The Heart Foundation of Heartweek is on the 6th to 12th May.
The 2012 Influenza Vaccination Program will commence nationally on Thursday 15th March 2012
Children presenting to the emergency department with moderate or severe asthma attacks are less likely to be admitted to hospital if they are treated with systemic corticosteroids within the first 75 minutes after triage, according to a new study.
Central Queensland University conductes the largest Australian sleep census to explore the sleep habits of the nation. 
New research shows increased information and education regarding the neurocognitive, cardiovascular and metabolic consequences of untreated OSA, as well as the importance of persisting with the treatment has positive consequences on patients CPAP compliance.
New research results reinforce the value of follow-up tools following right heart catheterisation and provide further support for some of the treatment goals currently suggested by international guidelines.A recent study released in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine has found that heavy smoking during middle age can double the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia two decades later.
"Our study suggests that heavy smoking in middle age increases the risk of both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia for men and women across different race groups," say Dr Rachel Whitmer, a research scientist with Kaiser Permanente, California and colleagues in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Smoking is responsible for several million deaths per year from causes such as heart disease and cancer. Smoking increases risks of most diseases and of death, some studies have shown a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions among smokers. "The link between smoking and risk of Alzheimer's disease, the most common subtype of dementia, has been somewhat controversial, with some studies suggesting that smoking reduces the risk of cognitive impairment," the authors write.
Researchers analyzed data from 21,123 members in a survey between 1978 and 1985, when they were 50 to 60 years old. Diagnoses of dementia, Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia were tracked from January 1994 through July 31, 2008.
25% of participants were diagnosed with dementia during an average of 23 years of follow-up, including 1,136 with Alzheimer's disease and 416 with vascular dementia. Those who smoked more than two packs per day in middle age had an elevated risk of dementia overall and also of each subtype, Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, compared with non-smokers.
Former smokers, or those who smoked less than half a pack per day, did not appear to be at increased risk.
Smoking is a well-established risk factor for stroke, and may contribute to the risk of vascular dementia through similar mechanisms, the authors note. In addition, smoking contributes to oxidative stress and inflammation, believed to be important in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
"It is possible that smoking affects the development of dementia via vascular and neurodegenerative pathways," the authors write.
"To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the amount of midlife smoking on long-term risk of dementia and dementia subtypes in a large multiethnic cohort," they conclude. "Our study suggests that heavy smoking in middle age increases the risk of both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia for men and women across different race groups.
The large detrimental impact that smoking already has on public health has the potential to become even greater as the population worldwide ages and dementia prevalence increases."
She says compared with non-smokers, those who smoked more than two packs a day had a 114% increased risk of dementia, a 157% increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and a 172% greater risk of vascular dementia.
Whitmer says it has been difficult to study the effects of smoking on brain health because heavy smokers often die from other conditions first.
"This is the first time someone has been able to look really over the long term," says Whitmer.
Dr Andrew Scott, Thoracic Physician agrees that "We've known for some time that smoking is bad for your cardiovascular and respiratory health, however we have significant gaps in understanding the impacts of dementia in Australasia, including the economic implications. Considerable resources are absorbed by dementia care, so we need further studies like this to address preventive and early intervention initiatives”.
The World Health Organization says 5 million people die every year from tobacco-related heart attacks, strokes and cancers.