American Heart Association launches free-access online journal

February 21, 2012 Initial studies focus on stroke, peripheral artery disease, heart failure and diabetesNews Highlights:Among findings posted in the inaugural publication of the American Heart Association’s online-only, free-access scientific journal:The NIH Stroke Scale accurately identifies patients with the highest risk of death in the first month after stroke.Aspirin works as well as more expensive drugs in combination with a walking program to treat blocked leg arteries.Heart failure patients do better when they receive several evidence-based treatments at once.Kidney problems signal the highest death risk for people with type 2 diabetes.EMBARGOED UNTIL 3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Feb. 21DALLAS, Feb. 21, 2012