Monitoring Protein among Heart Failure Patients Does Little for Outcome

A recent study has found that certain proteins are not an early indication of heart failure among patients as previously thought. A study published in the January 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association has shown than monitoring the protein biomarker molecule brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients suffering from heart disease were at the same risk for heart failure as patients who did not monitor the protein.

Researchers found that the monitoring the protein over a 18-month period did not offer early signs of heart failure compared to patients with heart disease that did not undergo monitoring."

According to an article from HealthDay Reporter, BNP is a "protein produced by stressed heart cells, for better management of heart failure," especially among older individuals aged 60 and up, who suffer from chronic heart disease. Although the study reported that "some improvement over symptom-guided treatment was found with BNP therapy for those 60 to 74, but not for those aged 75 and older" the BNP-measurement was not found to be useful enough to prevent heart failure from occurring or providing adequate warning signs to prevent heart failure.

Heart Failure Details.

Heart failure is also known as congestive heart failure (CHF) and is medically defined as a "condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs," according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Although many reasons contribute to the onset of heart failure or CHF, the AHA has reported the following as the most common:

- infection of the heart valves.
- infection of the heart muscle.
- heart defects stemming from birth such as congenital heart defects.
- high blood pressure.
- narrowed arteries such as coronary artery disease.
- previous heart attacks or myocardial infarction.
- heart valve disease.
- cardiomyopathy.

Medical and Prescription Dangers.

An increasing number of factors can contribute to heart disease resulting in heart failure in many patients. Avandia, a type 2 diabetes medication, is another heart-failure trigger currently on the market that has been linked to serious side effects, including heart disease and heart failure onset among diabetes patients. In May 2009 GlaxoSmithKline was approved to manufacture the drug, however recent studies have link the drug to a high instance of heart disease among its patients, which has drawn a high rate of criticism.

Individuals who have suffered from the Avandia side effects including heart failure and heart disease, should consider discontinuing the drug or switching to a different type 2 diabetes medication. Consulting a physician will assist a victim in overcoming these potentially dangerous Avandia risks. Furthermore, many Avandia patients who are interested in pursuing a potential Avandia class action lawsuit consider contacting an experienced Avandia attorney who can advise about the possibility of earning monetary compensation for damages incurred..