Research on the heart and how it stays healthy. Covers light exposure, tissue maintenance, trauma-related cardiovascular risk, and circadian effects.
Scientists have designed a pacemaker that harnesses the energy of heartbeats to regulate heart rhythm. The device was successfully tested in pigs and shows promise for creating a self-powered cardiac pacemaker.
The new document defines the training requirements for performing advanced echocardiographic procedures, outlining knowledge, experience, and skill requirements for Level III competency. It emphasizes the importance of proper training to ensure positive clinical outcomes and patient safety.
A new study suggests that a program providing bridge care between hospital and home can reduce readmissions and deaths after a heart attack. The Heart Care Navigation Team's program assigns a health advocate and nurse navigator to help patients with timely access to follow-up care.
A study of 81,714 postmenopausal women found that drinking multiple diet drinks daily was associated with a higher risk of stroke, especially small artery strokes. The research highlights the potential health risks of artificially sweetened beverages and recommends limiting their use.
A pilot program using clinical decision support tools improved angina symptoms and quality of life in patients with stable ischemic heart disease. The use of apps such as ACC FOCUS, Seattle Angina Questionnaire, and CardioSmart Heart Explorer App led to significant improvements in patient outcomes.
Researchers at UC Davis developed a novel simulation that provides insights into vital atomic-scale drug-cardiac cell interactions. The study advances the development of new antiarrhythmic drugs targeting voltage-gated sodium channels, which can help predict individual patient responses to drug therapy.
A recent study found substantial variability in organ donation from drug-intoxication-related deaths, with major increases reported in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southwest. The research estimates that 6.24 hearts are recovered from every 1,000 lives lost to drug intoxication.
African Americans, especially women, face a significantly higher risk of sudden cardiac death due to factors like low income and education. The study found that these disparities accounted for 65% of the difference in risk between African Americans and whites.
A study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that middle-aged athletes who engaged in high-volume exercise (at least 5-6 hours per week) did not have an increased risk of heart disease or mortality. The researchers also found that women were excluded from the study due to lower mortality rates compared to men.
A new study from the European Society of Cardiology found that loss of muscle mass is a significant risk factor for disability after stroke. Muscle wasting was observed in patients who lost at least 5% of their body weight, and those with cachexia had lower functional capacity and handgrip strength.
A team of researchers at Stanford University has discovered a signaling molecule that promotes the growth of small arteries leading into oxygen-starved heart tissues, offering hope for new treatments. The protein, CXCL12, is activated in response to low oxygen levels and helps heal damaged heart tissue.
Researchers found a dairy-supplemented Mediterranean diet significantly improved blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol, mood, and cognitive function. The new MedDairy diet meets additional calcium requirements recommended by Australia's national health bodies.
A new study provides evidence-based recommendations on how to catch life-threatening conditions that cause fainting. Low-risk patients can be safely discharged home within two hours, while medium and high-risk patients can be sent home after six hours with no danger signals detected.
A recent study by researchers at Kumamoto University found that ketone bodies are used at a rate of around 35% in the heart under normal conditions. However, this utilization rate decreases substantially when blood flow to the heart is reduced, highlighting the dynamic nature of energy source switching in the heart.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that sleeping less than six hours a night may increase cardiovascular disease risk. Participants who slept poorly were 34% more likely to have atherosclerosis compared to those with good quality sleep.
A new review shows that plant-based diets improve cardiovascular safety and performance in endurance sports, benefiting athletes' heart health, performance, and recovery. A varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes provides essential nutrients for athletes.
A new study published in HeartRhythm reports that regular moderate alcohol consumption is a modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Moderate drinkers had more electrical evidence of scarring and impairments in electrical signaling compared to non-drinkers and light drinkers.
Scientists have found two biomarkers that can be used to identify patients at risk of atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disturbance affecting 1.6 million people in the UK. The biomarkers include brain natriuretic peptide and fibroblast growth factor-23.
This study investigates the role of miRNAs in cardio-protective effects of halogenated anesthetics, a widely used cardiac surgery agent. The expression profile of miRNAs is modulated by perioperative administration of these anesthetics.
Researchers found that mice exposed to secondhand smoke developed cardiac alternans, a precursor to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The study expands knowledge of tobacco smoke's effects on cardiac function in nonsmokers.
Research suggests that maternal hyperglycemia is a primary teratogen in all forms of diabetes, causing birth defects through dysregulation of epigenetic processes and oxidative stress. The study highlights the importance of understanding the gene-environment interactions involved in fetal heart development.
Researchers found that a fatty acid produced by gut bacteria, propionate, helps defend against the effects of high blood pressure, including atherosclerosis and heart tissue remodeling. A diet rich in fiber can increase survival rate and reduce damage to the cardiovascular system.
A study funded by the American Heart Association aims to investigate whether pyruvate can enhance cardiac output in pediatric patients with low cardiac output syndrome following heart surgery. The researchers hope that this could lead to better recovery times, reduced hospital stays and improved quality of life for these children.
A recent study by the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai shows that a pharmacist-led intervention at barbershops can significantly lower blood pressure in high-risk African-American men. After 12 months, the average systolic blood pressure fell by nearly 29mmHg in the intervention group.
A 12-month follow-up study found significant improvements in blood pressure among African-American men participating in a barbershop-based health program. The intervention reduced systolic blood pressure by 28.6 mm Hg, with an average reduction of 20.8 mm Hg greater than the control group.
A Temple-led research team finds blocking GRK2 localization to mitochondria protects heart cells from ischemic injury and death. The study also reveals that mitochondrial GRK2 pooling is associated with impaired cardiac metabolism and increased heart cell death.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed an integrated 3D printing and valve sizing system to predict leaky heart valves during aortic valve replacement procedures. The system uses CT scan data to create physical models of individual patients' aortic valves, allowing cardiologists to determine the perfect replacement valve size.
Researchers developed a new treatment for dogs with rare, life-threatening arrhythmia caused by atrioventricular accessory pathways. The minimally invasive technique, radiofrequency catheter ablation, has a 95% success rate and allows dogs to live normal lives without medication.
A study found that obese patients with 'metabolically healthy obesity' had less deterioration in heart structure and function, leading to better survival rates. Metabolically healthy obese patients also had the best chance of survival compared to those with metabolic risk factors.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that mice exposed to polluted air before conception had heart problems and impaired function in their offspring. The study suggests that pollution-related cardiovascular disease may start even before conception.
A high salt diet may increase the risk of developing heart arrhythmia, according to a new study published in Annals of Medicine. Researchers followed 716 middle-aged men and women for 19 years, finding that those who consumed the highest levels of salt had a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation.
Researchers at the University of Otago have discovered blocking oxytocin cells in the brain after a heart attack can improve survival outcomes. The breakthrough could lead to a new pharmacological drug targeting these cells, potentially improving cardiovascular patient outcomes.
A new study presents findings on the impact of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on cardiac function in women, suggesting that OSA may be underdiagnosed. Researchers analyzed data from over 4,000 participants to find increased left ventricular mass in both genders with OSA or snoring, highlighting earlier impairment in women.
Engineered patches integrate therapeutic cardiac cells with injured heart tissue, boosting development of new heart tissue and increasing cardiac functions. The treatment shows promise as a form of cardiac therapy in humans, offering hope for survivors of heart attacks.
Russian scientists developed a new surgical technique using drug-eluting balloon catheters to treat bifurcation lesions in coronary arteries. The method showed lower rates of repeated luminal occlusion and fewer long-term complications compared to traditional single-stent methods.
Researchers discovered how filamin A and Drp1 interact to facilitate mitochondrial fission under hypoxic conditions, leading to heart failure. The study found that cilnidipine prevents this damaging process, preserving heart function after a heart attack or in cardiovascular disease.
A new study has found that footballers' health screens, including echocardiography and electrocardiography, do not always detect potentially critical heart problems. In fact, six players out of 595 tested negative for serious cardiovascular issues, highlighting the need for further screening and timely symptom reporting.
A new pharmacological agent, SS-68, demonstrates significant activity in preventing heart rhythm disorders and conditions of reduced blood flow to the heart caused by obstructed arteries. The compound has also been found to reduce episodes of epilepsy in brain injury-induced arrhythmias.
Researchers found that people with migraines who experience visual disturbances are at a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation. The condition increases the risk of stroke and blood clots, highlighting the need for further research on screening and management strategies.
A study published in Human Gene Therapy found that urocortin 3 gene therapy significantly improved left ventricular function and ejection fractions in mice with induced heart failure. The therapy resulted in a 1.9-fold increase in left ventricular function and a 32% relative increase in ejection fractions.
A team of researchers, led by UH professor Kirill Larin, is investigating the relationship between mechanical factors and genetic pathways in embryonic heart development. Understanding this connection can help prevent congenital heart defects, which claim one out of every 100 baby lives in the US.
Patients with common heart failure are more likely to experience lethal heart rhythms, according to research from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The study found that those with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are twice as likely to suffer from pulseless electrical activity or asystole, which can be fatal.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that black patients remain at significantly higher risk for sudden cardiac death even after adjusting for income, education, smoking, and other risk factors. The researchers suggest that unknown genetic factors may be contributing to these disparities.
A new study found that patients with atrial fibrillation show signs of asymptomatic brain injury. Three biomarkers were significantly higher in AF patients, suggesting chronic cerebral injuries may contribute to neurodegenerative problems.
A new study of over 174,000 patients found that being treated with too much medication for hypothyroidism can lead to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke. The research suggests that the optimal healthy range of free thyroxine (fT4) levels may need to be reconsidered.
The American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and Heart Rhythm Society have published a guideline for evaluating and treating patients with bradycardia. The guidelines recommend diagnostic testing tools, lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy, and pacing devices to manage the condition.
Researchers found that former smokers who quit within the last five years reduced their cardiovascular disease risk by 38 percent compared to those who continued to smoke. It took 16 years since quitting for former smokers' risk of cardiovascular disease to return to the level of never smokers.
A new study found that people from large Latino populations are less likely to receive CPR and survive cardiac arrests when they collapse. Bystander CPR rates were lower in these communities, with only 27% of cases receiving CPR in heavily Latino-populated neighborhoods.
A study of 12,708 participants found that consuming more than 30% of daily calories after 6pm was associated with a 23% higher risk of developing high blood pressure and a 19% higher risk of becoming pre-diabetic. Eating earlier in the day may be an important strategy to help lower heart disease risk.
A study found a concerning decrease in antibiotic prescribing for high-risk dental patients, despite an increase in infective endocarditis cases. The research supports the American Heart Association's recommendation to continue prophylaxis for those at high-risk of IE.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 studies found that people with the highest anthocyanin intake were 9% less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease. Anthocyanins have also been linked to improved risk factors for heart disease, such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Researchers found a significant increase in AFib hospital admissions following the springtime transition, suggesting that daylight saving time transitions have negative health consequences. The study analyzed nearly 6,300 records of patients admitted to Montefiore Medical Center for AFib between 2009 and 2016.
Preliminary research suggests opioid use increases risk of developing atrial fibrillation by 34 percent. Atrial fibrillation is a chaotic quivering of the heart's upper chambers, one of the leading causes of strokes.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen create technique to observe and measure fetal heart rhythms without direct electrode placement. The method uses a cloud of caesium atoms to detect small magnetic fields, mimicking the effect of placing an instrument on a pregnant woman's belly.
The study aims to determine the accuracy of irregular-pulse detection by the watch and compare it with simultaneous ECG patch recordings. Researchers hope this study will help better understand how wearable technologies can inform precision health.
Researchers are exploring a new treatment using two existing drugs to reduce heart damage during cardiac surgery. The team will test the treatment in pigs and assess its safety and feasibility before moving to human trials.
A new study found that exposing people with phobias to their fear at the exact time of their heartbeats significantly reduces phobia severity. Researchers combined computerized therapy with online heart rhythm measurements to treat patients with spider phobia, showing improved anxiety levels and reduced physiological responses.
Researchers found that accepting an organ from a donor at higher risk of disease transmission offers a higher one-year survival rate for candidates on the heart transplant list. Patients who decline such offers may wait longer or become too ill to undergo the procedure, resulting in higher mortality rates.
A study demonstrates that pulse wave velocity shows promise as a measurement to monitor blood pressure levels. Continuous, cuffless and non-invasive monitoring using wearable patches could provide an inexpensive option for patients with high blood pressure.
A study suggests that heart patients should interrupt sedentary time every 20 minutes with a 7 minute bout of light physical activity to expend 770 kcal, associated with a lower risk of premature death. Regular physical activity is key to achieving a healthy life.