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Cardiac rehabilitation cuts hospital admissions and heart attack risk

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

Research provides clues to spleen’s role in coronary artery disease

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.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 9, 2026

Mental health conditions after trauma linked to higher cardiovascular risk

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.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateSep 2, 2026

A TAVI-first strategy was noninferior to a PCI-first strategy in patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease

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.

LDL cholesterol lowering with evolocumab before percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction (AMUNDSEN)

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...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateAug 29, 2026

Machine learning model predicts who will benefit from exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation

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.

SourceJournal of Sport and Health Science·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeObservational study·DateAug 21, 2026

Taking the stairs could cut risk of early death

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.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAmerican Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 12, 2026

Even light activity may lower stroke, death risk in people with atrial fibrillation

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...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateAug 5, 2026

Vascular organoid patches offer new hope for coronary artery disease treatment

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.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateJul 2, 2026

Smartphone apps, wearable trackers helped people with heart disease boost physical activity

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.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJun 17, 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

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

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

Dual imaging identifies cause of heart attack in patients without blocked arteries

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.

Pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateMar 29, 2026

Women’s risk of major cardiac events emerges at lower coronary plaque burden compared to men

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.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCirculation·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2026

Telehealth in cardiovascular care

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.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalHeart Lung and Circulation·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 16, 2026

Family Heart Foundation teams up with former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to launch “tackle cholesterol™: Get into the LDL Safe Zone®”

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.

Being a night owl may increase your heart risk

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 ...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJan 28, 2026

Gum disease may be linked to plaque buildup in arteries, higher risk of major CVD events

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...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateDec 16, 2025

Uterine fibroids linked to elevated heart disease risk

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.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateDec 10, 2025

New Family Heart Foundation study finds only 13% of adults with cardiovascular disease achieve comprehensive LDL-C management

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-...

SourceFamily Heart Foundation·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 3, 2025