A 20-year study found that consuming high amounts of sodium increases the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in overweight individuals. The study also showed an increased risk of stroke death from higher sodium intake among overweight adults. Overall, reducing sodium consumption is recommended to reduce cardiovascular disease risks.
Long-term studies show people with low levels of blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and cigarette use experience lower death rates from heart attack and stroke. The estimated greater life expectancy for low-risk versus others ranged from 5.8 years to 9.5 years.
A study of 2,708 participants found that beta-blocker bucindolol did not reduce death from heart failure. The results contrast with other trials and raise questions about the use of beta-blockers in advanced heart failure.
A study published in Circulation found that a timed-release capsule of basic fibroblast growth factor improved blood supply and heart function in heart bypass patients. The treatment, which promotes angiogenesis, showed no serious adverse effects in a small but promising clinical trial.
The CARDIA Study found that high-fiber diets are associated with lower insulin levels, weight gain, and other cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy, young black and white adults. The study of nearly 3,000 participants over 10 years revealed a significant inverse association between fiber consumption and CVD risk factors.
A new study from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute finds that systolic blood pressure is more accurate than diastolic pressure in identifying patients with hypertension. The study suggests that future treatment guidelines may emphasize systolic pressure, which correctly classified nearly 96% of patients.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that brisk walking can reduce the risk of fatal and non-fatal heart attacks in women by 30-40%. The study analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study, estimating one-third of coronary events among middle-aged women result from physical inactivity.
A study funded by the NHLBI found that emergency revascularization with balloon angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery improves survival at 6 months for heart attack patients with cardiogenic shock. Patients under 75 years old experience a 57% improvement in survival.
A new report from the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) states that cholesterol lowering in elderly Americans can significantly reduce heart disease and stroke risk. The NCEP recommends lowering cholesterol through a healthy diet, exercise, and weight management.
The discovery of the narcolepsy gene in dogs by Dr. Emmanuel Mignot opens the door to identification of the gene in humans and development of new treatment approaches. The study also links hypocretins, a recently discovered family of brain neuropeptides, to regulating sleep.
A follow-up study of the CATCH trial found that almost 4,000 eighth graders continued to practice healthy behaviors three years after elementary school lessons. The results suggest that schools can play a crucial role in helping youth establish habits that may prevent cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found mitral-valve prolapse is substantially less common than initially believed, affecting about 2% of the population, not 5-35%. The condition also has lower rates of associated complications like stroke and heart failure compared to previous estimates.
A unique NIH study will use advanced MRI technology to diagnose heart attacks and strokes more quickly and accurately, potentially saving lives. The study aims to learn whether MRI can identify heart attacks and strokes earlier, allowing for timely treatment.
The NHLBI Director notes a decline in hypertension levels from the 1950s to the 1980s, but reports that recent data show a slowdown in blood pressure control rates and a slight increase in stroke rates. The study highlights the need for continued efforts to prevent and treat hypertension.
A large clinical trial of mechanical ventilator use for intensive care patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) has been stopped early due to the success of a smaller breath strategy. This approach was found to reduce deaths by approximately 25 percent, improving the care and saving thousands of lives each year.
A new study by the NHLBI suggests that black patients with congestive heart failure are at a higher risk of death and disease progression compared to white patients. The study found significant racial differences in survival rates among patients treated with an ACE inhibitor.
A study by Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research found that small lifestyle changes can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and blood pressure. After 2 years, both groups had significantly increased their physical activity and maintained improvements.
The study estimates that one out of every two men and one out of every three women aged 40 will develop CHD, with risks remaining high at age 70. Heart disease is a major killer in the US, affecting 12-13 million Americans, and prevention measures such as healthy lifestyle choices are crucial.
A new study by NHLBI shows that ultrasonography can predict the risk of heart attack and stroke in older adults, even before traditional risk factors appear. The test measures artery wall thickness, providing valuable information for early treatment and prevention.
A global plan has been launched to cut childhood asthma deaths by 50% through improved education, increased accessibility of effective anti-asthma therapies, and enhanced research into the disease's causes and treatment. The plan targets significant reductions in mortality, morbidity, and school days lost due to asthma.
The NHLBI's new web site, Asthma Management Model System (AMMS), provides an interactive platform for clinicians to access the latest research and guidelines on chronic asthma management. The system allows users to formulate research questions, retrieve key databases, and analyze long-term asthma management problems.
A recent study found that bartenders' respiratory health and lung function improved significantly after a smoke-free environment was established in California bars. The study, supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, suggests that banning smoking in bars can have a positive impact on the health of bartending staff.
A study published in Preventive Medicine reveals a significant decline in total cholesterol levels among U.S. adolescents, from 167 mg/dL in 1970 to 160 mg/dL in 1994. This decrease is similar to the drop in cholesterol levels among adults during the same period.
The largest series of unrelated cord blood transplants confirms the feasibility of transplantation for patients without a matching donor. The study demonstrates success in children and mismatched transplants with reduced acute graft versus host disease incidence.
The Women's Health Initiative has reached its recruitment goal for a 15-year study examining the causes of death, disability and frailty in post-menopausal women. The clinical trial involves 68,000 women studying estrogen and progestin effects on heart disease and breast cancer.
The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women provides women with a personal action plan to reduce major risk factors and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Key statistics reveal that many women are at risk due to smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity, highlighting the importance of making lifestyle changes.
A new clinical trial by the NHLBI reveals that women who undergo CABG or angioplasty procedures survive at a rate nearly identical to men. The study found that being female was an independent predictor of higher survival, with women having 60% of the risk of death compared to men.
The new web site, Live Healthier, Live Longer, provides personalized information and practical steps for reducing LDL cholesterol levels. The site features various activities, including a Cyber Kitchen and Virtual Fitness Room, to help users make healthier lifestyle choices.
The HERS study found that hormone replacement therapy did not prevent further heart attacks or death from coronary heart disease (CHD) in postmenopausal women with CHD, despite positive effects on lipoproteins. However, the treatment increased the risk of clots and lung embolism.
The new guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat overweight and obesity in adults. Key findings include the importance of assessing body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and risk factors for diseases associated with obesity, as well as recommending calorie reduction, increase...
The TONE study shows that weight loss and sodium reduction produce significant results in reducing the need for blood pressure medicine. Lifestyle interventions led to a 30% reduction in blood pressure medication use among participants.
The new guidelines, JNC VI, recommend stratifying patients into risk groups based on blood pressure stage and presence of risk factors. Lifestyle changes are advised for all patients on drug therapy, regardless of risk group.
A new analysis linked short-acting calcium channel blockers to a twice increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. However, longer-acting varieties were not found to have the same association.
A long-term trial found that treating hypertension reduces heart failure risk, even in those with severe heart disease. The study showed significant benefits for patients over 80 and those who had a heart attack before the trial.
A long-term epidemiological study found that postmenopausal women with the highest bone mass have a 3.5 times increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to those in the lowest quartile of bone mass. The study suggests that high bone mass may be associated with increased exposure to estrogen, which is linked to breast cancer de...
The new report updates asthma clinical practice guidelines with a focus on early use of anti-inflammatory medication, personalized treatment approaches, and reduced exposure to environmental allergens. The guidelines also include practical tools for physicians and expanded information about identifying specific allergens for each patient.
A significant NIH study found that digitalis reduces hospitalizations for heart failure patients by 6-10%. The study, which followed over 6,800 patients with heart failure, also showed that digitalis can benefit patients whose symptoms are not controlled by other drugs.
A landmark study reveals that high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and smoking equally affect the progression of atherosclerosis in women and men, as well as blacks and whites. The findings confirm that adopting healthful habits early is crucial for preventing heart disease.
The NHLBI and HCFA have announced a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for patients with emphysema. The study aims to determine whether LVRS is a viable treatment option for this population, which currently has limited treatment options.
Treatment with low-dose diuretic cuts strokes and heart attacks in older patients with diabetes, with a significant reduction in cardiovascular events. The study shows diuretic therapy as a first-choice treatment for this population, alongside lifestyle changes.
Two NIH-supported studies show that lifestyle modifications, such as a low-fat, high-fiber diet, can substantially reduce blood pressure in adults. The findings also suggest that weight loss and reduced dietary sodium can safely reduce the need for antihypertensive medication in older patients.
A long-term epidemiological study found a strong association between high bone mass and increased risk of breast cancer. Women with higher bone mass had 3.5 times the risk of developing postmenopausal breast cancer compared to those in the lowest quartile.
The new report provides revised tables with height percentiles, helping physicians diagnose high blood pressure in children accurately. Accurate assessment is crucial as hypertension can be a symptom of underlying disease or correlate with early adulthood hypertension, allowing for prevention.
The NHLBI is launching a 5-year, $30 million study to investigate the safety and effectiveness of cord blood transplantation as an alternative to bone marrow transplantation for various cancers, blood diseases, and genetic disorders. The study aims to provide answers to scientific and ethical questions surrounding this procedure.
Researchers show that taking an inhaled beta-agonist at regularly scheduled times is safe but provides no greater benefit than taking the medication only when symptoms occur. The study also demonstrates that asthma patients continue to have a good response to inhaled beta-agonists even after months of daily use.
A study by NHLBI scientists has found a strong association between prior CMV infection and higher rates of restenosis after coronary angioplasty. The research suggests that predicting patients at risk of restenosis may lead to the use of bypass surgery instead of angioplasty.
A new study by the NHLBI shows that bone marrow transplantation can provide a cure for young patients with sickle cell disease who have a matched sibling. The procedure has an overall survival rate of 90% and successfully transplanted 73% of participants, free from sickle cell disease.
Researchers have identified three genes connected to stroke in hypertensive rats, with two protecting against the disease and one predisposing it. The study sheds light on the complex nature of stroke, which is influenced by multiple genetic factors beyond well-known risk factors.