Breaking research from the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress: study highlights for Oct. 29, 2012

TORONTO, Oct. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - Here are summaries of today's press releases featuring research presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Toronto.

Obese moms give birth to heart healthier kids following bariatric surgery
Researchers find that babies born to mothers who lost weight after bariatric surgery have fewer cardiovascular risk factors than siblings born before the surgery

Kids born to moms who have lost a substantial amount of weight after undergoing bariatric surgery have fewer cardiovascular risk factors than their siblings who were born before the weight loss surgery.

This is because the metabolic changes and weight loss that occur after the surgery have a positive effect on inflammatory disease-related genes in the offspring. Our research found that maternal obesity affects the genes of the offspring.

For the full press release, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/cardiocongress.

Exercise is smart for your heart - and makes you smarter
Study shows that high-intensity training boosts cognitive function

A regular exercise routine can make you fitter than ever - mentally fit.

In a new study, previously sedentary adults were put through four months of high-intensity interval training. At the end, their cognitive functions - the ability to think, recall and make quick decisions - had improved significantly.

For the full press release, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/cardiocongress.

Sudden cardiac death in Ontario under age 40 - is exercise dangerous?
Research dispels myth that sudden cardiac arrests happens mainly during sports

It's a tragic news story that often makes headlines - a young, healthy, fit athlete suddenly collapses and dies of cardiac arrest while playing sports.

New research dispels a myth that sudden cardiac death often takes place during rigorous physical activity. In fact, it found the majority of events (72 per cent) occurred at home.

Only 33 per cent of events involving children/adolescents and just nine per cent of events in adults occurred during moderate or vigorous exercise.

For the full press release, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/cardiocongress.

Nova Scotia research team proves peer pressure can be used for good
Study shows that peer mentoring in schools is a simple, fun and inexpensive way to significantly increase kids' physical activity levels

Using peer mentors to enhance school-day physical activity in elementary aged students has been given an A+ from Nova Scotia researchers.

And the increased physical activity levels got top grades for significantly improving both academic test scores and cardiovascular fitness levels.

For the full press release, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/cardiocongress.

Hosted by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Congress is Canada's largest science and health meeting, with more than 4,000 delegates, including cardiologists, surgeons, pediatric specialists, nurses, rehabilitation experts and leading researchers.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca), a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy.

Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke. Together we will make it happen.

SOURCE: HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION

For further information:

For more information and/or interviews, contact the 
CCC 2012 MEDIA OFFICE AT 416-585-3781 (Oct 28-31)

OR
Diane Hargrave Public Relations
416-467-9954 ext. 104
[e-mail]

Congress information and media registration is at www.cardiocongress.org

After October 31, 2012 contact:
Jane-Diane Fraser
Heart and Stroke Foundation
[phone] ext 273
[e-mail]