A new approach to brain angioplasty using local anesthesia with mild sedation safely performed on 10 patients, showing promising results in minimizing complications. The study found that the procedure was technically successful but resulted in three minor complications related to stenting and bleeding.
Researchers found that ginseng compound increased brain chemicals associated with memory, improving average memory function after 12 weeks. The study, however, has limitations and recommends further research to establish efficacy and safety.
A study analyzing data from a large ongoing stroke study found that living in an area with high poverty levels and unemployment is an independent risk factor for stroke. The finding holds true across racial groups, highlighting the need to rethink stroke-prevention programs and prioritize disadvantaged communities.
A recent study found that combination hormone therapy increased the risk of stroke in postmenopausal women, including those with and without high blood pressure. The therapy was found to be ineffective for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and heart attack.
Researchers tested a combination of a vibrating vest and a mechanical cough-assist device to improve respiratory function in stroke patients. The treatment resulted in significant increases in forced vital capacity and minute ventilation, and improved oxygen saturation levels.
Researchers found that bystanders correctly administered the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) directions 96% of the time, detecting key symptoms like arm weakness and slurred speech. This ability can allow untrained adults to act as 'eyes and ears' for emergency dispatchers, potentially improving stroke diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Warlow will receive the prestigious Thomas Willis Award for his extensive work on clinical trials, meta-analysis, and epidemiology in stroke research. The award recognizes a senior investigator who has made significant contributions to understanding stroke over a sustained period.
Researchers found that CRP levels above 3.0mg/L significantly increased the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death from cardiovascular disease in women with metabolic syndrome. Higher CRP levels were also associated with higher cardiovascular risk, even among those with lower CRP levels.
Researchers found that intensive blood pressure control reduces cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes and PAD. The study suggests aggressive blood pressure management is particularly beneficial for the diabetic population, even among those with low ankle-brachial index.
Researchers found that vitamin C and taurine, found in fish, can rapidly reverse abnormal blood vessel constriction caused by smoking. This condition, called endothelial dysfunction, is an early sign of atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
A new study by the American Heart Association has found a significant link between tooth loss and an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Men with fewer than 25 teeth had a 57% higher risk of ischemic stroke compared to those with 25 or more teeth, suggesting that infection plays a role in stroke and heart disease.
A pioneering study found that time urgency and impatience during young adulthood are associated with increased risk of developing hypertension years later. The strongest link was seen among white men, who were more than three times as likely to develop high blood pressure as those in lower TUI groups.
A study of ICD patients found a significant increase in dangerous irregular heartbeats after a terrorist attack, highlighting the impact of stress on the heart. The rate of ICD discharges remained elevated for a month following the attack.
A landmark study found that left-ventricular assist devices (LVADs) for heart failure patients cost $196,699, similar to liver transplantation ($250,000). The device has been shown to significantly improve survival and quality of life. Improving management of these critically ill patients could reduce costs.
The American Heart Association strongly criticizes a new study on high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets, citing its tiny sample size and short duration. The organization emphasizes that there is no single 'diet' but rather a set of guidelines for a healthy dietary pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources.
A team of surgeons successfully repaired the hearts of patients with atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale using robotic arms, resulting in faster recovery times and less scarring compared to traditional open-heart surgery. The new procedure uses minimally invasive technology, allowing for a three-inch incision instead of a foot...
A study by the American Heart Association suggests that long Q-T syndrome, a heart condition, may be responsible for some sudden infant deaths. Researchers analyzed DNA from frozen heart tissue of unexplained infant deaths and found genetic anomalies in 32% of cases.
A study found that children of centenarians had a lower prevalence of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes compared to controls. They also tended to weigh less and have higher education levels and daily function-activity levels.
Children exposed to second-hand smoke show higher levels of a compound indicating oxidative stress and impaired blood vessel function. The study suggests that even low levels of parental smoking increase the risk of vascular damage in young children.
Researchers found that bone marrow cell transplantation significantly increased new capillary formation and improved blood flow in patients with PAD. The study's findings suggest that this therapy may help alleviate symptoms of PAD, including pain, fatigue, and ischemic ulcers, by promoting angiogenesis.
Researchers successfully transplanted myoblast cells into patients with scarred heart tissue, showing evidence of repair and regeneration. The procedure improved EF rates by 58% in just 12 weeks, offering a potential new hope for treating heart failure.
A new study by the American Heart Association found that death rates are significantly lower in hospitals that follow established guidelines for treating heart attacks. The study examined adherence to clinical practice guidelines at 1,085 US hospitals and found that leading hospitals had a 50% higher rate of beta-blocker use and a 30% ...
Researchers have successfully transmitted electrical signals in rat hearts using tissue-engineered cells, which may lead to a new treatment for heart block. The cells formed connections with cardiac cells and developed an electrical pathway within 10 weeks of implantation.
Researchers developed a new tissue-engineering technique using fibroblast and endothelial cells to create functional blood vessels. The engineered vessels demonstrated durability and resistance to blood clots in laboratory tests and short-term animal experiments.
Researchers successfully treated patients with scar tissue and impaired heart function after heart attacks by injecting their own bone marrow into the affected area. The treatment showed significant improvement in heart wall motion, persisting for at least 10 months in some patients.
Researchers found that emergency PCI is both safe and effective at hospitals without on-site surgical ability. Delaying treatment doubles the risk of patient mortality. Hospitals with diagnostic heart catheterization laboratories can save lives by performing immediate balloon angioplasty for acute heart attack patients.
A study analyzing cases of first stroke among young people in Northern Manhattan found that young blacks and Hispanics were more likely to experience a stroke, with the risk being 2.4 times higher for blacks and 2.5 times higher for Hispanics compared to whites. Young men were also more likely to have intracerebral hemorrhage than women.
Researchers found that beta blockers significantly reduced overall death rates by 16-34% in two years, regardless of inducible tachycardia presence. However, the drugs did not reduce arrhythmic death or cardiac arrest, but showed a trend towards fewer events with combined antiarrhythmic and beta blocker therapy.
A new study published by the American Heart Association found that MRI stress tests can predict fatal and nonfatal heart attacks in patients with certain conditions. The study used MRI stress tests on 279 men and women referred for further testing after initial ultrasound screenings were inconclusive.
Researchers found that antiphospholipid antibodies were 1.87 times more likely to cause a stroke in young women. The presence of these antibodies was also associated with recurrent miscarriage and low platelet counts.
A randomized trial of simvastatin in 173 children with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia found significant reductions in all cholesterol measures. The drug was well-tolerated and did not affect growth or pubertal development, making it a safe option for treating inherited high cholesterol in children.
Researchers found that everolimus reduced scar tissue growth in stents, preventing re-blockages by 46-40 percent. The oral medication shows promise as a treatment for restenosis and may reduce the need for stenting.
Researchers found that combining calcium scores and CRP levels can gauge the presence, amount, and stability of artery-clogging plaque. Elevated CRP levels were linked to increased risk of coronary events, while combined tests showed a six-fold difference in heart attack risk between high-risk and low-risk individuals.
Research found that reducing blood pressure to less than the standard goal also lowered artery stiffness in patients with high blood pressure. The study involved 142 nondiabetic patients who received antihypertensive drugs, resulting in a significant decrease in artery stiffness for those with lower target pressures.
The tolerance-hyperbaric test (THT) can identify pregnant women at high risk for gestational high blood pressure and preeclampsia up to 23 weeks before clinical confirmation. The test's sensitivity reaches 99% by the third trimester, providing early prevention opportunities.
Research suggests that drinking water can improve a person's ability to stand and reduce the likelihood of fainting, particularly for individuals who donate blood. Healthy participants were tested using tilt-table testing, with results showing an average increase of 40.9 minutes in tolerated standing time when hydrated.
A double-blind, randomized controlled trial found that taking aspirin at bedtime significantly reduced the risk of preterm labor and preeclampsia in pregnant women with high blood pressure. The study also showed significant weight gains in babies born to mothers who took aspirin at night.
A large study found that non-dippers have higher levels of fibrinogen, a clotting factor, which could account for increased risk. Fibrinogen levels vary over the year, peaking in winter months, and a 75 mg/dL increase translates to an 85% increased risk for coronary events.
Drs. Gerald DiBona and John Hall have overturned the medical community's long-held understanding of kidney function, revealing that increased nerve activity leads to high blood pressure. Their research shows that abnormal kidney function causes salt and water excretion to decrease, resulting in hypertension.
Researchers found that depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) reduces flow-mediated dilatation, a key indicator of endothelial function. DMPA can still be used safely by healthy women without cardiovascular risk factors, but those with risk factors should review their decision with their physician.
A recent study found that simvastatin significantly reduced hsCRP levels in patients with high LDL cholesterol after just two weeks of treatment. The results suggest that statins may work through multiple mechanisms to reduce inflammation and prevent heart disease events.
A study of 321 participants found that higher CRP levels are associated with increased coronary calcium and atherosclerosis, even after adjusting for traditional risk factors. The findings suggest a potential new link between inflammation and heart disease.
Patients with post-stroke dementia are at an increased risk of death within two years, with a relative risk of mortality six-fold compared to those without dementia after stroke. Dementia is also associated with poorer survival rates and reduced treatment adherence due to medication non-compliance.
A new program, social problem-solving telephone partnerships (SPTP), uses phone calls to help family caregivers resolve challenges of caring for stroke survivors. The study found that caregivers who received SPTP improved significantly in their depression, emotional well-being, and mental health over four weeks.
Researchers found omapatrilat to be effective in treating heart failure, with some indications of superiority over standard ACE inhibitors. Patients with both hypertension and heart failure showed the greatest benefit from omapatrilat.
A combination therapy of aspirin and coumarin reduced artery re-closure after heart attacks by 45% in a clinical trial. The therapy also improved problem-free survival rates and reduced the incidence of second heart attacks, according to researchers from the American Heart Association.
A new study confirms high cholesterol as a significant risk factor for stroke death in women, particularly those under 55. Cholesterol levels were found to be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke death across all age groups.
A study of 12,804 SAH cases found that mortality rates decreased with increasing hospital volume, with highest-volume hospitals having 32% lower mortality. Longer stays and higher costs were also associated with higher-volume hospitals.
Research found that African populations with a fish-rich diet had lower leptin levels compared to those on a vegetarian diet. This association suggests that consuming fish may improve the body's sensitivity to leptin, which could help prevent obesity and related health issues.
Researchers found that combining irbesartan with amiodarone significantly reduced the likelihood of recurring atrial fibrillation. The study involved 154 patients and showed a nearly 85% probability of maintaining a stable heartbeat for those treated with irbesartan, compared to 63% for those without.