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 study by New York University researchers found that hookah bar employees are exposed to high levels of toxins and inflammation due to poor indoor air quality. The study recommends regulating the industry to protect both workers and patrons from secondhand smoke hazards.
Researchers found Aged Garlic Extract slows total plaque accumulation by 80% and reduces soft plaque in patients with metabolic syndrome. The study reversed deadly plaque buildup in arteries, a potential breakthrough in treating heart disease.
Researchers have successfully generated human cardiac muscle cells from stem cells using a 'Matrigel mattress', addressing a problem with contractile properties. The new method allows for high-throughput screens to find novel therapies for heart diseases, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
The McDonnell Genome Institute will receive $60 million from the National Institutes of Health to study the genetics of common diseases. The research aims to uncover how differences in DNA contribute to disease risk, with potential benefits for improved diagnosis and treatment options.
The National Institutes of Health has launched the Centers for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG) to explore the genomic contributions to common diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The program will sequence tens of thousands of genomes from individuals with these diseases, aiming to identify genes and genomic variants underlying d...
A recent study evaluated the evidence linking saturated fats and sugars to coronary heart disease, concluding that sugar consumption is a greater contributor to CHD risk. Consuming high amounts of refined added sugars has been linked to increased risk of CHD, prediabetes, and diabetes.
A recent review and meta-analysis of published studies found that diabetes, coronary heart disease, and congestive heart failure may increase the risk of premature death in individuals with dementia. Hospitalized men with dementia were also more likely to experience early death compared to female counterparts.
Researchers found regular physical activity significantly reduces cardiovascular consequences of depression and decreases arterial stiffening and inflammation associated with worsening depressive symptoms.
New research found that even very healthy individuals with reduced kidney function experience changes in the heart, including increased left ventricle mass and elevated troponin levels, indicating potential for heart disease. The study tracked living kidney donors to explore direct effects of diminished kidney function on the heart.
A new study published in Circulation journal found that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages daily increases visceral fat, a type of body fat that affects diabetes and heart disease risk. The study showed a direct correlation between greater sweetened beverage consumption and increased visceral fat among middle-aged adults.
A new international collaboration has received a £2 million award to fund research into combatting cardiovascular disease in rural South Asia. The study will test low-cost strategies by health workers and doctors to lower blood pressure among adults and reduce their risk of heart disease.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that statins can help reverse the process leading to vascular injury in people with sleep apnea. By reducing inflammation and preserving CD59 on cell surfaces, statins may lower the risk of heart disease in these individuals.
A study of 2,022 patients found that genetic variations associated with a higher risk of fatal heart rhythms did not necessarily cause abnormal electrocardiogram readings. This highlights the importance of considering ECG data and other patient information before returning genetic results.
A study published in Open Chemistry reveals that black raspberries grown in Central Europe have three times more antioxidants than other berries, including phenolics and anthocyanines. This makes them a potential staple for a healthy diet throughout the seasons.
Researchers have identified a naturally occurring inhibitor that reduces TMAO levels and prevents atherosclerosis in mice, suggesting a potential new therapeutic approach for preventing heart disease and other metabolic diseases linked to gut microbes.
According to the American Heart Association's 2016 statistics update, cardiovascular disease is the top killer in both the US and globally. Key risk factors include hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, which contribute to an estimated one in three deaths in the US in 2013.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that levels of tooth loss are linearly associated with increasing death rates among coronary heart disease patients. Patients with no teeth had a nearly double risk of death compared to those with all their teeth.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that the CAP2 gene is responsible for cardiac conduction disease in mice, leading to sudden cardiac death. The researchers also discovered that the gene's absence affects the heart's ability to contract and regulate blood flow.
A large UK study of one million women found no association between unhappiness and increased mortality. Life-threatening poor health can cause unhappiness, but unhappiness itself is not directly linked to illness or death.
Research from the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study reveals a 'triple whammy' effect of prolonged sleep, excessive sitting and lack of exercise on mortality risk. The study found that a combination of these factors increases the risk of early death by more than four times.
Researchers found an increase in healthy ageing, with less cognitive impairment and more years lived in good health. However, the proportion of people with mild disability increased, leading to a larger number of unhealthy individuals.
Young adults born preterm have a 40% increased risk of premature death compared with people born at term. Regular measurement of blood pressure and pulmonary function testing are recommended to help manage risks associated with preterm birth.
A Stanford study found that infertile men have a higher risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. The research suggests that male infertility is associated with increased rates of mortality and general health issues, even after adjusting for obesity and smoking.
Chagas disease is a life-threatening illness caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. In Spain, Latin American migrants are at high risk due to mother-to-child transmission, with an estimated 50,000-70,000 people infected. Screening is crucial to detect heart abnormalities early and prevent sudden cardiac death.
A study published by CNIC researchers found a diet high in fatty acids can restore normal cell metabolism and prevent dilated cardiomyopathy. The research suggests that this approach may lead to future treatments for patients with heart disease.
A study of over 2,400 participants found that higher levels of NT-proBNP, a heart failure marker, were associated with microstructural changes in the brain and reduced brain volume. This suggests an early link between heart disease and brain health.
TGen and Barrow researchers identified rare genetic changes associated with stress-triggered heart disease, a condition previously referred to as 'broken heart syndrome.' The study's findings may help guide care and treatment before and after patients experience a life-threatening stressor.
A higher resting heart rate is associated with a greater risk of death from all causes, independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. Research published in CMAJ found that every 10 beats/min increment of resting heart rate increases the risk by 9% for all-cause mortality and 8% for cardiovascular mortality.
Researchers found that African Americans with depressive symptoms have twice the increased risk of stroke compared to those without depressive symptoms. The study also discovered a significant association between depression and coronary heart disease in this population.
Diagnostic errors affect 1 in 20 adults per year, missing common diseases like infections, heart disease, and cancer. Researchers recommend systems changes to improve diagnosis, including reforming teaching of diagnosis, strengthening teamwork, and promoting a culture of diagnostic safety.
Research found significant heart disease and muscle abnormalities in obese children, with 40% considered high-risk. Obesity linked to thicker heart muscles and impaired pumping ability, potentially leading to complications in adulthood.
A study of 6,814 adults found that achieving the seven heart-health metrics of the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 reduces rates of non-cardiovascular diseases overall. Those in the ideal category had a 20% lower risk for cancer and a 62% lower risk for chronic kidney disease.
Disclosing genetic risk information for coronary heart disease results in lower low-density lipoprotein (bad) cholesterol levels. Participants who received genetic risk information showed nearly 10 milligrams per deciliter of blood lower LDL levels six months after risk disclosure.
A survey found that only 27% of women can name a woman with heart disease, highlighting the disconnect between widespread cardiovascular disease and personal perceptions. Women are more likely to be concerned about heart health when they know another woman who has experienced it.
The age-standardized death rate for all causes combined decreased by 43% between 1969 and 2013, driven by declines in heart disease, cancer, stroke, and unintentional injuries. While the rate of decrease has slowed for these leading causes, other factors such as tobacco control efforts and advances in early detection and treatment have...
A new study found that only half of younger heart attack patients believed they were at risk before the attack, with women being less likely to be informed by their doctors. The study highlights a need for better education and counseling on heart disease prevention among young individuals, particularly women.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that young women under 55 are 11% less likely to report being told they are at-risk for heart disease before a heart attack. The study analyzed data from over 3,500 patients and found that women were also less likely to receive preventative therapy.
Despite rising life expectancy in every province of China, substantial health inequalities remain. Life expectancy is up to 10 years lower in some western provinces compared to less developed countries like Bangladesh.
A study of nearly 3,000 adults found significant differences in how male and female hearts change over time. The research suggests that men's and women's hearts may develop age-related heart failure for different reasons, highlighting the need for gender-tailored treatments.
A new MRI study found that the main pumping chamber of the heart ages differently in men and women, with men's hearts becoming heavier and holding less blood. The study suggests that optimum treatment for heart failure may not be the same for women and men, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine.
Research found that sleep apnea in women is associated with higher blood levels of troponin, a marker for early heart injury, and increased risk of heart failure, coronary heart disease, and death. Women with moderate to severe sleep apnea were more than 30% likely to experience adverse heart problems.
Researchers found that patients whose genomes were sequenced incurred a cost of $719 in follow-up tests and care over the following year, compared to $430 for standard treatment. The study suggests that genome sequencing may offset future costs through prevention or early treatment, but further analysis is needed.
A new study by the Veterans Affairs Research Communications found that individuals with restless legs syndrome (RLS) are at a higher risk for stroke, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and earlier death. The study of over 3 million veterans revealed a fourfold higher incidence of stroke and heart disease in the RLS group.
A new study suggests that early initiation of menopausal hormone therapy within five years of menopause onset reduces the risk of future coronary heart disease. Conversely, late initiation is associated with an increased risk of incident coronary heart disease.
A new study found a direct correlation between severe childhood obesity and increased risk factors for heart disease and diabetes in boys. The study's lead investigator noted that understanding elevated risk in children with more severe obesity can help target testing and interventions to prevent future disease.
A new study found that severely obese children are more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes, with the risk increasing as obesity severity increases. The study suggests that implementing a more complex classification system could help target interventions and treatments for these high-risk children.
Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats and high-quality carbohydrates has the most impact on reducing the risk of heart disease, according to a new study. Participants who replaced calories from saturated fatty acids with calories from polyunsaturated fats, monounsaturated fats, or whole grains had lower risk of coronary heart ...
A new Harvard study reveals that limiting saturated fat in the diet is still effective in reducing heart disease risk, but only when replaced with unsaturated fats or whole grains. In contrast, swapping saturated fat for refined carbohydrates has no significant impact on CHD risk.
The BMJ investigation found that the expert report underlying the latest US dietary guidelines fails to reflect relevant scientific literature, risking a misleading picture. The guidelines affect millions of Americans and food labelling, education, and research priorities.
Research suggests that sexual activity does not increase the risk of heart attack and can be resumed after a heart attack. Most patients are safe to engage in sex again, with less than half of men and one-third of women receiving information on this topic from their doctors.
A total ban on trans fatty acids in processed foods in England could potentially prevent or postpone about 7,200 deaths from coronary heart disease over the next five years. Policies to improve labelling or simply remove trans fatty acids from restaurants and takeaways could save between 1,800 and 3,500 deaths
Studies in the September Health Affairs issue reveal declining global mortality rates for heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers, but increasing trends in diabetes, liver cancer, respiratory disease, and lung cancer deaths, particularly among women and in low- and middle-income countries.
A new study found that higher resting heart rates and lower heart rate variability are associated with poorer ability to function in daily life and future decline in older adults. These markers of frailty were linked to a higher risk of functional decline, regardless of sex.
Research found that depressed patients with high or low blood pressure had the highest risk of major vascular events, including stroke or heart attack, at four years. The study included 35,537 patients and showed that depressive symptoms interacted with blood pressure to predict these outcomes.
The discovery reveals protein structural changes that could inform treatments for inflammatory conditions such as heart disease and colon cancer. The researchers found that two proteins, Tollip and Tom1, work together to regulate the turnover of cell-surface receptor proteins that trigger inflammation.
A new analysis found that global life expectancy has increased by six years since 1990, while healthy life expectancy grew by five years. However, the increase in healthy life expectancy has not been as dramatic, resulting in people living more years with illness and disability.
The study found that global life expectancy has increased by 6.2 years between 1990 and 2013, while healthy life expectancy rose by 5.4 years, indicating a growing gap between overall mortality rates and the impact of non-fatal conditions on quality of life.
Research reveals that young adults, especially women, are not benefiting equally from declining heart disease death rates. Despite improvements in older adults, the annual percentage change in death rates for young men and women showed no improvement between 1990-1999 and has only fallen one percent since 2000.
A study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that smoking bans led to a 8% drop in stillbirths and newborn deaths in England, resulting in 1500 avoided deaths. The ban also reduced low birth weight cases by over 5000.
Researchers at the University of Otago discovered that a normal cell process called autophagy is deregulated in diabetic hearts, leading to progressive loss of cardiac cells and cardiac dysfunction. Targeting the Beclin-1 protein presents an promising avenue for new treatments of diabetes-related cardiac disease.