Research on diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Covers microvascular imaging, light exposure, cardiac imaging anxiety, and sex differences in risk.
Children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia are diagnosed earlier and have higher untreated LDL-C levels than adults, while those not identified early miss out on decades of life-saving treatment. This study emphasizes the need for universal screening to identify children with HoFH or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
A study in C. elegans suggests that disrupting meiosis in reproductive cells accelerates aging and triggers a decline in healthspan, similar to humans. The research highlights the importance of reproductive fitness for overall health, with potential applications for early detection and treatment of age-related diseases.
Researchers at CNIC have identified metoprolol as a neuroprotective agent after a stroke, greatly reducing cerebral inflammation and neuronal death. The study's findings suggest that metoprolol may also offer benefits in treating severe Covid-19.
Particle radioactivity from radon in air pollution increases toxicity and risk of death from cardiovascular disease, especially from heart attack and stroke. Researchers used spatiotemporal predictions to estimate exposure and found that higher gross beta-activity levels increased the risk of death from these conditions.
Scientists have identified long interspersed nuclear element-1 (L1) RNA as a promising new target for treating progeroid syndromes. Increased L1 RNA expression in cells from patients with these disorders led to deactivation of an enzyme, causing cell aging.
A randomized controlled trial found that combining time-restricted eating (TRE) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) improved long-term glycemic control and reduced fat mass in women with overweight/obesity. The study also showed increased cardiorespiratory fitness.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to assess retinal vasculature, predicting cardiovascular disease and death. The model captured half to two-thirds of circulatory disease deaths in those most at risk, outperforming traditional risk frameworks.
A randomized clinical trial found that time-restricted eating (TRE) is safe and feasible for 24-hour shift workers, improving glucose levels and blood pressure in those with cardiometabolic risk factors. Participants who followed a TRE pattern experienced improved quality of life and reduced bad cholesterol.
A clinical trial conducted by Salk Institute and UC San Diego Health found that time-restricted eating improved measures of health and wellbeing in firefighters. The study showed that a 10-hour eating window reduced VLDL cholesterol, improved mental health, and decreased alcohol intake.
Women with severe preeclampsia treated with extended-release nifedipine during labor and delivery had lower rates of dangerously high blood pressure, reducing the need for IV treatment. This study contributes to optimal management of hypertension during pregnancy and delivery.
A cross-sectional study of over 70,000 Asian Americans found significant variation in obesity prevalence among subgroups, with Filipino Americans having the highest rate at 28.7% and Chinese Americans the lowest at 13.2%. The study highlights the need for tailored strategies to address obesity disparities among Asian American populations.
Research finds significant variation in obesity prevalence among Asian American subgroups, with health risks starting at lower BMIs. The study suggests using specific criteria for Asian populations to accurately assess obesity-related health risks.
A recent study found that 38% of people with cardiovascular disease were food insecure in 2017-2018, more than doubling from two decades earlier. Food insecurity exacerbates existing racial and ethnic health disparities and can lead to increased risk for cardiometabolic risk factors.
The Leducq Foundation has awarded $7.5 million to UVA researchers, led by Mete Civelek, to investigate sex differences in atherosclerosis and $8 million to Coleen McNamara to advance immunotherapy for cardiovascular disease. These projects aim to improve understanding of heart disease and develop new treatments.
A mixed methods study found that high-performing facilitators in a large-scale quality improvement initiative showed significant impact on clinical outcomes, with 75% or more of their assigned practices demonstrating improvements. The research analyzed data from 162 facilitators supporting 1,630 primary care practices across 12 states.
Researchers at UVA Health have developed a new magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) technique to track peripheral artery disease, which affects over 200 million people worldwide. The CEST approach produces comparable results to the current gold standard without requiring specialized equipment.
A large observational study found that moderate coffee consumption, including decaffeinated and ground coffee, was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and death. The study suggests that mild to moderate intake of coffee can be part of a healthy lifestyle.
A large study of former smokers found that those adhering to evidence-based recommendations for body weight, diet, physical activity, and alcohol intake had a significantly lower risk of death. The study included nearly 160,000 older U.S. adults and showed that better lifestyle habits can reduce mortality risk from various causes.
A scientific review found that cold water swimming can reduce 'bad' body fat and improve insulin sensitivity. However, the health benefits are uncertain due to limited study quality and variability in participant profiles.
Researchers have discovered how a common blood stem cell mutation, DNMT3A R882, alters gene activity and produces abnormal blood cells that increase cancer risk. The study found that the mutant cells produce more red blood cells and platelets, leading to higher cardiovascular disease risks.
Research found that people with HIV who also have untreated hepatitis C virus have a higher risk of heart attack as they age. The study analyzed health data from 23,361 people with HIV and found that those co-infected with hepatitis C had a significantly increased risk of heart attack compared to those with HIV alone.
Women with a history of gestational diabetes are at substantially higher risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. Continuous monitoring is crucial to mitigate these risks.
A new study finds that consistently losing an hour and a half of sleep per night can negatively impact immune stem cells, leading to increased inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Even after catching up on sleep, the effects of disrupted sleep remain long-lasting.
A recent study by the American Heart Association highlights that poorly controlled high blood pressure is a leading cause of cardiovascular emergencies in the US. The study analyzed over 20 million emergency department visits and found that 13% were for essential hypertension, which led to hospital admission less than 3% of the time.
A study by researchers from UTHealth Houston and the University of Miami found that adolescents with severe obesity who underwent bariatric surgery before age 22 lost significant weight and experienced complete remission of comorbidities such as diabetes, asthma, and elevated lipids. The study's results show that these young patients c...
A Brazilian study analyzed risk factors for heart attacks and found that high blood sugar had the most significant impact on mortality. Reducing smoking prevented most deaths from cardiovascular disease, while lowering diabetes incidence could have saved up to 5,000 lives over a decade.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified a new mechanism in ARVC that could lead to a potential treatment strategy. They found that activating sirtuin-3 can slow down disease progression, and honokiol, a natural product extracted from the tulip tree, has been shown to work similarly.
Researchers analyzed over 6,700 patients treated for blood clots and irregular heart rhythms. Stopping aspirin significantly reduced bleeding complications by 32.3% and prevented one major bleeding event per every 1,000 patients who stopped taking aspirin.
A new study of over half a million people with type 2 diabetes found that smoking and low physical activity significantly increase the risk of premature death. Individuals with type 2 diabetes who develop cancer are more likely to die in seven years if they are smokers or physically inactive.
Adults with ADHD are more than twice as likely to develop at least one cardiovascular disease compared to those without the condition. The study found that ADHD is an independent risk factor for a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac arrest and peripheral vascular diseases.
Researchers found that nearly nine in ten cases of sudden cardiac death due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are preceded by symptoms, ECG abnormalities, or a positive family history. Expanded screening programs could aid in the prevention of SCD in young individuals with HCM.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that air pollution may trigger irregular heart rhythms in healthy teenagers, with exposure causing arrhythmias to occur within two hours. The research analyzed data from over 300 adolescents and found a significant impact of fine particulate matter on cardiac ...
Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, is honored with the TCT Career Achievement Award for his transformative work in interventional cardiology and patient care. He has made significant global contributions to cardiovascular medicine.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that individuals with autoimmune diseases are at a higher risk of complications after a heart attack. The research emphasizes the importance of controlling cardiovascular disease risk factors and developing personalized treatment plans for this population.
A consortium of researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Stanford Medicine, and others aims to create a comprehensive atlas of genetic variants that cause heart disease. The project, funded by the National Health Lung and Blood Institute, will generate data on function for thousands of variants, helping guide treatment fo...
A new software application predicts the likelihood that a case of dilated cardiomyopathy has a genetic mutation. The Madrid Genotype Score identifies patients most likely to have inherited the disease, facilitating genetic screening and tailored treatment adjustments.
A new study published in leading journals found that achieving 10,000 steps a day can lower the risk of dementia, heart disease, cancer, and death. However, a faster stepping pace showed even greater health benefits, making walking faster a crucial factor for overall health.
A large French study found a potential direct association between higher artificial sweetener consumption and increased cardiovascular disease risk. The researchers suggest that these food additives should not be considered a healthy alternative to sugar.
A study suggests that adopting the DASH diet may have the greatest impact on reducing cardiovascular disease among people with stage 1 hypertension. The research estimates that this lifestyle change could prevent 15,000 heart disease events among men and 11,000 among women.
A prospective study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that dedicated women's heart centers can significantly improve clinical and psychological outcomes for women with myocardial ischemia. The study, which followed 154 patients, showed a significant decrease in chest pain frequency and improved quality of life after attending...
A study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that adults with osteoporosis are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The research identified several key risk factors, including older age, smoking, and use of anti-hypertensive medications.
A new study of 1.9 million adults found that young-onset type 2 diabetes is associated with a substantially higher relative risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Individuals diagnosed with early-onset T2D aged 40 or younger had five times more likelihood to develop heart disease, seven times more likely to be hospitalized with hear...
A study by Duke-NUS Medical School and collaborators found that cooler ambient temperatures increased the risk of a specific type of myocardial infarction (heart attack) in Singapore. People aged 65 and above were particularly vulnerable to this risk, with a 20% higher risk compared to younger individuals.
A new American Heart Association statement highlights the need for specialized care in people who inject drugs, a population with a complex approach to manage potentially deadly heart infections. The standard treatment includes six weeks of intravenous antibiotics, but alternative regimens and oral antibiotics may help complete treatment.
A study of NASA astronauts found DNA mutations associated with spaceflight, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and blood cancer. Regular screening is recommended to monitor astronaut health.
Two large studies found a link between high consumption of ultra-processed foods and increased risks of cardiovascular disease, bowel cancer, and death. The findings support policies limiting ultra-processed foods and promote eating unprocessed or minimally-processed foods for improved public health.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that low physical function after age 65 is associated with a greater risk of developing heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. The study used the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test to assess physical function in 5,570 adults over 75 years old.
A new clinical practice guideline provides guidance on delivering women-focused cardiac rehabilitation programs to increase participation and improve outcomes. The guideline presents 15 recommendations to address inequities in cardiovascular disease care for women.
A study of 22 million patients found that those with autoimmune disorders have a substantially higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The excess risk is similar to that of type 2 diabetes and affects the entire cardiovascular disease spectrum.
The American College of Cardiology has published an expert consensus decision pathway on the role of nonstatin therapies for LDL-C lowering in the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk reduction. The guidance provides recommendations for individuals at high-risk and those with familial hypercholesterolemia, ...
African American adults with higher levels of religiosity and spirituality may be more likely to meet key cardiovascular health metrics. The study found associations between religious behavior, spirituality, and improved health outcomes in terms of diet, physical activity, and smoking.
A study found that 47% of parents meeting criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, compared to 12% of children with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. The trauma triggered by a child's heart problems can affect the entire family.
A research study of African Americans with cardiovascular disease found that higher levels of religious practices and spirituality are associated with greater likelihood of intermediate or ideal levels of heart health. Specifically, private prayer was linked to better diet and smoking habits, while nontheistic spirituality was associat...
Researchers at Temple University hospital found that maternal-fetal mortality can be reduced to zero through patient-tailored management of right heart function prior to delivery. Women with pulmonary hypertension who received specialized care had excellent outcomes, with 100% survival for mothers and infants.
The USPSTF recommends prescribing statins for adults aged 40-75 with one or more CVD risk factors and estimated 10-year CVD risk of 10% or greater. For those aged 76 or older, the evidence is insufficient to make a recommendation. Statin use can significantly reduce CVD events and mortality in this population.
A study has found that pheasant meat can contain small fragments of toxic lead, which can be absorbed by the body and cause long-term harm. Researchers detected up to 10mg of tiny lead shards per pheasant, widely distributed within the bird's tissues.
A study led by University College London found that poor heart health at age 36 predicts a higher brain age later in life, with men having older brains than women of the same age. The research used machine learning to estimate brain age from MRI scans and found an association between brain age and increased brain shrinkage over time.
Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and heart failure, can profoundly affect quality of life. The American Heart Association scientific statement highlights the importance of tracking symptoms to detect changes and progression.
A 1g reduction in daily salt intake could prevent nearly 9 million cases of heart disease and stroke in China by 2030, saving 4 million lives. This is based on a modelling study that estimates the impact of reducing salt intake across the nation.
The American Heart Association offers important guidance on sleep-disordered breathing and its association with cardiac arrhythmia, highlighting the potential benefits of SDB treatment on patient outcomes. The statement emphasizes the need for more randomized data to confirm the link between SDB and reduced atrial fibrillation recurrence.