Research published in the European Heart Journal found that women diagnosed with perinatal depression are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. The study included data from around 600,000 women and found a strong link between perinatal depression and risks of high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure.
Atrial fibrillation affects 2% of individuals worldwide and has a significant impact on people's lives. Catheter ablation is an effective treatment option that uses burning or electrical pulses to inactivate abnormal rhythms.
Researchers used Google Street View to analyze built environment factors and found they can predict 63% of coronary heart disease variation between neighborhoods. Features like green spaces and walkable roads are associated with lower risk, while poorly paved roads with higher risk.
Researchers discovered that women with high-risk HPV infection have a significantly increased risk of blocked arteries, heart disease, and stroke. The study highlights the importance of monitoring cardiovascular health in patients with high-risk HPV, particularly those with obesity or other risk factors.
A nationwide Danish study found a slightly increased risk of arrhythmia in patients taking medical cannabis for chronic pain. The risk was more than twice that of those not receiving cannabis, with the largest increases observed in older adults and those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
A large study of 74,471 patients found that those who quit smoking after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have comparable rates of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths to non-smokers. However, heavy smokers showed no improvement in cardiovascular outcomes.
The estimated cost of cardiovascular disease in the EU in 2021 was €282 billion, accounting for 2% of Europe's GDP. The majority of this cost was attributed to health and social care systems, with hospital care being the main contributor.
The COP-AF trial tested colchicine's effect on perioperative atrial fibrillation and myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery. The study found no significant reduction in these complications, but showed encouraging signs of benefit for cardiovascular outcomes.
The HEART-FID trial found that ferric carboxymaltose did not improve a composite outcome of death, heart failure hospitalizations, and exercise function in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and iron deficiency. The study met its primary endpoint for safety but fell short of demonstrating efficacy.
The European Society of Cardiology has published its first international guidelines on cardiomyopathies, covering all subtypes and specific recommendations for other than hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The guidelines aim to improve diagnosis, treatment and management of heart muscle diseases, emphasizing patient-centered care.
The new guidelines provide comprehensive advice on managing unstable angina and all types of acute myocardial infarction. Key findings include the importance of timely intervention to minimize heart muscle damage and the need for personalized care considering patient perspectives, needs, and beliefs.
A new study presented at ESC Congress 2023 found that semaglutide improved heart failure-related symptoms, physical function, and exercise function in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity. The treatment also resulted in greater weight loss compared to placebo.
Patients with valvular heart disease, congenital abnormalities, or pacemakers should prioritize prevention measures like twice-daily tooth cleaning and strict skin hygiene. The Guidelines emphasize the importance of patient education, antibiotic prophylaxis, and early diagnosis to combat infective endocarditis.
Patients with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and the new guidelines recommend systematic screening, lifestyle changes, and medication to reduce this risk. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of managing heart failure, kidney damage, and atrial fibrillation in these patients.
The NOAH-AFNET 6 trial found oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) increases bleeding without reducing stroke risk. Patients with AHRE are at lower stroke risk than those with atrial fibrillation, but ESC guidelines recommend anticoagulation for prevention.
The European Society of Cardiology calls for competency-based cardiac imaging delivery to enhance effective and efficient patient care. This approach enables cardiologists to deliver high-quality imaging services, select the most appropriate modality for each clinical scenario, and provide informed decision-making.
A focused update of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Heart Failure Guidelines incorporates latest evidence-based treatments for improved patient outcomes. New recommendations include SGLT2 inhibitors and intensive treatment strategies to reduce hospitalization and mortality.
The study found that walking at least 3967 steps a day reduces the risk of dying from any cause, while 2337 steps a day reduces the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The researchers also found that every 500-1000 extra steps increase health benefits and reduce mortality risk by up to 15%.
Childhood obesity is linked to increased risk of high blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood glucose, which can lead to cardiovascular damage. Interventions such as regular physical activity and healthy eating habits can help prevent adult coronary heart disease.
A new global diet study published in European Heart Journal found that diets rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and fish are linked to lower cardiovascular disease risk. The study also challenged current guidelines to limit high-fat dairy products, suggesting up to two servings of whole-fat dairy per day may be included in a hea...
Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and loneliness, which can lead to a higher likelihood of developing heart disease. A recent study found that loneliness was associated with a 11% higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those with lower loneliness scores.
Research presented at ACNAP 2023 found that women with atrial fibrillation progress more rapidly to cognitive impairment and dementia compared to men. The study analyzed data from over 43,000 participants and revealed a three-fold increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in women with the condition.
A study found that COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in heart attack patients losing an average of 1.5-2 years of life, with additional costs estimated at £36.6m in the UK and €88.6m in Spain due to work absenteeism.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal found that plant-based diets can play a significant role in reducing blocked arteries and lowering the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases. The analysis of 30 randomised trials with over 2,300 participants showed a 14% reduction in artery-clogging lipoproteins.
The PARAGLIDE-HF trial found that sacubitril/valsartan significantly reduces plasma NT-proBNP levels compared to valsartan alone in patients with an ejection fraction above 40%. The study also showed a larger treatment effect in those with EF ≤60%, suggesting potential benefits for this population.
The MONITOR-HF trial found that remote pulmonary artery pressure monitoring significantly improved quality of life by 7.1 points at 12 months, with a 44% reduction in heart failure hospitalizations or urgent visits during follow-up. The procedure was safe and reliable, with a high level of adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy.
A recent study found that healthy dietary patterns are strongly associated with improved fitness in middle-aged adults. The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, examined over 2,380 participants and found that a Mediterranean-style diet with fresh whole foods and minimal processed items led to higher cardio...
A study of over 6.5 million individuals found that those in their 20s and 30s with mental disorders have up to three-fold increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Regular health checks and medication may help prevent these conditions.
Research published in European Heart Journal – Digital Health found a 12% increased risk of high blood pressure among mobile phone users who spent 30 minutes or more per week on calls. This association held true even after adjusting for other risk factors, suggesting that the duration of phone conversations may be a crucial factor.
A new score based on four clinical and imaging parameters identifies patients with heart failure who are most likely to benefit from atrial fibrillation ablation. The Antwerp score shows that patients with low scores (2 or less) have a high chance of recovery, while those with high scores (5 or higher) may not benefit from the treatment.
Patients with severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation are at a higher risk of developing ventricular tachycardia and other arrhythmias. A study found a 16-fold increased risk of life-threatening heart rhythm within six months, emphasizing the need for prompt medical attention if symptoms persist.
Effective management of depression through psychological therapy is associated with a lower likelihood of heart disease and stroke. Patients who improved their depression symptoms after therapy had a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, especially among those aged 45-60.
A new ablation approach including ethanol infusion of the vein of Marshall significantly improved freedom from arrhythmias in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. The strategy outperformed traditional pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone, showing a higher success rate at 10 months of follow-up.
Atrial fibrillation patients typically have an average of five co-existing conditions, including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and obesity. The EHRA-PATHS consortium is developing a software tool to improve management of these comorbidities.
Spanish footballer Iker Casillas was awarded an EHRA Gold Medal for his efforts in raising awareness about heart health and reducing preventable deaths. The award aims to highlight the importance of recognizing warning signs of a heart attack and seeking immediate medical attention.
A study found that extended ECG monitoring detected a higher incidence of clinically relevant arrhythmias in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, including non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. The increased detection led to reclassification of more than one-fifth of patients to a higher risk category.
A study published in EP Europace found that high power electric vehicle chargers do not cause electromagnetic interference in patients with pacemakers and defibrillators, making them safe for use. The researchers monitored 130 patients during the study and did not observe any adverse events.
A region-wide study of over 50,000 patients with atrial fibrillation found that statin users had a significantly lower risk of stroke and transient ischemic attack compared to non-users. Long-term statin use was associated with greater protection against stroke than short-term use.
The European Society of Cardiology has published a detailed guidance on the natural pacemaker method, which mimics the heart's normal function. This method can benefit approximately half of the 1.4 million patients who will receive a pacemaker in 2023, particularly those with atrioventricular block or left bundle branch block.
EACVI 2023 is a patient-focused, multimodality imaging event that showcases the latest advancements in echocardiography, CMR, nuclear cardiology, and cardiac CT. The congress highlights novel treatments for long COVID, new technologies such as robotic imaging, fusion imaging, and AI.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that regular physical activity can help offset the detrimental effects of inadequate or excessive sleep on mortality risk. The research included over 90,000 adults and used accelerometry to track physical activity and sleep duration.
High blood pressure damages specific brain regions, including the putamen and white matter areas, leading to cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia. The study uses a combination of MRI, genetic analyses, and observational data to identify these affected regions.
A study analyzed the EAST – AFNET 4 trial, finding early rhythm control therapy improves outcomes in patients with AF and comorbidities. However, a cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that the health benefits come at reasonable additional costs.
Research at ESC Acute CardioVascular Care 2023 found that over 40% of women report anxiety four months after a cardiac arrest, compared to 23% of men. Women experienced higher levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, emphasizing the need for long-term mental health support.
A 29-year study found that being fit reduces the risk of death from cardiovascular disease in men with high blood pressure. High fitness levels attenuate, but do not eliminate, the increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in individuals with elevated blood pressure.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal shows that using waist-to-height ratio instead of BMI provides a clearer picture of patient outcomes in heart failure. The researchers found that greater adiposity is associated with worse outcomes, including high rates of hospitalization and reduced health-related quality of life.
A new study published in European Heart Journal Open found that sleeping less than five hours a night is associated with a 74% raised likelihood of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD). The study also suggests that lifestyle changes such as being physically active and optimising pain management could lower the risk of PAD.
The European Society of Cardiology presents novel research on meditation and yoga, air pollution effects, and technology updates to prevent heart disease. Sessions focus on risk management, women's cardiovascular health, COVID-19 impact, and global strategies for prevention.
A three-year study found that exceeding ozone limits is associated with substantial increases in hospital admissions for heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Ozone pollution harms the heart and blood vessels, particularly in older people, who may be vulnerable to its adverse effects.
Women with clogged leg arteries are more likely to be misdiagnosed or undertreated due to biological, clinical, and societal factors. The condition is often asymptomatic or presents with atypical symptoms, making diagnosis challenging.