Screening for Aortic Aneurysms may Save Many Lives

A new analysis has suggested that 65-year-old men in England may benefit if they are screened for abdominal aortic aneurysms. In fact the analysis says screening could in fact halve deaths from the condition.

Data from a large trial involving 67,770 men found that there were 155 deaths from abdominal aortic aneurysms in those screened compared with 296 deaths in men who were not screened.

Diet, Lifestyle and Heart Disease
The correlation between diet, lifestyle and heart disease. The importance of balanced diet life style and exercise for controlling heart disease.

The current analysis found that after screening deaths from the condition were reduced by 42% at four years, 47% at seven years, and 48% at 10 years. The procedure was cost-effective as well at £7,600 per year of life gained after 10 years.

"We found that about half of all aneurysm-related deaths could be prevented by screening," said Professor Simon Thompson from the Medical Research Council. However a Danish study published in the British Medical Journal said a screening program at national level would be too expensive; something which Professor Thompson disagreed with.

The screening program will be rolled out in England gradually by 2013.

What is a heart attack / How to prevent heart attacks
Heart attack is the death of the heart muscle due to loss of blood supply. Simple guidelines to avoid heart attack are listed.

Source-Medindia
RAS

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