Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD
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Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis · Mar 2007
ReviewObstructive sleep apnea: an update on mechanisms and cardiovascular consequences.
There is growing recognition of the widespread incidence and health consequences of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This review examines the evidence linking sleep apnea with cardiovascular disease and discusses potential mechanisms underlying this link. ⋯ Patients with OSA are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. OSA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypertensive patients who are obese. In particular, OSA should be excluded in patients with hypertension resistant to conventional drug therapy.
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Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis · Dec 2006
Dietary patterns: a Mediterranean diet score and its relation to clinical and biological markers of cardiovascular disease risk.
It has been suggested that overall dietary patterns and not single nutrients should be studied, since food items might have a synergistic and antagonistic effect on health. The Mediterranean diet has long been associated with lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Therefore, we developed a diet score that incorporates the inherent characteristics of this dietary pattern. ⋯ The Mediterranean diet score proposed above may be useful in assessing the nutritional status of an individual and investigating the relationship of the Mediterranean diet with various health outcomes.
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Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis · Mar 2006
Multicenter StudyClinical efficacy and tolerability of alpha-blocker doxazosin as add-on therapy in patients with hypertension and impaired glucose metabolism.
The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of doxazosin as add-on therapy in patients with hypertension not adequately controlled on current antihypertensive therapy, and impaired glucose metabolism. The effect of doxazosin administered as add-on therapy was to be considered significant both from clinical and statistical viewpoints if the proportion of patients with adequate control of blood pressure (BP<130/85 mmHg) would be at least 30% after 16 weeks of combined therapy. ⋯ In patients not responsive to antihypertensive treatment and concomitantly affected by impaired glucose metabolism, achievement of target BP was obtained in more than one third of cases after 16-week add-on treatment with doxazosin. Changes in glyco-lipidic parameters and reduction of 10-year CHD risk observed during the study, although of moderate extent, confirm the overall favourable effect of antihypertensive combinations including doxazosin.
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Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis · Oct 2005
Randomized Controlled TrialIsocaloric substitution of plant sterol-enriched fat spread for carbohydrate-rich foods in a low-fat, fibre-rich diet decreases plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increases high-density lipoprotein concentrations.
The aim of the study was to determine the effects on plasma cholesterol of replacing a plant sterol-enriched fat spread with carbohydrate-rich foods relative to a diet high in saturated fat. ⋯ Including a plant sterol-enriched fat spread in a cholesterol-lowering diet produces a more favourable plasma lipid profile than the same diet made lower in total and saturated fat by replacing the spread with carbohydrate-rich foods.