A study found that children with dilated cardiomyopathy who have congestive heart failure, severe disease, increased age, and dilation of the left ventricle are at higher risk of death or transplantation. The study's findings may lead to broadened indications for heart transplantation in more children.
Large-scale genome-wide association studies have identified 15 gene variants associated with white blood cell count diversity among whites, African-Americans, and Japanese. These findings could lead to new clinical advances, including earlier disease risk assessments and potential gene therapies.
The National Institutes of Health stopped a clinical trial studying the combination of high-dose niacin and statin treatment after 18 months, finding it did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The trial involved 3,414 participants with heart disease and low HDL cholesterol, who were assigned to receive either high-dose niacin...
A recent NIH-funded genome study has identified a common genetic variant associated with an increased risk of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and familial interstitial pneumonia. The variant, found in the mucin 5B gene, is present in over half of individuals with IPF/FIP and increases their risk by five- to eightfold.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has awarded $383,000 to nine state and local organizations to enhance COPD education initiatives across the country. These organizations will focus on increasing awareness among at-risk populations and enhancing leadership for prevention and treatment.
The NIH Strategic Plan for Obesity Research aims to curb the growing obesity epidemic by investigating key processes, understanding contributing factors, and designing new approaches for achieving a healthy weight. The plan also emphasizes education and outreach to move proven strategies into community programs and medical practice.
A new study sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute found that sirolimus therapy can improve lung function and quality of life in individuals with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). The treatment was shown to slow disease progression and improve clinical outcomes in patients with this rare and progressive lung disease.
A new study involving 150 patients with sickle cell disease found that inhaling nitric oxide gas did not improve outcomes, including reducing pain crisis duration or shortening hospital stays. The study's results contradict previous trials suggesting administration of nitric oxide might shorten sickle cell pain crises.
A new study suggests that abnormal heart rate turbulence may be a significant risk factor for heart disease death, even among those considered low-risk. Abnormal heart rate turbulence was found to be an even stronger predictor of heart disease death than elevated C-reactive protein levels in this population.
A comprehensive NIH study found that cardiac arrests in public settings had a higher percentage of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, the types of abnormal heart rhythms treatable by electric shock. More than one-third of public cardiac arrests treated with an AED survived, compared to 12 percent at home.
The number of aware COPD cases increased from 65% in 2008 to 69% in 2010, with smokers and nonsmokers showing significant gains. Despite progress, up to 30% of Americans are still unaware of the disease, which claims over 120,000 lives annually.
The NHLBI has launched a six-year, $21 million study to investigate the effectiveness of body cooling treatment in infants and children who have had cardiac arrest. The Therapeutic Hypothermia after Pediatric Cardiac Arrest (THAPCA) trials aim to reduce brain injury and improve survival rates.
Researchers at the NHLBI found that adding tiotropium bromide to low-dose inhaled corticosteroids is more effective than doubling corticosteroids alone and as effective as adding a long-acting beta agonist. The treatment showed significant improvements in asthma control, including increased symptom-free days.
The NIH is launching two major research efforts to combat childhood obesity, one focusing on long-term prevention and treatment approaches, the other evaluating community efforts to reduce rates. These studies aim to encourage healthy habits in children that can last a lifetime.
The study analyzed DNA from over 100,000 people worldwide and found 95 genetic variants contributing to high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The findings provide new clues for developing effective medicines to combat heart disease.
In a study of over 10,000 adults with type 2 diabetes, intensive glucose control did not delay the progression to kidney failure, major vision loss, or advanced peripheral neuropathy. However, it reduced signs of damage, such as decreased protein leakage in urine and lower cataract surgery rates.
The NHLBI is funding nine research grants to examine the effects of red blood cell storage time on patient outcomes. A large clinical trial, RECESS, will compare heart surgery patients' outcomes based on stored red blood cells' age.
A clinical trial evaluating a new approach to reduce recurrent strokes in children with sickle cell anemia and iron overload was stopped early. The trial compared hydroxyurea with transfusions, finding no significant benefits for reducing stroke risk.
A study of 549 newborns found that infants who underwent a newer surgical procedure were more likely to survive their first year without needing a heart transplant. After the first year, both procedures yielded similar results.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that adults with mild sickle cell disease scored lower on brain function tests compared to healthy participants. Cognitive functioning was linked to severity of anemia, and older patients showed greater impairment.
Research suggests that adult patients with few or mild complications of sickle cell disease may develop cognitive problems, such as difficulty organizing thoughts or learning. The study found that more than a third of participants scored below normal levels on cognitive function tests.
A coronary artery calcium score provides a better estimate of future heart disease events when added to traditional risk factors, especially for those at intermediate risk. The study found that the score accurately placed 77% of participants into high or low risk categories.
A landmark study found that obstructive sleep apnea more than doubles the risk of stroke in men, with moderate to severe sleep apnea nearly tripling this risk. The study also reports a significant link between sleep apnea and increased stroke risk in women, particularly those with severe levels of sleep apnea.
The Bench to Bassinet Program aims to translate scientific discoveries into usable treatments for congenital heart disease. Researchers will study genetic data and heart development to provide a comprehensive picture of healthy and abnormal hearts, ultimately informing clinical practice.
The ACCORD trial showed that targeting normal systolic blood pressure levels did not significantly reduce the risk of fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular disease events. Treating multiple lipids with combination drug therapy also did not provide additional benefits over treatment with statin alone.
The NHLBI and CDC are launching a four-year pilot project to study sickle cell disease and thalassemias in six US states. The Registry and Surveillance System in Hemoglobinopathies (RuSH) project aims to gather comprehensive demographic data on people with these life-threatening diseases.
New analyses confirm that combination hormone therapy increases the risk of heart disease in healthy postmenopausal women, particularly those who begin therapy within 10 years of menopause. The risk is more pronounced among women who start therapy 10 years or more after menopause.
The NHLBI is awarding $23.6 million to develop preclinical testing of devices for pediatric circulatory support, expanding life-saving options for infants and children born with congenital heart defects or those who develop heart failure.
Researchers found strong links between mild COPD and diminished heart function in healthy adults, with the strongest association seen in current smokers and those with emphysema. The study's findings suggest that treating lung disease may improve heart function, but further research is needed.
Researchers discovered a genetic variant associated with preserved lung function in children with asthma and adults who smoke. The study found a significant reduction in the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adult smokers with this variant, offering new insights into the mechanisms of COPD.
The NIH is launching a $37 million program to develop more effective interventions to reduce obesity by applying findings from basic behavioral and social sciences. The program will fund interdisciplinary teams conducting experimental research, formative studies, and pilot trials to identify promising new approaches.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has approved 13 contracts to develop and implement science-based approaches to improve asthma control. The projects will focus on implementing evidence-based national guidelines for diagnosing and managing asthma in diverse communities, including rural, urban, and suburban settings.
Research highlights from NHLBI-supported studies presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions include new education strategies for controlling hypertension and findings on a possible link between short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution and increased risk of constricted blood vessels. Two surgical approac...
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has published a new cookbook featuring 75 heart-healthy recipes from various cuisines. The recipes are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and are limited in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
A large clinical trial testing two resuscitation strategies found both equally successful; no additional benefit from using an impedance threshold device during CPR. The study involved approximately 11,500 participants and stopped enrollment early based on preliminary data suggesting no significant improvement in survival rates.
A recent survey found that awareness of COPD is increasing, with 68% of adults aware of the disease. However, only 44% understand that it can be treated, and many at risk remain undiagnosed due to unrecognized symptoms. The NHLBI emphasizes the importance of testing and treatment for those affected.
A new optical system can simultaneously image electrical activity and metabolic properties in the heart, providing a platform for testing new treatments for arrhythmias. The system could lead to a better understanding of the relationship between metabolic disorders and heart rhythm disturbances.
The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) aims to determine whether maintaining blood pressure levels below current recommendations reduces cardiovascular and kidney disease risk. The nine-year trial will enroll over 7,500 participants aged 55+ with high systolic blood pressure.
A new study found nearly 70% of participants received at least one medical imaging procedure between 2005 and 2007, resulting in an average effective dose nearly double natural sources. The study highlights the need for research on the benefits and risks of medical imaging procedures to inform patient care.
A landmark study found that moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a 46% increased risk of death in middle-aged adults, particularly men. The study also showed that men between 40 and 70 with severe sleep apnea were twice as likely to die during the study period.
Researchers sequenced exomes of 12 people to detect rare genetic variants causing diseases. The study found that sequencing exomes can be used to uncover genes contributing to common conditions like diabetes and cancer, enabling personalized medicine.
The NHLBI has stopped a clinical trial testing sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension in adults with sickle cell disease due to increased risk of severe pain crises and hospitalization. The study found that participants taking sildenafil were more likely to experience serious medical problems compared to those on placebo.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is funding a network of research and training centers in developing countries to prevent and control chronic diseases. The centers will conduct research tailored to local needs and foster the training of emerging scientists and health professionals. With UnitedHealth Group's Chronic...
A new study finds that optimal medical therapy is equally effective as revascularization procedures like bypass surgery or angioplasty in lowering the risk of death and cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes and stable coronary heart disease. Insulin-providing and insulin-sensitizing drugs are also shown to be equally effective.
A large-scale genome-wide association study identified eight key genes associated with high blood pressure, including ATP2B1, CACNB2, and CYP17A1. The research provides new insights into blood pressure regulation and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
Researchers identified two genetic variants associated with an increased risk of stroke, providing strong evidence for specific genes involved. The study, funded by the NHLBI and other NIH institutes, analyzed over 19,000 participants and replicated results in independent samples.
A new study suggests that silent GER does not play a role in worsening asthma symptoms and control, contradicting previous beliefs. Researchers found no differences between patients treated with reflux medication and those who were not.
A clinical trial found that regular exercise significantly improved the quality of life for patients with chronic heart failure, reducing the risk of death and hospitalization. The study also revealed that exercise was well-tolerated and safe, with participants reporting fewer physical and social limitations.
A large international clinical trial found that surgical ventricular reconstruction did not reduce deaths and hospitalizations in heart failure patients, nor improve quality of life compared to bypass alone. The study, STICH, included 1,000 patients from 96 medical centers in 23 countries.
Researchers will analyze frozen blood samples from over 7,000 FHS participants to identify biomarkers associated with heart disease and metabolic syndrome. The goal is to develop simple blood tests to predict high-risk patients.