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.
A study published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases found that plant-based dietary patterns were associated with significantly lower C-reactive protein levels compared to omnivorous diets. This reduction may indicate less background inflammation and lower cardiovascular risk.
The 2026 Semmelweis-Richter Journalism Award is now open for entries, with a focus on high-quality health journalism and its impact across Europe. Journalists can submit articles in two categories until June 9, 2026, with a total prize fund of €45,000.
A new study published in Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes journal links cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome to a higher risk of developing cancer. The study found that individuals with advanced heart, kidney, and metabolic disease face a sharper increase in cancer risk only in the later stages of CKM syndrome.
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.
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.
A study published in PLOS Medicine has identified two new genetic pathways contributing to cardiometabolic disease, including heart disease and obesity. The research analyzed lipid metabolites and their link to disease, suggesting that targeting specific metabolic pathways could prevent or lower the risk of disease.
Researchers aim to determine the connection between circulating lipoprotein (a) and calcific aortic valve disease, with a focus on biomechanics and early detection. They will also explore how mechanical forces influence disease progression and treatment.
A comprehensive study reveals that high sodium intake, low fruit consumption, and lack of whole grains are the primary drivers behind 5.9 million cardiovascular deaths worldwide. Researchers emphasize the need for targeted policy interventions, such as mandatory front-of-pack labeling and food reformulation in high-population countries.
A new $15 million research network will investigate the causes and treatments of heart valve disease, which affects over 80 million people worldwide. The American Heart Association hopes to develop early warning signs and diagnosis methods to expand treatment options and improve quality of life for patients.
A CDC study found that approximately half a million post-9/11 U.S. veterans had high blood pressure, highlighting the need for early prevention strategies. The study also revealed that Black veterans were more likely to have high blood pressure and women were often undiagnosed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine have identified a new potential treatment target for AARS2-related cardiomyopathy, a rare and fatal heart muscle disease in infants. By targeting the PCBP1 gene, they aim to restore healthier AARS2 function in heart cells and prevent damage.
A study of 1,338 older adults found that longer, more frequent, and morning naps were associated with higher mortality rates. Excessive daytime napping was linked to increased risk of neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, and greater morbidity.
A study from Tulane University found that long-term, untreated syphilis increases the risk of serious cardiovascular issues, including stroke, heart attack, and aortic aneurysm. Adults with syphilis were more likely to develop these problems than similar patients without the infection.
Dr. Karina Yaniv has been appointed as the new Scientific Director of Systemic AngioCardioScience at the Helmholtz Institute for Translational AngioCardioScience (HI-TAC). She aims to expand her research with a focus on translation into clinical applications, and build a bridge between basic and translational cardiovascular research.
A large-scale study linked loneliness to an increased risk of degenerative heart valve disease, including aortic valve stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation. Researchers say addressing loneliness could help delay disease progression and reduce the clinical and economic burden of valvular heart disease.
A study from Umeå University found that visualizing ultrasound images of atherosclerosis, combined with a motivational dialogue, increases motivation to improve lifestyle habits and take preventive medication. This results in lower estimated risk of cardiovascular disease and better development of risk factors over time.
A randomized trial demonstrated that Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) is an effective strategy for cardiac resynchronisation in patients with heart failure. LBBAP was found to reduce device-related complications and procedure times compared to biventricular pacing.
Research suggests that exercising at a time that matches an individual's natural chronotype (morning or evening alertness) can lower cardiovascular disease risk. The study found that chronotype-aligned exercise improved blood pressure, fasting glucose, cholesterol levels, and sleep quality more effectively than mismatched timing.
Researchers have identified a critical molecular mechanism that shuts down the heart's repair system after cardiac arrest, leaving it unable to recover. The study aims to develop new treatments for devastating medical conditions such as heart attack and stroke during major surgery.
Combining resistance training and aerobic exercises significantly enhances aerobic fitness, muscle strength, and walking distance in heart failure patients. Adding resistance training to aerobic workouts increases muscle strength more than exercising aerobically alone.
A study of over 600,000 people found that early weight gain is associated with a higher risk of dying from various diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Weight gain during adulthood also increases the risk of premature death, especially for those who develop obesity at a younger age.
A team-based program in community health clinics helped low-income patients reduce their blood pressure more than standard care alone. After 18 months, patients in the team-based program saw a significant drop in systolic blood pressure and showed better adherence to hypertension treatment.
A study of over 1500 patients with brain bleeds found that brain swelling in the first 24 hours and within 72 hours increased the risk of death or disability. Early intervention could potentially limit brain damage and improve recovery after stroke.
A new study by University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute highlights the long-term impact of preventive heart and vascular care. The study shows a significant decline in cardiovascular mortality rates after investments in local cardiac care, with notable reductions among older age groups.
Research published in Ethnicity & Disease found that self-employed Hispanic women report less high blood pressure, obesity, and poor health compared to their salaried counterparts. They were also more likely to exercise, with a nearly 11% higher rate of physical activity.
Researchers developed a method to estimate vascular age from consumer wearables' PPG signals, predicting accurate results with a mean error of six to seven years. The technique uses a deep learning model and may lead to earlier detection of cardiovascular risk and more effective preventive care.
Treatment with i.v. furosemide plus HSS significantly decreased serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers IL-6, sST2, hsTnT, galectin-3, and NT-proBNP. The study found that this combination therapy modulated some miRNA expression and was associated with reduced miR181b expression compared to furosemide alone.
A new study by Lund University researchers found that genetic risk scores can predict coronary artery disease even before diabetes onset. The study identifies a group at high risk of developing both conditions, offering potential for early detection and prevention.
The new guidelines introduce five clinical categories to capture PE severity, emphasizing follow-up care and treatment considerations. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, PE remains a serious condition with substantial risk, highlighting the need for continued research and improvement.
The American Heart Association and NFL will welcome thousands to train in Hands-Only CPR at the NFL Draft, a lifesaving skill that can double or triple a person's chance of survival. This effort aims to empower fans, families, and communities with a simple yet powerful message: be ready to save a life.
Researchers created personalized digital twins of patients' hearts to improve cardiac ablation outcomes for life-threatening arrythmias. The approach resulted in faster and more accurate procedures, reducing recurrences of arrythmias and increasing success rates compared to traditional methods.
A new study found that older people who forego necessary dental procedures due to financial barriers may experience heart failure, a heart attack, a stroke, or dementia. The researchers suggest that alleviating upstream factors such as financial constraints could prevent chronic disease.
Researchers found a clear connection between oral health and kidney health, with immune dysregulation and systemic inflammation driving the relationship. The study highlights the need for physicians to integrate oral and renal health into clinical care systems.
A new study from the University of Oulu suggests that large swings in bedtime could double the risk of serious cardiac events. Inconsistent bedtimes were strongly associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular events, especially among those who get less than eight hours of sleep.
The program aims to improve the ability to predict, prevent and treat health complications in people living with Fontan circulation. Clinicians and researchers will generate scientific and clinical insights to develop tools guiding care for patients with Fontan circulation.
Early and continuous acoramidis treatment resulted in sustained incremental reductions in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular-related mortality, and first cardiovascular hospitalization. The findings support the importance of early and continuous long-term treatment with acoramidis in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.
Dr. Roxana Mehran was appointed President of the American College of Cardiology, focusing on innovation, equity, and global collaboration to advance cardiovascular care. She aims to improve heart health for all through partnerships with major organizations.
Research found that people who spend a higher proportion of their total physical activity doing vigorous activity have substantially lower risks of all eight serious health conditions. The benefits of vigorous activity remained even when the amount of time was modest.
Patients with atrial fibrillation have a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including stroke, heart attack, and cardiac arrest. Serum neurofilament light chain levels can serve as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk in these patients.
A clinical trial found that intensive cholesterol-lowering therapy reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 31% in high-risk patients with diabetes. The treatment, evolocumab, lowered LDL-C levels by approximately 60%, and was well-tolerated.
The MOMENTUM study found that 27% of patients with resistant hypertension have hypercortisolism, a condition characterized by elevated cortisol levels. This finding suggests that hypercortisolism may be an underlying cause of resistant hypertension, which impacts nearly 10 million patients in the US.
In high-risk patients without known significant atherosclerosis and with diabetes, evolocumab significantly reduced the risk of a first major cardiovascular event. The study found that evolocumab was effective in preventing cardiovascular events in these patient populations.
A new trial found that using a microaxial flow pump before and during cardiac stenting procedures for high-risk heart attack patients with severe heart attacks did not reduce heart damage. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, also showed increased bleeding complications.
A new study from Tulane University found that women with high predicted cardiovascular risk face nearly double the risk of hip fracture. The association was stronger in women under 65, and higher cardiovascular risk was linked to fractures in weakened bones in major areas.
A review highlights the importance of healthy lifestyles in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Adhering to optimal lifestyle factors, such as a heart-healthy diet, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep, can dramatically lower disease incidence.
A UTEP study reveals that six weeks of boxing training can reduce blood pressure and improve vascular function in young adults with elevated blood pressure or Stage 1 hypertension. The results show significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, comparable to those achieved through medication.
The study developed a novel multi-task deep LASSO algorithm that identified six core clinical indicators, establishing four stable MASLD subtypes with distinct characteristics. The classification system enables targeted interventions, prioritizing fibrosis screening and aggressive cardiorenal protection for specific subgroups.
A study found that late sleep schedules are linked to unhealthy eating habits, including increased calorie intake and snacking, as well as reduced physical activity, particularly during school hours. The researchers suggest that parents should pay attention to their children's sleep timing during adolescence.
A new study by Finnish researchers found that lower hemoglobin levels within the normal range may be beneficial for glucose metabolism and cardiovascular health. The study, conducted on 64 adults, revealed an association between lower hemoglobin levels and improved physical fitness, heart health, and reduced liver fat.
A new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that children born to mothers with placental abruption are at a higher risk of developing heart disease or dying from cardiovascular disease by age 28. The risk was approximately 4.6 times higher compared to those born without this complication.
A new study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that digital CBT significantly reduced cardiac-related anxiety and improved patients' quality of life and physical function after a heart attack. The treatment showed stable benefits up to one year after completion.
A study of over 14 million cardiovascular deaths found that colder temperatures are responsible for significantly more heart-related deaths than milder months. The optimal temperature for heart health is 74°F, with temperatures under this point accounting for approximately 40,000 deaths each year.
A Rutgers Health study found that children born to mothers with premature placental separations are three times more likely to develop or die from cardiovascular disease. This risk is higher among those younger than 12 months old, and pregnant women over 35 or experiencing twin pregnancies are also at increased risk.
A study found that high screen time and low physical activity are strongly linked with cardiovascular risk among young adults. Screen time was independently associated with markers of cardiovascular risk, even after accounting for differences in daily physical activity.
The 2026 Semmelweis–Richter Journalism Award invites journalists to submit work highlighting critical health issues, particularly cardiovascular therapies. The prize fund is €45,000, with winners announced in July 2026.