February 3rd, 2011
Lancet Papers Outline Worldwide Trends in Obesity, Hypertension, and Cholesterol
Larry Husten, PHD
Three papers published in the Lancet provide the most detailed view yet of worldwide trends over the last 3 decades in body-mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and cholesterol, and also include numerous details about different regions and countries. Here are a few highlights of the reports from the Global Burden of Metabolic Risk Factors of Chronic […]
February 3rd, 2011
How to Question the Research Question
Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
Another good paper for a journal club recently appeared in JAMA. What makes this one worth discussing is the research question the investigators posed and how they addressed it. Although this is not focused on cardiac care, the issues are germane to literature in our field and cardiac care certification is also spreading. The article, titled […]
February 2nd, 2011
CDC Details the Persistent Problem of Hypertension and Elevated LDL in the U.S.
Larry Husten, PHD
New data from the CDC show that in the years 2005 to 2008, 31% of adults in the U.S. had hypertension and 33.5% had high LDL cholesterol. The two reports are based on statistics gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and have been published online by Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Of the […]
February 1st, 2011
New Guidelines Lend More Support for Carotid Stenting
Larry Husten, PHD
Newly issued guidelines provide increased support for carotid stenting as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy, but don’t favor widespread screening or the routine use of ultrasound to assess the risk for stroke. The Guideline on the Management of Patients With Extracranial Carotid and Vertebral Artery Disease, developed by the AHA, the ACC, and multiple other organizations, […]