A study found that electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) scans are significantly better than traditional risk factors in categorizing heart disease risk. Combining EBCT with risk factors improved the ability to assess an individual's heart disease risk, making it a useful tool for early treatment and prevention.
A new study published in the American Heart Association finds that eating legumes, such as beans and peas, at least four times a week can lower the risk of heart disease by 19%. The study examined data from over 11,000 men and women and found that frequent bean-eaters had a 9% reduced risk for all forms of cardiovascular disease.
Middle-aged and elderly marijuana smokers increase their risk of a heart attack by more than four and a half times during the first hour after smoking, according to a recent study. The study found that the risk of a heart attack is highest in the first hour after use, but drops significantly after two hours.
Adding nurse practitioners to acute stroke teams can significantly decrease complications, leading to reduced hospital stays, fewer deaths, and improved patient recovery. This approach also helps lower the risk of urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and deep vein thrombosis.
Two studies found that nearly 40% of rural East Texas stroke patients arrived too late to receive tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), a treatment that can reverse stroke effects. The delay was often due to lack of knowledge about calling 911 or in-hospital delays.
Emergency room physicians demonstrate similar door-to-needle time and outcomes as neurologists in treating acute stroke patients. The study's results show that ER physicians can safely administer clot-busting treatments within minutes of a patient's arrival.
A study found that top hospitals in the US are falling short in stroke prevention, with 40% of patients not receiving necessary clot-preventing medications. The study, which analyzed data from 961 patients, also showed that certain groups, such as older adults and those with major heart disease, were more likely to receive treatment.
A study found that nearly 18% of people screened had significant blockages in their carotid arteries, which can lead to a stroke. Those with two or more risk factors, such as age over 65 or high cholesterol, are significantly more likely to have a blockage.
According to a new study, stroke incidence in the US may be rising, affecting over 1.2 million people annually. Researchers found that stroke numbers have remained stable for 15 years, suggesting previously reported figures may be too low.
Researchers at Oregon Stroke Center have successfully treated five stroke patients with laser clot-busting, achieving complete vessel re-opening in some cases. The study aims to examine the safety of the technique and explore its potential as a next wave of acute stroke treatment.
Omapatrilat, a vasopeptidase inhibitor, has been shown to improve cardiovascular function and reduce death rates and hospitalization for worsening heart failure. The drug may offer a potential breakthrough in treating congestive heart failure, which kills over 44,000 annually.
Researchers found that 40% of men with erectile dysfunction had significant blockages in heart arteries, which is associated with chest pain and an increased risk of heart attack. The study suggests that erectile dysfunction may be an early warning sign of potential heart problems due to atherosclerosis.
A traditional Chinese diet high in vegetables and green tea may be protective against heart disease. Researchers found that westernized Chinese individuals consumed more animal fats and dairy products than those who followed a traditional diet.
Researchers discovered a genetic cause of coronary artery spasm, a condition that causes chest pain or heart attack. The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene mutation was prevalent in patients with the condition and also linked to increased risk in smokers.
Researchers have developed a new robotic technique for performing coronary artery bypass surgery, which appears to be safe and effective. The procedure uses a small tubelike instrument and robotic arms to minimize scarring and promote faster recovery times.
A study found that spouses of heart attack patients share similar risk factors, including high body mass index and smoking habits. The researchers analyzed data from 170 couples and discovered that nearly 76% of couples were overweight or obese, with women being more likely to continue smoking after their partner's heart attack.
A new scoring system used in treadmill testing has been found to improve the accuracy of diagnosing heart disease, with 77% accuracy overall compared to 69% for expert cardiologists. This method is more accurate than expensive diagnostic equipment and can provide a second opinion for physicians.
A new study found that heart disease begins to develop in childhood, with well-developed plaque deposits present in one in six teenagers. The study used ultrasound to examine the arteries of recently-transplanted hearts from people who were free of known heart disease.
A study by Hennepin County Medical Center found that cocaine users are at a higher risk of developing aneurysms in their heart arteries, with 30% of participants showing the condition. The study suggests that cocaine use causes blood vessel damage and accelerates atherosclerosis, leading to increased cardiovascular health problems.
Researchers found striking variations in heart disease rates across the US, with states with high cigarette smoking rates and lower educational levels having higher mortality rates. Lifestyle factors are believed to contribute significantly to early death from heart disease, particularly in male baby boomers.
A new household activities scale appears to be a better measure of quality of life scores for older women with heart disease. The scale assesses daily tasks such as housekeeping, cooking, and laundry that are relevant to their lives.
A new low-fat sterol ester spread can lower LDL cholesterol levels by 5-10% and may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. The study found that consuming 1-2 grams of the substance per day had similar cholesterol-lowering effects, making it a promising non-drug option for heart disease prevention.
Researchers found that men with low HDL levels had nearly twice the mortality rate as those with higher levels after coronary bypass surgery. High HDL levels also helped clear bad cholesterol from the blood and protected against heart disease.
A new household activities scale appears to be a better measure of quality of life scores for older women with heart disease. The scale assesses daily tasks such as cooking, laundry, and grocery shopping, providing a more accurate reflection of physical activity limitations.
Research suggests that men with high HDL cholesterol levels after coronary bypass surgery live longer and experience fewer cardiac events. High levels of HDL cholesterol may be more significant than LDL in predicting long-term outcomes for patients undergoing heart surgery.
A new study reveals that a specific gene variant, apoE-4, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, even in individuals with normal cholesterol levels. The research, conducted on 731 healthy adults, found that those carrying the apoE-4 gene had a higher incidence of coronary events compared to non-carriers.
A study found that people with pets experienced half the increase in blood pressure under stress compared to those without pets. The researchers used medication to control high blood pressure and tested the effects of pets on stress reactivity.
Researchers found that patients who received the gene therapy had less than half of the failures of those without the treatment, with improved vein wall adaptation and reduced blockage rates. The study suggests a new treatment approach to vastly improve bypass surgery success rates.
The American Heart Association has prepared 16 news releases and 32 news tips for the 72nd Scientific Sessions. Logistical information includes room locations, telephone numbers, hours of operation, and name badge requirements. Reporters can access news conferences, media availabilities, and exhibitions at specific times.
A recent study suggests that teens from low-SES neighborhoods with higher educated parents exhibit reduced blood pressure responses to stress. This finding reinforces the importance of education in mitigating health risks for adolescents.
Researchers have found a potential link between leptin and high blood pressure in a study of over 300 healthy adults. Higher levels of leptin were associated with higher diastolic blood pressure, suggesting that leptin may play a role in regulating blood pressure.
Researchers identified two gene variants that may govern the body's ability to regulate levels of an enzyme called renal kallikrein, which can affect salt and water balance. The study found that variations in the human tissue kallikrein gene are associated with higher blood pressure in African Americans.
The American Heart Association awarded Gold Heart Awards to Edmond M. Hoffman and Harold C. Strauss for their significant contributions to the organization over several decades. Their work includes promoting increased federal funding of biomedical research and relocating the National Center from New York City to Dallas.
The American Heart Association honored three volunteers, Coletta Barrett, Philip Greenland, and Rose Marie Robertson, with national awards for their significant contributions to advancing the association's objectives. Barrett was recognized for her passion and enthusiasm for American Heart Association programs, while Greenland was prai...
Charles L. Curry, a professor at Howard University College of Medicine, was honored for developing education and compliance programs to control high blood pressure. His efforts have led to increased awareness and compliance with high blood pressure treatments in underserved areas.
Eating a diet high in cereal fiber can help reduce a woman's risk of heart attack, with the highest fiber consumers having a 23% reduced risk of heart disease. The study also found that smoking less, exercising more and eating foods high in vitamins and minerals were associated with higher fiber intake.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that abciximab, a blood-thinner, can help prevent heart attacks in patients with unstable angina who have high troponin T levels. The treatment reduced heart attack risk by 44% in these patients compared to those without elevated troponin T levels.
A new nonsurgical technique using stent-graft placement has been shown to be effective in treating people with life-threatening aortic dissection. The catheter-delivered procedure involves inserting a wire mesh tube to force open and maintain the blocked aorta, reducing complications and mortality rates.
Researchers found that folic acid fortification in grains increased plasma folate levels and reduced total homocysteine concentrations. This study provides important information on the impact of consuming specific amounts of folate on blood homocysteine levels, which may have implications for reducing heart disease risk.
The number of deaths from coronary heart disease has declined, with a reduction in heart attacks accounting for two-thirds of the decline. The study attributes the remaining third to increased survival rates among those who have had heart attacks.
A 10-year study found that parenthood led to reduced leisure time physical activities in women, with a greater decrease observed among white women. The study suggests that mothers may need more time to exercise or design programs allowing them to exercise with their children present.
A study of 54 postmenopausal women found that a higher intake of vitamin E from food was linked to reduced oxidation of LDL cholesterol, a key indicator of heart disease. This benefit occurred only in women who did not use supplements.
The American Heart Association reports that higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and reduced inflammation. Additionally, researchers found that smaller LDL particles are an independent risk factor for heart disease.
The American Heart Association reports that high dietary salt intake is linked to increased risk of heart disease and stroke in overweight individuals. Snoring may also be a warning sign for cardiovascular disease, as it activates the sympathetic nervous system. Additionally, controlling weight through exercise can reduce cardiovascula...
A study found that patients who experience strokes during the night wait four to seven hours longer for emergency treatment than those whose strokes occur during the day. This delay is caused by the difficulty in determining the exact time of stroke onset when symptoms are only apparent after waking up.
A new study from Boston University suggests that moderate alcohol consumption up to 20 grams/day may not raise PAI-1 levels; instead, higher levels are associated with a modest increase. The findings suggest that moderate drinking may have beneficial effects on PAI-1 or at least no harm.
The American Heart Association recommends statin drugs as a second step after lifestyle modifications for cholesterol-lowering. Red yeast rice, found in Cholestin, may be less safe and effective than prescription medications.
A Chinese condiment extract, Cholestin, has been shown to reduce total blood cholesterol by nearly 26% in elderly patients and 'bad' cholesterol by 32.8%. The supplement contains HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that inhibit liver-produced cholesterol production.
A study found that low educational level increases the risk of congestive heart failure by 35% compared to those with more education. The strongest risk factors for developing CHF were diabetes, high blood pressure, overweight, smoking, and physical inactivity.
A new study reveals that a specific gene variant can make African Americans more sensitive to salt, increasing their risk of developing high blood pressure. The researchers found that even small amounts of salt can raise blood pressure in individuals with the gene variant.