A French study found that marijuana use can lead to cardiovascular-related complications, including heart attacks and peripheral artery diseases. Researchers analyzed 35 cases of marijuana-related complications and reported a significant increase in cardiovascular events among young and middle-aged adults.
Research suggests that maintaining healthy blood pressure, sugar levels, and cholesterol as a young adult may help prevent cognitive decline in mid-life. A 25-year study of 3,381 participants found that those with higher risk factors scored lower on cognitive function tests in their 40s and 50s.
Researchers found that fewer than 30% of stroke survivors maintained consistent blood pressure control over time. Maintaining controlled blood pressure can reduce the rate of a second stroke by as much as 54% in individuals with elevated blood pressure at baseline.
A new small, wireless self-contained pacemaker has been found safe and effective for patients. The study aims to address the limitations of traditional pacemakers, which pose minimal risk but can lead to short- or long-term complications.
A recent study found that high sodium intake in teenagers can lead to faster cell aging, with overweight and obese teens showing the most significant effects. Researchers analyzed data from 766 people aged 14-18 and discovered that those who consumed more salt had shorter telomeres, which protect chromosomes from damage.
A recent study found that active, older caregivers who continue to engage in hobbies and activities are happier after caring for a loved one with a stroke. These caregivers were also better physically healthy and provided higher levels of assistance to the stroke survivor.
A 12-week virtual conferencing-based group weight management intervention helped obese men lose an average of 4.3% of their body weight, compared to 0.7% in a control group. Participants who attended more sessions lost nearly one pound per session.
A 16-week healthy lifestyle program taught in American Sign Language resulted in moderate improvements in weight and physical activity among deaf adults. The study, led by Dr. Steven Barnett, found that 58.3% of participants lost at least 5% of their baseline weight.
A new study reveals that teaching people to flavor food with spices and herbs is more effective at reducing salt intake than self-reduction. Participants who received a behavioral intervention consumed an average of 966 mg/day less sodium than those who reduced their sodium intake on their own.
Researchers found that children of authoritarian parents had a higher chance of being obese, with kids aged 2-5 having a 30% higher risk and those aged 6-11 having a 37% higher risk. A balanced parenting style, characterized by affection and limits, was associated with lower obesity rates.
A study found that more than half of US women identified sudden weakness as a stroke warning sign, but fewer recognized other symptoms like difficulty speaking or vision loss. Hispanic women were less likely to know most stroke signs.
A new study found that every 15-minute delay in treating ischemic stroke can result in losing a month of disability-free life. On the other hand, speeding up treatment by just one minute can save patients around 1.8 days of healthy life.
A recent study found that Mexican-Americans experience moderate functional disability and nearly one-third develop post-stroke dementia. They also score worse on measures of daily living activities and cognition. The study highlights the need for intervention strategies to improve recovery among this population.
Research suggests that a history of gestational diabetes may be a risk factor for early atherosclerosis in women during midlife. The study found that pregnant women who developed gestational diabetes had a slightly larger carotid artery intima-media thickness, an early measure of sub-clinical atherosclerosis, compared to those who didn't.
A recent UK study found that children in London eat an unhealthy amount of salt on a daily basis, with cereal- and bread-based products accounting for over a third of their diets. The study's results highlight the need for increased efforts to reduce salt intake in foods, particularly among teens.
Research shows that one-third of young adults who survive a stroke are unable to live independently or need assistance with daily activities 10 years after their stroke. The type of stroke and subsequent recurrent strokes can also impact functional outcomes, highlighting the need for effective interventions.
Research finds that moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or tennis, significantly reduces women's stroke risk. Moderate exercise also helps offset the increased risk seen in postmenopausal women taking menopausal hormones, but not completely.
After delivering a baby, women's blood clot risk remains higher than normal for at least 12 weeks due to increased platelets and other blood-clotting factors during pregnancy. Researchers found the risk decreased over time.
Research links common infections such as Chlamydia pneumoniae and herpes simplex viruses to worse cognitive performance, including memory loss and decreased thinking speed. The study found an index of antibody levels associated with these infections was linked to poorer cognitive outcomes.
Researchers found Hispanic stroke patients in border states received fewer clot-busting drugs than non-Hispanics and had a higher mortality rate. In contrast, non-border state hospitals showed no difference in death rates between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients.
A survey of 162 stroke survivors found that over half resumed driving after their stroke, despite potential impairments. Only 5.6% received a formal driving evaluation, highlighting the need for pre-driving assessments to ensure safety.
Research reveals that trauma patients younger than 50 are three times more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke if they have a head or neck injury. The study found that about 11 in every 100,000 patients developed a stroke within four weeks of treatment.
Despite widespread availability, many people in the US don't receive timely stroke treatment. Research shows that only 4% of Medicare patients received tPA within three hours of symptoms onset, and just 0.5% underwent endovascular therapy to reopen blocked arteries.
Researchers found that intravenous magnesium did not improve stroke-related disability, but was safe for delivery by paramedics within an hour. The study aimed to test the efficacy of magnesium as a neuroprotective agent, and its results will help inform future stroke treatment strategies.
Researchers found that most parents thought symptoms were serious but only half called emergency services, highlighting the need for increased awareness and prompt action. The study emphasizes the importance of educating healthcare professionals and parents about stroke recognition in children.
A nationwide study found larger daily temperature changes and higher average dew points were associated with increased stroke hospitalization rates. Lower annual temperatures also linked to higher hospitalization and death rates from ischemic strokes.
A study of 2.5 million children over 14 years found no link between ADHD stimulant medications and increased stroke risk in children with or without stroke. Researchers compared medication usage before and at the time of stroke to assess potential risks.
Researchers found that cocaine use is strongly associated with increased stroke risk in young adults, particularly when used acutely. The study found that participants were six to seven times more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke within 24 hours of cocaine use.
Research suggests common infections increase stroke risk in children by six times, but routine vaccinations can help decrease this risk. The study found that childhood vaccinations were associated with a lower stroke risk, particularly for those who received all or most vaccines.
Research finds that people with stroke-related brainstem injuries have a significantly higher risk of developing sleep apnea. Among the 355 study participants, 84% with brainstem injury had sleep apnea compared to 59% without brainstem involvement.
A new video game called Stroke Hero has been found to improve children's understanding of stroke symptoms and the importance of calling 9-1-1. The game, designed for kids aged 9-10, teaches them how to recognize stroke symptoms and take action in an emergency.
A new study published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke found a link between anxiety and an increased risk of stroke over a 22-year period. People with high anxiety levels had a 33% higher stroke risk than those with low levels, possibly due to smoking, physical inactivity, and stress hormone levels.
The American Heart Association's annual statistical update reveals that heart disease and stroke remain major public health concerns in the US, claiming over 787,000 lives annually. Cardiovascular diseases account for more deaths than all forms of cancer combined, with nearly half of African-American adults affected.
A study of 417 middle-aged women found that modest weight loss over two years reduced risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. Women who sustained a 10% or more weight loss benefited the most from this reduction in risk factors.
A new study has found that heart disease is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older postmenopausal women. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 6,500 U.S. women ages 65-79 and found that those with heart disease or vascular disease were 29% more likely to experience cognitive decline over time.
A study of 27 healthy adults showed that drinking caffeinated coffee significantly improved blood flow in a finger, with a 30% increase compared to decaffeinated coffee. The researchers suggest that caffeine may help open blood vessels and reduce inflammation, providing new insights into how coffee may benefit cardiovascular health.
A study found that older people who smoked less than 32 pack years and quit smoking 15 or fewer years ago had similar cardiovascular death risks as those who never smoked. Many participants reduced their risk in under 15 years, contradicting previous estimates of a longer waiting period.
Middle-age men in Portland, Oregon, experienced symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness prior to heart stops. Prompt CPR can increase survival chances for these cardiac arrests.
Taking aspirin at bedtime instead of in the morning could reduce acute heart events by reducing platelet activity. A randomized study found that taking aspirin at bedtime resulted in a 22-unit reduction in platelet activity compared to taking it in the morning.
A study found that supervised exercise in older sedentary adults reduced the progression of heart injury, as measured by troponin T levels. The findings suggest that it's never too late to start a physical activity program to improve cardiac health.
A study found that younger Hispanic and black women have a higher risk of in-hospital death after a heart attack compared to white men. Additionally, they are more likely to suffer from diabetes and have limited access to treatment options such as percutaneous coronary interventions or coronary artery bypass surgery.
A global decline in children's cardiovascular fitness has been observed, with average changes of 5% per decade since 1975. This decline is associated with increased risk of heart disease and other health problems in adulthood.
A new bioabsorbable magnesium stent has shown promising results in reducing the risk of heart attacks for up to three years after implantation. Of 46 patients, only two required vessel-opening procedures and one suffered a heart attack within the first year, with no incidents reported in the second year.
Researchers developed an antibody fragment that binds to dabigatran, reversing its anticoagulant effects. The study showed immediate and sustained reversal of dabigatran-induced anticoagulation in healthy male volunteers.
Hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation in the US nearly doubled from 4.6 million in 1998 to 9.2 million in 2010, with a 46% increase over the decade. Researchers project a similar trend through 2020, with 541,000 hospitalizations expected by 2020. The estimated cost of hospitalizations is also projected to rise by 55% from 2010.
Research suggests that damage to small blood vessels in the retina and kidneys increases the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a common type of abnormal heart rhythm. The study found that those with signs of vessel damage were more likely to develop atrial fibrillation than those without.
A 30-day, randomized controlled trial found that customized text education messages and medication reminders increased correct dose-taking and on-schedule dosing among coronary heart disease patients. The study suggests innovative technologies like mHealth can effectively promote medication adherence.
Research found that heart disease accounted for approximately one-quarter of pregnancy-related deaths in California between 2002-2005. Women who died from cardiac causes were more likely to be African-American or obese, and often had undiagnosed high blood pressure during their pregnancies.
Researchers created a three-dimensional cell culture with layers of smooth muscle, connective tissue, and lining cells embedded within a nickel-titanium alloy scaffold. The hybrid heart valve performed well in a heart simulator, opening and closing under various pressures without structural vulnerability.
A small study presented at American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013 found that virtual reality hands controlled by stroke survivors' thoughts can help them recover use of their arms and hands. Patients achieved 81% accuracy in using the virtual hands to reach out, improving skills in just three experimental sessions.