Western Diet Boosts Global Heart Attack Risk 30%

But study also finds 'Oriental' pattern little benefit either way because of salty sauces

The fried foods, salty snacks and meats that are staples of the Western diet account for about 30 percent of heart attack risk across the world, a new report suggests. Meanwhile, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, the so-called "Prudent" diet, is tied a low risk of heart attack, according to the study, published in the Oct. 21 issue of Circulation. The research, which looked at dietary habits in 52 countries, found people who ate a Western diet had a 35 percent greater risk of having a heart attack compared to those who ate little or no fried foods and meat. Those who followed a "Prudent" diet had a 30 percent lower risk of heart attack compared to those who went light on fruits and vegetables. The authors also looked at an "Oriental" diet, rich in tofu, soy and other sauces, and found it did not increase or decrease the risk of a heart attack. Previous studies have reached similar conclusions about the "Prudent" and Western diet in the United States and Europe, but did not include the Oriental pattern of eating. While some components of the Oriental diet may protect against heart trouble, the higher sodium content of sauces counter that benefit. "This study indicates that the same relationships that are observed in Western countries exist in different regions of the world," study senior author Salim Yusuf, a professor of medicine at McMaster University and director of the Population Health Research Institute at Hamilton Health Sciences in Ontario, said in an American Heart Association news release. The Canadian researchers analyzed risk factors in food choices and the risk of heart attack in about 16,000 people in 52 countries. Almost 6,000 people had heart attacks, while the rest had no known heart disease. More information Source: The American Heart Association

Statins Can Hinder Muscle Repair

Statins, taken by millions to lower cholesterol, may hinder the body's ability to repair muscles, University of Alabama researchers report.

The most frequently reported side effect of statin therapy is fatigue, with about 9 percent of patients reporting muscle pain. As doses of the medication are increased, and physical activity is added, these effects can be more pronounced. These side effects are found in all commonly used statins.

"While these are preliminary data and more research is necessary, the results indicate serious adverse effects of statins that may alter the ability of skeletal muscle to repair and regenerate due to the anti-proliferative effects of statins," lead researcher Anna Thalacker-Mercer said in a statement.

Results of the study were presented Thursday at a meeting of the American Physiological Society, in Hilton Head, S.C.

For the study, Thalacker-Mercer's team exposed muscle cells to varying doses of Simvastatin.

The researchers found as the dosage increased, the ability of these cells to multiply decreased. For the equivalent of 40 milligrams a day, growth of new muscle cells was reduced by 50 percent.

When doses were increased, proliferation of these cells continued to decline to the point where they could have a negative affect on the ability of muscles to heal and repair themselves, the researchers found.

"We are very interested in these effects in the older population," Thalacker-Mercer said. "It is possible that older adults may not be able to distinguish between muscle pain related to a statin effect or an effect of aging, and therefore adverse effects of statins in older adults may be under-reported. Therefore, our next step is to examine statins among older adults," she said.

Dr. Gregg C. Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) thinks that this research may lead to ways of preventing muscle damage in patients taking statins.

"Statins are among the most extensively studied medications and provide cardiovascular benefits that greatly outweigh potential risks in most patients," Fonarow stressed.

Between 2 percent and 8 percent of patients report having muscle aches in response to statins, Fonarow noted. "Significant muscle damage as result of statin treatment rarely occurs, but if it does, there can be serious consequences," he noted.

This study suggests that high doses of a statin may alter the ability of skeletal muscle cells to repair and regenerate, Fonarow said. "This research may eventually lead to new ways to minimize or prevent statin-induced muscle damage," he added.

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter, Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews LLC

More information

For more about statins, visit the American Heart Association.

Study: Lipitor ads may mislead women

(Journal of Empirical Legal Studies) UPDATED 2008-09-05

Researchers say that though the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor has long been marketed to both men and women, they have been unable to find adequate scientific evidence that the drug actually helps women lower their risk of having a heart attack. The investigators also found that Pfizer, the company that makes Lipitor, does not include portions of the drug's approved label in its advertisements. This allows the ads to omit clinical trial evidence that has shown a slightly increased heart attack risk in women who took Lipitor. The researchers say their findings suggest that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may not be providing adequate regulation of Lipitor, the world's best-selling drug.  Read full story:  See all at Heart Disease News

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