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 new study found that wildfire smoke exposure is associated with increased rates of ER visits for heart-related complaints, including ischemic heart disease, irregular heart rhythm, and pulmonary embolism, among adults aged 65 and older. The risk was greatest on dense smoke days.
A new study found that branched chain amino acid levels in the blood are as predictive of heart disease as LDL cholesterol. Elevated BCAA levels were linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events.
Greater grip strength and physical activity are associated with reduced risk of heart attacks and stroke in individuals with a genetic predisposition for heart disease. Physical activity also reduces cardiovascular events by 49 percent among high-risk individuals.
The journal published a special issue on valvular heart disease, featuring case reports and major reviews that will contribute to the field. Key findings include challenges in managing patients with severe aortic stenosis and ischemic mitral regurgitation.
A study analyzing online messages about implanted cardiac defibrillators found that about 25% of the advice was inappropriate and six percent was controversial. The research highlights the need for clinicians to ensure patients receive accurate information outside of doctor's offices, particularly when it comes to complex decisions.
A study found that one in ten low-income families with health insurance experience catastrophic medical expenses for chronic heart disease care. Low-income families are three times more likely to experience a significant financial burden compared to middle- to high-income families.
A comprehensive analysis of global data shows that taxes on unhealthy products have the potential to reduce deaths from non-communicable diseases by a third by 2030. Implementation of these taxes can provide financial protection through tax-financed health care and social health insurance programmes.
A recent study published in the Hypertension journal found that elevated blood pressure before becoming pregnant and early in pregnancy may increase the risk of pregnancy loss. The study, which examined 1,228 healthy women, found a significant association between preconception and early-pregnancy blood pressure and pregnancy loss.
Research reveals that women with rheumatic heart disease in Africa and Asia face a double danger: complications during pregnancy, and cultural pressures to become mothers. Health programs targeting the condition must prioritize female patients of childbearing age.
Researchers found that bariatric surgery significantly reduces the risk of heart disease events in severely obese teens. The study predicts a 4% risk of heart disease events after one year of surgery, compared to an 8% risk prior to surgery.
Research suggests that antibiotic use in late adulthood is associated with a higher risk of death from heart disease and overall mortality. Women who take antibiotics for extended periods, particularly in middle adulthood, are more likely to experience increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular-related deaths.
Research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2018 found that middle-aged adults with two or more teeth lost have a 23% increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that tooth loss in middle age is related to inflammation and...
Adults who consume large amounts of sugary beverages have a higher risk of dying from heart disease or other causes compared to those who drink fewer sugary drinks. The study found a graded association between consuming more sugary beverages and an increased risk of death, with those in the top 25% having twice the risk as those in the...
A recent study found that grilling and well-done meat consumption may raise the risk of developing high blood pressure. Researchers analyzed data from three long-term studies involving over 103,000 women and men, finding a significant association between high-temperature cooking methods and increased blood pressure risk.
Researchers found that diets high in plant-based mono-unsaturated fats were associated with a lower risk of death from heart disease and other causes. In contrast, diets rich in animal-based mono-unsaturated fats were linked to a higher risk of death from these causes.
Researchers compared seven manageable cardiovascular risks between LGB and heterosexual adults, finding that LGB adults were 36% less likely to have ideal cardiovascular health. Key areas of concern included smoking habits and blood glucose management among the LGB population.
A new UCLA-led study found that cardiovascular health disparities between whites and minorities narrowed slightly from 1988 to 2014. However, the reduction was due to worsening health among whites, not improvements in African-Americans and Mexican-Americans.
A new study suggests that e-cigarette use may lead to an accumulation of fat in the liver, potentially detrimental to health. Researchers found changes in 433 genes associated with fatty liver development and progression in mice exposed to e-cigarettes.
Research found Blacks have higher exposures to fine particulate matter air pollutants, associated with elevated blood glucose and cardiovascular events. The study suggests that environmental pollution may partially explain racial disparities in heart disease risk and death.
A new study by Mayo Clinic and international researchers found that genetic mutations associated with heart disease account for approximately 5% of SIDS deaths. The findings contradict previous estimates suggesting a higher prevalence of these genetic mutations in SIDS cases.
A study estimates that historical lead exposure may be responsible for 256,000 premature deaths from cardiovascular disease each year in the USA. The study found that low-level lead exposure increases the risk of premature death, especially from cardiovascular disease.
Northeastern researchers have discovered 36 new genes linked to cardiac disease, offering a promising direction for personalized medicine. The study used an innovative approach to analyze gene expression in mice and identified previously unknown genes that play a causal role in heart failure.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients have higher mortality rates due to complications from the disease and its treatment. Cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, including pneumonia, are major contributors to these deaths.
A recent study published at the American College of Cardiology meeting found a significant link between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and an increased risk of heart attacks. The research revealed that IBD is associated with higher odds of having a heart attack, especially in younger patients.
A study analyzing medical records from over 17.5 million patients found that people with inflammatory bowel disease are at elevated risk for a heart attack, regardless of traditional risk factors. Younger patients, especially those under 40 years old and females, face the highest risks.
A recent study published in the American Heart Association's Circulation Journal has found that a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet can help reduce cardiovascular risk similarly to a Mediterranean diet. Both diets were shown to result in weight loss, reduced body fat, and improved cholesterol levels.
Researchers found that patients at risk of inherited heart disease often don't understand the implications of genetic test results, leading to psychological and behavioral changes. This study highlights the need for better communication around cardiac genetic counseling prior to testing.
A UTSW study found that inhibiting glucagon action has potent anti-diabetic effects, reducing negative fat tissue impacts and improving cardiac function. The research may advance understanding of diabetes drugs' benefits for heart health.
A new study reveals a significant increase in dementia risk among adults born with congenital heart disease, with a 60% increased risk compared to the general population. The risk was even higher for those under 65 years old, with a 160% increase.
High-altitude exposure affects cardiovascular systems differently for various individuals. Experts recommend maximum altitudes and caution when taking medications. Hiking can have a positive effect on disease progression and psychological well-being for those following guidelines.
Researchers found that a longer history of being overweight or obese increases the likelihood of silent heart damage, even when accounting for other health factors. Maintaining a healthy weight across the lifespan may help minimize heart disease risk.
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that older men who engage in regular light intensity exercise have a lower risk of death. The researchers analyzed data from 1181 men aged 78 and found that each additional 30 minutes of light intensity activity was associated with a 17% reduction in mortality risk.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has received a $11.1 million gift from the Henrietta B. and Frederick H. Bugher Foundation to fund targeted research in hemorrhagic stroke. The centers will employ precision medicine, data analysis, and core collaborative research to prevent and treat this type of stroke.
A study published in The BMJ reveals that chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, significantly increase cancer risk, accounting for over one-fifth of new cancer cases. Regular physical activity was found to reduce this risk by nearly 40%.
A research team led by Dr. Ralf Gilsbach and Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein from the University of Freiburg has mapped out the gene regulators in the DNA of human cardiac muscle cells for the first time. They discovered over 100,000 gene switches that control gene activity, providing insight into mechanisms misdirected in heart disease.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered a new mechanism by which heart cells sense stiffness, involving both contraction forces and resting tension. The study found increased resting tension in heart cells after a heart attack or disease, leading to abnormal mechanosensing and signalling that contributes to heart fail...
A review of evidence published in The BMJ found that smoking just one cigarette a day carries a higher risk of heart disease and stroke than expected. Smoking only a few cigarettes per day is associated with a significantly increased risk of these two major disorders, making it crucial for smokers to quit instead of cutting down.
Research connects preterm birth to adult heart disease by showing that fetal infection and inflammation disrupt genes crucial for normal heart development. This study uses a preterm animal model to demonstrate how inflammation can lead to incomplete heart development, increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure.
Researchers adapt HIV/AIDS treatment-cascade model to combat rheumatic heart disease in sub-Saharan Africa, finding that patients facing distance barriers have lower continuation rates. The study shows that decentralizing care and providing more staff, funding, and resources per capita at regional sites can increase patient retention.
Research published in Experimental Physiology found that Bikram yoga, practiced at room temperature, shows similar benefits to traditional yoga for vascular health and atherosclerosis prevention. The study isolated the effects of heat on Bikram yoga, finding no benefit from heated environment.
Research found that women diagnosed with GDM were over 20 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, nearly twice as likely to develop hypertension, and almost twice as likely to develop ischemic heart disease. The study highlights the need for targeted risk factor management to improve long-term metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes.
A retrospective cohort study found that women diagnosed with GDM have a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension. The study highlights the importance of targeted risk factor management to improve long-term metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes.
A study of 54,446 people found that obesity significantly increases the risk of suffering from both cancer and heart disease. Women are particularly vulnerable, with a 12 times greater risk of cancer and 5 times higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those with a normal weight.
Researchers have identified a crucial mechanism in the regulation of titin protein, a key player in skeletal muscle and heart function. The study found that disulfide bonds play a significant role in determining titin's elastic properties, and their formation can cause major changes in the protein's elasticity.
Researchers have developed a new technique to study nanodomains, which drive physiological processes in the body and are linked to diseases like heart disease. This breakthrough allows for high-quality imaging of signalling stations in human cells.
A new study found that middle-aged adults who participated in two years of regular aerobic exercise training can significantly improve their heart health and reduce the risk of heart failure. The study showed that exercising four to five times a week is effective in reversing decades of sedentary lifestyle on the heart.
Research suggests that women with heart disease are more vulnerable to the effects of mental stress, particularly in terms of constricted peripheral vessels leading to reduced blood supply. This increased risk is associated with a higher likelihood of heart-related events and death.
Kids who regularly eat take-away meals may be boosting their risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. A diet rich in calories and poor in vitamins and minerals was found among regular consumers of take-aways.
The USPSTF has updated its recommendation statement on the use of hormone therapy in postmenopausal women, citing uncertain evidence on whether menopause increases the risk of chronic conditions. The organization recommends against combined estrogen and progestin hormone therapy or estrogen alone for primary prevention.
Scientists have discovered a vital quality control mechanism in mitochondria, crucial for constructing a functional respiratory chain. A faulty enzyme can attach incorrect amino acids to transfer RNA, leading to protein synthesis errors and hereditary diseases.
A new study published in The Lancet found that short-term exposure to air pollution on city streets can cancel out the beneficial health effects of exercise in adults over 60. Researchers recommend stricter air quality limits and better traffic-control measures, as well as increasing access to green spaces for people to exercise.
A new study finds that short-term exposure to air pollution in urban areas like London can prevent the positive effects of exercise on cardiovascular and respiratory health. The research suggests that older adults should walk in green spaces away from built-up areas and pollution from traffic.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that men with varicoceles, enlarged veins in the scrotum, are more likely to develop heart disease, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. However, asymptomatic varicoceles do not increase the risk of these diseases.
The study reveals huge inequalities persist with heart disease accounting for over 50% of all deaths in many middle income countries, compared to less than 30% in high income countries. The UK has the highest prevalence of adult obesity in males and 2nd highest in females, and ranks joint 5th for raised blood cholesterol.
A new study suggests that altering prices of seven dietary items could prevent an estimated 23,000 deaths per year in the US. The study found that subsidies for healthy foods and taxes on unhealthy foods could reduce deaths from stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, especially among Americans with lower socioeconomic status.
A study found that thyroid cancer survivors are at increased risk of many aging-related diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Those diagnosed with thyroid cancer before age 40 had the highest risk for some of these diseases.
A UCLA study found that people are being screened for cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure more frequently since the ACA implemented. However, a disparity was found in aspirin therapy, with men taking daily doses more often than women.
A new study by The George Institute for Global Health at the University of Oxford found that heart failure cases are on the rise in the UK, with the poorest people being the most affected. The study analyzed data from four million people in England and found a 12% increase in new cases between 2002 and 2014.
Researchers found that heart disease risk factors are associated with slower walking speeds in people under 78. Cognitive function did not play a role in this link, and balance problems were only seen in those over 78.
The study reveals wide inequalities in life expectancy between states, with some experiencing significant improvements while others lag behind. Non-communicable diseases, including heart disease and stroke, claim a disproportionate number of lives across many states.