The American journal of medicine
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Sex differences are observed in many aspects of mammalian cardiovascular function and pathology. Hypertension is more common in men than in women of the same age. Although the effects of gonadal hormones on blood pressure are considered contributing factors, the reasons for sex differences in hypertension are still not fully understood. The present study was undertaken to compare the differences in several environmental and genetic factors between men and women in the Hei Yi Zhuang, an isolated subgroup of the Zhuang minority in China. ⋯ Sex differences in the prevalence of hypertension in the Hei Yi Zhuang population may be mainly attributed to the differences in dietary habits, lifestyle choices, sodium and potassium intakes, physical activity level, and some genetic polymorphisms.
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Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a major impact on physical health, the specific impact of COPD on physical functional limitations has not been characterized clearly. We aimed to elucidate the physical functional limitations that are directly attributable to COPD compared to a matched referent group without the condition. ⋯ A broad array of physical functional limitations were specifically attributable to COPD. COPD affects a multitude of body systems remote from the lung.
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Bilirubin inhibits experimental atherosclerosis, is inversely associated with carotid plaque burden, and confers neuroprotection in experimental stroke. Clinical data addressing the association of bilirubin with stroke are not available. We hypothesized that higher bilirubin levels would be associated with reduced stroke prevalence and improved stroke outcomes. ⋯ These results suggest that a higher serum total bilirubin level is associated with reduced stroke prevalence and improved stroke outcomes. Our findings support the hypothesis that bilirubin may protect from stroke events and from neurologic damage in stroke.
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Sustained ventricular arrhythmias complicate 2% to 20% of acute myocardial infarctions (MIs) and are associated with increased in-hospital mortality. However, it remains unclear whether successful mechanical revascularization improves outcomes in these patients. The objective of this analysis was to identify predictors of sustained ventricular arrhythmias after acute MI and to determine the influence of successful revascularization on in-hospital mortality. ⋯ Among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute MI, sustained VT/VF remains a significant complication associated with a 4-fold increased risk of in-hospital mortality. Early mortality is reduced after successful percutaneous coronary intervention, but remains elevated in this high-risk group.