Don't knock your friends: they could save your life.

Posted on 2004-04-16 11:16:00 in Cardio-Vascular |
Heart attack survivors with a close friend, relative or lover to confide in are half as likely to suffer further heart attacks within a year as patients without a shoulder to cry on, a study shows.

The study, published this week in the British Medical Association's journal Heart, tracked nearly 600 patients for a year after they had a heart attack.

"Patients with a close confidant had only half the risk of a further cardiac event of those without a confidant," the study said, adding that the finding held even when adjustments were made for a host of other heart disease risk factors.

Those without a close relationship were more likely to drink heavily, smoke and use illicit drugs. But those factors alone did not explain their increased risk of additional heart attacks within a year, the study found.

The scientists said they still do not know why having a confidant helps keep a second heart attack at bay, but one possibility is that a close friend or partner may make sure a patient seeks treatment early and sticks to it.

Health Headlines

Tests Pinpoint Dementia Onset
Language and memory tests can reliably predict when a healthy elderly person is likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia
Investigating A Causal Link Between Gut Bacteria and Breast Cancer
Rush University Medical Center (USA) embarks on a research study to ascertain how microbial imbalances may impact diseases such as breast cancer.
Walnuts Improve Blood Markers of Diabetes
Yale University researchers report improved function of the blood vessel lining and reduced cholesterol levels in diabetics who consume walnuts daily.
Exercise Slashes Odds of Early Death from Heart Disease
Routine moderate exercise can reduce the risk of premature death in people with heart problems by up to 60%.
Common Sweetener Raises Blood Pressure
Added as a sweetener to many processed foods and beverages, fructose (also known as high fructose corn syrup), may increase blood pressure.
Skip the Salt and Diet Soda to Save Your Kidneys
Diets high in sodium and artificially sweetened soda linked to kidney function decline.
Antioxidants May Combat Influenza Virus
Antioxidant compounds retard the ability of influenza virus to damage a key protein in lungs
Nerve Regeneration Possible in Spinal Cord Injury
Studying an animal model of spinal cord injury, UCSD researchers report successful regeneration of nerve cells even when treatment is delayed.
26 Million Americans Have Diabetes
Gallup Survey finds that 11.3% of American adults have diabetes, and the trend upwards is projected to continue unless aggressive interventions are implemented.
The American Sleep Crisis
More than 11% of American adults surveyed say they failed to enjoy a day in the previous month where they got enough sleep.
Looking for an Anti-aging Doctor?

upcoming Events

U.S. Events
congresses
Las Vegas
fellowships
fellowships
symposium
workshops
  • Advanced Hormone Symposium
    Chicago, IL | Oct. 8-10, 2010

VIDEO: Bio-Identical Hormone
          Replacement

Dr. Sangeeta Pati, one of the world’s foremost educators and practicing physicians in the field of HRT shared “The Nuts and Bolts of Hormone Restoration” via webinar. View the Webinar.

International Events
See all events »