The Impact of Severe Heart Disease on Causes of Death and Survival after Disability Retirement.

Background: Noncommunicable diseases contribute to premature deaths and limitations. Disability retirement is linked to chronic conditions, particularly cardiovascular diseases. The II Brazilian Guideline for Severe Heart Disease established criteria for cardiovascular disease classification.

Causes of disability in one of the largest public universities in Brazil: is there a relationship with employment position?

Introduction: Disability retirement is granted to civil servants considered permanently incapable of working. Noncommunicable diseases are the main cause of permanent disability and retirement in Brazil. The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest universities in Brazil, and determining the profile of employees who receive disability pensions at this institution is of great relevance.

Correlation between Diastolic Function and Endothelial Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction may be involved in the pathophysiology of cardiac abnormalities in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). A correlation between endothelial dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 1 DM has been demonstrated, but this relationship has not been well investigated in type 2 DM.

Objective: Compare groups of patients with type 2 DM and hypertension with and without diastolic dysfunction using endothelial function indexes, and to assess whether correlations exist between the diastolic function and the endothelial function indexes.

Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade Associated with Statin Improves Endothelial Function in Diabetics.

Background: Studies suggest that statins have pleiotropic effects, such as reduction in blood pressure, and improvement in endothelial function and vascular stiffness.

Objective: To analyze if prior statin use influences the effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors on blood pressure, endothelial function, and vascular stiffness.

Methods: Patients with diabetes and hypertension with office systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mmHg had their antihypertensive medications replaced by amlodipine during 6 weeks.

Functional vascular study in hypertensive subjects with type 2 diabetes using losartan or amlodipine.

Background: Antihypertensive drugs are used to control blood pressure (BP) and reduce macro- and microvascular complications in hypertensive patients with diabetes.

Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the functional vascular changes in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after 6 weeks of treatment with amlodipine or losartan.

Methods: Patients with a previous diagnosis of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly divided into 2 groups and evaluated after 6 weeks of treatment with amlodipine (5 mg/day) or losartan (100 mg/day).