Two terms you have read about on this blog recently are prehypertension and prediabetes. Both are fairly new terms developed to identify patients earlier for diabetes and high blood pressure.

The terms came up again at the American Society of Hypertension 2010 Scientific Meetings held last week in NYC. Various studies identified these patients at being easy to identify and that those with both diagnoses are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Several of the meeting participants stated that these patients should at least be receiving lifestyle change information.

Physicians: Nearly every patient that is seen in a primary care office has their blood pressure checked and a fasting blood sugar measured at  some point. If you believe this statement you must admit that this subset of patients is really already identified within your patient population. All you have to do is label them. Any primary care physician worth his/her salt is already addressing both of these diagnoses but this information does add some incentive for both the patient and the physician to see the importance of starting at least life style changes as an intervention. I believe that you will find that patients with both of these diagnoses also have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease  bjmdjd

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American Society of Hypertension · cardiovascular disease · prediabetes · prehypertension

Anyone who keeps up with health news is aware that there has been a bru hah hah over vitamin D deficiency and its relationship to cardiovascular disease.

A study was reported this week at the American College of Cardiology 2010 Scientific Sessions that found that folks with low levels of vitamin D who were able to normalize them were less likely to suffer a cardiovascular event in up to six years of followup. The ways the people used to normalize their vitamin D levels were not listed.

I guess maybe it is worth it to have your vitamin D levels checked and if they’re low to grab some supplements or a prescription and put on the bikini or Speedo and head out into the sun. Don’t forget the sunscreen or you’ll have another problem to deal with!  bjmdjd

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American College of Cardiology · cardiovascular disease · vitamin D deficiency

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced January 21, 2010 that the weight loss drug marketed as Meridia (generic = sibutramine) in the U.S. is now contraindicated in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. There was already a warning against the use in those patients but the company has agreed to add the contraindication to the labeling. Cardiovascular disease refers to patients with any of the following:

If you are a patient with cardiovascular disease and you are taking Meridia (sibutramine), contact your prescribing physician immediately.  bjmd

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cardiovascular disease · Food and Drug Administration · health · healthcare · Meridia · sibutramine · wellness