Researchers found structural changes in the retina in people with atrial fibrillation, detectable up to four years before diagnosis. The study suggests retinal imaging could identify those at risk of atrial fibrillation before it causes harm.
Researchers identified six protein signatures in children as young as 8 that significantly influence the risk of developing cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic disease in adulthood. These protein signatures were also present in adults at high risk of irreversible cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic disease. The study suggests that early interv...
Even low levels of nighttime light exposure can lead to structural changes in the heart, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers analyzed data from 11,017 participants and found that those exposed to higher levels of light saw a thickening of the heart's walls and reduced flexibility during a heartbeat.
Research of over 11,000 people found that high nighttime light exposure is associated with thickening of the heart's left ventricle and reduced flexibility during heartbeats. The study suggests that reducing nighttime light exposure could be a strategy for preventing heart disease.
Research found that after three hours of exposure to pollution, heart rate variability declines, indicating increasing physiological stress on the heart. The study suggests that individuals with cardiovascular conditions or those spending long periods outdoors should take note of air quality alerts.
A US study of 20 years of health data found that hormone therapy initiated during peri- or early postmenopause reduces cardiovascular disease risk by 22% compared to those who did not use hormone therapy. The protective effect was strongest among Black women and those who initiated therapy within 10 years of menopause onset.
A new study found that inducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) during embryonic development protects the adult heart from chemotherapy toxicity in mice. The study discovered that stressed mitochondria release citrate, leading to long-term epigenetic changes that promote beneficial mitohormetic adaptations. These findings s...
A new ERC-funded project at Aarhus University aims to investigate how hormones, stress, and genetic factors influence women's coronary arteries. The project will develop new models to explain why certain cardiovascular diseases affect women differently from men, and may lead to personalized rupture-risk maps and improved diagnosis and ...
A new study suggests that eating jetlag, which disrupts the body's biological rhythm, may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in men. The study found that each additional hour of eating jetlag was associated with a 14% increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21% increased risk of coronary heart disease.
The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association have introduced a new framework, Tactical Clinical Management (TCM), to evaluate cardiovascular risk and fitness for duty in tactical athletes. This guidance addresses the unique needs of professionals working in high-risk environments, where sudden incapacitation can af...
A new study found that men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer who replaced saturated and animal fats with unsaturated and plant-based fats had a lower risk of death. Replacing about 10% of daily calories from animal fat with plant-based fat was associated with a 16% lower rate of death.
Researchers have developed a human engineered heart tissue model of diastolic heart failure, enabling treatment testing with SGLT2 inhibitors, which partially prevented disease development. The model demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of SGLT2i, improving ion exchanger function and preventing accumulation of ions in tissues.
Researchers found that meal timing programs the liver's daily rhythms and can have serious metabolic and health consequences when out of sync. The liver uses food signals to activate metabolic pathways, which can conflict with the body's natural circadian clock, leading to health issues.
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder reveals how the brain's defense mechanism can backfire, forming micro-clots that damage tissue after the original clot is gone. This phenomenon, known as no reflow, affects up to 50% of stroke patients and can lead to long-term disability or death.
The congress featured over 1,750 sessions and 12 Hot Line sessions highlighting practice-changing findings in cardiovascular science. ESC Congress 2026 also released three clinical practice guidelines and the Fifth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction.
Research suggests that mental health conditions, including PTSD, substance abuse, and depression, can increase the risk of future cardiovascular risks such as heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death. Alcohol abuse was found to be the top psychiatric predictor of serious heart and brain conditions for both men and women.
A clinical trial has demonstrated a new treatment that reduces bleeding within the heart muscle and preserves heart function in severe heart attack patients. The trial tested a peri-reperfusion therapy that limits hemorrhagic myocardial injury after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
A short mitochondrial protein, STMP1, helps maintain the heart's energy-producing structures and protects against inflammation and failure. Researchers found that restoring STMP1 or blocking inflammation can significantly protect heart function.
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital is the first hospital in the US to implant an expandable heart valve, the Autus Valve, during the FDA review phase. The device is designed to grow with children and can potentially reduce the need for replacement surgeries.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-6 achieved sustained reductions in inflammation biomarkers for six months in patients with chronic kidney disease. The therapy, known as pacibekitug, was well-tolerated and showed favorable effects on additional biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk.
Dr. Sebastian Spethmann joins JMIR Cardio as Editor-in-Chief, bringing expertise in heart failure, cardiomyopathies, and digital health. He aims to integrate digital advancements into routine clinical care, enhancing cardiovascular health systems and patient outcomes.
A new trial has found that implanting an ICD in patients with mild-to-moderate heart dysfunction can reduce sudden cardiac death, particularly in younger patients. This breakthrough has the potential to save lives and expand treatment options for patients who previously were not eligible for ICDs.
Researchers discovered that SGLT2 inhibitors activate PANK1, a key enzyme that boosts energy production and improves heart function in heart failure patients. Increasing CoA production improved the ability of human heart cells to contract and relax, two critical functions impaired in heart failure.
Researchers developed a risk calculator that estimates short-term risk of diabetes complications using routine health data. The tool analyzes insurance claims and electronic health record data to provide monthly, encounter-level risk estimates.
A study found that high blood levels of xylitol were associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Researchers analyzed data from 17,710 participants and found a dose-dependent relationship between xylitol levels and cardiovascular event rates.
A study led by Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that children of centenarians live longer and have lower risks of cardiovascular disease and hypertension. The research, analyzing data from three geographically diverse studies, suggests that inherited biological factors beyond lifestyle contribute to exceptional healthy aging.
The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) presents 28 studies at TCT 2026, highlighting advances in minimally invasive interventions, pharmaceutical therapies, and breakthrough technologies. Key findings include improved outcomes for patients with heart and vascular disease.
A new AI-based diagnosis tool can detect hypertension and diabetes from a single facial video, with high accuracy and potentially reaching far more people than traditional screening methods. The algorithm can estimate blood pressure from a facial video alone, without a cuff.
A new study uses machine learning to predict which patients with coronary artery disease will benefit from exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. The model accurately identifies 'non-responders' using data from cardiopulmonary exercise testing and pulse wave analysis, allowing for tailored treatment plans.
Patients with heart failure, caregivers, and providers are open to mobile health (MIH) adoption, but financial and regulatory challenges hinder its reach and sustainability. MIH programs can reduce ED transports, but their financial viability is constrained by Medicare's transport-based EMS reimbursement structure.
Researchers used an AI tool to analyze health records of 12,701 UK Biobank participants who had experienced a heart attack. The study found three distinct health paths, with 63% developing cardiometabolic conditions and 23% suffering a decline in lung function. The AI tool predicted the health trajectory and identified high-risk groups...
A study from Karolinska Institutet found that older adults with longer meal intervals accumulated chronic diseases more rapidly than those with shorter intervals. The association was strongest among people aged 78 years and older, and was linked to faster accumulation of cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric diseases.
Nicotine damages the cardiovascular system by binding to receptors in blood vessel walls, suppressing vasodilators, and triggering vessel constriction. Abstinence is the only risk-free option, and e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn devices pose significant cardiovascular risks.
Researchers at Murdoch Children's Research Institute have made a breakthrough in gene therapy, restoring heart function in lab-grown patient heart tissue and mouse models with genetic heart disease. The therapy may also correct other genetic heart diseases, including those caused by the MYH7 gene and TTN truncating variants.
Scientists at King's College London discovered that urolithin A improves heart function, reduces scarring and prevents harmful enlargement of the heart in a type of heart failure. The compound has already been evaluated in human studies and shows a favorable safety profile, offering a promising new treatment target.
A new roadmap for stroke recovery prioritizes genetic and blood biomarkers to drive precision neuro-rehabilitation and biotherapy. The framework seeks to understand the underlying biology of brain repair after a stroke, with the goal of developing effective biotherapeutics.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that gut bacteria convert dietary nitrate and iron into protective molecules, such as dinitrosyl iron complexes, which may improve cardiovascular and metabolic health markers. These findings suggest a previously unknown mechanism by which a specific diet and gut bacteria can promote health.
The open-source image analysis pipeline accurately measures brain tissue changes in animal models, reducing variability among thousands of scans. The tool has the potential to improve early-stage evaluation of new therapies for acute ischemic stroke.
Dysregulated neutrophils may play a key role in persistent low-grade inflammation seen in chronic coronary syndrome. Researchers found that neutrophils from patients with stable coronary artery disease do not die as they should, persisting and remaining highly active.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that an AI-enabled digital stethoscope struggled to detect cardiac murmurs and arrhythmias in cats, while performing moderately well in dogs. The researchers emphasize the need for veterinarians to rely on human expertise when using AI-assisted technology.
Insilico Medicine has nominated ISM0900, a potent and selective oral Lp(a) inhibitor, as a preclinical candidate for managing cardiovascular risks. The compound demonstrates rapid onset, excellent oral pharmacokinetics, and superior efficacy in reducing Lp(a) levels.
A meta-analysis of nearly 1,900 studies found that climbing stairs significantly reduces the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Regular stair climbing was associated with lower risks of heart-related problems and major cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open finds a strong association between gestational diabetes and an increased risk of postpartum cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic disorders. The research highlights the importance of monitoring and managing gestational diabetes to prevent long-term health consequences for mothers.
A study from Karolinska Institutet found that people treated with modern NOAC blood-thinning medicines experienced a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to those receiving warfarin or no anticoagulant treatment. This was associated with lower risk of other health problems, including death, stroke, and fractures.
Researchers have developed a new stretchable catheter that can reveal features of arterial plaque not visible with conventional imaging. The device uses electrical measurements to identify metabolically active plaques, allowing doctors to spot potentially deadly buildup before it causes a heart attack.
A new review highlights how molecular biology advances are reframing PAH as a complex vascular remodeling disease driven by endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and genetic susceptibility. Emerging therapies target the BMP/TGF-β pathway, growth factor signaling, and inflammatory pathways.
The Marcus Foundation has awarded $28.7 million to advance a clinical trial testing a stem cell-based therapy designed to regenerate damaged heart tissue after a heart attack. Researchers aim to develop approaches that could reduce or eliminate the need for immunosuppressive drugs.
A new study published in JACC suggests that waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio provide critical information about cardiovascular risk, even among people with a normal BMI. Individuals with elevated central adiposity were associated with higher risks for most outcomes, regardless of their weight status.
A new ACC Scientific Statement highlights the importance of considering cognitive impairment and frailty in cardiovascular care for older adults. The statement outlines practical strategies for prevention, screening, assessment, and management, aiming to improve outcomes such as independence, mobility, and caregiver burden.
Non-invasive approaches are expanding options for assessing portal hypertension, with elastography techniques and biochemical markers showing high sensitivity and specificity. AI-powered predictive models combine clinical data to improve diagnosis, but should not replace invasive HVPG, which remains the gold standard.
A new hypothesis proposes that women's reproductive resilience is key to understanding longevity, with menopause representing an important inflection point in the loss of reproductive resilience. This framework challenges traditional views on aging and fertility, highlighting the importance of studying women in longevity research.
Researchers tracked nearly 80,000 adults with type 2 diabetes over ten years, finding those who consistently took their prescribed medication stayed free of serious heart and circulatory complications for over seven extra months. Low adherence was linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in younger adults.
Adding tirzepatide to standard care reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke, by 32% compared to sitagliptin. The study found significant benefits on individual MACE components and mortality from any cause.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that even low levels of physical activity can increase life expectancy for adults with or without atrial fibrillation. The research tracked over 87,000 adults in Norway for 15 years and found a positive association between physical activity and reduced stro...
A new study from UT Health San Antonio found that any degree of physical activity can slow cognitive decline in Hispanics. The research, which included 402 participants, also showed that controlling blood sugar levels and cardiovascular health are associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline.
A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen has discovered a crucial communication system on cell surfaces that plays a significant role in heart development. Alterations in three key proteins can disrupt this system, leading to congenital heart defects.
Katherine Wilemon, Family Heart Foundation CEO, receives Honorary Fellow Award from ASPC for her advocacy and research efforts in inherited lipid disorders. The award reflects the organization's impact on advancing care and awareness for conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia.
A new prediction model developed by McGill University researchers can identify younger women at higher heart disease risk years before traditional screenings. The model takes into account pregnancy complications such as hypertension and gestational diabetes to estimate future risk.
A new meta-analysis of 114,000+ participants found that low-dose omega-3 supplementation is not associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, even among individuals at elevated cardiovascular risk. In contrast, high-dose prescription therapies may modestly increase AF risk in these patients.
Researchers from Pennington Biomedical Research Center propose a new framework for defining and diagnosing obesity, which considers the effects of excess adiposity on organs and tissues. This approach provides a more biologically grounded and clinically actionable method for guiding treatment decisions.