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People who can’t afford dental care may be at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, dementia

A new study found that older people who forego necessary dental procedures due to financial barriers may experience heart failure, a heart attack, a stroke, or dementia. The researchers suggest that alleviating upstream factors such as financial constraints could prevent chronic disease.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series A·TypeObservational study·DateApr 1, 2026

FAU study links ultra-processed foods to greater heart attack, stroke risk

A study by Florida Atlantic University found that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are associated with a 47% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers analyzed data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that those consuming high amounts of UPFs had a significant increase in heart attack and stroke ...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 5, 2026

Not all heart inflammation is the same

A study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research identified distinct immune signatures in myocarditis caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and mRNA vaccines compared to non-COVID-19 myocarditis. The findings suggest a stronger immune response in post-COVID-19 myocarditis, while the inflammation appeared milder in post-vaccination cases.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2025

Cause of sleep disturbance in cardiac disease identified: Ganglia play previously unrecognized role

A study published in Science reveals that ganglia in the neck region are responsible for disrupting melatonin production and causing sleep disturbances in people with heart conditions. Researchers found that macrophages accumulate in the ganglion, leading to inflammation and scarring, which can be treated with drugs.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

Researchers study immune response, proteins in blood of young adults who develop rare complication after COVID vaccination

A study by Mass General Brigham found elevated levels of spike protein, increased cytokines, and troponin in the blood of 16 adolescents and young adults who developed myocarditis after COVID mRNA vaccination. The researchers also discovered no differences in antibody production or auto-antibodies between cases and controls.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCirculation·TypeObservational study·DateJan 4, 2023

New biomarker strategy devised to screen for, diagnose deadly heart complication from cancer treatment

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a new biomarker-based strategy to screen for immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis, which can cause muscle damage and liver injury. Early detection of these biomarkers can lead to earlier treatment and improved survival rates.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJACC CardioOncology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 20, 2022

Cardiac antigen identified as mechanism for heart complication with immunotherapy-related myocarditis

Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified the cardiac antigen α-myosin as the mechanism for immunotherapy-related myocarditis, a rare but deadly complication affecting less than 1% of patients. The discovery sets the framework to identify biomarkers and develop strategies to tolerate immunotherapy in at-risk...

Getting to the heart of COVID-19 vaccination and its cardiovascular risks

A comprehensive review and meta-analysis found that young adults under 40 have a slightly elevated risk for myocarditis or pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. The analysis analyzed data from over 58 million participants and explored the relationship between COVID-19 vaccine and these rare but dangerous adverse reactions.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 1, 2022

Myocarditis seven times more likely with COVID-19 than vaccines

A recent study by Penn State College of Medicine scientists found that the risk of developing myocarditis — inflammation of the heart muscle — is seven times higher with COVID-19 infection than with COVID-19 vaccination. Patients with myocarditis can experience chest pains, shortness of breath or an irregular heartbeat.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine·DateOct 13, 2022

New study from National Institutes of Health RECOVER initiative finds post-acute COVID-19 in children less common than in adults but more frequent than hospitalization rates for acute COVID-19

A new study from the National Institutes of Health RECOVER initiative found that post-acute COVID-19 in children is less common than in adults, but more frequent than hospitalization rates for acute COVID-19. Children with medical complexity and those younger than five years old are at higher risk of long COVID-19.

SourceChildren's Hospital Colorado·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 29, 2022

Heart failure patients unvaccinated against COVID-19 are three times more likely to die from it than boosted heart failure patients

A new study from Mount Sinai Heart found that heart failure patients unvaccinated against COVID-19 are three times more likely to die from it than those who are fully vaccinated and boosted. The research also shows that these unvaccinated patients face higher risks of hospitalization and ICU admission if infected with the virus.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Cardiac Failure·TypeObservational study·DateJun 9, 2022

UCSF-led study confirms some cancer immunotherapies may lead to myocarditis and other potentially serious arrhythmias

A new clinical syndrome of ICI-myocarditis has been identified, characterized by highly arrhythmogenic features. The study establishes specific electrocardiographic features to diagnose and prognosticate the syndrome, highlighting the need for further research on prediction and monitoring strategies.

SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Medical Center·JournalCirculation·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 5, 2021