02/09/2010

Heart news digest; drug research, defibs and fish oils

Welcome to our digest of the health stories hitting the headlines today (2 September), tackling the issues close to your heart.

Heart drug needs more research into use for people with heart failure

There needs to more research into a drug which could help people with heart failure, according to the Sun. Recent research has suggested ivabradine could cut death and hospitalisation in people with heart failure. But Dr Keith Hopcroft, writing in the Sun, warns it is not a miracle drug. Our Medical Director, Professor Peter Weissberg, also said we need further studies into the drug.

Learn more about the medicines available for different heart conditions.

Seaside town benefits from life-saving equipment

The north Yorkshire town of Scarborough has had life-saving defibrillators installed in two of its buildings after a huge fundraising effort, writes the Scarborough Evening News. The equipment has been paid for after donations from members of the public, the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and us.

The BHF provides vital funding which helps place defibrillators where they're needed most in the community.

Fish oils linked to heart failure benefits

A new study has suggested people with heart failure who also take fish oil supplements are less likely to die, according to the Daily Telegraph. Our Associate Medical Director, Dr Jeremy Pearson, spoke to the Telegraph about this study and agreed that if these people can stomach fish oils supplements, there seems to be no harm in taking them. Those of us without heart failure should try and regularly eat oily fish - which should give us all the fish oils we need - as part of a healthy diet. 

Find out what makes up a healthy diet or download our free iPhone App for some tasty oily fish recipes.