Research on the causes and treatment of heart disease. Covers light exposure and heart health, sex differences, heart-in-a-dish models, and cardiac risk.
A recent study published by Queen Mary University of London has found that certain risk factors for heart disease are linked to changes in the structure and appearance of the heart. The research analyzed images from over 30,000 people's heart MRI scans using a new imaging toolkit called radiomics.
Researchers confirm that skin infections, not just throat infections, trigger acute rheumatic fever, with Māori and Pacific children at highest risk. The study's findings have huge implications for prevention, suggesting a new focus on addressing skin infections to reduce the risk of rheumatic fever in New Zealand and internationally.
A recent study found significant inequities in the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA), a medication typically used for treating diabetes, among different racial and ethnic groups. The study, published in JAMA Health Forum, showed that Black patients were 19% less likely to have a GLP-1 RA prescription compared to white patients.
A new review article emphasizes the importance of regular health checks for emergency workers, such as firefighters and police officers, to prevent heart events on the job. The authors highlight the need for standardized screening and risk management measures to balance individual health with public safety.
Researchers discovered that mechanical forces guide cell development, influencing gene expression and potentially leading to pathologies like heart disease. The findings could inspire advances in engineering authentic artificial tissue for medical applications.
A new NIH-funded study aims to test a program using a pharmacist-community health worker team to help patients with high blood pressure stay on track with their medication. The intervention addresses barriers to adherence, such as low health literacy and limited transportation access, through culturally relevant education and support.
Researchers from Monash University have developed a method to determine which genes are responsible for congenital heart disease (CHD). The technique identified 35 new genes not previously suspected in the disease, opening the way for more accurate pre-natal genetic testing.
A recent study found that US adults experienced higher blood pressure levels during the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased sedentary behavior, poor eating habits, and stress. The American Heart Association emphasizes the need for regular exercise, a healthy diet, and monitoring blood pressure to manage cardiovascular risk factors.
A new study from the University of South Australia found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of heart disease and higher blood pressure. Increasing vitamin D levels in deficient individuals may prevent up to 4.4% of all CVD cases, according to the research.
A recent review reveals alarming increase in physician burnout among diagnostic radiologists, with causes including lack of control, social isolation and technological demands. Possible solutions include heightened engagement, dedicated reading room assistants and mindfulness techniques.
Researchers found that genomic screening can identify patients at risk for heart disease due to amyloidosis. The study used data from the MyCode Community Health Initiative and electronic health records to determine how often patients with specific transthyretin variants showed signs of cardiomyopathy.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found a strong link between the apoB/apoA-1 ratio and cardiovascular disease. Individuals with higher ratios had a greater risk of severe cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and stroke.
Recent clinical trials showed promising results with cardiosphere-derived cells, improving heart parameters in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Researchers investigate using cell-derived products like exosomes to boost endogenous repair pathways, while aiming to reverse cardiomyocytes' proliferation limitations.
Researchers found that high avocado consumption led to reduced caloric energy intake, lower dairy and meat consumption, and improved fiber and nutrient intake. However, unexpected decreases in calcium and certain minerals were also observed.
Research found that individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience cardiac autonomic dysfunction, which is improved by regular vigorous physical activity. The study assessed participants' ability to increase heart rate during exercise and recover afterwards, finding a relationship between vigorous physical act...
Researchers developed a predictive model that maps electric activity of mouse, rabbit, and human cardiac cells, allowing translation of findings across species. The model is expected to accelerate drug development and improve understanding of disease mechanisms.
A new study found that stroke survivors are more likely to continue cigarette smoking than cancer survivors, putting them at higher risk for subsequent strokes and heart disease. Researchers recommend developing robust smoking cessation programs for stroke patients similar to those offered to cancer patients.
A large-scale trial found that penicillin can prevent progression of latent rheumatic heart disease in Ugandan children. The study enrolled 818 children and showed that early detection coupled with prophylactic treatment significantly reduced worsened heart conditions, offering hope for addressing this neglected disease.
A new study found that regular antibiotic treatment with penicillin significantly reduced the risk of underlying rheumatic heart disease progression in children and adolescents. Early screening was critical in preventing serious disease progression and death in young children.
A new study by Intermountain Healthcare finds that nearly 40% of patients reported new or continuing symptoms of depression during the pandemic. This increase in depression was associated with higher emergency department visits for anxiety and chest pain, highlighting the negative impact of the pandemic on physical and mental well-being.
A new study from Intermountain Healthcare found that low-frequency intermittent fasting raises galectin-3 levels, a protein tied to inflammatory response, and lowers rates of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. This suggests that even occasional fasting may have positive health effects.
A new study led by University of Minnesota Medical School researcher Xavier Revelo found that macrophages play a role in protecting the heart after injury. The research team discovered a large increase in cardiac macrophages early in response to a cardiac injury similar to high blood pressure.
A new study finds that genetic testing for cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias simultaneously can detect conditions more accurately than single-condition tests. This leads to better diagnosis and treatment options, such as targeted therapies and monitoring devices.
Two leading US physicians urge doctors to screen patients for exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution, recommending interventions to limit exposure and improve cardiovascular health. Governments also have a primary responsibility to adopt technologies and regulations that reduce air pollution.
The WVCTSI will deploy a mobile clinical trials unit in West Virginia, addressing health disparities and increasing participation in clinical research. The 39-foot Winnebago will provide on-site clinical trials and follow-up visits to rural residents.
A new study tracked the spread of a genetic mutation that causes young-onset heart arrhythmia across continents over centuries. The research found that the mutation was passed down from Northern Europe to other parts of the world through migration, and identified a specific gene, KCNQ1, as the cause of the disease.
A randomized trial comparing plug-based and suture-based vascular closure techniques after TAVR found that the plug-based technique had a shorter time to hemostasis but higher access-site complications. The study, CHOICE-CLOSURE, reported similar mortality rates between both groups.
A study found that consuming high amounts of herbs and spices daily can lead to significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The researchers discovered that adding just 1.3 teaspoons of herbs and spices a day to an average American diet resulted in lower blood pressure after four weeks.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine reveals that truncated titin proteins cause a reduction in contractile force in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The research also suggests possible treatment strategies, including genetic editing using CRISPR-Cas9.
Researchers identified 23 genes contributing to congenital heart disease, including 12 previously unknown, using a new algorithm called M-DATA. This method combines genetic data from people with related conditions, increasing the power to identify risk factors and potentially leading to improved treatments.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found a link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and myocarditis in adolescent males. Cardiac MRI was used to assess suspected myocarditis post-vaccination, with late gadolinium enhancement persisting in two patients undergoing repeat MRI.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have created a deep neural network that detects disease biomarkers with high accuracy, achieving 98 per cent detection of peptide features. This breakthrough could enable earlier and more accurate disease detection through tissue sample analysis.
A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine-led study suggests that statin use is not beneficial for reducing COVID-19 mortality or severity. Instead, patients taking statins had an increased risk of developing a more severe form of the disease. The researchers found no significant impact on mortality rates.
Patients who survive aortic dissection repair are at risk for complications and death due to inadequate post-surgical follow-up care. A new study found that only 14% of patients received guideline-recommended imaging surveillance, leaving them vulnerable to a lifetime of sustained risk.
Researchers have discovered a more effective treatment for children with Kawasaki disease and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare COVID-19 reaction. The new therapy, infliximab, reduces fever duration, hospitalizations, and anemia compared to standard IVIG treatment.
About 42% of U.S. adults are considered clinically obese due to increased risk of health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. New weight-loss drugs like Wegovy (semaglutide) show promise in safely aiding weight loss, but long-term side effects and sustainability remain concerns.
A new test separates people into different groups based on their platelet response, potentially leading to more precise treatments for strokes and heart attacks. Researchers developed a computer software to analyze and classify data from human participants' blood samples.
A study of 9,739 adults found that those with stable overweight and obesity had elevated cardiac troponin I levels, a marker of subclinical heart injury. Long-standing obesity is associated with injurious effects on cardiac health before symptoms occur.
A study found that only a third of public health policies had been fully implemented globally by 2020, with low-income countries and those with high corporate influence showing slow progress. The researchers suggest that corporate influence cancelled out the positive relationship between democracy and implementation, highlighting the n...
A new study suggests that drinking 100% orange juice significantly reduces interleukin 6, a well-established marker of inflammation, in both healthy and high-risk adults. However, the results did not quite reach statistical significance for two additional inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.
Researchers found that females rely more heavily on aldosterone to regulate blood pressure, whereas males primarily use angiotensin II. This discovery could lead to targeted treatments for female hypertensive patients, improving treatment outcomes and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Research links Social Vulnerability Index scores with higher rates of cardiovascular disease death in young and middle-aged adults. The study highlights the urgent need for tailored interventions to address social risks in socially vulnerable communities.
A recent review published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that flu vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in individuals with heart disease. Despite higher mortality rates from influenza, many Americans under 65 with heart disease have low vaccination rates.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that increasing steps per day, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, or reducing sedentary time can improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Individuals with higher-than-average activity levels had better fitness regardless of sedentary time spent.
A new study found that women whose menstrual cycle length increased two years before menopause had better vascular health than those with stable cycles. Changes in cycle length may predict cardiovascular disease risk, allowing clinicians to recommend preventive strategies.
A high intake of alpha linolenic acid (ALA), found in nuts, seeds, and plant oils, is associated with a lower risk of death from all causes and diseases of the heart and blood vessels. However, further studies are needed to confirm the association with cancer mortality.
A new study reveals that childhood adversity is a major contributor to early and preventable causes of mortality and long-term physical and mental health issues. Childhood adversity was found to be associated with elevated risk for chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
A new study found that daily phthalate exposure may lead to 100,000 premature deaths among older Americans each year, resulting in a $40 billion to $47 billion annual economic burden. The study suggests a link between phthalate exposure and increased risk of heart disease and early death.
Researchers found that selecting the embryo with the lowest predicted risk score reduces disease risk more effectively than eliminating high-scoring embryos. However, polygenic embryo screening offers no guarantees about a baby's health and has limited effectiveness depending on factors like ancestry and age.
A study published by the American College of Cardiology found a significant inverse relationship between oral health and COVID-19 severity, as well as delayed recovery and increased inflammation in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Researchers recommend maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent or decrease COVID-19 disease severity.
A new poll found that more than half of older adults with high-risk health conditions don't check their blood pressure at home or are encouraged to do so. Regular home monitoring can help control blood pressure and reduce risk of death, strokes, and heart attacks.
The ACHIEVE GREATER Center aims to reduce cardiometabolic health disparities by implementing a proactive approach using community health workers and pharmacists. The center will use collaborative care, PAL2, to address multiple domains of influence contributing to disparate health outcomes in the Black population.
Researchers found a chemical inhibitor of PDE9 stimulates cells to burn more fat in mice, reducing obesity and fatty liver. The study's findings suggest the experimental drug may be effective in treating severe obesity and improving heart function.
Researchers found no increased risk of heart disease or type 2 diabetes with hormone therapy use among middle-aged postmenopausal women who met current guidelines. The study analyzed data from over 58,000 women and concluded that hormone therapy is not significantly associated with these health outcomes.
A recent study published in ESC Heart Failure found that iron deficiency in middle-aged individuals is associated with a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease and cardiovascular mortality. The study found that functional iron deficiency was linked to a 24% increased risk of coronary heart disease, while absolute iron deficie...
The Rutgers-NYU Center for Asian Health Promotion and Equity aims to address significant disparities in the Asian community's relationship with heart health and mental health. The center will focus on cardiometabolic disease and mental health research to inform practice and policy at local, regional, and national levels.
Researchers have developed patient-specific whole-heart models to predict risk of sudden cardiac death and outcomes of cardiac procedures. These models incorporate individual geometry, structure, and other patient-specific information, enabling personalized diagnosis and treatment.
Research suggests that people sensitive to stress hormones are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, with markers indicating increased risk of stroke and heart attack. A novel proteomic signature may help identify these individuals and inform stress management strategies.
Researchers have found a protein called CD47 on the surface of infected cells that may protect them from immune system recognition, resulting in more severe disease. High CD47 levels are associated with higher risk factors for severe COVID-19, including age and diabetes.
A recent study published at Masonic Medical Research Institute found that electrocution-induced physiological stress can lead to overlapping cardiac conditions in individuals. The research used human induced pluripotent stem cells to investigate the mechanisms behind these conditions, shedding light on potential new treatments.