Research on diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Covers microvascular imaging, light exposure, cardiac imaging anxiety, and sex differences in risk.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have found that electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) can identify older adults with heart disease who appear healthy through standard non-invasive tests. EBCT measures coronary and aortic calcification, which are known risk factors for coronary events.
Researchers have identified three types of oral bacteria most likely to increase the risk of heart disease: B. forsythus, P. gingivalis, and C. recta. These bacteria can contribute to plaque formation, narrow blood vessels, and induce platelet aggregation, increasing the risk of heart attack in persons with periodontal disease.
A large study found that cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, regardless of body fatness. The researchers suggest that fitness may be more important than being lean for reducing obesity and mortality risk.
This study of 260 retired Baltimore schoolteachers found correlations between coffee consumption, inadequate dietary protein, and increased serum homocysteine levels. The findings suggest that reducing these lifestyle factors may help mitigate the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A new UCSF study reveals that women are as likely as men to agree to a doctor's recommendation for an invasive cardiac procedure after testing positive for heart disease. The study also found that men and women reported similar willingness to accept recommendations for coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
A seven-year national study found that white patients with chronic renal failure were three times more likely to receive cardiac catheterization and surgeries than their black counterparts. However, once blacks developed end-stage renal disease and became eligible for Medicare, the disparity narrowed greatly.
People with diabetes are at increased risk of getting periodontal disease, which can lead to problems with blood sugar control and complications like vision problems and cardiovascular disease. Clinical studies show that people with severe periodontal disease are six times more likely to have poor glycemic control.
Researchers suggest a clear connection between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, with bacteria and toxins traveling through the bloodstream. Periodontal bacteria contain lipopolysaccharides that can cause illness and damage blood vessel linings.
A UK study found that decreasing food intake can help ward off age-related brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The research team led by Mark Mattson discovered that eating less made nerve cells in the brain more resistant to deterioration and death.
Emory University researchers suggest that high estradiol levels increase MPO, which oxidizes LDL and clears it via the liver. This mechanism may explain estradiol's protective effects on cardiovascular disease.
The American Society of Human Genetics workshop presents an overview of early childhood cardiac disorders and their impact on quality of life in adulthood. Panelists discuss recognizing asymptomatic cardiac conditions and understanding the role of environmental factors in cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that a larger angle between an artery and its branching points increases the susceptibility to plaque buildup, leading to cardiovascular disease. Researchers discovered that fluid mechanics plays a crucial role in vessel wall thickening, particularly at lower shear stress areas.
Researchers have confirmed a genetic influence for Alzheimer's disease in families with high incidence of the disorder. The study identified a gene on chromosome 12 associated with an increased risk and susceptibility to late-onset Alzheimer's disease, offering new insights into the disease's causes.
New research suggests that US high school athletes' cardiovascular screenings are insufficient, leaving them vulnerable to potentially fatal heart problems. The American Heart Association's guidelines for screening young athletes were issued in 1996 and have not been updated since.
Researchers discovered a possible link between elevated blood homocysteine levels and Alzheimer's disease, with lower folate and vitamin B12 levels also observed. Long-term clinical trials are needed to determine if lowering homocysteine levels can prevent or delay the progression of the disease.
The Rockefeller study aims to identify genetic causes of early- and late-onset type 2 diabetes to develop better diagnostic tools and improved drug therapies. The researchers seek individuals with type 2 diabetes and at least one affected family member to participate in the study.
A lifestyle profile with low folate intakes, smoking, and high coffee consumption is associated with high plasma homocysteine levels. Folate intake, smoking status, and coffee consumption are major determinants of plasma homocysteine concentration in the general population.
A major study found that smoking speeds up the hardening of arteries, increasing stroke and heart attack risk. Quitting smoking can slow this process, but may not reverse existing damage.
Researchers have identified 80% of the genes active in the cardiovascular system, creating a comprehensive database that sheds light on the genetic mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding complex diseases and developing new diagnostic tests and therapies.
Researchers used a novel test to measure damaging activity of free radicals in body tissues, finding high levels in atherosclerotic plaque tissue. The technique provides a real handle on oxidant processes in atherogenesis and could lead to clinical studies testing efficacy of drugs limiting free-radical damage.
A study found that moderate alcohol consumption cuts the risk of death from a second heart attack in men who already had one. Men who drank light to moderate amounts reduced their risk by 20-30% compared to non-drinkers. However, heavy drinking poses significant health risks.
A University of Georgia study found that blood vessels from African Americans generate more free radicals than those from Caucasians, which may contribute to the higher incidence of cardiovascular disease in African Americans. The increased free radical production could be linked to reduced vasodilation and increased blood pressure.
The study found that people with the 4/4 variant are 15 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than those with the 3/3 variant. In contrast, individuals with the 2/3 genotype appear to be protected from developing AD due to the presence of the protective 2 allele.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered an enzyme in Porphyromonas gingivalis that activates blood-clotting in humans, potentially linking periodontal infections to heart disease. The study suggests a mechanism for this connection and may lead to a vaccine to neutralize the enzyme.
A recent study conducted among Native Americans has found that periodontal disease significantly increases the risk of developing heart disease in the future. The research revealed a powerful association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, with diabetes being the only factor showing a stronger association.
A study by scientists at the National Institute on Aging and Johns Hopkins University found that long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs reduced the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research tracked over 1,686 participants for nearly two decades and showed a significant decrease in Alzheimer's risk with longer NSAID use.
Researchers at UT-Houston Institute of Molecular Medicine have discovered sentrin, a protein that protects cells from apoptosis by blocking Fas/APO-1 and TNFR receptors. This finding has significant implications for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and degenerative diseases such as arthritis and Alzheimer's.
A new study reveals that a protein called apolipoprotein E (apoE) can protect cultured nerve cells from the damaging effects of oxygen molecules associated with Alzheimer's disease. The apoE protein has different levels of antioxidant activity, with E2 being the most effective.