Researchers Find Heart Beats To Own Drum

In a December issue of the science journal Cell Metabolism, researchers reported on recently discovered evidence that the heart may in fact "beat to its own drummer."

Scientists from the University of Utah and the Salt Lake Veterans Affairs Medical Center studied the molecular circuitry surrounding the cardiovascular system and found that "a peripheral clock plays a role in the circadian rhythm of blood pressure and heart rate," according to a Dec. 8 news report from Science Daily.

Researchers had hoped to obtain knowledge of the "molecular circuitry within the cardiovascular system itself that controls the daily rise and fall of blood pressure and heart rate," according to Science Daily. Additionally, because of the newfound "drummer" within the heart, researchers believe they can better understand the link between diabetes prescription drugs and heart conditions, side effects; however, more research is needed, according to news reports.

The report also looked at as to why there is a trend of cardiovascular events including heart failure occurring in the morning. What researchers found to explain this involves the "circadian rhythms of physiology" and a rise, or "morning surge," of blood pressure, which may be the cause of the handful of heart failure related conditions occurring in early a.m. hours.

Heart Failure Causes

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) reported on the following potential causes of congestive heart failure (CHF) including the following:

* severe lung disease

* heart valve disease

* high blood pressure

* heart muscle disease

* coronary artery disease

However, there are other conditions and factors that can influence the development of heart failure, for example prescription drug dangers. There are also an array risk factors that may affect a person's development of heart failure including the following, according to the UPMC:

* age

* gender

* ethnicity

* family history

* alcohol consumption, chronic alcohol abuse

Prescription Drug Dangers

Their are several prescription drug dangers associated with the development of heart failure including the consumption of a type 2 diabetes drug known as Avandia. The drug Avandia (rosiglitazone) is from GlaxoSmithKline and was released in May 1999.

According to a New England Journal of Medicine report, Avandia may cause an increased risk of heart failure among type 2 diabetes patients. The Avandia-induced heart failure may not be the only risk associated with the drug. According to a Swedish study, the drug may also increase bone fractures among patients.

If an individual has developed heart failure as caused by Avandia, they may be eligible for the development of an Avandia class action lawsuit. To learn more, a victim can discuss the litigation during a free legal consultation with an experienced pharmaceutical attorney.