Research on heart failure and its treatment. Covers light exposure, heart-in-a-dish models, microRNA therapy, and surgical interventions.
A University of Chicago study found that older adults living near fracking sites in Pennsylvania had higher rates of cardiovascular disease hospitalizations compared to those in nearby New York state. The study linked exposure to air and water pollution from fracking activity to increased health outcomes.
A new study shows that transcatheter mitral valve repair significantly reduces hospitalizations by almost 50 percent and death by nearly 30 percent in heart failure patients with severe mitral regurgitation. The procedure, using Abbott's MitraClip system, improves symptoms, reduces hospitalizations, and leads to longer survival.
A new study found that walking an additional 500 steps per day was associated with a 14% lower risk of heart disease, stroke or heart failure. This benefit is significant for older adults, as most studies have focused on early-to-midlife adults.
Researchers at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center discovered that S-nitrosohemoglobin senses areas with insufficient oxygen and restores blood flow for oxygenation. This breakthrough opens up a new line of drug development to correct poor tissue oxygenation, including peripheral artery disease and sickle cell disease.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that participating in home-based cardiac rehabilitation was associated with a 36% lower likelihood of death from heart-related complications among US military veterans within four years. The study analyzed data from 1,120 veterans who enrolled in a 12-week hom...
Researchers at Rutgers University used artificial intelligence to analyze genes associated with cardiovascular disease, identifying key factors such as age, gender, and race. The study aims to accelerate early diagnosis and treatment of conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
A new cell therapy has demonstrated significant benefits in improving the heart's pumping ability and reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke in patients with chronic heart failure. The therapy, using mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs), also showed a strong signal in reducing inflammation and improving microv...
Researchers estimate that up to 2% of adults in these regions have heart failure, with significant health risks and costs. The study analyzed digital health records from 11 countries and found that preventive treatment should focus on stopping further worsening of heart failure and kidney function.
Health systems nationwide are committing to better heart failure patient care through the American Heart Association's IMPLEMENT-HF initiative, which aims to bridge gaps in care and improve outcomes. The program uses established data collection approaches to develop new standards for heart failure patient management.
A multinational study of over 600,000 heart failure patients found that the disease is relatively fatal, with an average annual death rate of 13%, and results in high healthcare costs. The study also identified new treatment opportunities for heart failure with preserved left ventricular function.
Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children have discovered that dysregulation of energy production is an early sign of heart failure. They found that lysine demethylase 8 (Kdm8) helps maintain balanced energy use, but its suppression leads to changes in metabolism.
A new study found that a medication previously used to treat seizures can reprogram donor hearts to boost the production of beneficial enzymes, increasing storage time and improving post-transplant function. This technology could lead to a paradigm shift in extending heart storage and reducing primary graft dysfunction.
Researchers found that pacing patients at faster heart rates improved quality of life, physical activity, and reduced atrial fibrillation. This new treatment approach shows promise in treating heart failure with a stiff heart muscle.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people hospitalized for sepsis are at a higher risk of heart failure and rehospitalization within 12 years. The researchers analyzed data from over 2 million adults who survived non-surgical hospitalizations between 2009 and 2019.
A large study published in JACC: Heart Failure found that social isolation and loneliness are associated with higher rates of heart failure. However, feelings of loneliness were found to be a stronger predictor of heart failure risk than objective social isolation. The study suggests that effective tools for screening social isolation ...
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that rurality is associated with a higher risk of heart failure among predominantly low-income individuals in the southeastern United States. The inequity highlights the need for targeted primary prevention efforts for rural populations.
A large NIH-supported study found that adults living in rural areas have a 19% higher risk of developing heart failure than those in urban areas. Rural-dwelling Black men face the greatest risk, with a 34% increased risk compared to urban counterparts.
A large observational study found that heart failure risk is 19% higher for adults living in rural areas of the US compared to urban areas, with a significant disparity in Black men. The study highlights race- and sex-based inequities in heart failure risk, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to prevent heart failure.
Researchers have discovered an anti-ageing gene that can rewind the heart's biological age by 10 years, offering a potential target for patients with heart failure. The study found that administering the healthy mutant gene to elderly patients with severe heart problems improved their cardiac function and rejuvenated their immune system.
A large clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health found that two widely used diuretics, furosemide and torsemide, did not differ in improving patient survival when compared. The study suggests a need for better treatments for heart failure patients and highlights the importance of optimizing diuretic doses to improv...
Researchers found that patients with low comorbidity groups who received more frequent phone calls had improved outcomes, including reduced mortality and longer hospital stays. The intervention involved regular calls from nurses to monitor patient response and address any unusual symptoms.
A recent study found that patients treated at centers that don't perform transplants have a 79% higher odds of being denied bridge-to-transplant designation. This change could exacerbate existing disparities in access to heart transplantation, according to the research team.
A new study found that approximately three percent of all bone scan patients have markers of cardiac amyloidosis, which can lead to heart failure and increased mortality. The research highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, as well as potential automated detection methods using machine-learning algorithms.
A team of researchers has identified a protein called hemopexin that may help protect the heart from damage caused by anthracycline chemotherapy. Levels of hemopexin in the blood were associated with increased cardiac toxicity, but administering hemopexin prevented the development of cardiac dysfunction in mice.
A new study found that older heart failure patients who feel they have lost their social role amongst friends and family are more likely to suffer poor clinical outcomes. The study highlights the need for a management program that includes a social approach to care, as social frailty is linked to worse outcomes.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discovered that common cancer treatments cause long-term damage to heart tissue by activating a key inflammatory signaling pathway. Inhibiting this pathway may reduce the risk of cancer survivors developing heart disease later in life.
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic found that elevated levels of phenylacetylglutamine, a byproduct of gut microbiome breakdown, increase heart failure risk and severity. This discovery suggests potential approaches to modify PAG-associated risks through diet and beta blocker use.
Researchers will investigate the relationship between heart function and aorta stiffness to identify risk factors for heart failure in Hispanics/Latinos, who are disproportionately affected by this condition. The study aims to develop new methods for predicting and preventing heart failure in underrepresented populations.
Researchers found dapagliflozin reduces primary composite outcome in patients with heart failure and improved ejection fraction. The SGLT2 inhibitor may benefit this growing patient population with high risk for adverse outcomes.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University have developed a prototype of a novel wearable device that can continuously monitor physiological parameters associated with heart failure in real-time. The device uses sensors embedded in a lightweight belt to track thoracic impedance, electrocardiogram, heart rate, and motion activity, pro...
Cardiac reprogramming converts scar tissue into healthy heart muscle, reducing fibrosis and improving heart function in mice with chronic myocardial infarction. This approach could lead to a new treatment for patients with heart attack and heart failure.
A new study found that extreme temperatures are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular death, particularly heart failure, which was the leading cause of death globally. The research analyzed data from 32 million cardiovascular deaths in 567 cities across 27 countries between 1979 and 2019.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement highlights the potential benefits and risks of complementary and alternative therapies for heart failure. The statement advises healthcare professionals to discuss CAM use with patients, monitor medication interactions, and consider pharmacists' consultations.
The prevalence of methamphetamine-associated heart failure is rising worldwide, affecting a wide range of socio-economic and racial groups. Meth users are more likely to develop severe disease, with longer hospital stays and readmissions, compared to non-users.
A new gene therapy approach has been developed to boost the expression of the beta-3 adrenergic receptor in heart cells, improving mitochondrial function and preventing or reversing heart failure in a mouse model of aortic stenosis. This could potentially provide new therapeutic options for patients with this condition.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a protocol to reprogram human heart cells into specialized cells that conduct electricity, enabling rhythmic heartbeat and repair diseased hearts. The discovery could lead to improved cardiac function and new pharmacological therapies for heart diseases.
A new study from Mount Sinai Hospital finds a strong association between age-related macular degeneration and severe forms of heart disease, including heart failure, heart attacks, and stroke. The study highlights the importance of increased screening for eye disorders to diagnose undetected heart disease.
Researchers report new findings from a landmark transplant, showing unexpected heart conduction measures that did not contribute to failure. The study suggests genetic modifications made to the pig's heart were not responsible for causing these changes.
A University of Gothenburg study found that severe obesity at age 18 is associated with a three- to fourfold increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation in younger middle age. The study analyzed data from over 1.7 million men in Sweden and found that higher BMI was linked to mortality risk, heart failure, and ischemic stroke.
A recent study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that dapagliflozin consistently improved outcomes for both men and women with heart failure, regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated in both sexes, suggesting a lack of sex-specific indications for this class of HF therapies.
A new comprehensive guideline, C-CHANGE, offers 83 actionable recommendations to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease in Canadian adults. The updated resource incorporates new or revised recommendations from 11 guideline groups, addressing key risk factors such as dietary habits, smoking, and physical activity.
A new study found that rapid optimization of oral heart failure medications reduced the risk of dying or being readmitted for heart failure within six months after discharge. The STRONG-HF trial enrolled over 1,000 people hospitalized for acute heart failure and showed significant improvement in outcomes with high-intensity care.
A new study has shown that SGLT-2 inhibitors, a type of diabetes medication, can decrease cardiovascular risk in adults with chronic kidney disease. The meta-analysis included results from 13 major clinical trials and found a 28% lower risk of worsening kidney disease and death from cardiovascular disease.
A randomized study compared the effects of torsemide and furosemide in people with heart failure. The study found that both loop diuretics were effective in reducing death and hospitalization rates, with no significant clinical difference between the two medications.
A new study found that long-term treatment with intravenous iron improved symptoms and reduced recurrent hospitalizations among people with heart failure and iron deficiency. The treatment was associated with a significant benefit on reducing the risk of heart failure hospitalization and cardiovascular death.
Researchers evaluated the safety and efficacy of NTLA-2001 in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. The results showed significant reductions in circulating TTR protein levels, which were sustained for up to six months after treatment.
Researchers found that two common diuretics, chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide, had no difference in cardiovascular outcomes among study participants. However, those taking chlorthalidone showed a reduced risk of heart disease and death by an average of 27% among patients with a history of heart attack or stroke.
A new decision support tool used in emergency departments has been shown to reduce 30-day all-cause death or cardiovascular hospitalization rates by 12% in heart failure patients. The validated tool, developed using data analytics, helps clinicians determine risk categories and inform admission or discharge decisions.
A study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network found that breast cancer survivorship has doubled among Canadian women, with 2.1% of adult females diagnosed with breast cancer and 86% surviving by 2022. The prevalence varies by age group, with senior women having a higher rate of survival.
A recent study published in Nature Communications identified a root cause of chronic heart failure following a heart attack, revealing that iron drives the formation of fatty tissue in the heart. This discovery has the potential to prevent heart failure in nearly half a million people in the US and millions more worldwide.
Dr. David Kass, a Johns Hopkins professor, has advanced understanding of heart disease and its treatments through pioneering clinical studies and molecular research. His work has led to the development of new therapies for heart failure, obesity, muscular dystrophy, and potentially immunotherapy for cancer.
Researchers tracked participants for almost 30 years and found a link between past exposure to intimate partner violence and future cardiovascular health. The study suggests that intimate partner violence is associated with a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure hospitalizations.
A recent analysis of COVID-19-positive donor heart transplants found no significant differences in transplant outcomes compared to those from non-COVID-19 donors. The study's results suggest that COVID-19-positive hearts may be as safe for transplantation, potentially addressing the shortage of available donor organs.
Dr. Christine E. Seidman, a renowned physician-scientist, has made groundbreaking discoveries in genetics and cardiomyopathy, leading to new pharmacological treatments. Her work has improved our understanding of disease risks and has led to unique targeted therapies.
Dr. Eldrin F. Lewis, a clinician scientist at Stanford University School of Medicine, has been awarded the 2022 Clinical Research Prize by the American Heart Association. His work focuses on improving quality of life and care delivery models for patients with heart failure through point-of-care initiatives.
A new study found that living in a community with easy access to grocery stores and affordable, healthy food is associated with lower heart failure death rates. The research analyzed data from nearly 3,000 counties in the US and found that food insecurity is linked to increased rates of death from heart failure.
Researchers from Hokkaido University have identified a link between succinyl-CoA levels and energy metabolism in heart cells affected by chronic heart failure. Supplementation with 5-aminolevulinate acid improved heart function and oxidative phosphorylation capacity in mice with surgically blocked blood supply.
A large UK Biobank study found that COVID-19 infection is associated with a heightened risk of poor cardiovascular health and death, particularly among those who require hospital admission. The risk remains elevated for some time after the initial infection.
A new study found that a specific genetic mutation can protect the heart from the damaging effects of high blood pressure, unlike in other individuals. The researchers discovered that this mutation leads to overactive phosphodiesterase 3A enzyme production, but unexpectedly does not cause cardiac hypertrophy or heart failure.
A recent NIH-supported study found that Black adults treated at advanced heart failure centers received potentially life-changing therapies, such as transplants and heart pumps, about half as often as white adults due to racial bias. The researchers also suggest that unconscious bias and overt racism may be driving these disparities.