Articles tagged with Heart Failure
A new study in Circulation presents evidence that fluid redistribution from the abdominal compartment to the heart and lungs may cause heart failure. The study used splanchnic nerve block to demonstrate this phenomenon in patients with acute heart failure, improving symptoms such as shortness of breath.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a potential new way to treat fluid buildup in heart failure by shutting off the spigot causing it. The procedure improved symptoms in five acute heart failure patients and showed significant reductions in pressures inside the heart and increases in cardiac output.
Researchers have discovered a genetic link between alcohol consumption and heart failure, specifically in individuals with a faulty titin gene. The study found that even moderate amounts of alcohol intake can worsen the condition by reducing heart output in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy caused by the faulty gene.
A population-based study in Gothenburg, Sweden identifies BMI change during puberty as a potential novel risk factor for adult heart failure in men. Boys who were normal weight at 8 years of age and became overweight during puberty were three times more likely to be diagnosed with heart failure as adults.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that social isolation in patients with heart failure can lead to a higher risk of death and hospitalization. The research, which surveyed over 1,600 patients with heart failure, revealed that those who reported high levels of social isolation were 3.7 times mo...
The study found that Medicaid expansion was associated with a decline in ICU admission rates among patients with ambulatory-care sensitive conditions. Rates of uninsurance and Medicaid coverage increased significantly in expansion states, suggesting improved access to care.
A recent study by Kaiser Permanente found that hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury have a 44% higher relative risk of heart failure within one year of discharge compared to those without acute kidney injury. This increased risk highlights the importance of monitoring for signs of heart failure in these patients.
A new algorithm developed by UCLA researchers more accurately predicts which people will survive heart failure and for how long. The algorithm provides significantly better predictions than current methods, allowing doctors to make personalized assessments and potentially reduce healthcare costs.
A new study reveals that acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events, particularly heart failure, in patients even after discharge from the hospital. Researchers found that AKI was linked to an 18% increased risk of composite outcomes including heart failure and atherosclerotic events.
A study of 138 VA medical centers found wide variations in mortality rates for patients with ischemic heart disease and chronic heart failure. Mortality rates ranged from 5.5% to 9.4% for ischemic heart disease and 11.1% to 18.9% for chronic heart failure.
A study of over 11,000 American adults found that increasing physical activity to recommended levels over six years in middle age significantly decreases the risk of heart failure. Conversely, a decrease in physical activity during this period is linked to an increased risk of the disorder.
Researchers uncover clue to disease process development by identifying novel way to control innate immune response, which may translate to treatments for conditions such as atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, and heart failure. Animal studies support finding, showing mice with mutated sNASP proteins are more susceptible to septic infection.
Researchers have identified protein clumping in the hearts of mice and people with heart failure, suggesting a potential link between the two conditions. The team used non-invasive PET scans to visualize the clumps, which could lead to advances in monitoring disease progression and testing new therapies.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai will compare evidence-based approaches for treating depressive symptoms in people with advanced heart failure, aiming to improve quality of life and outcomes. The study is part of a larger effort to address the significant challenge of treating depression in heart failure patients.
The MitraClip device has demonstrated improved echocardiogram measurements and six-minute walk test outcomes, with significant reductions in left ventricle volume and NYHA classification. The study also showed substantial improvement in quality of life outcomes for patients with mitral valve regurgitation.
Researchers found mice with induced heart failure fared better after being treated with antibiotics for five weeks, which sterilized the gut. This suggests that modulating the microbiota could modulate T cell activation and changes in the heart that lead to heart failure.
Researchers present a case study of an asymptomatic patient with severe mitral regurgitation who underwent successful repair. The study emphasizes the importance of timely intervention to avoid irreversible left ventricular dysfunction and improve patient outcomes.
Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of developing heart failure in African Americans, with hospitalizations for heart failure nearly three times more likely among current smokers. The study found that smoking a pack or more per day for 15 years was associated with twice the risk of heart failure compared to non-smokers.
Research published in the journal Heart found that eating several servings of nuts per week may lower the risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The study, which tracked over 61,000 Swedish adults for 17 years, found a strong association between nut consumption and reduced risk of these cardiovascular conditions.
Researchers used an experimental therapy to block fibronectin protein, reducing scarred muscle tissue and saving mouse models from heart failure. The treatment restored function in damaged heart cells and reduced fibrosis.
A new study published in The Lancet found that regular drinking above the recommended UK guidelines for alcohol could take years off one's life. Drinking more than 5 drinks per week was linked to a higher risk of stroke, fatal aneurysm, heart failure, and death.
Having multiple chronic illnesses plus functional limitations increases the risk of death among older adults with heart failure. The study found that those who had other chronic conditions or problems performing daily activities had a similar risk for hospitalization or emergency room visits.
Researchers have identified a new therapeutic target, OMA1, which protects cardiomyocytes from death and deterioration in heart function when the heart is under stress. Inhibition of OMA1 prevents heart failure in models of chronic tachycardia, hypertension, and myocardial ischemia with cardiac hypertrophy.
Research articles explore associations between comorbidities, symptoms, and patient-rated health in heart failure patients. Patterns of multimorbidity were identified, with poorer clinical outcomes observed in certain groups, highlighting the need for comprehensive approaches in phenotyping patients with heart failure.
Researchers developed a new healthcare model to address both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular comorbidities in heart failure patients. The study found that non-cardiovascular conditions had a greater burden on patients' quality of life, highlighting the need for an individualized treatment approach.
Researchers found that bariatric surgery significantly reduces the risk of heart disease events in severely obese teens. The study predicts a 4% risk of heart disease events after one year of surgery, compared to an 8% risk prior to surgery.
A multi-institutional study validated age-based NT-proBNP diagnostic cutoff levels for diagnosing acute heart failure in patients seen at hospital emergency departments. The study found that a level below 300 strongly excluded a heart failure diagnosis, and the results were consistent across all groups of participants.
Researchers at UAB identified a therapeutic target to prevent or delay heart failure by blocking early infiltration of macrophages into the heart. Macrophage targeting may also reduce inflammation and T-cell expansion in patients with pressure-overload hypertrophy.
A study published by the British Heart Foundation found that premature hearts are less able to cope with exercise, leading to increased risk of heart failure. Researchers compared the heart function of adults born prematurely to those carried to term and discovered a significant difference in blood leaving the heart during exercise.
A new inhaled medication for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction failed to improve exercise capacity, daily activity levels, or quality of life. The study's findings suggest that adherence issues and short treatment duration may have contributed to the treatment's ineffectiveness.
Patients with advanced heart failure who received a novel heart pump experienced no malfunctions requiring replacement, and their risk of stroke was halved compared to those who received the established version. The new device uses fully magnetic levitation technology to push blood through the device and into the aorta.
New research suggests that vitamin D may protect heart tissue and reduce the risk of heart failure after a heart attack. The study found that vitamin D prevents excessive scarring and thickening of heart tissue following a heart attack, which can lead to heart failure.
Researchers at Lund University discovered a link between a growth factor in the lymphatic system and an increased risk of heart failure. The marker, VEGF-D, affects fluid removal from the body, particularly in women.
African Americans are disproportionately affected by heart failure due to a genetic defect linked to the CACNB4 gene. The study, led by the University of South Florida, identified this genetic variation as a key contributor to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) in African Americans.
Patients with pre-existing health conditions are more likely to die after a heart attack due to the lack of specific guidelines. The study found that clustering of chronic conditions affects mortality rates, with those in high multimorbidity groups having poorer outcomes.
A joint 7-year cohort study of 2039 patients in Singapore and New Zealand found that heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have better survival rates and outcomes compared to those with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The study provides greater accuracy about the risk of dying from heart failure.
Walking for at least 40 minutes, two to three times a week, significantly lowers the risk of heart failure among post-menopausal women. The study found that brisk walks and walking frequency/duration/pace all contribute equally to this benefit, making walking an accessible form of exercise for older women.
Researchers found that patients with a history of breast cancer or lymphoma are three times more likely to develop heart failure than those without cancer. Elevated risks were associated with diabetes, high doses of chemotherapy, and anthracycline drugs.
Research reveals that breast cancer and lymphoma patients are at increased risk of developing congestive heart failure, with a threefold higher risk compared to non-cancer patients. Periodic cardiac imaging and lifestyle changes may help mitigate this risk.
A study found that aspirin reduces mortality in patients with Type 2 diabetes and heart failure, but increases the risk of nonfatal heart attacks and strokes. The research used data from over 12,000 patients and suggested that aspirin may be beneficial for those living longer due to their age.
Research analyzed six studies and found that getting the flu vaccine reduced the risk of dying from any cause by about half during flu season and by one-fifth during the rest of the year. Vaccination was also associated with a 22 percent reduction in the risk of being hospitalized for cardiovascular problems.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that a collaborative care intervention significantly improved depression and fatigue in patients with chronic heart failure. While it did not affect their overall health status, the treatment offered benefits to these patients' quality of life.
The American College of Cardiology's Patient Navigator Program has shown significant improvement in transitioning heart attack and heart failure patients from hospital to home, reducing readmissions and in-hospital mortality. Hospitals participating in the program have increased prescriptions of life-saving medications, scheduled follo...
A new study found that beetroot juice supplements significantly increased exercise duration, peak power, and peak oxygen uptake in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. The findings suggest that dietary nitrate supplementation may be a valuable addition to treatment for exercise intolerance in these patients.
Severe sleep-disordered breathing is linked with increased arterial stiffness in heart failure patients. Treating obstructive sleep apnea and other breathing abnormalities, such as CPAP devices, may lead to improved prognosis by reducing arterial stiffness.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have shown that probenecid may improve heart function in adult patients with heart failure by increasing ejection fraction and enhancing calcium use in cardiac muscle contraction. The study found promising results, suggesting a new potential treatment for this condition.
A Massachusetts General Hospital team discovered that macrophages, immune cells known for removing debris, are actively involved in the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Elevated levels of inflammatory cardiac macrophages were found in both mouse models and human patients with HFpEF.
CU researchers found that givinostat improved the heart's ability to relax, holding promise for treating patients with diastolic dysfunction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Fibrosis is not the sole cause of diastolic dysfunction; a defect in muscle cell relaxation contributes.
New research emphasizes the significance of hospitals adhering to treatment guidelines for heart failure patients over comparing patient volumes. Lower-volume hospitals have been found to have worse adherence to essential processes, such as prescribing beta-blockers and running tests to check heart function.
A study by Kaiser Permanente and University of Washington found that patients with chronic kidney disease who receive implantable cardioverter defibrillators experience a significantly increased risk of subsequent hospitalization. The use of ICDs was associated with a 49% increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure and a 25% in...
New scientific statement highlights potential heart damage from breast cancer treatments and suggests strategies to minimize risks. Lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, can also help decrease the risks of developing both diseases.
A group of molecules called chondroitin sulfate accumulates and causes inflammation in the hearts of patients with heart failure, leading to multi-organ failure. Researchers found that targeting these molecular nets may bring a fresh new treatment approach for patients with severe debilitating disease.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that radiofrequency catheter ablation significantly lowers hospitalization and mortality rates compared to conventional drug therapies for atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure. Catheter ablation restored regular heart rhythm by isolating pulmonary veins an...
Researchers have found that changes in adipose tissue lipid metabolism contribute to the development of heart failure. The study suggests that targeting fat tissue may provide a new approach to treating heart disease.
Researchers discovered that a shift from fatty acid to carbohydrate-based energy sources can lead to congestive heart failure. The study identified Notch-1 receptor as key player controlling transport of fatty acids into cardiac muscle tissue.
A study of 27,078 middle-aged whites and African-Americans found that residents in socioeconomically deprived areas were at highest risk for heart failure. After adjusting for other factors, researchers found that neighborhood factors accounted for 4.8% of the variance in heart-failure risk.
Researchers have developed a new technique to study nanodomains, which drive physiological processes in the body and are linked to diseases like heart disease. This breakthrough allows for high-quality imaging of signalling stations in human cells.
A new study found that middle-aged adults who participated in two years of regular aerobic exercise training can significantly improve their heart health and reduce the risk of heart failure. The study showed that exercising four to five times a week is effective in reversing decades of sedentary lifestyle on the heart.
The new app, developed by Intermountain Healthcare researchers, monitors heart failure patients' medical tests and health status to promptly notify clinicians. Using the app led to significantly improved detection of disease advancements, with intervention patients' survival rates increasing.
Researchers developed a genomic blood test that uses gene activity data to predict survival rates for patients with advanced heart failure who undergo mechanical circulatory support devices. The test was 93% accurate in predicting outcomes and could improve survival rates and treatment decisions.