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Weight loss increases ability to manage household

Weight loss after bariatric surgery is associated with better ability to cope with daily household tasks such as cleaning and grocery shopping. The study also found that maintaining weight loss for long periods results in improved functionality and independence. Patients who regained lost weight experienced poorer outcomes over time.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2026

Lifestyle can protect childhood cancer survivors

Two new international studies found that healthy lifestyles can have a protective effect on childhood cancer survivors, reducing the risk of chronic health problems. The studies suggest that physical activity, a healthy weight, and other lifestyle factors can significantly reduce the burden of disease in adulthood.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMay 29, 2026

Did heart health impact the risk of severe COVID-19 infection during the pandemic?

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that adults with better Life's Essential 8 scores had lower odds of becoming severely ill or dying from COVID-19. The research suggests that having a healthy heart helps prepare the body for real-life stress tests, such as infectious diseases like COVID-19.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 27, 2026

American College of Cardiology issues decision pathway for postpartum cardiovascular care

The American College of Cardiology has issued a new Expert Consensus Decision Pathway to guide postpartum cardiovascular care, emphasizing comprehensive visits and effective management of CV emergencies. The guideline aims to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality by optimizing cardiometabolic outcomes.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 22, 2026

Scientists uncover protein that could help failing hearts

Researchers identified a key protein called PERM1 that is restored in patients whose hearts recover after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. PERM1 regulates energy production and contractile function in heart cells, and its normalization is associated with improved cardiac function.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

Early birth safer for mother and baby in high blood pressure pregnancies

A new Cochrane review finds planned early birth for pregnant women with high blood pressure cuts maternal complications by nearly half and reduces the risk of stillbirth. The practice is found to be safe across both high- and low-income settings, without increasing the likelihood of caesarean section.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 20, 2026

Nicotine e-cigarettes reduce harmful chemical exposure, help smokers quit

A new study found that switching to a nicotine e-cigarette reduces toxicant exposure and improves quitting rates, with the nicotine group having a higher chance of quitting entirely. The study's results suggest that nicotine e-cigarettes could serve as an effective off-ramp for smokers seeking to reduce their tobacco use.

SourcePenn State·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 19, 2026

Global collaboration on Kawasaki disease key to reducing risk of serious heart conditions

A new science advisory calls for coordinated international efforts to reduce disparities in care for children with Kawasaki disease, a rare but serious illness primarily affecting young children. The advisory highlights the importance of sharing data, expertise, and best practices to improve heart health outcomes for children with Kawa...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 18, 2026

Heart scan and blood test improve risk prediction for inherited heart condition, major study finds

A large prospective study found that incorporating imaging and blood biomarker data into risk assessment improves prediction of adverse cardiac events in people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The study used clinical history, cardiac MRI, and blood biomarkers to predict outcomes, providing fuller and more accurate predictions.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateMay 11, 2026

Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are primary drivers of excess US deaths compared to other high-income countries

The US had substantially higher death rates between 1999 and 2022 compared to other wealthy nations, with cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause of excess mortality. An estimated 12.7 million US deaths could have been averted during this period if US mortality rates mirrored those of its peers.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMay 8, 2026

Distinct metabolic signature found in HFpEF

Researchers identified a unique metabolic fingerprint in the hearts of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity. The study reveals disrupted glucose metabolism and accumulated metabolic products, which are linked to structural changes in the heart and disease severity.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalCardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2026

Cold hands, warm heart — Body temperature a key factor in where TRPM4 mutations cause disease

Researchers discovered that body temperature plays a key role in which tissues are affected by TRPM4 ion channel mutations. The findings explain why disease-causing TRPM4 mutations lead to mutually exclusive conditions, such as severe skin diseases like PSEK and heart disorders like progressive familial heart block.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2026

Blood tests taken years earlier linked to pregnancy risk

A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that small abnormalities in blood sugar, lipids, and inflammation years before pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. The findings may contribute to earlier risk assessment and preventive measures.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateApr 30, 2026

Methamphetamine use linked to 1 in 6 heart attacks in California study

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that methamphetamine use accounted for nearly 15% of heart attacks in a northern California study. People who suffered meth-related heart attacks were often young- to middle-aged men without traditional heart disease risk factors, highlighting the need for spe...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 30, 2026

Validation study from Mass General Brigham reveals new tool can predict patients’ genetic risk of eight cardiovascular conditions

Researchers developed a new polygenic risk score (PRS) that estimates a person's inherited risk for eight common cardiovascular conditions. The test combines information from many genetic variants and evaluates a person's risk for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, and more.

SourceMass General Brigham·TypeObservational study·DateApr 29, 2026

University of Cincinnati works with local paramedics to advance sudden cardiac arrest research

A University of Cincinnati study proves the feasibility and scalability of collecting blood from patients in cardiac arrest during treatment. The approach, which involves paramedics delivering samples to a biorepository, showed significant variation among patients and underscores the need for further research.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalPrehospital Emergency Care·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 24, 2026

Ischemic heart disease burden declines in rate but rises in number

The study found a decline in age-standardized incidence rates for ischemic heart disease (IHD) in high-income countries, but a rapid rise in burden due to the increasing number of older adults and a growing global population. The total number of incident IHD cases is expected to continue rising until 2030.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 23, 2026

Low-dose triple-pill cut risk of recurrent stroke by about 40%, global trial shows

A global trial involving 1,670 patients with intracerebral haemorrhage found that treatment with a single pill combination of three low-dose blood pressure medicines reduced the risk of another stroke by 39%. The study showed significant benefits in reducing major cardiovascular events and improving blood pressure control.

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 22, 2026

Chinese Medical Journal article review explores artificial intelligence in heart failure management

A recent review highlights how AI enables precision treatment, continuous monitoring and individualized prognostic modeling for heart failure patients. AI integrates large-scale structured electronic health records and multimodal imaging to characterize cardiac structure and function, enhancing diagnostic accuracy.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 21, 2026

Cardiac CT scans see the future: Visualizing "invisible" heart risks

Researchers at Kumamoto University discovered that combining cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) scan markers can identify patients at highest risk for future heart failure and death. The 'delayed phase' scan detects localized scarring and subtle damage throughout the heart muscle, providing a synergistic view of heart health.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging·TypeObservational study·DateApr 21, 2026

Redo surgical mitral valve replacement shows long-term survival advantage over transcatheter valve-in-valve

A new multicenter study finds that reoperative surgical mitral valve replacement demonstrates significant long-term survival benefits over transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve procedures in patients with failing bioprosthetic valves. At five years, rSMVR patients had lower mortality and more favorable valve performance.

SourceThe Society of Thoracic Surgeons·JournalThe Annals of Thoracic Surgery·DateApr 21, 2026