Your gums reveal your diet
A new study suggests that a diet rich in sugar increases the risk of both dental cavities and gum inflammation. Healthy eating habits should be prioritized to avoid expensive treatments.
Heart Disease
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.
Young age does not equal low risk for patients needing aortic valve replacement
A recent study suggests that young and middle-aged adults with aortic valve disease may be better off with open heart surgery than TAVR. The research found lower stroke rates and better patient survival with surgical aortic valve replacement compared to TAVR.
BHF announces shortlist for £30m research prize at start of defining decade for CVD
The British Heart Foundation has announced four research projects competing for a £30 million award to tackle cardiovascular diseases. The projects include a soft robotic heart, a genetic cure for inherited heart conditions, a 'google map' of atherosclerosis, and next-generation health tech.
Walnuts may be good for the gut and help promote heart health
A new study suggests that eating walnuts daily can increase certain beneficial gut bacteria, which may contribute to improved heart health. The research found that walnuts enriched a number of gut bacteria associated with health benefits, including Roseburia and Eubacteria eligens.
After stroke, women and men significantly more likely to have dangerous heart complications
New research from Western University found that people with a stroke are 20-25 times more likely to have a major cardiovascular event within 30 days. The risk persists even after one year, with men and women still experiencing twice the risk of heart complications compared to those without a stroke.
Heart-function protein may help muscular dystrophy patients live longer
A Rutgers-led team has found that altering a protein called Connexin-43 may alleviate DMD-related heart disease by protecting against irregular heartbeats and late-stage failure. This discovery offers hope for prolonging the lives of muscular dystrophy patients, who are currently plagued by heart muscle breakdown.
Tea drinkers live longer
A study of 100,902 participants found that habitual tea consumption was linked to lower risks of cardiovascular disease and all-cause death. Green tea showed the strongest association, while black tea had no significant effects.
SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateJan 9, 2020
Half of women with heart failure get the wrong treatment
Half of women with heart failure do not receive adequate treatment due to the underlying cause being unrelated to a heart attack, leading to progressive stiffening of the heart. Obesity and high blood pressure are significant risk factors for this type of heart failure in women.
Time for a closer look at Pyrethroid insecticides
A recent study found a 50% increase in total mortality and three-fold increase in heart disease deaths in individuals with high 3-PBA levels, a metabolite of pyrethroids. The study's findings challenge the assumption that these insecticides are safe, particularly for vulnerable populations.
SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 3, 2020
Global call to action on FH aims to improve diagnosis and treatment
A global coalition is calling for early screening and coordinated lifetime care for familial hypercholesterolemia, a condition affecting 34 million people worldwide. The initiative aims to prevent premature cardiovascular disease and save lives by leveraging scientific data, novel therapies, and technological advances.
Transcendental Meditation prevents abnormal enlargement of the heart, reduces chronic heart failure
A randomized controlled study found that Transcendental Meditation prevents abnormal enlargement of the heart and reduces chronic heart failure in African Americans. The study tested 85 hypertensive participants who practiced TM or received health education controls, with significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.
Can good sleep patterns offset genetic susceptibility to heart disease and stroke?
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that good sleep habits can compensate for a high genetic risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers analyzed over 385,000 participants and found that those with healthy sleep patterns had a 35% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Suboptimal diet and cardiometabolic disease healthcare costs in the US
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine estimates that approximately $50.4 billion of the annual healthcare cost of cardiometabolic disease in the US population is associated with suboptimal diet. The highest costs are linked to low consumption of foods like nuts, seeds, and seafood-derived omega-3 fats.
Healthy diet could save $50 billion in health care costs
A new study found that unhealthy diets account for almost 20% of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes costs in the US. Suboptimal diets cost approximately $300 per person, or $50 billion nationally, accounting for 18 percent of all heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes costs.
Can good sleep patterns offset genetic susceptibility to heart disease and stroke?
Researchers found that good sleep patterns can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 35% compared to unhealthy sleep patterns. People with a healthy sleep score of 5 had nearly seven fewer cases of cardiovascular disease per 1000 people per year compared to those with a poor sleep pattern.
SUTD scientists developed a sorting technology that isolates cells with high purity and viability
Researchers at SUTD have developed an acoustic fluorescence activated cell sorting (aFACS) system that isolates cells with high purity and viability. The system uses elasto-inertial particle focusing to improve sorting accuracy and efficiency, resulting in minimal cell damage and high recovery rates.
Low income and work stress contribute to link between education, heart disease and stroke
A nationwide study found that low educational levels predict a higher risk of developing or dying from heart disease and stroke. The study also discovered that low income and work stress could explain up to 54% of the increased risk among people with and without cardiovascular diseases.
Tracking titin in real time
MDC researchers used new imaging techniques to track titin's entire lifecycle, revealing its dynamic nature and unexpected pool of soluble titin outside the sarcomere. This breakthrough provides novel insight into muscle tissue formation and could lead to understanding of human diseases associated with mutated sarcomeric proteins.
SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 13, 2019
New insights to major disease pathways
Australian researchers have discovered a further 148 previously unknown proteins affected by oxidative stress in the human body, linked to major diseases such as heart disease and cancer. The new chemical tool developed at Flinders University's Chalker Lab has mapped over 1000 proteins modified under oxidative stress.
Efforts to end the HIV epidemic must not ignore people already living with HIV
Researchers highlight the need to address comorbidities such as heart disease, kidney disease, and certain cancers associated with HIV. Effective treatment strategies and clinical trials are crucial to reducing the burden of these conditions on individuals and the healthcare system.
Too many Canadians live with multiple chronic conditions, say UBC researchers
A new UBC study finds that many Canadians live with multiple chronic health conditions, including cardiometabolic diseases like stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. Lifestyle behaviors such as physical inactivity, poor diet, and high stress levels are associated with a higher risk of developing these conditions.
Clinical study finds eating within 10-hour window may help stave off diabetes, heart disease
Researchers found that time-restricted eating can lead to weight loss, reduced abdominal fat, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and more stable blood sugar and insulin levels. The study included 19 participants with metabolic syndrome who experienced improved sleep and a 3-4% reduction in body weight.
Research in sheep suggests possible early test for fetal heart health
Changes in heart rate due to low oxygen conditions during pregnancy may predict future heart health, according to research published in the Journal of Physiology. The study used sheep models to examine the impact of chronic hypoxia on fetal heart development and identified potential markers for long-term heart disease risk.
World first as artificial neurons developed to cure chronic diseases
Researchers have successfully reproduced electrical properties of biological neurons onto semiconductor chips, enabling medical devices to cure chronic diseases. The artificial neurons require only 140 nanoWatts of power, making them ideal for bio-electronic implants.
Doctors of the future will simply 'switch off' the genes that cause heart attacks
A new gene therapy aims to 'switch off' genes that promote cardiovascular disease by reducing fatty material buildup in arteries. The treatment, developed at the University of Sheffield, has the potential to slow or stop the progression of heart disease.
Aerobic exercise and heart-healthy diet may slow development of memory problems
Research suggests that aerobic exercise and a heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH diet, can improve cognitive functioning in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Combining exercise with the DASH diet showed promise in improving thinking, memory, and decision-making abilities.
SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 26, 2019
Study pinpoints possible cause of noise-related blood vessel damage, heart disease
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal has identified a potential mechanism linking long-term exposure to environmental noise and cardiovascular disease. The research found that high noise levels lead to activation of the amygdala, a deep brain structure, triggering changes that increase the risk of heart attack, stroke...
Lack of sleep may explain why poor people get more heart disease
A recent study published in Cardiovascular Research found that short sleep duration contributes to the link between socioeconomic status and coronary heart disease in men. People with lower socioeconomic status often experience increased stress, noise, and financial burden, leading to less sleep and poorer health outcomes. Structural r...
Could sphingolipids help solve a racial paradox in heart disease?
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have found that sphingolipid levels are associated with heart disease in African Americans with lupus. The study suggests that broader information on sphingolipid profiles could help physicians predict disease severity or assess the efficacy of anti-lupus drugs.
Study finds associations between rheumatoid arthritis, other diseases before and after diagnosis
A Mayo Clinic-led study found that people with inflammatory bowel disease, Type 1 diabetes or blood clots may be at increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Comorbidities are linked to poorer outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including worsened physical disability and increased mortality.
Legumes boost heart health, according to new review study
A recent review of prospective cohort studies found that consuming legumes reduces incidence rates for cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and hypertension by up to 10%. Legumes benefit cardiovascular health due to their high fiber, plant protein, and micronutrient content.
Barbra Streisand featured in JAMA podcast on heart disease in women
Cardiovascular disease in women often presents differently than in men and may not be diagnosed. Barbra Streisand joins Noel Bairey Merz, director of the Women's Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai, to discuss these key differences.
Researchers discover new mutations in gene associated with disease that causes the heart to weaken
Researchers identified 22 new mutations in the TITIN gene associated with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease weakening the heart muscle. Patients with these mutations had severe cardiomyopathy and poorer outcomes, highlighting the need for genetic testing and aggressive monitoring.
15-year study finds treatment gaps exist for patients with peripheral arterial disease
A 15-year study found that peripheral arterial disease patients may not be prescribed life-saving statins at the same rate as other atherosclerotic conditions. Statin prescription rates have increased over time, leading to improved patient outcomes, but a significant treatment gap remains.
Heart disease and cancer risk may be linked
A new study reveals that people with cardiovascular disease are at higher risk of developing cancer, while those with more risk factors for heart disease are also more likely to develop cancer. Lifestyle habits that reduce heart disease risk, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, may also help prevent some cancers.
Evening eating linked to poorer heart health for women
Researchers found that women who consumed more calories in the evening had poorer heart health, with a higher proportion of daily calories after 6pm linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk. The study suggests that intentional eating habits can be a simple and modifiable behavior to help lower heart disease risk.
Racial bias and discrimination may negatively impact heart disease care, risk factors
A study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions found that racial bias can influence decision-making for advanced heart failure therapies, particularly for black patients. African immigrants who reported more experience of discrimination were also found to have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease risk fact...
PTSD linked to increased heart disease risk among female veterans
Research suggests female veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have higher rates of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, tobacco smoking, and obesity compared to those without PTSD. This increased risk may put female veterans with PTSD at a greater risk for developing heart disease.
Successful collaboration of community- and state-based heart disease prevention programs focused on health disparities and equity
Researchers implemented the Northeast Health Equity Consortium to address heart disease and stroke disparities in at-risk communities. The initiative helped states achieve major goals for eliminating health disparities, including over one million free blood pressure screenings.
Strong link found between level of depression and heart disease, stroke
Research links depression to increased odds of heart disease and stroke, with a 24% increase in risk for each additional level of depression severity. The study analyzed data from over 11,000 adults diagnosed with depression and found a significant association between depression and non-fatal heart disease.
Psychological stress may increase risk for a serious cardiovascular event in women with heart disease
Researchers found that women with stable heart disease experienced a higher risk of major cardiovascular events after a stressful activity, compared to men. The study measured inflammatory biomarkers in response to stress and tracked participants for three years.
Flu shots help prevent illness, death in heart disease patients
A study found that almost 1 in 3 heart disease patients skip the flu shot, with uninsured individuals having the highest non-vaccination rate. Flu vaccinations are proven to prevent illness and death in people with heart disease, emphasizing the need for education and vaccination efforts.
Middle-aged muscle mass linked to future heart disease risk
A 10-year study found that middle-aged men with higher muscle mass had a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. The researchers suggest that preserving skeletal muscle mass through regular physical activity and a protein-rich diet may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Study shows fewer American Indians getting heart disease
A study by Washington State University researchers shows a decline in new cases of heart disease among American Indians over a 25-year period. Fewer Native men are dying from heart-disease-related events, while overall prevalence of heart disease has decreased more in women.
Researchers link specific protein mutations to ataxia disease symptoms
For patients with cerebral ataxia, researchers linked specific biochemical changes in the CHIP protein to disease characteristics. Limiting mutant CHIP protein activity may decrease symptom severity.
SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 6, 2019
Trouble sleeping? Insomnia symptoms linked to increased risk of stroke, heart attack
A large Chinese study found that insomnia symptoms are associated with a higher risk of stroke and heart attack. The research, published in Neurology, followed over 487,000 participants for an average of 10 years and found that those with insomnia symptoms were 18% more likely to develop these diseases.
Multi-disease gene therapy in mice
Researchers developed a gene therapy combining FGF21 and ?Klotho treatments to target multiple age-related diseases. The single-formulation treatment successfully treated obesity, type II diabetes, heart failure, and renal failure in mice.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2019
Epidemic of deaths due to heart failure underway in US
Kaiser Permanente research identifies a national trend of increasing deaths due to heart failure among US seniors, with over 647,000 people dying from heart disease in 2017. The study highlights the importance of addressing heart health in older adults as the population continues to age and grow.
Environmental and health impacts of food
Consuming fish, fruits, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, and vegetables reduces risk of mortality and diet-related diseases, while unprocessed red meats increase risk. These dietary changes may also support environmental sustainability by lowering environmental impacts.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2019
Maternal obesity speeds up aging in offspring
Research found that offspring of obese rat mothers showed impaired mitochondrial function, leading to early signs of diabetes and increased susceptibility to heart disease. Exercise improved these outcomes, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit.
Maternal obesity hastens offspring aging, increasing diabetes & heart disease likelihood
New research reveals that maternal obesity accelerates the aging process in offspring, leading to increased susceptibility to diabetes and heart disease. Exercise by the offspring can help mitigate these risks, highlighting the importance of early life conditions on future health outcomes.
Metabolic discovery may help in fight against heart disease, diabetes
A new metabolic discovery by researchers at Cornell University may hold the key to fighting heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. The study identifies two enzymes that convert glucose to erythritol, a sugar alcohol, in human metabolism.
Sleeping less than 6 hours and heart disease, stroke -- deadly combo
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that sleeping less than six hours per day can significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Middle-aged adults with high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or heart disease are particularly at risk, according to researchers.
Heart, kidney disease risk factors for adverse effects from gout medication
A study published in CMAJ found that heart disease increases the risk of hospitalization for allopurinol-related severe skin reactions. People with specific genetic markers, such as HLA-B*5801, are at higher risk. The risk is further increased when combined with kidney disease.
Type 2 diabetes remission possible with 'achievable' weight loss, say researchers
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that people who achieve weight loss of 10% or more within five years after diagnosis are more than twice as likely to go into remission. This suggests that significant calorie restriction and weight loss can reverse type 2 diabetes.
You don't have to go cold turkey on red meat to see health benefits
A new study found that halving red and processed meat consumption reduces LDL 'bad' cholesterol levels and heart disease risk by an average of 10%. Researchers discovered that even small changes to RPM intake can induce significant changes in LDL cholesterol, potentially reducing the risk of developing heart disease.
Pesticide exposure may increase heart disease and stroke risk
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that on-the-job pesticide exposure raised the risk of heart disease and stroke in Japanese American men. After 34 years of follow-up, no significant link was found between pesticide exposure and cardiovascular disease.
Familial hypercholesterolemia patients at high risk for cardiovascular events
Individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia face a high risk of heart attack and stroke despite receiving multiple cholesterol-lowering treatments. The study found that only 52% of adults with FH meet LDL-cholesterol targets, highlighting the need for more aggressive treatment.
Taking evolution to heart
A study analyzing humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas reveals the human heart adapts to endurance activities by becoming larger, longer, and more elastic. However, there is a trade-off between these adaptations, making it harder for individuals with one type of adaptation to cope with the other.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 16, 2019
Early detection is key: Screening test could improve lives of cats with heart disease
A new two-minute focused cardiac ultrasound protocol can help veterinarians detect heart disease in cats earlier, potentially saving lives. The test, developed by researchers at Tufts University, has been shown to be successful in detecting moderate and severe heart disease with high accuracy.