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An estimated 2 million people with heart disease have used marijuana, finds study

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that approximately 2 million adults in the US who have cardiovascular disease currently use or have used marijuana. The review also reveals that cannabinoids can interact with drugs used to treat heart disease, increasing the risk of adverse effects.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJan 20, 2020

Belly fat linked with repeat heart attacks

A large study of over 22,000 patients after a first heart attack found that abdominal obesity is independently associated with fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and strokes. Waist circumference was a stronger marker of recurrent events than overall obesity in men, while women had a U-shaped relationship between waist circumference and ...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateJan 20, 2020

Aspirin's health benefits under scrutiny

A new study suggests that taking aspirin daily to prevent a heart attack or stroke may no longer be recommended for adults without a history of these events. The study found that the potential benefits of aspirin are similar to its potential harms for most people, highlighting the need for personalized advice from doctors.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalFamily Practice·DateDec 9, 2019

Study -- disparities in care among homeless adults hospitalized for cardiovascular conditions

A study found striking disparities in in-hospital care and mortality between homeless and non-homeless adults hospitalized for urgent cardiovascular conditions. Homeless patients were significantly less likely to receive important diagnostic or therapeutic procedures and generally had higher in-hospital death rates compared to non-home...

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 18, 2019

Canadians told to stop taking aspirin to prevent first heart attack, stroke

New research warns Canadians against taking daily aspirin for primary prevention due to increased risk of major internal bleeding and potential increase in cancer deaths. Experts recommend alternative preventive measures such as smoking cessation, exercise, blood pressure tracking, and considering the Mediterranean diet.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalCanadian Family Physician·DateOct 2, 2019

Heart attack care in Sweden superior to UK

A new study comparing heart attack care in Sweden and the UK found that patients in Sweden had lower mortality rates for both STEMI and NSTEMI forms of heart attacks. The results suggest improved outcomes due to increased use of invasive treatments and recommended medications in Sweden.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalCardiovascular Research·DateSep 2, 2019

The relationship between mean platelet volume and in-hospital mortality in geriatric patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Geriatric patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention have higher in-hospital mortality rates if they have a high mean platelet volume. This is also associated with higher Gensini scores, creatinine concentrations, and lower HDL cholesterol levels.

SourceCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateAug 15, 2019

Evolutionary gene loss may help explain why only humans are prone to heart attacks

Researchers suggest a genetic mutation two to three million years ago led to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease in all humans, while also setting up a further risk for red meat-eating humans. Human-like mice modified to lack the CMAH gene showed a significant increase in atherogenesis compared to control mice.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2019

New study finds both components of blood pressure predict heart attack, stroke risk

A large Kaiser Permanente-led study found that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings predict cardiovascular risk, contradicting decades of previous research. The study analyzed over 36 million blood pressure readings from 1.3 million people, revealing that high blood pressure is a strong predictor of heart attack or stroke.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 17, 2019

CNIC scientists identify an essential protein for correct heart contraction and survival

A team of CNIC scientists identified SRSF3 as crucial for proper heart function and found that its loss leads to reduced expression of genes involved in contraction. Further research revealed that SRSF3 controls the alternative processing of mTOR, a major regulator of cell metabolism, which is essential for heart health.