The hidden burden of high blood pressure

Cordero A, Bertomeu-Gonzalez V, Moreno-Arribas J, Agudo P, Lopez-Palop R, Masia MD, Miralles B, Mateo I, Quiles J, Bertomeu-Martinez V. Burden of systemic hypertension in patients admitted to cardiology hospitalization units. American Journal of Cardiology, published online Aug. 24, 2011.

Can a hospital stay make you anemic?

Salisbury AC, Amin AP, Reid KJ, Wang TY, Masoudi FA, Chan PS, Alexander KP, Bach RG, Spertus JA, Kosiborod M. Hospital-acquired anemia and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction. American Heart Journal 2011; 162:300-309 e3.

Salisbury AC, Kosiborod M, Amin AP, Reid KJ, Alexander KP, Spertus JA, Masoudi FA. Recovery From Hospital-Acquired Anemia After Acute Myocardial Infarction and Effect on Outcomes. American Journal of Cardiology 2011.

Salisbury AC, Reid KJ, Alexander KP, Masoudi FA, Lai SM, Chan PS, Bach RG, Wang TY, Spertus JA, Kosiborod M. Diagnostic Blood Loss From Phlebotomy and Hospital-Acquired Anemia During Acute Myocardial Infarction. Archives of Internal Medicine 2011.

Don't delay if heart failure symptoms worsen

Nieuwenhuis MM, Jaarsma T, van Veldhuisen DJ, van der Wal MH. Factors associated with patient delay in seeking care after worsening symptoms in heart failure patients. Journal of Cardiac Failure 2011; 17:657-63.

Jurgens CY, Hoke L, Byrnes J, Riegel B. Why do elders delay responding to heart failure symptoms? Nursing Research 2009; 58:274-82.

Goldberg RJ, Goldberg JH, Pruell S, Yarzebski J, Lessard D, Spencer FA, Gore JM. Delays in seeking medical care in hospitalized patients with decompensated heart failure. American Journal of Medicine 2008; 121:212-8.

Latest thinking on a "cardioprotective" diet

Mozaffarian D, Appel LJ, Van Horn L. Components of a cardioprotective diet: new insights. Circulation 2011; 123:2870-91.

Low-fat diets place third of three in cholesterol-lowering power

Nordmann AJ, Suter-Zimmermann K, Bucher HC, Shai I, Tuttle KR, Estruch R, Briel M. Meta-analysis comparing Mediterranean to low-fat diets for modification of cardiovascular risk factors. American Journal of Medicine 2011; 124:841-51 e2.

Jenkins DJ, Jones PJ, Lamarche B, Kendall CW, Faulkner D, Cermakova L, Gigleux I, Ramprasath V, de Souza R, Ireland C, Patel D, Srichaikul K, Abdulnour S, Bashyam B, Collier C, Hoshizaki S, Josse RG, Leiter LA, Connelly PW, Frohlich J. Effect of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods given at 2 levels of intensity of dietary advice on serum lipids in hyperlipidemia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2011; 306:831-9.

No need to stop aspirin, Plavix before tooth removal

Lillis T, Ziakas A, Koskinas K, Tsirlis A, Giannoglou G. Safety of dental extractions during uninterrupted single or dual antiplatelet treatment. American Journal of Cardiology 2011; 108:964-7.

Two-drug combo a good start for high BP

Byrd JB, Zeng C, Tavel HM, Magid DJ, O'Connor PJ, Margolis KL, Selby JV, Ho PM. Combination therapy as initial treatment for newly diagnosed hypertension. American Heart Journal 2011; 162:340-6.

Heart attack treatment happening faster

Krumholz HM, Herrin J, Miller LE, Drye EE, Ling SM, Han LF, Rapp MT, Bradley EH, Nallamothu BK, Nsa W, Bratzler DW, Curtis JP. Improvements in door-to-balloon time in the United States, 2005 to 2010. Circulation 2011; 124:1038-45.

Cholesterol level in middle age predicts length and quality of life

Hyttinen L, Strandberg TE, Strandberg AY, Salomaa VV, Pitkala KH, Tilvis RS, Miettinen TA. Effect of cholesterol on mortality and quality of life up to a 46-year follow-up. American Journal of Cardiology 2011; 108:677-81.

The race to high blood pressure

Selassie A, Wagner CS, Laken ML, Ferguson ML, Ferdinand KC, Egan BM. Progression is accelerated from prehypertension to hypertension in blacks. Hypertension 2011; 58:579-587.

Follow-up: Some lifesaving cancer therapies can harm the heart and arteries

Serrano C, Cortes J, De Mattos-Arruda L, Bellet M, Gomez P, Saura C, Perez J, Vidal M, Munoz-Couselo E, Carreras MJ, Sanchez-Olle G, Tabernero J, Baselga J, Di Cosimo S. Trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity in the elderly: a role for cardiovascular risk factors. Annals of Oncology, published online Aug. 9, 2011.