Research on heart attacks and their treatment. Covers care for older patients, cardiac rehabilitation, rapid testing, and updated diagnostic definitions.
Researchers found a significant association between depression and ventricular tachycardia, a precursor to sudden cardiac death, in hospitalized heart attack patients. The risk of ventricular tachycardia increased with increased levels of depression.
A recent study published in JAMA found that distal microcirculatory protection devices used during angioplasty procedures in heart attacks failed to improve patient outcomes. Despite successfully removing debris from arteries, the treatment did not reduce major adverse cardiac events or affect ST segment normalization.
Researchers confirm Vioxx increased cardiovascular risk by nearly doubling events, including heart attacks and strokes, in patients with recurrent colon polyps. The trial was stopped early due to safety concerns.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered 'broken heart' syndrome, a condition where emotional stress triggers severe but reversible heart muscle weakness. The study found that patients experienced rapid improvement in heart function within days and complete recovery within two weeks.
Researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis patients are three times more likely to have been hospitalized for an acute heart attack during the two years before diagnosis. They were also twice as likely to experience unrecognized heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths after diagnosis.
A study by McGill University researchers found that COX-2 inhibitors like Vioxx increase the risk of heart attack by 24% in users who have not previously suffered a heart attack. Aspirin use can help mitigate this risk, but only in those taking low doses of Vioxx.
Researchers have discovered a single human stem cell population derived from the bone marrow that can regenerate myocardium after myocardial infarction. This breakthrough has significant implications for treating heart failure and major morbidity associated with myocardial infarction.
The American College of Physicians recommends one-time ultrasound examination for abdominal aortic aneurysm screening in men aged 65-75 who are smokers. New evidence suggests that large abdominal aneurysms may reduce deaths from ruptured aneurysms. Meanwhile, a study found that the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib increases heart attack risk ...
At least 33% of patients with congestive heart failure who receive specialized pacemakers fail to respond, highlighting the need for more research in selecting candidates. This study suggests that traditional pacemaker implantation may not be effective for patients with previous heart attacks.
Researchers found that nicotine caused a significant increase in atrial interstitial fibrosis and electrical remodeling in hearts with myocardial infarction, leading to atrial flutter. The study suggests a causal link between nicotine and atrial flutter, potentially informing new therapeutic strategies.
A survey found that nearly half of US adults aged 40 and over who are at increased risk of heart disease do not take aspirin to reduce their risk. The study suggests a need for improved communication between doctors and patients about the importance of aspirin therapy.
The Insulin Resistance Intervention after Stroke (IRIS) trial aims to investigate the effectiveness of pioglitazone in reducing recurrent stroke and myocardial infarction among eligible participants. The trial will enroll 3,136 participants over three years and tests the hypothesis that pioglitazone reduces risk by 20 percent.
A meta-analysis of two trials suggests that COX-2 inhibitor Bextra elevates the combined incidence of heart attack and stroke three-fold in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The researchers also found that another COX-2 inhibitor caused changes in atherosclerotic plaques, potentially increasing the risk of rupture.
Researchers found that depressed patients are twice as likely to die within two years after their first heart disease episode compared to non-depressed patients. The study also discovered a stronger link between depression and higher risk of death in studies published before 1992.
In an animal study, stem cells from human umbilical cord blood significantly reduced the size of heart damage and restored pumping function to near normal after a heart attack. The researchers suggest that these stem cells could be a new treatment for limiting or repairing heart muscle damaged by a heart attack.
A new study links higher MBL protein levels to reduced risk of heart attack, particularly in individuals with diabetes. The protein's role in clearing oxidized cholesterol from arteries may be a key factor.
Researchers are conducting a study to examine the effects of fish oil supplements and increased fish consumption on blood vessel function in men. The study aims to investigate whether fish oil supplementation can counteract the negative effects of smoking on heart health.
A recent Penn epidemiological study found a marked difference in heart-attack risk between COX-2 inhibitors rofecoxib and celecoxib, with celecoxib linked to a lower risk. The study compared the cardiovascular effects of these drugs to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen.
A study of 1,718 people found that COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib was associated with a higher risk of heart attack compared to celecoxib and older non-selective non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NANSAIDs). In contrast, those who used NANSAIDs had a decreased risk for myocardial infarction.
A study by the Mayo Clinic found a direct correlation between high aortic calcium scores and heart attacks in patients who underwent virtual colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. The research suggests that CT colonography may identify cardiovascular disease risk, encouraging individuals to take advantage of diagnostic tools.
Researchers discovered that Thymosin beta-4 prevents cell death after a heart attack and limits scar tissue formation in mice. The protein promotes survival and migration of heart muscle cells, which could lead to new treatments for heart disease in humans.
Researchers from Rutgers University found that acetaminophen significantly reduced infarct size in treated dogs, with reductions of up to 63% compared to untreated control groups. The study also suggested anti-arrhythmic action of acetaminophen, with treated hearts appearing more stable electrically during ischemia and reperfusion.
A recent analysis of over 57,000 high-risk heart attack patients found that those who received morphine had a 6.8% death rate, compared to 3.8% for those receiving nitroglycerin. Morphine use was linked to an increased risk of mortality and another heart attack in the hospital.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered that certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as celecoxib, can inhibit bicarbonate transporters, compromising the body's ability to balance pH in cells. This can negatively impact recovery from heart attacks.
Binge drinking was associated with a 73% higher death rate after heart attacks compared to non-binging patients. The study also found that survivors who binged during the year prior to their heart attack were 1.91 times more likely to die of any cause in the next several years.
Researchers found that cardiac tamponade has decreased in incidence since widespread use of fibrinolytic drugs began. However, treatment delays are still a risk factor for the condition, and physicians should closely monitor acute heart attack patients to prevent it.
Research found that African-Americans had higher blood pressure and heart rates, but also better artery response to treatment, leading to worse overall outcomes. The disparity in long-term mortality remains even when adjusting for patient characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors.
A new study reveals women with heart attacks wait significantly longer than men to receive emergency angioplasty, resulting in higher death rates. Patients who received treatment within 90 minutes of arrival had a 50% lower risk of dying in the hospital.
Researchers found that injections of bone marrow stem cells into damaged heart muscle produced nearly full recovery after two months. The study showed no recovery in the control group, with worsened conditions leading to congestive heart failure.
A study found that higher levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake were associated with a significantly lower risk of dying from sudden cardiac death or coronary heart disease in women. Women who consumed the most ALA had a 46% reduced risk of dying from sudden cardiac death compared to those with the lowest intake.
Duke University researchers found that heart surgery patients receive less aggressive discharge care, with gaps in the use of life-saving medications and behavior modifications. The study, based on data from a national registry, revealed underuse of aspirin, beta-blockers, and statins among surgical patients.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that ACE inhibitors do not provide added cardiovascular protection for patients with coronary heart disease who have normal or only mildly reduced heart function. These findings suggest that many patients with this condition may not need to take ACE inhibitors, potentia...
A study found that people with type 2 diabetes are not being optimally managed for their cardiovascular risk. Fewer than 25% of patients were on medication needed to control high cholesterol and less than 50% received treatment for high blood pressure.
A systematic review of studies found that atenolol had no significant effect on reducing death from all causes, cardiovascular causes, or incidence of heart attack. However, it showed a trend towards reduced stroke incidence and increased mortality compared to other antihypertensive drugs.
Researchers found that patients who were diagnosed with non-cardiac chest pain and then had heart events were older, more likely to be men, and had high-risk features such as high cholesterol. Further evaluation should be considered for these patients, says lead researcher Chadwick Miller.
A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that intra-abdominal fat is a significant predictor of heart attack risk. Researchers discovered that as people age, fat tends to accumulate in the abdomen more than other areas, increasing the risk of heart attacks.
A recent study reports four cases of angiographically-confirmed stent thrombosis after elective implantation of drug-eluting stents, resulting in myocardial infarction. The authors emphasize the need for careful long-term follow-up to assess late thrombosis risk
A study found that hormone therapy can limit heart muscle damage to 5% or cause permanent damage to 35%. Researchers are exploring how estrogen alone and other anti-inflammatory treatments may impact muscle damage. The study suggests different hormone therapies may have varying effects on postmenopausal women.
A study published in JAMA Network found that heart attack patients who received blood transfusions had a significantly higher death rate compared to those who did not. The study included 24,111 participants and showed that blood transfusion was associated with nearly four times increased risk for 30-day death.
A study of over 110,000 heart attack patients found that Hispanic and African American patients experience longer treatment times due to hospital quality. The findings emphasize the need to improve care at lower-performing hospitals to reduce racial disparities in healthcare.
Research suggests that cardiac arrest can cause structural changes in neurons, leading to memory deficits and behavioral changes. The study found that mice with a heart attack had difficulty learning new spatial tasks compared to healthy mice.
A study suggests exercise testing may benefit intermediate to high-risk asymptomatic men by identifying those with increased coronary risk, but also finds that greater exercise capacity predicts lower CHD risk. The results support using the Framingham Risk Score to inform exercise test ordering in these patients.
A study led by Mayo Clinic cardiologist Veronique Roger found that cardiac rehabilitation can improve survival rates for heart attack patients by almost 50%. However, women and elderly patients were less likely to participate in exercise programs due to factors such as lack of transportation and support networks.
Women with diabetes having acute coronary syndrome are at a higher risk of presenting with ST-elevation-ACS and dying in hospital, compared to men. Diabetes has a differential effect on the pathophysiology of ACS based on patient sex.
A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that treating patients with recent acute coronary syndromes with higher doses of statins soon after experiencing heart-attack symptoms leads to a reduction in subsequent death, congestive heart failure, and other cardiac events compared to delayed treatment with...
A recent study found that immediate statin therapy in hospitalized heart attack patients significantly reduced the risk of death and additional heart attacks. The study, which involved 3,605 patients at 260 medical centers, confirms earlier findings that early statin treatment is beneficial for heart health.
The trial found that early and aggressive statin use can reduce the long-term incidence of heart attacks, death from heart attack, stroke or readmission to the hospital for a cardiac event. However, benefits only became evident longer term, with no differences in endpoints during the first four months.
A study found that about 21% of middle-aged Americans have both high blood pressure and high LDL-cholesterol, significantly increasing heart attack risk. The combined effect was 51 cases per 10,000 person-years, much higher than expected.
A global study found that nine easily measurable factors predict the majority of heart attack risk, regardless of region or ethnic group. These factors include cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes, which collectively predict over 90% of heart attack risk.
The ACTION study found that adding nifedipine to existing treatments for stable angina reduces the need for hospital interventions by 13% and prevents heart attacks and strokes. Nifedipine also reduces hospitalizations for heart failure in patients with stable angina.
The ICTUS study found that early invasive and selective invasive strategies are equivalent treatment options for patients with nSTE-ACS and elevated cardiac troponin. The study showed higher myocardial infarction rates but fewer rehospitalizations in the early invasive group.
The TARGET study found that COX2 inhibitor lumiracoxib significantly reduces ulcer complications in osteoarthritis patients, but no significant difference was seen in cardiovascular events. Lumiracoxib showed a three to four-fold reduction in ulcer complications compared with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic demonstrate the potential of embryonic stem cells to rebuild damaged heart tissue, improving contractile function and ventricular remodeling. The study found that stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes integrated into infarcted areas without adverse effects.
A recent study published in JCI Journals reveals that AMP-activated protein kinase plays a crucial role in protecting the heart against ischemic stress. The kinase mediates increased glucose uptake in the heart during ischemia, which helps prevent post-ischemic cardiac dysfunction, apoptosis, and injury.
The updated report recommends lower LDL cholesterol levels as a direct relationship with reduced risk for major coronary events. Therapeutic lifestyle changes are also emphasized for cholesterol management.
Researchers developed a non-invasive imaging method to track new blood vessel growth in the heart after a heart attack. The technique uses a radioactively labeled protein to detect changes in damaged areas over time, providing clear visualization of healing processes.
Nearly half of patients prescribed statins fail to fill their prescriptions often enough or stop taking the drug altogether due to high out-of-pocket costs. Co-pay levels above $20 increase the likelihood of non-adherence, with four times more patients stopping medication when co-pays exceed $20 compared to those under $10.
Researchers developed a simple, pocket-sized risk-prediction tool to calculate the chances of dying within six months for patients after a heart attack or unstable chest pain episode. The tool combines nine variables and has been proven accurate in predicting patient outcomes.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a new clinical standard to help manufacturers develop and calibrate assays that measure specific protein concentrations in patient blood samples. This standard, SRM 2921, is expected to reduce variations in clinical test results by as much as 50-fold.
A recent study of over 1 million Medicare beneficiaries found that older patients aged 90+ are significantly less likely to receive critical care in intensive care units (ICUs) compared to their peers aged 68-70. Treatment in an ICU appears to be just as effective for both ages, highlighting a possible disparity in care received by you...