Articles tagged with Heart Disease
Using guinea pigs, researchers increased production of G-protein Gem, which decreased calcium current densities by 30-90% and helped steady irregular heartbeats. Gene therapy shows promise as an alternative to calcium channel blockers with fewer side effects.
Researchers found a significant link between deep periodontal pockets and ECG abnormalities, with those having pockets over 2mm at greater risk. Periodontitis may contribute to cardiovascular disease by causing inflammation in atherosclerotic lesions.
Regular cardiac monitoring and prompt treatment can prevent and reverse severe heart dysfunction in thalassemia major patients. The study found that intensive deferoxamine mesylate treatment significantly improved survival rates among those who complied with therapy.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have discovered a link between heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases. The study found that toxic protein clusters called beta-amyloids, associated with Alzheimer's disease, are also present in the hearts of patients with heart failure.
Removing abdominal fat by liposuction did not improve insulin sensitivity or reduce risk factors for heart disease. However, the procedure was found to be safe for large-volume fat removal.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects 1 in 500 adults and is the commonest cause of sudden death in otherwise fit young people. Treatment options include medication, surgery, or implantable defibrillators to relieve symptoms and prevent abnormal heart rhythms.
A Duke University study found that former smokers who quit for 15 years or more have no significant difference in healthy life remaining compared to non-smokers. Heavy smoking reduces years of healthy life by approximately two years for men and 1.66 years for women, highlighting the importance of quitting now.
Chronic diseases are the largest cause of death worldwide, with a projected increase in global prevalence over the next two decades. Key risk factors include tobacco use, unhealthful diets, and lack of physical activity, with most cases occurring in developing countries.
The UK government has rejected proposals to sell simvastatin over-the-counter for the primary prevention of heart disease due to financial reasons. This decision may increase inequalities as many people cannot afford the medication, which is currently prescribed to around 1.8 million people in the UK.
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in US women over 45, with inadequate screening contributing to high mortality rates. Women often fail to receive aggressive risk factor management, exacerbating poor outcomes compared to men.
Researchers linked mid-life heart disease risk factors to increased dementia risk later in life. The study of over 11,000 participants found that those with four key risk factors had nearly three times the chance of developing dementia compared to those with none. Presence of each risk factor added a 20-40% greater risk for developing ...
A recent study by American Academy of Neurology found that patients taking pergolide for Parkinson's disease have a higher risk of developing valvular heart disease. Eighty-nine percent of pergolide-treated patients showed some degree of valvular insufficiency, with increased risks in the mitral and aortic valves.
A newly discovered gene, Pcsk9, has been found to regulate the uptake of bad cholesterol from the blood by affecting liver cells' LDL receptors. This study provides a potential therapeutic approach to treating high blood cholesterol levels, a major risk factor for heart disease.
A Temple University study found that patients with diseased aortic valves before receiving an LVAD have significantly lower survival to transplant rates. Conversely, those with normal aortic valves have higher survival rates, suggesting the importance of valve repair or upgrade in heart transplant optimization.
Researchers found that patients with autoimmune disease have higher levels of fatty deposits in blood vessels, which cause heart disease. Additionally, atherosclerosis worsens autoimmune symptoms, implying that low-fat diets may benefit patients with autoimmune disease.
Researchers developed a new method to speed up the search for genes involved in complex medical conditions. By substituting one chromosome at a time, they can detect gene locations with greater accuracy and efficiency. This breakthrough has the potential to accelerate the discovery of disease-causing genes and lead to new treatments.
A new study reveals that torcetrapib significantly increases levels of HDL cholesterol in patients with low levels, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. The drug works by inhibiting the transfer of cholesterol from HDL to LDL, and its effectiveness is maintained when given in combination with a statin.
Mayo Clinic researchers found gene mutations that disrupt stress signaling in the heart, making it vulnerable to damage. The study, published in Nature Genetics, may lead to new treatments for heart failure.
Researchers will examine inflammatory process in obese patients to understand how it contributes to cardiovascular disease. High levels of free fatty acids in the blood stream may trigger inflammation, which increases risk of atherosclerotic disease in obese patients with diabetes.
A recent study found that folic acid fortification was associated with a significant decline in stroke-related mortality rates. The researchers estimated that 31,000 stroke-associated deaths and 17,000 deaths related to ischemic heart disease may have been prevented each year since fortification was implemented.
Research highlights the link between clinical depression and primary cardiac arrest, as well as low awareness of stroke risk among women in ethnic minorities. Meanwhile, studies reveal the role of adiponectin in regulating cholesterol levels and the importance of targeted educational programs to improve public health.
Researchers found that adiponectin may be a key player in determining true risk of heart disease in obese children. The study showed lower adiponectin levels in obese children, who also had higher inflammation markers and cholesterol levels, indicating a potential 'footprint' for heart disease.
A new study found that only 4% of women with coronary heart disease met all four lifestyle goals, including non-smoking status and exercise. Researchers say the findings underscore the need for more effective interventions to improve compliance among high-risk women.
Researchers found improved heart function in some patients treated with stem cells and G-CSF after a heart attack. However, the treatment also led to an unexpected high rate of complications, prompting further investigation before its use in humans.
Vascular spasm is an under-recognized source of damage to heart muscle, leading to reduced function and increased risk of death. The study found that correcting genetic defects in heart muscle cells can halt focal degeneration and prevent vascular spasm.
A study analyzing pooled results of several studies found that dietary fiber from fruits, vegetables, or grains may lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. The research showed a significant decrease in coronary heart disease risk for cereal and fruit fiber intake.
The US Preventive Services Task Force has issued new recommendations for screening asymptomatic people for heart disease. However, evidence is insufficient to recommend EKG, treadmill tests, and CT scans for these groups. Additionally, hospice care may increase overall Medicare costs, but provide savings in certain cases with aggressiv...
A court-ordered settlement has provided funding to New Jersey's Women's Heart Foundation, enabling the implementation of statewide programs targeting women at risk for heart disease. The foundation aims to introduce new care interventions and professional nursing courses that cater to the specific needs of women.
A study of 93,676 healthy older women found that depressive symptoms are significantly related to cardiovascular disease risk and increased mortality rates. Women with depression were more likely to develop hypertension, have a history of stroke or angina, die from cardiovascular disease, and experience all-cause mortality.
A recent study found that high-dose vitamin therapy had no effect on preventing recurrent strokes and heart attacks. The VISP study involved 3,680 adults who received either a low or high dose of folic acid, B6, and B12 vitamins.
A randomized trial found that high doses of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 did not lower the risk of recurrent stroke. However, moderate reduction in blood amino acid levels was associated with a lower risk of stroke, heart disease, and death.
Researchers found that mice genetically prone to atherosclerosis produced human C-reactive protein and developed larger lesions with fatty plaque buildup. This discovery supports the use of C-reactive protein as a heart disease risk marker and identifies its role in atherosclerosis development.
A blood test may reveal systemic factors that relate to periodontal disease, especially in men. The study found a significant relationship between CRP and periodontal diseases in women, but not in men. Males were reported to have more serious symptoms of periodontal diseases than females of the same age group.
A study published in NEJM finds a link between a specific gene variant and increased risk of atherosclerosis. Researchers discovered that individuals carrying the ALOX5 gene variant are more susceptible to cardiovascular disease when consuming n-6 polyunsaturated fats, but can reduce their risk by eating n-3 fatty acids.
A recent study found that air pollution significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular deaths, with a 45% mortality rate attributed to heart disease, compared to 8.2% for respiratory diseases. The researchers propose that inflammation and nervous system changes may be key mechanisms behind this association.
A large observational study found that improving fitness in healthy young adults can significantly reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and protect heart health, even after age-related changes.
A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that fitness in young adulthood can significantly reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Improving fitness levels by 50% or more can decrease these risks by as much as 50%.
A new analysis has found that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with a 31% increase in the risk of dying from ischemic heart disease. The risk is comparable to that of being a former smoker, according to researchers at NYU Langone Health.
A new study has identified a link between the size of apolipoprotein(a), a protein component of low-density lipoprotein, and an increased risk of heart disease in overweight individuals. The research suggests that analyzing apolipoprotein(a) size may provide a reliable way to discriminate between those at high risk and those without.
Researchers will monitor elderly individuals with existing heart disease to see how daily air pollution levels impact their ailments. The study aims to find an association between ultrafine particles and the severity of heart disease, which could lead to better air pollution regulations and improved medical treatment.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a non-cholesterol related gene linked to the development of heart disease in mice. The A20 gene regulates the NFkB pathway, which was previously thought to contribute to heart disease, but may actually play an anti-atherosclerotic role.
Tissue-engineered pulmonary valves, engineered from patients' own cells, showed excellent performance in first 23 patients with up to three years of follow-up. The valves eliminated post-operative fever and shortened recovery time compared to traditional donor valves.
A new pathway has been discovered at Stanford that provides insight into heart disease, with apelin-APJ signaling potentially holding key to treatment for heart failure. The study used microarrays to scan thousands of genes and found a previously unnoticed connection between apelin and APJ receptors.
A study examining factors that influence successful aging found a link between social isolation and increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers in men's blood. The study suggests that social relationships may influence health through biological processes, with implications for heart disease risk.
A recent study found that one in eight North Carolina schoolchildren have three or more heart risks, including low HDL levels and obesity. The researchers attribute this to the prevalence of overweight children among girls, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Researchers detected 'atheronals', toxic compounds triggered by ozone in atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting a potential diagnostic marker for late-stage arterial inflammation. Ozone's role in human biology and its implications on diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis are also explored.
A study of 9,790 participants found that exercising more and eating a balanced diet reduced cardiovascular mortality rates by over half. Those who were overweight or obese but exercised less faced increased cardiovascular risks, even if they ate fewer calories.
Researchers found that unusual fatigue was the most common early symptom reported by women before their heart attacks, with 70% of cases. The study's lead author emphasizes the importance of educating women about new symptoms and seeking medical care to determine their cause, especially those with known cardiovascular risks.
A study found that nearly a quarter of families with deceased individuals had inherited heart disease, increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death among relatives. The researchers suggest screening 12-lead ECGs for first-degree relatives of those who died suddenly and unexpectedly.
A Canadian study compared outcomes for patients with elevated cardiac markers who received a home health nurse-delivered disease management program versus those without. The results showed significant reductions in hospitalization days for congestive heart failure and angina. A commentary highlighted the need for a national program to ...
Researchers discover PPAR-delta pathway that curbs atherosclerosis development and reduces heart disease by half. The pathway could be used to develop drugs to treat heart disease, currently the number one killer of Americans.
A study of 27 women aged 35-44 found that 50% of their deaths were due to undetermined causes, a stark contrast to men of the same age group. Researchers are now focusing on novel, unorthodox causes for these unexpected deaths.
A large study of nearly 44,000 healthy men found no association between dietary fat intake and stroke risk. The research suggests that saturated fat intake may actually be beneficial in reducing atherosclerosis, contrary to previous findings.
A study by the World Health Organization found that officially reported global vaccination coverage rates are higher than actual rates, highlighting issues with data quality. The investigation compared national data with a 'gold standard' household survey method in 45 countries between 1990 and 2000.
A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that women who performed below average in peak exercise capacity and recovery rate were more likely to die from heart disease. Regular exercise was shown to combat risk factors, with moderate physical activity improving exercise capacity by 15-30%.
A study by Stephanie A. Roberts and colleagues found that lesbians have a significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio than their sisters, which may trigger more heart disease. The researchers recommend focusing on reducing weight around the middle of the body to decrease cardiovascular risk.
The Lancet presents six randomized controlled trials of heart disease drug interventions, highlighting potential benefits for patients in poor countries. The World Trade Organization's decision to allow poor nations to import low-cost generic drugs is seen as a game-changer for effective treatment accessibility worldwide.
A study of 2,343 men and women found that infrequent heavy drinkers had more abdominal fat than regular consumers. Moderate drinking was associated with smaller waist sizes, while binge drinking led to higher abdominal measurements.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a nearly $5 million grant to the University of Pittsburgh's McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The project aims to develop tissue-engineered treatments that can help patients with heart failure regenerate their own components and repair damaged heart muscle.
A study by Frits Rosendaal and colleagues found that haemophilia carriers have a significantly lower risk of ischaemic heart disease, with a 36% decrease in overall mortality. This reduction in blood clotting may offer protection against heart attacks and has implications for future prevention strategies.