(November 13, 2008 - Insidermedicine) From Germany - According to research in the New England Journal of Medicine, excess weight around the waist may increase the risk of premature death, even among those who aren't overweight. In a study of over 350,000 people, researchers found that each 5 cm increase in waist circumference increased the risk of death by 17% among men, and 13% among women. Waist-to-hip measurement may be a better predictor of obesity-related death than BMI.

From New Orleans - According to research presented to the American Heart Association, heart attack patients who undergo coronary angioplasty are more likely to survive if they have the procedure at a hospital that performs more than 83 such procedures each year. In a study of over 5,700 heart attack patients, researchers found that those treated at facilities which performed at least 83 angioplasty procedures a year had a lower death rate, at 2.2%, than hospitals that performed fewer than 46 procedures a year, at 4%.

And finally, from Seattle - Living near a highway may worsen asthma control among children. In a study of over 750 children suffering from asthma, researchers found that those living near a freeway were more than 3 times as likely to have the poorest degree of control over their condition. While this study was not designed to determine cause, traffic related pollutants are likely to blame.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.