Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation reduces hospital admissions by a third and heart attack risk by more than a quarter, with long-term benefits and cost-effectiveness. Digital programmes can be just as effective as traditional centre-based services, making rehabilitation more accessible.
SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 17, 2026
Researchers found associations between splenic features and coronary artery disease in a large dataset, suggesting new targets for prevention and treatment. The study used artificial intelligence and imaging scans to identify CAD-relevant splenic features, shedding light on novel mechanisms linking the spleen to heart disease.
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 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.
Two imaging techniques, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), were compared in patients with true distal left main bifurcation lesions. OCT was found to be noninferior to IVUS in guiding stenting, suggesting it may be an alternative option.
A new study finds that a TAVI-first strategy is noninferior to a PCI-first strategy in patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease. The trial showed that fewer patients in the TAVI-first group ultimately underwent PCI, and life-threatening bleeding occurred at a lower rate with the TAVI-first strategy.
Starting evolocumab before or during percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction significantly reduces LDL cholesterol levels. However, this strategy does not improve short-term clinical outcomes, including death and cardiovascular hospitalization, during the first year. The study suggests that lowering LDL chole...
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.
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 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.
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 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 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...
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.
Bradley A. Maron, MD, a renowned clinical cardiologist and researcher, has been appointed as the new editor-in-chief of Circulation. He will focus on strengthening and expanding the legacy of the journal, introducing new editorial features to publish high-quality cardiovascular science and medicine.
A global analysis found alcohol use and smoking to be common risk factors for both breast cancer and atrial fibrillation/flutter in women ages 55 and older. High-risk zones were predominantly in Western countries with greater exposure to these lifestyle risks.
Researchers have developed vascular organoid patches that can regenerate microvessels in the heart, leading to improved heart function and reduced progression of coronary artery disease. The patches were shown to survive for several weeks and stimulate new microvessel formation, providing a potential treatment for ischemic heart disease.
The updated international definition of heart failure introduces a new classification system emphasizing earlier detection and personalized treatment. The revised framework standardizes terminology, recognizing that heart failure is not a static condition.
A long-term study published in Circulation found that consuming sugary drinks and fruit juice in childhood may increase the risk of developing high blood pressure later in life. The study suggests that substituting these beverages with whole fruits, milk, and water may be associated with a lower risk of developing high blood pressure.
A meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials found that using smartphone apps or wearable technologies can increase daily step count and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among people with heart disease. The analysis showed that digital tools, such as self-monitoring, feedback, and goal setting, can motivate patients to be more active.
A Tulane University study found that being female is not a universal stroke risk factor for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), especially for those under 75. Women age 75 and older or with comorbidities have a higher stroke risk, suggesting a more personalized approach to prevention.
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.
A report by the European Society of Cardiology advocates for dedicated women's heart centers to improve diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in women. These centers can enhance quality of life, reduce symptoms, and increase survival rates for women with cardiovascular disease.
A major international study has identified ways to detect patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at serious risk of sudden death, heart failure or other dangerous outcomes. The findings will help save lives by improving the ability to determine who is at greatest risk and spare low-risk patients from unneeded heart implants.
Dr. Rebecca T. Hahn, MD, is the first imager to receive the TCT Geoffrey O. Hartzler Master Operator Award for her groundbreaking work in imaging structural heart procedures. Her unparalleled expertise has redefined the role of imaging in cardiovascular care.
Patrick T. O'Gara, a master clinician and educator, will receive the TCT 2026 Career Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work in interventional cardiology. The award recognizes his clinical excellence, pioneering research, and mentorship of the next generation of physicians.
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...
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 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.
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.
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 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.
The study found that women with pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection (P-SCAD) have a higher risk of cardiovascular events, including dissections and aneurysms. Women with P-SCAD also experienced less recovery in left ventricular ejection fraction compared to those without P-SCAD.
A new study led by NYU Langone Health finds that combining advanced imaging tests can identify the underlying cause of heart attacks in most patients without blocked arteries. The research used coronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to reveal a likely cause in 79 percent of patients.
Registration is now open for TCT 2026, the annual scientific symposium of CRF, taking place October 31 - November 3 in San Diego. The event will feature a dynamic program with groundbreaking research and expert-led tutorials.
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.
Dr. Chun Li has been awarded the SNMMI Mars Shot Research Fund Award to investigate the PET radiotracer 64Cu-DbCD11b for detecting vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. The study aims to assess the non-invasive assessment of vulnerable plaques and aid in patient risk identification and treatment.
A new study published in the Hypertension journal found that women who experience pregnancy complications may face an increased risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. Higher stress levels during and after pregnancy are associated with higher blood pressure levels 2-to-7 years after delivery.
A new study found that heart attack deaths rose by 1.2% among adults under 55, particularly women who were more likely to die from a severe form of the condition. The research highlights the need for earlier risk identification and consideration of non-traditional risk factors to improve treatment.
The study reveals marked variation in radiation dose to patients from diagnostic testing, particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries. Standardized protocols and updated equipment are urgently needed to reduce global radiation exposure and improve the quality of CAD diagnosis.
A new study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging found that women with lower plaque levels in their arteries are still at risk of heart attacks. The research suggests that moderate increases in plaque burden can have a disproportionate impact on women due to their smaller coronary arteries.
A high-fiber diet has been linked to a reduced risk of coronary artery disease in night shift workers. The study, published in the European Journal of Epidemiology, found that consuming more fiber daily can lower the risk, with moderate intake recommended for those working night shifts regularly.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 4,300 stable outpatients with chest pain and found that women experienced similar rates of MACE as men despite having smaller plaque volumes. The study suggests incorporating sex into the interpretation of coronary plaque metrics may help advance tailored approaches to cardiac risk stratification.
A new position statement from CSANZ and ACRA highlights telehealth as a critical tool for increasing access to quality cardiovascular care. The guidance provides best practice guidance for safe use by clinicians while emphasizing patient-centered, culturally inclusive multidisciplinary care.
A study of 2,700 adults found that South Asian adults in the US had higher rates of prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure compared to peers from other populations. This suggests the need for earlier screening and risk-factor management to prevent heart disease.
The Family Heart Foundation, led by Matt Hasselbeck, aims to educate Americans about the risks of high LDL cholesterol and its connection to early heart disease. The campaign promotes free at-home screenings and offers support for individuals to protect themselves and their families from cardiovascular disease.
Middle-aged and older adults who were more active in the evenings had poorer cardiovascular health compared to their peers who were more active during the day. This study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that evening chronotypes are associated with behaviors that can affect cardiovascular health, such ...
A new study found that men's coronary heart disease risk begins to diverge from women's in the mid-30s, with differences emerging as early as age 50.5 versus 57.5 years. This suggests that heart disease prevention and screening should start earlier in adulthood for men.
A new AI-driven model predicts patient risk of suffering a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) with higher accuracy than traditional predictive models. This improvement in prognostic risk assessment could help personalize individual care plans and maintain quality of life for patients.
Researchers identify circulating extracellular vesicles produced in diseased kidneys as the culprit behind toxicity in the heart. The discovery could lead to the development of a blood test to identify patients at high risk for serious heart problems and novel treatments to prevent and treat heart failure.
A large study found that women who underwent bypass surgery had a lower risk of major cardiovascular events and mortality compared to those who received stenting. However, women who underwent stenting had a slightly lower stroke risk.
New research from the American Heart Association finds a strong association between gum disease and increased risk of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and cardiometabolic health conditions. The study suggests that effective prevention and treatment of gum disease could potentially decrease the burden of cardiov...
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has found that women with uterine fibroids are at an elevated risk of heart disease. The research, which analyzed data from over 450,000 women, suggests that fibroids may serve as a marker for identifying women at increased cardiovascular risk.
Researchers at SwRI and Trinity University are working on a new prodrug to mitigate ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), which causes permanent cellular and tissue damage. The team aims to protect against IRI by targeting protein misfolding during cellular stress.
A large-scale study of over 11,000 adults found that even low-level air pollution is associated with advanced coronary artery disease, often before symptoms appear. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide was linked to higher calcium scores and more severe narrowing of the arteries in both men and women.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that only 13% of US adults with cardiovascular disease met optimal LDL-C management, highlighting significant gaps between guideline recommendations and clinical care. The study suggests actionable steps to improve adherence, including increased use of non-...
Researchers have identified a distinct type of frailty in younger people driven by cardiovascular and metabolic illnesses, leading to poor outcomes and premature death. The study calls for routine frailty assessments in all heart attack patients, regardless of age.
A mouse study by University of California, Riverside scientists suggests microplastic exposure may accelerate the development of atherosclerosis in males. The study found microplastics dramatically worsened plaque buildup in male mice, but not females.
A new study found that providing healthy, medically tailored meals and fresh produce boxes along with nutrition counseling can improve the quality of life for people with heart failure. The 90-day trial showed significant benefits compared to dietary counseling without food delivery.