Studies link energy drink consumption to increased resting blood pressure, while smoking is associated with a higher risk of fractured stents in limb arteries. Social habits also play a role in recovery from early-onset heart attacks in low-income urban communities.
A new survey found that nearly three-quarters of Chinese adults have poor cardiovascular health, with a tiny minority enjoying ideal heart health. The study emphasizes the need for effective interventions to combat the rising rates of heart disease in China.
Research finds that excess sitting is associated with coronary artery calcification, an early indicator of heart problems. Reducing sedentary time by just one hour per day could have a significant positive impact on future cardiovascular health.
Patients with moderate to severe depression who took antidepressants alone had a 53% lower risk of dying, developing coronary artery disease or having a stroke during the three-year follow-up period. Antidepressants were shown to significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes in this group, even when statins were not used.
Women who experience hot flashes earlier in life have poorer endothelial function and increased cardiovascular risk compared to those with later onset or no symptoms. The study found that the number of hot flashes matters, with more frequent hot flashes associated with greater evidence of endothelial dysfunction.
A study found that pre-hospital delays for women with heart attacks were associated with a higher risk of dying. Women waited an average of one hour to call emergency services and over 70% took longer than an hour to get to a hospital equipped to treat them.
A study has quantified the average number of heart failure-free years a person gains by not developing risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes by age 45. The results show that individuals with all three risk factors are diagnosed with heart failure an average of 11 to 13 years earlier than those without any risk factors.
A randomized trial found that patients taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements showed improvements in heart function and had less fibrosis compared to those taking a placebo. Patients who experienced a 5% increase in omega-3 levels in their blood derived the most benefit.
Patients taking digoxin for atrial fibrillation face a 27% increased risk of dying compared to those not on the medication. The analysis of 19 studies involving over 500,000 patients also found that those with kidney failure are at an especially high risk.
The Mediterranean diet was found to be highly protective against heart disease, with participants who closely followed the diet being 47% less likely to develop heart disease. Adherence to the diet was more protective than physical activity, and its benefits were seen across all age groups and genders.
A meta-analysis of 29 studies involving over 120,000 men found no connection between testosterone therapy and increased risk of heart problems. An observational study from Wisconsin also showed low cardiovascular event rates in both treated and untreated groups.
Research suggests chronic exposure to air pollution increases the risk of stroke by causing fatty substances to build up in the neck arteries. The study found those living in areas with high levels of fine particulate matter had a 24% greater risk of carotid artery stenosis compared to those in cleaner areas.
A comprehensive health program with personalized coaching on exercise, nutrition, stress, and sleep helped people with prediabetes reverse their condition and improve overall health. Participants showed significant improvements in blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and other key risk factors.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that frequent radiation exposure and heavy protective gear are associated with increased musculoskeletal pain among technicians and nurses. Researchers recommend improving ergonomic evaluations and rotation to mitigate these effects.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, light jogging is associated with lower mortality rates. Jogging frequencies between 1-2.4 hours per week showed significant lower mortality rates compared to sedentary non-joggers.
A large study found that younger adults with isolated systolic hypertension have a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. Women in this age group are particularly at risk, with a 55% increase in cardiovascular death compared to their male counterparts.
A study found that nearly 12% of patients receiving aspirin for primary prevention were taking it inappropriately. Inappropriate use was more common among women and younger patients. The study highlights the need for medical providers to consider potential benefits vs. risks when prescribing aspirin therapy.
A 20-year study found that most healthy obese individuals progress to unhealthy obesity, highlighting the importance of weight management and treatment. The research also revealed a greater risk for cardiovascular disease in healthy obese adults compared to those with normal weight.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that adhering to six healthy lifestyle practices can significantly lower the risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease. The study followed nearly 70,000 women for two decades and found that three-quarters of heart attacks in young women could be prev...
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that obese heart failure patients have better survival rates than normal-weight patients. Over a 10-year follow-up period, 38% of obese and 45% of overweight patients died compared to 51% of normal weight patients.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that administering epinephrine to patients in cardiac arrest may increase the likelihood of death or brain damage. The research analyzed hospital records for over 1,500 patients and showed that those who received higher doses of epinephrine had a worse outcome.
Shared accountability between patients and clinicians can improve patient-centered outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality. The report proposes incorporating patient actions into performance measures, tracking lifestyle changes, medication adherence, and follow-up appointments.
A study of patients with stable heart disease found that women experience more changes in blood flow to the heart and platelet aggregation under mental stress, while men exhibit greater changes in blood pressure and heart rate. This difference highlights the need for tailored treatment approaches for cardiovascular disease
The World Heart Federation's Global Cardiovascular Disease Taskforce urges the United Nations to support efforts to curb non-communicable diseases like heart disease and stroke. The task force estimates that cardiovascular disease will account for $7 trillion of the economic burden from 2011-2025.
A new study finds that healthy lifestyle habits, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, can prevent four out of five coronary events in men. Researchers followed 20,721 Swedish men for 11 years and found that those with low-risk behaviors had significantly lower risk of heart attack.
A study published by the American College of Cardiology found that higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels can delay the natural increase of systolic and diastolic blood pressure with age. Men with high fitness levels experience a later onset of prehypertension, with systolic blood pressure increasing around age 54 and diastolic blood ...
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that abdominal fat is more strongly associated with high blood pressure risk than overall obesity. The research, which followed 903 patients for seven years, discovered a significant correlation between retroperitoneal fat and hypertension.
A combination pill taking key medications for heart disease prevention may reduce costs and improve adherence to medication recommendations. The polypill has been proposed as a low-cost strategy to improve secondary prevention in nations with limited resources.
Researchers studied 55,137 adults and found that running as little as 5 minutes daily can reduce cardiovascular disease-related death by 30%. Running persistently over six years yields significant benefits, with a 29% lower risk of death for any reason.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that endurance runners are more likely to die from heat stroke than cardiac events during races. Researchers analyzed data from 14 long-distance races and found 21 serious cases of heat stroke, including two fatalities.
A new study analyzing hospital data from 2001 to 2010 found that young women with a heart attack have longer hospital stays and are more likely to die in the hospital compared to men. The study suggests that raising awareness of controlling cardiovascular risk factors is crucial for improving outcomes in this population.
A new study found an association between moderate alcohol consumption and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. The research followed 79,016 adults in Sweden over 12 years and found that binge drinking was associated with an increased risk for drinkers of wine and liquor.
The document outlines criteria for healthcare providers and institutions to offer consistent and appropriate care to patients in transcatheter valve therapy. A multi-disciplinary team approach is emphasized, involving both surgeons and interventional cardiologists, to improve patient treatment and outcomes.
Researchers found obese patients with no heart disease have greater risk of future disease due to early plaque buildup in the arteries. The study's lead author emphasizes the importance of counseling obese individuals about their risks and providing tips for achieving a healthy weight.
A new human trial demonstrates the effectiveness of injecting bone marrow-derived stem cells into the heart muscle to improve heart function in patients with severe ischemic heart disease. The treatment improved heart pump function by 8.2 milliliters, compared to an increase of 6 milliliters in the placebo group.
The study found no significant differences in cumulative safety and efficacy measures between biolimus-releasing stents with a degradable coating (BES) and everolimus-releasing stents with a durable polymer (EES). Biodegradable coatings have been shown to reduce late clinical problems associated with permanent polymers.
A rigorous clinical trial found that metformin did not preserve left ventricular function in non-diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction. The study suggests that the commonly used glucose regulator is not beneficial for protecting against heart failure after a heart attack.
A study comparing heparin and bivalirudin found that patients treated with heparin had significantly fewer major cardiovascular events at 28 days compared to those receiving bivalirudin. Heparin was also shown to reduce repeat heart attacks caused by stent thrombosis.
Patients given aspirin after non-heart-related surgery had a higher risk of serious bleeding than those who did not receive aspirin. Aspirin did not reduce incidence of post-operative heart attacks and death, according to data from POISE-2.
Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries show significant improvement in glycemic control, weight loss, and cardiovascular risk factors compared to intensive medical therapy. Patients undergoing surgery also experience reduced reliance on medications and improved quality of life measures.
Outcomes of TAVR in real-world settings show comparable results to clinical trials, but specific patient characteristics affect mortality and stroke rates. Baseline factors like age, gender, and kidney function influence outcomes.
A worldwide study of 7,500 patients found that giving steroids during bypass surgery does not improve health outcomes and may increase the risk of heart attack. The study challenges a decades-long practice in cardiac surgery, suggesting that steroids should not be used prophylactically.
A study found lower risks of heart attack, death, and procedures to re-open the artery in patients receiving drug-eluting stents followed by individualized blood-thinning medication. The results challenge existing guidelines for prolonged anti-platelet therapy after stent placement.
The POISE-2 trial found that clonidine increased rates of clinically concerning hypotension and non-fatal cardiac arrest in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. The study showed higher risks from clonidine without counterbalancing benefits, contradicting earlier findings that suggested it would improve outcomes.
A head-to-head study favors balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves for treating aortic stenosis, with a success rate of 95.9% compared to 77.5% for self-expanding valves. Patients receiving balloon-expandable valves also reported improved symptoms at a rate of 94.3%.
The LAPLACE-2 study shows evolocumab produces highly significant reductions in LDL cholesterol when added to statins, with 93% of patients achieving an LDL level below 70mg/dL. Evolocumab also reduces non-HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein (a) levels without liver damage or muscle problems.
The AleCardio trial was ended early after patients treated with aleglitazar showed higher rates of heart failure, kidney events, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The study found no cardiovascular benefits despite dual-action on PPAR receptors, leading researchers to consider the class of drug being tested clinically.
The novel inflammation inhibitor darapladib showed no primary-endpoint advantage over placebo in treating chronic coronary heart disease, but suggested benefits for specific coronary artery-related endpoints. Subgroup analysis revealed smokers had a greater decrease in major adverse cardiovascular events.
In a phase III study, evolocumab was shown to effectively lower LDL-C levels, with fewer side effects compared to ezetimibe. The results suggest that evolocumab may be a promising alternative for patients who cannot tolerate statins due to intolerable side effects.
A multicenter study found colchicine significantly reduced the rate of disease recurrence, improved symptoms, and hospitalization rates in patients with recurrent pericarditis. The medication was also associated with higher remission rates compared to placebo.