Newspaper Page Text
r 11111 "" 111 1111111 '".HU.I . • in I . I I. II I MU. . I. mm.
i n T « l | ! ' 8 s u e a-
- i - - - -
Working Out, Control Life After
Getting Fit Stress Menopause
Houston
A PUBLICATION OF THE HOUSTON HEALTHCARE COMPLEX
in Frontiers, in Hope...
ngiogenesis Research and Heart Disease
rom coast to coast, physicians are keeping up with the latest research in
their rapidly changing medical field
But one particular study holds the most interest for Dr. Jeffrey Smith, a
cardiologist on the medical staff at Houston Medical Center and Perry Hospital
And if the early promise holds true, an
revolutionary way of looking at
disease treatment." Dr. Smith said. “The ability of the body to
bypass its own blockages without requiring surgery is perhaps one of the best
examples of genetics applied to therapy in the care of the heart and body."
Both patients referred to the study by Dr. Smith suffer from diffuse ischemic
coronary artery disease that could not be treated surgically. One patient, a man in his
W inter 1999, Volume 6, Issue 1
mid-s()s, has completed the Phase I protocol and already experienced “dramatic
improvement,” die doctor said
"His symptoms have improved and the early catheterization studies look good,"
Dr. Smith said "He had no normal life, he was constantly in pain and cutting back on
his activities."
The second male patient has not been involved in the study long enough to gather
any results, the doctor said.
Although some of the study's patients have reported marked improvement, it's still
too early to tel! whether angiogenesis will prove successful in the long run. The
procedure requires much further study, doctors say.
“It's just in the early stages,” Dr. Smith said. “We have to get enough patients into
it and see what it ultimately accomplishes, tl anything."
Angiogenesis studies began with cancer researchers, who were interested in
the microvessels that form specifically to nourish tumors, according to Emory
University material.
“This kind of approach offers tremendous promise," Dr. Smith said. "If it works,
if it can be made cost effective, it will lower the cost of health care for the whole
nation and lower the human burden of disease.”
Meanwhile, as researchers look for new treatments, doctors stress that lifestyle
changes can help reduce the risks of heart disease. February is National Heart Month,
a specially designated time for information about heart disease treatment and
prevention to be brought to the forefront.
Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death in every county
in Georgia, according to the American Heart Association. In 1995, cardiovascular
disease killed 23,151 Georgians, accounting for 40 percent of all deaths.
That’s twice as many deaths as resulted from cancer and 50 times as many as
from AIDS.
"In large degree, heart disease in Middle Georgia is a disease of lifestyle,” Dr.
Smith said. "America is increasingly becoming a land of obesity. There’s a lack of
exercise, very high fat diets, and stress in our lives ... we’re very hard working
people who don’t have time to take care of ourselves and we’re paying a huge price
for it in heart disease.”
Smoking, which Dr. Smith called "a rampant problem in Middle Georgia," affects
many young people, who could develop future heart problems as a result.
“To prevent heart disease in the future, people have to change their lifestyles
now," he said.