More Heart News

Here are some other reports from the American College of Cardiology meeting in Anaheim:

JUST SHOOT ME For heart patients, there’s good reason to get a flu shot, aside from preventing a dreaded bout of fever, aches and pains. The shot may reduce the risk of a heart attack. A small study suggests that influenza inoculations can cut the odds of suffering a second heart attack by as much as two-thirds. How come? Researchers think an influenza infection may inflame artery-clogging plaque, making it more likely to break off and trigger a heart attack.

VIAGRA, UP OR DOWN? A confusing week for Viagra users. Preliminary analysis of cases reported to the FDA has found 1,500 heart attacks, arrhythmias and strokes–some fatal–in men who popped the impotence pill. Particularly troubling, most of the guys probably weren’t on nitrates for angina or hypertension. (Nitrates are a no-no when taking Viagra.) Scary? Another study–financed by Pfizer, Viagra’s maker–concludes that heart problems from the drug are rare, at least among low-risk men. If you’re at all worried, check with your doc before checking out Viagra.

VICTORIOUS VENOM More than half a million patients each year have their clogged arteries Roto-Rootered with balloon angioplasty. Now researchers report that a new clot-busting drug, Integrilin, derived from–hiss!–snake venom, can cut the risk of death and heart attack 40% during the first 48 hours after angioplasty. Integrilin, like its top rival ReoPro, belongs to the “superaspirin” class of drugs. There’s at least one difference: ReoPro costs $1,500; Integrilin, $400.

–By Janice M. Horowitz