Articles tagged with Heart Failure
Global heart failure cases rose from 33.5 million in 1990 to 64.3 million in 2017, mainly due to increased risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. The prevalence of heart failure decreased only in high-income countries, while it increased in low- and middle-income countries.
A recent study found that drinking one or more cups of caffeinated coffee per day is associated with a decreased long-term heart failure risk. The analysis revealed a significant decrease in heart failure risk over time, ranging from 5-12% per cup per day of coffee consumption.
Researchers found that Black individuals show signs of diminished heart muscle strength and higher blood pressure from early childhood, increasing the risk of congestive heart failure. Midwall fractional shortening analysis revealed a decrease in cardiac muscle function over time, associated with increased risk.
A study in mice suggests that iron processing in the body may contribute to heart failure, and blocking this process could be a way of protecting the heart. Researchers found that inhibiting the release of stored iron can reduce cell death and stabilize oxygen levels.
Vericiguat, a first-of-its-kind treatment, reduces rates of death or hospitalization due to heart failure by 10% in patients with worsening chronic heart failure. The drug works by stimulating an enzyme that enhances heart function and helps blood vessels relax.
A study of nearly 108,000 people found that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a 16% increased risk of atrial fibrillation over 14 years. Regular drinking of even one small alcoholic drink per day may increase the risk, suggesting that low doses of alcohol can trigger atrial fibrillation.
Researchers found that statin users were 55% less likely to be treated at the hospital for heart failure after anthracycline treatment, and 54% less likely with trastuzumab treatment. Statins may be a potential intervention for preventing heart failure in patients receiving chemotherapy.
A new study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that COVID-19 infection nearly doubles the risk of death in patients with acute heart failure. The research highlights the need for extra precautions to be taken by these patients, including vaccination and social distancing.
New research from Johns Hopkins Medicine has uncovered that greater obesity seems to make muscle contraction much weaker in this very common form of heart failure. The study found that in patients with severe obesity, the force response to high calcium was reduced by 40%, suggesting that obesity is the key factor.
This issue of CVIA features papers on current management strategies for patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, as well as a systematic review on epicardial adipose tissue in obstructive sleep apnea. The journal also presents research on detecting myocardial infarction using late gadolinium enhancement MRI.
A study found novel biomarkers associated with incident heart failure, including adiponectin and pyruvate, which were linked to increased risk after 8.8 years of follow-up. Chronic inflammation and metabolic changes were also identified as key factors.
A new study from University of Alberta researchers found that women are at a 20% higher risk of dying or experiencing heart failure after a heart attack compared to men. The study examined data on over 45,000 Canadians who were hospitalized for their first heart attack between 2002 and 2016.
Exercise reduces severity of heart failure, improves heart function, and increases work capacity in rats with heart disease. High-intensity training reverses dysfunctional calcium handling and improves electrical signals in the heart.
A study by the American College of Cardiology found that fracking sites may increase heart failure hospitalizations across large regions. Environmental impacts of fracking, including air pollution and heavy truck traffic, can lead to adverse respiratory effects and worsening cardiac health.
Researchers analyzed data on over 45,000 patients hospitalized for their first heart attack between 2002-2016. The study found that women were older and faced more risk factors than men, which put them at a higher risk of developing heart failure after a heart attack. Women also had lower rates of prescribed medications and revasculari...
A study published by the American Heart Association found that older women who spend more waking hours in sedentary behaviors have an increased risk of heart failure serious enough to require hospitalization. Breaking free from prolonged sitting or lying down can help prevent this serious condition.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a potential treatment for heart failure after a significant heart attack. MCB-613, a small molecule stimulator, has been shown to decrease damaging remodeling and inhibit the development of heart failure in mice.
A pediatric patient with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery developed severe heart failure at 3 months old. The authors review a case and discuss the challenges in early diagnosis, highlighting the importance of considering ALCAPA as a differential diagnosis.
A novel drug target has been identified for neonatal and infant heart failure, a condition with no specific treatment. The target stimulates cardiac contractility in newborns and infants with minimal side effects, offering new possibilities for pediatric heart failure treatment.
A randomized controlled trial found that patients with heart failure who received pre-recorded audio messages about self-care at home had lower readmission rates and reduced mortality. The study suggests that clear, consistent messages can improve patient outcomes and may lead to innovative methods of enhancing discharge information.
Adults with healthy sleep patterns had a 42% lower risk of heart failure compared to those with unhealthy sleep patterns, according to the study. The researchers analyzed data from 408,802 UK Biobank participants and found that healthier sleep habits were independently associated with reduced risk of heart failure.
The SCORED and SOLOIST trials demonstrate the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease or recent worsening heart failure. These trials show significant reductions in cardiovascular events, including deaths, hospitalizations, and strokes.
A study of patients with acute heart failure found that intravenous iron replacement reduced hospital readmissions by 26% after just one or two injections. Iron deficiency is a common complication, and correcting it may be an effective strategy for preventing recurrent hospitalizations.
Empagliflozin improves heart function, reduces dilation and hypertrophy of the left ventricle, increasing ejection fraction. The medication also enhances exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with heart failure, leading to reduced hospitalization rates.
A new medication has been shown to reduce the risk of heart failure-related events in patients with reduced ejection fraction. The study found that omecamtiv mecarbil, a novel heart medicine, had a greater effect on patients with lower ejection fractions.
Brigham researchers present findings on the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapies in reducing cardiovascular events and deaths in both younger and older patients. Additionally, a study reveals that over 80% of heart failure patients are eligible for recently FDA-approved SGLT2 inhibitor therapy.
A study suggests that losing fat mass, but not lean mass, is key for heart health in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Reducing body fat and waist circumference lowers the risk of heart failure in this population.
A study published in the British Journal of General Practice found that poor awareness of Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) leads to missed diagnosis and treatment opportunities. The condition affects half of all heart failure cases in England, but frequently goes undiagnosed due to lack of understanding among clin...
A study published in Nature Metabolism found that high fat and low carbohydrate diets can completely prevent or even reverse heart failure caused by a metabolic process. The research team discovered that providing a high-fat, low carbohydrate diet can improve cardiac fat metabolism and prevent or reverse cardiac dysfunction.
Researchers report a promising emerging treatment that combines medications with temporary use of an artificial heart pump to reverse structural damage in the heart. In a multicenter study, 40 advanced heart failure patients were treated with this protocol, resulting in high rates of LVAD removal and improved cardiovascular health.
A new research letter found that clinicians gave more patients temporary mechanical pumps under the new policy, moving them up the transplant list. This could lead to a higher likelihood of prioritizing male patients over females.
The MITHRAS trial found that interventional closure of an iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) driven by transcatheter mitral valve repair was not superior to conservative medical treatment. The study also revealed that the presence of a persistent iASD is associated with increased long-term mortality and morbidity following TMVR.
A recent study has provided a detailed picture of fuel and nutrient use by the human heart, establishing a new framework for studying heart function in health and disease. The study found that healthy hearts rely heavily on fatty acids as energy sources, while failing hearts consume more ketones and release more amino acids.
Researchers found that older adults with heart failure are frequently prescribed 10 or more medications upon hospital discharge, leading to potential adverse effects. The study highlights the need for improved medication review processes to balance treatment benefits and risks.
A study of 3,503 patients found beta blocker use reduced mortality by 21% among those starting dialysis. This association supports the routine use of beta blockers for heart failure patients initiating dialysis.
After surviving a heart attack, women are experiencing greater declines in recurrent events than men. Despite improvements, the rate of recurrent heart attacks and death remains high among survivors.
The study data show that Procizumab promptly restored cardiac dysfunction in a preclinical sepsis model by inhibiting the cardiac depressant factor DPP3. The administration of Procizumab improved heart function by increasing cardiac output, stroke volume, and left ventricular shortening fraction.
Researchers at UC Davis Health have made a breakthrough in using stem cell treatments for heart disease. By blocking an enzyme linked with inflammation, they were able to increase the survival of transplanted stem cells and improve cardiac function. This discovery could lead to a cellular-based treatment for heart failure.
Researchers have identified a potential new treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using an acne drug. A single mutation in the RBM20 gene was found to cause the disease, and increasing expression of this protein may overcome the insufficient expression seen in patients with DCM.
The PARALLAX trial found that sacubitril/valsartan reduces NT-proBNP levels by 16.4% compared to individualised medical therapy, indicating improved heart failure severity. However, functional capacity was not improved, with no significant difference in six-minute walk distance between groups at week 24.
The EMPEROR-Reduced trial found that empagliflozin significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, as well as adverse renal outcomes. By extending benefits to higher-risk patients, this trial supports the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in heart failure treatment.
A study of nearly 3 million Americans found that influenza and pneumonia vaccinations significantly reduced hospital death rates among patients with heart failure. Vaccination coverage remains low, but the study's findings support annual immunizations for patients with heart failure to prevent respiratory infections.
A new study from Lund University reveals a significant link between cognitive impairment and increased risk of rehospitalization and death in heart failure patients. The study, which examined 281 patients, shows that those with impaired cognitive function are more likely to experience poor outcomes.
A new US study found that socioeconomic factors are linked to heart failure mortality rates in the United States. The study analyzed over 1.2 million deaths from heart failure across 3,048 counties between 1999 and 2018, revealing significant disparities in mortality rates based on measures of wealth and social deprivation.
A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals a significant increase in mortality rates due to heart failure and hypertensive heart disease among Black women and men. Despite advancements in heart disease management, the death rate for these conditions rose by 3.5% and 4.8%, respectively, between 2011-2018.
Researchers have found that the shape and structure of muscle fibres in the heart impact its performance and risk of heart failure. The study, published in Nature, reveals how these 'trabeculae' work and develop, and their importance to human health.
A new study published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure found that mental stress and anger can exacerbate heart failure by worsening diastolic function. Patients who experienced anger during the study exhibited worse baseline resting blood pressure, while most participants showed stress-provoked changes in diastolic function.
Research published in ESC Heart Failure suggests that pupil area can predict prognosis in patients with heart failure. Patients with a small pupil area were found to have a significantly poorer survival rate and higher risk of readmission for heart failure compared to those with a large pupil area.
Hospitalized patients with heart failure experience increasing comorbidity burden over time, particularly women with HFpEF. The study suggests a shift towards multi-morbidity heart failure, emphasizing the importance of managing multiple conditions in guiding patient care.
Researchers have discovered a new pathway that could potentially treat heart failure, with the ability to alter SERCA, a key enzyme in the heart's contraction process. A new model has also been developed to predict the impact of heart muscle cells on heart function after injury.
A new study led by Penn State finds that LCCBs can cause vascular remodeling, reducing blood flow and increasing pressure. This damage can lead to an increased risk of heart failure in patients taking the medication.
A new diagnostic test for heart failure patients has been found to also predict COVID-19 patient outcomes, highlighting the connection between cardiovascular disease and COVID-19. The test measures a balance of beneficial and harmful peptides in the blood, suggesting that targeting this pathway could improve treatment for both conditions.
Researchers developed a new use for a common blood test to adjust T3 dosage, suggesting improved cardiac function and reversal of heart failure genes. The study suggests that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels can be used to titrate T3 required, providing a potentially life-saving treatment for heart failure.
Researchers from Kanazawa University developed a new predictor using machine learning to identify patients at risk of sudden arrhythmic cardiac death and heart failure death. The model uses iodine-123 labelled MIBG and standard clinical tests to discriminate between high-risk and low-risk patients.
Between 2007 and 2016, standardized hospitalization rates declined for coronary artery and vascular disease, heart rhythm disorders, stroke, and heart failure. However, there were notable increases for acquired valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, and vascular cognitive impairment.
Researchers found that in-person and remote assessments of jugular venous pressure often agreed, correlating with right atrial pressure measurements. The study's results could enable more frequent checks and reduce trips to the doctor's office for heart failure patients.
A new study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes journal found that people with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes who develop heart failure have the highest 5-year risk of death, three times higher than those without heart or kidney disease. Researchers also identified patients with cardiovascular or kidney disea...
Researchers at the University of South Florida Health have identified a mouse model that mimics human heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) syndrome. The study found that mice deficient in a receptor needed to clear chronic inflammation develop obesity and heart failure, offering new potential targets for therapies.
A new smartphone app uses voice recordings to detect fluid in the lungs of heart failure patients, allowing for early intervention and potentially preventing hospitalizations. The app requires a daily 30-second recording, which is compared to a personalized 'healthy' model to identify subtle changes.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association finds that palliative care significantly lowers rehospitalization rates and improves patient outcomes for those with heart failure. Palliative care added to standard treatment plans can reduce hospital readmissions by up to 25%.