Aug 28

Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose linked to lower risk of heart failure hospitalizations in iron-deficient patients

In iron-deficient patients with heart failure and reduced or mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) is associated with a reduced risk of the composite outcome of total cardiovascular hospitalization and cardiovascular death through 52 weeks compared with placebo, according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2023. Iron deficiency is common in heart failure, with a prevalence of 30-80%, and is associated with increased mortality and hospitalization. Randomised controlled trials of intravenous iron in iron-deficient patients with heart failure have shown improvements in symptoms, functional capacity and quality of life, but the effect on clinical events has been unclear. The current meta-analysis evaluated the effects of FCM therapy on hospitalizations and mortality in iron-deficient patients with heart failure and reduced or mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The meta-analysis pooled individual participant data from three randomized, placebo-controlled trials of FCM in adult patients with heart failure and iron deficiency with at least 52 weeks of follow up: CONFIRM-HF, AFFIRM-AHF and HEART-FID. There were two primary efficacy endpoints: 1) composite of total cardiovascular hospitalizations and cardiovascular death and 2) composite of total heart failure hospitalizations and cardiovascular death. Both endpoints were examined through 52 weeks of follow up. Key secondary endpoints included individual components of the composite endpoints. In the three trials, a total of 4,501 patients with heart failure and reduced or mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and iron deficiency were randomly assigned to FCM (n=2,251) or placebo (n=2,250). The mean age of the total population was 69 years, 63% were men, and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 32%. FCM therapy significantly reduced the co-primary composite endpoint of total cardiovascular hospitalizations and cardiovascular death compared with placebo, with a rate ratio (RR) of 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75 to 0.98; p=0.029). There was a trend towards reduction of the co-primary composite endpoint of total heart failure hospitalizations and cardiovascular death but it failed to reach statistical significance (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.01; p=0.076). FCM therapy was associated with a 17% relative rate reduction in total cardiovascular hospitalizations (RR 0.83; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.96; p=0.009) and a 16% relative rate reduction in total heart failure hospitalizations (RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.71 to 0.98; p=0.025). There was no effect of FCM administration on mortality. In subgroup analyses, patients in the lowest transferrin saturation (TSAT) tertile (<15%) derived greater benefit from FCM on the composite endpoint of total cardiovascular hospitalizations or cardiovascular death than those with higher baseline TSAT (interaction p=0.019). Treatment with FCM appeared to be safe and well-tolerated. This was the largest and most up-to-date analysis of the effect of FCM in iron-deficient heart failure patients with reduced or mildly reduced ejection fraction. FCM was associated with a reduction in the composite endpoint of total cardiovascular hospitalizations and cardiovascular death compared with placebo, and with significantly reduced risks of hospitalization due to heart failure or cardiovascular causes, with no effect on survival. The findings indicate that intravenous FCM should be considered in iron-deficient patients with heart failure and reduced or mildly reduced ejection fraction to reduce the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure and cardiovascular causes.” Piotr Ponikowski, Principal Investigator, Professor, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland European Society of Cardiology (ESC)

Aug 28

Cardiovascular Disease Costs in Europe Surpass Entire EU Budget

European Society of Cardiology Cardiovascular disease (CVD) cost the EU an estimated €282 billion in 2021, according to late breaking research presented at ESC Congress 2023.1 Health and long-term care accounted for €155 billion (55%) of these costs, equalling 11% of EU health expenditure. The analysis was a collaborative effort by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the University of Oxford, UK. Study author Dr. Ramon Luengo-Fernandez of the University of Oxford said: “CVD had a significant impact on the EU27 economy, costing a total of €282 billion in 2021. That’s equivalent to 2% of Europe’s GDP and is significantly more than the entire EU budget2 itself, used to fund research, agriculture, infrastructure and energy across the Union.” This was the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the economic costs of CVD to society in the EU since 2006. It is the first study to use Europe-wide patient registries and surveys rather than relying on assumptions and, unlike previous reports, includes the costs of long-term social care. The current analysis provides estimates of the societal economic costs of CVD for the 27 members states of the EU in 2021, including 1) health and social care; 2) informal care; and 3) productivity losses. The breakdown includes:3 €130 billion for healthcare (46%) €25 billion for social care (9%) €79 billion for informal care (28%) €15 billion in productivity losses due to illness/disability (5%) €32 billion in productivity losses due to premature death (12%). The total cost equated to €630 per EU citizen, ranging from €381 in Cyprus to €903 in Germany.4 CVD cost health and social care systems approximately €155 billion in 2021, accounting for 11% of total healthcare expenditure. There was wide variation between countries in the proportion of healthcare budgets spent on CVD, from 6% in Denmark to 19% in Hungary. Healthcare included primary care, emergency care, hospital care, outpatient care and medications, while social care included long-term institutionalised care, and care at home. The main contributor was hospital care, which cost €79 billion, representing 51% of CVD-related care costs. CVD medications accounted for €31 billion (20%) of care costs, followed by residential nursing care homes at €15 billion (9%). Informal care costs included the work or leisure time, valued in monetary terms, that relatives and friends gave up to provide unpaid care. Relatives and friends provided 7.5 billion hours of unpaid care for patients with CVD, amounting to €79 billion across the EU. Productivity losses included lost earnings due to illness/disability (early retirement/absenteeism) or premature death. In 2021, 256 million working-days were lost in the EU because of CVD illness/disability, at a cost of €15 billion. That same year, 1.7 million people died due to CVD across the EU, representing 1.3 million working-years lost, and generating productivity losses of €32 billion. ESC Board member and study author Professor Victor Aboyans of Limoges University, France said: “This study underscores the urgent need to act collectively on the European scale to better combat the cardiovascular risk of European citizens, in particular through regulations for better cardiovascular prevention and investment in research. By choosing not to invest in cardiovascular disease we are simply deferring the cost. These data force us to ask the question: do we invest in cardiovascular health today or be forced to pay more at a later stage?” Professor Panos Vardas, chief strategy officer of the European Heart Agency, the ESC’s office in Brussels, said: “Today’s presentation provides a clear understanding of the overall economic burden of cardiovascular disease across different EU countries, offering the opportunity to draw valuable conclusions that are useful for those responsible for designing healthcare plans. It is evident that there is significant fragmentation among EU countries in terms of cardiovascular disease healthcare expenditures. This necessitates a re-evaluation by the EU as a whole, and the 27 EU countries individually, to better address the outstanding needs and invest more effectively in supporting those suffering from cardiovascular disease.” /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.

Aug 28

COVID-19 is circulating and evolving rapidly in white-tailed deer

Researchers at Ohio State University (OSU) have found that white-tailed deer are reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2 viruses. The experts report that a significant number of white-tailed deer across Ohio have been infected with SARS-Cov-2 and that viral variants evolve about three times faster in deer than in humans. Focus of the study Between November 2021 and March 2022, the researchers collected 1,522 nasal swaps from free-ranging deer in 83 of Ohio’s 88 counties and tested them for the virus causing COVID-19. What the researchers discovered The analysis revealed that over 10 percent of the samples were positive, and at least one positive case was found in 59 percent of the counties in which testing was conducted. Surprisingly, genomic analysis showed that at least 30 infections in deer have spilled over from humans. Interspecies transmission “We generally talk about interspecies transmission as a rare event, but this wasn’t a huge sampling, and we’re able to document 30 spillovers. It seems to be moving between people and animals quite easily,” said study co-senior author Andrew Bowman, an associate professor of Veterinary Preventive Medicine at OSU. “And the evidence is growing that humans can get it from deer – which isn’t radically surprising. It’s probably not a one-way pipeline.” These findings suggest that white-tailed deer are a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 which enables continuing mutation, and that the virus’s widespread circulation in deer could potentially lead to its spread to other wildlife and livestock. Not just a localized problem In December 2021, Bowman and his colleagues first reported the detection of the virus in white-tailed deer in nine locations in Ohio. In the current study, they expanded monitoring in a variety of other locations. “We expanded across Ohio to see if this was a localized problem – and we find it in lots of places, so it’s not just a localized event,” Bowman explained. “Some of the thought back then was that maybe it’s just in urban deer because they’re in closer contact with people. But in rural parts of the state, we’re finding plenty of positive deer.” Besides detecting active infections, the scientists also found a significant number of blood samples containing antibodies, suggesting that an estimated 23.5 percent of deer in Ohio had already been infected with the coronavirus. Spillover events Among the 80 whole-genome sequences obtained from the samples, the researchers identified the highly contagious and virulent delta variant (the predominant human strain in the United States in the early fall of 2021), which accounted for nearly 90 percent of the sequences, and alpha, the first variant of concern that was identified in humans in the spring of 2021. The investigation revealed that the genetic composition of delta variants in deer closely matched the dominant lineages found in humans during the same time period, pointing to several spillover events, and suggesting that deer-to-deer transmission followed in clusters, some of them spanning multiple counties. “There’s probably a timing component to what we found – we were near the end of a delta peak in humans, and then we see a lot of delta in deer. But we were well past the last alpha detection in humans. So the idea that deer are holding onto lineages that have since gone extinct in humans is something we were worried about,” Bowman said. According to the experts, vaccination is likely to protect people against severe diseases in case the virus will spill back into humans. For instance, an investigation of the effects of deer variants on Siberian hamsters (an animal model widely used in COVID-19 studies) provided clear evidence that vaccinated hamsters did not get as sick after infection as unvaccinated ones. Study implications Unfortunately, the variants circulating in deer are expected to continue to change at a faster rate than that seen in humans. “Not only are deer getting infected with and maintaining SARS-CoV-2, but the rate of change is accelerated in deer – potentially away from what has infected humans,” Bowman reported. Further research is needed to clarify how the virus is transmitted from humans to white-tailed deer and assess the likelihood of mutated variants to spill back into humans. Although no substantial outbreaks of deer-origin strains have occurred in humans until now, circulation among animals remains very likely. Moreover, since about 70 percent of free-ranging deer in Ohio have not been exposed to the virus yet, there is a large number of immunologically-naïve animals that the virus could spread through uninhibited. “Having that animal host in play creates things we need to watch out for. If this trajectory continues for years and we have a virus that becomes deer-adapted, then does that become the pathway into other animal hosts, wildlife or domestic? We just don’t know,” Bowman concluded. The study is published in the journal Nature Communications. — By Andrei Ionescu, Earth.com Staff Writer Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com. .

Aug 28

Patients with MPNs ‘Don’t Know What They Don’t Know’

For patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) — blood cancers that cause the bone marrow to overproduce red or white blood cells or platelets — being able to engage in educated and productive conversations with their care team can be crucial. “There are so many variables in cancer from not only the diagnoses, but ‘how do we treat it?’ to what the prognosis is, and that’s always evolving (so) that it’s hard for providers to keep up with that, let alone patients,” said Charina Toste, a nurse practitioner specializing in oncology and hematology at OptumCare Cancer Care and a professor at Chamberlain College of Nursing, both located in Las Vegas, Nevada. When it comes to the vast category of MPNS (which includes a range of diseases such as myelofibrosis, essential thrombocythemia, and polycythemia vera) patients don’t know what they don’t know. “(Patients) don’t always know, what is the treatment that’s out there? What are the clinical trials that are out there? Oh, and then let’s talk about symptom management, how is my life going to change? How is this going to affect me? How is this going to affect my family? These are questions patients don’t even know to ask. And they trust their health care provider to have the three or four hours it takes to educate them at an appointment that usually is only 15 to 30 minutes.” Toste spoke with CUREⓇ about the importance of education for patients with MPNs in order to empower themselves to have informed conversations with their care team. CUREⓇ: In general, why is it so important for patients to educate themselves, and be prepared to have informed conversations with their care team as they’re going through their cancer journey? Patients with myeloproliferative neoplams should learn about their disease to ensure that they know what questions to ask, a nurse practitioner said. Toste: I think because with any type of diagnosis, there’s kind of the shock factor. And once you get over the shock factor, it’s a different language that patients are learning, it’s a different lifestyle that they’re learning, they have to learn to adjust their entire life for it. And many patients don’t know what to ask because they don’t know what they don’t know. So, I think it’s important to at least have a solid basis of information about your disease, your cancer diagnosis, so you know what to ask. There are so many variables in cancer, from not only the diagnoses, but how we treat it to what the prognosis is, and that’s always evolving (so) that it’s hard for providers to keep up with that, let alone patients. Advertisement What sorts of questions should patients be prioritizing, especially if they are early on in the experience? ‘What is their current diagnoses?’ specifically, so that they understand their diagnoses. Quite honestly, they hear the words and they don’t understand what those words mean; if they see myeloproliferative neoplasms, that’s all they might look up and not know their specific diagnoses (or) that there are different types underneath there. As we well know, there are so many different hematological malignancies. And when you say the word leukemia, there are 200 different types of leukemia. So, you have to know exactly what you have. And what does that mean to you? What does that mean, as far as prognosis? What can I expect now? And what can I expect in the future? So they can adjust their life. Because if anything, after a world pandemic has happened, we realize we can’t always predict the future and we have to enjoy what we have to the best (of our) abilities. So, does this mean I have to quit my job? Does this mean I need to adjust my family lifestyle? Should I move to where I have family and support? Will I be OK here on my own? I think those are the questions that they need to ask: how is it going to impact them personally now and in the future so they can prepare? What are some specific challenges or roadblocks related to MPNs that make it a particularly disease type for patients to inform themselves on? Not always but usually, most of these diagnoses are based in an elderly population. So, with the myelofibrosis and the polycythemia vera, you’re usually looking around the 60s or 70s age group. And for a lot of these patients, they don’t always have the best support, so they don’t always know how to go to Dr. Google and look everything up. They don’t always know what the latest clinical trials are, they don’t always know how to ask those questions. And they aren’t always surrounded by family members, their children are grown, they have their own lives. So, they don’t always have that support that others would have. Sometimes they’re on their own, and they don’t have transportation. They’re wondering about the basics: economics, transportation, those kinds of things. So that’s how it affects them. And those can be some of the obstacles going forward for these patients in obtaining information. And then (for) some of these patients, some are working, some aren’t some are active and family, some aren’t. Some are socially active. And I also think in an elderly population, what are some of the symptoms, when you look at a patient and they go, ‘Well, yes, I’m tired. Yes, I have bone pain, but I’m 80. How do I know that this is disease related?’ So, I think those are also some of the obstacles. Whereas if you’re 20 or 30 years old, and you’re saying, ‘Wow, I have a lot of bone pain, I have a lot of fatigue, I have memory loss,’ that’s going to seem unusual at that age versus if you’re older, a lot of times you just take it as the age and the sands of time moving forward. First, is this actual disease might be progressing. Say there is a patient who is kind

Aug 28

Are your blood test results accurate?

Laur Zimmardi DAS Phlebotomy Services How accurate are you blood test results? Do you know? It’s much more important than you realize. Your medication, as well as medical procedures, are dependent on your blood results. Inaccurate blood test results can easily cause your medication to be under or over prescribed by your doctor. Surgeons are especially concerned with blood test results to ensure a safe procedure. Your blood sample tells your doctor what is going on “inside” your body. You can help your blood tests to be more accurate. Were you told, or allowed, to make a fist at your blood draw? If you did, it’s most likely that your results were inaccurate. We’ve learned that making, pumping a fist causes your potassium readings to escalate. Potassium levels are used as indicators of your heart and blood pressure conditions. Heart and blood pressure medications may be prescribed, when in fact, they may not be needed. People are also reading… The person who draws your blood is to fill the collection tubes in a specific order, known as the “Order of Draw”. This procedure prevents cross contamination from different tube additives and provides for a more accurate result. This is only one of many aspects of your blood draw that requires attention to detail. How your sample was transported to the lab could affect the results. Was your sample to be at room temperature? Refrigerated, frozen or light protected? Each test has different requirements. So many things can affect the results. Abruptly shaking your sample versus proper inversion can alter the results by breaking down the cells. Did the person who drew your blood discuss your fasting and activities prior to your draw? They should have! Chewing gum before your draw will affect your results as if you ate a cheeseburger! If you were requested to fast prior to your draw, and you chewed gum, your results will not be accurate. You should have your blood drawn when you’re calm, in a “basal state”. No food, no fluids other than water, no exercise, and at the same time of day as your last blood draw. This is a primary reason why when you’re hospitalized, they take your blood at 4:00am each day. You should have your blood drawn properly by a certified, experienced, phlebotomist. Professional Phlebotomists “Protect the Integrity of the Sample”. There are only four States that currently “require” a phlebotomist to be certified, and Arizona is “NOT” one of them. They are CA, WA, NV, and LA. Remember! Your doctors and surgeons are using your blood results to make your healthcare decisions. Help them by “insisting” on a certified Phlebotomist. #lee-rev-content { margin:0 -5px; } #lee-rev-content h3 { font-family: inherit!important; font-weight: 700!important; border-left: 8px solid var(–lee-blox-link-color); text-indent: 7px; font-size: 24px!important; line-height: 24px; } #lee-rev-content .rc-provider { font-family: inherit!important; } #lee-rev-content h4 { line-height: 24px!important; font-family: “serif-ds”,Times,”Times New Roman”,serif!important; margin-top: 10px!important; } @media (max-width: 991px) { #lee-rev-content h3 { font-size: 18px!important; line-height: 18px; } } #pu-email-form-breaking-email-article { clear: both; background-color: #fff; color: #222; background-position: bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat; padding: 15px 0 20px; margin-bottom: 40px; border-top: 4px solid rgba(0,0,0,.8); border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.2); display: none; } #pu-email-form-breaking-email-article, #pu-email-form-breaking-email-article p { font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, “Segoe UI”, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, “Apple Color Emoji”, “Segoe UI Emoji”, “Segoe UI Symbol”; } #pu-email-form-breaking-email-article h2 { font-size: 24px; margin: 15px 0 5px 0; font-family: “serif-ds”, Times, “Times New Roman”, serif; } #pu-email-form-breaking-email-article .lead { margin-bottom: 5px; } #pu-email-form-breaking-email-article .email-desc { font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 5px; opacity: 0.7; } #pu-email-form-breaking-email-article form { padding: 10px 30px 5px 30px; } #pu-email-form-breaking-email-article .disclaimer { opacity: 0.5; margin-bottom: 0; line-height: 100%; } #pu-email-form-breaking-email-article .disclaimer a { color: #222; text-decoration: underline; } #pu-email-form-breaking-email-article .email-hammer { border-bottom: 3px solid #222; opacity: .5; display: inline-block; padding: 0 10px 5px 10px; margin-bottom: -5px; font-size: 16px; } @media (max-width: 991px) { #pu-email-form-breaking-email-article form { padding: 10px 0 5px 0; } } .grecaptcha-badge { visibility: hidden; } Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Aug 28

Study: Non-O Blood Type Transfusions, Higher Intravenous Immunoglobulin Lead to Increased Risk of Hemolytic Reactions

Hemolytic reactions with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions have decreased over time, with risk factors including non-O blood group transfusions and IVIG dosage, according to results of a study published in Vox Sanguinis.1 Image credit: UlrikaArt – stock.adobe.com Investigators question whether medication taken prior to the procedure may increase the risk of hemolysis. In a study previously published in Transfusion, investigators reported that in 33 articles, there was a higher incidence of IVIG-related hemolysis in patients with blood groups A and AB and for those who had higher IVIG doses, which supports the findings of the current study.2 In the current study, the authors said that hemolysis can occur after an IVIG infusion. According to the investigators, hemolytic reactions are the fourth most common reaction to IVIG. Out of 1170 reactions included in the study, the most common reactions were febrile non-hemolytic reactions (26.1%), minor allergic reactions (24.5%), IVIG headache (15.3%), and hemolytic reactions (10.3%).1 They analyzed data using a novel approach, including 2 control groups with no hemolysis in reaction to IVIG. Investigators included a summary of all reactions to IVIG, rate estimates, and analysis of hemolytic reactions, which included risk factors.1 The study authors gathered data from Ontario, Canada from 2013 to 2021. The data included IVIG distribution, transfusion data from the blood supplier, and data from a large local transfusion registry. Investigators had a control group of patients who had IVIG reactions that were not hemolytic and a control group of patients who had no adverse reactions to IVIG. A descriptive analysis and 2 logistic regression models were used for the different control groups, according to the study authors.1 Advertisement Investigators noted that the current estimate of reaction times from 2020 were 1.5/1000 kg IVIG use and 2.9/1000 kg IVIG use, respectively.1 The results of the study showed that the 2 biggest risk factors for hemolysis were receiving a non-O blood type transfusion and IVIG dose per 10 g increase. The risk factors were also evident when compared to the results of the no-reaction control group.1 Furthermore, investigators found that no pre-medication was associated with a higher risk of hemolysis.1 Although the patient demographics were similar for the 3 categories of hemolytic reactions, the rate of delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions (DHTR) was highest compared to acute hemolytic transfusion reactions and delayed serological transfusion reactions. Investigators reported that most of the reactions were classified as non-severe, while 41.9% were classified as severe and 4.7% were life threatening. The severe reactions were most frequent with DHTR, according to the study authors.1 The study authors identified various limitations of the study, which include limitations regarding data from surveillance. They identified that the structure of the reporting form could have led to missing data, a failure to report key test results that could indicate types of reactions, and a lack of diagnosis or other clinical data, including the reason for transfusion.1 Investigators said their results confirm previous studies indicating risk factors for hemolysis with IVIG, but also suggest that the lack of pre-medication could be another risk factor. They said the methodology in their study could be applied to other studies, investigating other types of rations following transfusions.1 References Batarfi K, Liu Y, Nixon J, Webert KE, et al. A retrospective analysis of haemolytic reactions to intravenous immunoglobulin using data from the Transfusion-Transmitted Injuries Surveillance System (Ontario). Vox Sang. 2023;10.1111/vox.13501. doi:10.1111/vox.13501 Cuesta H, El Menyawi I, Hubsch A, Hoefferer L, et al. Incidence and risk factors for intravenous immunoglobulin-related hemolysis: A systematic review of clinical trial and real-world populations. Transfusion. 2022;62(9):1894-1907. doi:10.1111/trf.17028

Aug 28

Lifesavers: Blood drive, opioid overdose training – SoVaNOW: Home of The News & Record and The Mecklenburg Sun

The Southern Virginia Higher Education will host an American Red Cross blood drive Tuesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The blood drive will be held in the SVHEC’s Center of Nursing Excellence located within the 820 Bruce Street Building. The need for donors remains high, and everyone eligible to give is encouraged to do so. To make a donation appointment register online at www.redcrossblood.org/give or call 1-800-RED CROSS. SVHEC’s Center of Nursing Excellence and Southside Area Health Education will partner with the Southside Behavioral Health and the Southside Wellness Coalition to offer a free Rapid REVIVE! training Thursday in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day. REVIVE! is the Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education program for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and provides free training on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose emergency using naloxone. Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a prescription medication that temporarily reverses an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. If given in time, naloxone can save someone’s life by temporarily reversing the overdose and allowing the affected person to breathe again. Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently highlighted REVIVE! training as a critical tool in Virginia’s fight against the fentanyl and opioid crisis. Rapid REVIVE! will take place in the SVHEC’s parking lot from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Training will take place in 15-minute intervals so individuals are not required to stay for the entire event to receive training. Anyone 18 and older may participate in the training, and those who complete it will receive a free dose of Narcan while supplies last. Registrations are strongly encouraged, but walk-ups will be welcomed. To register visit www.southsidebh.org/revive.

Aug 28

The Rhode Island Blood Center’s “Pint for a Pint”

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Aug 28

The #1 Nutrient to Help Reduce Blood Pressure, According to Dietitians

We have a high blood pressure issue on our hands. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly half of U.S. adults (48%) have high blood pressure. And it’s no secret that high blood pressure is inextricably linked to what you eat. Fortunately, one nutrient plays a crucial role in reducing blood pressure and protecting your heart health: potassium. This essential mineral relaxes blood vessel walls, helping to lower blood pressure and keep your heart functioning smoothly. Read on to learn more. Pictured Recipe: Salmon & Avocado Salad What is Potassium? Potassium, a vital mineral and electrolyte, is the unsung hero of many bodily functions. Found in abundance within cells and body fluids, potassium plays a pivotal role in maintaining fluid balance, nerve impulses and muscle contractions. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), higher dietary potassium intake is associated with a significant decrease in blood pressure. However, this mineral’s health benefits may extend beyond blood pressure management. A 2018 research study published in Nutrition Today revealed that potassium may also aid in heart rhythm regulation, bone health and supportying healthy metabolism. Sarah Schlichter, M.P.H., RDN, a registered dietitian at Bucket List Tummy, tells EatingWell, “While many Americans tend to eat higher levels of sodium and lower levels of potassium in their diets (leading to higher blood pressure), reversing this way of eating and eating higher levels of potassium (and lower sodium levels) could help control blood pressure.” Potassium and Sodium Potassium and sodium are the dynamic duo of heart health. These two minerals and electrolytes work together to help maintain balanced blood pressure levels. While sodium can elevate blood pressure by encouraging water retention, potassium counteracts this effect by promoting sodium excretion through urine and relaxing blood vessel walls. Unfortunately, the standard American diet tends to weigh heavily in favor of sodium, often leading to an overconsumption of this mineral. And conversely, potassium-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, fish and legumes rarely take center stage at mealtime. This leads to a bit of a nutritional mismatch, given that the recommended potassium-to-sodium intake ratio is about 2:1, while research suggests most Americans average intake is closer to 1:2. “Sodium and potassium are both electrolytes that help the body maintain fluid balance,” says Kelsey Kunik, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and intuitive eating dietitian at Graciously Nourished. “Too much sodium can pull water into the bloodstream, increasing the pressure on blood vessel walls. Eating more potassium can help reduce blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessel walls and helping the body excrete more sodium.” 6 Ways to Get More Potassium It’s recommended that adults consume between 2,400 and 3,600 milligrams of potassium per day. Here are some simple ways to up your intake. 1. Eat more fruits and vegetables. “Adding more fruits and veggies (fresh, canned or frozen) to meals can increase potassium intake,” says Schlichter. “While most people think of bananas, other foods like oranges, potatoes, sweet potatoes, apricots, kiwis, tomatoes, spinach and cantaloupe are also high in potassium.” You can’t go wrong with upping your fruit and veggie intake when trying to increase your potassium intake and support your heart health. For example, one medium banana provides 422 milligrams of potassium, while a cup of cooked spinach offers a whopping 1,180 milligrams. These plant-based sources help regulate blood pressure and come with various other heart-healthy vitamins, minerals and fiber. 2. Add leafy greens to your meals. Add more leafy greens like spinach, kale and Swiss chard to your meals and your blood pressure will thank you. One cup of cooked Swiss chard delivers 961 milligrams of potassium. Incorporating these greens into your salads, omelets or smoothies can effortlessly boost your potassium intake. “Leafy greens can be added to smoothies, stir-fries, rice bowls, salads, eggs and more, providing an easy way to up your potassium intake,” says Schlichter. 3. Leave the skin on your potatoes. While most of us enjoy the starchy interior of potatoes, potato skin contains the majority of the potassium in the veg. One medium baked potato with the skin intact contains 952 milligrams of potassium. “Potatoes are a great source of potassium, but removing the skin means removing a good portion of potassium,” says Schlichter. 4. Incorporate more smoothies into your diet. “If you have difficulty eating enough fruits and vegetables, try drinking them in a smoothie,” advises Kunik. “Adding a medium frozen banana, one cup of milk and half an avocado to your favorite smoothie can give you 27% of your daily value for potassium.” Blending fruits like bananas, oranges and berries with avocados, leafy greens and Greek yogurt will create a potassium-rich concoction that’s both refreshing and nourishing. A simple green and fruit smoothie can provide a significant portion of your daily potassium needs. Plus, it’s a convenient and delicious way to keep your heart health in check. 5. Enjoy Greek yogurt as a heart-healthy snack. With approximately 282 milligrams of potassium per 7-ounce serving, Greek yogurt is a creamy and versatile addition to your diet. This cultured delight can contribute to your potassium intake and offers gut-friendly probiotics and protein, making it a well-rounded choice for supporting heart health. Opt for unsweetened varieties to limit added sugar. Instead, add things like fruit and honey or maple syrup at home to sweeten it to your liking and customize the flavors. Schlichter tells us, “Greek yogurt is a great way to add potassium to your diet, as well as the bone-building nutrients calcium and vitamin D. Pair it with fruit or low-sugar granola for a balanced snack.” 6. Consume fatty fish regularly. Fatty fish like salmon, sardines and mackerel contribute to maintaining your potassium levels and support cardiovascular health thanks to their high omega-3 fatty acid content. “One six-ounce fillet of salmon has 23% of your daily value for potassium, making it an excellent source of potassium. If you don’t have the time or capacity to cook salmon at home, use canned salmon instead, which is still a great source of

Aug 28

Vegetables Sold In New York State May Cause ‘Fatal infections’

Vegetables are supposed to help with your health. But health officials are sounding the alarm about a large amount of veggies sold across New York State. Bags of frozen vegetables that were sold nationwide are being recalled because they might be contaminated with listeria. Vegetables Sold In New York State Recalled Over Listeria Concerns For all the news that the Hudson Valley is sharing make sure to follow Hudson Valley Post on Facebook, download the Hudson Valley Post Mobile Following Products Have Been Recalled In New York State Read More: Freezing, Stormy, Snowy and Major Blizzard Predicted For New York “The following products were distributed nationwide by the following retailers. No other products have been affected,” the FDA stated in a press release. FOOD LION Mixed Vegetables Carrots, Corn, GreenBeans & Peas, net wt. 16oz 35826005090 50183 BEST BY 18 JAN 2025 PROD OF USA FOOD LION Super Sweet Cut Yellow Corn, net wt. 16oz. 35826079855 53072 BEST BY 03 NOV 2024 PROD OF USA FOOD LION Super Sweet Cut Yellow Corn, net wt. 16oz. 35826079855 53622 BEST BY 28 DEC 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Mixed Vegetables Carrots, Super Sweet Corn,Green Beans & Green Peas, net wt. 32 oz 11110865854 BEST IF USED BY FEB.2024 82352 SIDE ID,TIME Kroger Mixed Vegetables Carrots, Super Sweet Corn,Green Beans & Green Peas, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849625 53122 BEST IF USED BY MAY 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Mixed Vegetables Carrots, Super Sweet Corn,Green Beans & Green Peas, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849625 53412 BEST IF USED BY JUN 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Mixed Vegetables Carrots, Super Sweet Corn,Green Beans & Green Peas, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849625 53412 BEST IF USED BY JUN 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Mixed Vegetables Carrots, Super Sweet Corn,Green Beans & Green Peas, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849625 BEST IF USED BY APR.2024 82942 SIDE ID, TIME Kroger Mixed Vegetables Carrots, Super Sweet Corn,Green Beans & Green Peas, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849625 BEST IF USED BY APR.2024 83012 SIDE ID, TIME Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 32 oz. 11110865786 53052 BEST IF USED BY MAY 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 32 oz. 11110865786 53112 BEST BY MAY 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 32 oz. 11110865786 BEST IF USED BY APR.2024 82932 SIDE ID, TIME Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 32 oz. 11110865786 BEST IF USED BY APR.2024 83012 SIDE ID, TIME Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849618 52842 BEST IF USED BY APR 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849618 53042 BEST IF USED BY APR 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849618 53272 BEST IF USED BY MAY 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849618 53542 BEST IF USED BY JUN 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849618 50043 BEST IF USED BY JUL 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849618 50033 BEST IF USED BY JUL 2024 PROD OF USA Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849618 BEST IF USED BY FEB.2024 82352 SIDE ID,TIME Kroger Super Sweet Corn, net wt. 12 oz. 11110849618 BEST IF USED BY APR.2024 82842 SIDE ID, TIME Signature Select Golden Corn Super Sweet, net wt. 12oz 21130090655 BEST IF USED BY FEB.22.24 S5716 TIME,SIDE ID LOOK: 20 American foods that raise eyebrows outside of the US Stacker compiled a list of 20 unusual and uniquely American foods that might raise eyebrows outside the U.S. Nearly 50 Children Have Recently Gone Missing From New York State In just a few months around 50 children from New York State and the Hudson Valley went missing The 10 Best Counties To Live In New York State Is your hometown’s county considered by Niche one of the best in New York State?