Research on heart attacks and their treatment. Covers care for older patients, cardiac rehabilitation, rapid testing, and updated diagnostic definitions.
A recent study found that hospital mortality after a heart attack has declined significantly for younger women, particularly those under 55 years old, over the past 12 years. The researchers attribute this improvement to changes in patient characteristics and treatments.
A new study has found no significant gender differences in rates of chest discomfort or 'typical' symptoms such as arm discomfort, shortness of breath, and sweating. Female patients were more likely to have both classic symptoms of a heart attack and throat, jaw, and neck discomfort.
A study of 2,240 people found that high CRP levels were associated with an increased risk of heart attack and death, while lower levels were linked to reduced risk. The protein was not linked to an increased risk of stroke in the study, suggesting it may be more useful for predicting heart health.
A Kaiser Permanente program bundled two generic, low-cost drugs and gave daily doses to 68,560 people with diabetes or heart disease for two years, preventing 1,271 heart attacks and strokes. The study found a 60% reduction in hospitalization rates for heart attack or stroke among those taking the bundled drugs.
A non-invasive test can effectively screen for silent heart disease and identify high-risk patients, potentially preventing heart attacks and sudden deaths. Coronary artery calcium scans detected plaque in coronary arteries, which were more effective than standard measurements.
A study of young women with antiphospholipid syndrome reveals a significantly increased risk of stroke and heart attack, particularly when combined with smoking and oral contraceptive use. The findings emphasize the need for screening and warning young women about these cardiovascular risks.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that public smoking bans can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks, especially among younger individuals and nonsmokers. The study suggests that banning smoking in public places and workplaces can prevent up to 154,000 heart attacks each year.
A systematic review of evidence found that flu can trigger heart attacks and cause cardiovascular death, but the influenza vaccine may reduce this risk. The review suggests that vaccination should be encouraged in people with existing cardiovascular disease, particularly during seasonal flu outbreaks.
A meta-analysis of 13 studies found that heart attack rates started to drop immediately following smoking ban implementation, reaching 17% after one year, then continuing to decline over time. The study provides strong evidence for the benefits of smoke-free laws in reducing cardiovascular disease.
Researchers have discovered that applying capsaicin to specific skin locations can trigger signals in the nervous system, activating cellular pathways that protect the heart. This technique has shown promise in reducing cardiac cell death by up to 85%.
A harmless shard from a childhood virus's shell may halt the complement response, a primordial part of the immune system that kills oxygen-deprived victims. This discovery could help save soldiers' lives and reduce brain damage caused by reperfusion injury.
Biomarker levels strongly predict bypass surgery outcome and identify patients at risk of complications. Current diagnostic standards may need reconsideration due to low sensitivity.
A new study published in JAMA suggests that immediate intervention for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) may not provide a significant advantage in terms of outcomes. However, the strategy can still reduce hospital stay duration. The study evaluated data from 352 patients with ACS and found that both immediate and delayed in...
A new study published in The Lancet found that proton pump inhibitors do not negate the clinical benefit of clopidogrel or prasugrel in patients after a heart attack. The TRITON-TIMI 38 trial showed that PPIs can be safely used with these antiplatelet drugs to reduce gastrointestinal bleeding.
A large international study reveals patients with vascular disease experience a surprisingly high rate of recurring events such as strokes, heart attacks, and hospitalizations. Patients in Eastern Europe had the highest rate, while those in Australia and Japan had the lowest.
A landmark international study found that high doses of clopidogrel significantly reduce stent thrombosis and heart attacks in patients undergoing angioplasty. The study showed a 30% reduction in stent thrombosis risk and a 22% lower risk of heart attack with the higher dose regimen.
A phase II trial shows otamixaban, an intravenous blood clot inhibitor, reduces major coronary complications in high-risk ACS patients with lower bleeding rates compared to heparin. The study found intermediate doses of otamixaban offer a significant reduction in death and ischemic complications.
A new study published in The Lancet found that otamixaban significantly reduces the risk of death and second heart attacks in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes. The drug, which inhibits factor Xa, shows promise as an alternative to current standard treatments.
The HORIZONS-AMI study found that bivalirudin reduced clinical events and major bleeding in heart attack patients undergoing angioplasty. This is a significant finding with important clinical implications for the selection of treatment strategies for high-risk patients.
The PLATO study demonstrated that ticagrelor reduced cardiovascular events by 16% compared to clopidogrel, with no increase in major bleeding. The efficacy of ticagrelor was observed across all major acute coronary syndromes patient types, with a consistent benefit seen in secondary endpoints.
Recent discoveries of genetic variants affecting coronary artery disease and heart attack risk are promising for preventing the condition. The variants increase risk by 10-30% and are common, making them useful in prevention algorithms.
Recent observational studies show no overall safety issue with drug eluting stents compared to bare metal stents, with lower risks of death or myocardial infarction. However, late stent thrombosis remains higher and uniquely associated with drug eluting stents, necessitating improved patient selection and treatment strategies.
Women are slightly more likely to die from heart attacks due to a higher risk after severe presentations, while less severe cases show lower mortality rates. The study highlights the importance of considering sex in ACS research and delivery of care.
Women may have a slightly higher risk of death than men in the 30 days following an acute coronary syndrome, but this difference appears to be due to factors such as severity and type of ACS. After adjusting for clinical characteristics and angiographic data, no significant difference in 30-day mortality was found.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE suggests that heart attacks and strokes were rare in human history. The Tsimane Amazonian tribe, with a traditional lifestyle, shows low levels of atherosclerosis, contradicting the expected high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that high levels of calcium in coronary arteries can predict severe cardiac events, including fatal heart attacks. The study suggests combining calcium scoring with other imaging tests can help identify patients at highest risk.
A novel drug Dz13 has been shown to reduce heart muscle damage after a heart attack and protect the heart's pumping action. The drug targets the c-Jun gene, which is responsible for inflammation and muscle death in the aftermath of a heart attack.
A team of researchers has found that transplanting sheets of clonally expanded heart cells improves heart function after a heart attack in mice. The cells secreted a molecule that induced the migration of endothelial cells and prevented oxidative stress, leading to improved heart function.
Researchers found that inhibiting Nox4 substantially inhibits hemangioma growth in a mouse model, while transplantation of cardiac progenitor cells improves heart function after myocardial infarction. Additionally, IL-17 and IL-22 play a crucial role in protecting individuals from developing kala azar, a lethal parasite disease.
A study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that dialysis does not affect the heart health of kidney disease patients who have had a heart attack. Researchers identified predictors of high risk, such as potassium levels and patient condition severity.
A study published by UCSF researchers found that bone marrow extract is as effective as bone marrow stem cells in improving cardiac function, decreasing scar tissue, and pumping capacity after a heart attack. Both therapies resulted in increased blood vessels and reduced cardiac cell death, showing promise for new treatments.
A new study by Dr. Thao Huynh analyzes the best way to treat patients with heart attacks, suggesting that reducing delays in providing primary PCI can maximize its effectiveness. The study also highlights the importance of optimal medical therapy after discharge to prevent repeat heart attacks.
A large study found that stroke survivors experience a decline in functional ability over five years, with those having Medicaid or no private insurance showing the greatest decline. Factors such as age, diabetes, and severe stroke severity also contribute to this decline.
A new study suggests that transferring heart attack patients to specialized hospitals for angioplasty within six hours after clot-busting drugs significantly improves outcomes, reducing repeat heart attacks and serious cardiac complications by 36%. Patients who received earlier angioplasty also had lower rates of chest pain and second ...
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine reveals that inflammatory markers are more strongly associated with fatal than nonfatal cardiovascular events in elderly individuals. The study found that elevated levels of IL-6 and other inflammatory markers were linked to a higher risk of fatal heart attacks and strokes.
The study found that oral rivaroxaban reduced the risk of death, heart attack, or stroke by 21% compared to placebo, with a lower risk of clinically significant bleeding. The medication inhibits factor Xa and has been shown effective in preventing venous thromboembolism.
Alan Davison, Alun G. Jones, and Michael J. Abrams discovered a new class of technetium complexes that showed localization in cardiac tissue after intravenous administration, leading to the development of myocardial perfusion imaging agents. Their work has enabled millions of people to receive better diagnosis and treatment for heart c...
A genetic analysis found that high levels of lipoprotein(a) are associated with an increased risk of heart attack, even after adjusting for other factors. The study suggests that reducing lipoprotein(a) levels may help lower the risk of heart attack.
Half of myocardial infarction patients report onerous fatigue four months after the event, with depression symptoms also common. Patients' perceptions of their illness play a crucial role in determining prognosis and treatment effectiveness.
Patients with both obesity and diabetes face a significantly worse prognosis, with effective treatment being
Aspirin use in primary prevention reduces non-fatal heart attacks by around 12%, mainly due to reduced risk of non-fatal heart attack. However, it also increases the risk of internal bleeding by around a third in healthy individuals.
Researchers found that glucocorticoids induce production of PGD2, which protects rodent hearts from ischemia/reperfusion injury. Synthetic glucocorticoids may be more beneficial for humans following a heart attack than traditional ones.
A new study comparing three different types of aspirin has found that chewable aspirin consistently shows greater and more rapid absorption, potentially leading to improvements in heart attack care. Researchers measured blood levels of aspirin after administering regular and chewed aspirin to volunteers.
A landmark follow-up study found that ICDs reduce the risk of death from any cause by 37 percent in heart attack survivors, translating to 1.2 life-years saved, and greatly amplifying their value as a chronic therapy.
A meta-analysis of studies on aspirin therapy found a 12% reduced risk of nonfatal stroke in patients with peripheral artery disease, although this finding was not statistically significant. Aspirin monotherapy was also associated with a lower risk of nonfatal stroke, but no significant reductions were seen in other cardiovascular events.
A study found African-Americans at greater risk after PCI with significantly worse outcomes, despite researchers' efforts to provide optimal care. Possible explanations include delayed treatment, advanced coronary disease, and poor medication adherence.
Two studies show that women who undergo angioplasty for heart attacks are often older, in poorer condition, and have delayed recognition of symptoms. As a result, they face twice the likelihood of procedural failure and an increased risk of death compared to men.
Certain patients with heart attack who experience abnormal heart rhythms before or after a coronary artery intervention have a significantly higher risk of death within 90 days. VT/VF episodes were more common in late catheterization and associated with lower blood pressure, higher heart rate, and lack of beta-blockers.
Researchers found that heart attack patients who develop serious arrhythmia during procedures face a significantly higher risk of death for several months after the procedure. The study suggests that these episodes complicate outcomes and affect a patient's chance of a successful outcome.
Researchers have identified a specific gene and protein that contribute to the development of deadly arterial plaques. Deleting this gene in mice resulted in smaller, less unstable plaques. The study suggests that therapies targeting cellular stress may be useful in treating heart disease.
Patients with cardiac health problems are trialing a new, home-based rehabilitation system that uses mobile phone and web technology to promote healthy lifestyles. The program aims to improve access and completion rates for cardiac rehabilitation, with personalized goals and support via text messages and video conferencing.
Researchers found that men with highest increase in heart rate during mild mental stress had twice the risk of dying from a heart attack. The study suggests cheap and easy ways to predict who might be at risk, using pulse measurement as a prognostic marker.
A study published in the Biophysical Journal has discovered a method to predict heart attacks by measuring electrical activity coupling between two types of heart muscle cells. This can help doctors and patients buy time before an attack occurs.
Postmenopausal women who breastfed for at least a month had lower rates of diabetes and high cholesterol. Longer durations of breastfeeding resulted in significant reductions in heart attack risk, with those nursing for over a year being 10% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
A study found that consuming fructose-sweetened beverages increased intraabdominal fat and decreased insulin sensitivity, while glucose-sweetened beverages had no significant effects. This suggests that fructose may be more detrimental to health than glucose.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions found that organized STEMI networks consistently provide the fastest treatment of acute heart attacks, with 86% of patients receiving skilled coronary intervention within 90 minutes. This improvement surpasses the American College o...
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center used new imaging technology to discover nearly 200,000 people in the US suffer 'silent' heart attacks each year. These unrecognized myocardial infarctions are linked to a surprisingly high risk of untimely death and may be more common than previously believed.
The UCLA center aims to prevent second strokes in survivors by exploring innovative models of care and neighborhood interventions that reduce risk factors. Researchers will collaborate with community partners on studies to develop effective preventive treatments.
A study found that screening patients with type 2 diabetes for coronary artery disease (CAD) did not significantly reduce the rate of heart attacks or cardiac death. However, participants with normal results had lower event rates than those with abnormalities, suggesting the importance of appropriate diagnostic evaluation.
Researchers created a new method to estimate bleeding risk for heart attack patients using eight basic medical facts. The CRUSADE bleeding score assigns points to each factor, ranging from very low to high risk of bleeding.