Research on the heart and how it stays healthy. Covers light exposure, tissue maintenance, trauma-related cardiovascular risk, and circadian effects.
Researchers have developed a new non-invasive method to identify the origin of atrial fibrillation, a type of abnormal heart rhythm that increases the risk of stroke and other complications. The technique uses 64-lead electrocardiogram signals to pinpoint the location of the irregular heartbeat.
A recent study by the University of Leicester found that a widely used exercise test for aortic stenosis has a 60% accuracy rate, leading to thousands of unnecessary open heart operations. The test recommends valve replacement therapy for those who become breathless during the test, but actual symptoms may not develop within a year.
The eHealth revolution is transforming cardiovascular medicine with smartphone apps predicting worsening heart failure and apps warning of dangerously low blood pressure or glucose levels. Big Data analysis provides insights into the greatest impact of treatments and compares results across countries.
A new study has demonstrated that patients with non-MRI-conditional pacemakers and defibrillators can undergo MRI at 1.5 tesla without harm when screened and monitored according to the MagnaSafe protocol. The researchers observed no device failures or cardiac arrhythmias in 1,500 patients.
A new study found that children with all types of congenital heart defects have a 24% higher odds of not meeting standards in reading or math. Those with critical defects are also more likely to receive special education support compared to those with less severe defects.
Children's Mercy has developed a groundbreaking app called CHAMP to monitor single-ventricle babies, reducing mortality rates and improving patient care. The program uses Microsoft devices and services to track vital signs and trigger alerts for instant evaluation.
Researchers analyzed data from 10,266 patients with ICDs and found that nearly half experienced healthcare-related care after a shock, while one in seven was admitted to the hospital. The average cost of healthcare following an inappropriate shock was $4,470, highlighting the need for smarter ICD programming strategies.
A study published in Nature Communications identifies a population of cells expressing Foxa2 that gives rise to cardiovascular cells of both left and right ventricular chambers. The research sheds light on the formation of heart chambers and may lead to new protocols for generating ventricular cardiomyocytes in cell culture.
Tropical Cyclone Dineo strengthened in the Mozambique Channel, with NASA tracking its progress. The cyclone's winds are expected to reach hurricane strength and peak at 75 knots by February 15, posing a threat to residents of Mozambique.
A Mediterranean diet rich in virgin olive oil improves HDL function, including reverse cholesterol transport, antioxidant protection, and vasodilator capacity. Only the control diet reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels, while the Mediterranean diets had no significant impact on HDL levels but improved overall cardiovascular health.
A major report found that young adults with even a small amount of calcified coronary plaque are strongly associated with increased risk of developing clinical coronary heart disease over the ensuing decade. Those with the highest scores had a greater than 20 percent chance of dying of a heart event.
A new study has found that skin sodium content is strongly correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with chronic kidney disease. Reducing skin sodium through dietary restriction or medications may help protect the heart in these patients.
A new study found that achieving ideal levels for five to seven heart-healthy habits can reduce cardiovascular risk and lower healthcare expenditures. Participants with higher scores were less likely to have all-cause and cardiovascular disease-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits, resulting in $5,016 less in total costs.
Research reveals that parents of children with critical congenital heart defects are at high risk for mental health problems, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The study found that up to 30% of these parents experience symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of PTSD.
A new report in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found significant disparities in referral patterns among heart function clinics with and without onsite cardiac electrophysiology services. Rural patients were less likely to be referred for implantable cardioverter defibrillators, leading to higher mortality rates.
A preclinical model reveals that congenital heart disease disrupts cerebral oxygen supply, leading to reduced cortical growth and abnormal neurogenesis in the subventricular zone. Restoring NSPCs' neurogenic potential may help lessen long-term neurological deficits in children with CHD.
A new study reveals that catheter ablation significantly reduces symptoms in over half of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that increases the risk of stroke and death. The procedure's success rate is higher than expected, but monitoring after treatment is often inadequate.
Scientists at the University of Utah have discovered a unique biomarker in the hearts of patients with advanced heart failure who have shown signs of recovery. The biomarker is related to the transverse system, which appears relatively intact in responders.
Researchers found that atrial fibrillation patients are more likely to discontinue warfarin therapy if they've had a recent procedure. The study analyzed 734 patients and found that over half were off warfarin within a year of starting it, with procedures being the most common reason for discontinuation.
Researchers will create a detailed map of the heart's nerves to develop new therapies targeting neural structures and improve electrical stimulation therapies. More than 800,000 US deaths annually from cardiovascular diseases link to the autonomic nervous system.
The American College of Cardiology released updated appropriate use criteria for performing coronary revascularization in patients with acute coronary syndromes. The criteria provide a framework for clinicians to evaluate therapies and improve patient outcomes by facilitating shared decision making between patients and providers.
The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association have released a new report outlining 10 quality and performance measures to help prevent sudden cardiac death. The measures focus on screening and treating at-risk patients, with the goal of improving patient care and outcomes.
Researchers are exploring the dynamics between a gene that regulates fat metabolism and a protein that makes lipid droplets available for energy in heart cells. They hope to understand how this imbalance can lead to heart failure and find ways to intervene, such as by regulating lipid use and maintaining balance.
A woman was rushed to hospital after mistakingly using foxglove leaves instead of comfrey for an herbal remedy. She experienced symptoms such as palpitations and lightheadedness due to the high levels of digoxin in foxglove, a heart rhythm medication.
A new study found that hospitals treating a high volume of cardiac arrest cases tend to administer epinephrine more quickly, leading to better survival rates for patients. Delays in giving epinephrine shots also had a negative effect on functional recovery.
Researchers have created a polymer patch that improves conduction of electrical impulses in damaged heart tissue, showing long-lasting stability and minimal invasiveness. The suture-less patch uses green laser technology to adhere to the heart tissue and has been shown to work in animal models.
Researchers discovered a genetic link between abdominal aortic aneurysm and four genes, which could help doctors understand the condition better. The study found that early detection is key to preventing fatal internal bleeding, and a new research programme will investigate the effect of these genes on AAA growth.
Researchers found that diabetes causes a specific inflammation leading to heart arrhythmias. Two promising drugs inhibit this inflammatory process, reversing cardiac alterations in diabetic mice.
A Rutgers study found that Generation X has a higher incidence of stroke than baby boomers, with obesity and diabetes being likely causes. The rate of stroke more than doubled among Gen X compared to the previous generation.
Interventional radiologists at Rush University Medical Center have developed methods to remove filters that previously couldn't be removed, achieving a 100% retrieval rate. The team uses specialized tools and medical expertise to perform minimally invasive procedures.
A new sensor system can detect worsening heart failure conditions in patients with high accuracy, potentially preventing hospitalizations and death. The system, developed by Boston Scientific, uses a suite of sensors to track heart rate, activity, breathing, and other physiological measures.
Scientists have successfully synchronized two types of nano-oscillators, one driven and the other mutual, achieving robust synchronization over long distances. This breakthrough enables future oscillatory networks for wave-based neuromorphic computing.
Philip A. Wolf, a Boston University School of Medicine professor, has been recognized for his excellence in research and clinical trials by the American Heart Association. He is renowned for his work on stroke epidemiology, dementia, and cognitive decline, with over 350 publications to his name.
Researchers have mapped the developmental stages of mouse heart cells, revealing previously unknown cell types and insights into congenital heart defects. The study's findings provide a temporal and spatial atlas of heart cell populations, paving the way for understanding human cardiovascular system development.
Patients with atrial fibrillation who use warfarin are two to three times more likely to develop dementia compared to those without atrial fibrillation. Erratic blood levels of warfarin contribute to the risk, suggesting that managing abnormal heart rhythm may also lower dementia risk.
Research found that using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) increased the risk of ischemic stroke by 21 percent, with highest risks seen at higher doses of these commonly prescribed heartburn medications.
A study found that women at low cardiovascular risk have a significant prevalence of coronary artery calcification, associated with an increased risk of ASCVD and modest improvement in prognostic accuracy compared to traditional risk factors. The presence of CAC was linked to higher risk for CHD and all-cause mortality.
US adults' statin use increased by 80% between 2002 and 2013, but remained low in high-risk groups. Generic statins became the dominant form of treatment, reducing costs.
A smartphone application called Cardiio Rhythm uses facial signals to detect subtle beat-to-beat variations in heart rate, correctly identifying over 92% of cases with atrial fibrillation. The technology's convenience makes it attractive for large-scale community screenings.
A high-protein diet from mostly meat may increase the risk of heart failure in postmenopausal women. The study found that total dietary protein intake was significantly higher in women who developed heart failure compared to those who did not, while vegetable protein intake appeared to be protective.
A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings advocates for increasing Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) participation rates from 20-30% to 70%, which could save 25,000 lives and prevent 180,000 hospitalizations annually. The authors suggest two steps: systematic referral of eligible patients and successful enrollment optimization.
A new study by Intermountain Medical Center found that cardiac rehabilitation significantly reduces the risk of death in heart patients with moderate to severe depression after heart surgery. The study, conducted on 118 patients, showed a nearly 75% decrease in mortality rates among those who attended rehab.
A multicenter trial found that 13 out of 36 advanced heart failure patients treated with LVAD and intensive drug therapy recovered enough heart function to have the device removed. The study suggests that these devices can be used to reverse heart failure, especially when combined with drug therapy.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a bystander improved overall and neurologically favorable survival for children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The study analyzed data from over 3,900 cases and showed that conventional CPR provided better outcomes than compr...
A new training model improved CPR skills among hospital staff by integrating low-dose-high frequency psychomotor simulation into their daily duties. Quarterly simulations resulted in significant improvements in chest compression fraction and overall clinical outcomes, leading to a 14% increase in effective compressions.
A new study found that heart surgery patients' chances of survival depend on the overall level of teamwork among all physicians who cared for them. Tight 'social networks' of physicians are linked to improved patient outcomes, including lower readmission rates and reduced mortality.
Research shows that a moderately reduced maternal food intake can accelerate the rate of aging in offspring's hearts. The study used baboons and found signs of impaired heart function at five years of life, equivalent to twenty human years.
Researchers developed a new, less invasive way to perform TAVR, making it more available to high-risk patients, especially women. The procedure has a high success rate and acceptable bleeding and vascular complications rates.
A review of medical literature found only 92 gold-standard clinical trials on immediate cardiac arrest treatment over the last 20 years, despite 535,000 annual cases in the US. The study highlights a significant lack of research on post-arrest care and long-term survival outcomes.
Researchers found that medication adherence significantly impacts long-term survival rates for heart patients undergoing bypass surgery and stenting. Patients who adhered to prescribed medication therapy had a higher event-free survival rate compared to non-compliant patients.
For the first time, fetal medicine experts have performed prenatal heart surgery to remove a life-threatening tumor, called intrapericardial teratoma. The patient is now a healthy preschooler after undergoing the operation at 24 weeks of gestation.
A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that financial barriers to healthcare services and medication significantly worsened quality of life, depressive symptoms, and stress among young adults with myocardial infarction. Despite the expansion of insurance coverage, young adults still struggle to access affordable care.
Researchers found that short episodes of atrial fibrillation are associated with a low risk of stroke and other cardiovascular complications. Patients experiencing only brief episodes of the condition were at no greater risk than those without atrial fibrillation, suggesting that anticoagulants may not be necessary in this group.
A nationwide CPR training event aims to improve cardiac arrest survival rates. The training has already been delivered to 31,000 children in the past two years and will reach over 100,000 this year. The initiative is part of a collaboration between leading organizations to create a Nation of Lifesavers.
A smartphone app combined with a hand-held ECG monitor can detect atrial fibrillation with a high degree of accuracy. The condition affects nearly one in 10 people and is associated with a heightened risk of stroke and death.
A team of researchers found that widely accepted atrial fibrillation risk prediction algorithms do not accurately predict incidence when applied to electronic medical records. The study suggests that existing models may be incompatible with EMR data, leading to inconsistent predictions and potential misdiagnosis.
A study of over 2,700 participants found that taking calcium supplements may increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis and heart disease. Meanwhile, a diet high in calcium-rich foods appears to be protective.
A novel TAVI device has been developed to replace heart valves in patients with rheumatic heart disease, offering a simplified approach that does not require advanced cardiac surgical facilities or sophisticated cardiovascular imaging. The procedure can be performed without rapid ventricular pacing, making it more tolerable for patients.
Researchers found that genetic alterations causing congenital heart defects involve interactions between heart-forming tissues and the rest of the body. The study suggests that heart defects occur when the heart does not grow quickly enough to meet the demands of the developing body.
Atrial fibrillation, a common irregular heartbeat, is linked to genetic variations in genes controlled by Tbx5 and Pitx2. The study offers insights into the mechanisms underlying heart arrhythmias, potentially leading to targeted treatments for patients with AF.