Researchers have found a way to improve the quality of primary care and clinical outcomes cost-effectively by using a smart phone application for cardiovascular management program (SimCard). A trial was conducted in India and China. The study, which is the first dual-country trial of its kind worldwide, was delivered by community health workers and is … Continue reading An App for cardiovascular management shows promise
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Cardiovascular risk factors low but mortality high in India
People living in low-income countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have the lowest risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) compared with those living in high-income countries like Canada, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. Yet, the rate of deaths from CVD is highest in the low-income countries, not in the high-income countries. The risk … Continue reading Cardiovascular risk factors low but mortality high in India
Prevalence of hypertension high in rural Tamil Nadu
Published in The Hindu on December 13, 2012 A large-scale study undertaken recently in Tamil Nadu has confirmed the high prevalence of hypertension. The study published in the International Journal of Public Health reported 21.4 per cent prevalence in about 10,500 people studied (aged 25-64) in 11 villages. Prevalence was nearly the same in both … Continue reading Prevalence of hypertension high in rural Tamil Nadu
Even lower stress levels can increase risk of cardiovascular deaths, says study
Published in The Hind on August 1, 2012 People suffering from even low, subclinical levels of psychological stress are at an increased risk of death from external causes and cardiovascular diseases, says a study published today (August 1) in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The increased risk of death from both external causes and cardiovascular … Continue reading Even lower stress levels can increase risk of cardiovascular deaths, says study
Will high HDL level lower the risk of heart attack?
Published in The Hindu on May 17, 2012 According to observational studies, increasing the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol reduces the risk of heart attack. But is the association really true? But a study published today (May 17) in The Lancet suggests that a high HDL cholesterol level need not necessarily lower … Continue reading Will high HDL level lower the risk of heart attack?
Health consequences in adults with low birth weight studied
Published in The Hindu on March 15, 2012 A unique study has found that male adults born more than 20 years ago with low birth weight (LBW) show differences in muscle mass, fat content and diastolic blood pressure compared with those born with normal body weight. The study was done on adults from a rural … Continue reading Health consequences in adults with low birth weight studied
Editorial: Dangerous nonsense
Published in The Hindu on August 11, 2011 There is “no strong evidence” to conclude that cutting down the amount of salt consumed every day reduces the likelihood of normal people or those with hypertension dying or experiencing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This is the finding of a Cochrane Review published recently in the American Journal … Continue reading Editorial: Dangerous nonsense
For more accurate BP readings
Published in The Hindu on February 10, 2011 Hypertensive patients, why, even normal people, sensing their blood pressure rising as the doctor prepares to measure their blood pressure is not unusual. It is called the ‘White coat effect.' Studies have shown that a subset of about 25 per cent of hypertensive patients experience an elevation … Continue reading For more accurate BP readings
Editorial: The threat of lifestyle diseases
Published in The Hindu on October 16, 2010 No longer can it be said that non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and risk factors like hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity are seen only among the urban rich in India. In the past, several localised studies undertaken in rural areas found evidence of an epidemiological … Continue reading Editorial: The threat of lifestyle diseases
High blood pressure linked to memory loss
Published in The Hindu on August 25, 2009 Studies done on a small number of people have shown that uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure) can cause memory loss in people over a period of time. A large-scale study involving nearly 20,000 people and published today in the journal Neurology, the medical journal of the American … Continue reading High blood pressure linked to memory loss
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