Researchers found that replacing carbohydrates with protein and unsaturated fat can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease. The OmniHeart study suggests that these modifications can be effective in reducing some risk factors and estimated risk for heart disease.
Research from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute finds untreated obstructive sleep apnea significantly increases cardiovascular disease risks, including high blood pressure, heart attack, and diabetes. The study's findings support the importance of diagnosing and treating sleep apnea to reduce associated health risks.
Researchers discovered a genetic basis for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with those having ever smoked cigarettes being 3.6 times more likely to develop the disease. The study also highlights the importance of avoiding cigarette smoking as a preventive measure for this devastating lung condition.
A vast majority of US adults are at risk of developing overweight and obesity, with a growing concern that this trend may worsen in the coming years. The study highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy weight through simple steps to reduce calorie consumption and prevent chronic conditions.
The NHLBI-funded program aims to translate knowledge into clinical practice for treating heart, lung, and blood diseases. It focuses on repairing damaged heart muscle, reducing immune complications, and enhancing adult stem cell interactions.
A study by the Framingham Heart Study found that despite increasing rates of high blood pressure with age, treatment rates for older adults remain low. Seventy-four percent of people aged 80 and older have high blood pressure, but only a minority receive treatment.
A large study of 39,876 healthy women found no effect of vitamin E on total cancer or cardiovascular disease. However, vitamin E supplementation was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular deaths among all women and a decrease in heart attacks and cardiovascular deaths among women aged 65 years and older.
A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found diuretics to be equally protective against fatal coronary heart disease or non-fatal heart attacks among people with diabetes. Additionally, diuretics were shown to be more effective in lowering systolic blood pressure and reducing the risk of congestive heart failure.
A new study by the NHLBI found that children in an intervention group consumed more than 67% of their calories from heart-healthy foods, compared to less than 57% for those in a usual care group. Children who consumed more dairy products had lower BMIs and lower LDL levels.
A new kidney function test, cystatin-C, is more effective than the standard test creatinine in predicting death and cardiovascular outcomes in elderly participants. The study found that 60% of participants with high cystatin-C levels had abnormal kidney function, putting them at medium or high risk for cardiovascular complications.
A recent study by Fred W. Turek and Joseph Bass found a possible link between sleep disturbances and metabolic syndrome in mutant mice. The research suggests that altered circadian rhythms and hormone regulation, including leptin and ghrelin, may play a role in the development of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that antibiotic treatment with azithromycin did not reduce the risk of heart attacks, unstable angina, or other cardiac events. The study enrolled over 4,000 participants and followed them for nearly four years, with no significant difference in outcomes between those receiving antibiotics and placebo.
A new study found that low concentrations of sodium nitrite prevent cell death in the hearts and livers of mice undergoing experimental heart attack and liver injury. The potent protective effect reduced dead tissue by 67% compared to control animals given nitrate.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that symptom-driven therapy may be an effective treatment option for adults with mild persistent asthma. The research found that participants who took medication only when symptoms appeared had similar lung function changes and quality-of-life scores compared to thos...
A new study found that traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes are strongly associated with cardiovascular death in kidney patients. Emerging risk factors like elevated C-reactive protein levels were not as strongly linked to increased risk of cardiovascular death.
The ALLHAT study found that diuretics are superior to calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors in lowering blood pressure and preventing heart failure. Diuretics were also more effective in reducing high blood pressure and stroke in black patients, supporting the use of diuretics as first-line therapy for high blood pressure
The Women's Health Study found that low-dose aspirin lowered the incidence of a first major cardiovascular event by 9 percent, with a statistically significant difference in stroke prevention. For women aged 65 and older, the risk was reduced by 26 percent, but the benefits must be weighed against the risk of internal bleeding.
The study found that sustained quitters had nearly half the overall death rate of those who continued to smoke. Death rates were also lower for coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease, and less than half for lung cancer compared to smokers.
The new guidelines recommend a stepwise approach to asthma care, monitoring medication intensity based on severity. Asthma exacerbations during pregnancy pose risks to both mother and fetus, highlighting the importance of asthma management.
A 15-year study found that eating at fast-food restaurants more than twice a week is associated with significant weight gain and increased insulin resistance. The study highlights the importance of healthy eating habits to mitigate these risks.
Recent research analysis finds no significant link between oral contraceptive use and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. The NHLBI emphasizes the importance of randomized controlled trials for establishing scientific evidence, citing biases and errors in exploratory analyses.
The NHLBI halted a clinical trial on periodic blood transfusions for patients with sickle cell anemia due to the treatment's proven effectiveness in preventing strokes. However, the trial also highlighted potential long-term side effects such as iron overload and the need for ongoing monitoring.
A randomized clinical trial of 433 patients with advanced heart failure found that pulmonary artery catheterization is not associated with increased death and hospitalization. The study suggests that PAC should not be used routinely to guide therapy due to its potential complications.
Maintaining a stable weight has been shown to lower risk factors for heart disease in young adults. Over a 15-year period, those who maintained their weight showed no significant increase in cardiovascular disease risk factors, compared to those who gained weight.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that ACE inhibitors do not provide added cardiovascular protection for patients with coronary heart disease who have normal or only mildly reduced heart function. These findings suggest that many patients with this condition may not need to take ACE inhibitors, potentia...
The BARGE trial found that individuals with the arginine genotype had poorer asthma control when using albuterol, while those with the glycine genotype had better asthma control. This suggests that genetic variations can impact response to common asthma medication, leading to potential personalization of therapy.
Infants with breathing pauses or slow heart rates during sleep scored lower on mental development tests at one year of age. Children with frequent snoring, loud breathing, or sleep apneas also performed worse on intelligence, memory, and behavior tests.
According to a recent study, approximately 65 million US adults now have hypertension, a 30% increase from the previous decade. The rise is largely due to the growing prevalence of obesity and an aging population.
A nationwide study shows that nucleic acid-amplification testing (NAT) significantly reduces the risk of HIV-1 and HCV infections in blood recipients. NAT detects viral genes earlier than antibody tests, allowing for faster identification and disposal of infected donations.
The updated report recommends lower LDL cholesterol levels as a direct relationship with reduced risk for major coronary events. Therapeutic lifestyle changes are also emphasized for cholesterol management.
A recent study found that average blood pressure levels among American children and teenagers have increased over the past two decades. The new clinical practice guidelines will provide updated recommendations for lifestyle and drug therapies to address this trend.
The estrogen-alone study, part of the WHI, found that women taking this form of hormone therapy had an increased risk of stroke, with 44 cases per 10,000 women per year. However, it did not reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. The study involved 10,739 postmenopausal women and was stopped early due to these findings.
A recent study published by the NIH found that implantable defibrillators significantly reduce deaths in patients with moderate to severe heart failure. The study, which included over 2,500 participants, showed that implanted defibrillator therapy reduced deaths by 22%, while amiodarone therapy did not have a significant impact.
The National Institutes of Health has stopped the estrogen-alone study in healthy postmenopausal women due to an increased risk of stroke, but found no effect on heart disease. The trial also showed a decreased risk of hip fractures and no increase in breast cancer risk.
The NHLBI's Specialized Centers of Clinically Oriented Research program aims to improve treatment and outcomes for children with congenital heart defects by fostering multidisciplinary collaborations. The $68 million grant will support five new centers, each addressing a critical public health need in pediatric cardiovascular research.
A large observational study found that improving fitness in healthy young adults can significantly reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and protect heart health, even after age-related changes.
A recent NHLBI study found that hostility and impatience are associated with a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. The study, which followed over 3,000 young adults for 15 years, found that those who exhibited higher levels of time urgency and hostility had an increased risk of developing hypertension.
A randomized trial found that increased physical activity reduced breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women, with longer duration providing the most benefit. Moderate-intensity physical activity also promoted significant weight loss and improved cardiorespiratory fitness, with benefits sustained for a year.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute have launched three research programs to address heart attack resuscitation, cellular imaging, and thrombotic disorders. The programs aim to improve cardiovascular disease treatment outcomes, particularly in developing countries.
A large-scale study will test three weight-maintenance strategies: self-directed/usual care, personal contact, and interactive technology. Participants who lose 9 or more pounds in the initial phase will be eligible to enroll in phase II.
A recent study found that treating heart disease patients for depression and low social support does not improve their overall survival rate. However, the treatment did lead to significant improvements in quality of life, with depressed patients experiencing a 57% reduction in depression symptoms after six months.
Women's lung function improved significantly after quitting smoking, with improvements lasting longer than those of men. Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of COPD, and the study highlights the importance of quitting to reduce lung disease risk.
A landmark cooperative study found that patients with upper lobe emphysema and low exercise capacity benefit more from lung volume reduction surgeries (LVRS), while those without these characteristics experience decreased survival and functional levels. LVRS improved lung function and exercise capacity, but had no long-term benefits.
The new guidelines introduce a 'prehypertension' category to alert individuals to their risk, recommend lifestyle changes, and streamline diagnosis and treatment. They also emphasize the importance of lowering blood pressure through medication and healthy habits.
The PREMIER study found that an all-in-one approach to lifestyle changes, including diet and physical activity, significantly lowered blood pressure in participants. The study showed that those who made the greatest lifestyle changes had the best results, with significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
A long-term study of 299 adult sickle cell patients found that hydroxyurea treatment improved survival by increasing fetal hemoglobin and reducing severe pain episodes and chest syndrome. The results confirm the benefits of hydroxyurea in reducing complications in the sickest patients.
The Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism trial found that low-dose warfarin prevents episodes of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism with a significant reduction in risk. The study showed no major bleeding complications, making it an effective and safe treatment option.
The ACCORD clinical trial enrolls 10,000 adults with type 2 diabetes to test the effects of intensively controlling blood sugar along with aggressive control of blood pressure and lipids. The study aims to address the significant public health challenge of cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes.
A recent NHLBI study found a link between low levels of endothelial progenitor cells and increased cardiovascular disease risk. The study suggests that these cells play a crucial role in repairing damaged blood vessels, and their depletion may contribute to the progression of heart disease.
Researchers found that MRI accurately diagnosed acute coronary syndrome in 84% of patients, outperforming traditional tests like EKG and blood enzyme test. MRI detected all patients' heart attacks, even those with normal EKGs, and identified more patients with unstable angina.