Patients with peripheral arterial disease can now opt for pain-free exercise, improving symptoms and mobility. Alternative exercises, such as arm ergometer and resistance training, are equally effective to traditional walking programmes.
A large cohort study found a significant link between atrial fibrillation and an increased risk of dementia in elderly individuals, even those without a history of stroke. The study also showed that anticoagulant treatment may help mitigate this risk.
A new study using Mendelian randomisation found that higher BMI and fat mass are associated with an increased risk of aortic valve stenosis and most other cardiovascular diseases. The study used genetic variants to estimate the effect of BMI and body fat on 14 cardiovascular conditions in 367,703 participants.
Overweight four-year-olds have a doubled risk of high blood pressure by age six, with excess weight being the most common cause. Regular exercise and healthy diet can help prevent childhood obesity and its consequences, including cardiovascular disease.
The study estimates that 7.6 million people over 65 in the EU had atrial fibrillation in 2016, with this number expected to increase to 14.4 million by 2060. Atrial fibrillation patients over 80 are at a greater risk of stroke, making prevention and detection crucial.
Research shows that heart attack patients with prolonged depression or anxiety are at a higher risk of death. Patients who experienced chronic emotional distress were more likely to die from cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular causes during follow-up.
A study of 326 patients with acute myocardial infarction found that a perceived inability to act and inaccurate symptom appraisal were common factors contributing to delayed care-seeking. These patients often reported feelings of paralysis, fear, or anxiety, which can be addressed through education and awareness campaigns.
Patients with stable chronic heart failure can safely discontinue diuretics without increased dyspnoea or reuse of the medication. The ReBIC-1 trial found no significant differences in symptom relief between patients who stopped and those who continued taking furosemide.
Patients with chronic heart failure are more likely to adopt lifestyle advice when accompanied by family members, according to a new study. The study found that nearly 48% of patients did no physical activity and 25% never adhered to fluid restrictions.
Researchers found that heart failure patients with lower fibre intake had less diverse gut microbiota, linked to increased cardiovascular events. Patients who consumed more fibre had improved gut bacteria, reducing their risk of death or need for a heart transplant.
A study found that elderly patients with heart failure who visit a pharmacist weekly are more likely to take their medications and be active, resulting in improved quality of life. The intervention increased adherence by 86% compared to usual care.
A new study reveals that women undergoing fertility treatment are at a higher risk of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a life-threatening condition. PPCM affects about one in 1,000 pregnant women worldwide and is characterized by an enlarged and weak heart, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling.
A study found that biomarkers like midregional proadrenomedullin and bio-adrenomedullin can predict mortality risk in acute heart failure patients. Patients with these biomarker levels above the median had significantly lower survival if not receiving diuretics at discharge.
New research found women are less likely to receive resuscitation attempts by bystanders and have lower survival rates from cardiac arrest, largely due to misdiagnosis of symptoms. Women are also less likely to be diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction or undergo life-saving treatments.
The expert consensus paper recommends using intracoronary imaging to guide treatment for acute coronary syndromes, including heart attacks. Imaging provides a more accurate diagnosis and helps tailor therapy, especially for younger patients with complex lesions or plaque erosion.
A machine learning algorithm using eight variables has been developed to predict sudden cardiac death and heart failure death in heart failure patients. The study found a high accuracy rate of 0.87 for predicting all events, and 0.74 and 0.91 for arrhythmic events and heart failure death respectively.
A study by the European Society of Cardiology found that machine learning algorithms can accurately predict heart attacks and deaths with over 90% accuracy. By analyzing 85 variables from imaging data, the algorithm identified patterns correlating to death and heart attack, surpassing human performance.
A new AI-powered decision support system, ARTICA, was found to advise against unnecessary tests in 67% of patients with stable chest pain, a rate significantly higher than cardiologists. The study showed that avoiding these tests would save staff one hour and patients two hours on average, while also reducing costs.
A recent survey reveals that nearly half of the public incorrectly believes heart failure is a normal part of aging, highlighting low awareness among both patients and the general public. Exercise has been found to be beneficial for patients with heart failure, with over half recognizing its potential as a treatment option.
A study presented at EuroHeartCare 2019 found that fitter heart failure patients have healthier brain function and are less likely to have cognitive impairment. Exercise has been shown to improve cognition in older adults and may also benefit heart failure patients.
A new study highlights the growing need for cardio-oncology services to monitor and prevent heart disease in cancer patients. The research found that many cancer survivors are not fully aware of the risks of cardiotoxicity and lack understanding of a balanced diet, making them more susceptible to heart failure.
A large study of 131,739 never-smokers found that passive smoking is associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure. The study suggests that avoiding secondhand smoke completely is necessary to protect against hypertension. Researchers recommend stricter smoking bans and help for smokers to quit.
Research presented at EuroCMR 2019 found that training for and completing a first-time marathon reduces arterial age by four years and systolic blood pressure by 4 mmHg, comparable to medication effects. The study included 139 healthy first-time marathon runners who experienced significant improvements in cardiovascular health.
A 14-week exercise programme has improved the structure and function of hearts damaged by premature birth. Young adults born preterm have shown normalized cardiac pumping functions after exercise, which should reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
Research found that one-third of workers have hypertension, and combined work stress and poor sleep increase cardiovascular death risk by three times. Employers should provide stress management and sleep treatment in the workplace, especially for staff with chronic conditions.
Women who take antibiotics for two months or more are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in late adulthood and middle age. The study found that long-duration antibiotic use was associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in women aged 60 or older.
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that people who skip breakfast and eat dinner near bedtime have a four to five times higher likelihood of death, another heart attack, or angina within 30 days after hospital discharge for heart attack. Late-night dinner eating was also associated with poorer outc...
A study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that individuals with higher muscle power tend to live longer. The research, which analyzed data from over 3,800 non-athletes aged 41-85, showed that those with above-median muscle power had the best survival rates.
A recent study found that couples who attempt to quit smoking together have a significantly higher success rate compared to those who try to quit alone. The odds of quitting smoking at 16 weeks were sixfold higher in couples who tried to quit together.
A large study found that moving more is linked to living longer, with a 2.8% reduction in all-cause mortality for each milliliter increase in maximal oxygen uptake. The benefits of fitness were seen in men and women across all age groups and fitness levels.
Patients with acute coronary syndromes can return to work in two to three months, but one in four quit after a year. Psychological factors like lack of confidence, depression, and anxiety are significant predictors of failure. Attending cardiac rehabilitation and gradual reintegration into the workplace can help patients succeed.
Research published by the European Society of Cardiology found that victims of heart attack and stroke who return to work are 25% less productive in their first year back. The study estimated direct medical costs of acute coronary syndrome as €1,547-€18,642 and stroke costs as €5,575-€31,274.
A study from the European Society of Cardiology reveals that nighttime trips to the bathroom may be a sign of high blood pressure or excess fluid in the body. The researchers suggest that individuals experiencing nocturia should consult their doctor about their blood pressure and salt intake to address potential hypertension.
The European Society of Cardiology calls for reimbursement of digital health technologies to manage chronic diseases. Home-based care models, such as smartphone apps connected to medical devices, are more effective than traditional hospital visits in reducing blood pressure and improving patient outcomes.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has found that paternal smoking and maternal passive smoking can significantly increase the risk of congenital heart defects in offspring. The analysis of 125 studies involving over 137,000 babies with congenital heart defects revealed a 74% increased risk for me...
A new study shows that a simplified catheter ablation procedure can deliver the same outcomes as traditional procedures without the need for complex equipment and staff training. This could lead to reduced waiting lists for atrial fibrillation patients, with 30% more patients receiving treatment within the same budget.
A new study found that controlling high blood pressure in mid-life patients with atrial fibrillation can reduce dementia risk by up to 15%. The study analyzed data from over 196,000 patients and found that lowering systolic blood pressure to 120-129 mmHg was associated with lower dementia risk.
A recent study found that remote monitoring of implanted defibrillators in heart failure patients significantly reduces the rate of hospitalization and death. The trial showed a lower rate of primary endpoint (39.5%) compared to standard care (48.5%), with reduced cardiovascular deaths and hospitalizations.
A new study by the European Society of Cardiology found that a more precise placement of the left ventricular lead improves cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) outcomes. The trial compared two methods for positioning the lead and found an absolute increase in left ventricular ejection fraction of 4% with electrical guidance.
A new study by the European Society of Cardiology found that tilt training can significantly reduce the frequency of fainting episodes in patients with recurrent syncope. The program improved cardiovascular function and reduced worry, fear and frustration related to fainting.
A commonly used heart drug, nifedipine, is associated with an increased risk of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest, particularly at high doses. The study analyzed data from large registries and found no risk association with amlodipine.
A novel electrocardiogram method uses signals from the ear and hand to detect atrial fibrillation and prevent strokes. The new technique paves the way for a single-lead ECG wearable device that could be used by drivers, athletes, and the military.
A large-scale study using a smartwatch app to detect atrial fibrillation found the detection rate was about 0.2% among over 400,000 participants. European experts discuss the implications of this technology, citing concerns about anxiety, legal issues, and readiness for implementation.
The discovery of subtypes of atrial fibrillation enables individualized treatment, improving patient care. Novel results shed light on mechanisms and define clinical types based on the main cause.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that air pollution is responsible for an estimated 8.8 million extra deaths globally, with Europe accounting for nearly 800,000 excess deaths annually. In Europe, air pollution causes an estimated 790,000 extra deaths and between 40-80% are due to cardiovascular diseases.
Research links seven vascular risk factors to differences in brain structure, particularly areas responsible for complex thinking. The study found stronger associations between smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes with grey matter volume and white matter damage.
A study presented at the 30th Annual Conference of the Saudi Heart Association found that waterpipe and cigarette smoking are associated with heart attacks at a younger age in Saudi Arabians. Smokers have more complications, bigger heart attacks, and poorer outcomes compared to non-smokers.
A study found that brain regions involved in emotional processing and controlling the body's unconscious workings do not communicate as well in patients with Takotsubo syndrome, a condition known as 'broken heart' syndrome. This decrease in communication may contribute to the development of TTS, which is triggered by emotional stressors.
A study found that women are less likely to be treated promptly for heart attack symptoms compared to men. Women's delays in seeking medical attention contribute to worse outcomes and increased mortality rates.
A large observational study found that patients with STEMI who were directly admitted to primary PCI centres had significantly better long-term survival than those transferred from other hospitals. The time gap between diagnosis and treatment was also shorter, contributing to the improved outcomes.