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Embargoed for 9:30 a.m. – Abstract 14035
Antibody combo may prevent artery build-up in adults with high blood pressure
People with high blood pressure and high levels of a combination of antibodies have eight to nine times lower risk of developing atherosclerosis, researchers said.
An antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens, such as viruses, bacteria or chemicals. Each antibody is unique and defends the body against a specific antigen.
In 226 people with high blood pressure, researchers measured levels of antibodies against phosphorylcholine, a part of the bacteria that causes pneumonia or influenza, and antibodies for low-density lipoprotein (LDL, "bad" cholesterol). They measured the thickness of the patient's artery walls at the start of the study and four years later to determine whether having high levels of the antibody combination helped ward off plaque build-up in artery linings.
Raising the antibodies in combination with immunization should be studied as a potential therapy to prevent atherosclerosis, researchers said.
Embargoed for 9:30 a.m. – Abstract 16175
Three kiwis a day linked to lower blood pressure
Eating three kiwis a day was associated with improved 24-hour blood pressure in a new study.
Kiwi fruit contains lutein, which has antioxidant properties. Researchers analyzed if adding the fruit to what people eat daily would help lower high blood pressure.
Researchers divided 50 men and 68 women, average age 55 years, with mildly high blood pressure, into two groups: one added three kiwis to their daily nutrition for eight weeks and the other added an apple a day.
Researchers measured participants' blood pressure at the study's start and at eight weeks.
After eight weeks, they found that 24-hour systolic blood pressure was an average 3.6 millimeters of mercury lower in the kiwi group than in the apple group.
The researchers reported lower diastolic blood pressure in the kiwi group, but the association wasn't as clear.
Incorporating kiwi as part of a nutritional plan to treat high blood pressure should be confirmed with larger studies, researchers said.
Additional Resources: The American Heart Association recommends eating a diet rich in a variety of colors and types of vegetables and fruits, at least 4.5 cups a day. To learn more visit: Eat More Fruits and Vegetables and Tips to boost fruits and vegetables to your diet.
Embargoed for 9:30 a.m. – Abstract 16491
Altitude training gives heart failure patients exercise boost
Simulated altitude training up to 2,700 meters is safe and well tolerated in stable heart failure patients, early research suggests.
Patients in the study had better peak oxygen consumption, exercise time, walking ability, skeletal muscle strength and quality of life scores after high-altitude training. The improvements remained four weeks after the altitude training was completed.
Researchers used an enclosed altitude simulator to train 12 people with stable chronic heart failure. The patients underwent 10 sessions of three to four hours each over 22 days. They started the altitude training at 1,500 meters, increasing it by 300 meters each session to a maximum 2,700 meters.
Altitude training was well tolerated and all participants completed the protocol safely.
Combining altitude exposure with exercise training might offer added benefits for heart failure patients. However, these results need to be confirmed with larger studies, researchers said.
Embargoed for 9:30 a.m. – Abstract 12601
Lower IQ associated with higher waist-hip ratio among Swedish men
In a Swedish population-based study, men with low intelligence in late adolescence had higher waist-hip ratios in early middle-age than their more intelligent counterparts. Waist-hip ratio is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers analyzed the association between waist-hip ratio and intelligence, measured by mandatory IQ testing in Sweden. The waist-hip ratio information was from a health survey of 40-year-old men in Sweden. Of those surveyed, 5,380 had taken the county's IQ test at ages 18 or 21.
The researchers found that waist-hip ratio among middle-aged men differed according to IQ level in late adolescence. The highest average waist-hip ratio was among men with lowest IQ, and the lowest average waist-hip ratio was among men with the highest IQ.
Embargoed for 9:30 a.m. – Abstract 15113
Healthy women with low vitamin D may have increased risk for heart disease, stroke
Healthy women with low levels of vitamin D may have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
A 16-year study of 2,016 healthy, postmenopausal Caucasian women, ages 45 to 58, compared low vitamin D and adequate vitamin D to incidences of death, heart failure, heart attack and stroke. Low vitamin D was defined as less than 20 nanograms per milliliter.
Researchers found:
- 788 women with low vitamin D had more heart disease risk factors compared to the 1,225 women with adequate vitamin D.
- Women with low vitamin D levels also had higher triglycerides, fasting glucose, body mass index, lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL, "good" cholesterol) and hip-waist ratio.
- The vitamin D deficient group had more smokers: 47 percent of the vitamin D deficient women were smokers vs. 38 percent of the women with adequate vitamin D.
Of the 135 women who died:
- 8.3 percent were in the low vitamin D group and 5.7 percent in the adequate vitamin D group.
- 15 percent of women with low vitamin D experienced death, heart failure, heart attack or stroke compared to 10.2 percent of the adequate vitamin D group.
Actual presentation is 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011.
SEE ALSO: Embargoed for 9:30 a.m. – Abstract 11373
Vitamin D's anti-inflammatory properties could protect hearts
Study participants who took 4,000 units of vitamin D daily for five days after an acute coronary event had less post-event inflammation than patients who didn't take vitamin D. The study sheds light on the anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D on the vascular system and may explain some of the vitamin's cardio-protective properties.
Actual presentation is 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011.
SEE ALSO: Embargoed for 9:30 a.m. – Abstract 10377
Vitamin D status helps predicts death in chest pain patients
Vitamin D levels were markedly lower among patients who died than in long-term survivors in a two-year study.
Researchers assessed vitamin D status in 982 chest pain patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome. At two years, 119 patients had died.
Actual presentation is 2:45 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 .
SEE ALSO: Embargoed for 9:30 a.m. – Abstract 10585
Higher vitamin D associated with lower death rates
Higher concentrations of vitamin D are consistently associated with lower death rates from vascular and non-vascular causes, according to a study.
Researchers report on a collection of studies looking at the relevance of vitamin D levels to risk of death from cardiovascular disease and other causes.
Future studies should assess why and what doses are needed to impact death rates, researchers said.
Actual presentation is 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011 .
Embargoed for 3 p.m. – Abstract 10721
Less than a third of state police agencies surveyed equip vehicles with AEDs
(This news tip contains updated information not in the abstract)
Only 30 percent of state police agencies who responded to a survey equip police vehicles with automated external defibrillators, researchers said.
State police officers are ideal cardiac arrest first responders because they cover vast networks of U.S. highways.
AEDs can shock the heart into normal rhythm in someone who has suffered cardiac arrest.
Police agencies in all 50 states were asked to complete an online survey about their AED use.
Forty-six of 50 agencies completed the survey:
- 14 of the 46 reported that police vehicles are equipped with AEDs.
- Eight of the 14 agencies (57 percent) that do use AEDs equip only a minority of their fleets with the devices.
- 35 of the 46 (78 percent) reported training their officers in AED use and 44 of the 46 (98 percent) reported training their officers in CPR.
Increasing AED deployment among state police may represent an important opportunity to improve first responder care for cardiac arrest in the U.S., said Benjamin S. Abella, M.D., M.Phil., study author and Clinical Research Director, Center for Resuscitation Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
Embargoed for 4 p.m. – Abstract 15535
"Ground Zero" workers exposed to more particulate matter have greater risk of atherosclerosis
"Ground Zero" workers exposed to high levels of particulate matter (the initial dust cloud) on September 11, 2001 are at higher risk for atherosclerosis than those exposed to lower levels after Sept. 13, 2001, researchers said.
High exposure to particulate matter impairs vascular reactivity of the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction may lead to accelerated atherosclerosis.
Researchers evaluated the blood vessels of 31 "Ground Zero" workers. Nineteen had been exposed to high levels and 12 to lower levels of particulate matter.
People with exposure to the initial dust cloud had higher friable blood vessel formation (a hallmark of high-risk lesions) within their arterial plaque compared to people with lower exposure. They also had impaired vascular reactivity, which has been linked to endothelial dysfunction.
Actual presentation is 4:45 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 .
Author disclosures are available on the abstracts.
Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding.
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