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 a specific Apo-E gene variant increases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in current smokers, with men carrying the E4 version facing a three times higher risk. The study suggests that quitting smoking can reduce this risk and highlights the importance of reducing smoking to avoid CHD.
A new study found that living in poorer neighborhoods increases the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease, with a 70-90% higher risk for whites and 30-50% for blacks. The study controlled for individual factors but still showed a significant link between neighborhood quality and heart disease risk.
A UK doctor suggests that preventing coronary disease begins with the fetus's growth and nutrition. The
Postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy for less than one year had a 25% increase in risk for recurrent heart disease, while those taking hormones for two years or longer had decreased risk. UTI patients successfully diagnosed and managed their own care with short-term antibiotics.
Dr. Williams has been recognized for his work implementing better medical policy for African-American and Hispanic communities in Watts and the Greater Los Angeles area. He has raised millions of dollars for various organizations, including the King-Drew Sickle Cell Center and Association of Black Cardiologists.
A new study found that eating one medium-sized persimmon per day can help reduce the risk of heart disease by fighting atherosclerosis. Persimmons contain significantly higher levels of dietary fiber, minerals, and phenolic compounds than apples.
A study found that the cholesterol-lowering drug pravastatin reduced stroke risk by 20% in patients with heart disease or high cholesterol. The medication also showed benefit when combined with aspirin and blood-pressure-lowering drugs, providing a new approach to preventing strokes.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that energy-restricted diets had the most beneficial effects on serum lipids, lowering triglycerol concentrations and elevating HDL cholesterol. The authors suggest reevaluating current low-fat diet recommendations for individuals with excess body weight.
Scientists have found a link between the combination of two widely used agricultural pesticides and Parkinson's disease in mice. The study, led by Deborah Cory-Slechta, suggests that everyday environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease.
A large clinical trial found that tamoxifen does not increase cardiovascular risk in healthy women or those with coronary heart disease. Women who received tamoxifen had the same rate of cardiovascular events as those receiving a placebo, regardless of prior heart problems.
Scientists at Mayo Clinic have identified a region on chromosome 10 as a potential contributor to late-onset Alzheimer's disease, affecting amyloid β protein processing. Researchers hope to discover the associated gene and potentially identify individuals at risk before they develop the disease.
New data from the Nurses' Health Study suggests hormone replacement therapy reduces heart attack risk by 40% in postmenopausal women. However, taking higher doses of estrogen or combination therapy with progestin may increase stroke risk by 30%.
A study found that women with coronary heart disease who experience severe marital stress are at a higher risk of recurrent cardiac events. In contrast, work stress did not predict new coronary events for working women. The authors suggest that specific preventive measures be tailored to the needs of women with CHD.
A new study suggests that increasing folic acid and vitamin B12 intake can lower homocysteine levels in the blood, which are associated with a higher risk of heart disease. The researchers estimate that this intervention could lead to significant cost savings and potentially increase life expectancy.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a new drug therapy that appears to be effective in reversing symptoms of Ménétrier's disease, a rare and premalignant stomach disorder. The treatment, which blocks activation of the EGF receptor, showed promising results in a patient with severe vomiting and protein loss.
A study examining 700 fifty-year-olds born between 1943 and 1947 found that those whose mothers starved during early pregnancy were three times more likely to develop heart disease. The researchers also discovered that the effects depend on the timing of maternal starvation during gestation.
A study published in Heart found that children born to mothers who starved during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy were three times more likely to develop coronary heart disease as adults. They also had higher blood pressure, weighed more, and a higher adverse cholesterol profile.
A study published by the American Heart Association suggests that laughing often and exuberantly can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Researchers compared humor responses in 150 heart patients to 150 healthy controls, finding that heart patients were 40% less likely to laugh in various situations.
A study of 300 people found that those with heart disease laughed less and displayed more anger and hostility. Researchers suggest incorporating laughter into daily activities as a potential heart-healthy habit.
A new study found that premenopausal women are more vulnerable to sudden, serious heart disease during their menstrual cycle when estrogen levels are at their lowest. The research also identified other health risks that worsen the odds for heart disease in young women.
A study of 196 people with and without Parkinson's disease found that coffee use was associated with a lower risk of developing the disease. Heavier coffee drinkers exhibited fewer instances of the disease, while tobacco chewers and alcoholics were also less likely to develop the condition.
A study by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that heart attack survivors experience blood vessel disease progression three to four times faster than those without heart disease. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and smoking history significantly accelerate this process.
A new Mayo Clinic study suggests that coffee drinkers may have less than half the risk of developing Parkinson's disease compared to non-coffee drinkers. The study found that individuals who consumed four or more cups of coffee per day had an average age of onset eight years older for the disease.
Researchers found that fen-phen use can cause abnormal thickening of heart valve leaflets, possibly due to increased production of TBF-beta-1. Serotonin and tryptophan may play a role in this process.
Researchers found that patients with periodontal disease had significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein in their blood than those without gum disease, indicating an increased risk of future heart attacks. The study suggests that treating severe gum disease may help reduce CRP levels and the risk of another heart attack.
Researchers at UT Southwestern will advance genomic research on heart disorders to identify genes contributing to the condition and develop individualized drug therapies. The project will also provide free access to genome information and training for other scientists, complementing existing studies on heart disease prevention.
The NIH-NSF Ecology of Infectious Diseases initiative aims to understand ecological relationships between human-induced environmental changes and infectious disease emergence. The research projects will study the effects of habitat destruction, biological invasion, and pollution on disease risks in humans and animals.
Research finds that rheumatoid arthritis patients experience longer hospital stays and higher total charges due to complications, with a notable impact on quality of life. The disease also results in increased healthcare utilization for general symptoms beyond musculoskeletal complaints.
A University at Buffalo study has found that people with severe gum disease are twice as likely to suffer a stroke due to blocked arteries. Periodontal disease was associated with an increased risk for cerebrovascular events, particularly non-hemorrhagic strokes.
A study found that Helicobacter pylori bacteria were present in 88% of SIDS babies, with genes indicating an inflammatory response and potential ammonia production. The prevalence of H pylori infection is typically around 2% in developed countries.
The Johns Hopkins Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine is working on identifying genes involved in 10 heart and lung diseases. The researchers will use DNA microarray technology to examine tissue samples from 10 patient populations.
A nine-year study of over 12,000 men at high risk for coronary heart disease found that those with regular annual vacations had a lower risk of death. Vacations were more protective against death from coronary heart disease than diseases like cancer, possibly due to stress reduction and engagement in restorative behaviors.
Researchers at the University of Washington School of Dentistry found no link between periodontal disease and chronic coronary heart disease. Despite shared risk factors, their analysis of over 8,000 people showed only a slight connection.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a new mouse model that mimics symptoms of myotonic dystrophy, allowing for potential treatments to be tested. The mice provide insight into the disease-causing role of mRNA and its impact on muscle fibers.
A new study reveals Parkinson's disease is associated with a loss of norepinephrine-producing nerve endings in the heart, improving understanding of the disorder's development and potential prevention. This finding also sheds light on orthostatic hypotension, a common complication characterized by dizziness and fainting.
A major study found that hormone replacement therapy did not slow the progression of heart disease in older women, despite improvements in cholesterol levels. The Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis (ERA) trial used cardiac catheterization to measure narrowing in the heart's arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol.
A major new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found a significant decline in milk consumption and a sharp increase in sugar-laden soft drinks among US teenagers between 1965 and 1996. This shift is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases, including strokes, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
Researchers refute earlier research suggesting high triglyceride levels increase heart disease risk in men. In a new study, triglyceride measurements were found to be no help in predicting heart disease in men, unlike women where it was a good predictor of risk of heart attack and death.
A prospective study of adults with type 2 diabetes found non-traditional risk factors for heart disease, including albumin and fibrinogen levels. Women internists in Pennsylvania earned 14% less per hour than male counterparts. Low body weight was linked to increased fracture risk in women.
Researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center have developed a more reliable way to measure physical fitness in elderly people. The new method, called OUES, calculates oxygen uptake efficiency slope and can be completed without requiring maximum effort, making it suitable for patients with heart disease or kidney failure.
A new study by the University at Buffalo has found that African Americans and Mexican Americans experience significantly poorer oral health than white Americans. The research, based on national data from 1988-94, shows that nearly half of African American men and one-third of African American women had periodontal disease, compared to ...
A study found that the plasmin system, which regulates blood clots, may also play a role in Alzheimer's disease. The researchers suggest that destroying amyloid-beta protein deposits with tPA could be a potential treatment for the disease. Further research is needed to confirm this model and explore its effectiveness.
A study found that folic acid supplements and fortified breakfast cereals are effective in lowering plasma tHcy, with significant decreases of 24% and 21% respectively. Increased consumption of folate-rich foods had a lesser effect on homocysteine levels.
A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that smoking is responsible for more than half of periodontal disease cases among adults in the US. Quitting smoking can gradually erase the harmful effects on periodontal health.
A new University of Florida study reveals that consuming folate-rich foods daily can significantly reduce homocysteine levels, a risk factor for heart disease, in postmenopausal women. The research suggests that improving folate intake is crucial for older women's health.
A study analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that depression increases the risk of coronary heart disease in both men and women. In contrast, depressed men have a higher risk of death from CHD compared to their non-depressed counterparts.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that people with high hostility and anger levels showed higher homocysteine concentrations, associated with coronary heart disease. The study also revealed that men are more likely to have higher homocysteine levels due to increased hostility and inhibition of anger.
Researchers have identified a crucial gene defect that hinders the ability of cells to repair DNA damage caused by oxidative stress. This deficiency may lead to diseases such as Cockayne's syndrome and increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
A study found that young women with diseases requiring strict diets may experience unhealthy eating attitudes and behaviors, which can increase the risk of vascular complications and brain damage. The research highlights the need for clinicians to monitor signs of disordered eating in patients with chronic diseases.
Researchers at UB School of Dental Medicine found a strong link between obesity and gum disease, with overweight individuals showing a 50% increased risk of severe periodontal disease. The study also suggests that bacteria in the mouth may contribute to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
A new study found that smokers carrying the gene GSTT1 face almost twice the risk of heart problems as non-smokers. The study analyzed data from over 14,000 participants and found that individuals without the gene had a 60% greater risk of heart problems if they smoked.
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has discovered a crucial link between coxsackievirus B and heart failure, identifying the key gene p56Ick as the trigger for this deadly disease. The finding may lead to new treatment strategies and more targeted predictions of who is at risk of developing heart disease.
A UNC-CH study reveals that fewer than 5,000 patients in North Carolina use cardiac rehabilitation services despite being eligible for Medicare coverage, leading to concerns about disparities among women and minority groups who are disproportionately affected by heart disease.
A new study of 309 older women found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) did not slow the progression of heart disease. HRT lowered cholesterol, but this benefit did not translate to a measurable impact on artery narrowing.
A study led by Johns Hopkins researchers found that patients with fulminant myocarditis can fully recover from the condition within two weeks without much damage to the heart or chance of relapse. Effective treatments include medications and mechanical pumps, which can increase blood flow and assist heart function.
A study by Yale researchers found that 24% of elderly people experience recurring dizziness, which may be caused by multiple problems. The condition, referred to as a geriatric syndrome, can be effectively treated by identifying and addressing contributing factors.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researcher Edward Suarez found that stress triggers an immune response in people with low serotonin levels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Subjects with normal or high serotonin levels showed no increased immune response under stressful conditions.
Researchers found that high cholesterol levels did not indicate serious blockage of coronary arteries in patients who underwent bypass surgery. Elevated oxysterol levels were present in those with blocked arteries, highlighting the need for further heart disease screenings.
A new study published in the American Heart Association finds that eating legumes, such as beans and peas, at least four times a week can lower the risk of heart disease by 19%. The study examined data from over 11,000 men and women and found that frequent bean-eaters had a 9% reduced risk for all forms of cardiovascular disease.
A study found that electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) scans are significantly better than traditional risk factors in categorizing heart disease risk. Combining EBCT with risk factors improved the ability to assess an individual's heart disease risk, making it a useful tool for early treatment and prevention.