People on statins are 9% more likely to develop diabetes according to a meta-analysis

From Reuters:

This small risk is outweighed by the drugs' heart-protecting properties but it could prompt a rethink among those with low cardiovascular risk factors who are tempted to take statins to prevent future heart disease.

"It will stop us putting statins in the water, as it were, and mean we give them when appropriate for the right reasons."

Lovastatin, a compound isolated from Aspergillus terreus, was the first statin to be marketed for lowering cholesterol. Image source: Wikipedia, public domain.

Statins are among the most successful drugs of all time and have been credited with preventing millions of heart attacks and strokes.

This Lancet meta-analysis included 13 large randomised controlled trials involving more than 91,000 patients.

Treating 255 patients with statins for 4 years would result in only one extra case of diabetes.

Giving statins to the same group would avoid 5.4 deaths or heart attacks over 4 years, and nearly the same number of strokes.

Clinical practice in patients with moderate or high cardiovascular risk or existing cardiovascular disease should not change.

References:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)61965-6/fulltext

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61G00P20100217

Related:
Statins Don't Cause Diabetes. Dr. Mintz' Blog.

People who "drink heavily every so often" are 45% more likely to develop coronary heart disease

Occasional heavy drinking was defined as having 5 or more standard drinks in a day at least 12 times per year. "Regular" heavy drinkers - those who averaged at least 5 drinks per day, were excluded from the analysis.

In general, moderate drinking - a drink or two per day - is considered a potentially heart-healthy habit. A number of studies have found that moderate drinkers have lower risks of heart disease than teetotalers do.

Research suggests that alcohol can increase "good" HDL cholesterol, has anti-inflammatory effects in the blood vessels and may make the blood less prone to clotting.

On the other hand, regular heavy drinking may increase blood pressure, promote blood clotting and contribute to development of arrhythmias.

References:

Occasional binges may undo alcohol's heart benefits. Reuters, 2010.

Monounsaturated fats found in vegetable oils, nuts and avocados increase "good" HDL cholesterol levels by 12% http://goo.gl/GBQa5
Alcohol literally kills: Gary Moore had 380mg/dL in his blood, Winehouse 416mg/dL when she died surrounded by 3 empty vodka bottles. Telegraph UK, 2012. 

Image source: OpenClipArt.org, public domain.

Happiest people are 22% less likely to develop heart disease

From WebMD:

Happiest people were 22% less likely to develop heart disease over the 10 years of follow-up than people who fell in the middle of the negative-positive emotion scale.

People with the most negative emotions had the highest risk for heart disease and people who scored highest for happiness had the lowest risk.

Possible explanations for how happiness may protect the heart:

- Healthier lifestyle: Happy people tend to sleep better, eat better, smoke less, and get more exercise.
- Physiological impact: Happiness may produce a host of positive chemical changes -- such a reduction in stress hormones.
- Genetic influences: It could be that people who are predisposed to happiness are also predisposed to have fewer heart attacks.

Devote 15-20 minutes a day to doing something enjoyable and relaxing.

Strategies that could help naturally negative people become happier:

- Express gratitude on a regular basis.
- Practice being optimistic.
- Engage in frequent acts of kindness.
- Visualize one's best self.
- Savor joyful events.
- Practice forgiveness.

Regular exercise, sexual activity and good sleep are associated with increased self-reported happiness.

References:

Study: Happiness Good for the Heart. WebMD.

Experienced happiness is largely set by personality, it will temporarily respond to changing circumstances. The Lancet, 2010. http://goo.gl/ot3Kx

What's the best exercise for heart health? A combination of weight training and aerobic exercise http://goo.gl/h1YKD and bit.ly/on9sNn

Image source: OpenClipArt.org, public domain.