Links between migraine and cardiovascular problems

Migraine is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular problems including heart attacks, stroke, blood clots and an irregular heart rate. Migraine should be considered a potent and persistent risk factor for most cardiovascular diseases in both men and women. Previous studies have suggested a link between migraine and stroke and heart attacks, particularly among women.

Researchers from Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark and Stanford University, USA set out to examine the risks of heart conditions including heart attacks; stroke; peripheral artery disease (narrow arteries which reduce blood flow to limbs); blood clots and fast and irregular heart rates in people who experience migraines compared with people who don't. The researchers collected patient data from the Danish National Patient Registry over a 19 year period, from 1995 to 2013.

They compared data from over 51,000 people who had been diagnosed with migraine with over 510,000 people who were migraine free. For each person with migraine, they matched 10 people of the same age and gender who were migraine free. The average age for migraine diagnosis was 35 years, and 71% of participants were women. Over a period of 19 years, the researchers found that migraine was positively associated with heart attack, stroke, blood clots and irregular heart rate.

For example, for every 1,000 patients, 25 patients with migraine had a heart attack compared with 17 migraine free patients and 45 patients with migraine had an ischaemic stroke (blood clot in the brain) compared with 25 migraine free patients. These associations persisted after taking account of body mass index and smoking. No meaningful association was found with peripheral artery disease or heart failure.

The associations, particularly for stroke, were stronger in the first year of diagnosis than the long term, in patients with migraine aura-warning signs before a migraine, such as seeing flashing lights.
People with migraine often use anti-inflammatory drugs, which are associated with increased risks of heart problems, while immobilisation related to migraine attacks may increase the risk of blood clots.

They note that current guidelines do not recommend use of anti-clotting drugs such as aspirin to treat migraine, but call on clinicians to consider whether patients at particularly high risk of heart disease would benefit from anticoagulant treatment. Migraine should be considered a potent and persistent risk factor for most cardiovascular diseases.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Blood phosphate levels and heart attacks

Low phosphate in the blood is linked to the risk of heart attack and coronary artery disease, researchers have discovered that insufficient levels of phosphate in the blood may pose a particular danger to cardiovascular health.

The study, using data from the RCGP Research and Surveillance Centre, examined phosphate levels of more than 100,000 patients, over five and nine-year intervals, and the impact on their cardiac health.

The researchers found that those with low levels (below 0.75 mmol/L) of the mineral in their blood were at a similar risk of developing coronary problems as those with elevated levels (above 1.5 mmol/L).

Instances of both conditions were high among those with low and excessive levels of phosphate in the blood, however cardiac events in those with mid-range (1-1.25 mmol/L) levels were significantly less.

Phosphate is an important mineral in the body and helps to regulate blood biochemistry, which can impact on the working of the heart. It plays a crucial role in enabling red blood cells to deliver oxygen to the body's tissues, and can be found in protein rich foods such as meat, poultry and fish.
       haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Blood sugar monitor without finger pricks

U.S. regulators have approved the first continuous blood sugar monitor for diabetics that doesn't need backup finger prick tests. Current models require users to test a drop of blood twice daily to calibrate, or adjust, the monitor.

The pain of finger sticks and the cost of testing supplies discourage many people from keeping close tabs on their blood sugar, which is needed to manage insulin use and adjust what they eat.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the device, which continuously monitors diabetics' blood sugar levels without requiring backup finger prick tests. Current models require users to test a drop of blood twice daily to calibrate, or adjust, the monitor.

Too-high blood sugar levels can damage organs and lead to heart attacks, strokes, blindness and amputations. Very low blood sugar can cause seizures, confusion and loss of consciousness.

The device was approved for adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, this device cannot be used with an insulin pump, a device worn against the skin that allows users to inject insulin as needed, but the company is planning improvements to eventually enable that.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Salty foods can damage the heart

Excess salt intake increases strain on the heart's muscle and increases its beating rate. This can leads to heart damage.

 Researchers examined urine samples from different adults to detect the links between excess salt intake and heart damage.

The ultrasound tests of the heart of adults tested after taking their urine samples showed that excess salt increases muscle strain and heart rate, and this increases heart chambers.

Excess salt intake causes bodies to retain water, which leads to a rise in blood pressure. High blood pressure puts a strain on the heart, arteries, and brain, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Eating too much salt can increase calcium in the urine, this increases the risk of having kidney stones and this can leads to kidney damage.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com