Over a 20-year period, the gender gap in death from heart attack has reduced significantly, with overall in-hospital mortality for heart attack patients halved. Younger women have seen particularly significant reductions in mortality, with decreases of 6% and 13% in mortality rates for STEMI and NSTEMI patients, respectively.
The new guidelines expand indications for transcatheter valves in intermediate risk populations, recommend a heart team approach for symptomatic aortic stenosis, and suggest non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants as an alternative to vitamin K antagonists in atrial fibrillation patients with aortic valve disease.
Research published in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found a significant association between marijuana use and an increased risk of death from hypertension. Marijuana users had a three-fold higher risk of dying from hypertension compared to non-users, with the risk increasing with each additional year of use.
Research found a six-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adults hospitalized for pneumonia or sepsis within the first year. Cardiovascular risk remained elevated for at least five years after infection, similar to findings for coronary heart disease and stroke.
A study found that nutrition advice aimed at children also improved their parents' diets, leading to reduced cardiovascular risk. The intervention focused on reducing saturated fat intake and increasing unsaturated fat consumption in children, resulting in better dietary habits among parents.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that people who work long hours (55+ hours/week) are approximately 40% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation over a ten-year period. The risk is higher among those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and other risk factors.
A new registry study highlights the unique characteristics of heart failure patients in Asia, including younger age and higher co-morbidity rates compared to Western populations. The study also reveals underutilization of potentially life-saving implantable cardiac defibrillators in Asia.
Newly diagnosed asymptomatic atrial fibrillation patients have a higher rate of previous stroke compared to those with symptoms. The study found that patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation have a five-fold increased risk of stroke, and strokes in these patients tend to be severe and disabling.
Research suggests that breast implants can impede electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings and result in false heart attack diagnoses. The study found that women with breast implants were more likely to have abnormal ECG readings due to the implant interfering with the electrical activity of the heart.
A study found that pacemakers and other cardiac devices can determine the time and cause of death in unclear cases where autopsy fails. The devices revealed this information in 76% of cases, with changes in lead impedance and pacing threshold used to assign the time of death.
A novel smartphone application has been developed to direct first responders to cardiac arrest victims more than three minutes before emergency services arrive. Each minute of earlier intervention increases the chance of survival by 10%, reducing brain injury risk.
A study published in the European Heart Journal shows a vaccine that lowers cholesterol may be effective in preventing cardiovascular disease. The AT04A vaccine, administered to genetically modified mice, reduced cholesterol levels by 53% and induced long-lasting antibodies against PCSK9, an enzyme contributing to high cholesterol.
The EHRA White Book provides comprehensive data on cardiac arrhythmia treatment, including device implantations and interventional procedures. The 2017 edition shows significant disparities in treatment across countries, with higher volumes of device implantations in Western and Northern countries.
Women are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease due to longer lifespan and differences in drug absorption, distribution, and metabolism compared to men. The European Society of Cardiology recommends sex-specific guidelines for cardiovascular drugs to minimize adverse reactions.
Researchers found that marathon running had no association with pre-atherosclerotic changes, but age was independently linked to stiffer arteries. The study suggests that runners can complete multiple marathons without increasing their risk of atherosclerosis.
The INCA-Peru study developed an ultrafast CMR protocol, reducing scan time to 10 minutes and cost to $150, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes in Peru. The test revealed new diagnoses in 20% of patients, changing clinical management in 33%.
Researchers found that statin users had improved left ventricular mass and volume, and reduced thickened heart muscle and large heart chambers. This suggests that statins may lower the risk of future heart attacks, heart failure, or stroke by reversing negative changes in the heart.
Research has found a strong association between particulate matter (PM2.5) and increased risk of heart attack, heart failure, and death. Higher education was found to be protective against the negative effects of PM2.5 on heart structure and function.
A retrospective observational study found that men have a more severe form of chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy, with lower left and right ventricular ejection fractions and larger cardiac volumes compared to women. The study's results suggest that female sex hormones may be protective against this condition.
Researchers found that heart failure patients with a history of stroke had greater risks of depression, hospitalization, and death compared to those without a history of stroke. Patients with both conditions died an average of five months earlier and were more likely to be rehospitalized or die.
A novel tablet, OPTILOGG, is helping heart failure patients to manage their condition by providing education, registering body weight, and titrating diuretics. Patients' self-care behaviors improved significantly, with a median score decrease of 10.5 points or 37%.
Research found that mechanical heart valve noise disturbs sleep in nearly a quarter of patients, with women more affected than men. The study also showed that patients often find ways to cope with the noise, such as sleeping on their right side or using earplugs.
A global study reveals low adherence to International Atomic Energy Agency recommendations for reducing nuclear cardiology radiation exposure. The research found that stress or rest only imaging, avoiding thallium, and camera technologies to reduce dose were key practices associated with achieving a 9 mSv scan.
Research found that Hodgkin lymphoma survivors who received chest irradiation had significantly more multi-vessel coronary artery disease and higher segment involvement scores compared to controls. The study suggests that patients should be screened for coronary artery disease at regular intervals after irradiation.
A large nuclear cardiology laboratory has achieved a significant reduction in radiation doses, from 17.9 mSv in 2009 to 7.2 mSv in 2016, with the median dose dropping by 75%. The study used new technologies and protocols, including stress-only tests and more sensitive cameras, to achieve these reductions.
A study found substantial differences in accuracy between commercially available heart rate apps, with some apps performing up to 20 beats per minute off from the clinical gold standard. Non-contact apps performed less well than contact apps, particularly at higher heart rates and lower body temperatures.
A new study found that desensitizing patient antibodies can reduce the risk of heart transplant rejection in high immunological risk patients. Patients with high levels of anti-HLA antibodies had similar survival rates to those without DSA, but experienced more bleeding complications due to plasmapheresis.
A study of over 20,000 heart failure patients found that unemployment is associated with a 50% increased risk of death and 12% higher risk of rehospitalization for heart failure. Employment status was also linked to morbidity and mortality in younger patients.
A meta-analysis of prospective studies reveals that individuals with non-O blood groups (A, B, AB) are at a higher risk of heart attacks and overall cardiovascular mortality. The study found a 9% increased risk of coronary events and cardiovascular mortality in non-O blood group carriers compared to O blood group carriers.
Serelaxin, a hormone with vasodilatory effects, failed to improve cardiovascular outcomes in the phase 3 RELAX-AHF-2 trial. Despite initial promising results from previous studies, serelaxin showed no significant benefit in reducing worsening heart failure or all-cause mortality.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that higher alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias. The research, which monitored participants as they drank, found that even moderate drinking can lead to abnormal heart rhythms.
The EXPERT tool generates personalized exercise programs for patients with different combinations of cardiovascular risk factors or diseases. The tool takes into account various goals, including reducing blood glucose, fat mass, and blood pressure in patients with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
Research found that participants who exercised had a lower risk of dying from a heart attack, with a dose-response relationship between exercise level and mortality rate. Regular physical activity may help develop collateral blood vessels and improve blood flow to the heart.
A prospective observational study found a high association between grey hair and coronary artery disease in adult men. Researchers discovered that as age increases, so does the incidence of both atherosclerosis and hair greying due to similar biological pathways.
The study found a consistent association between overweight and obesity with sickness absence, regardless of metabolic health status. Obese workers were 37% more likely to take sick leave for non-work-related illnesses than their healthy-weight colleagues.
Research found that bigger women have a significantly higher risk of atrial fibrillation due to their larger body size, with those in the highest body surface area quartile having nearly three times the risk as those in the lowest. The study's findings suggest that avoiding excess weight may be beneficial for tall individuals.
A meta-analysis of 15 studies found significant associations between insomnia symptoms and the risk of heart disease and stroke. Insomnia symptoms such as difficulty initiating sleep, maintaining sleep, and non-restorative sleep were linked to increased risks of cardiovascular events.
Research found that specialist heart centres improve survival by 45% compared to general hospitals, with procedures like coronary angiography and PCI linked to significant differences in survival. The study supports the establishment of few high-volume invasive heart centres for optimal post-resuscitation care.
A recent European Society of Cardiology study found that cardiac lead extractions are safer in high-volume centers compared to low-volume centers. The study, which included data from over 3,500 patients, found that extraction in a low volume center was associated with a doubled risk of death during the hospital stay.
Research links common painkillers diclofenac and ibuprofen to increased risk of cardiac arrest, with diclofenac being the most hazardous. The study advises limiting ibuprofen to 1200mg per day and avoiding diclofenac in patients with cardiovascular disease or high-risk factors.
Research reveals PPCM is a global disease, presenting uniformly despite differences in healthcare systems and ethnic groups. Women with PPCM often experience heart failure and blood clots, highlighting the need for increased awareness and timely treatment.
The European Society of Cardiology calls for rewritten clinical trial rules to protect patients and ensure reliable results. The current ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines need to be based on principles rather than operational details.
Research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that physical activity is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease regardless of age. For middle-aged and elderly people, the benefits of physical activity may outweigh the impact of overweight and obesity on cardiovascular disease.
The eHealth revolution is transforming cardiovascular medicine with smartphone apps predicting worsening heart failure and apps warning of dangerously low blood pressure or glucose levels. Big Data analysis provides insights into the greatest impact of treatments and compares results across countries.
Researchers found that statin specific side effects were the main reason patients failed to meet LDL cholesterol targets. Patients prescribed low-intensity statins were more likely to miss the target than those on high-intensity statins.
A recent study published in Circulation found that having multiple children increases the risk of atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease in women. Additionally, research suggests that preterm delivery is a significant cardiovascular risk factor for women, regardless of other factors.
A new study published in JAMA Cardiology has found that habitual e-cigarette users are more likely to have increased cardiac sympathetic activity and oxidative stress compared to non-users. The findings suggest that e-cigarettes may not be harmless and warrant further research into their potential adverse cardiovascular health effects.
A new study reveals that catheter ablation significantly reduces symptoms in over half of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that increases the risk of stroke and death. The procedure's success rate is higher than expected, but monitoring after treatment is often inadequate.
Researchers found that measuring TMAO levels in blood could predict risk of death and other major heart problems in patients with chest pains. Higher TMAO levels were associated with increased risks of serious heart problems, death, and thrombosis in both short-term and long-term periods.
Frailty is a common condition in older adults that affects physiological reserves and organ function. European experts recommend assessing frailty and tailoring cardiac rehabilitation programs to its severity, with the goal of reducing disability, improving quality of life, and mortality.