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.
Researchers found that cycling at high intensity for short periods significantly reduces all-cause mortality. Men who cycled fast survived 5.3 years longer, while women did so by 3.9 years. The study suggests increasing daily vigorous physical activity may help combat cardiovascular disease.
A systematic review and meta-analysis finds a potential beneficial link between chocolate consumption and heart health, with five studies reporting a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease risk. However, the authors caution that further research is needed to confirm these findings.
A study found that ICD patients are living longer, with an average of nine years after implantation. However, right ventricular pacing negatively affects survival rates, while cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves outcomes.
A phase IIb study found that dalcetrapib did not harm endothelial function or increase blood pressure, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 31% without altering markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Researchers developed a method to generate patient-specific heart cells from hair follicles, enabling disease modeling and drug screening. This approach offers an alternative to existing methods using skin fibroblasts or bone marrow cells, which require surgical intervention.
A study presented at the ESC Congress 2011 found that high job demands coupled with low job control are associated with increased risk of heart disease and mortality. Working long hours is also detrimental to health, leading to decreased cognitive function and higher risks of coronary heart disease.
A recent UC Davis study found that people with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to develop heart disease, even after long-term improvements in other risk factors. The researchers suggest that access and adherence to treatments may not account for the differences.
Researchers predict 65 million more obese adults in the US and 11 million more in the UK by 2030, leading to increased medical costs and preventable diseases. Annual spending on obesity-related diseases is estimated to increase by $48-66 billion/year.
A Swedish study published in American Heart Journal found that genetic factors are the primary cause of coronary heart disease, rather than family lifestyle. Adopted individuals with at least one biological parent having coronary heart disease had a 40-60% higher risk of developing the condition.
A study of women who experienced undernutrition during the Dutch famine found that it was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease later in life. The research suggests that childhood and adolescent undernutrition can have a lasting impact on future health.
A study published by the University of Rochester found that happily married people are more than three times as likely to survive bypass surgery for 15 years compared to unmarried individuals. The study also found that marriage quality is crucial for women's survival, with satisfying unions increasing their survival rate almost fourfold.
A study found that older adults consuming high amounts of sodium in their diet, coupled with low physical activity, are at a greater risk of cognitive decline. Researchers discovered that low-sodium intake combined with moderate exercise levels can mitigate this risk.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine will identify genetic markers for each patient enrolled in the study, inputting them into electronic medical records for tailored treatment. The study aims to improve management of heart disease risk factors and prevent onset.
A new study suggests that coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a more accurate predictor of heart attacks and strokes than C-reactive protein (CRP) in healthy adults. High CAC scores are associated with a fourfold increased risk of cardiovascular disease, while low scores indicate an extremely low risk of events. Statin treatment may be mo...
A five-year study found that rheumatoid arthritis patients are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease due to inflammation. Treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) reduced the risk, while certain risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure predicted new events.
A meta-analysis of 4 million individuals found that women have a 25% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease compared to men who smoke. The longer a woman smokes, the higher her risk becomes.
Researchers at Penn State found that consuming high-fat meals with antioxidant spices reduced triglyceride response by about 30 percent, which may help lower heart disease risk. Adding spices to meals also increased antioxidant activity in the blood by 13 percent.
The Braunwald's Heart Disease Practice Guidelines App offers clinically actionable information on cardiovascular medicine, featuring the latest ACC/AHA guidelines. The app is available for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch, providing anytime access to essential cardiology knowledge.
Kansas State University researcher Michele Borgarelli has made significant strides in understanding chronic mitral valve disease in dogs, a condition similar to the same disease affecting humans. He aims to identify dogs at higher risk for progression of the disease to develop early interventions.
Researchers found a small but significant association between early life family psychosocial environment and later coronary heart disease. For every extra point on the risky family score, CHD risk rose by 1 percent.
A recent study found that consuming high fructose corn syrup increases cholesterol and triglycerides, key indicators of heart disease risk. The study suggests the current upper limit of sugar consumption may need re-evaluation.
Researchers found that certain traits, such as hypertension and extreme high or low body mass index, are predictive of increased risk of sudden cardiac death. These findings could lead to the development of a risk stratification score to identify patients at greater risk of dying suddenly if they experience a heart attack.
A study found that children with dilated cardiomyopathy who have congestive heart failure, severe disease, increased age, and dilation of the left ventricle are at higher risk of death or transplantation. The study's findings may lead to broadened indications for heart transplantation in more children.
A study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that developing countries suffer more deaths and disability from stroke than heart disease. The analysis linked the two diseases to national income, with higher mortality rates for stroke in poorer nations.
A study of over 8000 British civil servants found that higher levels of overall life satisfaction were linked to a reduced risk of total coronary heart disease. Satisfaction in specific domains, such as job and family, also showed protective effects against heart disease.
Large-scale genome-wide association studies have identified 15 gene variants associated with white blood cell count diversity among whites, African-Americans, and Japanese. These findings could lead to new clinical advances, including earlier disease risk assessments and potential gene therapies.
Researchers discovered that CT angiography can detect heart disease in African Americans more effectively than calcium scoring, revealing higher levels of non-calcified plaque. The study suggests reevaluating the use of calcium scoring as a screening tool for African Americans.
A recent genetic study found a link between a specific gene variant and lower body fat percentage, yet an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The researchers discovered that this gene only affects the subcutaneous fat under the skin, which may store fat elsewhere in the body, increasing organ function interference.
Researchers developed a molecular imaging technique that can detect reduced blood flow in diabetic hearts, potentially saving lives. The study found that this method is safe and beneficial for predicting cardiac events in diabetic patients suspected of having ischemic heart disease.
The right ventricle's size and pumping ability vary by age, gender, and ethnicity, with older adults having smaller but stronger hearts. The study found that men have larger right ventricles than women, while African-Americans have smaller ones compared to Caucasians.
A large population study found that gestational diabetes does not increase cardiovascular risk in all women, but may pose a higher risk to Hispanic women, with a 70% increased likelihood of developing heart disease compared to their non-diabetic counterparts.
Researchers have discovered that combinations of a mother's body size and the shape and size of her baby's placenta can predict heart disease in men in later life. The study found three specific combinations where this prediction is accurate, including an oval-shaped placental surface in short mothers who had not been pregnant before.
A new study published in the FASEB Journal reveals how moderate selenium and vitamin K deficiency can lead to age-related diseases. Researchers found that damaging effects accumulate over time due to vitamin and mineral loss, highlighting the need for public health initiatives to address modest deficiencies.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in detecting diabetes and cardiovascular disease through advanced lipid genetics. Dr. Joanne Curran discovered that dihydroceramide (dhCer) is a reliable early indicator of diabetes risk, while Dr. Sara Willems found a link between genetic variants and atherosclerosis.
Scientists have found that 'ultrabad' LDL, a form of cholesterol found in people with type 2 diabetes and the elderly, is stickier than normal LDL, making it more likely to attach to artery walls and form dangerous fatty plaques. This discovery could lead to new treatments to prevent heart disease.
Researchers at IUPUI are conducting a pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of treating depression before a heart attack in reducing future heart disease risk. The study aims to investigate whether an evidence-based computerized treatment for depression can effectively lower heart disease risk.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that low-risk patients who underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) screening were more likely to receive medications and undergo additional testing. However, their cardiac event rates did not significantly differ from those who did not undergo screening.
A simple fitness test can predict a person's risk of heart attack or stroke over the next decade or more. Middle-aged individuals who can run a mile quickly have a lower lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease.
A study by Irish researchers found significant reductions in emergency hospital admissions due to respiratory illness and cardio-pulmonary disease after the implementation of a workplace smoking ban. The most pronounced decrease was observed in the 20- to 29-year-old age group.
A study published in Nature Genetics reveals that the KLF14 gene acts as a master regulator controlling multiple genes found in fat tissue, influencing metabolic traits such as body-mass index, cholesterol, insulin, and glucose levels. This discovery has great therapeutic potential for treating conditions like obesity and diabetes.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that most high-risk patients do not adhere to prescribed statin treatment, despite the significant benefits of taking these medications. The study found that only 48% of patients take their statins as prescribed after one year, and this number drops to 27% after 10 years.
A study by researchers at UC San Diego finds that Filipino children are more likely to develop aneurysms and inflammation of the blood vessels of the heart compared to other Asian and non-Asian backgrounds. The research highlights the need for medical providers to be aware of Kawasaki disease in high-risk populations.
Research finds that women with heart failure who suppress their emotions tend to have higher symptoms of depression and anxiety, even with knowledge about their illness. This suggests that clinicians should consider individual coping styles when educating patients about their condition.
Researchers found that blocking the action of a signaling protein in cardiac muscle cells halted serious ill effects of high blood pressure on the heart, including enlargement and scar tissue formation. Further tests revealed potential new treatments for heart failure by targeting specific proteins involved in disease progression.
Scientists have developed a new imaging agent using tantalum oxide nanoparticles, which stays in the body long enough to image multiple organs. The material is inexpensive and has shown promising results in laboratory tests, potentially overcoming limitations of existing imaging agents.
A study found that HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, even after adjusting for traditional risk factors. Patients with high baseline HIV-1 RNA levels also showed a higher risk of heart failure.
A recent study examining dietary cholesterol, egg intake, and heart disease risk found that saturated fat may be a greater contributor to increased blood cholesterol than previously thought. The study also suggests that egg consumption does not significantly increase blood cholesterol levels, contrary to long-held assumptions.
Researchers found that drinking tart cherry juice daily can significantly reduce inflammation and cardiovascular risk in overweight adults. A cherry diet also reduced atherosclerosis and other heart disease risk factors in mice, with improved cardiovascular health leading to a 65% reduction in early death.
A 17-year study of 37,000 Israeli teenagers found that normal-range adolescent BMI can predict type 2 diabetes and heart disease risk in young adults. Elevated BMI at any age was associated with increased disease risk, especially at ages 17 and 30.
A large cohort study found that normal-range body mass index in adolescence significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease in young adulthood. Elevated BMI was associated with a 10% to 12% increased risk for these diseases.
A new study discovered that specific intestinal microflora metabolize phosphatidyl choline, a common dietary lipid found in animal products, into compounds associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. The study found that higher levels of these compounds are linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.
The Lancet NCD Action Group and the NCD Alliance recommend five priority interventions: reducing tobacco use, lowering salt intake, improving diets, reducing hazardous alcohol intake, and increasing access to essential drugs. These actions aim to reduce NCD death rates by 2% per year, avoiding an estimated 36 million deaths over 10 years.
A study of nearly 600 patients found that anaemia was frequently found in patients with severe non-inflammatory respiratory diseases. The research team discovered that older patients, those with other health problems and poor nutrition were more likely to have anaemia.
Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that people living at high altitudes have a lower chance of dying from ischemic heart disease and tend to live longer than others. Lower oxygen levels may spur genes to create blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart disease deaths.
Patients who have suffered a mini stroke are at twice the risk of heart attack compared to the general population. The study found that the risk of heart attack among TIA patients was about 1 percent per year, double that of people who had never had a TIA.
A study of Yup'ik Eskimos found that high intake of omega-3 fats from fish reduces markers of chronic disease risk in overweight/obese people. Obesity did not increase inflammation and blood triglycerides among participants with high blood levels of omega-3 fats.
Researchers found that only 1 in 4 studies reported on participant ethnicity, with most being superficial in scope. The study highlights the importance of considering ethnicity when conducting research on heart disease and stroke prevention to target prevention strategies effectively.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet have discovered that specific inflammatory substances called leukotrienes play a crucial role in the development of aortic stenosis. The study found that anti-inflammatory medication may be a promising new treatment for the disease, which affects millions of people worldwide.
Researchers have discovered a molecule, Wnt1, that improves the function of endothelial progenitor cells, increasing blood flow to organs with previously blocked circulation. The finding could enhance clinical trials testing these powerful cells in patients hospitalized with cardiac arrest.
A new collaborative care program has been shown to significantly improve depression, anxiety, and emotional quality of life in heart disease patients. After six and twelve weeks, participants in the program reported improved symptoms and better adherence to healthy activities compared to those receiving usual care.