Articles tagged with Heart Failure
The updated guidelines include two new medications approved by the FDA as safe and effective treatments for heart failure in women. WomenHeart sees these guidelines as an important addition to treatment efforts to achieve positive outcomes for women with the disease.
Researchers developed a diagnostic test to identify patients with cardiac amyloidosis, a condition caused by abnormal protein deposits in the heart. The new test uses retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) to estimate the likelihood of ATTR amyloidosis in patients with congestive heart failure.
Researchers developed a novel noninvasive technique to measure leg oxygen consumption in heart failure patients, revealing differences between dilated and stiff hearts. This breakthrough could lead to targeted therapies aimed at increasing blood flow and improving exercise capacity.
Researchers aim to create a new generation of advanced pacemakers using bio-electronic implants that respond to physiological feedback in real time. The technology has the potential to treat cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, and other conditions, extending patients' lifespans and improving quality of life.
A new study published in Family Practice found that heart failure survival rates have not improved since 1998. The research team analyzed medical records from over 54,000 patients with heart failure and found varying survival rates based on age, gender, health conditions, and blood pressure.
A recent international multicenter study has identified a molecule that can help personalize treatment for heart failure. Researchers have found that an excess of lysyl oxidase-like 2 produces fibrosis of the cardiac muscle, impeding its normal functioning and stimulating HF development. The elimination of this excess repairs fibrosis ...
A study found that women with preeclampsia exhibit early signs of cardiac dysfunction, which persist after pregnancy. The research suggests a higher risk of heart disease in African-American women, emphasizing the need for close follow-up care.
Researchers developed a customizable soft robotic sleeve that fits around the heart and helps it beat, reducing the risk of clotting and improving cardiac function. The device may one day aid in cardiac rehabilitation and recovery, potentially restoring quality of life for patients with heart failure.
Scientists at the University of Utah have discovered a unique biomarker in the hearts of patients with advanced heart failure who have shown signs of recovery. The biomarker is related to the transverse system, which appears relatively intact in responders.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that alcohol abuse increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart attack and congestive heart failure, similar to other well-established risk factors. The researchers analyzed data from California residents with ambulatory surgery or emergency care and found...
Researchers will create a detailed map of the heart's nerves to develop new therapies targeting neural structures and improve electrical stimulation therapies. More than 800,000 US deaths annually from cardiovascular diseases link to the autonomic nervous system.
Researchers are exploring the dynamics between a gene that regulates fat metabolism and a protein that makes lipid droplets available for energy in heart cells. They hope to understand how this imbalance can lead to heart failure and find ways to intervene, such as by regulating lipid use and maintaining balance.
A study by researchers from the Netherlands discovered a clear association between higher levels of N-terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and brain damage, including smaller gray matter volume and poorer white matter organization. This finding suggests a close link between cardiac dysfunction and subclinical brain damage.
Researchers found that myocarditis is affecting both children and adults worldwide, with men being twice as likely as women to develop severe reactions. Early diagnosis is key to preventing long-term heart damage, and new investigational therapies are soon to be tested.
A new sensor system can detect worsening heart failure conditions in patients with high accuracy, potentially preventing hospitalizations and death. The system, developed by Boston Scientific, uses a suite of sensors to track heart rate, activity, breathing, and other physiological measures.
Researchers at UAB found that a Mediterranean-style diet can reduce heart inflammation and failure in aged mice, as opposed to a Western-style diet high in omega-6 fatty acids. The study identifies key lipid signaling pathways involved in the disease process.
Researchers found that generic medicines used to treat heart failure can cost significantly different amounts across pharmacies, ranging from $20.19 to $256.77 per month. The study suggests that uninsured patients may struggle to afford these medications due to the wide price variations.
A study found significant price differences for generic heart failure medications among retail pharmacies, with prices ranging from $12 to over $398 for a single drug. This variation raises concerns about the affordability of these essential drugs for those without insurance or restricted access.
Researchers found that bariatric surgery significantly reduced the risk of heart failure by nearly 50% compared to intensive lifestyle modification. The study also showed lower rates of atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and hypertension in the bariatric surgery group, which lost more weight over time.
A high-protein diet from mostly meat may increase the risk of heart failure in postmenopausal women. The study found that total dietary protein intake was significantly higher in women who developed heart failure compared to those who did not, while vegetable protein intake appeared to be protective.
A multicenter trial found that 13 out of 36 advanced heart failure patients treated with LVAD and intensive drug therapy recovered enough heart function to have the device removed. The study suggests that these devices can be used to reverse heart failure, especially when combined with drug therapy.
A new study led by Indiana University researcher Susan Pressler will examine the impact of computerized cognitive training exercises on heart failure patients with memory loss. The study aims to determine if brain training programs, such as BrainHQ, can improve memory and quality of life for these patients.
Gladstone scientists identified two chemicals that improved cardiac reprogramming, increasing cell production and quality. The discovery brings the technology closer to regenerating damaged hearts and treating heart failure.
Researchers are testing stem cell therapy to reprogram heart cells in patients with HFpEF, a condition causing severe disability and high mortality. The trial aims to improve treatment options for this growing epidemic, which disproportionately affects women and African-Americans.
A clinical trial is testing a new device that could ease heart failure symptoms in patients with preserved ejection fraction. The Corvia Medical InterAtrial Shunt Device makes a small hole to redistribute blood and reduce pressure, allowing patients like Jimmy McMillan to breathe better and live more comfortably.
A clinical trial found no association between caffeine ingestion and arrhythmic episodes in patients with heart failure. The study included 51 patients who received high doses of caffeine or placebo over a five-hour period, with no evidence of an arrhythmogenic effect.
A pivotal Phase III clinical study is exploring the impact of vericiguat on patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The trial aims to assess whether adding vericiguat to standard treatment can improve heart and vascular function, reducing the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting ANGPTL2 production can benefit both mice and human cardiac muscle cells with therapeutic effects in reducing heart failure progression. Moderate exercise previously found to reduce ANGPLT2 levels can now be replicated through gene therapy.
A new University of Toronto study reveals widespread differences in protein biochemistry between healthy and diseased hearts, shedding light on the molecular causes behind dilated cardiomyopathy. The researchers mapped changes in protein signalling pathways, uncovering hundreds of signalling pathways that go off course in DCM hearts.
Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute researchers collaborate with DoD and VA to study cardiac progenitor cells for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, a condition affecting millions. The clinical trial aims to improve symptoms and treatment options for patients.
A large study found that atrial fibrillation is associated with a wide range of serious events, including heart attacks, chronic kidney disease, and sudden cardiac death. The risk of these events is higher than stroke, prompting calls for interventions to reduce non-stroke outcomes.
Researchers found that certain lipid mediators can delay the onset and progression of heart failure. The lack of standard drugs stimulating these mediators suggests a need for re-evaluation of current treatment protocols to improve disease outcomes.
Researchers found sacubitril-valsartan to be a cost-effective treatment option for patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure, resulting in improved quality of life and reduced hospitalizations. The therapy offers incremental benefits at a lower cost than previously thought.
The CHART-1 trial, a large-scale cardiovascular study, investigated the use of bone-marrow stem cells to treat congestive heart failure. Although findings were neutral in the overall patient population, an exploratory analysis identified a sub-group that may benefit from cardiopoietic cell therapy.
A study of nearly 15,000 heart failure patients in the UK found that up to 80% were not receiving recommended treatments, leading to high rates of hospitalizations and deaths. Patients who received treatment were more likely to be prescribed at target doses, highlighting the need for improved adherence to guideline-recommended therapies.
The MORE-CARE trial found that remote monitoring of cardiac devices did not improve hard clinical outcomes, but showed cost savings and reduced in-office visits, with a 41% reduction in healthcare resource utilization
The DANISH trial suggests that ICDs should not be routinely implanted in all patients with systolic heart failure, particularly those with non-ischemic aetiology. However, younger patients may have a survival benefit with ICD implantation.
A recent study published at ESC Congress 2016 found that heart failure patients have a 2% increased risk of dying with each hospital admission. The research, which included over 450,000 patients from the UK, also showed that hospital admissions for patients with heart failure are projected to rise by 50% over the next 25 years.
A new study predicts that heart failure will more than double by 2040 and triple by 2060, with the majority of patients being elderly individuals. The study, which analyzed data from 5706 randomly selected elderly participants, found that the prevalence of heart failure increases with age and is higher in men than women.
A new trial found that remote monitoring of implantable cardiac devices did not reduce mortality or hospitalizations in heart failure patients. Despite widespread adoption, the study suggests that routine use of remote monitoring may not be necessary.
A study presented at ESC Congress 2016 found that nebivolol treatment prevented anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients. New echocardiographic techniques revealed significant alterations in heart function after chemotherapy, but no changes were noted in the nebivolol-treated group.
A new study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery suggests that patients with isolated moderate to severe mitral valve regurgitation may benefit from surgical repair at an earlier stage than previously thought. The research, led by UAB/VA investigators, found severe underlying cardiac muscle damage in asymptom...
Researchers have developed an imaging technique that can accurately diagnose and prognosticate transthyretin-related cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA), a type of heart failure. The test uses technetium 99m pyrophosphate and has been shown to correctly identify ATTR in 91% of patients, ruling out other forms of amyloidosis.
A Johns Hopkins study of over 13,000 participants found that severe obesity is a standalone high-risk factor for heart failure, but not other types of heart disease. Morbidly obese individuals were nearly fourfold more likely to develop heart failure even after controlling for risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Scientists have developed injectable gels that can be injected into the heart to shore up weakened areas and prevent heart failure. The gels, made from hyaluronic acid, provide mechanical support and limit scar tissue formation, preserving the heart's size and blood-pumping ability.
A new study found that hospitals with high ICU use perform poorly on measures of quality care for patients with heart attacks and congestive heart failure. These hospitals tend to have smaller numbers of heart attack and failure patients, are more likely to be for-profit, and serve low-income ZIP codes.
A study published in JAMA found that liraglutide did not improve post-hospitalization clinical stability in patients with advanced heart failure. The drug was tested in a randomized controlled trial involving 154 patients, but showed no significant effect on primary end points such as death and rehospitalizations.
The FIGHT study, led by University of Pennsylvania researchers, found that liraglutide had no significant impact on heart failure in patients with advanced heart failure. The therapy did improve blood sugar control and weight loss in diabetic participants but not in non-diabetic patients.
A Canadian study discovered that a specific kind of bile acid can prevent cardiac fibrosis, a condition leading to heart failure. Researchers are now exploring the therapeutic effect in humans and aiming to understand the molecular mechanisms behind this breakthrough.
A study of over 70,000 patients found that higher education was associated with a lower risk of developing heart failure after a heart attack. Patients with higher education levels had a 9-20% lower risk of early-onset and late-onset heart failure compared to those with primary education.
Resistant hypertension patients with sleep apnea are at higher risk of ischemic heart events and congestive heart failure compared to those without resistant hypertension. The study included 470,386 hypertensive individuals and found no significant differences in stroke and premature death risks between the two groups.
The new scientific statement highlights the potential of commonly used medications and nutritional supplements to cause or worsen heart failure. Healthcare providers should inform patients about all prescription and over-the-counter medications they may be taking, as well as nutritional supplements, to prevent drug-drug interactions.
A new study found that patients who develop heart failure after their first heart attack are at a higher risk of developing cancer. After an average of 4.9 years of follow-up, 21% of these patients were diagnosed with cancer, compared to 8.2% of those without heart failure.
A recent study reveals that nearly 60 percent of people have preclinical heart failure stages A and B, with stage B individuals at increased risk for death. The findings highlight the importance of targeting prevention efforts at the earliest HF stages to avoid death, particularly among men and older adults.
A new video has been found to help patients with advanced heart failure choose comfort care over more aggressive treatments. Patients who watched the video were more likely to opt for comfort care and had a better understanding of their treatment options.
A high BMI in youth increases the risk of heart failure, even after adjusting for recent weight changes. Stable weight throughout life may be the best approach to reduce this risk. Excessive weight at a young age puts individuals at a far higher risk of heart failure compared to maintaining a healthy weight.
A new electric mesh device has been developed to wrap around the heart and deliver electrical impulses, improving cardiac function in experimental models of heart failure. The device is designed to mimic the properties and functions of heart tissue, closely imitating its elasticity and conductivity.
A study found that 24 months of treatment with antidepressant escitalopram did not improve mortality, illness, or mood in patients with chronic heart failure and depression. Depression was shown to be an independent predictor of mortality and rehospitalization in these patients.
Scientists have developed a detailed computational model of the electrophysiology of congestive heart failure, allowing them to simulate subtle changes at the cellular and tissue levels. The 'virtual heart' model also helps researchers plan a new strategy against a specific form of fibrillation associated with heart failure.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that black individuals with atrial fibrillation have a significantly increased risk of stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease (CHD), and all-cause mortality compared to white individuals. The rate differences for these outcomes were found to be approximately 1.5- to 2.0-fold greater in ...