Leisure activities, including walking, golfing, gardening, and outside chores, appear to reduce the risk for the development of atrial fibrillation in older adults, a new study suggests. Medscape Medical News
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first combination of the angiotensin receptor blocker valsartan with the calcium-channel blocker amlodipine for initial treatment of hypertension. Medscape Medical News
A study shows that in pregnant women, chronic hypertension, young or older maternal age, and recurrent early spontaneous abortions are linked to an increased risk for small-for-gestational-age births. Medscape Medical News
Patients who take more than 20 mg/day of simvastatin in addition to amiodarone are at increased risk for rhabdomyolysis, the Food and Drug Administration has reminded physicians in the US. Medscape Medical News
There is a large variation in the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy throughout the US, and this technology is not always used according to the guidelines, a new registry study shows. Heartwire
Children who had low birth weights were more likely to show increased blood pressure with higher intakes of salt and to have smaller kidneys than children with normal birth weights, in a new study. Medscape Medical News
Through case discussion, examine the pathophysiology of diabetes, review pharmacologic therapies, address cardiovascular risk reduction, and identify management strategies for the busy office practice.
In an analysis of the SMART trial, long-term use of abacavir was associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk and higher levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP in a subset of patients. However, a company-funded study found the opposite. Medscape Medical News
