" de cada setor da Cardiologia, isto é, onde o médico poderá receber numa única sessão todos os dados sobre pesquisas e evoluções recentes de temas como Cirurgia Cardíaca, Hipertensão ou Cardiologia Pediátrica, setor muito desenvolvido nos últimos anos especialmente no Rio Grande do Sul, onde cirurgias cardíacas tem sido realizadas em fetos que ainda não nasceram, durante a gestação. A segunda característica do Congresso é a valorização da Cardiologia brasileira pois, "apesar da presença de muitos especialistas internacionais, que valorizam o evento, uma grande parte da evolução recente da Cardiologia se deve a pesquisas brasileiras, que tornam a especialidade uma das mais evoluídas em nosso País", garante Iran Castro. Para ele, o Brasil nada fica a dever no setor no que respeita à capacitação de seus profissionais. "O que falta ainda, é garantir o acesso de maior parcela da população aos benefícios da Cardiologia". É justamente por isso que a SBC insiste tanto na divulgação dos fatores de risco para o coração, colesterol elevado, sedentarismo, fumo, estresse, hipertensão, etc. O médico alerta que justamente por causa disso a entidade maior da Cardiologia acaba de preparar o "Atlas Corações do Brasil", que será distribuído à mídia durante o Congresso e que, com base numa pesquisa de dois anos, realizada em 72 cidades brasileiras, mostra em detalhes os fatores de risco mais presentes, em cada região.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
"Happy Hour" dia 17 setembro (sábado) 19 horas
Professor Jorge Pinto Ribeiro (Diretor) e demais membros do Centro de Cardiologia do Hospital Moinhos de Vento, convidam, e terão um grande prazer em receber, os colegas que vêm para o 60o.Congresso da SBC, numa "Happy Hour" a partir das 19 horas no próximo sábado dia 17, dia de atividades pré-congresso.
O endereço é na Rua Tiradentes 333, 3o andar, no próprio Centro de Cardiologia, situado no Bairro Moinhos de Vento, entrada preferencial pelo prédio novo do Hospital, em rua transversal à Ramiro Barcellos, onde se situa o antigo acesso.
Para qualquer dificuldade ou informação adicional podem ser usados os telefones 3314-3434 ou 3233-3579.
Esperamos todos lá para confraternizar e conhecer o serviço.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
World Heart Day: healthy weight, healthy shape
World Heart Day: "
The World Heart Day motto 'A Heart for Life'. Healthy Weight, Healthy Shape is the theme of WHD 2005.
Go through a plenty of material on prevention and celebrate de World Heart Day 2005, next September 25.
Governments ignore the world’s leading cause of death
press.releases.esc.4sept.pdf (application/pdf Object)
4th September 2005, Stockholm, Sweden - Cardiovascular disease is the world’s leading cause of death and a major cost burden for healthcare administrators. 17 million people die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year, with 80 per cent of all deaths occurring in low and middle income countries. While simple and costeffective preventative measures can reduce CVD death and disability by 50 per cent, CVD is being excluded from the global health agenda. At the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2005, the World Heart Federation, an NGO dedicated to the global prevention of heart disease and stroke, will call for an expansion of the global health agenda, particularly the Millennium Development Goals, a week before the 2005 World Summit where Heads of State and Government will meet at the United Nations, in New York, for the first comprehensive review of the goals set in 2000.
“Many developing countries are now affected by a double burden of disease; the combination of infectious diseases, with a rapidly growing new epidemic of chronic, noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, chronic lung disease and some cancers. While it is important to remain focused on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB, it is imperative to begin to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, the leading chronic disease,” said Dr Valentin Fuster, President, World Heart Federation.
“Governments simply cannot afford to wait any longer. The lack of global recognition will limit investment into research, programmes and policies to help prevent cardiovascular disease from overwhelming already overstretched health budgets, negatively impacting developing economies and resulting in millions of unnecessary premature deaths. Governments need to acknowledge the global threat of cardiovascular disease, to extend the health objectives of the Millennium Development Goals by including chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease and to take action now./.../
4th September 2005, Stockholm, Sweden - Cardiovascular disease is the world’s leading cause of death and a major cost burden for healthcare administrators. 17 million people die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year, with 80 per cent of all deaths occurring in low and middle income countries. While simple and costeffective preventative measures can reduce CVD death and disability by 50 per cent, CVD is being excluded from the global health agenda. At the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2005, the World Heart Federation, an NGO dedicated to the global prevention of heart disease and stroke, will call for an expansion of the global health agenda, particularly the Millennium Development Goals, a week before the 2005 World Summit where Heads of State and Government will meet at the United Nations, in New York, for the first comprehensive review of the goals set in 2000.
“Many developing countries are now affected by a double burden of disease; the combination of infectious diseases, with a rapidly growing new epidemic of chronic, noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, chronic lung disease and some cancers. While it is important to remain focused on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB, it is imperative to begin to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, the leading chronic disease,” said Dr Valentin Fuster, President, World Heart Federation.
“Governments simply cannot afford to wait any longer. The lack of global recognition will limit investment into research, programmes and policies to help prevent cardiovascular disease from overwhelming already overstretched health budgets, negatively impacting developing economies and resulting in millions of unnecessary premature deaths. Governments need to acknowledge the global threat of cardiovascular disease, to extend the health objectives of the Millennium Development Goals by including chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease and to take action now./.../
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