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CRF® announces 2024 SET-10 Rankings

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation recognizes 29 leading institutions for their contributions to groundbreaking research advancing interventional cardiovascular medicine. The 2024 SET-10 rankings celebrate institutions making significant impacts across various categories, including basic science and clinical research.

Common consumer product chemicals now tied to cardiac electrical changes

An interdisciplinary study found associations between exposure to environmental phenols like BPA and triclocarban and altered cardiac electrical activity, particularly in women with higher body mass indexes. Researchers identified moderate changes to cardiac electrical activity that could exacerbate existing heart disease or arrhythmias.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalEnvironmental Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 3, 2024

The Lancet Public Health: Accelerating actions to eliminate tobacco smoking could help increase life expectancy and prevent millions of premature deaths by 2050, modelling study suggests

A modelling study suggests that reducing tobacco smoking globally to 5% by 2050 could increase life expectancy and prevent millions of premature deaths. Accelerating actions to eliminate tobacco smoking could result in up to 1.5 additional years of life expectancy among males and 0.4 years among females.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 2, 2024

Study: Time-restricted eating may improve health of adults with metabolic syndrome

A recent study found that limiting food consumption within a 10-hour window per day improved key indicators of heart health in adults with metabolic syndrome. The study demonstrated significant reductions in blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as lower levels of hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar management.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 30, 2024

World's first individual gene mutation test for predicting risk of sudden cardiac death

A new individualized risk prediction tool has been developed to predict the severity of heart disease in people suffering from Long QT syndrome. The test analyzes genetic mutations associated with the condition and can identify those at high risk of sudden cardiac death, allowing for tailored treatment.

SourceVictor Chang Cardiac Research Institute·JournalCirculation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 25, 2024

Underserved patients reduce blood pressure and heart disease risk using remote monitoring program

A remote monitoring program called DIG IT improved blood pressure control and reduced heart disease risk in underserved patients. The study found that patients who used the program had a 31-point average drop in systolic blood pressure and nearly 73% reached their blood pressure goals within three months.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 23, 2024

A simple blood test warns of possible cardiometabolic complications for children with obesity

A study from the University of Copenhagen detected lipid biomarkers in obese children that indicate a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, liver, and heart disease later in life. A one-year lifestyle intervention lowered these biomarkers, demonstrating the importance of early intervention for children with obesity.

The Lancet Neurology: Air pollution, high temperatures, and metabolic risk factors driving global increases in stroke, with latest figures estimating 12 million cases and over 7 million deaths from stroke each year

The global stroke burden has increased significantly over the past three decades, driven by rising levels of air pollution, high temperatures, and metabolic risk factors. The study found that the number of people experiencing new strokes rose to 11.9 million in 2021, with an additional 93.8 million survivors and 7.3 million deaths.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 18, 2024

Risk of clots, stroke from incorrect blood thinner dosing reduced using online dashboard

Researchers found that adopting an electronic patient management system for direct oral anticoagulants reduced off-label dosing by 8%, while also decreasing the rate of blood clots and strokes. The online dashboard, used at over 120 hospitals, highlights treatment optimization and improves patient safety.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeObservational study·DateSep 17, 2024

Evidence shows that estrogen blocker treatment does not increase the risk of coronary heart disease in breast cancer patients

New study finds that extended estrogen suppression using aromatase inhibitors for hormone receptor-positive postmenopausal breast cancer is safe and does not increase the risk of coronary artery calcification. The duration of treatment and presence of osteoporosis were not associated with increased coronary artery calcification scores.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 17, 2024

Is hormone therapy good for heart health?

A new study based on Women's Health Initiative data suggests that certain estrogen-based hormone therapies may have a beneficial impact on cardiovascular biomarkers, except for triglycerides. The study found significant improvements in HDL-C and LDL-C levels, as well as reductions in insulin resistance and lipoprotein(a) levels.

Diagnostic tool identifies puzzling inflammatory diseases in kids

A Cornell University-led collaboration has developed a machine learning model that uses cell-free molecular RNA dregs to diagnose pediatric inflammatory conditions, including Kawasaki disease and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children. The diagnostic tool accurately determines the patient's condition while monitoring organ health.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2024

Can wearable activity trackers detect disease?

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies with 1.2 million participants found that wearable technology can accurately detect conditions such as heart rate variability, blood pressure, oxygen levels, sleep quality, skin temperature, hydration, and stress levels. The study suggests that wearable activity trackers could r...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJMIR mhealth and uhealth·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 2, 2024

Inflammation during childhood linked to onset of mental health issues in early adulthood – study reveals

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that children with persistently raised inflammation are at a higher risk of experiencing serious mental health disorders, including psychosis and depression, in early adulthood. The research also discovered that those who experienced inflammation at a young age were more likely to devel...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateAug 21, 2024

Cleveland Clinic study adds to increasing evidence that sugar substitute erythritol raises cardiovascular risk

A new study by the Cleveland Clinic found that consuming foods with erythritol increases the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. The artificial sweetener makes platelets more active, which can raise blood clot risks. This research adds to evidence that erythritol may not be as safe as previously thought.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalArteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology·DateAug 8, 2024

Risks of anxiety, suicide attempt may rise significantly after cardiovascular hospitalization

A new analysis found that people hospitalized for heart disease, stroke, or cardiovascular diseases are 83% more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or other psychiatric conditions within the first year after hospitalization. Early mental health screening and intervention are crucial for patients and their loved ones.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJul 31, 2024

Physical activity improves early with customized text messages in patients with heart problems

Researchers found that personalized text messages effectively increased physical activity among patients after significant heart events, with Apple Watch users showing a 10% increase in step count. However, the benefits later tapered off as patients became accustomed to the messages.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCirculation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 24, 2024

Weight gain in young and middle-aged adults is linked to poor heart health in older age

A major study found that people who gained excess weight from their 20s onwards had less healthy hearts by the time they were in their 60s. The researchers linked weight gain in young and middle-aged adults to enlarged hearts that pump blood less well, over and above the effect of being overweight in later years.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2024

Off-the-shelf wearable trackers provide clinically-useful information for patients with heart disease

A study published in Nature Medicine found that off-the-shelf wearable trackers can monitor the response to two treatments for atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The devices provided clinically useful information similar to in-person hospital assessments, with a neural network helping to analyze missing data.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 15, 2024

Artificial intelligence speeds up heart scans, saving doctors’ time, and could lead to better treatment for heart conditions

Researchers developed an AI model to analyze heart MRI scans, which can save NHS time and resources. The model provides a complete analysis of the entire heart using a view that shows all four chambers, leading to faster and more accurate diagnosis of heart failure and other cardiac conditions.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEuropean Radiology Experimental·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 11, 2024

Active plant substance reduces pulmonary hypertension

Researchers found that a compound from the Ardisia crenat houseplant inhibits Gq proteins, which can help relax pulmonary vessels and alleviate symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. The study showed significant vascular relaxation in mice with pulmonary hypertension, improving their health condition.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2024