CDC0608



June 2008

Division Contributions and Information

• Dr. Rob Merritt discusses, via podcast, how to decrease the risk for a stroke and common signs and symptoms associated with this event.

Source: MMWR, "Disparities in Adult Awareness of Heart Attack Warning Signs and Symptoms -- 14 States, 2005"

Click on the hyperlink to listen:

Conferences/Trainings/Events

• ISHIB 2008: Emerging Public Health Challenges in Improving Cardiovascular Health in the Minority Population

July 18-20, New Orleans, LA

• 34th Ten-Day Seminar on the Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

July 27- August 8, Tahoe City, CA

• National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media

August 12-14, Omni Hotel, Atlanta

Early registration fee $385

News Articles

• Heart Disease Starts Early in Life

A report on the Bogalusa Heart Study given by Dr. Gerald Berenson at the American Society of Hypertension Annual Meeting identifies two biggest threats to heart health in young people–prehypertension and obesity. “The message of the Bogalusa Heart Study is that coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension and heart disease all begin in childhood,” he stated.

• Another Study Confirms Many With Heart Disease Don’t Know Signs of Heart Attack

A study published in the May 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine based on data from 3,522 patients with a history of heart attack or an invasive cardiac procedure, showed that almost half the patients were unfamiliar with the symptoms of a heart attack. They also did not see themselves as at increased risk, and understand the need to act quickly when symptoms begin.

• Even best efforts can't prevent all heart attacks

A healthy diet, exercise, and access to healthcare can significantly reduce a patient’s chance of a heart attack, but they can't totally prevent it, said Dr. Howard Hodis of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.

Risk Factor News and Resources

• No Increased CHD Risk With Hormone Replacement Therapy in Women with Favorable Lipid Profile

The use of hormone replacement therapy does not appear to increase the short-term risk of coronary heart disease in women with a favorable lipid profile, a new analysis of the Women's Health Initiative suggests

• More Americans Are Taking Prescription Medications

More than half of Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic health problems, including blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering medications, results from a study by Medco show.  Medco manages prescription benefits for about one in five Americans.

• New Study Links “High Normal Blood Pressure” to Significant Cardiovascular Risk

Published in the June issue of Hypertension, a study titled “Central Pressure: Variability and Impact of Cardiovascular Risk Factors,” found that more than 70 percent of patients identified with high normal systolic blood pressure with traditional cuff blood pressure measurement may be at risk for CVD, as when a central blood pressure assessment technology was used, blood pressure was found to be higher than the cuff measurement. Findings from this study echo results of the CAFÉ and Strong Heart studies, both studies demonstrating that individuals with elevated central blood pressure are at higher risk for heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. The central blood pressure assessment technology was provided by AtCor Medical’s SphygmoCor® system. It visibly identifies the effects of reflected blood pressure in the central aortic pressure wave.

• Home monitors urged for all high blood pressure patients

Everyone with high blood pressure -- some 72 million Americans _ should own a home monitor and do regular pressure checks, the American Heart Association and other groups urged Thursday in an unprecedented endorsement of a medical device for consumers.

• Heart Polypill to Start Clinical Tests

Spanish researchers are starting clinical trials, and tests on U.S. patients may begin in early 2009, for a three-in-one pill to prevent heart attacks. The polypill includes aspirin, a statin, and an ACE inhibitor. The director of the Spanish National Centre of Cardiovascular Research, said they will try to get the new polypill approved by both the FDA and European regulators, for less than $10 a month, with cheaper interventions critical in poorer countries.

Legal corner

• New Florida law allows low-cost health policies

New York Times (05/22/08)

Kevin Sack



Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed a bill last week creating the Cover Florida Health Care Access Program to provide low-cost health coverage by allowing the sale of bare-bones insurance policies. Crist hopes the Cover Florida plans sell for no more than $150 a month, about 60 percent less than the average cost of a policy for a single person in Florida, according to state insurance regulators. Although insurers may exclude many of the 52 services currently mandated for standard policies -- such as acupuncture or podiatry -- the Cover Florida plans must include preventive services, office visits, screenings, surgery, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, and diabetes supplies. The law prohibits insurers from rejecting applicants based on age or health status, and some policy options must include catastrophic and hospital coverage. Cover Florida policies will be available for any 19- to 64-year-old Floridian who has been uninsured at least six months and who is not eligible for public insurance programs, such as Medicaid. The new law also allows parents to cover children until age 30, up from age 25. Opponents of the new law say such health plans may not be appealing to consumers, since they may require high out-of-pocket costs, but Crist said he was optimistic that the plans would be beneficial to the uninsured. “Our obligation is to find a way without tax dollars to still provide better health care for our people,” he said. Florida is the fourteenth state to adopt a statute allowing low-cost health plans.

[Editor’s note: To read 2008 Fla. Laws Ch. 2008-32, “An act relating to health insurance,” see .]

• Japan, seeking trim waists, measures millions

New York Times (06/13/08)

Norimitsu Onishi



Two months ago, a new law came into effect in Japan, requiring companies and local governments to measure the waistlines of people between the ages of 40 and 74. The move marks the government’s latest effort to curtail “metabolic syndrome” (or “metabo” as it is colloquially known), a collection of factors including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Metabo has become national shorthand for “overweight.” “Before we had to broach the issue with the word obesity, which definitely has a negative image. But metabo sounds much more inclusive,” said Dr. Yoshikuni Sakamoto, a physician in the employee health insurance union at Matsushita, an electronics manufacturer. The new law mandates limits on waistlines -- 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women. People exceeding the limit and having a weight-related illness will be given dieting guidance if they do not lose weight within three months of being measured. Companies and local governments that fail to meet specific targets will be fined. The national Ministry of Health says the campaign will help stop diseases like diabetes and stroke, and will slow the country’s rising health care costs. But critics say the guidelines are too strict, and that more than half of all Japanese men will be considered overweight. “I don’t think the campaign will have any positive effect,” said Yoichi Ogushi, a professor at Tokai University School of Medicine. “[T]he Japanese are so slender that they can’t afford to lose weight.”

• FDA backs NYC in dispute over calories on menus

Associated Press (06/12/08)

Larry Neumeister

New York City to begin enforcement of calorie counts July 18



• NY health official says tax hike has smokers ready to quit

Associated Press (06/15/08)

Valerie Bauman

New York State boasts highest tax in the nation resulting in fewer smokers



• Heart attack admissions fall by up to 40% since smoking ban

The Times (06/14/08)

Will Pavia

Smoking ban in England related to drop in heart disease rates



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