Restricting Dietary Salt of Unknown Benefit in Hypertension
This meta-analysis found little objective benefit of dietary salt restriction upon long-term blood pressure control. The authors also note that existing research is inconclusive in terms of overall mortality because clinical trails usually have not reported cardiovascular events or deaths. Comment: this review is not the only one to cast doubt upon previous claims that dietary salt reduction is an important part of blood pressure control. At this point it does not seem that restricting dietary salt is important in patients with hypertension. [ BMJ 2002;325:628 ( 21 September ) ]  posted at 3:54 PM
by Tom Heston, MD   

Public Access Defibrillators Not Cost-Effective
This study looked at all out of hospital cardiac arrests in Scotland in 1991 to 1998. The authors conclude that public access defibrillators most likely will not save as many lives as increasing funding for the expansion of first responder defibrillation, or via bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Comment: we shouldn't jump on the bandwagon too quickly in terms of buying more automatic external defibrillators. The authors point -- that our money is best spent by increasing emergency response services -- needs to be carefully considered. This is potentially a wiser investment. [ BMJ 2002;325:515 ( 7 September ) ]  posted at 11:26 AM
by Tom Heston, MD   

Prolonged Sitting Increases Cardiac Risk in Women
This study of 73 743 postmenopausal women found that both walking and vigorous exercise decreased the risk of cardiovascular events. Prolonged sitting was found to increase risk. Comment: not surprising, but a valuable study due to the large number of participants. [ NEJM Volume 347:716-725 September 5, 2002 Number 10
]  posted at 4:22 PM by Tom Heston, MD