Rapid Urbanization And Cultural Habits Responsible For High Prevalence Of Heart Disease In Gulf States
Although it is believed that rapid improvement in socio-economic conditions are responsible for the high prevalence of heart disease in the Gulf states, cultural factors are also to blame according to researchers. Professor Hani Najm, Vice-President of the Saudi Heart Association, whose yearly conference starts on Friday 27 January, explained: "We're sitting on a time bomb. We will see a lot of heart disease over the next 15 to 20 years. Already, services are saturated. We now have to direct our resources to the primary prevention of risk factors throughout the entire Middle East.
Erratic Heart Rhythm May Account For Some Unexplained Strokes
Occasional erratic heart rhythms appear to cause about one-fifth of strokes for which a cause is not readily established, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2012. About one-third of survivors leave the hospital with the cause of their stroke still undetermined. "Identifying and treating these patients for irregular rhythm could reduce the recurrence of stroke by 40 percent compared to reducing the risk by treating them with aspirin, " said Daniel J.
For Atrial Fibrillation Patients, Rivaroxaban Has Less Risk Of Brain Bleeding In Patients At High Risk For Stroke
For patients with a type of irregular heart beat called atrial fibrillation (AF), a new anti-clotting drug might be better at preventing clot-related strokes while minimizing the risk of causing a bleeding stroke. The research was presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2012. The finding stems from a sub-analysis of data in a large, randomized clinical trial called ROCKET AF, conducted in 45 countries at 1, 178 sites. ROCKET AF tested the new drug rivaroxaban against warfarin - a medicine long used to thin the blood and prevent strokes from blockages, called ischemic strokes - in patients with atrial fibrillation.