Need to find heart attack triggers

THE heart attack that killed Dean Mercer ( pictured) has shocked many who believe the 47- year- old Ironman champion was a healthy lifestyle pin- up but the number of Australians having heart attacks without any known risk factors appears to be on the rise.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or cigarette smoking, have long been used as predictors of developing heart disease. However a new study found three out of 10 patients treated for a heart attack at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital between 2006 and 2014 had none of these risk factors. Heart Research Australia’s Professor Gemma Figtree says the findings highlight the need to identify new triggers for heart disease. Studies show possible triggers could include a drop in air temperature and upper respiratory infections. A COMPREHENSIVE evaluation of the four- in- one combination vaccine given to Australian toddlers, designed to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, has backed its safety.

Known as the MMRV vaccine, it was one of two combination vaccines added to the immunisation schedule in 2013.

The change meant that a second dose of the measlescontaining vaccine ( MCV) was given to children at 18 months as opposed to four years.

“We know that children need two doses,” said Dr Kristine Macartney at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

However, there were concerns, raised out of the US, that the MMRV vaccine given to very young children was linked to a greater risk of fever and febrile seizures.

A University of Sydney study evaluated the way the vaccine is used in Australia. It found no increase in febrile seizures associated with this second dose given at 18 months.

Researchers examined all children who presented to pediatric hospitals across the country with a febrile convulsion, then looked at what vaccines they had received.

“Children were at no particular risk of having seizures after having the vaccine,” Dr Maccartney said.