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.
Mindfulness training reduces stress by increasing prefrontal activity, regulating the biological stress response. This can help prevent diseases like depression, HIV, and heart disease. The study provides an evidence-based biological account of mindfulness training's effects on health.
A recent study by Cleveland Clinic found that a plant-based vegan diet can significantly improve cardiovascular risks in obese children, including lower BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. The study suggests that such diets may be more effective than the American Heart Association diet in reducing heart disease risk.
A study published in JAMA found that blood pressure-lowering treatment among patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, heart disease events, and improved mortality. By reducing systolic BP by 10 mmHg, patients experienced better clinical outcomes.
Research concludes that historical dietary guidelines on fat consumption in the US and UK were not supported by solid trial evidence. The analysis of six relevant trials found no difference in deaths from coronary heart disease between treatment and comparison groups.
New research from UC Berkeley links positive emotions with lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which fight infection and disease. The study found that awe, wonder, and beauty promote healthier levels of cytokines, suggesting a direct influence on health and life expectancy.
A new review of qualitative studies reveals that researchers often overlook social factors influencing gender barriers to cardiac rehabilitation. The study suggests a lack of conceptual clarity about the role of gender in shaping views on heart disease.
A study found that people with recurrent kidney stones have more calcification in their arteries, increasing their risk for heart disease. Additionally, kidney stone formers tend to have less dense bones, elevating their risk for osteoporosis.
A new study published in Circulation reveals that long-term exposure to elevated cholesterol levels substantially increases lifetime risk for heart disease. Adults with longstanding mild to moderately elevated cholesterol levels may benefit from more aggressive prevention strategies earlier, according to the study's lead author.
A new study seeks to improve the health of sedentary people at risk for diabetes and heart disease by decreasing their sitting time. The program will test whether reducing sedentary behavior is as effective as increasing physical activity in improving overall health.
Researchers found that high cholesterol in young adults between 35-55 years increases heart disease risk by 39% each decade, even among those with normal blood pressure and weight. The study suggests that healthy individuals in this age group should consider cholesterol control earlier.
Research found statins had greatest impact on affluent populations, widening health inequalities. A total of 20,400 lives were saved due to reductions in blood pressure and cholesterol between 2000-2007.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania found that negative emotions on Twitter are associated with higher heart disease risk, while positive emotions are linked to lower risk. The study used a large dataset of tweets and health data to develop a predictive model for coronary heart disease rates.
Research suggests that aiming for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week may be unrealistic for some adults, particularly older individuals. Increasing daily physical activity by even small amounts can lead to significant health benefits, as shown in studies of moderate to vigorous exercise.
Researchers identify how calcium regulates heart muscle and motors interact with each other, potentially leading to new tools for treating sudden cardiac arrest. This breakthrough discovery provides insight into the genetic condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.
Research from the University of East Anglia shows that group walking can reduce blood pressure, resting heart rate, body fat, weight, and total cholesterol. Joining a walking group is recommended as a low-risk way to boost overall health and reduce risk factors for ill health.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that adhering to six healthy lifestyle practices can significantly lower the risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease. The study followed nearly 70,000 women for two decades and found that three-quarters of heart attacks in young women could be prev...
The global life expectancy has increased due to lower rates of cardiovascular disease deaths in high-income countries and child deaths in low-income countries. However, disparities remain across age groups and countries, with some regions experiencing gains while others face unique health challenges.
Researchers identified two lipid metabolites, lysophosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease, while monoglyceride was linked to increased risk. The study's findings suggest that these blood lipid metabolites could serve as predictors for cardiovascular disease.
Research from the University of Cambridge suggests that a simple supplement could reduce heart disease risk in individuals born with low birth weight. The study found that a molecule called CoQ prevented cells in the aorta from ageing prematurely, which can lead to heart disease.
A study found that decreased blood levels of Klotho increase the risk of heart disease in mice with chronic kidney disease, suggesting potential treatment strategy to protect kidney disease patients' heart health. If confirmed in humans, increasing Klotho levels may help protect the hearts of patients with chronic kidney disease.
A senior GP argues that UK government plans to extend diagnosis targets in primary care to six other conditions are problematic and unscientific. The data on which they are based is flawed, leading to potential overdiagnosis and unnecessary tests and treatments.
Research published in The FASEB Journal suggests that low birth weight in rats can lead to reduced co-enzyme Q levels in the aorta, but supplementing with extra CoQ may prevent age-associated damage and heart disease. This study provides potential steps towards developing a diagnostic test for blood co-enzyme Q levels.
The authors argue that public health interventions should focus on breaking social habits rather than individual behavior changes. By re-shaping socially acceptable norms, policymakers can tackle non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
A global study found that rheumatic heart disease is being neglected in many countries, resulting in inadequate treatment with antibiotics and oral anti-coagulants. This leads to increased maternal mortality rates, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
A controlled diet study found that doubling saturated fat in the diet does not increase saturated fat in blood, but increases a fatty acid linked to diabetes and heart disease risk. Researchers also found improvements in blood glucose, insulin, and blood pressure with high-carb diets.
A new study from Michigan State University finds that bad marriages are associated with a higher risk of heart disease in older adults, particularly women. The study analyzed data from over 1,200 couples and found that negative marital quality had a greater impact on cardiovascular health than positive quality.
A pilot study found using a smartphone app for education and feedback about heart-healthy behavior decreased the risk of heart disease in young black women. The treatment group showed improved blood pressure, cholesterol levels, stress, anxiety, and healthy habits compared to the control group.
Researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center found a strong, protective relationship between cholesterol efflux and cardiovascular risk. The study revealed that measuring cholesterol efflux provides significantly different information than traditional HDL cholesterol levels.
A new study found that training medical students to use handheld ultrasound devices enhances the accuracy of their physical diagnosis. Medical students who received personalized lessons on using handheld echocardiography technology showed a 58% correct diagnosis rate, compared to 40% for those with standard training.
A recent study of approximately 1,000 healthy men found that those who consumed the most trans fats showed notably worse performance on a word memory test. The strength of the association remained even after taking into consideration things like age, education, ethnicity and depression.
A new study by Intermountain Medical Center found that routine heart imaging screenings for diabetic patients at high risk of heart disease did not prevent heart attacks, hospitalization, or cardiac death. High-quality diabetes management remains the most effective way to avoid these events.
Researchers find plant-based omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid effective in preventing cardiovascular disease, potentially reducing heart disease risk. Dietary recommendations should be amended to increase ALA consumption, according to experts.
Research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014 found that young and middle-age women with stable coronary heart disease are more vulnerable to emotional stress. They experience a significant reduction in blood flow to the heart when subjected to mental stress, whereas physical stress does not cause a no...
Research studies presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014 found that people with active asthma are more likely to experience a heart attack. Participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) who required daily medications for asthma were 60% more likely to have a cardiovascular event.
The overall heart disease death rate decreased by 3.8% and coronary artery disease death rate by 5.1% between 2000-2010, but some subtypes showed increases in mortality rates, including hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and arrhythmia.
Research spanning over three decades found that participants with low risk for heart disease as young adults were 60% less likely to report disability as older adults. A healthy lifestyle has been shown to be associated with favorable levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors, according to the study lead author.
A national sample of firefighters found that sleep disorders are highly prevalent among the group. Firefighters with a sleep disorder were more likely to report a motor vehicle crash, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and poorer health status compared to those without the condition.
Researchers found that people with one inactive copy of the NPC1L1 gene had lower LDL cholesterol levels and a 50% reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The study suggests that targeting this gene may provide protection against heart attack, but further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh estimates that more than 20 million Nigerians have hypertension, affecting one-third of men and one-fourth of women. The number of cases is projected to rise to 39 million by 2030, straining Nigeria's already-overburdened health system.
A new paper reveals that global dietary trends are diminishing human health and harming the environment. Alternative diets offer substantial health benefits and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land clearing, and species extinctions.
A new study shows that adopting healthier traditional Mediterranean, pescatarian, or vegetarian diets could boost human lifespan and quality of life while slashing greenhouse gas emissions and saving habitat for endangered species. The research predicts that this dietary shift would prevent massive environmental damage, increase global...
A study published in Alcohol found that moderate drinking has a protective effect among only 15% of the general population with a specific genotype, which affects HDL cholesterol levels. This suggests that sweeping advice about moderate alcohol consumption may not be suitable for everyone.
Researchers found that elderly men with low DHEA levels were at a greater risk of developing coronary heart disease events over a five-year period. The study suggests that high DHEA levels may be a biomarker of good health in elderly men.
As people live longer, soaring levels of chronic illness and diminished wellbeing threaten the quality of life of older people. Strategies are needed to prevent and manage chronic conditions through affordable healthcare and social environment changes.
Researchers found high rates of individuals testing positive for Chagas disease and related heart disease in Texas, with rates 50 times higher than CDC estimates. The study aims to increase awareness and diagnosis of this emerging infectious disease in the southern United States.
New research reveals that gut bacteria convert red meat's L-carnitine into trimethylamine-N-oxide, a compound promoting atherosclerosis. Gamma-butyrobetaine, another metabolite produced by gut bacteria, also contributes to cardiovascular risk.
A recent study found that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) increases the risk of heart-related deaths in men with congestive heart failure or prior heart attacks. The study analyzed data from 5,077 men with prostate cancer, revealing a 3.3-times increased risk of heart-related deaths in this subgroup.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified two genomic regions associated with responses to statins, paving the way for tailored treatment plans. With over 40,000 research subjects involved, this meta-analysis demonstrates a significant impact of gene profiles on statin efficacy.
A study presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress found that people with mental health disorders are twice as likely to develop heart disease or stroke. The study also showed that psychiatric medications and unhealthy behaviors contribute to this increased risk.
A study of over 3,000 patients found that non-Caucasian groups have higher rates of cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. However, South Asians, East Asians, and Blacks reported lower awareness of these risks compared to Caucasians.
Patients who received newly donated blood had significantly fewer post-operative complications than those who received older blood, according to a Canadian study. The study found that patients given only new blood fared better in terms of re-operation for bleeding, ventilation duration, infection, renal failure, and death.
A new study published in Circulation found that replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by 9% and death from CHD by 13%. The researchers analyzed data from 310,602 individuals and found that higher intake of linoleic acid resulted in a lower risk of CHD.
A study of 35,000 participants found that genetic predisposition to elevated LDL-C was associated with aortic valve calcium and narrowing, supporting a causal association. Lowering cholesterol early in the disease process may provide protection from developing aortic valve disease.
A new study reveals how flu vaccines prevent heart attacks by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that protect the heart. The research identifies a protein called BKB2R as the key mechanism behind this protective effect, and suggests it could be harnessed to develop a vaccine against heart disease.
A new study suggests that personalized nutrition plans based on an individual's genotype could significantly reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and Type II diabetes. However, concerns over personal data protection are hindering widespread adoption of nutrigenomics, a relatively new branch of nutrition.
A recent study suggests that long-term daily treatment of Viagra can provide protection for the heart at different stages of heart disease, with few side effects. The phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor improved heart performance in all patients with various heart conditions and showed no negative effect on blood pressure.
Researchers found that mental stress can cause reduced blood flow to the heart in women, leading to ischemia, a prevalent component of cardiovascular disease. The study suggests sex distinctions in how the body responds to mental stress, with women experiencing increased negative emotions and decreased positive feelings.
A new study found that living close to a major road increases the risk of sudden cardiac death in women by 38% compared to those living far away. Researchers also discovered that proximity to major roads is associated with increased risk of fatal coronary heart disease.
A new model for stroke care is being implemented in rural Alberta, allowing smaller hospitals to mimic the type of care typically found in larger centres. The SUEC model incorporates early supported discharge and community rehabilitation, resulting in decreased length of stay and increased patient satisfaction.
A new study reveals that approximately 40% of stroke patients would benefit from rehabilitation, but only 16% receive it. The rates vary widely by province and hospital, with some patients not needing or getting the right amount of services. This lack of access has huge implications for their quality of life and healthcare utilization.