Research on heart attacks and their treatment. Covers care for older patients, cardiac rehabilitation, rapid testing, and updated diagnostic definitions.
A new study suggests that minimally invasive carotid stenting is as effective as open surgery in preventing strokes among high-risk patients. After three years, patients who underwent stenting had similar rates of stroke, heart attack, or death compared to those who received traditional open surgery.
Dr. Criley developed the paramedic model in 1969, training firefighters to provide emergency care to heart attack victims. The program was later adopted nationwide, thanks in part to a TV show about it, and continues to save lives today.
A study published in The Lancet found that recent use of abacavir and didanosine was associated with an increased rate of heart attacks, while cumulative use showed no association. The researchers suggest underlying biological mechanisms may be responsible for the increased risk.
Researchers found that survival rates were similar between households with an AED and those without, despite underuse of AEDs. The study suggests that both AEDs and CPR are crucial in responding to sudden cardiac arrests at home.
A JAMA study found that using MC-1 before and after CABG surgery did not lower the risk of heart attacks or cardiovascular deaths. The treatment showed no benefit in any subgroup or other outcomes.
The study found that clopidogrel reloading significantly improves clinical outcomes without increasing the risk of bleeding, particularly in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Clopidogrel reloading reduces the combined risk of death, heart attack or repeat coronary procedure by nearly two-thirds in these patients.
Researchers found that people with diabetes have the same high risk for heart attack or stroke as those who've already had a heart attack. The study suggests that all patients with diabetes receiving glucose-lowering treatment are at a particularly high risk of cardiovascular death and disease, regardless of sex and diabetes type.
The study found that the Excel stent is associated with a low incidence of cardiovascular complications, and six months of dual-antiplatelet therapy appears to be feasible and safe. The results showed an overall rate of major cardiovascular complications of 2.77%, including cardiac death, heart attack, and repeat coronary procedure.
A study published in JAMA found that high-dose tirofiban had similar outcomes to abciximab in reducing ST-segment elevation after angioplasty. Additionally, sirolimus-releasing stents reduced major adverse cardiac events by half compared to uncoated stents.
A Mayo Clinic study found that 82% of retired NFL players under 50 had abnormal artery narrowing and blockages. The researchers emphasize the need for regular cardiovascular screening in football players to prevent serious cardiovascular events.
A UCI-led study found that coronary calcium detection is a significant predictor of heart attack and disease for diverse groups. The non-invasive procedure uses CT scanning to detect calcium deposits in coronary arteries, which can be valuable for promoting overall cardiac health.
A new study found that brief, high doses of folate in rats reduced muscle tissue damage and scarred areas after a heart attack. Researchers believe folate acts as an energy reserve for the heart, providing needed energy during a blocked artery.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have identified a crucial signaling protein Gi that protects the heart during a heart attack. Blocking this protein increases heart damage in genetically engineered mice experiencing heart attacks.
A study published in Neurology found that Hispanics with even small amounts of plaque build-up in the carotid artery are up to four times more likely to suffer or die from a stroke or heart attack. The study also highlights the importance of measuring plaque thickness by ultrasound as a simple tool for guiding stroke prevention therapies.
A study led by Massachusetts General Hospital confirms that a combination of gene variants associated with cholesterol levels reflect patients' cholesterol levels and increase risk of heart attack, stroke, or sudden cardiac death. The study's findings provide a foundation for personalized medicine and may lead to the development of mor...
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a network of genes that lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent the development of atherosclerotic plaques. The findings suggest that targeting these genes could be an effective way to combat atherosclerosis, the main cause of myocardial infarction and stroke.
Researchers at OHSU and Washington University have identified the mechanism of a bioengineered enzyme that functions efficiently as a potent clot busting agent, retaining minimal power to cause clot building. The breakthrough could lead to a safe alternative for treating heart attacks and strokes with a $20 billion market potential.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo found that up to 20% of patients taking aspirin for stroke and heart attack prevention do not respond to the medication, leading to increased risk of clinical failure. The study also identified factors associated with aspirin resistance, including younger age and underlying vascular disease.
Researchers found that calling a doctor's office instead of 9-1-1 can delay patients from reaching the emergency room during the critical three-hour window for acute stroke treatment. Calling an emergency number or ambulance is the quickest way to receive timely treatment and potentially avoid serious post-stroke disability.
Researchers at University of Kentucky discovered that aliskiren, a new blood pressure medication, significantly reduces artery-clogging lesions and lowers blood pressure. The study's findings contribute to the understanding of the underlying disease causing heart attack and stroke.
Researchers found that smokers with a CETP gene defect are at higher risk of an early onset of heart disease due to decreased HDL levels. Smokers who carry this variant experience a heart attack around age 52, while those without it have similar risks as non-smokers.
After Italy's comprehensive smoking ban in 2005, acute coronary events among adults decreased significantly, particularly in younger age groups, with a 11.2% reduction for those aged 35-64 and a 7.9% decrease for those aged 65-74.
A study by the University of Copenhagen found that HIV medications Abacavir and Didanosine significantly increase the risk of heart attacks in patients. The risk is higher for those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, but can be mitigated by stopping use of these drugs.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center tested the novel drug KAI-9803 in a clinical trial, finding promising signs of beneficial activity. Early data suggest that KAI-9803 may limit damage caused by reperfusion injury following PCI.
A new technique for treating patients with myocardial infarction uses a thrombectomy procedure to remove blockages and improve blood flow. This approach has shown promise in reducing the risk of further obstructions and improving clinical outcomes.
A protein called macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been found to activate AMPK, a key regulator of cellular energy balance, protecting the heart from injury during a heart attack. MIF may help identify individuals at higher risk for cardiac damage during a heart attack based on their genetic characteristics.
A recent UMass Medical School study found that over 80% of patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease do not improve their diet one year after diagnosis. The study used the Alternative Health Eating Index to assess dietary quality and found that only a small percentage of patients met recommended daily intake levels for fruits, veg...
New research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reveals that longstanding anxiety markedly increases the risk of heart attack, even when other cardiovascular risk factors are taken into account. Anxiety is unique among psychological factors in predicting heart disease risk.
A study found that 14% of patients with suspected STEMI did not have a clear culprit coronary artery, and 9.5% had no significant coronary artery disease. This may lead to unnecessary cardiac catheterization activation, which carries risks to the patient.
The $9.7 million VIRGO study aims to understand premature heart disease in young women, with 2,000 participants aged 55 and younger, compared to 1,000 men. Researchers will investigate genetic, demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors contributing to this high-risk group.
Chronic kidney disease significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. Pioglitazone has been shown to lower this risk, particularly among those with moderate to severe renal disease. The study found that pioglitazone reduced all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke by one-third.
Research shows depression significantly increases risk of death following a heart attack, with depressed patients more than twice as likely to die if they don't recover from depression within six months. The study also highlights the role of molecular mechanisms and inflammatory molecules in this association.
A recent study found strong evidence that respiratory infections increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, particularly in winter months. The researchers discovered a doubling of risk in the week following respiratory infection, which reduced over time.
A new study found that a two-in-one test examining the nervous system and heart's electrical system can identify patients at highest risk of cardiac arrest or death after a heart attack. The REFINE study revealed that combining findings from one simple test makes it significantly more likely to identify high-risk patients.
A new heart test has been developed to detect mild degrees of heart injury, enabling doctors to identify patients most likely to benefit from life-saving treatments. The test, which searches for a specific protein in the blood, could lead to fewer unnecessary hospital admissions and improved diagnosis.
A study found that glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) infusion therapy after a heart attack increased the risk of heart failure and death in the first 3 days. The therapy had no effect on 30-day or 6-month outcomes.
Patients with venous thromboembolism face a substantially higher long-term risk of heart attack and stroke, with relative risks comparable to those for diabetes and smoking. The study found that the combined increased risk for arterial cardiovascular events was between 20% and 40% higher over 20 years.
Researchers found that consuming vegetables rich in nitrite can reduce heart-muscle damage by 48% and provide protection from heart-attacks. Boosting nitrite levels in the diet could help prevent lasting heart damage or death, particularly for those at increased risk.
A preclinical study found that mice fed extra nitrite and nitrate had 48% less cell death in the heart following a heart attack. Nitrite/nitrate-rich diets may improve outcome following a heart attack by forming nitric oxide gas, which reopens closed or clogged arteries.
A small study found that diesel exhaust increases clot formation and blood platelet activity in healthy volunteers, which could lead to heart attack and stroke. Researchers measured clot formation, coagulation, and inflammatory markers after exposure to diluted diesel exhaust.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals that over half of heart attack patients discontinue taking prescribed medications within three years. Smokers are more likely to stop taking all their medications in the short term, while those in cardiac rehabilitation programs tend to continue medication at a higher rate than non-participants.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic found no link between diabetes treatment and survival rates after a heart attack. The study, which analyzed data from over 2,700 patients, suggests that commonly used medications for managing blood sugar levels do not reduce the likelihood of survival after a heart attack.
The study found that patients who arrived at the hospital within one to two hours of onset had a 77% higher rate of receiving reperfusion therapy, compared to those who waited 11-12 hours. Delayed arrival resulted in lower rates of reperfusion therapy and poorer treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that adding stents to clot-busting therapy after the optimal treatment window ends doesn't provide significant long-term benefits. The study, which looked at 951 patients, also revealed higher medical costs associated with delayed angioplasty.
A definitive study reveals that placing automated external defibrillators in public spaces can save up to 522 lives annually in the US and Canada. The widespread deployment of battery-powered devices has been shown to more than double survival rates among victims of sudden cardiac death.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that only 40% of heart attack patients received recommended aspirin therapy, and 69% of pneumonia patients got recommended antibiotics, highlighting racial, geographic, and financial disparities in access to care.
The HORIZONS AMI trial demonstrated the superiority of bivalirudin over standard drug therapy in reducing net adverse clinical events by 24% and major bleeding by 40% in heart attack patients at 30 days. The study showed significant reductions in cardiac deaths, with a 27% decrease compared to standard therapy.
The AMIHOT II trial found that infusing oxygen-saturated blood into the previously blocked artery after an angioplasty procedure significantly reduced the size of the 'infarct zone', or damaged heart tissue. The study showed a 6.5% reduction in infarct zone size and no significant increase in Major Adverse Cardiac Events at 30 days.
A study of postmenopausal women found that healthy dietary patterns, moderate alcohol consumption, physical activity, a healthy weight, and not smoking were linked to a significantly reduced risk of heart attack. These behaviors, present in 5% of the population, may prevent 77% of myocardial infarctions.
Research suggests that early intervention with angioplasty improves survival and reduces the risk of heart attack in women. Women are at higher risk of bleeding complications, but this does not justify withholding life-saving procedures.
Researchers found a significant drop in blood pressure during the sleep trial, but not during resting or standing trials. This reduction occurred mostly after lights out, just before falling asleep, and may explain the lower cardiovascular mortality associated with siesta-taking.
A new study from Université Laval found that people who experience chronic job strain after a first heart attack double their risk of suffering from a second one. Researchers discovered that high levels of work stress increase the probability of experiencing another CHD event, even after taking into account other health factors.
A study published in JAMA found that chronic job strain after a first heart attack significantly increases the risk of another coronary heart disease event. The study, which included 972 participants, revealed that job strain was associated with a two-fold increase in recurrent CHD events.
Data suggests MIF may provide a target for developing therapeutics to treat West Nile Virus encephalitis. Abnormal microglial cell migration is also implicated in age-related macular degeneration, with CX3CR1-dependent accumulation linked to disease progression.
A study of 3,369 postmenopausal women found that those who experienced at least one full-blown panic attack had a four times higher risk of heart attack and nearly twice the risk of death from any cause. The findings suggest that panic attacks may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events.
A Brandeis study found that fewer than one in five patients receive cardiac rehabilitation services after a heart attack or coronary bypass surgery, despite its proven benefits. The use of cardiac rehab varies significantly by age, gender, and geography.
Exposure to particulate matter in mice triggers lung macrophages to produce IL-6, leading to accelerated blood clotting and thrombus formation. Targeting IL-6 may decrease the risk of heart problems caused by air pollution.
New research from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine identifies how microscopic air pollution kills people at risk. The study found that lungs inflamed by the pollution secrete a substance that causes blood to clot, raising the risk of fatal heart attacks or strokes.
A new analysis of four studies found that long-term use of Avandia increased the risk of heart attack by 42% and doubled the risk of heart failure. The study, published in JAMA, suggests that the drug may cause over 4,000 excess heart attacks and 9,000 excess cases of heart failure per year.
A meta-analysis of pioglitazone treatment found a significant reduction in heart attack, stroke, and death rates among type 2 diabetes patients, with no significant increase in cardiovascular death. However, the treatment also increased the risk for serious heart failure.