Breaking research from the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress: study highlights for Oct. 28, 2012

OTTAWA, Oct. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cardiovascular Congress - Canada's largest health and science meeting - opens today in Toronto. Here are summaries of the press releases featuring new research presented today at the Congress.

Influenza vaccine may reduce risk of heart disease and death
Flu shot may reduce risk of a major cardiac event by 50 per cent and cardiac deaths by 40 per cent

Getting a flu shot may not only protect you from getting sick, it might also prevent heart disease. Two Toronto-based researchers presented studies which found that the influenza vaccine could be an important treatment for maintaining heart health and warding off cardiovascular events like strokes and heart attacks.

For the full press release, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/cardiocongress.

Canadian scientists discover cause of high cholesterol
Discovery could improve prevention and treatment of heart disease

Canadian scientists have discovered that a protein called resistin, secreted by fat tissue, causes high levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL), increasing the risk of heart disease.

The research proves that resistin increases the production of LDL in human liver cells and also degrades LDL receptors in the liver. As a result, the liver is less able to clear "bad" cholesterol from the body. Resistin accelerates the accumulation of LDL in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease.

The research also shows that resistin adversely impacts the effects of statins, the main cholesterol-reducing drug used in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

For the full press release, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/cardiocongress.

Routine electrocardiograms predict health risks for patients with atrial fibrillation
One in ten Canadians will benefit from improved diagnosis and treatment

Canadian scientists have determined that routine electrocardiogram (ECG) results for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) — the most common form of irregular heart beat — can help doctors identify those at higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including death. This knowledge will help doctors improve the treatment and prognosis of atrial fibrillation.

For the full press release, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/cardiocongress.

Hosted by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Congress is Canada's largest science and health meeting, with more than 4,000 delegates, including cardiologists, surgeons, pediatric specialists, nurses, rehabilitation experts and leading researchers.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca), a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy.

Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke. Together we will make it happen.

SOURCE: HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION

For more information and/or interviews, contact the
CCC 2012 MEDIA OFFICE AT 416-585-3781 (Oct 28-31)

OR
Diane Hargrave Public Relations
416-467-9954 ext. 104
[email protected]

Congress information and media registration is at www.cardiocongress.org

After October 31, 2012 contact:
Jane-Diane Fraser
Heart and Stroke Foundation
[phone] ext 273
[email protected]