The FDA has added warning labels to some commonly used pain relievers like ibuprophen and naproxen, warning that use of these NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) increase the risk of heart attacks.

But according to Curt Furberg, M.D., Ph.D., from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the FDA has ignored the most dangerous of these drugs, Voltaren, and incorrectly labeled naproxen, which appears to be safe based on research.

High doses (500 mg twice daily) of Aleve were not associated with an increased risk of heart attacks compared to a placebo. High doses of Advil (800 mg three times a day) and Voltaren (75 mg twice daily) were associated with rates of heart attack that were 51 percent and 63 percent higher, than the placebo. The increased risk of heart attack is associated with drugs that are COX-2 inhibitors.

“Naproxen does not increase the risk of heart attacks and ought to be a painkiller of choice,” said Furberg. “On the other hand, Voltaren carries the same risk as the harmful COX-2 inhibitors Bextra® and Vioxx®, which have been taken off the market.

Read more at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

The American Diabetes Association wants you to know your risk for diabetes and heart disease and wants you to know how to lower it. The ADA is launching a new prevention initiative - CheckUp America. If you’re overweight, have unhealthy cholesterol levels, smoke, have high blood glucose or high blood pressure, you have risk factors for diabetes. But you may have other risk factors such as age, race, gender and family history of diabetes.

The ADA offers learning tabs on the problems and risk factors you may have that you and your physician can work together to control and manage. Get more information on subjects such as understanding high blood glucose and managing cholesterol, the role of physical activity and quitting smoking in risk management. You can also download their CheckUp Chart to help you track your cardiometabolic risk factors to lower your risk for diabetes and heart disease.

CheckUp America

Venus Ramey, 82, balancing herself on her walker, shot out the tires of a car in which the intruder on her farm intended to make his getaway. Recently, thieves had stolen old farm equipment out of a storage building, and Venus wasn’t about to let this intruder leave.

Venus Ramey has always been a self-starter. She left her home in Kentucky and moved to Washington, DC, where she entered the regional beauty pageant and become Miss Washington, DC. Her beauty and talent then won her the title of Miss America, 1944, the first redheaded Miss America.

In her position as Miss America, Venus continued her war efforts by selling war bonds all across the country as she toured. Her image adorned a B-17 fighter plane that made 68 sorties over Germany.

In 1947, Venus returned home to her tobacco farm in Kentucky, married and raised two sons. She continued to stay involved in political issues with her run for a seat in the Kentucky legislature, her radio show and her publication of a political newspaper. She has maintained her family farm for over fifty years.

Are you an undiscovered artist? Looking to be discovered? AARP is looking for amateur artists to enter their original oil, acrylic, or watercolor paintings in a contest to find the artwork that will adorn their 2008 AARP calendar.

The contest is open to all current AARP members. 14 paintings will be chosen from among the entries for the 2008 calendar. Entries must be received by May 31, 2007. The winning entries will be displayed at this year’s AARP Life@50+ National Event & Expo in Boston, MA, September 6-8, 2007.

The theme of the 2008 calendar is “America: From Sea to Shining Sea”.

Instructions for entering your painting can be found at the AARP Website