Articles tagged with Myocardial Infarction
A study by researchers at UCSF Medical Center found that the electrocardiogram is highly inaccurate for patients with left bundle-branch block (LBBB), leading to under-treatment. This affects approximately 100,000 Americans with LBBB who experience myocardial infarction every year.
Research finds depression after a heart attack is a key risk factor for cardiac causes in both women and men, with similar impact on survival. Despite the higher prevalence of depression among women, they did not die at significantly higher rates than depressed men.
A new study by NHLBI shows that ultrasonography can predict the risk of heart attack and stroke in older adults, even before traditional risk factors appear. The test measures artery wall thickness, providing valuable information for early treatment and prevention.
A recent study by Linda A. Wray and colleagues found that having both a postgraduate degree and a heart attack significantly increases the likelihood of quitting smoking among middle-aged adults. The research suggests that higher levels of education help smokers 'learn' from their heart attacks and quit smoking.
A recent study by University of Florida researchers found that less than a week's worth of walking or jogging can help the heart produce enough HSP72 to protect it against damage during a heart attack. Exercise can generate this protective protein, which helps stabilize and refold damaged proteins in the heart.
A study found that despite high awareness of chest pain as a heart attack symptom, many people are unaware of other critical symptoms like arm numbness and shortness of breath. The research highlights the need for targeted education about complex heart attack symptoms to reduce delay in seeking medical care.
A clinical trial testing Azithromycin's effectiveness in preventing recurrent heart attacks found a promising link between the antibiotic and reduced inflammation. Researchers aim to determine if treating patients with Azithromycin for five days after an initial heart attack can prevent future heart attacks.
Researchers found that administering the drug immediately improves patient outcomes and may alleviate the need for transfer to larger hospitals. The study's results support earlier use of eptifibatide in smaller community hospitals treating heart attack patients with unstable angina.
A new analysis of PURSUIT data reveals women in Latin America and Eastern Europe receive less aggressive cardiac treatment and have higher incidence of heart disease deaths compared to men in similar regions. In contrast, women and men in North America and Western Europe receive comparable treatment and outcomes.
Researchers found that combining abciximab with two low-dose boluses of reteplase provided complete blood flow to up to 35% more patients than using abciximab alone or in combination with a single dose of reteplase. This new strategy may represent an exciting new step in treating most heart attacks.
A new study suggests that even moderate physical exertions can lead to dangerous shortages in blood supply to the heart, increasing the risk of a heart attack. The research found that routine daily activities such as driving, housework, and yard work can trigger ischemia, a condition characterized by a sudden stoppage of blood flow.
A recent study found that high levels of inflammation can impede the effectiveness of clot-busting treatment after a heart attack. Individuals with elevated C-reactive protein levels had slower responses to thrombolytic therapy, resulting in delayed revascularization and increased damage to the heart.
A study suggests that changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure may increase the risk of heart attack in men. Research found a significant association between extreme weather conditions and fatal and nonfatal heart attacks, particularly among those with previous heart attacks.
The REACT trial found a median delay of 2.2 hours, far lower than most U.S. studies have found, indicating an improvement in patients seeking care earlier. This decline is attributed to increased awareness and education about heart attack symptoms and the need for rapid action.
Researchers find that a protein called Rb can keep heart cells 'dormant', preventing them from dividing and causing damage. By activating a related protein MRP1, scientists hope to induce heart cells to multiply and replace damaged ones, offering new gene therapy possibilities for treating heart disease.
The HERS study found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increased risk of non-fatal heart attacks and death in postmenopausal women with established heart disease. In the three-year follow-up, more deaths from heart disease occurred in the HRT group than in the untreated group.
A decline in deaths from congestive heart failure (CHF) has been observed among older adults in the US between 1988 and 1995. The greatest drop was seen in black adults, likely due to improved treatment strategies advocated by the American Heart Association, including earlier identification and better medication adherence.
Researchers found that patients with high vitamin C levels had improved blood vessel function, reducing the risk of unstable angina pectoris. A 500 milligram daily supplement of vitamin C may also be beneficial in improving blood vessel dilation and reducing heart attack risks.
A recent study suggests that extreme fatigue may increase the risk of blood clot formation in the heart arteries, which could lead to future heart attacks. This imbalance is thought to be mediated by impaired fibrinolysis, a process that normally removes blood clots.
A recent study revealed that 11% of the general population has silent cerebral infarcts, with current cigarette smoking and hypertension being significant risk factors. The findings suggest that these lesions may be associated with a poor prognosis in the general population.
Researchers found that aspirin targets patients with the altered gene PlA2 polymorphism, making them 10 times more sensitive to its effect. This discovery could help determine which people benefit most from daily aspirin doses and when other non-aspirin drugs are needed.
Researchers found that contrast echocardiography can detect blockage of small vessels leading to reduced tissue blood flow after a heart attack. The study validated the effectiveness of CE in measuring post-heart attack small vessel obstruction and compared it favorably to MRI.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have developed a new noninvasive test that measures creatine levels in the heart, which can indicate muscle damage from a heart attack. The test uses MRI and MRS to pinpoint depleted concentrations of creatine in injured heart tissue.
A study found that pravastatin significantly reduced the risk of stroke or ministroke in heart attack survivors by 32% compared to those who received a placebo. The medication also lowered the risk of either strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) by 27%.
A new study by Duke University Medical Center found that heart attack patients who experience a stroke shortly after have significantly higher medical costs, with an average increase of $12,030. The cost disparity is largely due to longer hospital stays and the need for institutional care.
A study of nearly 4,000 heart attack patients under 65 found HMO members were almost twice as likely to die while hospitalized. The increased risk was attributed to less likelihood of receiving cardiac catheterization and PTCA procedures.
A study found that moderate alcohol consumption cuts the risk of death from a second heart attack in men who already had one. Men who drank light to moderate amounts reduced their risk by 20-30% compared to non-drinkers. However, heavy drinking poses significant health risks.
A study found that women, minorities, elderly, and those with severe heart attacks are less likely to receive clot-busting drugs and other medical procedures. Strong regional variations were also observed in the use of these therapies.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that nearly one in four heart attack patients suffer from depression, which makes them less likely to modify their diets and exercise more often. The study also showed that depressed patients had greater difficulty following recommended lifestyle and behavior change recommendations.
Researchers found that frequent vigorous exercise reduces heart attack risk, with the greatest benefit seen in men who exercised five or more times a week. The study of over 22,000 physicians suggests that shorter exercise periods may also be beneficial for heart health.
A Duke University Medical Center study of patients from 57 hospitals found that treating a heart attack with direct angioplasty fails to save substantially more lives than therapy with clot-busting drugs. The rate of death or second heart attack was not statistically different between the two therapies.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh analyzed blood samples and found no difference in homocysteine levels between men who suffered heart attacks and those who did not. The study suggests that homocysteine may be more closely linked to atherosclerosis or inflammation rather than promoting processes leading to heart disease.
A major European study found that an antioxidant compound called lycopene in tomato sauce appears to have a protective effect against heart attacks. The study showed men with high lycopene consumption had about half the risk of heart attack compared to those with low lycopene consumption.
A team of researchers will examine the blood samples and medical histories of 2,000 people who have experienced an early heart attack. The goal is to locate and determine the structure and function of genes that contribute to heart disease.
Researchers from Henry Ford Hospital's Heart & Vascular Institute found no correlation between a patient's race and their heart's response to a heart attack. The studies showed African Americans had a thicker lower-left heart chamber, but this did not affect treatment outcomes or recovery chances.
Researchers found that people with high ACE levels immediately after a heart attack are at risk for heart enlargement one year later. The study suggests measuring ACE levels directly after a heart attack and treating patients with high ACE levels with an ACE-inhibitor to prevent complications.
A 30-year follow-up study found that men who ate about 35 grams of fish per day had a significantly lower risk of dying from a heart attack than those who did not eat fish. The findings held true after accounting for various demographic and health factors, supporting the view that eating fish protects against heart attacks.
A recent study by American Heart Association found that risk of stroke after heart attack is highest within five days. The research highlights atrial fibrillation and ST elevation as key factors increasing likelihood of a heart attack-related stroke.
The American Heart Association President states that the age-adjusted death rate from CHD has slowed, with an average annual decline of 2.6 percent, compared to 3 percent in the 1980s. The organization attributes this slowdown to increased prevalence of CHD and risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking.
A prospective study found that people who have suffered major depression may have up to a four-fold increased risk for heart attack. Researchers suggest treating the depression might be crucial not only for quality of life but also for heart health, as it was depression itself causing the risk, not medications.
Research reveals regional differences in US heart attack treatment, with the West Coast showing a balanced approach to resource utilization. The study found that patients in the Pacific states had lower costs for year-long care, while those in New England and Mid-Atlantic states stayed in hospital longer.
Researchers have developed a rapid nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test that can measure heart cell damage from heart attacks in living animals. The new method quickly measures damage to the heart when blood flow stops and restarts, producing sodium 'maps' of the heart.
A University of Washington study found no significant difference in mortality rates between patients treated with anti-clotting drugs or balloon angioplasty after a heart attack. The study compared over 3,000 patients and showed that medical costs were lower for those treated with thrombolytic therapy.
A new monoclonal antibody called ReoPro has significantly reduced life-threatening complications from angioplasty both immediately and up to three years after treatment. The study found that patients treated with ReoPro had a 59% reduction in overall death, recurrent heart attacks, and urgent repeat angioplasty or by-pass surgery.
A study published in the American Heart Association scientific meeting found that cardiologist care significantly reduces heart attack mortality. The research, led by Dr. James Jollis, analyzed Medicare claims data from 220,535 patients diagnosed with a heart attack in 1992 and discovered that patients cared for by cardiologists had a ...