A new study by the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) found that regular aspirin use reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 25% in postmenopausal women. The study also suggested a lower dose of aspirin (81mg) is as effective as a higher dose (325mg) in reducing mortality rates.
A study funded by NIH found that overweight adults can achieve similar weight loss on different diets with varying proportions of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Participants lost an average of 13 pounds at six months and maintained a 9-pound loss at two years.
Researchers have identified a gene that directly affects the production of fetal hemoglobin, which could lead to the development of new therapies for sickle cell disease and thalassemia. By suppressing a specific gene called BCL11A, HbF production improves dramatically, providing a potential new target for treatments.
Researchers found that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels can improve cardiovascular disease risk assessment and guide treatment decisions. Studies showed hsCRP adds 5-14% accuracy over traditional risk factors, especially for individuals at intermediate risk.
Researchers identified two new genes and confirmed a third's role in increased uric acid levels, associated with up to 40-fold gout risk. Genetic testing may one day identify individuals at risk before symptoms develop.
Healthy teens who slept less than 6.5 hours a night were 2.5 times more likely to have elevated blood pressure compared to those who slept longer, with an average increase of 4 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure. The study also found that poor sleep efficiency was associated with higher risk of prehypertension and hypertension.
A new study found that sleep-disordered breathing is associated with a two- to three-fold increase in the risk of death among adults aged 30 to 60. The severity of breathing issues was linked to an increased risk, with severe cases doubling mortality risk.
Researchers found that intensively lowering blood sugar to near-normal levels did not significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, but increased the risk of death. The intensive strategy group had a 22% higher risk of death compared to the standard group.
A new analysis suggests that healthy postmenopausal women with normal blood cholesterol levels are at no increased short-term risk for heart attack when taking hormone therapy. Women with a low LDL to HDL ratio have an even lower risk of heart attack or death from hormone therapy.
A three-year study found that participants with type 2 diabetes who lowered their LDL cholesterol and systolic blood pressure levels below current targets experienced a partial reversal of hardening of the arteries. The results suggest that aggressively managing these risk factors can help prevent heart disease in adults with diabetes.
Researchers found that survival rates were similar between households with an AED and those without, despite underuse of AEDs. The study suggests that both AEDs and CPR are crucial in responding to sudden cardiac arrests at home.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that after-school programs increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among middle school girls by 80 calories a week. The intervention also reduced sedentary behavior by 8.2 minutes per day.
Researchers identified a genetic variation in the VKORC1 gene that determines a patient's initial sensitivity to warfarin treatment. The study found that only variations of VKORC1 predict response within the first week of therapy, which could lead to better warfarin dosing and increased safety.
A follow-up study of the Women's Health Initiative confirms that long-term use of combination hormone therapy in healthy postmenopausal women increases risks of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. After stopping hormone therapy, cardiovascular disease risk decreases but overall risks remain high.
The NHLBI has published its first US clinical practice guidelines for von Willebrand Disease, a condition that affects 1 in 100 to 1,000 people. The guidelines provide recommendations for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of the three major types of VWD, emphasizing proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications.
The NHLBI has stopped intensive blood glucose lowering treatment in a clinical trial of adults with type 2 diabetes, citing increased risk of death compared to standard treatment. Participants will now receive the less-intensive standard treatment.
Researchers found that a low-fat dietary pattern reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 40% in healthy postmenopausal women. The study followed 48,835 women for an average of 8.1 years and found no effect during the first four years due to the slow development of preventive benefits.
A substudy of the Women's Health Initiative found that younger postmenopausal women on estrogen-alone hormone therapy had 30-40% less coronary artery calcium than those without hormone therapy. However, the benefits of estrogen for preventing cardiovascular disease are uncertain and should not be used as a preventive measure.
Adults with obstructive sleep apnea benefit significantly from prolonged CPAP use, with 7.5 hours shown to maximize daytime alertness and functioning. Most patients should use CPAP for at least 7.5 hours each night to realize the greatest possible benefits of therapy.
The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women provides practical suggestions for reducing heart-related problems and includes warning signs of a heart attack. The handbook offers tips on following a nutritious eating plan, physical activity program, and quitting smoking to reduce risk factors.
A new study by NHLBI found that elevated risk factors in young adulthood significantly increase the risk of developing coronary calcium, a predictor of heart disease. Young adults with above-optimal levels of risk factors are two to three times more likely to develop coronary calcium than those with lower levels.
Secondary analyses suggest that hormone therapy may have less risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) for women starting treatment close to menopause, while increasing risk is seen in older or farther-from-menopause women. Hormone therapy also increases stroke risk and breast cancer risk, even in younger women.
Research from the Framingham Heart Study found that people with long-lived parents are more likely to avoid high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other cardiovascular risk factors in middle age. Long-lived parents also conferred a lower risk of cardiovascular disease over time.
The NHLBI has awarded 12 new contracts to the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) to investigate genetic and biological markers of common diseases in postmenopausal women. The studies will help explain hormone therapy findings and explore associations between physical activity, obesity, and inflammation with cardiovascular disease risk.
A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective initial daily therapy for children with mild to moderate persistent asthma. The study also showed no significant adverse growth effects among any of the medicines studied.
A recent NHLBI Growth and Health Study found that girls who were overweight at age 9 were more than 1.6 times likely to become overweight during ages 9 to 12 years compared to later adolescence. These girls also had elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels, increasing their risk for obesity in young adulthood.
Scientists found that persons with high multimarker scores had a risk of death four times as great and a risk of major cardiovascular events almost two times as great as those with low scores. The study used 3209 participants for 10 years, measuring 10 novel biomarkers in addition to established risk factors.
The Long-term Oxygen Treatment Trial aims to determine whether supplemental oxygen improves patients' quality of life and lifespan. The six-year study will monitor 3,500 patients with moderate COPD to guide Medicare's policy decisions.
A large international clinical trial found that stable patients who received late angioplasty after a heart attack did not have better outcomes than those on medical therapy alone. The study suggests that routine late opening of the blocked artery is unnecessary and should be reserved for unstable patients.
The study will recruit 16,000 participants aged 18-74 and follow them over time to identify the prevalence of diseases, disorders, and conditions. It aims to understand the role of cultural adaptation and disparities in disease development.
The US FDA has approved a new totally implanted artificial heart, providing hope for patients with severe heart failure. The device is designed for those who are not eligible for a heart transplant and have a short life expectancy without the device.
The NHLBI's new guide to lowering cholesterol with TLC emphasizes the importance of a three-part program of diet, physical activity, and weight management. The guide provides tips on reducing saturated fat, trans fat, and dietary cholesterol, as well as strategies for increasing soluble fiber and plant stanols and sterols.
The NHLBI guide provides information on the impact of physical activity on your heart, including tips for incorporating physical activity into daily life. Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining a healthy heart, with benefits including burning extra calories, building stamina, and improving balance.
The latest NETT results confirm that selected severe emphysema patients with upper-lobe emphysema and poor exercise capacity before surgery can benefit from surgery with improved survival rates. Long-term follow-up also shows symptom relief in some patients, but no improvement in overall survival.
Inhaled nitric oxide significantly reduces chronic lung disease and brain injury risk in very low birthweight premature infants. The therapy, given within the first few weeks of life or within 48 hours after birth, appears to protect against long-term breathing problems and brain damage.
A hormone called BNP detects pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell disease patients and predicts mortality. High BNP levels correlate with greater pressure in pulmonary arteries and increased risk of death.
A randomized clinical trial has proven that a drug can slow down deterioration of lung function in scleroderma patients. Participants who received treatment had a small but statistically significant improvement in lung function and less shortness of breath compared to those who were not treated.
A recent clinical trial has shown that heart attack patients with cardiogenic shock who undergo emergency angioplasty or bypass surgery within six hours experience improved long-term survival rates compared to those receiving intensive medical therapy. The study enrolled 302 patients and found significant benefits from early revascular...
Researchers compared accuracy of three diagnostic methods for pulmonary embolism, finding chest CT with leg CT scan detects clots in 90% of patients. The study suggests that imaging technologies greatly expand our ability to diagnose and treat disease.
Researchers found that a conservative fluid management strategy improved lung function, shortened mechanical ventilation time, and reduced intensive care unit days without increasing organ failure risk. The study suggests that using less fluid may be more beneficial for patients with acute lung injury or respiratory distress syndrome.
Researchers found that inhaled corticosteroids reduced asthma symptoms in young children, but did not prevent the development of chronic asthma. The study suggested that early treatment with inhaled corticosteroids may slow the growth of children at risk for asthma-related problems.
A recent study found that moderate doses of steroids given to patients with late-stage ARDS did not improve survival rates. However, the treatment did reduce lung inflammation and allowed patients to wean off mechanical ventilators earlier. The study's results suggest caution when treating patients with late-stage ARDS with steroids.
Women taking estrogen had fewer breast cancer tumors, but the difference was not statistically significant. Participants also underwent more mammograms and biopsies, which may be related to changes in breast tissue.
A new IOM report emphasizes the significant impact of sleep disorders on public health, citing links to cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute supports research and education initiatives to address these issues.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that participants who made multiple lifestyle changes, such as improving their diet and increasing physical activity, had a greater reduction in high blood pressure than those who did not make any changes. The intervention group that followed the DASH eating plan saw the most signi...
The study found a small but significant increase in hip bone density among women taking calcium combined with vitamin D. However, the supplements had no detectable effect on colorectal cancer incidence or spine fractures.
The ALLHAT study found that diuretics are more beneficial than calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, or alpha blockers as initial treatment to lower blood pressure. Diuretics are well-tolerated with few side effects, making them a cost-effective choice for first-line blood pressure treatment.
Researchers found that hypertonic saline treatment increases mucus volume, helping to clear bacteria and debris from airways, potentially limiting lung infections. The study's results could lead to improved outcomes for CF patients, especially if benefits are seen in infants and young children.
The Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial found that a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet did not result in weight gain among postmenopausal women. Instead, participants lost about 5 pounds initially and weighed less than the control group after 9 years.
The NHLBI research presented at the American Heart Association's scientific sessions highlights important findings on women and heart disease, including a link between high levels of male sex hormones and coronary artery disease in postmenopausal women. The study also explores the impact of socioeconomic status on cardiovascular diseas...