Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Patients Afflicted With 'White Coat Hypertension' In Doctor's Office More Than Twice As Likely To Die From Cardiac Event
Stat: Those With ‘White Coat Hypertension’ More Likely To Die From Cardiac Events
For decades, doctors have been aware of a phenomenon known as “white coat hypertension” — when a patient gets higher blood pressure readings at the doctor’s office than they do at home, perhaps because they’re anxious in the clinic — but previous studies have shown inconsistencies in its effects. Now, a large new meta-analysis confirms patients with the condition are more than twice as likely to die from a cardiac event as those whose blood pressure readings are always normal. (Hailu, 6/10)
The New York Times: White Meat Vs. Red Meat And Cholesterol Levels
Many people choose white meat over red in the belief that white meat is less likely to lead to high cholesterol levels. But when it comes to cholesterol, there may be little difference between the two. A new study, in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, randomized 113 healthy adults, aged 21 to 65, to one of two diet programs. The first consumed a high-saturated-fat diet with 25 percent of energy coming from protein in three different sources for four weeks each: red meat, white meat and nonmeat (vegetables and some dairy products). (Bakalar, 6/11)
The New York Times: How To Fast
“Fasting is mental over physical, just like basketball and most other stuff in life,” says Enes Kanter, the 6-foot-11 center for the Portland Trail Blazers. Raised in Turkey, Kanter, 27, is a Muslim who has fasted from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan since he was 8. This season, Ramadan aligned with the N.B.A. playoffs, so Kanter fasted through seven playoff games. During the year he forgoes food and water a day or two a week. “Don’t be scared to try it,” he says. (Wollan, 6/11)
The New York Times: Sleeping With The Lights On Tied To Weight Gain
Sleeping with the lights on may increase the risk for obesity. Researchers prospectively followed 43,722 generally healthy women, average age 55, for an average of six years. At enrollment in the study, the women reported whether they slept with lights or a television on in the room. Those who slept with artificial light had higher body mass index and larger waist circumference than those who slept with no light. (Bakalar, 6/10)
The Associated Press: Sleeping With The TV On May Make You Gain Weight
"Evolutionarily we are supposed to be sleeping at night, in a dark place," said lead author Dale Sandler, a scientist with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a division of the National Institutes of Health. "It's much more important than people realize for a whole variety of health reasons." Daily exposure to light and darkness helps maintain our 24-hour body clock, which regulates metabolism, sleep-promoting hormones, blood pressure, and other bodily functions. (Tanner, 6/10)
