Research findings on a novel mechanism underlying progression of congestive heart failure, evidence that gene therapies can restore blood flow in obstructed blood vessels, and the first indication that high blood pressure can cause sexual problems in women will be among the subjects of the over 4,000 presentations at the American Heart Association's 70th Scientific Sessions, Nov. 9 to 12, in Orlando, Fla.
Among the invited speakers will be U.S. Centers for Disease Control Director Dr. David Satcher, nominated for the post of Surgeon General. He will speak about, "Reducing the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease: CDC Strategies in Evolution," at the meeting's opening session on Sunday.
Over 35,000 researchers and health professionals from throughout the world are expected to attend the meeting, the largest scientific conference on heart disease and stroke, the number 1 killer of Americans.
Posted on EurekAlert!, an internet service of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, will be the 19 news releases and 42 news tips from the American Heart Association, which also will operate a press room at the meeting from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
In addition to print news releases and tips, the association will produce three video news releases, each about a research presentation at the meeting.
To interview scientists at the meeting, reporters should telephone the association's press room at 407-248-5001.
The 16 press briefings will focus on cutting edge surgeries for heart disease, recent clinical trials; gene therapy; stroke treatment; depression and heart disease; patient compliance; role of "good" cholesterol, antioxidants and inflammation in heart disease; treating advanced heart failure; gender differences; gene mutations in congenital heart disease; and the economics of prevention and treatment.
Among the subjects of news releases:
- Genetic engineering -- new approach to prevent blockages after bypass operations
- New blood vessels grow with gene therapy
- Exercise may fatally rupture artery plaque of sedentary men with heart disease and high blood cholesterol
- Losing your cool can be dangerous to your health
- "Good" cholesterol can turn "bad"
- Test identifies children at risk for life-threatening rapid heart rhythm
- Frequent work outs better for heart
- Inhibiting tumor necrosis factor, a novel treatment for heart failure
- Women and minorities underserved in artery-opening treatments
- Fish diet better than vegetarian fare at lowering lipoprotein (a)
- Link between iron levels and heart disease
- How cholesterol level in early years influences heart disease risk later
- Sexual problems in women linked to high blood pressure
- Death rates higher for HMO patients hospitalized for heart attacks
- Laser that drills holes in heart cuts chest pain and hospitalizations
- Casinos and airplanes better equipped than most doctor's offices to handle cardiac arrest
- Blunt blows from baseballs, hockey pucks cause sudden death in young athletes
- Moderate alcohol use lowers risk of deadly second heart attack
- Robotics, the next frontier in heart surgery
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