Research on heart attacks and their treatment. Covers care for older patients, cardiac rehabilitation, rapid testing, and updated diagnostic definitions.
A recent study published in JAMA Network found that beta-blocker use was not associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events among patients with coronary artery disease or at high risk for but without established CAD. However, the study did reveal that among patients with recent MI (one year or less), beta-blocker use was linked ...
A Scottish study found people with type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and premature death compared to the general population. The researchers also discovered that women are more at risk than men, with higher rates of cardiovascular events and deaths from any cause.
Women experiencing early menopause are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease and stroke. The study suggests that avoiding early menopause or delaying it through lifestyle changes may help reduce this risk.
A large European-wide study has confirmed that work stress is associated with a small but consistent increase in the risk of experiencing a first coronary heart disease event. The study found that individuals with highly demanding jobs and little freedom to make decisions are 23% more likely to experience a heart attack.
A large-scale synthesis of available randomized evidence found no association between omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and major cardiovascular outcomes. Despite widespread recommendation, supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs is not associated with lower risk of all-cause death, cardiac death, sudden death, heart attack, or stroke.
MicroRNA-145-based gene therapy reduces plaque size and increases stability in mice, providing new insights into atherosclerosis treatment. The approach also makes the fibrous cap area more resilient to rupture, a key event in heart attacks.
A new study by the University of Toronto found that men who experienced childhood sexual abuse are three times more likely to have a heart attack than men who were not sexually abused as children. The researchers also noted that the pathways linking childhood sexual abuse to physical health outcomes in later life may be gender-specific.
A study using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in Iceland found that unrecognized heart attacks (UMI) were associated with an increased risk of death. The prevalence of UMI was higher than previously suspected, especially among individuals with diabetes.
Researchers found that successive leg compressions trigger natural protective mechanisms reducing damage after a stroke. The technique, called remote ischemic perconditioning, reduced stroke size by 25.7% in animal models, doubling its efficacy when combined with tPA, the current FDA-approved stroke therapy.
Researchers found that adding vorapaxar to standard antiplatelet therapy significantly reduces the long-term risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with a prior heart attack. The study, published in the Lancet, showed a 20% reduction in cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke.
A new study found no significant difference between prasugrel and clopidogrel in preventing death, heart attack, or stroke in ACS patients who do not undergo coronary stenting or bypass surgery. However, prasugrel showed a lower risk of recurrent adverse events after 12 months of treatment.
The study found that vorapaxar is beneficial for long-term secondary prevention of heart attacks in patients under 75 years old with no history of stroke and a body weight over 60kg. The drug's cardiovascular advantages are likely to outweigh the bleeding risks associated with it.
Research from Bremen, Germany found that non-smokers experienced a 26% decrease in ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs) following the introduction of a smoking ban. In contrast, active smokers showed little change in STEMI rates, highlighting the benefits of anti-smoking legislation.
Researchers are testing whether lowering inflammation with methotrexate can reduce rates of recurrent heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in high-risk patients. The 7,000-patient trial will follow participants for 3-5 years to determine the treatment's effectiveness.
A clinical trial launched by the NIH aims to determine whether a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug can reduce rates of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths in adults at high risk. The study will enroll 7,000 patients across the US and Canada over two years.
A study published in JAMA found that patients treated with newer-generation drug-releasing stents had a significantly lower rate of major adverse cardiac events at 1 year compared to those receiving bare-metal stents. This was attributed to reduced target vessel-related reinfarction and ischemia-driven target-lesion revascularization.
A recent study published in JAMA found that endoscopic vein harvesting during coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) has similar mortality rates and lower infection and wound complication rates compared to traditional open incision methods. The study, conducted on a large population of Medicare patients, refutes previous concerns about ...
A new protocol has excellent results and should become the standard of care for treating severe heart attacks. Paramedics trained to read ECGs expedite treatment by evaluating patients with chest pain and restoring blood flow to the heart within 30 minutes.
The trial found large reductions in blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, with estimated benefits of avoiding or delaying a heart attack or stroke by 28% among participants. The Polypill is a four-component tablet that contains three blood pressure-lowering medicines and a statin for lowering cholesterol.
Researchers found SCAD occurs most frequently in men during extreme exertion and in women after childbirth, with a higher-than-expected rate of recurrence in females. Conservative therapies may be a better approach for some SCAD patients, while invasive procedures are associated with complications.
A new study warns that online self-diagnosis can lead to overestimation of disease likelihood due to symptom-focused searches. This bias may result in consumers taking unnecessary medical actions, causing harm to themselves and society.
A Saint Louis University scientist is working to harness the anti-inflammatory activity of antithrombin to reduce the incidence and severity of heart disease. He has also been studying the control of blood clotting factors for 23 years, with a focus on improving the effectiveness of activated protein C.
A gene variant in sortilin, responsible for higher protein expression in liver, has been found to reduce cholesterol levels. The study reveals two mechanisms: increased LDL degradation and decreased APOB secretion via lysosomal targeting.
A new UCLA study published in Basic Research in Cardiology found that heart attacks in late pregnancy result in worse heart function and more damaged heart tissue than in non-pregnant females. The research suggests that the heart may be particularly vulnerable to injury during this critical period, but partially recovers after giving b...
A study of 3,010 heart attack patients found that 40% were rehospitalized within 30 days due to the heart attack or other causes, with comorbid conditions like diabetes and COPD increasing risk. Additionally, half of heart patients make serious medication errors, even when pharmacists intervene.
Researchers found that the immune response to a heart attack accelerates underlying atherosclerosis, leading to increased inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques. This study suggests a new therapeutic strategy for preventing heart attacks and strokes by targeting the immune system's role in exacerbating atherosclerosis.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found a significant association between traffic noise exposure and an increased risk of heart attacks. The research showed that every 10 decibels of noise above the threshold resulted in a 12% higher risk of myocardial infarction.
A new study at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that living alone may be a risk factor for death, especially due to cardiovascular problems like heart attack and stroke. Participants with atherosclerosis who lived alone had a higher rate of death over four years compared to those who did not live alone.
A large-scale Canadian study has found that patients with chronic kidney disease are at comparable risk of future coronary events to those who have previously suffered a heart attack. This could lead to targeted treatment for high-risk individuals, including the use of statins to reduce 'bad' fats in the bloodstream.
Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a new cause of cardiac damage after heart attacks in people with type 1 diabetes. A runaway autoimmune response triggered by alpha-myosin leads to chronic inflammation, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. The study offers promising targets for future interventions to protect the heart.
A Tel Aviv University researcher found that cardiac patients living in high-pollution areas were 43% more likely to have a second heart attack, and 46% more likely to suffer a stroke. Long-term exposure to air pollution was linked to increased risk of mortality and recurrent vascular events.
A new index reveals that 71% of Australians live near specialist hospital care and four types of aftercare within an hour's drive. However, rural and remote communities face significant challenges in accessing cardiac care, with Indigenous people living at a lower rate than non-Indigenous Australians.
Research published in the journal Heart found that calcium supplements may increase the risk of heart attacks, while boosting dietary calcium intake has no significant heart health benefits. The study of nearly 24,000 participants suggests that high levels of calcium supplements may be harmful due to their impact on blood calcium levels.
A national survey found that systems treating severe heart attacks are expanding nationwide, with over 580 community-based STEMI systems registered in Mission: Lifeline. The survey also identified common barriers to implementing these systems, including competition among hospitals and finances.
A study found that behavioral support from peers and primary care office staff can help patients with poor blood pressure control improve their blood pressure levels by as much as starting a new drug. The intervention reduced systolic pressure by 7.2mmHg in the treatment group compared to 0.8mmHg in the control group.
The Stent for Life Initiative is driving equal access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in Europe, reducing mortality and morbidity among acute coronary syndrome patients. PPCI rates are increasing across participating countries, with a focus on improving patient awareness and streamlining healthcare systems.
Recent studies using mendelian randomization have failed to support a causal association between higher concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lower risk of heart attack. Instead, findings suggest that raising HDL cholesterol may not uniformly reduce the risk of myocardial infarction in humans.
A new study of 15 HDL-raising variants found no association with reduced heart attack risk, challenging the long-held assumption. The research uses genetic approaches to test biological hypotheses and highlights the value of human genetic information in understanding disease biology.
A lack of basic evidence is hindering the prevention of sudden heart attacks in sports, with a need to track all incidents like Fabrice Muamba's on-pitch collapse. Reliable data collection and cooperation among sporting organisations are essential to mitigate risks and improve understanding of the condition.
A study by the American Heart Association found that STEMI patients who went directly to PCI-capable hospitals received faster treatment, with an average time of 93 minutes from first medical contact to artery-opening treatment. This can improve a patient's chances of survival.
Researchers found that heart attack survivors living less than 100 meters from a major roadway have a 27% increased risk of dying over 10 years compared to those living at least 1,000 meters away. Long-term exposure to air pollution near roadways is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death.
A new study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center finds that heart attack survivors living near highways have a 27% higher risk of death within 10 years compared to those living far away. The risk recedes to 13% for those living between 200-1,000 meters from the roadway.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have found that the JAM-A protein helps prevent unwanted blood clots, which are a major contributor to heart disease and stroke. The study suggests that the protein may serve as a biomarker for predicting risk of these conditions.
Researchers discovered that strong light can activate a protein called Period 2, which regulates heart metabolism and minimizes damage from heart attacks. This finding suggests that daylight exposure could reduce the risk of having a heart attack or suffering damage from one.
Scientists have developed a new imaging method that combines PET and CT scanning to identify patients at high risk of a heart attack. The technique, which targets active calcification in coronary arteries, shows promise in improving heart attack prediction and reducing mortality rates.
Researchers found that EKG abnormalities in healthy elderly individuals increased the risk of heart attack. The study, which followed 2,192 adults aged 70 and older for eight years, suggests that EKGs could be used to detect heart disease earlier in patients without chest pain or symptoms.
Paramedics can administer a mixture of glucose, insulin and potassium (GIK) to patients having a heart attack, reducing the rate of cardiac arrest and death by 50 percent. The treatment also reduces the severity of heart tissue damage from the heart attack.
A study of nearly 2000 US male health professionals found that moderate drinkers who survived a first heart attack had a lower risk of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease. The researchers discovered a 'U' shape effect, where heavy drinking increased mortality risk.
A study found that intravenous glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) solution did not reduce the rate of progression to heart attack or improve 30-day survival in patients with chest pain. The treatment was associated with a lower risk of cardiac arrest or in-hospital death.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital found carotid artery stenting to be safe and effective in patients over 70, with a low risk of adverse events. The study showed that while the risk increases with age, it remains extremely low even for those aged 85 and above.
New research from Brigham and Women's Hospital shows that ticagrelor significantly reduces the time to a second cardiovascular event or death, in addition to reducing total events. The study found that continued use of ticagrelor after a cardiac event is both safe and effective in preventing further cardiac events.
Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) scans identified nearly three times as many patients with coronary artery disease as standard methods. Low- to intermediate-risk patients who underwent CCTA were more than twice as likely to be discharged and had significantly shorter hospital stays.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that highly detailed CT scans can safely and quickly rule out heart attacks among many patients with chest pain. The study found that patients with negative CT scans can be discharged from the hospital within hours, reducing costs and emergency room crowding.
A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital suggests a strong link between telomere shortening and poor cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes that protect chromosomes from deteriorating, and their length is associated with increased risk of heart attack and death.
A new study has shown that delivering abciximab directly to the site of a heart attack can significantly reduce damage to the heart muscle. The treatment was found to be effective in reducing infarct size by up to 15% compared to no treatment or aspiration thrombectomy.
A study found a significant mismatch between the growth of cardiac catheterization laboratories and the need for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. PCI centers have grown 12.9% over eight years, but STEMI rates have declined, leaving many patients without access to care.
Researchers discovered that abciximab significantly decreased heart muscle damage in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients. Clot aspiration did not show similar benefits.
A recent study found that selected 90-year-old patients who experience acute heart attacks can benefit from coronary stenting, leading to reasonable outcomes and low cardiovascular readmissions. The study suggests that reperfusion therapy should be considered for this age group, which is expected to quadruple by 2050.
A study by Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute has established a connection between microRNAs and impending heart attacks. Researchers identified six microRNA molecules linked to gene regulation, revealing lower levels in patients who experienced a heart attack within seven days.
Researchers found that among patients given an appointment for a follow-up exercise stress test, 70 percent actually underwent the test compared to 31 percent without pre-scheduled appointments. Patients with pre-scheduled appointments also waited significantly less time for the test.