Month: August 2012

A new test could help emergency departments rule out (or rule in) heart attacks faster, according to a new study. The test is called high-sensitivity cardiac troponin. It detects cardiac enzymes called troponins. High troponin levels in the blood are a sign of damage or injury to the heart. And this could signal heart attack. The Swiss study took place from April 2006 to June 2009. It examined close to 900 patients who visited the ER with chest pain. Half of the patients were evaluated using the new testing method. That new method included gauging the troponin level when they arrived and then again an hour later. Using this method, the researchers ruled out heart attack in 60% of patients. They found evidence of heart attack in 17%. And the other 23% of patients were observed and monitored further.

A top group of experts may soon recommend HIV tests for all U.S. adults, Reuters news service said August 20. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now leaves the decision up to doctors. The task force is a group of experts on preventive care. It is appointed by the government but acts independently. The 2010 health care reform law requires that insurers cover preventive services that the task force recommends. Reuters said “health officials close to the panel” expect it to recommend routine HIV tests later this year. The task force’s job is to weigh the harm of tests and procedures against their benefits. It last updated its advice on HIV tests in 2005. At that time, it did not find enough evidence to support routine tests. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already recommends one HIV test in a lifetime for people ages 13 to 64.

Nearly 2 out of 3 U.S. adults now say that they walk at least 10 minutes per week, officials reported this week. But too few are getting enough exercise to make a difference in their health, officials said. The latest numbers come from a 2010 national survey. Almost 62% of adults surveyed said they walked for 10 minutes or more at least once in the last week. That’s up from 56% in 2005. People in the West walk the most. Those in the South walk least. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the new numbers. Officials said the improvement is a first step toward getting more Americans active. The government recommends at least 150 minutes per week of walking or other moderate exercise. Research has shown that this amount of activity can improve health. Only about 48% of U.S. adults are getting this much exercise, the 2010 survey showed.

The number of swine flu cases is up this summer, according to an updated government report. Known as H3N2, the flu is a variant of the swine flu usually found only in pigs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 153 new cases between July 12 and August 9. All occurred in 4 states in children younger than 18. And just about everybody infected had direct contact with pigs or reported being at an agricultural fair where pigs were present. The infections have been mild, with only 2 people needing hospital care. Both were treated and released. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published the report. The New York Times wrote about it Aug. 10.

A drug called tofacitinib may help people with ulcerative colitis. As many as 700,000 Americans have this condition. It causes abdominal pain and diarrhea. About 1 in 5 people do not respond to current treatments. A study of the drug included 194 people. They were randomly assigned to get a dose of tofacitinib or a placebo. After 8 weeks, people taking tofacitinib had fewer symptoms. They also were more likely than people taking placebo to have their symptoms disappear. The drug works by reducing inflammation. The study was published in the August 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The Wall Street Journal wrote about it.

A new ad campaign is bringing attention to the stress put on caretakers. More than 40 million Americans care for aging or sick relatives or friends. It’s often at the expense of taking care of their own families or themselves. The campaign helps caregivers find services and information they need to reduce stress and not feel so alone. The American Association of Retired Persons) and the non-profit Ad Council are sponsoring the campaign. The Associated Press wrote about it.