Study: Protein Signals Odds of Heart Attacks

Doctors of patients with known cardiovascular disease can now perform a blood test to predict the likelihood of stroke, heart attack and even death in their patients, a new study from the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medial Center suggested.

Blood tests for the protein NT-proBNP, a hormonal marker, can accurately reflect the risk of heart-related ailments in patients, primary researcher Mary Whooley said. The hormone BNP levels rise during times of cardiac stress or strain, and NT-proBNP levels elevate accordingly, she said.

The study tested 987 men and women with stable cardiovascular conditions over an average of 3.7 years. Patients in the study were split into groups based on their levels of NT-proBNP, and the quartile with the highest amount of the protein were found to be 3.4 times more likely to suffer a serious cardiovascular episode than those in the first quartile.

Ultimately, 26 percent of the people surveyed either suffered severe heart-related complications or died during the study’s duration.

“”After adjusting for all other risk factors, it’s clear that this marker is picking up something that we are otherwise unable to detect with standard tests such as echocardiography,”” Whooley stated in a press release.

However, Whooley said that this test is not something to be administered to everyone, and is most effective in those with known heart disease.

UCSD Among 10 Best Values in Education

According to a recent survey published in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, UCSD is the eighth “”best value”” for public colleges – schools lauded for combining high-quality education at a comparatively affordable cost.

The magazine, which will publish the list in its February edition, selected the top 10 public four-year colleges and universities from a pool of more than 500 schools. Some of the criteria for the selection included academic rigor, overall cost and the availability of financial aid.

Tuition and fees at public colleges have risen 57 percent over the last five years, but according to Kiplinger’s editor Fred Frailey, there is no reason for students to give up the hope of attaining an affordable education.

“”Real values are still available,”” he stated in a press release.

In California, UCSD was labeled the top school, followed by UC Berkeley and UCLA, respectively.