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Exercise answer: Research shows it’s how often you do it, not how much

A new study from Edith Cowan University found that exercising six times a day for five days can increase muscle strength by over 10% and improve muscle thickness. The research suggests that daily exercise is more beneficial for maintaining muscle mass and strength, rather than infrequent, longer workouts.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 14, 2022

Study uncovers what happens inside artery plaque to trigger strokes

A study at Tulane University found that recently formed stroke plaques contain messenger RNA that causes inflammation and degrades a protective cap, leading to rupture. This discovery could lead to new tools to stop strokes from happening and develop new drugs or diagnostics to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

SourceTulane University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 11, 2022

Combining sauna and exercise lowers cardiovascular disease risk more than just exercise

Combining sauna and exercise for eight weeks improves cardiorespiratory fitness, lowers systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol levels compared to regular exercise alone. The study found the sauna-exercise combination to be superior in reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 8, 2022

Aldosterone linked to increased risk of chronic kidney disease progression and end-stage kidney disease

Higher aldosterone concentrations are associated with lower eGFR, lower potassium levels in blood, and higher potassium and protein concentrations in urine. The risk of CKD worsening was independent of diabetes status. Finerenone may help prevent CKD progression by targeting aldosterone's action.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 8, 2022

JACC study makes case for expanding coverage for carotid artery stenting

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that carotid artery stenting can be just as effective as surgery in preventing long-term stroke and improving durability. The research recommends expanding insurance coverage for this minimally invasive procedure, which can improve blood flow to the brain.

SourceOchsner Health System·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateAug 3, 2022

Junk food advertising restrictions prevent almost 100,000 obesity cases and is expected to save the NHS £200m

New research finds junk food advertising restrictions have prevented 94,867 fewer obesity cases, 2,857 fewer diabetes cases, and 1,915 fewer cardiovascular disease cases. The policy is estimated to save the NHS £218 million over its lifetime.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·TypeObservational study·DateAug 1, 2022

Research links red meat intake, gut microbiome, and cardiovascular disease in older adults

A new study found that higher red meat consumption is linked to a 22% increased risk of cardiovascular disease in older adults, with gut bacterial metabolites like TMAO playing a key role. The study also suggests that traditional ASCVD risk pathways like blood cholesterol and blood pressure may be less important than previously thought.

SourceTufts University·JournalArteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 1, 2022

Increased heart disease risk from red meat may stem from gut microbe response to digestion

Research suggests that chemicals produced by gut microbes after eating red meat may contribute to cardiovascular disease. The study found a 22% higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease associated with increased red meat consumption, which was partly attributed to elevated levels of TMAO and related metabolites in the blood.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalArteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology·DateAug 1, 2022

“One change a day makes 365 changes in a year”

A study published in the European Heart Journal found that making small behavioral changes can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk. Participants who received a lifestyle intervention showed improvements in physical activity, diet, and sedentary time, leading to decreased blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 26, 2022

People with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma face a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than from cancer

A recent study published in CANCER highlights the growing concern among Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. The analysis found that individuals with early-stage HL are now at a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to cancer after approximately 60 and 120 months of follow-up. This indicates that more effective measures are ...

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJul 25, 2022

Adolescent arterial stiffness – a novel risk factor for hypertension and insulin resistance in young adulthood and for type 2 diabetes mellitus in mid-adulthood

Arterial stiffness in adolescence is a novel risk factor for hypertension, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes in young adulthood and mid-adulthood. Risk factors include maternal smoking habits, early life smoking patterns, high salt intake, genetic inheritance, obesity, and elevated blood pressure from childhood.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of Hypertension·DateJul 25, 2022

A common mechanism for cancer metastasis and atherosclerosis

A team of researchers has discovered that malignant tumors accumulate lipid delivery molecules called LDL and attract immune suppressor cells called neutrophils, leading to tumor progression. The study also shows that targeting the LOX-1/oxidized LDL axis may be a promising strategy for treating both cancer and cardiovascular disease.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2022

Black adults treated for common arterial disease are at greater risk of amputation and death than white adults, researchers show

A large nationwide analysis found that Black adults treated for peripheral artery disease (PAD) are more likely to experience adverse outcomes, including amputation and death. The study suggests that structural racism and comorbidities contribute to these disparities in treatment and outcomes.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalCirculation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 19, 2022

Risk factors in adults with cardiovascular disease are worsening over time despite advances in secondary prevention, study shows

A study of 6,335 American adults with a history of cardiovascular disease found that risk factor profiles have not improved over the last two decades. Despite advancements in therapies and guideline recommendations, blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, body mass index, smoking, physical activity, and diet all showed worse...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJul 14, 2022

Where and when violent crime rates fall, heart disease deaths fall, too

A new analysis of data from Chicago shows that as violent crime decreases, so does the area's death rate from heart disease. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found a significant decline in cardiovascular disease mortality when violent crime declined by more than 10%.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 14, 2022

Ukraine war and refugee health

The article highlights key health considerations for Ukrainian refugees in Canada, including timely access to care and trauma-informed approaches. Key gaps in the Canadian healthcare system include lack of universal access to interpreters and coordinated care across services.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJul 11, 2022

Blacks found twice as likely to have atherosclerosis as Hispanics in young adult populations in underserved communities

A new Mount Sinai study reveals that young Black adults are twice as likely to have atherosclerosis as their Hispanic counterparts. Researchers used comprehensive questionnaires and 3D vascular ultrasounds to determine cardiovascular risk scores, finding significant discrepancies between the groups.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Stalling improvements in cardiovascular disease rates since 2010 could cost £54bn between 2020 and 2029

New research suggests that stalling improvements in cardiovascular diseases since 2010 could lead to significant economic costs. The study finds that reduced cardiovascular disease rates would result in £13 billion NHS healthcare costs, £1.5 billion social care costs, and £32 billion lost QALYs between 2020-2029.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2022

Study finds low vitamin D levels in young people of color

A University of Houston study found that 61% of Black and Hispanic adolescents have low vitamin D levels, which can lead to cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and renal disease. The research emphasizes the importance of raising awareness among clinicians about social determinants of health and providing culturall...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Pediatric Health Care·DateJun 28, 2022

Specific environmental exposures may help predict increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease

A new study found that exposure to air pollution and indoor burning without ventilation significantly increases the risk of heart disease mortality. Researchers created maps of eight environmental risk factors across Golestan Province, Iran, and identified associations between death and these factors, controlling for traditional risk f...

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2022

Increase in leptin levels in preeclampsia prompts cardiovascular cascade that puts mother and baby at risk

Researchers discovered that midgestation leptin surge in preeclampsia leads to endothelial dysfunction, blood vessel constriction, and restricted fetal growth. This finding highlights the crucial role of leptin in pregnancy and its potential consequences on maternal and infant cardiovascular health.

Physical exercise boosts beneficial cardiovascular effects of losartan in men with high blood pressure

Researchers found that aerobic exercise improves autonomic regulation of the heart and contributes to proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. Walking for 45 minutes three times a week increased heart rate variability, a scientifically validated parameter to assess the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalClinical and Experimental Hypertension·DateJun 22, 2022