Health Discoveries in General Health News
Vitamin B may not affect risk of second stroke, heart attack
August 16, 2010
Vitamin B supplements, commonly prescribed to lower homosysteine levels in stroke patients, may not protect those who have had a stroke or heart attack against a recurrence.
An Australian study to be published in the September issue of The Lancet Neurology states that while there is an association of homocysteine, an amino acid, and an increased risk for stroke and heart attack, the link to vitamin B as a preventive measure is not clear.
"B vitamins are safe, but they were not, statistically, significantly more effective than placebo in preventing major vascular events among stroke and TIA [transient ischemic attack] patients," said researcher Dr. Graeme J. Hankey, head of the stroke unit at Royal Perth Hospital in Western Australia.
During more than three years of follow-up with 8,164 patients, 15 percent of those taking B vitamins had a second stroke, heart attack or died, compared to 17 percent of those who received placebos.
A stroke study under way within the North Shore-LIJ Health System is comparing the effectiveness of two drugs used to treat patients with poor heart function. The drugs - the anticoagulant Warfarin (Coumadin) and aspirin, which prevents blood from clotting - are both associated with lowering the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
An Australian study to be published in the September issue of The Lancet Neurology states that while there is an association of homocysteine, an amino acid, and an increased risk for stroke and heart attack, the link to vitamin B as a preventive measure is not clear.
"B vitamins are safe, but they were not, statistically, significantly more effective than placebo in preventing major vascular events among stroke and TIA [transient ischemic attack] patients," said researcher Dr. Graeme J. Hankey, head of the stroke unit at Royal Perth Hospital in Western Australia.
During more than three years of follow-up with 8,164 patients, 15 percent of those taking B vitamins had a second stroke, heart attack or died, compared to 17 percent of those who received placebos.
A stroke study under way within the North Shore-LIJ Health System is comparing the effectiveness of two drugs used to treat patients with poor heart function. The drugs - the anticoagulant Warfarin (Coumadin) and aspirin, which prevents blood from clotting - are both associated with lowering the risk of strokes and heart attacks.