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New Research Findings You Can Put to Use - Now

Diet
Women whose eating habits are similar to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet have a lower risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke, according to the most recent findings from the Nurses’ Health Study of 88,517 female nurses between the ages of 34 to 59 who did not have heart disease or diabetes when they agreed to participate in the long-term study in 19801. The DASH diet largely substitutes plant proteins for animal protein and includes fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. When researchers compared the 20 percent of the study participants whose diets were most similar to the DASH recommendations to the 20 percent whose diets were the least similar, they found that those with healthier eating habits were 24 percent less likely to develop fatal or nonfatal coronary heart disease and 18 percent less likely to have a stroke.

Childhood Obesity
Obesity-related changes in heart muscle function occur much earlier than thought, according to a study of 168 children ages 10 to 18 who had undergone a cardiac ultrasound test because of a heart murmur, chest pain, acid reflux or high cholesterol. Among the 33 children who were obese and the 20 who were at risk of becoming overweight, the testing detected changes in the relaxation and contraction phases of the heartbeat that were previously assumed to occur in adults who had been obese for years. Nationwide, 17-19 percent of children and adolescents are overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood obesity is associated with adult obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Kids + ADHD
Before starting medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), children need a thorough physical exam, as well as a patient and family history to help detect undiagnosed heart rhythm problems, according to American Heart Association recommendations. The doctor may also choose to do an electrocardiogram (ECG) as part of the evaluation, but shouldn’t withhold ADHD drugs because an ECG was not done. ADHD medications have not been shown to cause heart conditions, but they can increase or decrease heart rate and blood pressure. These side effects aren’t usually considered dangerous, but they should be monitored periodically in children with heart conditions as the doctor feels necessary.

Blood Clots
Muscle ruptures, ankle sprains and other common minor leg injuries may be associated with a higher risk for blood clots in the legs or lungs. A Dutch study of 2,471 people with blood clots in the legs or lungs found that 289 (11.7 percent) had suffered a minor leg injury in the three months before developing their blood clot. Previous studies have shown that major injuries increase the risk for blood clots in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) and pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that travels to the lungs). Since minor leg injuries are so common, the researchers recommend that doctors take steps to minimize risk.

1 Fung TT, Chiuve SE, McCullough ML, Rexrode KM, Logroscino G, Hu FB. Adherence 348 to a DASH-style diet and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke in women. Archives of 349 Internal Medicine. 2008; 168: 713-720.