Health Bulletin 6/June/2023

Here are the top health stories for the day:

Deadly heart attacks 13 more likely on a monday: Study

Serious heart attacks are more likely to happen at the start of the working week than at any other time, according to new research presented at the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) conference in Manchester. 

Doctors at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland analysed data of 10,528 patients across the island of Ireland admitted to hospital between 2013 and 2018 with the most serious type of heart attack. This is known as an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and occurs when a major coronary artery is completely blocked. 

The researchers found a spike in rates of STEMI heart attacks at the start of the working week, with rates highest on a Monday. There were also higher rates of STEMI than expected on a Sunday. Scientists have so far been unable to fully explain why this “Blue Monday” phenomenon occurs. Previous studies suggesting that heart attacks are more likely on a Monday have highlighted an association with circadian rhythm – the body’s sleep or wake cycle.

Cardiologist Dr Jack Laffan, who led the research at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, said: “We’ve found a strong statistical correlation between the start of the working week and the incidence of STEMI. This has been described before but remains a curiosity. The cause is likely multifactorial, however, based on what we know from previous studies, it is reasonable to presume a circadian element.”

Reference:

Dr Jack Laffan et al,BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION

Govt bans 14 fixed-dose combination drugs, cites they may involve risk to people

In accordance with the recommendation, "no therapeutic justification" made by the Expert Committee and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, the Central Government recently has published a gazette notification banning the manufacture, sale, or distribution of 14 specific fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) for human use in the country.

This came in line with the inquiry carried out by the Central Government to confirm whether the fixed-dose combinations licensed prior to 1988 should be the subject matter of a notification under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, of 1940.

For more details, check out the link given below:

No Therapeutic Justification: Central Government Bans 14 FDCs For Human Use

NEET 2023: NTA releases provisional answer key, details

National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the provisional answer key for the candidates who have appeared for NEET UG 2023 held on 7th May 2023 at 4097 different centers located in 499 cities throughout the country, including 14 cities outside India.

The provisional answer key, scanned images of the OMR answer sheet, and recorded responses for NEET (UG) – 2023 have been uploaded on the website https://neet.nta.nic.in/ for candidates to challenge as per the following details –

For more details, check out the link given below:

NEET 2023: NTA Releases Provisional Answer Key, Details

Lung cancer pill drastically cuts risk of death after surgery