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.
Research finds that optimistic women have a 9% lower risk of developing heart disease and a 14% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to pessimistic women. A high degree of cynical hostility is associated with a higher risk of death, but not heart disease.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE suggests that heart attacks and strokes were rare in human history. The Tsimane Amazonian tribe, with a traditional lifestyle, shows low levels of atherosclerosis, contradicting the expected high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Emory Health Sciences has received $10 million in NIH ARRA grants to advance research in areas like organ transplantation, pulmonary diseases, and addiction. The funding also supports students and teachers through summer research positions.
A new study reveals that social stress can lead to the deposition of more fat in the abdominal cavity, accelerating the buildup of plaque in blood vessels and increasing the risk of heart disease. The study found that stressed monkeys developed more visceral fat, which promotes coronary artery atherosclerosis.
Research finds that a weight-loss program significantly improves symptoms of depression and reduces triglycerides in obese patients. After a 6-month behavioral weight loss program, depressed patients lost 8% of their initial weight and reported improvements in depressive symptoms.
A new Canadian study reveals that cardiovascular disease is on the rise in younger Canadians, with increased rates of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. The study found that people of lower socioeconomic status are disproportionately affected, facing greater health risks and burdening healthcare resources.
A study found that a person's IQ explained over 20% of the difference in mortality between people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and those from more advantaged backgrounds. IQ was an additional factor to known risk factors like smoking and obesity.
A novel gene, ANKRD1, has been identified as a cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a condition where the heart becomes weakened and enlarged. The study found three disease-associated variants of the gene in four male patients with DCM.
Researchers have identified 20 genes involved in cholesterol regulation, including 12 previously unknown genes. This discovery may lead to new treatments for cholesterol-related diseases and help fight heart disease.
The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on vegetarian diets, concluding they are healthy and nutritious for adults, infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant individuals. Vegetarian diets have been linked to lower blood cholesterol levels, reduced risk of heart disease, and improved cancer rates.
Research by University of Warwick and University College London found that women's inflammatory markers vary significantly with sleep duration, while men do not. Short-term sleep deprivation studies suggest an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease in sleep-deprived individuals.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that C-reactive protein, a commonly used marker for coronary heart disease risk, may not cause the disease. Researchers found no association between genetic variations in the gene coding for C-reactive protein and coronary heart disease risk. Ho...
University at Buffalo researchers found that police officers have a higher incidence of subclinical atherosclerosis due to occupational stress. Lifestyle factors were controlled for in the analysis, leading to the conclusion that policing itself is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers developed a computer model to help medical doctors choose the optimal time to begin statin therapy in diabetes patients, reducing cardiovascular risk. The new model incorporates patient-specific data and accounts for the progression of diabetes and cost-benefit analysis.
Research explores how exercise at high altitudes impacts the body's response to decreased oxygen levels. The findings reveal adaptations that help maintain oxygen delivery to muscles during exercise and long-term benefits for athletes training at moderate altitude.
A new study from Tel Aviv University shows that high glycemic index foods, such as cornflakes and white bread, can cause sudden expansion of artery walls, leading to reduced elasticity and increased heart disease risk. The research provides a new mechanism for understanding how these foods affect the progression of heart disease.
A landmark study demonstrates a significant reduction in heart failure or death in patients with heart disease who received CRT-D versus ICD-only. The MADIT-CRT trial showed a 29% decrease in mortality and heart failure symptoms, improving survival and outcome for patients with severe heart disease.
A 10-year national study in Canada found a 30% decline in heart disease deaths and hospital admissions. However, the study revealed high rates of cardiovascular-related deaths among elderly women, highlighting the need for increased investment in education and research on cardiovascular health in women.
A University of Rochester Medical Center study found that including socioeconomic status in the Framingham Risk Scoring tool can nearly double the number of patients at risk for death or disease. This could lead to increased eligibility for cholesterol-lowering medications and other treatments, with a potential 15% increase.
A study found that psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease. Patients with psoriasis were also more likely to die from these conditions, highlighting the need for vigilance in screening for cardiovascular risk factors.
Researchers found that nicotine promotes insulin resistance, raising blood sugar levels higher than normal. This condition increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in smokers.
Researchers found that nicotine induces prediabetes in mice, which may contribute to the high prevalence of heart disease among smokers. The study suggests that reducing tissue glucocorticoid levels or decreasing insulin resistance may help reduce heart disease risk.
Tulane University is partnering with South American universities to address the high burden of cardiovascular disease in the region, which claims one-third of chronic disease deaths. The new center will focus on research, training, and health education to prevent and treat CVD through quantitative methods and skills development.
A large Brandeis University-led study found that cardiac rehabilitation significantly reduces mortality rates among older adult patients with heart disease. The study showed a 19% lower risk of death for those attending more than 24 sessions, and the benefits were most pronounced in extreme elderly patients.
Overweight individuals following a plant-based, low-carbohydrate diet experienced significant weight loss and improvements in blood cholesterol levels. This diet was more effective than a high-carbohydrate, low-fat vegetarian diet in reducing LDL-C levels and improving cardiovascular risk factors.
A landmark study found that prompt bypass surgery has the same five-year survival rate as drug therapy alone for patients with type 2 diabetes and stable heart disease. In contrast, bypass surgery lowered the risk of subsequent major cardiac events, particularly in those with severe heart disease.
The joint clinical recommendations aim to promote patient health by encouraging collaboration between periodontists and cardiologists. The consensus paper includes guidelines for medical and dental professionals to identify patients at risk of both diseases.
A study revealed that inherited heart disease was present in over 30% of families of sudden unexplained death (SUD) victims. The research found that cardiological and genetic examination of surviving first-degree relatives can reveal an inherited heart disease, allowing for treatment and prevention.
Researchers have identified a genetic link between periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD), with a shared genetic variant located on chromosome 9. The study found that the genetic variation associated with both diseases is identical, indicating a strong genetic basis for the connection.
A Monash-led research team has discovered a new link between disturbed blood flow and blood clotting, which is identified as the precise mechanism by which these changes activate the clotting process. This discovery may explain the lack of effectiveness of commonly used anti-clotting therapies.
Research published in The Lancet found that diabetics who maintain intensive, low blood sugar levels are significantly less likely to suffer heart attacks and coronary heart disease. This is due to a 17% reduction in heart attacks and a 15% reduction in coronary heart disease.
A recent study found that genetic variations involving endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggregation contribute to depressive symptoms in individuals with heart disease. Researchers discovered a significant association between one marker within the vonWillebrand factor gene and depressive symptoms.
Obese heart disease patients tend to respond well to treatment and have better short- and long-term prognosis than leaner counterparts. However, the exact mechanisms behind this phenomenon are still unclear, and more research is needed to understand the relationship between obesity and cardiovascular outcomes.
A study of 13,877 people found that just over 11% had been diagnosed with heart disease before displaying symptoms. The majority of diabetic patients were not diagnosed until they became symptomatic, highlighting the need for improved screening and education to reduce heart disease before symptoms occur.
A 25-year study found that 3/4 of Iceland's CHD mortality decrease was due to reduced cholesterol, smoking, and blood pressure levels, highlighting the importance of comprehensive strategies promoting tobacco control and healthy diets. Population trends showed worsening diabetes and obesity rates.
A study analyzing Medicare data found that increasing preventive care measures, such as influenza vaccines and blood glucose monitoring, correlates with lower heart disease incidence in CKD patients. These measures can slow disease progression and improve overall health outcomes.
A new study by Penn State professor Donna Korzick explores the link between estrogen deficiency and increased risk of heart disease in women. Researchers hope to identify proteins that respond to low-estrogen environments, which could lead to new treatments for heart disease.
Scientists have developed a new tool to identify big events in human history by examining tiny genetic differences. This research, published in the journal Genetics, confirms a major decline in European populations 32,500-47,500 years ago and helps pinpoint gene mutations linked to diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
A new study from Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and Stanford University School of Medicine reveals that infants with bowel disease may have two distinct disease processes with different origins. The research suggests that premature infants, heart defect patients, and others with NEC may be affected by reduced blood flow to the bowe...
A team of scientists has identified Llysyl oxidase as an enzyme involved in fibrous tissue accumulation and cardiac deterioration in patients with chronic heart disease. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating patients with heart disease by inhibiting the enzyme.
A new University of Illinois study suggests that moderate exercise can reduce visceral fat inflammation, even without a change in diet. The benefits were apparent in both short-term and long-term studies, with significant reductions in belly fat and improved insulin sensitivity found in mice.
Postmenopausal women who breastfed for at least a month had lower rates of diabetes and high cholesterol. Longer durations of breastfeeding resulted in significant reductions in heart attack risk, with those nursing for over a year being 10% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
A new human study confirms that eating tart cherries increases antioxidant levels in the body, with benefits potentially including reduced heart disease risk. Researchers found increased antioxidant activity for up to 12 hours after consuming one and a half cups of frozen tart cherries.
A review of 146 prospective cohort studies and 43 randomized controlled trials found strong evidence for a causal relationship between protective dietary factors such as vegetable, nut, and monounsaturated fatty acid intake and lower heart disease risk. The Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with coronary heart disease.
Researchers at Temple University have found a simple color-changing oral strip can help detect gum disease more quickly and easily than traditional methods. The strips change color based on levels of microbial sulfur compounds in saliva, providing a comparable screening method.
A University at Buffalo study reveals that two oral pathogens, but the total number of germs, are associated with an increased risk of heart attack. The study found that patients harbored more periodontal bacteria than controls, and that an increase in the number of different species also elevated heart attack odds.
A new study found that babies born with lower weight are more likely to develop chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes later in life due to increased inflammation. Researchers followed over 5,600 children from birth to adulthood, finding a link between early growth and adult inflammation.
A study of nearly 1,500 newborns found seasonal occurrences of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, with peaks between April and July, suggesting environmental factors may contribute to the disease.
A study of over 500,000 individuals found that high red meat consumption was associated with a higher risk of death from all causes, cancer, and heart disease. In contrast, higher intake of white meat appeared to be linked to a slightly decreased risk for overall death and cancer death.
Research finds that light-to-moderate drinking with high social support reduces the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and total cardiovascular disease. Men with higher social support have a more pronounced benefit from moderate alcohol consumption.
Researchers will analyze frozen blood samples from over 7,000 FHS participants to identify biomarkers associated with heart disease and metabolic syndrome. The goal is to develop simple blood tests to predict high-risk patients.
A study found a widening gap between heart disease guidelines and patients' lifestyles, with doctors prescribing more drugs while lifestyles remain unchanged. Lifestyle interventions are crucial to prevent heart disease, but comprehensive programs are lacking.
The third EUROASPIRE survey found that European coronary patients are failing to meet lifestyle, risk factor, and therapeutic targets set out in international guidelines. Key findings include high rates of smoking and obesity, as well as inadequate management of blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
A recent study suggests that significantly reducing daily salt intake can have a profound impact on heart disease cases and deaths. By lowering salt consumption by just 3 grams per day, researchers estimate that nearly half a million fewer new heart disease cases and over 200,000 fewer deaths could occur in the US over a decade.
Researchers developed a new immunohistochemical test that accurately diagnoses ARVC, a condition characterized by muscle cell replacement with fatty deposits and fibrosis. The test has the potential to identify patients at risk of sudden death and exclude other causes of arrhythmias.
Research suggests that depression can increase the risk of sudden cardiac death and fatal coronary heart disease in women. Women with more severe depressive symptoms or those who reported taking antidepressants were at higher risk for these events.
Researchers analyzed data from over 1,200 male twins to find that a history of major depression significantly increases the risk of heart disease. Men with depression were twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to those without a history of depression.
In the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT), chronic diseases such as heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer are leading causes of death. The Palestinian National Authority's response has been limited due to military occupation and its consequences on the healthcare system.
A University of Utah study finds that women in troubled marriages are more likely to experience depression, high blood pressure, and obesity, which can increase the risk of heart disease. In contrast, men in strained marriages do not face an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors for heart disease.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that pre-diabetic adults with post-challenge hyperglycemia have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease due to increased glucose and insulin levels, triglycerides, inflammation, and impaired blood vessel function. Routine glucose screening and preventi...