A new look at the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis has found that 30% to 50% of blacks, whites, and Hispanics, but only 5% of Chinese Americans, are obese, showing that obesity is not inevitable. Medscape Medical News
In men with and without cardiovascular disease, the addition of several biomarkers of cardiovascular and renal dysfunction significantly improves risk stratification for death from cardiovascular causes beyond other models based only on established cardiovascular risk factors, according to the results of a new study. Heartwire
Practicing laughter yoga, a blend of playful laughter exercises coupled with gentle breathing and stretching, can significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood-pressure levels, as well as reduce the levels of stress hormones, adding real credence to the cliché that laughter is the best medicine. Heartwire
The latest data from the Western Denmark registry, broken down by stent type, suggests that Taxus-treated patients face a nearly fivefold higher risk of stent thrombosis and a 50% higher risk of death between 12 and 24 months; no such increases were seen in Cypher-treated patients. Heartwire
Publication of the landmark POISE trial has triggered another heated debate about the pros and cons of using beta blockers perioperatively in noncardiac surgery. Medscape Medical News
A new study suggests that long-term exposure to particulate air pollution may be associated with altered coagulation function and increased risk for deep vein thrombosis. Medscape Medical News
