Research on heart attacks and their treatment. Covers care for older patients, cardiac rehabilitation, rapid testing, and updated diagnostic definitions.
A Boston study found that marijuana smoke increases the risk of a heart attack by nearly five-fold within the first hour, but the effect decreases rapidly over time. The study used a multicenter design and included 3,882 patients who survived heart attacks.
Middle-aged and elderly marijuana smokers increase their risk of a heart attack by more than four and a half times during the first hour after smoking, according to a recent study. The study found that the risk of a heart attack is highest in the first hour after use, but drops significantly after two hours.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have discovered a defensive molecular mechanism launched by the body to protect against oxygen deprivation on the heart. HIF and VEGF, two angiogenesis genes, are activated in response to ischemia or infarction, attempting to increase decreasing blood flow.
A Yale study found that patients with mental illnesses are significantly less likely to undergo cardiovascular procedures, including angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery, compared to those without mental disorders. This disparity was not explained by the severity of cardiac illness or regional differences.
A new study reveals that tiny increases in creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) can indicate heart damage and predict increased risk of death. Elevated CK-MB levels are associated with higher rates of stroke, shock, and other complications.
A study found that spouses of heart attack patients share similar risk factors, including high body mass index and smoking habits. The researchers analyzed data from 170 couples and discovered that nearly 76% of couples were overweight or obese, with women being more likely to continue smoking after their partner's heart attack.
A six-year randomized study of 5,059 U.S. veterans found that taking one aspirin a day after a heart attack is as effective as combining it with an anti-clotting drug in reducing post-heart attack risk. The study recommends solo aspirin use due to its cost-effectiveness and lack of need for monitoring.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a new treatment strategy for heart attacks, which combines clot-dissolving drugs with angioplasty to improve patient outcomes. The 'facilitated angioplasty' approach shows promising results, with higher success rates and reduced bleeding compared to traditional treatments.
A new study reveals that a specific gene variant, apoE-4, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, even in individuals with normal cholesterol levels. The research, conducted on 731 healthy adults, found that those carrying the apoE-4 gene had a higher incidence of coronary events compared to non-carriers.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that poorer neighbourhoods have higher mortality rates and reduced access to cardiovascular services after a heart attack. The researchers emphasize the need for targeted healthcare delivery and promotion to address these disparities.
Research published in Heart shows that over 400 heart attacks occur annually among young women smokers and could be avoided with cessation of tobacco use. The risk of heart attack increases significantly with daily cigarette consumption, with even light smokers facing more than double the danger.
A study of heart attack patients in Latin America and North America found that those in Latin America received fewer diagnostic procedures and treatments, leading to higher mortality rates. The research highlights the need for further studies on practice patterns and outcomes in Latin America.
Researchers found that patients with higher cognitive adaptation scores were less likely to experience a new heart attack or other coronary event six months after their angioplasty. Patients' ability to cope positively with their illness and take better care of themselves may play a key role in reducing the risk of future heart attacks.
A new study finds that early aortic valve disease significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, angina, and even death in older adults. The condition, known as aortic sclerosis, is associated with a 50% increase in risk of heart-related causes, even after adjusting for other factors.
Researchers discovered that healthy young men with a family history of heart disease react to stress with elevated blood levels of cholesterol and other lipids. These findings suggest that lipid reactivity to stress may have implications for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease.
A unique NIH study will use advanced MRI technology to diagnose heart attacks and strokes more quickly and accurately, potentially saving lives. The study aims to learn whether MRI can identify heart attacks and strokes earlier, allowing for timely treatment.
A University at Buffalo study found that men recovering from a heart attack who are at the highest risk of a second attack are also the least likely to participate in an exercise program. These men tend to be overweight, have high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and smoke tobacco.
A new case-control study suggests that high levels of serum ferritin are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks in elderly individuals with other cardiovascular risk factors. Consuming iron-rich foods like red meat can contribute to elevated serum ferritin levels.
Patients with heart attacks who are taken directly to high-volume hospitals have a higher survival rate than those treated at smaller centers. Younger patients and those with cardiologists as attending physicians also benefit from increased survival rates.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that abciximab, a blood-thinner, can help prevent heart attacks in patients with unstable angina who have high troponin T levels. The treatment reduced heart attack risk by 44% in these patients compared to those without elevated troponin T levels.
A study found that middle-aged men with higher testosterone levels are less likely to experience high blood pressure, heart attacks, and obesity. However, they are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and excessive drinking.
The number of deaths from coronary heart disease has declined, with a reduction in heart attacks accounting for two-thirds of the decline. The study attributes the remaining third to increased survival rates among those who have had heart attacks.
A new screening tool combining CT scans and electrocardiograms has promise to be a highly effective and relatively inexpensive way to detect blood vessel disease. The test measures calcium in the heart's arteries, identifying signs of atherosclerosis that can block arteries and cause heart attacks and strokes.
A new study from Boston University suggests that moderate alcohol consumption up to 20 grams/day may not raise PAI-1 levels; instead, higher levels are associated with a modest increase. The findings suggest that moderate drinking may have beneficial effects on PAI-1 or at least no harm.
A Mayo Clinic study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) is an efficient and cost-effective screening tool for patients with chest pain. The test can detect coronary artery calcification, allowing doctors to safely send patients home without further observation.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found an association between new hormone use and the occurrence of a second cardiac event in women with previous heart disease. The study suggests that hormone therapy may not be beneficial for women who already have heart disease, but may still be helpful for those without it.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found a new drug reduces the size of myocardial infarctions without necessarily reducing incidence. This challenges traditional trial methods that focus on reducing death and heart attacks.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.