More From the American College of Cardiology:

Now there have been good (double-blind control) trials of some 70,000 patients with vitamin E for heart disease. The combined results, according to University of Maryland Cardiology Chairman Dr. Robert Vogel, show no benefit clinically. Vitamin C and beta-carotene don’t help either. There are some patients - who are on niacin and a "statin" (such as Zocor, Lipitor, Lescol or Pravachol) to help lower cholesterol who should not take vitamin E because it lessens the drugs’ benefit. But small studies found vitamin E useful in Alzheimer’s disease prevention and reduction of prostate cancer; further trials are underway.

On the other hand, Dr Vogel said, fish oils - particularly those with lots of Omega-3 fatty acids - contribute greatly to a healthy heart. In the Mediterranean Diet -- Lyon Heart study, major cardiovascular events dropped 72%, late cancer 80%, and death 60%. The diet included no butter or cream, more fish and canola oil margarine. Dr Vogel recommends 3-5 grams of omega-3s per day from fish and the margarine (available in this country as Benecol or TakeControl)

Heart & Mind:From Scripps Clinic in LaJolla, California, cardiologist Dr Erminia Guarneri reviewed the effects that the mind has on the heart. Anger multiplies heart risk more than 2-fold. Anxiety and depression increase risk by nearly 4-fold, as does social isolation. For remedies, her clinic uses Yoga, TaiChi, Guided Imagery, group support and meditation.

Maryland’s Dr Vogel reviewed the studies supporting this: job stress, particularly in those over 55, can multiply risk by 4-6 fold. The highest stress jobs are those with lots of demands but little chance of changing to meet them: assembler, cashier, stockhandler, waiter. The lowest stress? Forester!

And in a reversal of previous findings, those hard driving "type A" patients do better in the years after a heart event than the laid back "type B’s".

Coming for Cholesterol: The University of Minnesota’s Dr Donald Hunninghake reviewed medication newly released or in the pipeline:

Nicostatin (Advicor) combines long-acting niacin and lovastatin for deep drops in cholesterol. Side effects include flushing and slight sugar rises.

Rosuvastatin (Crestor) can drop the "lousy" LDL cholesterol by up to 58%.

Ezetimibe (no brand name yet) helps stop cholesterol absorption from the intestine; it will be used in combination with other drugs.

More Winners: Rita DeWitt & Dorothy Faucher get 2 Hollywood video rentals each by sending in their colon cancer (guaiac) cards promptly. You, too can help prevent this tumor!

Statins Reduce Fractures from Geelong Australia, a study showed a 60% reduction in all fractures in women on these cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Altace Cuts Diabetes in the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) trial, by about 1/3 compared to placebo.

90% Lifetime Hypertension Risk according to a report from the Framingham Heart Study. In the Journal of the AMA, they say that only 60% of those with pressures 140/90 or higher get medication.

Alzheimer’s: Use or Lose Your Mind: again in JAMA, a report that brain-stimulation with reading, games and trips reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s by a third.

 Also: increased homocysteine raises risk - and can be fought with B-vitamins!