Research on heart attacks and their treatment. Covers care for older patients, cardiac rehabilitation, rapid testing, and updated diagnostic definitions.
A study of 300,000 type 2 diabetes patients found that those with controlled risk factors had a significantly low risk of premature death, heart attack, and stroke. Optimizing medication, not smoking, and managing other risk factors can greatly reduce the risk.
A large international study found that individuals consuming average amounts of sodium (3-5g/day) do not face increased health risks. However, those exceeding five grams a day may experience cardiovascular events, and improving dietary quality with potassium-rich foods can mitigate this risk.
A 19-year review of nearly 582,000 heart attack cases reveals that female patients have a significantly higher survival rate when treated by women doctors. The study's findings also suggest that male doctors with more female colleagues in the ER can improve survival rates for female patients.
A study of over 500,000 observations found that female heart attack patients treated by male physicians had lower survival rates. Survival rates improved when there were more female physicians in the emergency department or when male physicians were exposed to more female patients.
A new high-sensitivity blood test for cardiac troponin has been found safe and effective in diagnosing heart attacks faster than traditional methods. The test ruled out heart attack in 30-83.8% of patients within three hours, compared to 80.4% with conventional testing.
Researchers developed a drug-delivery system that dissolves clots in minutes, limits scarring, and preserves cardiac function. The targeted treatment may improve patient outcomes by allowing for earlier treatment of heart attacks without surgical intervention.
A review published in Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders suggests that transgender women on estrogen therapy are at increased risk for cardiovascular events. The data is unclear for transgender men, but the review highlights the need for further research on hormone therapy's effects in older populations.
A new online tool, Astro-CHARM, has been developed to predict who is at the highest risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years. The calculator combines coronary artery calcium measurement with traditional risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol.
A randomized clinical trial of 300 patients in South Korea found that antidepressant escitalopram reduced major adverse cardiac events by 13% compared to placebo. The study followed patients for about eight years, revealing a lower occurrence of cardiac events among those receiving antidepressant treatment.
A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia found that women under-treated for heart attacks die at twice the rate of men. The study adjusted for confounding factors and analyzed data from 41 hospitals across Australia, revealing significant disparities in treatment outcomes between men and women.
The risk of having a heart attack during pregnancy has increased by 25% among American women between 2002 and 2014, according to a new study. The study found that the death rate from heart attacks remains high despite advances in treating these conditions.
New research from the American Heart Association found that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of first and recurrent heart attacks, even in areas with moderate-to-high levels of traffic pollution. Moderate cycling for four or more hours per week cut the risk of recurrent heart attack by 31 percent.
A study published in The BMJ found that adding sulfonylurea drugs to metformin for type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, all-cause mortality, and severe hypoglycemia. Continuing metformin when introducing sulfonylureas is safer than switching.
Sekar Kathiresan receives the 2018 Curt Stern Award for his groundbreaking work identifying genetic factors underlying cardiovascular disease risk. His research has led to the development of medicines that mimic protective mutations, reducing heart attack risk.
US testosterone prescriptions dropped significantly following reports linking use to cardiovascular events. Between 2013-2016, new users saw a 62% decrease, while established users saw a 48% drop, according to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston study.
A new study found that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in blue-collar workers who responded to the World Trade Center plane attack on September 11, 2001, may increase their risk of heart attack and stroke. The study, published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes Journal, included over 6,800 non-firefighter workers...
Testosterone prescriptions decreased in men without a clear indication following reports of increased heart attacks and strokes associated with testosterone use. The steep decline coincided with the FDA safety bulletin, leading to a decrease in prescribed testosterone therapy in the US.
Researchers have identified how a new treatment in mice can regenerate the heart after a heart attack by promoting growth of lymphatic vessels and clearing immune cells. This approach showed significant reduction in damaged heart muscle and improved recovery of pumping function.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have discovered a link between sensitivity to an allergen in red meat and increased plaque buildup in heart arteries. This allergy, spread by tick bites, may increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke, highlighting the need for further clinical studies.
Researchers found that patients who couldn't resume work after a heart attack experienced lower quality of life, increased depression, and financial difficulties. The study suggests targeting patients at high risk of not returning to work for targeted interventions.
A new study from MIT and Harvard University introduces the 'Therepi' device, which attaches directly to damaged heart tissue to deliver multiple therapies. The device addresses issues with current drug delivery methods, providing a non-invasive solution for treating heart disease.
Researchers found that a type of immune cell called B cell lymphocytes are responsible for damaging inflammation in the heart after a heart attack. Pirfenidone, an approved lung drug, was shown to effectively reduce this inflammation and protect the heart from further damage.
Research found that major heart attacks were more deadly in the coldest six months of the year compared to the warmer months. The risk of dying within 30 days of a severe heart attack was nearly 50% higher in winter.
A new blood test using cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyC) can rapidly rule out heart attacks in more people than the standard troponin test, freeing up hospital bed space and resources. The test is sensitive enough to give an almost immediate diagnosis, which could save hundreds of thousands of pounds per UK hospital every year.
A new Collaborative Research Center will investigate complex interactions between platelets and inflammatory processes. The project aims to develop novel treatment concepts for diseases associated with platelet dysfunction, such as stroke and acute respiratory failure.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that patients diagnosed with high-sensitivity troponin test had a lower risk of future heart attacks, with no difference in mortality one year after the heart attack. The test also led to more coronary angiography and balloon angioplasty procedures.
Researchers have discovered that a compound found in green tea can break up potentially dangerous protein plaques in the blood vessels, which can reduce the flow of blood to the heart and brain. This discovery could lead to new medicines to treat heart attack and stroke.
A University of Alberta study found that nearly six per cent of patients have a heart attack without any blockage in the arteries, with five per cent experiencing another heart attack or death within one year. Patients with MINOCA are twice as likely to be female and require more aggressive preventive treatment.
Adults with severe eczema are at a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes. The study found that patients with severe eczema had a 20-70% increased risk of major cardiovascular events compared to those without eczema.
A new gene therapy approach has shown dramatic reduction of post-infarction arrhythmias in mice by electrically coupling non-excitable cells to undamaged heart cells. The treatment involves introducing a single gene, Connexin43, which bridges the conduction block in damaged hearts.
Researchers found a significant increase in hospitalizations for aortic dissection and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarctions (STEMI) during winter months. The studies, presented at the SCAI 2018 Scientific Sessions, used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database to analyze seasonal variations in cardiac-related hospitalizations.
A new study reveals that treating psoriasis with biologic therapy can significantly reduce coronary plaque. The research found that the treatments not only decreased plaque volume but also reduced inflammation, leading to fewer characteristics prone to rupture and cause a heart attack over time.
A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that becoming more physically active after a myocardial infarction halves the risk of dying within four years. The research involved over 22,000 patients and showed that levels of physical activity were reported 6-10 weeks and 12 months after the heart attack.
Researchers found that divorce and low socioeconomic status are associated with a higher risk of recurrent heart events. Patients with higher education levels and household income had lower risks, suggesting marriage may be protective against recurrence.
A new study from the University of Iowa found that statins can save thousands of additional lives when used in people with higher levels of LDL cholesterol. The analysis of 34 previous studies involving over 270,000 participants showed that statins were more likely to reduce death risk at LDL levels of 100 mg/dl or greater.
A recent study found that women are consistently less intensively treated with high-intensity statins after a heart attack, even when prescribed, and across various patient characteristics. This underutilization can lead to preventable vascular events, emphasizing the need for clinicians to communicate the benefits of these medications.
A new study by The George Institute for Global Health found that women in the US are less likely to receive high-intensity statins after a heart attack, despite guidelines recommending them. The study of over 88,000 adults suggests that adherence to these guidelines may be needed to prevent deaths from heart disease and stroke.
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.
Depression affects cardiovascular disease patients, leading to poorer healthcare experiences, increased healthcare resource use, and higher health costs. Studies found that undiagnosed depression in cardiovascular patients can result in worse healthcare-related quality of life and more emergency room visits.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found a link between Montreal Canadiens victories and an increased risk of heart attacks in men under 55. Winning games produced more heart attacks than losses, with a 40% increase in hospital admissions after home victories.
A randomized controlled trial found that varenicline significantly reduced smoking in patients with heart attack over the following year. The study showed that about 40% of participants who received varenicline were not smoking at one year, compared to 29% in the placebo group.
A large study found that conventional risk factors largely explain the links between loneliness and first-time heart disease/stroke, but social isolation remained an independent risk factor for death among those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. The study of nearly 480,000 people aged 40-69 found that social isolation was assoc...
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that hospital quality report cards and readmission penalties may not tell the whole story. The research revealed that when non-Medicare patients and unreported conditions are taken into account, half of hospitals would be subject to a change in their financial penalty status.
Research published in the European Respiratory Journal found that people who have had flu or pneumonia are six times more likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke in the days following infection. The study highlights the importance of vaccination against these two infections in preventing cardiovascular complications.
A new blood test developed by University of Alberta physician Peter Hwang promises to eliminate the guesswork in diagnosing apparent heart attacks. By analyzing fragmented troponin levels, clinicians can better determine the extent of cardiac damage and make informed decisions about treatment options.
A recent study found that six-month dual antiplatelet therapy increases the risk of heart attacks in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The SMART-DATE trial showed that short-term treatment is not safe for ACS patients who have received drug-eluting stents, highlighting the need for prolonged DAPT in these cases.
Researchers found that imaging technologies more precisely predict who's at risk for heart attacks, allowing for timely prevention. The study used PET/CT imaging to measure coronary artery calcium, revealing existing disease and identifying patients at high risk.
Patients treated with beta blocker metoprolol for 30 days before and after noncardiac surgery were less likely to have heart attacks, but more likely to die or have strokes one year later. The study found that the benefits of beta blockers in reducing heart attacks did not outweigh the increased risk of death or stroke.
Patients treated with dabigatran had a 28% lower risk of major cardiovascular complications compared to those receiving a placebo. Dabigatran also showed significant benefits in reducing the risk of specific events such as heart attack, stroke and blood clots.
In a trial of over 3,800 patients treated for STEMI at more than 180 centers, researchers found that ticagrelor is safe to use in combination with clot busters in patients younger than 75. The study met its primary endpoint indicating no difference in major bleeding rates between ticagrelor and clopidogrel.
The wearable cardioverter defibrillator was associated with a 35% lower risk of death in patients recovering from a heart attack. While it didn't reduce sudden cardiac deaths, the device showed promise as an interim therapy for patients awaiting evaluation for implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
Patients who receive treatment during periods when interventional cardiologists are away at academic conferences experience a substantial increase in survival rates compared to those treated on matched days. The improvement is primarily driven by a group of patients with a specific type of heart attack that does not require immediate s...
Patients with cardiovascular disease have impaired levels of protective molecules in their blood in the morning, leading to increased risk of blood clots and heart attacks. Replenishing these molecules can improve cell behavior and reduce inflammation.
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 found that splenic leukocytes play a key role in resolving inflammation after a heart attack, coinciding with cardiac repair. The study highlights the need to investigate macrophage-derived specialized proresolving mediators in heart failure.
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 recent study published at the American College of Cardiology meeting found a significant link between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and an increased risk of heart attacks. The research revealed that IBD is associated with higher odds of having a heart attack, especially in younger patients.
A study analyzing medical records from over 17.5 million patients found that people with inflammatory bowel disease are at elevated risk for a heart attack, regardless of traditional risk factors. Younger patients, especially those under 40 years old and females, face the highest risks.
A study found that large day-to-day swings in outdoor temperature are associated with a significantly increased risk of heart attacks. The researchers calculated the temperature fluctuation preceding each heart attack and found that a five-degree jump in temperature differential was linked to a 5% increase in heart attack rates.
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.