Heart Disease, Aspirin, And Red, Red Wine: What Should We Do?
Connie Limon asked:
There have been many studies published in science journals over the past several decades about how drinking alcohol may be associated with reduced mortality due to heart disease in some populations. Some researchers say the benefits may be due to “red wine.”
The American Heart Association warns to not drink alcohol if you are a person taking Aspirin as prescribed by your doctor daily. It is also not possible to predict in which people that alcoholism will become a problem. If you drink more than moderately you are more at risk of high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, breast cancer, suicide and accidents. Moderate drinking is two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. (a drink being 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits, or 1 ounce of 100-proof sprits).
Given the risks involved with drinking alcohol the American Heart Association cautions people NOT to start drinking if they do not already drink alcohol for the benefit of reducing heart attacks.
Some researchers have examined the potential benefits of the components in red wine such as “flavonoids,” and other antioxidants in reducing heart disease risk. Some of these components may be found in other foods such as grapes or red grape juice. They also believe the link to red wine and reduced heart disease risks may be due to other lifestyle factors rather than alcohol. Those factors may include increased physical activity, and a diet high in fruits and vegetables and lower in saturated fats. There have been no direct comparison trials done to determine the specific effect of wine or other alcohol on the risk of developing heart disease or stroke at this time.
More research is being done to find out exactly what are the apparent benefits of drinking wine or alcohol in some populations. Some of the benefits are an increase in HDL (“the good”) cholesterol or anti-clotting properties. The American Heart Association says that even if it is proven that red wine or alcohol has a direct link to preventing heart disease the same antioxidants can be obtained from many fruits and vegetables including red grape juice.
The best known effect of alcohol is a small increase in HDL cholesterol. Regular physical activity is effective in raising the HDL (good) cholesterol. Niacin can also be prescribed to raise the levels to a even greater degree.
Alcohol or some substances such as resveratrol found in alcoholic beverages may prevent platelets in the blood from sticking together, which may reduce clot formation and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association says Aspirin may help reduce blood clotting in a similar way.
The effects of alcohol and/or wine on the prevention of cardiovascular disease need further research. Right now, the American Heart Association does not recommend drinking wine or any other form of alcohol to gain these potential benefits. The American Heart Association also recommends you talk to your doctor about the appropriate treatment for lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure, controlling your weight, getting enough exercise and following a healthy diet. There will be more studies and research of the effects of alcohol and/or wine on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, there is no scientific proof that drinking wine or any other alcoholic beverage can replace these conventional measures.
There has also been a lot of research recently focused on how antioxidant vitamins may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Antioxidant vitamins are E, C and beta carotene (a form of vitamin A). The data is in these studies is incomplete. However, up to 30 percent of Americans are taking some form of antioxidant supplement.
The American Heart Association does not recommend antioxidant vitamin supplements until the studies are complete and data is available. At this time they recommend people continue to eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods daily from all the basic food groups. Eat a variety of foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol to provide a natural source of these vitamins, minerals and fiber. Some studies even suggest that antioxidant supplement use could have harmful effects. Therefore, using dietary supplements of antioxidants to prevent cardiovascular disease is not an American Heart Association recommendation until their effect is proved in clinical trials that directly test their impact on CVD and points.
At this time, the scientific evidence supports a diet high in food sources of antioxidants and other nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts instead of using antioxidant supplements to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.
The recommendation for aspirin use in patients who have had a myocardial infarction (heart attack), unstable angina, ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks (little strokes) is based on sound evidence from clinical trials showing that aspirin helps prevent the recurrence of such events. Studies also show aspirin helps prevent these same events from occurring in people at high risk. However, you should not start taking aspirin daily without first talking to your doctor. There are risks and benefits that vary from person to person.
Of special note for people on aspirin therapy is to remember to mention your use and dosage if you undergo even the simplest of surgical procedures or dental extractions.
Patients who have heart disease should stop drinking alcohol and keep taking aspirin if their doctor prescribes aspirin as part of their treatment plan for their heart condition. The American Heart Association also warns people not to stop taking aspirin without talking to your doctor first.
Source: The American Heart Association
This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of health problem. All health problems should be addressed by a Medical Professional of your choice. This article is offered as information.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
Buy Fioricet Online
There have been many studies published in science journals over the past several decades about how drinking alcohol may be associated with reduced mortality due to heart disease in some populations. Some researchers say the benefits may be due to “red wine.”
The American Heart Association warns to not drink alcohol if you are a person taking Aspirin as prescribed by your doctor daily. It is also not possible to predict in which people that alcoholism will become a problem. If you drink more than moderately you are more at risk of high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, breast cancer, suicide and accidents. Moderate drinking is two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. (a drink being 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits, or 1 ounce of 100-proof sprits).
Given the risks involved with drinking alcohol the American Heart Association cautions people NOT to start drinking if they do not already drink alcohol for the benefit of reducing heart attacks.
Some researchers have examined the potential benefits of the components in red wine such as “flavonoids,” and other antioxidants in reducing heart disease risk. Some of these components may be found in other foods such as grapes or red grape juice. They also believe the link to red wine and reduced heart disease risks may be due to other lifestyle factors rather than alcohol. Those factors may include increased physical activity, and a diet high in fruits and vegetables and lower in saturated fats. There have been no direct comparison trials done to determine the specific effect of wine or other alcohol on the risk of developing heart disease or stroke at this time.
More research is being done to find out exactly what are the apparent benefits of drinking wine or alcohol in some populations. Some of the benefits are an increase in HDL (“the good”) cholesterol or anti-clotting properties. The American Heart Association says that even if it is proven that red wine or alcohol has a direct link to preventing heart disease the same antioxidants can be obtained from many fruits and vegetables including red grape juice.
The best known effect of alcohol is a small increase in HDL cholesterol. Regular physical activity is effective in raising the HDL (good) cholesterol. Niacin can also be prescribed to raise the levels to a even greater degree.
Alcohol or some substances such as resveratrol found in alcoholic beverages may prevent platelets in the blood from sticking together, which may reduce clot formation and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association says Aspirin may help reduce blood clotting in a similar way.
The effects of alcohol and/or wine on the prevention of cardiovascular disease need further research. Right now, the American Heart Association does not recommend drinking wine or any other form of alcohol to gain these potential benefits. The American Heart Association also recommends you talk to your doctor about the appropriate treatment for lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure, controlling your weight, getting enough exercise and following a healthy diet. There will be more studies and research of the effects of alcohol and/or wine on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, there is no scientific proof that drinking wine or any other alcoholic beverage can replace these conventional measures.
There has also been a lot of research recently focused on how antioxidant vitamins may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Antioxidant vitamins are E, C and beta carotene (a form of vitamin A). The data is in these studies is incomplete. However, up to 30 percent of Americans are taking some form of antioxidant supplement.
The American Heart Association does not recommend antioxidant vitamin supplements until the studies are complete and data is available. At this time they recommend people continue to eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods daily from all the basic food groups. Eat a variety of foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol to provide a natural source of these vitamins, minerals and fiber. Some studies even suggest that antioxidant supplement use could have harmful effects. Therefore, using dietary supplements of antioxidants to prevent cardiovascular disease is not an American Heart Association recommendation until their effect is proved in clinical trials that directly test their impact on CVD and points.
At this time, the scientific evidence supports a diet high in food sources of antioxidants and other nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts instead of using antioxidant supplements to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.
The recommendation for aspirin use in patients who have had a myocardial infarction (heart attack), unstable angina, ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks (little strokes) is based on sound evidence from clinical trials showing that aspirin helps prevent the recurrence of such events. Studies also show aspirin helps prevent these same events from occurring in people at high risk. However, you should not start taking aspirin daily without first talking to your doctor. There are risks and benefits that vary from person to person.
Of special note for people on aspirin therapy is to remember to mention your use and dosage if you undergo even the simplest of surgical procedures or dental extractions.
Patients who have heart disease should stop drinking alcohol and keep taking aspirin if their doctor prescribes aspirin as part of their treatment plan for their heart condition. The American Heart Association also warns people not to stop taking aspirin without talking to your doctor first.
Source: The American Heart Association
This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of health problem. All health problems should be addressed by a Medical Professional of your choice. This article is offered as information.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
Buy Fioricet Online
Tags: Heart Attacks, Proof Spirits
Arthritis Medicines: Would You Rather Have Colon Cancer Or A Heart Attack- Take Your Pick.
Nathan Wei asked:
Life is full of choices. Sometimes you make the right one and sometimes you make the wrong one. And it’s impossible to say ahead of time whether you made the right decision or not.
Here’s another one. COX-2 inhibitor drugs, particularly rofecoxib (Vioxx), have gone through a public flogging because of reported elevated incidences of cardiovascular events (heart attacks and strokes) in patients taking them for arthritis.
Most of these events have occurred as a result of thrombotic (clotting) episodes that lead to heart attack and stroke. The proposed mechanism is that blocking the COX-2 pathway appears to make the blood more viscous (thicker) because platelets (the cells that initiate clots) appear to become stickier and clump together.
A recent article details results from a trial of rofecoxib in patients with colon cancer showing that the COX-2 inhibitor–which was withdrawn from the market worldwide in September 2004–was associated with a twofold increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, the same risk that has been seen in patients without cancer (Kerr DJ, Dunn JA, Langman ML, et al. Rofecoxib and cardiovascular adverse events in adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer. New Engl J Med 2007; 357: 360-369).
However, it is too soon to know whether this increased risk of cardiovascular events is worth taking in patients with cancer, who are at a much higher risk of a recurrence of their cancer than they are of cardiovascular events. It is not yet known whether rofecoxib reduced the risk of cancer recurrence in this trial.
Although rofecoxib is no longer available, this issue is of great importance because there are a number of trials still ongoing in different cancers with COX-2 inhibitors that have remained on the market, such as celecoxib (Celebrex). Two such trials showed that celecoxib did have promise in reducing colorectal adenomas- also known as colon polyps, but the cardiovascular risks are still somewhat high, and the benefit was not thought to outweigh the risks.
COX-2 inhibitors were originally developed for patients with arthritis, but studies of them in various forms of cancer began after it was observed that patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had a reduced incidence of cancer. Laboratory data suggested that the anticancer effects of these drugs were due to inhibition of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and a number of trials were begun with different COX-2 inhibitors in a variety of cancers.
The study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine was called Vioxx in Colorectal Cancer Therapy: Definition of Optimal Regime (VICTOR). It was conducted in patients who had undergone potentially curative surgery for colorectal cancer. Patients were randomized to receive either rofecoxib 25 mg daily or placebo, and the aim was to see whether rofecoxib would reduce the rates of recurrence of colorectal cancer. However, the trial had to be stopped prematurely, after a median duration of only 7.4 months of treatment, due to the withdrawal of rofecoxib from the market by the FDA. This short treatment duration limited complete interpretation of the study.
Nevertheless, they compared the rates of cardiovascular events and death during the period of study treatment in VICTOR and for two years after the trial closed. Of the 23 confirmed cardiovascular events, 16 occurred in the rofecoxib group during or within 14 days after the treatment period, with an estimated relative risk of 2.66 for rofecoxib vs placebo.
The scientists also evaluated cardiovascular events in the two years following the trial closure, during which a further 14 cardiovascular events were noted–six in the rofecoxib group and eight in the placebo group.
Four patients in the rofecoxib group and two in the placebo group died from cardiovascular causes during or within 14 days after the treatment period, and during the follow-up period, one patient in the rofecoxib group and five patients in the placebo group died from cardiovascular causes.
“This study confirms that the twofold increase in risk of adverse cardiovascular events reported in Vioxx clinical trials in patients without cancer applies in those with colorectal cancer,” says Dr David Kerr, the lead author.
Kerr goes on to say, “Our results have implications when selecting patients for treatment with COX-2 inhibitors, but it has to be remembered that improved treatment for colorectal cancer is badly needed. By far the commonest cause of death to be expected in these patients in the decade following cancer treatment is from recurrence of their cancers, not from cardiovascular disease.”
All researchers in this field still feel that it is too early to comment on the benefit of COX-2 inhibitors in preventing recurrences from colorectal cancer. Nonetheless, the preliminary evidence is encouraging.
So here’s the dilemma. If you have the choice, which will you pick?
Carisoprodol Blog
Life is full of choices. Sometimes you make the right one and sometimes you make the wrong one. And it’s impossible to say ahead of time whether you made the right decision or not.
Here’s another one. COX-2 inhibitor drugs, particularly rofecoxib (Vioxx), have gone through a public flogging because of reported elevated incidences of cardiovascular events (heart attacks and strokes) in patients taking them for arthritis.
Most of these events have occurred as a result of thrombotic (clotting) episodes that lead to heart attack and stroke. The proposed mechanism is that blocking the COX-2 pathway appears to make the blood more viscous (thicker) because platelets (the cells that initiate clots) appear to become stickier and clump together.
A recent article details results from a trial of rofecoxib in patients with colon cancer showing that the COX-2 inhibitor–which was withdrawn from the market worldwide in September 2004–was associated with a twofold increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, the same risk that has been seen in patients without cancer (Kerr DJ, Dunn JA, Langman ML, et al. Rofecoxib and cardiovascular adverse events in adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer. New Engl J Med 2007; 357: 360-369).
However, it is too soon to know whether this increased risk of cardiovascular events is worth taking in patients with cancer, who are at a much higher risk of a recurrence of their cancer than they are of cardiovascular events. It is not yet known whether rofecoxib reduced the risk of cancer recurrence in this trial.
Although rofecoxib is no longer available, this issue is of great importance because there are a number of trials still ongoing in different cancers with COX-2 inhibitors that have remained on the market, such as celecoxib (Celebrex). Two such trials showed that celecoxib did have promise in reducing colorectal adenomas- also known as colon polyps, but the cardiovascular risks are still somewhat high, and the benefit was not thought to outweigh the risks.
COX-2 inhibitors were originally developed for patients with arthritis, but studies of them in various forms of cancer began after it was observed that patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had a reduced incidence of cancer. Laboratory data suggested that the anticancer effects of these drugs were due to inhibition of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and a number of trials were begun with different COX-2 inhibitors in a variety of cancers.
The study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine was called Vioxx in Colorectal Cancer Therapy: Definition of Optimal Regime (VICTOR). It was conducted in patients who had undergone potentially curative surgery for colorectal cancer. Patients were randomized to receive either rofecoxib 25 mg daily or placebo, and the aim was to see whether rofecoxib would reduce the rates of recurrence of colorectal cancer. However, the trial had to be stopped prematurely, after a median duration of only 7.4 months of treatment, due to the withdrawal of rofecoxib from the market by the FDA. This short treatment duration limited complete interpretation of the study.
Nevertheless, they compared the rates of cardiovascular events and death during the period of study treatment in VICTOR and for two years after the trial closed. Of the 23 confirmed cardiovascular events, 16 occurred in the rofecoxib group during or within 14 days after the treatment period, with an estimated relative risk of 2.66 for rofecoxib vs placebo.
The scientists also evaluated cardiovascular events in the two years following the trial closure, during which a further 14 cardiovascular events were noted–six in the rofecoxib group and eight in the placebo group.
Four patients in the rofecoxib group and two in the placebo group died from cardiovascular causes during or within 14 days after the treatment period, and during the follow-up period, one patient in the rofecoxib group and five patients in the placebo group died from cardiovascular causes.
“This study confirms that the twofold increase in risk of adverse cardiovascular events reported in Vioxx clinical trials in patients without cancer applies in those with colorectal cancer,” says Dr David Kerr, the lead author.
Kerr goes on to say, “Our results have implications when selecting patients for treatment with COX-2 inhibitors, but it has to be remembered that improved treatment for colorectal cancer is badly needed. By far the commonest cause of death to be expected in these patients in the decade following cancer treatment is from recurrence of their cancers, not from cardiovascular disease.”
All researchers in this field still feel that it is too early to comment on the benefit of COX-2 inhibitors in preventing recurrences from colorectal cancer. Nonetheless, the preliminary evidence is encouraging.
So here’s the dilemma. If you have the choice, which will you pick?
Carisoprodol Blog
Tags: Celecoxib Celebrex, Heart Attacks
