The Northern Rivers Times
January 11, 2024!!!
44 HEALTH & SENIORS NEWS
The process by which narrowed or hardened arteries contribute to heart attacks Coronary heart disease stands as a leading cause of mortality in Australia, yet a recent study heralds a potential breakthrough in earlier prevention strategies. This disease often lurks undetected until manifesting as angina or a heart attack, contributing to an alarming statistic of two CHD-related deaths per hour in 2018, totalling 48 fatalities daily. The insidious nature of CHD involves silent plaque accumulation within coronary arteries, often devoid of noticeable symptoms. An international research collaboration unearthed 11 genes associated with arterial hardening, including eight novel genes. Professor Jason Kovacic, from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, underscores the significance of comprehending these genetic mechanisms
for future treatment avenues. He believes that intervening early in the progression of CHD could potentially save tens of thousands of lives annually, given its major role in precipitating heart attacks. The hardening of coronary arteries, a result of calcium build-up within fatty plaque, unfolds over many years, leading to arterial narrowing. This constriction impairs the heart’s ability to efficiently distribute oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Moreover, a rupture in calcified plaque can trigger a heart attack. This ground-breaking study, encompassing 35,000 individuals, delves into the genetic foundations of coronary artery calcification. Notably, it encompasses a significant number of participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including 8,867 of
African descent. Of the identified genes, PHACTR1 emerges as a prominent player in both coronary artery calcification and SCAD heart attacks, influencing
the inner layers of heart blood vessels. These findings pave the way for targeted drug development or repurposing existing medications to mitigate
calcification, potentially curbing the onset of heart disease. Such breakthroughs hold promise in combating a condition responsible for over 17 million annual
global fatalities. To safeguard against heart disease, everyday measures like maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle, following a balanced diet, regular exercise, managing stress levels, and ensuring sufficient sleep become pivotal. Awareness of family history, routine testing, smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol consumption, and monitoring cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels also play vital roles in preventing heart disease. Adults, particularly those over 45 (or 30 for First Nations people), can benefit from free heart health checks. Ensuring heart health involves simple yet impactful daily actions that collectively fortify your overall well-being and mitigate the risk of heart disease.
Urgent Directive to Doctors: Prioritize Vulnerable Patients Amidst Depleting Shingles Drug Supplies Five million Australians now qualify for a complimentary shingles vaccination but accessing it may be delayed until the following year. The $826.8 million initiative, commencing November 1, extends eligibility to individuals aged 65 and over, First Nations people over 50, and immunocompromised individuals aged 18 and above at high risk of herpes zoster infection. Administered in two doses, this vaccine is crucial for full protection. Unfortunately, the vaccine supply remains restricted, prompting discussions between the federal government and GSK, the pharmaceutical company. Managing the National Immunisation Program and vaccine distribution falls under the government’s purview in collaboration
with states and territories. In New South Wales, healthcare providers anticipate a monthly allocation of merely five to 20 doses (depending on clinic capacity), necessitating prioritization for
high-risk patients. The former shingles vaccine, Zostavax, was removed from the National Immunisation Program on November 1, compelling interested individuals to seek private acquisition if available.
Jointly with medical bodies, NSW Health advised practitioners to prioritize high-risk patients initially due to the anticipated high demand and limited Shingrix supply. This vaccine’s scheduling, requiring two to six
months between doses and one to two months for immunocompromised individuals, prompts providers to strategize patient bookings for the second dose considering their current vaccine stock. Shingrix, previously priced at up to $560 for two doses, offers approximately a decade of protection. An anticipated distribution of 1.6 million doses between now and June 30, 2024, will be managed by states or territories, ensuring local providers receive adequate stock. Shingles, resulting from varicella zoster virus reactivation (responsible for chickenpox), presents as a painful, blistering rash, predominantly affecting one side of the body. Its complications include postherpetic neuralgia, causing
severe, prolonged nerve pain in one in five shingles sufferers, predominantly in individuals aged 65 and above. Antiviral drugs, if administered early during the onset, can be effective in managing the infection. Despite limited supplies in South Australia, health authorities advocate booking appointments post-receipt of stock to meet vaccine demand. Unlike urgent public health needs seen in influenza or COVID-19 vaccination, there isn’t an immediate imperative for rapid Shingrix vaccination. Health Minister Mark Butler highlighted the provision of optimal protection against shingles for older Australians through a comprehensive, widespread vaccination program.
