Behind the Headlines

Do statins cut risk for the healthy?

Wednesday Jul 1 2009

Researchers say that “statins cut the risk of heart attacks by 30% even in healthy people” and lower the chance of dying from any cause by 12%, the Daily Mail reported. It said that the drugs are currently only...

Peanut butter 'good for the heart'

Friday Jun 26 2009

“Peanut butter wards off heart disease,” the Daily Mail has reported. The newspaper said that peanut butter sandwiches could be the secret to beating heart disease...

Aspirin benefit questioned

Friday May 29 2009

Several news sources have reported that aspirin’s benefits in preventing heart attacks may be outweighed by the risk of stomach bleeding. These results come from...

Stockings 'no help' after a stroke

Thursday May 28 2009

“Surgical stockings commonly given to stroke patients to prevent blood clots do not work,” The Times reported. It said that research has found that compression stockings have no effect in preventing deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in people who have...

'Give heart drugs to all over 55'

Thursday May 21 2009

“Blood pressure drugs should be given to everyone over 55 to reduce heart attacks and strokes,” the Daily Mail has reported. The newspaper said the medication should...

Genes for high blood pressure

Monday May 11 2009

“Scientists have pinpointed a clutch of common genes that can lead to high blood pressure,” the Daily Mail reported. It said that up to half the population carries the genes, each of which has only a small effect...

Smoking and weight gain

Wednesday May 6 2009

The reason why people "pile on the pounds after quitting smoking could lie in our DNA” the Daily Mail has said. The newspaper says that research has found a “fat-burning...

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Vitamins linked to asthma risk?

Friday Apr 17 2009

“A low intake of vitamins A and C could raise the risk of asthma,” BBC online has said. The news service reports research by Nottingham University that pooled...

Babies at risk from vitamin E?

Monday Apr 6 2009

New research has shown that “Vitamin E ‘can increase the risk of heart defects in babies,’” says the Daily Mail. The newspaper warns that consuming as little as three-quarters of the recommended daily amount of vitamin E while pregnant can lead to...

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Polypill can 'halve' heart risk

Tuesday Mar 31 2009

Most national newspapers have reported on a study of a ‘polypill’ that can “halve” the risk of heart disease and stroke. The Daily Telegraph said the new “five-in-one pill can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and...