Researchers found that half of patients admitted to hospital with life-threatening symptoms of heart failure had diastolic heart failure, a previously under-studied disorder. The study emphasizes the need for further research into treatment options for this common form of heart failure.
The study aims to determine the scope and adequacy of adult day services in the US, identifying gaps in availability and utilization. It will help shape future directions for the field and inform planning at local, state, and federal levels.
Researchers found that calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were significantly less effective at preventing heart attacks, heart failure, and cardiovascular events compared to ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics. The study analyzed over 27,000 patients and showed a 26% higher risk of heart attack among CCB users.
Researchers found that participants with high insulin resistance were more likely to develop high blood pressure, highlighting a potential new treatment target. The study also suggests that reducing insulin resistance may help prevent hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
A study by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that heart attack survivors experience blood vessel disease progression three to four times faster than those without heart disease. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and smoking history significantly accelerate this process.
A new study suggests that losartan, a type of hypertension medication, may improve sexual function in men with high blood pressure. After 12 weeks of treatment, 88% of hypertensive males with sexual dysfunction reported improvement in at least one area of sexuality. The drug also showed promise in improving overall quality of life.
A study by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that reducing prednisone medication can eliminate unpleasant side effects without affecting survival rates. 80% of adult transplant patients were successfully weaned off prednisone within two years, with no increased risk of rejection or infection.
A new study by researchers at Wake Forest University found a strong association between exposure to violence and the use of violence by young adolescents. The study, which included 722 Georgia middle school students living in or around public housing, found that even if children are exposed to other risk factors, social learning from e...
New research suggests angiotensin-(1-7) levels may predict and prevent preeclampsia. The hormone helps regulate high blood pressure during normal pregnancy.
Researchers found that offspring of premature heart attack victims exhibit structural and functional changes in their arteries, including thicker vessel walls and reduced reactivity, even in the absence of other risk factors. This study uses high-resolution ultrasound to detect early signs of atherosclerosis at young ages.
Reduced estrogen levels caused by stress can lead to atherosclerosis and increased heart disease risk in women. Stress affects estrogen production, causing fatty deposits in arteries and potentially leading to heart attacks and strokes.
A study of 27,743 patients found that long-acting calcium channel blockers increased the risk of heart attacks and congestive heart failure by 26% and 27%, respectively. The findings suggest that alternative antihypertensive drugs like diuretics, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors may be more effective in preventing cardiovascular events.
A major study found that hormone replacement therapy did not slow the progression of heart disease in older women, despite improvements in cholesterol levels. The Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis (ERA) trial used cardiac catheterization to measure narrowing in the heart's arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol.
The number of African-American babies diagnosed with rickets has increased by 4.4 times, while all babies have seen a three-fold increase due to low vitamin D levels in breast milk. The disease is caused by the body's inability to absorb calcium, leading to softening and weakening of bones.
Researchers found that higher doses of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were more effective in relieving depression, with 66.7% of patients experiencing relief compared to 38.9% on lower doses. However, the high-dose group also experienced temporary memory disturbances and longer recovery times.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine report a significant increase in breast cancer risk among Eastern Band Cherokee women who use smokeless tobacco. The study found that the risk of breast cancer rose almost eightfold compared to non-users, highlighting potential health concerns with alternative nicotine products.
A study of 31 prostate cancer patients found that quality of life returns to normal within a year following brachytherapy, with urinary symptoms disappearing. The treatment was compared to other options like removal of the prostate or standard radiation therapy, which carry higher risks of decreased sexual function and bowel problems.
A major study on colon cancer prevention found no link between dietary changes and reduced polyp recurrence. Despite initial hopes, researchers now recommend regular screening and colonoscopies for those with existing polyps.
A recent study found that attending religious services is associated with lower likelihoods of voluntary sexual activity in adolescents. Spiritual interconnectedness and importance of religion also play a role in delaying sexual activity.
Researchers found that Losartan reduced fatty streak development in monkeys fed a high-fat diet by 50%, suggesting the drug's potential in preventing atherosclerosis. The study suggests treating hypertension and cholesterol together may improve heart attack prevention statistics.
A new study by Wake Forest researchers found that women under 50 with severe psoriasis are often prescribed less effective treatments due to the risk of birth defects, while men receive more powerful drugs. The study also noted that women over 50 tend to receive stronger treatments, highlighting a gender gap in treatment options.
A new study of 309 older women found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) did not slow the progression of heart disease. HRT lowered cholesterol, but this benefit did not translate to a measurable impact on artery narrowing.
A large clinical trial, ALLHAT, has stopped part of its study due to Cardura being less effective at lowering blood pressure and preventing heart failure. The study compared Cardura with a diuretic, finding those taking Cardura had more serious hypertension complications
A study by Wake Forest University researchers found that the longer heart surgery takes, the more tiny particles of fat enter the bloodstream and circulate to the brain, blocking tiny blood vessels. This can cause brain deficits that may be permanent in ten to thirty percent of affected patients.
A recent study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine reveals that 41% of tobacco farm workers experience green tobacco sickness, characterized by headache, nausea, and dizziness. The illness is linked to acute nicotine poisoning caused by contact with wet tobacco leaves, which is rapidly absorbed through the skin.
A recent study by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center reveals that celiac disease is not as rare in the United States as previously believed. The condition affects an estimated 1 in 150-200 people in Europe and can be asymptomatic for many years, then trigger symptoms with exposure to gluten.
A new study links traumatic stress disorder and dementia in WWII veterans, suggesting that painful war memories may trigger violent episodes. Researchers found that veterans who developed dementia showed no signs of PTSD until then, highlighting the need for further research into this phenomenon.
Researchers have mapped the functional organization of the hippocampus, a critical area for short-term memory, using microelectrodes to record electrical impulses from individual neurons. The study shows that different portions of the hippocampus are active at different times depending on the type of memory function required.
Adolescents who participate in date violence are more likely to engage in other high-risk behaviors such as attempted suicide, sexual risk-taking, and pregnancy. Males and females exhibit different patterns of risk, with males showing associations between same-sex partners, forced sex, and physical violence.
The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University has been approved to participate in a national breast cancer study evaluating the effects of sentinel node biopsy versus standard axillary dissection. The trial aims to determine if removing only the sentinel node impacts cancer control and survival.
Researchers found that lower total cholesterol levels require only dietary changes, while higher levels necessitate medication. The combined strategies are effective in reducing cholesterol across all surveyed individuals, regardless of their initial cholesterol levels.
Researchers found that the anti-hypertensive drug Losartan inhibited atherosclerosis development in monkeys by 50% compared to untreated controls. This suggests treating hypertension with Angiotensin II-blockers may slow or prevent atherosclerosis progression.
A cholesterol-lowering drug, pravastatin, has been shown to reduce stroke risk by 20% in patients with heart disease or high cholesterol. The study pooled data from three clinical trials involving over 19,700 participants and found a significant reduction in stroke rate, particularly among those with coronary heart disease.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine are testing whether an extract from the leaves of the ginkgo tree can slow memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. The six-year clinical trial will enroll 2,000 participants and evaluate the effect of 240 milligrams of ginkgo daily on memory function.
A recent study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine found a high diabetes rate among Lumbee Indians, with approximately 9% of adults in Robeson County diagnosed. The study suggests that diabetes is a major concern for the Lumbee community and highlights the need for increased healthcare awareness and prevention efforts.
A new report by Robert H. DuRant shows a significant link between sexual experience and violent behavior in North Carolina high school males. Males who have been involved in pregnancy are more likely to engage in behaviors increasing their risk of injury or death, such as fighting, carrying a gun to school, and using illegal substances.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have cloned the gene responsible for primary hyperoxaluria type II, a rare inherited form of kidney stone disease. The discovery may lead to better understanding and treatment of the disease, which can cause severe kidney failure and early death if left untreated.
A national research project will investigate how insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes and obesity, is inherited in three generations of family members. The study aims to identify specific genes responsible for these conditions.
A major study aimed at preventing cardiovascular disease in diabetes will involve 10,000 patients and last for at least nine years. The study aims to determine whether aggressive control of glycemia, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can reduce cardiovascular complications in Type 2 diabetes.
A large-scale national study will investigate whether weight loss reduces cardiovascular disease and slows atherosclerosis progression in obese people with type 2 diabetes. The 7-year trial, funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders, aims to enroll 6,000 participants.
According to a study, 22.8% of middle school students in North Carolina have smoked within the past 30 days and 39% purchased their cigarettes from a store. Adolescents who were asked for proof of age and denied purchasing cigarettes smoked fewer cigarettes.
A Wake Forest University study found that soy high in isoflavones can dramatically lower LDL cholesterol levels by up to 10% and total cholesterol by up to 9%. The study also showed a dose-response relationship between isoflavone content and cholesterol-lowering effects.
The Wake Forest University School of Medicine has been awarded $400,000 for a new MicroPET scanner, which will enable researchers to conduct PET studies in nonhuman primates and rodents. The scanner's higher resolution allows for more detailed brain structure imaging.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that severe psoriasis is debilitating, both physically and mentally, affecting quality of life for patients
Researchers are focusing on two isoflavones in soy: genistein and daidzein. Preliminary evidence suggests that predominantly daidzein may be of greater cardiovascular benefit.
Researchers will investigate whether azithromycin reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with documented heart disease. A total of 4,000 volunteers will be recruited nationally to participate in the Azithromycin and Coronary Event Study.
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has become the first medical center to use the GliaSite Radiation Therapy System, a device that delivers high doses of radiation directly into tumor tissue. This innovation aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with malignant brain tumors.
A new study finds that early aortic valve disease significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, angina, and even death in older adults. The condition, known as aortic sclerosis, is associated with a 50% increase in risk of heart-related causes, even after adjusting for other factors.
The school will provide a comprehensive professional development program to expand problem-based learning into K-12 mathematics and science education. The program includes an intensive week-long institute for teachers, followed by bi-weekly sessions and material development.
A five-year study of female monkeys will examine how chronic, low-level stress affects brain function and may lead to depression. The research aims to understand why some individuals are more susceptible to depression than others and may provide insights into treating depression in humans.