A weight loss drug, lorcaserin, does not increase the risk of cardiovascular events, according to a study that enrolled over 12,000 adults. The trial found noninferiority of lorcaserin for major adverse cardiovascular events compared to placebo after three years.
A long-term study found that blood pressure lowering treatment with a calcium channel blocker plus statin reduces cardiovascular deaths by 29% compared to older therapy. Statins also show significant benefits, with 15% lower cardiovascular death rates in patients with average cholesterol levels.
A study of 341,730 Chinese adults found long-term use of solid fuels for cooking associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular death. Switching to electricity or gas reduced the negative impact of previous solid fuel use.
Research presented at ESC Congress 2018 found that impaired mental status is associated with a doubled risk of death one year after a heart attack in elderly patients. Cognitive impairment was detected in 29% of patients and was linked to higher risks of bleeding complications, rehospitalisation, and death.
A new study found that using oral anticoagulants for 45 days after hospital discharge reduced the rate of non-fatal blood clots in medically ill patients. The trial, MARINER, showed no increase in major bleeding risk while offering protection against non-fatal blood clots.
A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that sleeping 5 hours or less per night is associated with a doubled risk of cardiovascular disease. Men who slept five or fewer hours had twice the risk of developing a major cardiovascular event compared to those who slept seven to eight hours.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes. The ASCEND trial involved over 15,000 participants and followed them for an average of 7.4 years.
The ARRIVE study found that daily aspirin use did not reduce cardiovascular events, but participants who took aspirin had fewer heart attacks. Aspirin reduced the risk of total and nonfatal myocardial infarction in certain age groups, but increased gastrointestinal bleeding rates.
The Swiss Atrial Fibrillation Cohort Study found that 41% of atrial fibrillation patients had previously unknown brain damage, including cerebral infarcts, microbleeds, and lacunes. This brain damage may explain the association between dementia and atrial fibrillation in patients without prior stroke.
A large study found that sleeping less than six hours or waking up several times in the night increases the risk of asymptomatic atherosclerosis. Participants with short and fragmented sleep had significantly more atherosclerosis, according to Dr. Fernando Dominguez.
The trial found that using two arterial grafts, including internal thoracic and radial arteries, may provide better outcomes than a single graft. However, the results are not conclusive due to high rates of deviations from randomization.
The COMPASS trial found a significant link between major bleeding events and new cancer diagnoses in patients treated with anticoagulants. Patients who experienced bleeding were more than 20% likely to receive a new cancer diagnosis.
A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that sleeping six to eight hours a night is most beneficial for heart health. The research, which analyzed data from over one million adults, suggests that both short and long sleepers have an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease or stroke.
The new guidelines recommend open heart surgery for patients with complex coronary artery disease, as it provides better long-term survival and outcomes compared to stent placement. In contrast, patients with simpler disease can benefit from both surgical bypass and PCI, with complete revascularization being the preferred option.
Guidelines recommend inducing labour or caesarean section at 40 weeks to minimize pregnancy risks, particularly for women with congenital heart disease. Women with heart disease face higher mortality risk during pregnancy compared to healthy counterparts.
A smartphone application has been shown to effectively screen for atrial fibrillation, with a verification process that can be downsized or omitted. The study found that approximately 225 people would need to be screened to detect one new case, making this technology an attractive option for widespread screening.
Research suggests that very high HDL cholesterol levels may increase the risk of heart attack and death, contrary to traditional views. The study found a U-shaped curve in the relationship between HDL cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk, with both low and extremely high levels increasing the risk.
The guidelines recommend starting most patients on two blood pressure lowering drugs as a single tablet to improve control rates and reduce strokes, heart disease, and early deaths. A healthy lifestyle is also recommended for all patients, regardless of blood pressure level.
A new non-invasive test called FFRCT accurately reflects invasively measured fractional flow reserve, showing it can safely guide treatment for patients with moderate stenosis. The study found that patients with normal FFRCT results had a similar prognosis to those with mild or no stenosis.
The 2018 Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction provides clarity on diagnosing a heart attack, distinguishing between myocardial infarction and myocardial injury. Elevated troponin levels are not sufficient for diagnosis, and oxygen shortage detection via electrocardiogram is crucial.
A new study published by the European Society of Cardiology has investigated the major cause of heart attacks in women, finding that spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a leading factor. The study also identified emotional stress as a key trigger for SCAD, which can lead to narrowing, aneurysms, or tears in the arteries.
Overall stroke death rates have declined in Europe, but some countries are experiencing a recent plateau or increase in mortality. The study found significant decreases in death rates from cerebrovascular disease in most European countries over the past 37 years, with age-standardised mortality rates being higher in men than women.
Older, overweight scuba divers are at increased risk of dying due to cardiac issues. The study found that one-third of scuba divers are aged 50 years or older, with a significantly greater proportion having smoked cigarettes and high blood pressure.
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found a strong dose-response relationship between smoking and atrial fibrillation. Smoking five to ten cigarettes per day increased the risk by 9% to 32%, respectively. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce this risk, with former smokers experiencing a lower risk th...
Research from the Whitehall II study found that 50-year-olds with systolic blood pressure above 130mmHg have a 45% greater risk of developing dementia. This association was not seen at ages 60 and 70, suggesting a link between midlife hypertension and brain health.
A recent study found that feeling lonely is a stronger predictor of poor outcomes than living alone in patients with cardiovascular disease. The study revealed that loneliness was associated with doubled mortality risk in women and nearly doubled risk in men, as well as increased symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The EVIDENT II trial found that using a healthy lifestyle smartphone app improved arterial hardness, indicating delayed ageing and lower risk of atherosclerosis. The app group showed better results in modifying their diet composition, with higher carbohydrate intake and lower fat content.
Research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that stressful jobs are associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation. The study included 13,200 participants and found that employees with stressful jobs were almost 50% more likely to develop the condition.
A new study in Circulation presents evidence that fluid redistribution from the abdominal compartment to the heart and lungs may cause heart failure. The study used splanchnic nerve block to demonstrate this phenomenon in patients with acute heart failure, improving symptoms such as shortness of breath.
A study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that central obesity, even in patients with normal BMI, significantly increases the risk of heart problems. Measuring central obesity can provide a more accurate picture of cardiovascular health than relying solely on BMI.
A three-year study of 1,078 hypertensive patients with heart disease found that faster walkers had a significantly lower risk of hospitalization. The study also showed that fast walkers spent shorter lengths of time in the hospital compared to slow walkers.
A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that becoming more physically active after a myocardial infarction halves the risk of dying within four years. The research involved over 22,000 patients and showed that levels of physical activity were reported 6-10 weeks and 12 months after the heart attack.
Researchers found that divorce and low socioeconomic status are associated with a higher risk of recurrent heart events. Patients with higher education levels and household income had lower risks, suggesting marriage may be protective against recurrence.
A study of nearly 300,000 people found that being overweight or obese increases the risk of heart disease, with a BMI above 22-23 kg/m2 and increased waist circumference also linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help minimize this risk.
Survivors of childhood cancer are at increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, congestive heart failure, venous thromboembolism, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Early screening and lifestyle modifications may help prevent long-term cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers found a significant association between rapid increases in air pollution and cardiovascular risk, even in clean air cities. Nitric oxide increases of over 20 μg/m3 within 24 hours doubled the risk of heart attack.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal found that every ten-minute delay in treatment for STEMI patients with cardiogenic shock results in an extra 3.3 deaths per 100 patients treated with PCI. Treating STEMI patients within 90 minutes of first contact can prevent one death in every 12 patients.
A new study found that standing burns more calories than sitting, with a 65 kg person losing 10 kg in 4 years by substituting standing for sitting for 6 hours a day. Standing is linked to lower rates of heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes.
A European Society of Cardiology study found that four in ten cardiomyopathies in young people are genetic. Family screening is crucial to detect the disease in apparently healthy relatives and prevent early death. The study also highlights the need for earlier diagnosis and better diagnostic tests, including genetic testing.
A European Society of Cardiology study found that nearly a quarter of patients with chronic ischaemic cardiovascular disease are dead or hospitalised within six months. The study identified factors such as older age, history of peripheral revascularisation and chronic kidney disease as strongly associated with high risk.
A study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that male-pattern baldness and premature greying are associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease in young men. Obesity was also linked to an increased risk, but not to the same extent as these two factors.
A 24,502-person study found that regular physical activity in elderly individuals reduced cardiovascular disease risk by 14% compared to those who were inactive. Even low-intensity activities like walking and gardening are recommended.
Research presented at the 18th Annual Congress of the South African Heart Association found significant financial stress associated with a 13-fold higher odds of having a heart attack. The study included 106 patients with acute myocardial infarction and found both work stress and financial stress to be risk factors.
Research suggests anabolic androgenic steroid use may be associated with early coronary artery disease in healthy young individuals. The study found that steroid users had atherosclerosis, reduced HDL levels, and impaired HDL function.
A study presented at the Mexican Congress of Cardiology found that pacemakers can be safely reused after sterilisation, potentially increasing access to life-saving treatment for those who cannot afford it. The procedure involves washing and sterilizing donated devices, which were used in patients with a minimum battery life of six years.
A large observational study of nearly 49,000 Malaysian heart attack patients found a significant 10-year decline in blood cholesterol levels. This trend is opposite to the national average and suggests that statins may be responsible for the decrease in cholesterol levels among ACS patients.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that anticoagulant drugs used to prevent blood clots in atrial fibrillation patients also protect against dementia. The research analyzed data from over 444,000 patients and found a significant reduction in dementia risk among those taking anticoagulants.
A study found that using WhatsApp to send ECGs directly to hospital cath labs reduced treatment times and improved patient outcomes for patients with STEMI in Argentina. The results showed a significant decrease in mortality rate, hospital stay, and improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction.
Atrial fibrillation patients can use My AF app to access condition information, treatment options, and lifestyle tips. The app also enables face-to-face consultations with healthcare professionals. Meanwhile, AF Manager app helps healthcare providers import patient data, suggest personalized treatment plans, and share notes with patients.
Research presented at ESC Congress found that poor sleep is associated with increased risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke. The study revealed different patterns of sleep disturbance between the two conditions, with patients with ischaemic heart disease experiencing shorter sleep and brief moments of waking up.