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.
Research at Queen Mary University of London found that individuals with healthier hearts perform better in logic-based problems and have faster reaction times. Shared risk factors, such as diabetes and obesity, may also play a role in mediating interactions between heart and brain health.
A new study has identified a link between a genetic variation called omentin and cardiometabolic health, specifically among Asian Indian participants. The researchers found that the role of adiponectin, an obesity-related biomarker, was linked to cardiovascular disease markers independent of common and central obesity.
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Africa can be controlled through increased coverage of interventions like early detection and cardiac surgery, saving around 70,000 lives by 2030. The PEN-Plus package of integrated disease management offers a high return on investment.
Researchers developed the COVID Control app, which predicts COVID-19 outbreaks using user-reported symptoms and correlates with increased coronavirus prevalence in Baltimore City. The study showed that new loss of taste or smell was a strong predictor of confirmed cases, averaging five days before an outbreak.
A new AI-powered ECG screening tool detected asymptomatic low ejection fraction in patients with improved diagnosis rates. The study found that the AI intervention increased the diagnosis of low ejection fraction by 32% relative to usual care.
Research strongly links thin and brittle bones to increased heart attack and stroke risk in women. Thinning lower spine, top thigh bone, and hip were independently associated with a heightened risk, while osteoporosis was linked to a 79% higher cardiovascular disease risk.
A study of over 5,000 couples found that individuals with a spouse who has heart disease are more than twice as likely to have heart disease themselves. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use, as well as caregiver stress, were also identified as contributing to this increased risk.
A study found that sleeping six to seven hours a night is associated with more favorable heart health, while participants who slept less or more had higher cardiovascular risk scores. Inflammation levels, measured by C-reactive protein, were also higher in those with longer or shorter sleep durations.
A study found that Black women as young as their 20s and 30s show high rates of lifestyle-linked risk factors, including obesity and elevated blood pressure. The researchers call for preventive care and lifestyle changes among Black women under age 40 to mitigate the burden of heart disease.
A new study finds that only half of adults with cardiovascular disease report getting a flu shot annually, highlighting the need for better vaccination efforts. Patients with certain conditions and those who attend college are more likely to receive a flu vaccine.
A recent study from Edith Cowan University found that consuming one cup of nitrate-rich leafy greens daily significantly reduces the risk of heart disease. The study, which examined data from over 50,000 people in Denmark, also revealed lower blood pressure and reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.
Scientists developed a new mathematical model to predict disease onset risk using patient genomic data, providing improved predictive quality and personalized health risks for patients. The model can analyze large datasets of genetic markers linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
An observational study of nearly 20,000 individuals found that greater intake of red and processed meat is associated with poorer heart function and stiffer arteries. In contrast, higher consumption of oily fish was linked to improved heart function and healthier arteries.
A randomized controlled study found that a Mediterranean diet combined with small portions of lean beef helped lower LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol levels. The study suggests that healthy diets can include a wide variety of foods, including red meat, while still being heart-friendly.
The $1.5 million NIH grant will support four to six graduate students in cardometabolic disease research, enhancing their educational experience and providing more dollars for student stipends. This grant expands opportunities for minorities in AU's PhD programs, particularly those studying cardiometabolic diseases.
A study by Drexel University researchers found that job strain and social strain significantly increase women's risk of developing coronary heart disease. High-stress life events were also linked to an increased risk, with job strain contributing a 12% higher risk and social strain a 9% higher risk.
Researchers analyzed death records of over 22,000 Holocaust survivors and found a significant increase in cancer and heart disease mortality rates among women and men. The study supports theories that survivors experience general health resilience combined with vulnerabilities to specific diseases.
New research from the University of East Anglia reveals comorbidities such as heart disease, respiratory disease, and obesity increase mortality rates in COVID-19 patients. Blood pressure medications found to be protective against severe outcomes.
A prospective cohort study found that patients who work more than 55 hours per week are at a twofold increased risk of having a second heart attack. Long working hours were associated with higher job strain and poorer lifestyle risk factors, particularly among men and younger workers.
Research estimates that physical inactivity is responsible for up to 8% of non-communicable diseases and deaths globally. The impact per person is greatest in high-income countries, while middle-income countries have the largest population affected by physical inactivity.
A new study found that premature birth increases the risk of mortality in adulthood by up to 40% compared to full-term births. Chronic diseases such as heart disease and lung disease also pose a higher risk, with individuals born before 37 weeks having twice the risk of dying from these conditions.
Scientists have solved a fundamental mystery about how the heart works, revealing a new avenue for heart disease research. The discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for heart diseases, which are the leading cause of death worldwide.
A study of over 11,000 participants found that certain metabolic processes are associated with up to 14 diseases. The researchers identified key factors influencing human metabolism and developed a web application to make their results publicly available.
Endogenous Cushing's syndrome is associated with a threefold increase in death, primarily due to cardiovascular disease and infections. The study analyzed data from over 19,000 patients and found that mortality rates were lower after 2000, but still unacceptably high.
A study finds Black women with PCOS have a poorer cardiometabolic risk profile than white women, including higher insulin levels, more insulin resistance, and increased blood pressure. The research highlights the need to address health disparities in women with PCOS, particularly among young Black women.
The European Society of Cardiology's ESC Preventive Cardiology 2021 conference explores the latest research and strategies for preventing heart disease. Experts discuss the role of diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits in maintaining cardiovascular health and identify the most effective ways to promote physical activity and healthy eating.
A new UCLA study finds that women with high muscle mass and high body fat have a greater degree of protection against heart disease-related death than those with low body fat. Meanwhile, men with high muscle mass and low body fat show a significant decrease in risk, but not as pronounced as seen in women.
Researchers found that traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors and elevated natriuretic peptide levels were associated with increased cancer risk. In contrast, participants with ideal cardiovascular health had a lower risk of future cancers.
A study of 28 countries found men aged 50 and over had a 60% greater risk of death than women due to higher rates of smoking and heart disease. The gap varied across countries, highlighting the influence of social and cultural factors on health.
Researchers at Lund University developed a new examination method using NIRS and IVUS, which identifies high-risk plaques that cannot be seen with traditional angiograms. The study found that over 14% of treated patients experienced heart disease recurrence within four years, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment.
Researchers have identified wild relatives of chickpea as a natural source of resistance to Ascochyta blight, a devastating disease that can cause up to 100% yield loss. These wild plants, including Cicer reticulatum and Cicer echinospermum, have been found to be resistant to the disease.
A study led by McMaster University found that consuming oily fish regularly reduces the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes by about a sixth in high-risk individuals. The critical ingredient is omega-3 fatty acids, which provide significant protection against cardiovascular disease.
A new study aims to explore the cause and therapeutic treatment for left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC), also known as a 'spongy heart'. The research, led by University of Houston pharmacologist Mingfu Wu, seeks to determine how heart muscle fails to compact and develop medicines to reduce symptoms.
A large-scale study published in JAMA Cardiology found that inflammatory heart disease is rare among professional athletes with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. Only five out of 789 athletes developed heart inflammation, indicating a very low incidence of heart risk after mild COVID-19.
Among 789 professional athletes, imaging evidence of inflammatory heart disease was identified in five athletes (0.6%) who underwent cardiac screening and resumed play. No adverse cardiac events occurred in these athletes.
A study of hundreds of women found that accelerated abdominal fat gain during menopause is associated with increased heart disease risk, regardless of weight changes. Measuring waist circumference may be an early indicator of this risk beyond traditional BMI calculations.
A study published in EClinical Medicine found a correlation between retinal ischemic perivascular lesions and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers identified this mark in patients who underwent optical coherence tomography scans, suggesting it could serve as a biomarker for heart disease.
A team of researchers has identified genes linked to both high body fat and protection from negative health impacts of obesity. The findings shed new light on the biology behind this disconnect, offering potential targets for therapies that lower diabetes and heart disease risk.
Emerging evidence suggests ketone bodies exert protective effects on patients with heart disease, potentially providing a safer alternative to the keto diet. Increasing circulating ketone levels through multiple mechanisms may offer therapeutic advantages in reducing cardiovascular risk factors.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a strong association between jail incarceration and death rates from various causes in the US. The research estimated that every 1,000 population increase in local jail incarceration rate was associated with significant increases in mortality rates from infectio...
A decade after childbirth, women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy may experience changes in the structure and function of their hearts, predisposing them to ischemic heart disease and heart failure. Early therapeutic interventions can help prevent long-term cardiac complications.
A recent study by University of Alberta cardiologists shows that patients with stable ischemic heart disease and high-risk cardiac anatomy benefit from revascularization with stents or bypass surgery. This approach leads to better health outcomes, including reduced risk of death or heart attack.
A genetic study found that heavy coffee consumption can increase lipid levels in the blood, heightening cardiovascular disease risk. Unfiltered brews like long blacks, espressos, and lattes contain a cholesterol-elevating compound called cafestol.
A new study published in eLife found that combining healthy lifestyle interventions with cholesterol-lowering medications yields the greatest benefits to heart health. Healthy lifestyles, including exercise and a balanced diet, can lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Research published online in the journal Heart found that recreational substance use is associated with a higher likelihood of premature and extremely premature heart disease. Those who use 4 or more substances are 9 times as likely to be affected, with increased risks observed among women.
A large-scale study found that early detection and treatment of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) through echocardiographic screening and antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced RHD prevalence by two-thirds in schools. This approach is an effective strategy to control RHD in endemic regions.
A nationwide US study found increasing death rates from heart disease in women under 65, with most deaths due to cancer and ischaemic heart disease. The study's authors warn that without intensive prevention efforts, heart disease mortality may surpass cancer to become the leading cause of death in young women.
A recent study published in Circulation reveals that immune cells can activate inflammation in the heart by modifying proteins, leading to structural changes and cardiac dysfunction. The researchers have identified a potential target for new treatments, an agent that binds to specific molecules altering cardiac proteins.
A study of 137,130 people across 21 countries found a strong association between high refined grain intake and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Higher intakes of refined grains were associated with 27% higher mortality rates and 33% higher cardiovascular event risks compared to lower intakes.
Patients with extreme blood sugar swings between doctor visits face higher risk of heart disease, study finds. Wide variations in blood sugar levels are associated with poor health outcomes and even death, researchers suggest.
A growing body of evidence suggests that losing helminth parasites could contribute to aging-associated inflammation. Intentional infection with helminths or helminth-derived proteins may have anti-inflammaging properties, potentially preventing age-related diseases such as heart disease and dementia.
Researchers at Flinders University have discovered a new role for fibrinogen in reducing inflammation and protecting against disease. Fibrinogen's ability to neutralize harmful chemicals like hypochlorite could lead to new biomarkers and therapies for kidney, heart, and other diseases.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed the first hybrid gene therapy for treating long QT syndrome, a genetic heart rhythm condition. The therapy targets the KCNQ1 gene and has shown potential therapeutic efficacy in two in vitro model systems using beating heart cells reengineered from patient blood samples.
Researchers at New York Institute of Technology are exploring a new treatment for heart disease by investigating the role of calcification in atherosclerosis. The team aims to develop a therapy that inhibits vascular calcification, which may prevent millions of future heart disease cases and fatalities.
A recent study by University of Utah Health researchers has identified a genetic collaborator that influences the severity of the rare disease NGLY1. The gene NKCC1 moderates disease severity, with its interaction with NGLY1 affecting various bodily functions, including tear production and fluid balance.
Domoic acid exposure increases southern sea otters' risk of fatal heart disease by 1.7-fold, with prime-age adults particularly vulnerable. Climate change projections indicate rising toxic blooms and domoic acid levels, posing a long-term threat to the species.
The new scientific statement emphasizes the importance of mental health screening for people with or at risk for cardiovascular disease. Regular psychological therapy and mind-body programs can lead to better cardiovascular health, while negative psychological factors are associated with increased risk of heart disease.
A new study funded by the British Heart Foundation measures how sedentary behaviour affects health, particularly heart and circulatory conditions. Researchers analyzed data from 72,000 participants to understand the relationship between physical inactivity, sitting time, and sleep quality on health outcomes.
A study found that patients with more adverse social factors, such as low income and educational attainment, were significantly more likely to die of coronary heart disease. Using a simple count of these factors can help doctors estimate their patients' health risks and provide more aggressive treatment.
Research suggests that primary care physicians play a smaller role in high-value spending than previously thought, with most PCPs contributing less than 9% of low-value spending per patient. Genetic testing is also limited in predicting disease in healthy individuals, highlighting the need for caution in its use as a preventive tool.