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There was a 63% increase in the incidence of diabetes in the UK in the ten years between 1996 and 2005, a new study shows. The study, published online in … Continue reading Diabetes rising dramatically in UK →...

We continue our series in which Consultant Interventionist Dr Michael Norell takes a sideways look at life in the cath lab…and beyond. In this column, he considers meetings....

“Old age starts with the first fall and death comes with the second.”1 Syncopal events and falls are a major healthcare and cost burden for the National Health Service (NHS). Each year between 35% of community living adults over 65 years and 45% of adults over 80 years have such an event.2 This common medical problem accounts for up to 6% of emergency medical admissions. We have previously shown the potential impact that a dedicated syncope and falls facility for older adults can have enabling an attributable diagnosis and on emergency bed usage.3,4 In this issue Ali et al. (see pages 22–8) further emphasise the need and benefits for the development of rapid access blackout clinics. They describe a comprehensive investigation pathway and highlight the importance of making a correct diagnosis and the implications of an incorrect one. It is still the case that a diagnosis is elusive in up to 40% of cases.4,5 They point out that even in those who do receive a diagnosis it may be incorrect. This is particularly so within the older age group. In relation to the diagnosis of ‘epilepsy’ the authors highlight that up to 100,000 people in the UK live with the moniker but without the condition. This has significant implications for public health including utilisation of inappropriate and expensive therapy. ...

General practitioners (GPs) have become used to asking their patients fairly detailed questions about the traditional risk factors, such as smoking habits, and measuring blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose to allow cardiovascular risk to be calculated. However, few would dream of including an oral examination within an assessment of global cardiovascular risk. Oral health has been viewed as the domain of dentists and has not troubled physicians when considering the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. ...

We continue our series in which Consultant Interventionist Dr Michael Norell takes a sideways look at life in the cath lab… and beyond. In this column, he considers electronic communication....

A new report Focus on heart failure, by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, aims to provide primary and secondary care services with guidance on how to achieve high quality care for all heart failure patients. The report is one of a series which highlights best practice within key services in the NHS in order to improve delivery....

The Scottish Heart and Arterial Risk Prevention Group (SHARP) was launched in 1988 with the aim of helping to reduce and prevent premature morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Scotland. The programme for the 20th anniversary meeting – held on the 20th–21st November 2008 in the Hilton Hotel Dunkeld – examined the likely future direction for cardiovascular disease prevention and management but also reflected on achievements over the past 20 years. Dr Alan Begg, Chairman of SHARP reports....

A busy and varied programme discussing some of the hottest topics in cardiovascular disease was presented at the 11th Primary Care Cardiovascular Society (PCCS) Annual Scientific meeting, held in Chester on 25th – 27th September 2008. It attracted over 250 people and inspired great interest and debate....

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is a safe and accurate imaging modality, with an established role in current cardiology practice. It is becoming essential for cardiologists in other non-imaging sub-specialities to acquire a working knowledge of the potential of CMR in both structural and in ischaemic heart disease. In the current specialist registrar training environment, however, it is difficult to gain that expertise unless wholly committed to an imaging career....

Major new trials reported at the American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions, held in New Orleans on November 8th – 12th, showed encouraging results for rosuvastatin in the primary prevention of cardiovascular events, while exercise in heart failure patients produced modest health benefits....