Research on the heart and how it stays healthy. Covers light exposure, tissue maintenance, trauma-related cardiovascular risk, and circadian effects.
Researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara developed new algorithms to localize atrial fibrillation using non-invasive electrocardiographic imaging. This technology has the potential to aid in diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac disorders without requiring invasive surgeries.
A genetic tool can identify people at high risk of heart attacks early in life, potentially preventing devastating outcomes. The technology uses genomic data to calculate an individual's underlying genetic risk for coronary heart disease.
A unique source of stem cells in blood helps build blood vessels in embryos, contradicting previous theories. This finding brings scientists closer to using stem cells to repair damaged blood vessels and treat heart and circulatory diseases.
Researchers at RIKEN developed a self-powered heart monitor that can be taped to the skin, utilizing sunlight as a power source. The device achieves high photo-conversion efficiency and demonstrates accurate heartbeat detection in both rats and humans under various lighting conditions.
Researchers aim to develop and evaluate non-contrast based imaging methods to diagnose peripheral arterial disease without relying on gadolinium-based contrast agents. The proposed techniques have high applicability to other medical procedures, including venography and vessel wall imaging.
Researchers at Penn State are developing a new generation of blood pumps that use computational methods to predict clot formation and design safer devices. This could enable earlier intervention for patients with congestive heart failure, reducing recovery time and improving outcomes.
Researchers developed 3D personalized computational models of patients' hearts to accurately identify arrhythmia locations. The models correctly predicted treatment targets and reduced ablated tissue areas in some cases. Clinical trials demonstrated the feasibility of integrating simulation predictions into routine procedures.
A new $3 million grant will test a unique program educating people with uncontrolled hypertension about getting their blood pressure under control. Participants will receive either usual care or view a video and ultrasound images to empower themselves.
A researcher is studying a heart mutation that can lead to sudden cardiac death and other heart conditions. The scientist found a parallel process of conduction called ephaptic coupling that helps maintain heart rhythm even when gap junctions are lost.
A UHN study found that CIHI's model significantly underestimates mortality in patients undergoing high-risk heart surgery. The study compared outcomes with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' clinical data model, which accounted for seven medical conditions that predict worse outcomes.
A study by researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute has identified novel lipids in the heart and plasma of exercise-trained mice compared to those with a failing heart. These findings may represent new biomarkers and/or drug targets for Atrial Fibrillation and heart failure.
A new study found that a change in breathing tube use can significantly improve survival rates for patients with sudden cardiac arrest. The new technique, which uses laryngeal tubes, resulted in higher survival rates compared to traditional endotracheal intubation.
A recent study found that full-body millimeter wave scanners pose no threat to patients with pacemakers, ICDs, or CRT devices. The research included 300 patients with cardiac devices and found no evidence of electromagnetic interference or device malfunction during the scan.
Guidelines recommend inducing labour or caesarean section at 40 weeks to minimize pregnancy risks, particularly for women with congenital heart disease. Women with heart disease face higher mortality risk during pregnancy compared to healthy counterparts.
A smartphone application has been shown to effectively screen for atrial fibrillation, with a verification process that can be downsized or omitted. The study found that approximately 225 people would need to be screened to detect one new case, making this technology an attractive option for widespread screening.
The new guidelines recommend open heart surgery for patients with complex coronary artery disease, as it provides better long-term survival and outcomes compared to stent placement. In contrast, patients with simpler disease can benefit from both surgical bypass and PCI, with complete revascularization being the preferred option.
The British Heart Foundation is launching a £30 million global cardiovascular challenge to identify and solve the biggest problems in heart and circulatory disease. The Big Beat Challenge will bring together world-leading researchers and innovators to accelerate breakthroughs that could transform lives across the globe.
A new mobile heart monitor paired with an automated algorithm and physician review can accurately detect atrial fibrillation, showing 96.6% sensitivity and 94.1% specificity compared to traditional ECGs. However, the device failed to classify some results as normal or possible AF, highlighting its limitations.
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association released an updated guideline for managing adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients, incorporating new data and growing expertise. The guideline presents a new classification system that captures complexity in both anatomy and physiology.
Researchers developed a wearable and implantable device that measures electrophysiological signals and applies electrical and thermal stimulations. It was successfully used on a human wrist to monitor the electrical activity of heart and muscles.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have found a genetic marker that indicates when a person with a fast heartbeat is at high risk of developing tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) and eventual heart failure. This discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of the condition, reducing the risk of cardiac damage or death.
A diverse diet may actually lead to consuming more calories and increasing the risk of weight gain. Instead, experts recommend prioritizing a balanced eating pattern that emphasizes whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
The USPSTF concludes that routine screening for atrial fibrillation with electrocardiography is not recommended due to the lack of evidence. Atrial fibrillation increases with age and is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke, but current screening methods have not been proven effective in preventing adverse outcomes.
A graduate student at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute is investigating how adenovirus affects gap junctions in the heart, which can lead to arrhythmia. The research aims to understand the pathways used by the virus in sudden cardiac death and potentially develop therapies for other forms of cardiac disease.
Researchers found that even low levels of air pollution can cause significant changes in the structure of the heart, similar to those seen in early stages of heart failure. The study, which included over 4,000 participants, linked higher exposures to pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2 to larger ventricles and more pronounced remodelling.
A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology reveals that cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can detect early indicators of silent heart problems in patients with newly diagnosed lupus. The study found structural and functional changes in the hearts of patients with lupus, which were related to the disease stage.
Researchers found that a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may help protect failing hearts in children and young adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Preliminary studies suggest that supplementing BDNF signaling could be a new way to treat heart complications in this disease.
Researchers discovered 44 chromosomal regions linked to abnormal heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation and heart block. The study's findings could lead to better treatments and a greater understanding of the heart's electrical activity.
The Cleveland Clinic has been awarded a $2.8 million grant to evaluate disparities in survival among heart failure patients before and after heart transplantation. The research will create tools to optimize outcomes, including identifying risk factors and developing dynamic models to predict patient conditions.
A Department of Justice investigation into implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement in Medicare patients resulted in decreased use of the devices, especially at hospitals that reached settlements. The study found a significant decline in ICDs placed outside established criteria for reimbursement.
Using catheter-based ablation instead of medications alone reduces the risks of death and stroke in AFib patients, according to a new study from UC Davis physicians. The study found that outcomes for patients treated with ablation were similar to those not treated with it within 30 days, but showed benefits beyond 30 days.
A new study published in Journal of the American Heart Association found that young adults who frequently binge drink are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The research revealed that young men who reported repeated binge drinking had higher systolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non-binge drinker...
A new approach called prehabilitation, combining exercise training, education, and social support, may reduce postoperative complications and hospital length of stay in vulnerable older adults. Two Canadian randomized controlled trials are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention.
Researchers have developed a technique to determine the significance of gene variants of uncertain significance in patients with suspected heart conditions. By using advanced genetic-editing tools and stem cell technology, they were able to confirm that a patient had a mild case of long QT syndrome and rule out another condition.
A randomized, controlled trial found that administration of nitric oxide gas during and for 24 hours following heart surgery decreased the risk of acute and chronic kidney problems. Nitric oxide reduced the risk of acute kidney injury by 50% and chronic kidney disease by 21%.
Research comparing keyhole, robotic, and conventional mitral valve repair surgeries found that keyhole surgery had higher success rates and fewer complications, including lower rates of subsequent heart flutter and blood transfusions. Robotic surgery required more blood transfusions but still provided excellent outcomes.
Research suggests that moderate doses of alcohol activate the ALDH2 enzyme, which helps protect heart cells from damage. The study found that hearts exposed to ethanol before ischemia-reperfusion injury showed reduced cell death compared to control groups.
The American Heart Association awards Cleveland Clinic a $3.7 million grant for atrial fibrillation research, focusing on preventing disease progression and developing personalized therapies. The team will study the relationships between genes, aging, and metabolism to find new treatments.
Dr. Jennifer C. Sullivan has been awarded the inaugural John Laragh Research Award and Mid-Career Award for Research Excellence for her research on gender differences in hypertension. She is a prominent investigator in cardiovascular and renal sciences, with multiple NIH funding awards.
The PCORI-AHA DECIDE Center will develop and test decision aids to help people with atrial fibrillation make choices with their doctors. The center aims to strengthen the relationship between clinician and patient and empower patients to make informed treatment decisions.
A recent study found that men with erectile dysfunction are twice as likely to experience heart attacks, cardiac arrests, and strokes. The research suggests that ED is an important indicator of cardiovascular risk among middle-aged men.
After pulmonary valve replacement, patients with severe right ventricular volume overload due to pulmonary regurgitation often present with decreased RV function. However, the study found that preoperative LV systolic dysfunction is the only independent predictor of postoperative improvement in LV systolic function.
Ebstein anomaly presents a wide spectrum of presentation, with outcomes varying by age at diagnosis. Surgical management is crucial, with poorer outcomes in neonates and excellent outcomes in adults.
With improved surgical and medical management, more children with CHD survive to adulthood, leading to an increasing number of adult heart transplants. Approximately 300,000 adults with CHD have severe cases, making early recognition and referral crucial for successful transplantation.
A recent study found that feeling lonely is a stronger predictor of poor outcomes than living alone in patients with cardiovascular disease. The study revealed that loneliness was associated with doubled mortality risk in women and nearly doubled risk in men, as well as increased symptoms of anxiety and depression.
A 25-year-old prison inmate was left with a permanent disability after using synthetic cannabis, despite having no traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The case highlights the potential dangers of synthetic cannabis use and the need for greater awareness among young users.
Research published in The Journal of Physiology shows adult offspring born to older mothers are more susceptible to heart risks. Older motherhood is linked to increased risk of complications during pregnancy and potential health issues for children later in life.
A team of researchers identified the perinexus, a tiny pocket between cardiac cells that can disrupt heartbeat, in humans for the first time. The structure's expansion may contribute to atrial fibrillation by disrupting electrical communication between cells.
A recent study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that quitting smoking significantly reduces lung cancer risk, with a 39% drop in just five years. Even 25 years after quitting, former heavy smokers' risk remains threefold higher than non-smokers.
New research reveals that high altitudes reduce heart function by decreasing blood volume and increasing lung pressure. The study's findings will improve our understanding of how the human body adapts to high-altitude environments, making exploration and tourism safer and facilitating exercise performance at high altitude.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a potential new way to treat fluid buildup in heart failure by shutting off the spigot causing it. The procedure improved symptoms in five acute heart failure patients and showed significant reductions in pressures inside the heart and increases in cardiac output.
Under the new guideline, an estimated 31 million more US adults will have high blood pressure, requiring antihypertensive treatment. The revised definition of high blood pressure, above 130/80 mm Hg, may lead to increased treatment recommendations.
Research published in The Journal of Physiology found that exercising 4-5 days a week slows down the ageing of the heart and blood vessels. Lifelong casual exercise (2-3 times a week) resulted in more youthful middle sized arteries, while frequent exercise (4-5 times a week) kept larger central arteries youthful.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London and University College London have identified 30 new gene locations that determine how the heart responds to exercise and recovers from it. This discovery could lead to the development of targeted therapies for abnormal heart rhythms and improved heart health.
Researchers discovered that elevated stress response protein levels are associated with reduced kidney damage after heart surgery. High MIF levels before surgery may help identify patients at risk for acute kidney injury.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that patients with intermittently recurring atrial fibrillation who experience longer periods of abnormal heart rhythms are three times more likely to have strokes or blood clots. Continuous heart monitoring may help physicians identify high-risk patients and tailor treatments.
A new preclinical study finds that early BPA exposure may slow heart rates, cause irregular rhythms and calcium instabilities in developing hearts. The research highlights the need for alternative biomaterials to improve patient safety outcomes.
A new combined risk score model integrates CHA2DS2-VASc and Intermountain Risk Scores to derive and validate a new stroke prediction score, nearly doubling ability to predict stroke risk. The integrated IMRS-VASc model assigns people more accurately to the risk group that relates to their actual prognosis.
Research from Intermountain Medical Center reveals that carotid artery disease and atrial fibrillation significantly increase a patient's chances of developing dementia due to restricted blood flow to the brain. The study stresses the need for physicians to monitor and screen patients for both diseases, especially those with risk factors.
Researchers have identified protein clumping in the hearts of mice and people with heart failure, suggesting a potential link between the two conditions. The team used non-invasive PET scans to visualize the clumps, which could lead to advances in monitoring disease progression and testing new therapies.