Research on heart failure and its treatment. Covers light exposure, heart-in-a-dish models, microRNA therapy, and surgical interventions.
Researchers found pregnant Asian women with pregnancy-related hypertension at highest risk for heart failure hospitalization. White and Hispanic/Latina women fell between the two groups, while Black women had lowest likelihood of heart failure hospitalization.
A study of 9,588 VA patients found that heart failure linked to meth use increased from 1.7% in 2005 to 8% in 2015, with notable differences in ejection fraction and coronary artery disease between users and non-users.
Johns Hopkins researchers identified a cellular pathway responsible for rapid heart failure in Marfan syndrome and reversed the disease in mouse models by increasing stress on the animals' hearts. The findings provide a potential model for treating this aggressive form of the disorder.
Researchers found a decreased risk of heart failure by 7 percent and stroke by 8 percent with every additional cup of coffee consumed per week compared to non-coffee drinkers. Machine learning analysis also identified red-meat consumption as a potential risk factor, although the association was less clear.
A predominantly plant-based diet was associated with a 42% decreased risk of developing heart failure over four years compared to those who ate fewer plant-based foods. The American Heart Association recommends consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources.
A new study found that hospitalized heart failure patients have lower survival rates and higher re-hospitalization risks despite normal left ventricular ejection fractions, highlighting the need for better treatments and outcomes prediction methods.
A program aimed at reducing hospital readmissions for heart failure patients was found to decrease readmission rates but increase mortality rates among Medicare patients. The study suggests that the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program may be associated with compromised survival rates, raising concerns about its effectiveness.
A new study by Intermountain Medical Center found that patients with reduced levels of the common heart hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) had significantly lower readmission rates and mortality, with a 30% lower risk of hospital readmission within 30 days and a 54% lower mortality rate.
A new analysis of heart failure data found that federal policies aimed at reducing readmissions have led to an increase in deaths among these patients. The study suggests that the focus on keeping patients out of hospitals may be harming them, rather than improving quality of care.
A new experimental drug has been found to block deadly muscle scarring that contributes to chronic heart failure and skeletal muscle disorders. The treatment targets alpha V integrins on scar-forming cells, reducing scarring even when the process has already started.
Research examines the benefits of palliative care in heart failure treatment, showing improved patient-centered outcomes. Palliative care can address symptoms like pain and depression to enhance treatment effectiveness.
A new study on mice sheds light on the role of protein modification in heart failure, suggesting new strategies for personalizing treatment by examining phosphorylation. Researchers found that abnormal addition of phosphate to a specific heart muscle protein may damage the heart's pumping ability.
African American women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy, a form of heart failure that occurs during or after pregnancy. They also present with worse symptoms and take longer to recover compared to women of other ethnic backgrounds.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that silencing the Hippo signaling pathway can reverse severe heart failure in an animal model. The study found that inhibiting this pathway induces heart muscle cell proliferation and reduces fibrosis, leading to improved heart function.
A new tool using readily available data accurately estimates the 30-day mortality risk for patients admitted to the emergency department with acute heart failure. This tool can inform clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers from Kumamoto University found that LCZ696 prevents cardiac rupture and heart failure following acute myocardial infarction. The study showed that LCZ696 reduces mortality due to cardiac rupture by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and MMP-9, improving prognosis for patients with chronic heart failure.
The University of Louisville has received a $13.8 million grant from the NIH to study a promising new adult cardiac stem cell that may treat heart failure. The research aims to repair damaged heart tissue and make the heart stronger, potentially revolutionizing heart disease treatment.
A study found that cold temperatures and atmospheric pressure increases are associated with a higher risk of hospitalization and death in elderly patients with heart failure. The researchers suggest that elderly patients should avoid fog and low cloud weather in winter to prevent such events.
A new study published in Circulation Research found that umbilical cord-derived stem cells improved heart muscle function and quality of life for patients with stable heart failure. The treatment was safe and showed significant improvements over placebo, paving the way for a promising new therapy.
Researchers used gene therapy to improve heart function in a large animal model, finding a 25% improvement in left ventricular function and a 20% improvement in left atrial function. The treatment also reduced heart size by 10%.
A new study from the University of Texas at Dallas found that patients with shorter-than-guideline hospital stays are more likely to be readmitted, while those with longer stays have a lower risk. The study suggests that early discharge can actually increase costs in the long run.
A team of Penn researchers found a correlation between shorter telomeres and heart failure in human patients. Telomere length was directly related to cardiac function, with severely shortened telomeres indicating decreased cardiac performance.
Studies have shown that patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis will develop symptoms or cardiac events within four years. Following recommended exams every six to 12 months can improve clinical outcomes, according to a study of 300 patients.
A study by Cleveland Clinic researchers found that beta blockers can help treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, a debilitating lung disease. The treatment improved heart rate and efficiency, reducing the risk of right-sided heart failure.
Case Western Reserve researchers refine an electrical nerve-block implant to treat asthma and heart failure, focusing on blocking unwanted nerve impulses in the autonomic nervous system. The technology aims to provide a reliable, rapid, and reversible nerve block as an alternative to surgery or drugs.
The RACE 3 trial found that risk factor-driven upstream rhythm control is effective in improving maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with early short-lasting AF and heart failure. Sinus rhythm was present in 75% of patients in the upstream therapy group compared to 63% in the control group.
A new study published in the European Society of Cardiology found that high salt intake is associated with a doubled risk of heart failure. The study, which followed over 4,000 participants for 12 years, estimated individual salt intake using a 24-hour sodium extraction method.
A clinical trial conducted by researchers at the University of Utah Health found that radiofrequency catheter ablation lowered hospitalization and mortality rates by 47% and 44%, respectively, in patients with atrial fibrillation. The study suggests that catheter ablation may be a more effective treatment option than traditional drug t...
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that implanted cardiac monitors detected a substantial incidence of previously undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AFib) in high-risk patients. The detection rate was nearly 30% at 18 months, with even higher rates at longer follow-up periods.
A new technique developed at McGill University has made it possible to study the behavior of individual sarcomeres in muscles. The researchers found that neighboring sarcomeres adjust to the activation of one single sarcomere, leading to a cooperative mechanism that is crucial for understanding muscle contraction.
A recent study found that vitamin D deficiency significantly increases the risk of heart failure in older individuals, with a 12.2-times higher risk observed. The study also revealed increased risks in men, obese individuals, and those with heart arrhythmias.
A study by the University of São Paulo found that aerobic exercise facilitates the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria from heart cells, increasing energy supply and reducing toxic molecules. Regular exercise can help prevent heart failure and improve cardiac function.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans will investigate the potential efficacy of Exscien1-III, a patented three-part fusion protein designed to repair DNA damage and improve cardiovascular disease outcomes. The goal is to move the promising new drug toward human clinical trials.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center report encouraging preclinical results on an experimental molecular treatment for heart failure. By inhibiting a protein that regulates the heart's response to adrenaline, they alleviated disease processes in mouse models of human heart failure.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys and Mayo Clinic have been awarded a three-year NIH grant to identify molecules that could become new medicines to inhibit myocardial fibrosis, a major cause of heart failure. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of novel approaches to fight disease.
Researchers have discovered a protein called cardiotrophin 1 (CT1) that can trick the heart into growing in a healthy way and pumping more blood. CT1 also repairs heart damage and improves blood flow in animal models of heart failure.
A new study published in The FASEB Journal reveals that gestational exposure to diesel exhaust can modify DNA in the developing embryo and increase susceptibility to adult heart failure. Researchers identified specific gene expression effects and DNA methylation changes that may play a role in mediating adult sensitivity to heart failure.
Researchers found that elevated levels of protein Cdk8 in heart muscle cells lead to declining heart function and heart failure. The study suggests modifying gene expression may provide a path to preventive treatments for heart failure.
The latest issue of Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications (CVIA) brings together a diverse set of papers on various cardiovascular topics. The journal features original articles, reviews, commentaries, and case reports on topics such as telemedicine, heart failure, and cholesterol crystals.
A Yale-led study analyzing data from 2008-2014 found that reducing hospital readmission rates for heart attack, heart failure, and pneumonia does not increase mortality rates. The research suggests that hospitals' efforts to keep patients out of the hospital may have actually improved mortality outcomes through better preparedness, tim...
A new registry study highlights the unique characteristics of heart failure patients in Asia, including younger age and higher co-morbidity rates compared to Western populations. The study also reveals underutilization of potentially life-saving implantable cardiac defibrillators in Asia.
A study found that age and obesity create a perfect storm that damages the tiny blood vessels that directly feed the heart muscle, leading to reduced blood flow and increased risk of heart failure. The inflammation caused by both factors thickens the walls of these microvasculature, making them less able to dilate and sustain the heart.
Researchers at Temple University have identified a novel mechanism underlying the efficacy of common heart failure drug beta-blockers. The study reveals that dysfunctional beta-adrenergic receptor 3 and decreased levels of cardioprotective phospholipid sphingosine 1-phosphate contribute to treatment resistance in some patients.
Researchers at York University found that beta blockers can reverse detrimental gene expression patterns in heart failure. The study suggests that this reversal may be protective against heart failure and could lead to new treatments.
The number of US hospitalizations for heart failure decreased by 30% from 2002 to 2013, but significant racial and gender disparities remained. Hospitalization rates were higher among men and blacks compared to women and whites.
Patients with acute heart failure and diabetes show unique signs of kidney health and inflammation compared to those without diabetes. Different treatment strategies may be needed for diabetic patients with acute heart failure due to these differences.
A study by University of Leeds researchers found that heart attack patients without heart failure did not live longer with beta blockers, but were still prescribed the medication at a rate of 95%. The findings raise concerns about unnecessary medication costs and the need for further research.
Researchers discovered a receptor protein on heart cells that promotes chronic heart failure, and found that inhibiting it could help treat the disease. The study suggests that targeting this protein could lead to new treatments for millions of people affected by chronic heart failure.
A new paper-based test strip could enable doctors and patients to monitor heart failure conditions at home, using smartphone apps for analysis. The test strip detects antigens ST2 and BNP, providing insights into the progression of the disease.
A registry-based study of 2.6 million individuals found that children born preterm are 17 times more likely to suffer heart failure than those born at full term. The study also suggests that the risk may remain in early adulthood.
A recent study found that patients with heart failure may not benefit from implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) if they have low predicted risk of death and sudden cardiac death. The researchers identified a subgroup of patients who received significant survival benefits from ICDs, while others did not.
A novel tablet, OPTILOGG, is helping heart failure patients to manage their condition by providing education, registering body weight, and titrating diuretics. Patients' self-care behaviors improved significantly, with a median score decrease of 10.5 points or 37%.
Researchers found that heart failure patients with a history of stroke had greater risks of depression, hospitalization, and death compared to those without a history of stroke. Patients with both conditions died an average of five months earlier and were more likely to be rehospitalized or die.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have identified a potential new therapeutic approach to treat heart failure by targeting inflammation and fibrosis. The study found that a cancer drug called JQ1 can effectively treat severe, pre-established heart failure in both small animal and human cell models.
Researchers at University of Guelph have found a hormonal imbalance in the brain causes breathlessness in heart failure patients. Using existing hormone-suppressing drugs, they were able to effectively treat this condition and improve patients' quality of life.
A study published in JAMA found that high-dose iron pills did not improve exercise capacity in patients with a certain type of heart failure and iron deficiency. The researchers concluded that oral iron supplementation is not effective in improving functional capacity in these patients.
A study of 3.5 million people found that 'metabolically healthy' obese individuals have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease events, including heart failure and stroke, compared to normal-weight individuals with no metabolic abnormalities. The study also showed that the risk of CVD events increases with the number of metabolic abnor...
Postmenopausal women with shorter reproductive duration, earlier age at menopause, or who never gave birth are at higher risk for heart failure. Women with diastolic heart failure, a type of heart failure affecting the left side of the heart, also face increased risk.
A new analysis reveals heart failure patients experience worse survival rates than prostate cancer and breast cancer survivors, but better outcomes compared to lung cancer and ovarian cancer. The study highlights the continued burden of heart failure as a major public health concern.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that women with atrial fibrillation/flutter experienced higher death rates than men 30 and 90 days after discharge from emergency departments. The study analyzed data from 21,062 patients and identified differences in outcomes between male and female patients.