Health & Wellness for a LIFETIME
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Archive:
- 2012
- January (11)
- PFC Lowers Antibodies!
- People Don't Stop Smoking After Seing Plaque in Carotids!
- Pharmaceutical Companies and Physicians
- Importance of Vitamin D
- Statin Drugs and Diabetes
- Heart Attacks and Long Distance Running
- Wasted Research Money?
- Nicotine Patch Ineffective
- So How Much Exercise Can You Squeeze In?
- Neti-Pot Problems
- AHA Study: Heart Disease Increasing
- 2011
- December (11)
- Cranberries vs. Antibiotics for UTI
- Antioxidants Reduce Cancer Risk
- Back Surgery: Too Many, Too Costly, Too Ineffective!
- Simvastin (Zocor, Vytorin, Simcor) Danger
- Physicians Rate Insurance Companies
- Anti-coagulant Drug Problems
- Bad News about Stop Smoking Drug
- Antibiotics: Inappropriately Used
- Exercise More Important Than BMI
- Pediatric Antibiotis: Over Prescribed?
- FDA Criticized Dr. Oz But Was It Fair?
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Carotid Plaque Screening Does Not Improve Smoking Cessation Rates
Screening for carotid atherosclerosis does not improve smoking cessation rates or control of cardiovascular risk factors, according to an Archives of Internal Medicine study.
Some 540 smokers were randomized to either ultrasonographic carotid screening or no screening, with all participants also undergoing a year-long smoking cessation program that included counseling and nicotine replacement therapy. Patients with atherosclerosis identified on screening were given pictures of their plaque plus additional counseling.
At 1 year, there were no significant differences between the groups in smoking cessation rates, control of cardiovascular risk factors, or changes in Framingham risk scores. Commenting on the study's findings, an editorialist urges physicians to focus on improving their relationships with patients — instead of using "simple pictures" — when attempting to motivate them to change their lifestyles.
Comment: I am sorry, but I am not shocked by these results. If heart attack victims who are lucky to survive, only make lifestyle changes for several months following their heart attacks, reverting back to their old habits once the scare wears off, then why would smokers stop smoking when they see plaque clogging up their carotid arteries thereby increasing their chances of suffering a stroke?
Archives of Internal Medicine article (Free)
If people want to live a long high quality healthy life, they need to reflect that goal in their lifestyle:
1. No smoking; no chemicals.
2. Exercise every day
3. Make organic fruit and veggies 80% of their food consumption.
4. Eliminat junk food and sugary desserts.
5. Improve nervous system and immune system function.