Altor BioScience Awarded $3 MM SBIR Phase II Competing Renewal Grant by NHBLI to Complete a Second Phase 2 ALI/ARDS Clinical Trial for its…

MIRAMAR, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Altor BioScience Corporation announced today that the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has awarded Altor a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II Competing Renewal Grant. The award of over $3.18 MM over three years will support Altor’s efforts to complete a second Phase 2 clinical trial using ALT-836, an antibody-based tissue factor (TF) antagonist, as a therapy to treat patients with infection-induced acute lung injury/acute respiratory

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Altor BioScience Awarded $3 MM SBIR Phase II Competing Renewal Grant by NHBLI to Complete a Second Phase 2 ALI/ARDS Clinical Trial for its…

GeneCell International Opens Miami-Based Headquarters, First and Only Cord Blood Processing and Cryogenic Storage Laboratory in Miami

MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GeneCell International Opens Miami-Based Headquarters, First and Only Cord Blood Processing and Cryogenic Storage Laboratory in Miami, Florida.

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GeneCell International Opens Miami-Based Headquarters, First and Only Cord Blood Processing and Cryogenic Storage Laboratory in Miami

Community Blood Centers of Florida, Florida’s Blood Centers and Florida Blood Services Announce Potential Merger

MIAMI & ORLANDO & ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Community Blood Centers of Florida, Florida’s Blood Centers and Florida Blood Services announced that they have received approval to explore the option of merging.

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Community Blood Centers of Florida, Florida’s Blood Centers and Florida Blood Services Announce Potential Merger

PositiveID Corporation to Conduct Comparative Laboratory Analysis of Its Non-Invasive Easy Check Breath Glucose Technology versus Current “Finger…

DELRAY BEACH, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PositiveID Corporation to Conduct Comparative Laboratory Analysis of its Non-Invasive Easy Check Breath Glucose Technology versus Current “Finger Stick” Blood Glucose Testing Method.

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PositiveID Corporation to Conduct Comparative Laboratory Analysis of Its Non-Invasive Easy Check Breath Glucose Technology versus Current “Finger…

PositiveID Corporation’s New Generation Health Link Personal Health Record Designed to be First PHR to Communicate Seamless Real-Time Blood Sugar…

DELRAY BEACH, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PositiveID Corporation’s New Generation Health Link Personal Health Record Designed to be First PHR to Communicate Seamless Real-Time Blood Sugar Readings for Diabetics and Their Caregivers/Physicians

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PositiveID Corporation’s New Generation Health Link Personal Health Record Designed to be First PHR to Communicate Seamless Real-Time Blood Sugar…

The Blood Test That Can Save Your Life

Although standard blood cholesterol tests (measuring total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides) have helped doctors to accurately assess heart disease risk in many patients, recent advances in medical science have demonstrated that conventional cholesterol testing provides only limited insight into the multiple factors that underlie cardiovascular disease. In fact, these tests identify only 40% of those at risk for coronary heart disease.

The good news is, scientists have developed a more advanced blood test that can far more accurately gauge your risk of heart disease. The Vertical Auto Profile (VAP) test augments the standard cholesterol profile with additional measurements that can identify the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Best of all, the VAP test not only offers a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk, but also supplies vital information that can help you and your doctor formulate a customized disease-prevention program and measure its progress over time. This powerful diagnostic tool can help you take the steps necessary to avoid preventable health catastrophes — like heart attack and stroke — today.

The baby-boom generation understands that as they age, their risk for heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events continues to increase. Not content to succumb to disease and disability, this population is embracing a proactive, preventive approach to health care that includes advanced techniques of risk assessment such as the Vertical Auto Profile (VAP) cholesterol test.

Awareness of the VAP test is important for anyone who wants to stop cardiovascular disease in its tracks, even before signs and symptoms manifest. The VAP test is performed just like a traditional cholesterol panel: a technician or nurse draws blood and submits it to a laboratory. At reasonable cost, the VAP test provides more information than routine cholesterol tests and expands on this data. The comprehensive information derived from the VAP test enables physicians to more accurately predict their patients’ risk of heart disease, and to customize more aggressive, patient-specific treatment plans.

Even if your doctor’s office does not yet regularly utilize the VAP test, it is very likely that your physician will recognize the value of this advanced cholesterol screening tool, and will use the more detailed information it provides to devise the best treatment program to reduce your cardiovascular risk.

How the VAP Test Works

Routine cholesterol tests provide only the four following measurements:

1. Total cholesterol
2. Triglycerides
3. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the “detrimental” lipid), determined by a mathematical calculation, not by direct measurement
4. High-density lipoprotein (HDL, the “beneficial”lipid).

The standard lipid panel above is what physicians have relied on for years to assess their patients’ risk of cardiovascular disease. It has been a successful tool, helping physicians to lower patient cholesterol levels using a variety of medical therapies, including statin drugs, and motivating people to make lifesaving changes in their diet and lifestyle.

However, there are serious limitations to relying solely on the standard cholesterol panel. Most important, it can identify only about 40% of patients at risk for coronary heart disease.2 The truth is, many risk factors are involved in the development of heart disease, and for some people, high cholesterol may or may not be one of them. The well-known Framingham Study illustrated that the higher the cholesterol, the higher the statistical risk of a heart attack.3 Nonetheless, a frightening number of heart attacks still occur every day in people whose cholesterol values are seemingly normal. In fact, the American Heart Association reports that 50% of men and 64% of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms!

Heart disease can lurk silently within, hidden and unsuspected. However, the additional information provided by the VAP test can help identify at-risk patients more accurately than routine cholesterol tests.

The expanded information from the VAP test includes:

More accurate, direct measurement of LDL.
Measurement of LDL pattern density. This is important because small, dense LDL (“Pattern B”) triples the likelihood of developing coronary plaque and suffering a heart attack.4
Measurement of lipoprotein subclasses, which include HDL2 and HDL3, intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL1, VLDL2, VLDL3), and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a particularly dangerous lipoprotein that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Patients who test “normal”in a routine cholesterol panel often are found to be at risk for heart disease after taking the VAP test. This is crucially important, not only to diagnose a number of lipid disorders and optimize the choice of medications, but also for tracking improvement when patients are working to reduce their numbers, whether with drugs or lifestyle changes. Clearly, more information means more effective treatment, and thus better health outcomes.

In addition, VAP is the only cholesterol profile that tests for all the present and emerging risk factors identified in the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) cholesterol guidelines.

Prevention Is Key to Cardiovascular Health

I have performed a VAP test for the first time on many patients who have already had heart attacks or strokes, or who have undergone heart procedures such as bypass surgery or placement of a coronary stent. The results have often led me to think that if a VAP test had been performed earlier, maybe the heart attack or stroke could have been prevented, or the surgery would not have been necessary.

Too often in the United States, medical care is reactionary. A heart attack or stroke occurs, the sufferer rushes to the emergency room, and then doctors desperately try to rise to the rescue. All the physicians and patients I know appreciate that this is not the best approach. Part of the beauty of the VAP test is that it can help reduce the likelihood of this scenario occurring. Identifying risks for cardiovascular disease — and then working to correct them in order to prevent heart and vascular disease — is a better choice than costly surgical interventions.

Baby boomers, who have taken more hands-on responsibility for their health than any previous generation, can be even more strongly motivated to adopt wellness strategies when they better understand the specific risks facing them. It is one thing to tell patients that their cholesterol is high and they need to reduce it by changing their diet and lifestyle or by taking medication. It is something else to tell them that they can decrease their risk of heart attacks and emergency room visits by implementing strategies to adjust their cholesterol particles. The more definitively a health threat can be identified, the greater the patients’ compliance with treatment will be.

Since the National Cholesterol Education Program recommends people begin regular cholesterol testing at age 20, young adults can take a VAP test to learn about their cardiovascular disease risk early in life. This will allow them to take aggressive steps now — including diet and exercise — to maintain a healthy heart for life. Taking a VAP test now makes infinitely more sense than waiting until a cardiovascular catastrophe occurs, and then wondering if the event might have been prevented if a more complete cholesterol profile had been obtained earlier.

VAP Cholesterol Testing: What You Need to Know

Cardiovascular disease is America’s number-one cause of premature death. As adults age, their risk for heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events escalates.
Cardiovascular risk assessment using conventional lipid panels (measuring LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides) detects only about 40% of those at risk for a cardiovascular event. An advanced form of lipoprotein testing, the Vertical Auto Profile (VAP) cholesterol test, detects far more patients at risk of heart disease. The VAP test measures all the components of a standard lipid profile, as well as all cholesterol subclasses known to contribute to cardiovascular risk.
The data provided by a VAP test allows physicians to detect cardiovascular risk long before symptoms manifest, and to use this data to develop personalized prevention and treatment protocols for patients of all ages. Early intervention can help prevent costly hospitalizations and invasive surgery later in life.
All individuals who wish to fully and accurately understand their cardiovascular risk should consider a VAP test. In particular, adults at high risk — due to family history, previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease, or conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or known lipid abnormalities — should undergo VAP testing.
The advanced data provided by the VAP test allow doctors and patients to proactively implement strategies to prevent cardiovascular events and mortality.

Should Everyone Take the VAP Test?

This question is still being debated in the medical community. It is more expensive than routine cholesterol panels, but it provides more information. It is simply the best way for physicians to learn more about their patients and identify heart disease risk earlier. As time goes by, more physicians are recognizing the limitations of conventional lipid assessment and turning to advanced lipoprotein testing for better answers.

Certainly anyone who has reason to believe he or she may be at high risk for cardiovascular disease—because of family history, previously diagnosed coronary or vascular disease, or factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, any measure of coronary plaque, or identified abnormalities in cholesterol or triglycerides — should strongly consider VAP testing. Even if you are simply concerned about heart disease, you can proactively encourage your doctor to perform this advanced test. It is now widely available in diagnostic laboratories around the country.

Being proactive means being eager to learn about ways to improve your health, and working with your doctor to create a personalized prevention and treatment plan. However, when it comes to tests that involve risk — such as imaging procedures that deliver radiation — I caution you to be wary. Sometimes, being proactive can lead you down that slippery slope to unnecessary surgical intervention. Fortunately, the VAP test has the distinct advantage of providing added information without added risk.

©2008 Michael Ozner, MD, FACC, FAHA

Author Bio
Michael Ozner, MD, FACC, FAHA, is one of America’s leading advocates for heart disease prevention. Dr. Ozner is a board-certified cardiologist, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and of the American Heart Association, medical director of Wellness & Prevention at Baptist Health South Florida and a well-known regional and national speaker in the field of preventive cardiology. He is the medical director of the Cardiovascular Prevention Institute of South Florida and symposium director for “Cardiovascular Disease Prevention,” an annual international meeting highlighting advances in preventive cardiology. He was the recipient of the 2008 American Heart Association Humanitarian Award. Dr. Ozner is also the author of the BenBella Books title The Miami Mediterranean Diet.

Take Command of Your Blood Pressure

Our blood pressure is the measure of the force of your blood against the artery walls, and it is described using two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Systolic pressure is the pressure exerted as your heart beats; diastolic pressure is the pressure exerted as your heart relaxes between beats. A normal blood pressure reading used to be less than 140/90 mmHg, with 120/80 mmHg as the ideal. But recent changes in the guidelines set normal as less than 120/80 mmHg.

It is normal for your blood pressure to fluctuate during the day due to physical activity or stressful stimuli; it should return to normal as your body adjusts to whatever situation you’re in. If it does not, if your blood pressure is chronically elevated to greater than 140/90 mmHg, then the condition is called hypertension. Hypertension is unfortunately common, affecting more than 50 million Americans.

We used to think that only diastolic pressure was an important predictor of cardiovascular events, but it is now understood that both numbers matter. Elevated systolic pressure is a key indicator of stroke risk, especially in the elderly. Left uncontrolled, it can also result in kidney disease, vascular disease, and increased risk of heart attack.

The most common cause of hypertension is aging. Blood vessels lose their elasticity as we age, and that reduction in the ability to expand and contract can lead to a rise in systolic pressure and a decrease in diastolic pressure. A young, healthy artery reacts just like a balloon would in response to increased pressure-it expands. Older arteries aren’t always flexible enough to do so, which means blood ends up pressing against the artery wall with greater force.

Another common cause of hypertension is heredity predisposition. Someone with a strong family history of hypertension is at higher risk of developing hypertension later in life than someone with no family history.

Hypertension that is caused by certain treatable conditions is called secondary hypertension. Nutritional causes are surprisingly common. One question I always ask patients is if they eat licorice. Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a substance that may cause sodium retention and lead to hypertension. Excessive salt, alcohol, and caffeine can also increase blood pressure. Decreasing or eliminating these from the diet can do a lot to reverse hypertension.

Other secondary causes of hypertension may be reversible through surgery. These include constriction of the aorta, a tumor on the adrenal gland, or a blocked renal artery. People who also snore may have obstructive sleep apnea, a cause of hypertension that has several treatment options.

In other words, even if you’re leading a healthy lifestyle, you could still develop hypertension. This is why a complete evaluation by your personal physician is necessary. Diagnosing and eliminating any secondary causes can significantly reduce or even eliminate hypertension altogether.

If you have no secondary causes, however, the best way to treat hypertension is with lifestyle changes, even if you also need medications. I recommend a four-part program for all my patients with high blood pressure, consisting of:

1. Nutrition
2. Exercise
3. Stress management
4. Smoking cessation

Nutrition

From years of clinical studies, we know a lot about the impact of various foods on blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables, for example, are particularly rich in phytonutrients, which we’ve learned help lower blood pressure. In fact, all the foods essential to the Mediterranean diet discussed in step 1 — fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, cold-water fish, red wine, nuts, and beans — have been shown to help lower blood pressure. There are also specific foods you should stay away from because of their negative effects on blood pressure: saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium. In addition, excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol can lead to a rise in blood pressure.

My first recommendation here is to follow a Mediterranean diet. But you can also add individual foods to your diet that contribute to reducing blood pressure. Green tea contains catechins, antioxidants that inhibit the action of an enzyme responsible for raising blood pressure. Pomegranate juice has recently gained attention for its ability to lower blood pressure as well as inhibit atheromatous plaque formation. Even chocolate can be beneficial if you eat the right kind and limit the amount. Moderate consumption of a small amount of dark chocolate, rich in flavanols, contributes to healthy blood vessels, which ultimate:ly leads to reduced blood pressure.

Increasing your intake of potassium, magnesium, and calcium may also have a beneficial effect. Supplements are one way to this, but you can also just choose foods rich in these minerals. Foods that contain a lot of potassium include tomatoes, bananas, blueberries, and oranges. Foods that contain a lot of magnesium include nuts, seeds, beans, fish, whole grains, and green vegetables. And dairy products are a particularly rich source of calcium.

Exercise

Exercise lowers blood pressure in a few ways. One way is by supporting weight loss, particularly the reduction of abdominal fat. Fat in this area is associated with elevated levels of a protein called angiotensinogen, which can lead to hypertemion. Exercise also strengthens the heart and makes the cardiovascular system more efficient by relaxing and dilating blood vessels. And if you exercise instead of raiding the refrigerator as an outlet for stress, you can both eliminate emotional eating and help yourself maintain a healthy weight. As mentioned in step 2, simply walking thirty to forty-five minutes each day can lead to significant benefits.

Stress Management

Stress releases catecholamines, chemicals that prepare the body for physical activity and can raise blood pressure. See step 3 for suggestions for reducing stress.

Smoking Cessation

Cigarette smoking causes arteries to constrict and contributes to blood pressure elevation. Smoking’s negative health impact, and some tips for quitting, is covered more in-depth in step 7 in the discussion on toxins.

If you currently smoke, stop. No amount of smoking is safe, and it is counterproductive to an otherwise healthy lifestyle.

The above is an excerpt from the book The Great American Heart Hoax
by Michael Ozner, MD, FACC, FAHA
Published by BenBella Books;  December 2008;$24.95US/$27.95CAN; 978-1-933771-54-0
Copyright © 2008 Michael Ozner, MD, FACC, FAHA

Author Bio
Michael Ozner, MD, FACC, FAHA, is one of America’s leading advocates for heart disease prevention. Dr. Ozner is a board-certified cardiologist, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and of the American Heart Association, medical director of Wellness & Prevention at Baptist Health South Florida and a well-known regional and national speaker in the field of preventive cardiology. He is the medical director of the Cardiovascular Prevention Institute of South Florida and symposium director for “Cardiovascular Disease Prevention,” an annual international meeting highlighting advances in preventive cardiology. He was the recipient of the 2008 American Heart Association Humanitarian Award. Dr. Ozner is also the author of the BenBella Books title The Miami Mediterranean Diet.