For Hypertension Patients, Nearly Half Lack Proper Care

Posted on December 1, 2015 by CanucksBanter

by Lila Abassi December 1, 2015

A recent report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides data that shows about 47 percent of Americans who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure are not adequately controlling it. Though concerning, it’s an improvement from data published in 1999 that revealed about 68 percent of Americans had high blood pressure that was not controlled.

Overall, about 29 percent of adults in the United States have hypertension. That would mean roughly 76 million Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure. Without being a mathematician roughly half of that number is a very high number. “I don’t think we have enough positive information to be cheering,” stated Patrick O’Gara, MD, executive medical director of the Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Cardiovascular Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “Although the trend is positive, the magnitude of the problem is self-evident. We have a lot of work to do.”

The reason why this is problematic is that high blood pressure directly increases cardiovascular risk. Hypertension or high blood pressure is the most common reason for nonpregnant adult visits to clinicians. There are several possible reasons that can account for why blood pressure remains such a difficult problem to treat. There may be poor access to healthcare and medications, lack of adherence to medications, especially considering most people with high blood pressure are usually asymptomatic and immediate benefits of taking medications may not be so obvious. We often do not fear what we cannot see, therefore high blood pressure is aptly named “the silent killer.” The other reason could be that clinicians may not be as aggressive about adjusting medications when patients are found to be hypertensive. All these reasons will likely continue to contribute to making hypertension the most common risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

According to the most recent definitions for hypertension anything above 140/90 (the systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively) is considered high blood pressure. Normal is below 120/80 and anything in between is considered pre-hypertension. There has been considerable controversy surrounding optimal blood pressure levels. The recent landmark SPRINT trial revealed that blood pressure readings below 120/80 were the most beneficial in preventing serious adverse events such as heart attacks, strokes and death. In fact, the data from the study was so compelling that they cut the trial short to discuss the benefits of aiming for tighter blood pressure control.

High blood pressure is something that can be controlled, for the most part, making it a modifiable risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is more prevalent than other modifiable risk factors such as high cholesterol, smoking or diabetes. With adequate blood pressure surveillance (frequent monitoring at home), and treatment it would be very possible to significantly reduce rates of heart attacks, strokes.

The federal Healthy People 2020 goal is to have the percentage of Americans with uncontrolled hypertension below 40. While there may have been some confusion before, we are no powered with the knowledge that lower is better. I feel that greater effort should be put forth in making this a national priority and if an aggressive campaign is launched there is a real possibility we can meet and or exceed that goal.

Source: For Hypertension Patients, Nearly Half Lack Proper Care – American Council on Science and Health

Vancouver Needs Team Effort Against Los Angeles Tonight

Posted on December 1, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 1, 2015

CANUCKS NEED TO GET RID OF THE LOSING CULTURE FAST

Vancouver (9-9-7) begins a new month, leaving behind a disastrous month of November, as they visit Pacific division opponent Los Angeles Kings (14-8-1), who sit on top of the division, four points ahead of the Canucks, with two games in hand.

The game is Vancouver’s final game of a four game road trip that sports a record of 1-1-1 in its’ first 3 games. Monday night saw the Anaheim Ducks completely dominant a listless, uninspiring Canucks team that was shutout for the first time this season, 4-0.

“That was the furthest to being in a game as we’ve had all year,” captain Henrik Sedin said. “Our energy level wasn’t there.” canucks.nhl.com

“They (Ducks) let one slip away against Chicago and you knew they would pay hard,” he started. “Saying that, it’s a game we’ve got to be ready for and play hard in as well. For whatever reason, we just didn’t have our best. I don’t think our first periods have been great and we talked about that before the game.” Canuck coach Willie Desjardins after the game.

“We have been good all year creating offence, That’s not the problem. We have to realize that to win in this league you can’t give up three or four goals every game. It’s impossible. I have said it before, it’s a league where the best teams score an average of three goals a game. If you give up more than that, you can’t win.

“Our offensive numbers are good if you look around the league, but the way we give up goals, the penalties we take, they are small things, but they add up. In a game like this, that is going to cost you.” Daniel Sedin on the Canucks poor defensive display and lack of discipline this season.

The Canucks would like to bounce back this evening with a different effort, and a different outcome and end the road trip with a badly needed win in a must win game against a team that is playing consistently well, and has games in hand.

Kings are playing game two of a 4 game homestand before spending 10 of the next 11 games on the road.

It’s possible backup goalie Jacob Markstrom could start against the Kings after Ryan Miller allowed four goals on 29 shots before being pulled in the 4-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

Rookie Jake Virtanen’s sustained an upper-body injury to his ribs which Vancouver believes after being checked out, is not serious, but it’s unlikely he’ll play. Virtanen, the No. 6 pick at the 2014 NHL Draft, did not return to the game Monday after leaving with a crosscheck to the ribs courtesy of Ryan Getzlaf.

canucks.nhl.com

The Kings are 8-5-0 at home while Vancouver is 6-5-4 on the road. Canucks power play is 18 for 91, 19.8 per cent, tied for 13th; Los Angeles is 13 for 68, 19.1 per cent, 17th place in the NHL.

When it comes to the penalty kill, the Kings are 8th best in the NHL, allowing 14 goals on 87 opportunities, 83.9 per cent. Vancouver is 24th in the NHL, 18 goals allowed on 79 opportunities, 77.2 per cent.

Vancouver has 40 even strength goals for and 39 even strength goals against, compared to the Kings 31 even strength goals for and 33 even strength goals against so far this season. Vancouver has 69 goals scored overall, while Los Angeles has scored 58.

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

Los Angeles has been outscored 9-2 while losing the last three meetings with the Canucks
Jonathan Quicks is 4-2-0 with a 1.18 GAA over his last 6 home games against Vancouver.
Ryan Miller is 6-2-1 with a 1.93 GAA and 2 shutouts in his last 9 games against the Kings.
Backup Jacob Markstrom had 26 saves in a loss with Florida in his only meeting with Los Angeles on Oct. 13, 2013.
Last season, the Canucks were 17-7-1 through 25 games.
The Canucks are 4-5-1 in their last ten games against the Kings, dating back to the 2013.14 season.
The Canucks conclude their fifth of 13 back-to-back series this season with tonight’s game at Los Angeles. Thus far, the Canucks have gone 4-3-2 in back-to-back series this season including a record of 2-2-1 in the first game and 2-1-1 in the second game. Last season, Vancouver played in 12 back-to-back series. They posted a 15-8-1 record in those series. Vancouver went 10-2-0 in the first game of the series and 5-6-1 in the second game.
Last night’s game against Anaheim, Matt Bartkowski recorded a game high and Canucks season high 7 hits. Bo Horvat won 62% of face-offs. Chris Tanev blocked 3 shots.
The Canucks have scored 2.83 goals for per game, ranking t-ninth in the League; their 69 goals on the year are t-seventh most in the NHL
Vancouver is t-fifth in the League in shots/GP with 30.9

SEASON SNAPSHOT

CANUCKS PLAYER STATS

KINGS PLAYER STATS

CANUCKS AT A GLANCE

Statistics courtesy of the NHL, Vancouver Canucks and SportingCharts, with thanks.

NHL MORNING SKATE – DEC. 1, 2015

Posted on December 1, 2015 by CanucksBanter

NHL MORNING SKATE – DEC. 1, 2015

Welcome to the “NHL Morning Skate,” a daily collection of the latest news and notes from around the League.

2016 NHL ALL-STAR FAN VOTE OPENS TODAY

The 2016 NHL All-Star Fan Vote opens worldwide today at 12:00 p.m. ET via NHL.com/Vote and mobile balloting.

As part of the new format for the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game, fans will cast votes for one player from each division, without regard to position. The top vote-getter from each division will be named an All-Star and team captain, with the remaining 40 All-Stars selected by the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department.

This year’s ballot includes enhanced interactive features, all designed to simplify the player search options. Fans will be permitted to select as few as one player and a maximum of four players per ballot. The maximum number of ballots cast per day for each user is 10.

Voting concludes on Friday, Jan. 1.

Click here for complete details.

MONDAY’S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps
NY ISLANDERS 5, Colorado 3
NY RANGERS 4, Carolina 3
TORONTO 3, Edmonton 0
ANAHEIM 4, Vancouver 0

SPARKS SHINES FOR MAPLE LEAFS IN NHL DEBUT . . .

Garret Sparks stopped all 24 shots he faced to record a shutout in his NHL debut and help the Maple Leafs snap a three-game skid (0-2-1).

* Via Elias, Sparks became the 25th goaltender in NHL history to post a shutout in his League debut – and the first to do so with the Maple Leafs. The last goaltender to achieve that feat: San Jose’s Troy Grosenick on Nov. 16, 2014 at CAR (45 SV in 2-0 W).
* Sparks, a seventh-round selection (190th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft, spent the majority of the past two seasons with the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL). He also compiled an 8-2-1 record (1.90 GAA, .938 SV%, 2 SO) in 11 appearances this season with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) prior to his recall last week.
* “It all went according to plan,” joked Sparks, a 22-year-old native of Elmhurst, Ill. “After I came out of the first period unscathed, I wanted to have a good second and I got a couple of lucky posts there. Going into the third period, [the shutout] was definitely on my mind, and I just wanted to be sure that if they are going to beat me, they really had to beat me. The guys in front of me kept everything to the outside and kept everything manageable. I really have them to thank for this.”
* ICYMI: Sparks conducted an emotional interview after being named the game’s “First Star.”

. . . GIBSON, DUCKS CLOSE NOVEMBER ON HIGH NOTE

John Gibson turned aside all 25 shots he faced to earn his third career shutout (first this season) and help the Ducks close November with an 8-4-3 record following a 1-7-2 start to the campaign.

* Gibson also picked up a shutout in his only other appearance against the Canucks, in his NHL debut on April 7, 2014 at VAN (18 SV).
* Gibson, a second-round selection (39th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft, improved to 18-9-1 in 30 career appearances (2.36 GAA, .921 SV%, 3 SO). That includes a 2-1-1 record in four outings this season (1.82 GAA, .936 SV%, 1 SO).
* The Ducks improved to 10-1-2 in their last 13 games against the Canucks dating to April 25, 2013 (VAN: 3-7-3).

RANGERS HALT SKID WITH WIN AGAINST HURRICANES

Derick Brassard registered 1-1—2, including what stood as the game-winning goal, to help the Rangers snap their three-game skid (0-3-0).

* The Rangers improved to 18-1-0 in their last 19 games against the Hurricanes dating to Feb. 22, 2011, including eight consecutive victories (CAR: 1-12-6).
* The Rangers also won their 11th consecutive home game against the Hurricanes dating to Jan. 5, 2011 (CAR: 0-8-3) – that is tied for the longest home winning streak against one opponent in franchise history (also Jan. 14, 1990 – Nov. 4, 1992 vs. PHI).
* Three other Rangers players scored, including Mats Zuccarello, who has an 11-game point streak against the Hurricanes dating to Nov. 2, 2013 (1-12—13).

DID YOU KNOW?

Per Elias, the Rangers’ 11-game winning streak against the Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden is the fifth-longest active home winning streak by an NHL team against one opponent (in the regular season):

Longest Active Home Winning Streaks vs. One Opponent
21 – Ducks vs. CGY (April 4, 2004 – Nov. 24, 2015)^
14 – Penguins vs. WPG/ATL (March 24, 2007 – Jan. 27, 2015)
13 – Sharks vs. COL (March 22, 2009 – April 1, 2015)
12 – Flyers vs. CHI (March 31, 1998 – Oct. 14, 2015)
11 – Rangers vs. CAR (Jan. 5, 2011 – Nov. 30, 2015)
^ Tied for the second-longest such streak in NHL history

ISLANDERS EXTEND STREAKS VERSUS AVALANCHE

Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas each scored in the opening 10 minutes of the third period to break a 2-2 tie and help the Islanders extend their point streak to four contests (3-0-1).

* The Islanders also improved to 8-1-0 in their last nine home games against the Avalanche dating to Oct. 10, 1999 (COL: 1-8-0).
* Overall, the Islanders improved to 9-2-1 (19 points) against Western Conference opponents this season, the top such record of any Eastern Conference team.
* Thomas Greiss made 25 saves to improve to 7-3-2 in his first 12 appearances with the Islanders (2.30 GAA, .925 SV%). He also upped his record to 5-1-0 in six career outings vs. COL (2.01 GAA, .939 SV%, 1 SO).

MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS

* Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (33 SV) earned his 352nd career win (all w/ NYR) to surpass Terry Sawchuk (351 w/ DET) for the third-most victories in NHL history by a goaltender with one franchise. The only two with more: Martin Brodeur (688 w/ NJD) and Tony Esposito (418 w/ CHI).
* Avalanche forward Jarome Iginla scored his 597th career goal to move within three of becoming the 19th player in NHL history to reach the 600-goal milestone. Iginla also played in his 1,416th career game to tie Al MacInnis for 29th place on the NHL’s all-time games played list.
* Islanders forward Josh Bailey, the ninth overall selection in the 2008 NHL Draft, played in his 500th career game. Only three other members of Bailey’s draft class have reached the milestone: Drew Doughty (547), Steven Stamkos (517) and Luke Schenn (514).

LOOSE PUCKS

Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov (2-0—2) registered his third career multi-goal game and second of the season (also Oct. 16 at CBJ: 2-0—2). He paces the club with 10 goals (24 GP), two more than his previous career high of eight set last season (62 GP) . . . Hurricanes forward Elias Lindholm collected one assist to extend his point streak to five games (1-4—5), equaling a career high set Nov. 1-8, 2014 (5-2—7) . . . Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk posted three assists/points, equaling career highs last achieved March 28 vs. OTT (0-3—3) . . . Avalanche forward Blake Comeau, a second-round selection (47th overall) by the Islanders in the 2004 NHL Draft, scored his second goal against his former club (2-0—2 in 10 GP) . . . ICYMI: Stars captain Jamie Benn, Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby and Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk were named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 29 . . . The NHL announced its plans for the 2016 NHL Winter Classic Spectator Plaza, a two-day free fan festival in advance of the New Year’s Day game between the Bruins and Canadiens at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

SNEAK PEEK AT TUESDAY’S ACTION

All Times Eastern
Colorado @ New Jersey, 7:00 p.m., ALT, MSG+
Columbus @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m., FS-O, SNE, RDS
Philadelphia @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., TCN-PH, TSN5, RDS2
Buffalo @ Detroit, 7:30 p.m., TVAS, SNO, SNP, MSG-B, BELL TV, FS-D
Florida @ St. Louis, 8:00 p.m., FS-F, FS-MW
Arizona @ Nashville, 8:00 p.m., FS-A+, FS-TN
Minnesota @ Chicago, 8:00 p.m., NBCSN, CSN-CH
Dallas @ Calgary, 9:00 p.m., FS-SW+, SNW
Vancouver @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m., SNP, FS-W
Pittsburgh @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m., NBCSN, ROOT

NBCSN DOUBLEHEADER HIGHLIGHTS TUESDAY’S SLATE

NBCSN airs a doubleheader as part of Tuesday’s 10-game schedule. First, the Wild visit the Blackhawks at United Center in a preview of the 2016 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, which will be contested on Sunday, Feb. 21, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Minnesota won the first of five meetings this season between these clubs, a 5-4 victory on Oct. 30 at Xcel Energy Center clinched by Nino Niederreiter’s tiebreaking goal early in the third period. The Penguins then face the Sharks at SAP Center in the second half of the doubleheader. These teams met 10 days ago, with San Jose picking up a 3-1 win on Nov. 21 at CONSOL Energy Center en route to becoming the sixth team in NHL history to complete a perfect six-game road trip.

REMINDER: SIGNING DEADLINE FOR FREE AGENTS

Today is the signing deadline for Group 2 free agents (5:00 p.m. ET).

Trudeau popularity strong but slides for first week in Nanos tracking (ending November 27, 2015)

Posted on December 1, 2015 by CanucksBanter

Nanos Weekly Leadership Tracking

Preferred Prime Minister – Asked who they would prefer as Prime Minister, Trudeau was the choice of 50.9% of Canadians followed by Ambrose/Harper at 16.3% (the four week rolling average is transitioning from Harper to Ambrose), Mulcair at 12.3%, May at 4.8% and 14.1% were unsure.

Qualities of a Good Political Leader – Nanos asks a series of independent questions for each federal party leader. Almost seven of ten Canadians (69.3%) said Trudeau had the qualities of a good political leader – a decline over the past week, 52.7% thought similarly of Mulcair while Ambrose/Harper scored 31.8% on this measure. Four of ten Canadians 40.7% thought May had the qualities of a good political leader.

The team at Nanos in conjunction with Klipfolio have launched our new live political data portal where you run the numbers you want and can explore the trends and data you need. This is part of our campaign, not only to provide the most reliable data to Canadians but to let them use it as they wish. We were the first to do nightly tracking and now we are the first research organization to post live public opinion data for Canadians.

We were the first to do nightly tracking and now we are the first research organization to post live public opinion data for Canadians. Here’s the link to check it out

To view the detailed tracking visit our website.

Methodology

The views of 1,000 respondents are compiled into a party power brand index for each party that goes from 0 to 100, where 0 means that the party has no brand power and 100 means it has maximum brand power. A score above 50 is an indication of brand power for the party and its leader at this time.

The important factors in this weekly tracking include the direction of the brand strength or weakness and also the brand power of one federal party relative to another.

The data is based on random telephone interviews with 1,000 Canadians, using a four week rolling average of 250 respondents each week, 18 years of age and over. The random sample of 1,000 respondents may be weighted by age and gender using the latest census information for Canada, and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Canada.

The interviews are compiled into a four week rolling average of 1,000 interviews where each week, the oldest group of 250 interviews is dropped and a new group of 250 interviews is added. The current wave of tracking is based on a four-week rolling average of 1,000 Canadians (250 per week) ending November 27th.

A random telephone survey of 1,000 Canadians is accurate 3.1 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.

All references or use of this data must cite “Nanos Party Power Index” as the source.

Anaheim Dominates, Hands Vancouver First Shutout Loss Of Season, 4-0

Posted on November 30, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff November 30, 2015

Disappointment All A Round

Anaheim (9-11-5) dominated, cruising to an easy 4-0 win as Vancouver (9-9-7) was ineffective and uninspiring, in its first shutout loss of the season, and 10th loss in the last 13 games.

The Anaheim Ducks wasted little time after the opening face-off in taking the game over, as Shawn Horcoff (4) snapped a shot passed Ryan Miller, assisted by Andrew Cogliano (6) and Carl Hagelin (5) to take a 1-0 lead at 1:19.

The Canucks, 29th best fore-checking team in the NHL entering the game, lacked intensity and urgency after the opening goal, as the Ducks continued to bring their game to Vancouver, out hitting, out shooting and out skating Vancouver.

The Vancouver penalty kill was tested three times in the opening period, and would yield a power play goal late in the opening period,when Yannick Webber took a retaliation penalty at 18:18.

The Ducks scored on their power play with 2.1 seconds left in the opening period, as Rickard Rakell (6) on a wrist shot made it 2-0, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf (15) and Sami Vatanen (9) at 19:57.

The Canucks had one unsuccessful power play. Anaheim outshot Vancouver 14-8; out hit Vancouver 11-9. The Ducks were better on the face-offs as well, winning 12 of 18.

Vancouver lost Jake Virtanen for the remainder of the game after sustaining an upper body injury to his ribs, courtesy of Ryan Getzlaf, in the first period, as Anaheim routinely took the body to Vancouver players, leaving them feeling pain and hurting.

The second period was mostly the Canucks continuing to give the Ducks little to worry about in the Anaheim end with the lack of a sustained attack. And Anaheim doing a great job at protecting their lead with little opposition.

The Canucks likely deflated by the late first period goal; and the Ducks sensing no urgency to score more, it was not surprising there was no scoring or special teams action in the middle period. Ducks out shot Vancouver 9-8; out hit Vancouver 11-10. Ducks better on the face-offs again, 8 for 15.

Vancouver went into the final period with point streaks at risk, along with the possibility of being shutout for the first time this season. The Canucks should have been looking for a Chicago comeback type of result that defeated Anaheim on November 27, but it was not to be.

Exactly one minute into the period, Ryan Miller disappointed, as Jakob Silfverberg (2) scored on a slap shot on a break away, assisted by Nick Ritchie (1) and Ryan Kesler (8), putting Anaheim up 3-0.

Corey Perry scored on another break away, over Ryan Miller’s shoulder, at 8:39, with a wrist shot, unassisted.

With the Ducks up 4-0, Miller was pulled in favor of backup goalie Jacob Markstrom. Anaheim soon after was given a high sticking double minor on Chris Stewart for cutting Matt Bartkowski at 9:15. Vancouver did not score.

The Ducks are moving on up after a disastrous month of October, while Vancouver is moving down in the standings and treading water. Overall in November, Anaheim was 8-4-3, while Vancouver finished the month 4-7-3.

With the victory, the Ducks moved within two points of the Canucks.

CANUCK JOTTINGS

Point streaks ended tonight:
- RADIM VRBATA (3-1-4 / 3 Games)
- HENRIK SEDIN (3-7-10 / 6 Games)
- DANIEL SEDIN (6-6-12 / 7 Games)
- JANNIK HANSEN (1-1-2 / 2 Games)
Vancouver’s streak of scoring at least one power play goal was stopped tonight at eight consecutive games.
Canucks penalty kill gave up another goal on three chances, making it 15 goals allowed on 49 opportunities in November. Overall, Canucks have allowed 18 goals in 79 penalty kill opportunities in 25 games.
Canucks power play continues not to produce going 0-3 tonight and 11 for 56 chances in November. Overall, Canucks are 18 for 91 man advantages in 25 games.

Andrew Phillip Chernoff

The Outer Limits To The Inner Depths

For Hypertension Patients, Nearly Half Lack Proper Care

Vancouver Needs Team Effort Against Los Angeles Tonight

CANUCKS NEED TO GET RID OF THE LOSING CULTURE FAST

CANUCKS JOTTINGS

SEASON SNAPSHOT

CANUCKS PLAYER STATS

KINGS PLAYER STATS

CANUCKS AT A GLANCE

NHL MORNING SKATE – DEC. 1, 2015

Trudeau popularity strong but slides for first week in Nanos tracking (ending November 27, 2015)

Anaheim Dominates, Hands Vancouver First Shutout Loss Of Season, 4-0

Disappointment All A Round

CANUCK JOTTINGS

GAME REVIEW