Heart(y) News, November 13

Some weekend news updates for you on matters of the heart.

AHA Scientific Sessions 2009
The Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association (AHA) start this weekend, from November 14 to 18 in Orlando, Florida. We will try to bring you the latest research updates from that session.

US House passes healthcare reform bill
Many health groups applaud last Saturday’s vote for the health reform bill. According to statement by American heart Association (AHA) CEO Nancy Brown

“We are very pleased that the Affordable Health Care for America Act makes health care more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans by enhancing coverage, promoting preventive care and improving delivery of care…. Expanding coverage to an additional 36 million Americans, emphasizing clinical and population-based prevention and improving the quality and value of care are core principles and priorities of the American Heart Association… We also understand that many important issues in health care reform have not been settled. ..We urge Congress and the Administration to continue to work tirelessly to make health care reform a reality this year.”

The bill will be voted upon by the US Senate early next year.

New Methods Found Useful For Diagnosing Myocarditis
Mayo Clinic researchers report new diagnostic methods for myocarditis. One of the methods is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), highly recommended because it is non-invasive and available in practically all clinics.

New review endorses CV benefits of fish oil
The cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in fish oil have been a topic of extensive research and this recent review should out all doubts to rest. The review revealed that not only is fish oil beneficial in preventing heart attack, it can also help patients with heart failure.
According to author Dr. Carl J Lavie Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA

“Clinicians know the findings of many statin trials even if they do not know all the details—they know that there are a ton of statin data. The omega-3 data may not be as impressive or as plentiful as this, but it should be ‘promoted’ to clinicians… [Omega-3 PUFA] “is a therapy that clinicians should be considering prescribing to their patients. Not just as something healthy but as something that may actually prevent the next event. In HF, it may prevent death or hospitalization and the same thing post-MI.”

November 14 is World Diabetes Day. Check out Battling for Diabetes for more!