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Showing papers by "Charles H. Hennekens published in 2002"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Self-selected supplementation with vitamin E, vitamin C, or multivitamin supplements was not associated with a significant decrease in total CVD or CHD mortality and data from ongoing large randomized trials will be necessary to definitely establish small potential benefits of vitamin supplements on subsequent cardiovascular risk.
Abstract: Background Although basic research suggests that vitamins may have an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the data from cohort studies and clinical trials are inconclusive. Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted among 83 639 male physicians residing in the United States who had no history of CVD or cancer. At baseline, data on use of vitamin E, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and multivitamin supplements were provided by a self-administered questionnaire. Mortality from CVD and coronary heart disease (CHD) was assessed by death certificate review. Results Use of supplements was reported by 29% of the participants. During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years, 1037 CVD deaths occurred, including 608 CHD deaths. After adjustment for several cardiovascular risk factors, supplement use was not significantly associated with total CVD or CHD mortality. For vitamin E use, the relative risks (RRs) were 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-1.21) for total CVD mortality and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.61-1.27) for CHD mortality; for use of vitamin C, the RRs were 0.88 (95% CI, 0.70-1.12) for total CVD mortality and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.63-1.18) for CHD mortality; and for use of multivitamin supplements, the RRs were 1.07 (95% CI, 0.91-1.25) for total CVD mortality and 1.02 (95% CI, 0.83-1.25) for CHD mortality. Conclusions In this large cohort of apparently healthy US male physicians, self-selected supplementation with vitamin E, vitamin C, or multivitamins was not associated with a significant decrease in total CVD or CHD mortality. Data from ongoing large randomized trials will be necessary to definitely establish small potential benefits of vitamin supplements on subsequent cardiovascular risk.

145 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this prospective study of apparently healthy middle-aged US men, carriers of the B2 allele of the TaqIB in the CETP gene had higher HDL concentrations, but did not have lower risk of MI.

81 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that consumption of wine, but not of beer or spirits, is associated with a reduced NHL risk, and no associations were evident forBeer or spirits.
Abstract: The relation between wine consumption and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was investigated using data from the Selected Cancers Study. Cases (n = 960) were men aged 32-60 years diagnosed with NHL from 1984 to 1988 and identified from eight US population-based cancer registries. Controls (n = 1,717) were men recruited by random digit dialing and frequency matched to cases by age and registry. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted for age, registry, race/ethnicity, education, and smoking. Odds ratios for men who consumed less than one and those who consumed one or more wine drinks per day were 0.8 (95% confidence interval: 0.5, 1.3) and 0.4 (95% confidence interval: 0.2, 0.9) compared with nondrinkers, respectively (p for trend = 0.02). Among wine drinkers who consumed alcohol beverages from ages 16 years or less, odds ratios for intakes of less than one and one or more wine drinks per day were 0.4 (95% confidence interval: 0.2, 0.97) and 0.3 (95% confidence interval: 0.1, 0.8), respectively (p for trend = 0.004). No associations were evident for beer or spirits. These data show that consumption of wine, but not of beer or spirits, is associated with a reduced NHL risk.

54 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This report identifies and characterizes the untreated patients who would benefit from lipid modification and summarizes the efficacy, safety, and cost profiles of the various statins, the class of drugs with the largest and most conclusive body of evidence to support their more widespread use.
Abstract: T HE RECENTLY published National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) III guidelines present many new clinical challenges to health care providers and their patients. These guidelines recommend stricter target lipid levels as well as a broader approach to risk assessment in an effort to reduce premature death and disability from coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Many more patients, especially in primary prevention, are candidates to improve their lipid profiles under the new guidelines. It has been estimated that, as a direct result of the new NCEP III guidelines, the number of US adults eligible for lipid modification has increased from 52 million to 65 million for therapeutic lifestyle changes, including diet, and almost 3-fold, from about 13 million to 36 million, for drug therapy (Figure). This report identifies and characterizes the untreated patients who would benefit from lipid modification and summarizes the efficacy, safety, and cost profiles of the various statins, the class of drugs with the largest and most conclusive body of evidence to support their more widespread use.

53 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The difference between consuming light to moderate and heavy amounts of alcohol may mean the difference between preventing and causing premature death for all causes, especially coronary heart disease.
Abstract: Although heavy alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths, light to moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease and total mortality. These benefits have been found in both men and women who consume as little as one to six alcoholic beverages per week regardless of whether the source is wine, beer, or liquor. Further, apparent benefits include a reduced risk for the development of peripheral arterial disease, ischemic stroke, sudden cardiac death, and angina. Even small amounts of alcohol have been associated with increases in blood pressure and increased risks of some cancers, especially breast. The difference between consuming light to moderate and heavy amounts of alcohol may mean the difference between preventing and causing premature death for all causes, especially coronary heart disease.

8 citations