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 large study of 5837 middle-aged civil servants found that coronary heart disease is associated with impaired cognitive performance, particularly for men. The study suggests that preventive measures such as smoking cessation and physical exercise can help mitigate this effect.
A recent study published in Diabetes Care found high levels of oxidative stress in coronary heart disease patients without type 2 diabetes were actually indicative of overt diabetes. This discovery highlights the importance of considering glucose abnormality as a potential underlying condition for heart disease.
A new study published in Annals of Family Medicine found that optimistic perceptions of cardiovascular risk are associated with a three times lower incidence of death from heart attacks and strokes among men. However, the study did not find a similar association among women.
A study of Japanese people found that men who drink heavily have a lower risk of coronary heart disease, while women quadruple their risk. Women also show a higher risk of hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes with heavy drinking.
Researchers found that farm-raised tilapia has very low levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and high levels of omega-6 fatty acids. This combination may be detrimental to individuals with heart disease, arthritis, asthma, and other conditions. The study highlights the importance of balancing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid intake.
A Geisinger study found PTSD increases likelihood of heart disease death by 2x in Vietnam veterans, similar to smoking 2-3 packs/day for 20+ years. Chronic stress from PTSD causes inflammation and cardiovascular damage.
Researchers have discovered that Tabebuia extract can delay dietary fat absorption in animal models, reducing triglyceride levels. The extract's potential use in treating obesity and associated diseases like type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease is being explored.
Researchers found that women derive less benefit from high-blood-pressure-lowering drugs than men for reducing left-ventricular hypertrophy, a marker for future heart disease. This may explain why women are at greater risk for heart disease later in life despite similar blood pressure reduction.
A large cohort study of over 87,000 women found that heavy birthweight female babies are twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis in adulthood. The findings support the fetal origin of disease theory, suggesting that certain conditions and diseases may be programmed by factors during pregnancy.
Research suggests that hedgehog antagonists, used to treat certain cancers, can worsen cardiac function and lead to death in mice with heart disease. The study highlights the need to monitor patients' cardiovascular health when using these drugs.
The University of Manchester will lead a joint planning phase for the Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure, linking European biobanks and managing millions of biological samples. The project aims to counter fragmentation in Europe and facilitate access to valuable resources for biomedical research.
Researchers identified five genetic variations that increase metabolic syndrome risk and a sixth variant that protects against the condition. Variants in the CD36 gene were associated with abnormal HDL cholesterol levels.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that regular coffee drinking is not linked to increased deaths, but rather may be protective against heart disease and other causes of death. Moderate coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of death from heart disease in women.
Women with type 2 diabetes and heart disease have poorer control of both diseases and receive less intensive medical treatment than do men. Women are also more likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure and poor long-term control of their blood glucose levels compared to men.
The EUROACTION study found that a nurse-coordinated multidisciplinary family-based cardiology programme improved cardiovascular disease risk factors for patients with coronary heart disease and those at high risk. The programme also showed significant increases in physical activity levels, dietary improvements, and blood pressure contr...
The updated charts show a person's risk of dying from a given cause within the next 10 years, taking into account their age, sex, and smoking status. The charts provide two key elements: the magnitude of the risk and context to help people understand where to focus risk reduction efforts.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that heart patients who met regularly with cardiac 'disease managers' for three years had better control of risk factors and lower death rates. The approach demonstrated clear clinical benefits, including improved cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and medication compliance.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that heart failure patients significantly overestimate their life expectancy, with an average prediction of 13 years beyond accepted survival models. Despite this, patients' predictions showed no correlation with disease severity or clinical outcomes.
A study in JAMA found that low HDL cholesterol levels due to a genetic mutation do not increase the risk of ischemic heart disease. Instead, the researchers discovered that low HDL cholesterol was associated with a lower risk of IHD in certain populations.
Researchers found that adding noninvasive imaging to risk-assessment protocols increased the number of people classified as high risk for heart disease. This approach is proposed by the Screening for Heart Attack Prevention and Education task force, which aims to identify more patients who could benefit from cholesterol-lowering therapy.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified Forkhead Box O1 (FoxO1) as a potential target for treating hypertriglyceridemia. Inhibiting FoxO1 in the liver curbs triglyceride secretion in obese and diabetic animals.
A new analysis suggests that healthy postmenopausal women with normal blood cholesterol levels are at no increased short-term risk for heart attack when taking hormone therapy. Women with a low LDL to HDL ratio have an even lower risk of heart attack or death from hormone therapy.
A research study has found that a simple blood test can indicate whether post-menopausal hormone therapies increase the risk of a heart attack. Women with favorable cholesterol levels were not at increased risk of developing heart problems while taking hormones, whereas those with unfavorable cholesterol levels were at higher risk.
A new study reveals the nitric oxide system plays a crucial role in regulating proteins and controlling cellular activity. The discovery opens up new avenues for biochemical research and potential therapeutic applications.
Two studies found that erectile dysfunction is a powerful early warning sign for serious heart disease, including heart attack and death in men with type 2 diabetes. Cholesterol-lowering medications and certain compounds like Viagra may reduce the risk of heart problems.
Women who quit smoking experience a significant reduction in mortality risk, with 61% of the benefit realized within 5 years for coronary heart disease and 42% for cerebrovascular mortality. Quitting also reduces lung cancer mortality risk by 21% within 5 years, with an 87% reduction after 20-30 years.
International health experts call for urgent action from international development banks and pharmaceutical companies to address blood pressure-related diseases affecting developing countries. The authors argue that deaths from heart disease and stroke are largely avoidable but lack of effort has resulted in over 50 million deaths, wit...
A study at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Forum on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke found that focused measures improved high blood pressure control among veterans. The proportion of patients reaching their blood pressure goal increased from 61.8% to 64.3%, with an estimated 1,349 ...
Researchers found that young women with heart attacks often misattributed their symptoms to fatigue or other conditions, failing to connect them with a heart condition. The study suggests that there are large gaps in understanding the symptoms and reasons for delaying prompt care among this age group.
A small study found that incubator electromagnetic fields decrease heart rate variability in newborns, a predictor of poor prognosis in adults. The researchers suggest modifying incubator design to mitigate this effect.
A study found that women with normal thyrotropin levels had a higher risk of fatal coronary heart disease. The study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, suggests that relatively low but clinically normal thyroid function may increase the risk of fatal coronary heart disease.
A study found that regular physical activity lowers heart disease risk in overweight women, despite the presence of obesity. However, physical activity alone may not fully reverse the negative effects of being overweight on coronary heart disease risk.
Scientists have identified a region on human chromosome 1 that contributes to elevated blood triglyceride levels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease. Three genes, angiopoietin-like 3, leptin receptor, and sterol carrier protein 2, are promising candidates for further study.
A study found that India will account for 60% of the world's heart disease burden by 2010, with a higher rate of severe cases among younger patients. The country also has a lower age at diagnosis compared to developed countries.
Researchers found that endurance athletes experienced significant increases in heart size, while strength athletes saw thickening of the left ventricle. The study provides new insights into the effects of exercise on cardiac function, which may benefit heart disease patients in the future.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology has made a significant breakthrough in treating aortic valve stenosis, a common form of heart valve disease. The experimental treatment, which raises high-density lipoproteins (HDL), showed promising results, including reduced aortic valve narrowing and calcifications.
Researchers found that low vitamin D levels are associated with a higher prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Studies suggest that vitamin D may not have a direct protective effect against PAD, but rather may be a marker for other health practices such as healthy diet and physical activity.
A DASH-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may lower the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Higher scores on the DASH diet were associated with lower levels of inflammation markers, suggesting a potential benefit for cardiovascular health.
A large Scottish Health Survey study found that just 20 minutes of weekly physical activity, including housework, reduces the risk of stress and anxiety. The more activity a person engages in, the lower their chances of psychological distress.
Research published in PLOS Medicine found that interleukin-6 levels are associated with coronary heart disease, suggesting it could be a target for drug development. Two new methods were also developed to estimate HIV incidence based on changes in cross-sectional prevalence, showing sufficient accuracy for monitoring the epidemic.
Dr. Gitlin emphasizes the need for research on childhood diseases and their potential prevention through genetics and nutrition. His work aims to identify key factors leading to diseases in infancy, which may affect them later in life.
A new study reveals that people with a normal body mass index (BMI) but high body fat percentage are at risk for metabolic disturbances and heart disease. The researchers found that these individuals had altered blood lipid profiles, high leptin levels, and higher rates of metabolic syndrome.
A study published in Journal of Palliative Medicine explores the concept of hope in ALS patients, revealing a range of coping capabilities that extend beyond physical disability. The research highlights several themes of hope, including personal fulfillment, social support, and spiritual beliefs.
Researchers estimated that one in six women and one in ten men will develop Alzheimer's disease in their lifetime, with a higher lifetime risk for women due to greater lifespan expectancy. The study also found that more than one in three people will experience stroke or dementia by age 80.
Researchers found that poor sleep is strongly associated with high levels of psychological distress, depression, anger, and hostility in women. Women who reported longer time to fall asleep had higher levels of inflammatory proteins and insulin.
A follow-up study of the Women's Health Initiative confirms that long-term use of combination hormone therapy in healthy postmenopausal women increases risks of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. After stopping hormone therapy, cardiovascular disease risk decreases but overall risks remain high.
A study of 4,248 RA patients found that TNF inhibitors reduced heart failure risk when disease activity was high. The treatment also protected the heart and vital organs by reducing inflammation.
Researchers say a solution for atherosclerosis is many years away due to the complex disease process, which involves genetics, metabolism, and inflammation. Huge investments of time and money are needed to develop effective therapies.
Scientists have discovered a gene expression pathway that exerts a sweeping influence over the process of oxidative stress. This pathway could potentially be manipulated to mitigate damage caused by oxygen and prevent diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and aging.
University of Michigan researchers created a new method, OxICAT, to observe how oxidative stress affects proteins. The technique allows for the quantification of thousands of proteins' oxidation states in a single experiment.
Researchers have gained a clearer understanding of how p300/CBP controls gene activity, providing new avenues for designing drugs. The study's findings have implications for cancer treatment, diabetes, heart disease, and HIV, with potential applications for developing targeted therapies.
Engineers at the University of Leeds have developed a new device that uses a specially-woven web to assist weak hearts, increasing internal pressure to improve blood flow. The web-based device eliminates the need for life-long drug therapy and reduces the risk of blood clots.
Researchers found that hostility and depression together elevate inflammatory proteins in the human body, increasing the risk for heart disease. The study examined associations with blood levels of two inflammatory proteins and found a stronger relationship between these negative emotions when considered simultaneously.
A recent study found that routine intake of dairy products can lower the instance of gum disease. The American Academy of Periodontology suggests that consuming dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt may help achieve a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy mouth.
A study at Rush University Medical Center suggests that bubbles may regulate ion channel opening and closing, providing a vital piece of the molecular puzzle. This discovery has significant implications for treating diseases linked to malfunctioning ion channels, such as heart disease and cystic fibrosis.
A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that nearly 9.4% of US teens have metabolic syndrome, a clustering of risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. The definition of the syndrome has been difficult to establish, but researchers estimate that up to 25% of obese teens meet the criteria.
Research by the Whitehall II study found that work stress is linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) due to its effect on the autonomic nervous system and neuroendocrine function. Chronic work stress was associated with lower heart rate variability and poor vagal tone, leading to cardiac instability.
A study by Monell researchers found that over 6,000 genes contribute to an individual's body weight, contradicting the idea of a single 'obesity gene.' This suggests that quick fixes for obesity are unlikely and highlights the complexity of the issue.
Researchers have identified a new chromosomal region strongly associated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. This discovery may lead to the development of new therapies for coronary heart disease, which claims over 250,000 lives annually in the UK.
The article explores the results of the ‘Oats at 10 Years’ study, which tracked the correlation between oat consumption and a healthier lifestyle. The study found that foods containing whole-oat sources of soluble fiber, such as oats, oat bran, and oat flour, could reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.