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heart-attack

Statin, blood pressure drug slash health risk in those with hypertension

Patients with high blood pressure and moderate risk of heart disease slashed their long-term risk of heart attack and stroke 40 percent by taking a blood pressure medication as well as a statin cholesterol fighter, according to a large global study that could change medical practice. Results from the trial, called HOPE-3, could prod far more doctors to add a statin to blood pressure therapy for such patients who have no prior history of heart attack or stroke, researchers said. The data was presented on Saturday at the annual scientific sessions of the American College of Cardiology in Chicago.

Former Israeli president Peres back in hospital with chest pains: aide

Israeli elder statesman Shimon Peres was hospitalized on Sunday for a second time in as many weeks after complaining of chest pains, an aide said. Peres, who was released from hospital last week after suffering a heart attack on Jan. 14, was conscious and the hospitalization was a precautionary measure, Peres aide Ayelet Frisch told Reuters. “It was an irregular heartbeat and he will stay in overnight, hopefully he will be released tomorrow,” she said.

Pfizer’s quit-smoking drug not linked to depression or heart risks

By Kate Kelland LONDON (Reuters) – Pfizer's stop-smoking drug Chantix does not raise risks of heart attack or depression, contrary to previous reports, and should be recommended to more smokers wanting to quit, scientists said on Monday. In a study tracking 150,000 smokers in England for 6 months, researchers found that patients who took Chantix, known generically as varenicline and marketed as Champix in Europe, were no more likely to suffer a heart attack than those using nicotine replacement therapy or another quit-smoking drug.