Results from the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program, a long-term clinical trial supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA), show that treatment with a low-dose diuretic cuts by half the chance that an older person with high systolic blood pressure will develop heart failure. This benefit was greater for those who had already had a heart attack--the chance of developing heart failure dropped by 80 percent for them. Heart failure occurs when the heart loses its ability to pump enough blood through the body. Isolated systolic hypertension, where systolic blood pressure is high (140 mmHg or greater) and diastolic is normal (less than 90 mmHg), is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. It is the most common form of high blood pressure among people age 60 and older. Earlier results from the study showed that the same treatment greatly reduces strokes and cardiovascular events among older persons. For more information on hypertension and related topics, consumers can call NHLBI at (301) 251-1222, or visit their Internet site at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhlbi/nhlbi.htm. For more information on aging-related topics, call NIA at 1-800-222-2225, or visit their Internet site at http://www.nih.gov/nia.--an NIH HEALTHWise report, January 1998
Dietary Supplements Help Both Sexes in Fight Against Osteoporosis Research supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) has shown that calcium and vitamin D supplements can reduce bone loss and the risk of fractures in older women and, for the first time, older men, at essentially no risk and low cost. Vitamin D is used by the body to absorb calcium. As people age, the absorption of calcium, and it is believed, vitamin D, declines, as does production of vitamin D by the skin. The body's decrease in the ability to absorb calcium contributes to bone loss as people age. About 28 million middle-aged and older people are at risk of osteoporosis, with hip fractures related to low bone mass a leading cause of nursing home entry for the elderly. The study, which followed older men and women living at home in the community, showed less total body bone loss in those taking supplements, and, in some cases, improved bone density. For free fact sheets on osteoporosis and other aging-related topics, call NIA at 1-800-222-2225, or visit their Internet site at http://www.nih.gov/nia. Information on osteoporosis can also be obtained by calling the Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases-National Resource Center, supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, at 1-800-624-BONE.--an NIH HEALTHWise report, January 1998 Benefits of Prenatal Visits Continue After Birth Support for the use of home visits by nurses to poor, young, unmarried women as a way to improve outcomes of pregnancy, reduce child abuse and neglect, and help families become economically self-sufficient can be found in two National Institutes of Health-supported studies. One study is a follow-up 15 years later of an earlier study in which nurses visited predominantly Caucasian teen mothers in semirural Elmira, New York. The other study involves nurses visiting predominantly African American teen mothers in urban Memphis, Tennessee. In both studies, the home visits were made during pregnancy with the first child through the child's second birthday. Nurses counseled the young women on such issues as their health behaviors, child-rearing practices, family planning, education, and job skills. The results of both studies showed that such home visitations can reduce childhood injuries--including those from child abuse and neglect, the number of subsequent pregnancies, and the use of welfare on the part of low-income, unmarried mothers. For more information on these studies, contact the National Institute of Mental Health at (301) 443-4513, or the National Institute of Nursing Research at (301) 496-0207.--an NIH HEALTHWise report, January 1998 For more information, reporters can contact: Laura Vazquez Information Development Specialist, NIH Phone: (301) 496-4461 Fax: (301) 496-0017 E-mail: lv16f@nih.gov
Research supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) has shown that calcium and vitamin D supplements can reduce bone loss and the risk of fractures in older women and, for the first time, older men, at essentially no risk and low cost. Vitamin D is used by the body to absorb calcium. As people age, the absorption of calcium, and it is believed, vitamin D, declines, as does production of vitamin D by the skin. The body's decrease in the ability to absorb calcium contributes to bone loss as people age. About 28 million middle-aged and older people are at risk of osteoporosis, with hip fractures related to low bone mass a leading cause of nursing home entry for the elderly. The study, which followed older men and women living at home in the community, showed less total body bone loss in those taking supplements, and, in some cases, improved bone density. For free fact sheets on osteoporosis and other aging-related topics, call NIA at 1-800-222-2225, or visit their Internet site at http://www.nih.gov/nia. Information on osteoporosis can also be obtained by calling the Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases-National Resource Center, supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, at 1-800-624-BONE.--an NIH HEALTHWise report, January 1998
Benefits of Prenatal Visits Continue After Birth Support for the use of home visits by nurses to poor, young, unmarried women as a way to improve outcomes of pregnancy, reduce child abuse and neglect, and help families become economically self-sufficient can be found in two National Institutes of Health-supported studies. One study is a follow-up 15 years later of an earlier study in which nurses visited predominantly Caucasian teen mothers in semirural Elmira, New York. The other study involves nurses visiting predominantly African American teen mothers in urban Memphis, Tennessee. In both studies, the home visits were made during pregnancy with the first child through the child's second birthday. Nurses counseled the young women on such issues as their health behaviors, child-rearing practices, family planning, education, and job skills. The results of both studies showed that such home visitations can reduce childhood injuries--including those from child abuse and neglect, the number of subsequent pregnancies, and the use of welfare on the part of low-income, unmarried mothers. For more information on these studies, contact the National Institute of Mental Health at (301) 443-4513, or the National Institute of Nursing Research at (301) 496-0207.--an NIH HEALTHWise report, January 1998 For more information, reporters can contact: Laura Vazquez Information Development Specialist, NIH Phone: (301) 496-4461 Fax: (301) 496-0017 E-mail: lv16f@nih.gov
Support for the use of home visits by nurses to poor, young, unmarried women as a way to improve outcomes of pregnancy, reduce child abuse and neglect, and help families become economically self-sufficient can be found in two National Institutes of Health-supported studies. One study is a follow-up 15 years later of an earlier study in which nurses visited predominantly Caucasian teen mothers in semirural Elmira, New York. The other study involves nurses visiting predominantly African American teen mothers in urban Memphis, Tennessee. In both studies, the home visits were made during pregnancy with the first child through the child's second birthday. Nurses counseled the young women on such issues as their health behaviors, child-rearing practices, family planning, education, and job skills. The results of both studies showed that such home visitations can reduce childhood injuries--including those from child abuse and neglect, the number of subsequent pregnancies, and the use of welfare on the part of low-income, unmarried mothers. For more information on these studies, contact the National Institute of Mental Health at (301) 443-4513, or the National Institute of Nursing Research at (301) 496-0207.--an NIH HEALTHWise report, January 1998
For more information, reporters can contact:
Laura Vazquez Information Development Specialist, NIH Phone: (301) 496-4461 Fax: (301) 496-0017 E-mail: lv16f@nih.gov
