To complement our news releases, here are additional news tips reported by the American Heart Association's Public and Media Relations from more than 3,600 abstracts. Note: Stories are embargoed until papers are presented or poster sessions begin. Times are indicated with each entry; however, all embargoes will lift by 4 p.m. CST each day. For more information Nov. 7 10, call Carole Bullock, Bridgette McNeill, or Julie Del Barto (broadcast) at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans: (504) 670-6500. Before or after these dates, call Public and Media Relations in Dallas: (214) 706-1173 or 706-1396.

9 a.m. Abstract 1735 Clues from relatives can solve sudden death mysteries. Sudden death is often caused by silent cardiac disorders eliciting lethal arrhythmias. But many such deaths in young people go unexplained, because there was no prior history and no definitive post-mortem analysis. A study of 43 families of sudden unexplained death (SUD) victims who had died at or before age 40 found an inherited disease, and likely cause of death in 17 cases (40 percent). Twelve families had primary electrical disease, including high-risk ventricular tachycardia, Long QT and Brugada syndromes. Cardiomyopathy was found in four families. Molecular genetic analysis confirmed diagnoses in nine families. Overall, the research identified 198 pre-symptomatic relatives who could be at risk of sudden death. Examining young SUD victims' relatives has a high diagnostic yield and should be mandatory, the scientists said.

9 a.m. Abstract 1786 Yoga, meditation may relax arteries, according to a preliminary study. By some estimates, chronic stress may double the risk of cardiovascular events. While stress reduction appears to reduce this risk, little is known about how it may work. Researchers studied the effects of yoga and meditation on 33 people i
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Contact: Carole Bullock
carole.bullock@heart.org
214-706-1279
American Heart Association
7-Nov-2004