Research on heart attacks and their treatment. Covers care for older patients, cardiac rehabilitation, rapid testing, and updated diagnostic definitions.
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.
Paramedics can reduce medical contact to balloon time by calling ahead to activate helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), speeding up patient care. This study found that HEMS activation in the field or at a smaller hospital can save up to 48 minutes of treatment time
Researchers at Mayo Clinic are conducting a study to investigate the potential of a novel snake-venom peptide, cenderitide, to reduce cardiac and renal injury following a heart attack. The therapy may help prevent deterioration of cardiac and renal function in treated patients.
A study by UNC Health Care researchers found that a supercharged version of the protective protein focal adhesion kinase (FAK) can reduce heart attack damage by 50% in mice. The enhanced protein, called SuperFAK, was engineered to activate stronger survival signals and deactivate at the right time, reducing permanent heart damage.
Researchers have developed a modified protein, SuperFAK, that reduces cell damage after heart attacks by 50 percent without causing inflammation. The study suggests this protein may protect the heart during chemotherapy or following a heart attack.
A meta-analysis of eight clinical trials suggests that initial stent implantation for patients with stable coronary artery disease is not associated with improved outcomes compared to initial medical therapy. The study found no significant reduction in mortality, nonfatal heart attacks, or angina after a mean follow-up of 4.3 years.
Researchers found that naked mole-rats retain a tolerance for oxygen deprivation into adulthood, similar to infant humans. This discovery could lead to better brain cell protection during heart attacks or strokes.
A UCSF stem cell study conducted in mice suggests a novel strategy for treating damaged cardiac tissue after a heart attack. The approach potentially improves cardiac function, minimizes scar size, and avoids tissue rejection.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of previous studies found that short-term exposure to major air pollutants is associated with an increased risk of heart attack. The study suggests three possible mechanisms for this association: inflammation, abnormal cardiac autonomic system regulation, and increased blood viscosity.
A new study reveals that South Asians living with coronary disease in Alberta experience a lower quality of life compared to Canadians of European descent. The study, published in American Heart Journal, found that they have more frequent and severe chest pains, and are less physically active.
A Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute clinical trial has demonstrated that treating heart attack patients with their own heart-derived cells can help damaged hearts regrow healthy muscle. The study found a significant reduction in scar size and an increase in healthy heart muscle following the stem cell treatments.
A study published in The Lancet found that infusing patients' own cardiac stem cells into the heart after a heart attack reduces scar tissue by 50%. This breakthrough suggests that healthy heart muscle can be restored after previously thought-to-be irreparable damage.
A short spinning session can increase cardiac biomarkers, similar to a heart attack, but levels return to normal within 24 hours. Researchers hope to raise awareness among emergency treatment teams about the need for accurate assessment in patients with chest pains after exercise.
Patients with low levels of anti-PC in connection with acute coronary syndromes are at a greater risk of complications and premature death. Inhibiting inflammation and cell death may have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that daily diet soft drink consumption may be associated with a higher risk of vascular events, including stroke and heart attack. In contrast, regular soft drink consumption and moderate intake of diet soft drinks do not appear to increase the risk of these events.
A lab study found that Gilenya, an MS treatment, reverses ventricular hypertrophy's symptoms and prevents fatal arrhythmias. Researchers discovered Pak1's role in heart disease and developed a potential new therapy.
A Northwestern University study reveals that individuals with low short-term risk may face very high lifetime risk of heart disease if they have just one or two risk factors, such as high cholesterol or blood pressure. The study found significant variations in risk by age, sex and race.
A Scripps-led study published in JAMA finds that the new drug cangrelor successfully 'bridges' patients with recent stents to cardiac surgery without excessive bleeding. The trial showed 99% of cangrelor-treated patients maintained target levels of platelet inhibition.
Research published in the FASEB Journal reveals that intestinal microbiota play a crucial role in determining the outcome of heart attacks in rats. The study found that probiotics can tilt the scales in favor of improved cardiovascular health, reducing heart attack risk and improving recovery from myocardial infarction.
A recent study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes found that Asian-American heart attack patients received nearly the same quality of care as white counterparts, with improvements seen between 2003 and 2008. Despite this, disparities persist, including lower rates of aspirin use and smoking cessation counseling.
A recent study published in Circulation found that the risk of heart attack increases significantly after losing a loved one. The research, led by BIDMC, revealed an elevated risk of heart attack in the first 24 hours (21 times normal) and remained high for at least a month.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found dabigatran to be associated with a higher risk of myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome. The research suggests that clinicians should consider the potential cardiovascular risks when using dabigatran, particularly in high-risk populations.
Research finds that grief increases heart attack risk by 21 times within the first day, declining steadily over the first month. Grieving spouses are also at higher long-term risk of dying from heart disease and strokes.
Researchers found that IL-1 limits advanced atherosclerosis features linked to severe complications in humans. Genetic inactivation of IL-1 signaling enhances plaque instability and reduces outward vessel remodeling in mice with advanced atherosclerosis.
A new highly sensitive troponin assay has been shown to be superior in diagnosing heart attacks, allowing for earlier and more accurate treatment. The study found that using this test on admission and measuring changes after 3 hours can rule out or confirm a diagnosis of heart attack with high accuracy.
A new study from Northwestern University finds that a significant increase in blood pressure during middle age increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. Maintaining low blood pressure early on can reduce this risk, with those who keep their blood pressure low having a significantly lower risk.
A study found a 44% increase in hospitals offering definitive emergency care for heart attacks since 2001, but only a 1% increase in access to that care. Regional variation is significant, with highest access in the Northeast and lowest in the South.
Mayo Clinic researchers found that elective angioplasties performed without on-site cardiac surgery capabilities pose no increased risk for patient death or emergency bypass surgery. The study included thousands of patients and showed mortality rates were similar for centers with and without on-site surgery.
Researchers analyzed over 150,000 adult ADHD users and found no significant association between current use of ADHD medications and an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or sudden cardiac death. Cardiovascular disease rates were similar among new and ever-users of these medications.
Researchers have found that controlling the balance between two proteins can reduce the growth of dangerous cells in arteries. This finding could lead to a lower risk of further heart attacks and improved cardiovascular health.
A study using coronary CT angiography found that women are at a significantly greater risk of cardiovascular events than men when experiencing large amounts of plaque build-up or extensive artery narrowing. In contrast, men with non-calcified plaque are at higher risk for major adverse cardiac events compared to women.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that inflammasome amplifies inflammatory responses in the heart, leading to further damage. Pharmacologic inhibition of inflammasome prevents heart enlargement and dysfunction.
Researchers found that reducing CXCR4 levels correlated with reduced infarct size and inflammation, but impaired recovery of blood flow and neovascularization. The study suggests that localized approaches, such as injecting stem cells with higher CXCR4 levels or CXCL12 variants, may be more effective in heart repair.
Nationwide study reveals that fewer than 10% of heart attack patients transferred from initial hospital to one offering angioplasty are done within the recommended 30-minute timeframe. This delay increases the risk of death, particularly for STEMI patients who require immediate artery-opening procedure.
A study published in Circulation Research found that the size of a heart attack and subsequent left-ventricular function are significantly different based on the time of day onset of ischemia. The greatest amount of injury to the heart occurs when individuals have a heart attack between 1:00am and 5:00am.
A new study by University of Iowa researchers pinpoints CaM kinase as the key player in cardiac rupture. Blocking this protein may help prevent cardiac rupture and reduce death risk. The study also found that activated CaM kinase prompts heart muscle cells to produce an enzyme called MMP9, implicated in heart rupture.
A new stent design has been linked to shortening and deformity in some patients, leading to serious complications. Researchers and clinicians are investigating the issue and working on new recommendations for its use.
A study found that women and young men make up a substantial portion of heart attack patients without known coronary disease. These groups are less likely to receive preventive medications, which could reduce their risk of heart attacks.
A UTHealth study reveals that patients who call 911 for heart attacks arrive at hospitals 30 minutes faster but still have higher mortality rates due to being more critically ill. The study found that those who call 911 are three times more likely to die, highlighting the need for improved pre-hospital treatment.
Researchers found adult stem cells from bone marrow have potential to improve heart function after a heart attack. However, the original two-week timeframe was not favorable, but the concept still shows promise for recovering lost or damaged heart tissue.
Researchers found that carotid artery stenting following prior same-side carotid artery revascularization results in lower incidences of in-hospital death, stroke, and heart attack. The study's findings have the potential to change how carotid artery stenosis is assessed and treated.
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that smoke-free workplaces significantly reduced the incidence of heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths in Olmsted County, Minn. residents. The study showed a 50% reduction in sudden cardiac death rates after a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance took effect.
A Mayo Clinic study found that stem cells delivered two to three weeks after a heart attack do not improve heart function. The research provides vital information for the field of cell therapy and cautions against seeking stem cell treatment outside the US.
A new clinical trial funded by NIH found that delayed stem cell therapy after a heart attack is safe, but it does not improve heart function six months later. The study suggests future clinical benefits may still be possible.
Researchers found that adding the oral anti-clotting drug rivaroxaban to standard medical treatment for acute coronary syndrome lowered the risk of death, heart attack, or stroke by an average of 16 percent. This improvement in survival rates is comparable to the benefits seen since the introduction of aspirin.
A study by the American Heart Association found that frequent professional tooth scaling can lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Participants who received regular cleanings had a 24% lower risk of heart attack and 13% lower risk of stroke compared to those who never received dental care.
A Stanford study found that nitroglycerin's continuous use can lead to increased heart attack severity in rats. Treatment with Alda-1 enzyme activator reduced the detrimental effects of prolonged nitroglycerin use.
A study by the Heart and Stroke Foundation found that women under 55 experience worse outcomes after a heart attack, including more recurrences of chest pain and physical limitations. The research highlights the need for increased awareness of risk factors and symptoms among women to improve their health outcomes.
A new study shows that hospital heart attack death rates are improving, but elderly patients (85+) continue to lack access to specialist care, including emergency coronary angioplasty and vital heart medicines. This highlights the need for improved age-sensitive care to address inequalities in heart health.
A recent study suggests that women's hearts are more prone to damage from small blood vessels rather than major arteries, leading to misdiagnosis and adverse events. Researchers are working to develop new diagnostic methods and treatments tailored to female heart disease patterns.
Researchers have developed a method to grow cardiac muscle cells from human cord blood stem cells, which could lead to new treatment options for patients with damaged hearts. The study found that these cells can be expanded and differentiated into cardiomyocyte-like cells, overcoming the technical hurdle of deriving cardiac muscle-type...
Academics say a study used to justify patient choice in the NHS is fundamentally flawed and misleading. The report highlights errors in the original study and concludes that it does not prove cause or effect between patient choice and death rates.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels reduced the risk of heart attacks and strokes among patients with diabetes. Patients whose HDL levels decreased had more heart attacks and strokes, with a 11% increase in risk compared to those with stable HDL levels.
A study of 107,018 Medicare patients found that same-day discharge after elective PCI did not increase the risk of death or rehospitalization. Patients who underwent shorter procedures with lower predicted risk were more likely to be discharged the same day.
A new study has identified subtle markers of heart damage hidden in hours of EKG recordings, allowing doctors to identify high-risk heart attack patients. The researchers found that these anomalies can predict patient mortality within 12 months, enabling targeted treatments to save lives.
A recent UCI-led study found that diabetics with high levels of coronary calcium are at a strong risk of heart attacks and strokes. The researchers also discovered that individuals with diabetes or metabolic syndrome without evidence of coronary calcium had cardiac-event risks comparable to those without these conditions.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health identified a hidden cause of heart attacks in women without significant coronary artery disease. Plaque disruption, a rupture or ulceration of cholesterol plaque in a coronary artery, was found to be the mechanism behind myocardial infarction in some women.
Researchers have discovered a potential new biomarker for heart attacks, cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C), which is released into the blood following a heart attack. Elevated levels of cMyBP-C may help diagnose heart attacks more accurately, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions.
Researchers at UCSF found that bone marrow cells used to treat human hearts after a heart attack are impaired due to inflammation caused by the attack. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches to improve treatment outcomes for heart attack patients.
Despite advancements in treating STEMI patients needing emergency artery-opening procedures, delays continue to occur, particularly during transfers between hospitals. Researchers found that 34.2% of patients experienced delays, with the most frequent reasons being referral hospital delays and cardiac arrest.