Research on the heart and how it stays healthy. Covers light exposure, tissue maintenance, trauma-related cardiovascular risk, and circadian effects.
US heart disease death rates have declined overall since the 1970s, but there are significant differences in rates among US counties, with weaker declines found south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The study's findings emphasize the importance of geography for heart disease prevention and treatment, suggesting that social and economic condit...
A new study found that adding stress management to cardiac rehabilitation programs significantly reduces cardiac events and improves recovery rates for heart patients. After a median follow-up of over three years, researchers found that patients who underwent cardiac rehab plus stress management achieved greater benefits than rehab alone.
Research from Duke Health found that incorporating stress management into cardiac rehabilitation cuts risk of another heart incident in half. Patients who attended weekly stress-management groups had lower rates of cardiovascular events compared to those receiving only traditional cardiac rehabilitation.
A study found that one in five adults with congenital heart disease experience PTSD symptoms, with those who have had recent cardiac surgery being more likely to develop the condition. The researchers highlight the need for clinicians and caregivers to be aware of possible PTSD symptoms in their patients.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a cyborg cardiac patch that combines organic and engineered parts to regulate its own function, monitor vital signs remotely and release medication on demand. The invention has the potential to revolutionize cardiac research and treat heart disease.
A 5-year population health program in New Ulm, Minnesota, has achieved substantial decreases in heart disease risk factors, including high cholesterol and blood pressure. The study found improved cardiovascular health indicators, with positive changes in fasting glucose and triglycerides.
Ultra-processed foods contribute nearly 90% of all dietary added sugar intake, making up over half of the US calorie consumption. Research found a strong linear association between ultra-processed food intake and overall added sugar consumption.
A study found that energy drinks can increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and rise in blood pressure in healthy young adults. The research suggests that consumers should exercise caution when consuming energy drinks.
Research suggests that moderate drinking poses an immediate higher cardiovascular risk, but this risk lessens and can become protective after 24 hours. Heavy drinking, on the other hand, heightens short- and long-term risks of heart attack and stroke.
The hospital will facilitate collaborations among researchers and make genomic data available to accelerate discovery of the genetic mechanisms of congenital heart defects. The goal is to uncover genetic mutations that affect both heart and brain development in children with severe heart defects.
Researchers found that failing cardiac tissue had increased levels of acetylated mitochondrial proteins, promoting metabolic defects in heart failure. In a mouse model, they detected elevated protein acetylation at the earliest stages of heart failure, supporting the role of hyperacetylation in disease progression.
Research suggests that long-term high-intensity exercise may lead to permanent structural changes in the heart, increasing the risk of arrhythmias. A review by sports cardiologist André La Gerche argues that large prospective studies are needed to fully understand the effects of intense exercise on heart health.
Research suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may be beneficial for cardiovascular health, with studies showing a lower risk of heart failure and acute myocardial infarction among frequent drinkers. However, high levels of alcohol consumption were associated with increased risks of other diseases and social problems.
A study of over 600,000 adults found that macrolide antibiotics were associated with a similar 30-day risk of ventricular arrhythmia as nonmacrolide antibiotics, and slightly lower risk of all-cause mortality. The findings are reassuring for healthcare providers who prescribe these antibiotics to patients at low risk of adverse events.
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association support the implementation of core quality measures, which aim to streamline data collection for physicians, payers, and patients. However, they express concerns about two conflicting blood pressure control measures that could confuse patients and providers.
KAMC's Hajj Committee plans year-round to ensure preparedness for the massive patient influx during the Hajj. The hospital treats 700-1000 cardiac patients, with most being Hajj visitors, and has increased echocardiography staff from 7 to 13 during peak seasons.
Participating in women-only cardiac rehab resulted in lower symptoms of anxiety and depression and improvements in diet. Women who attended the supervised programs exhibited increased physical activity and improved quality of life.
A new report identifies several forms of testing to measure the risk of heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. These tests include exercise testing and coronary calcium scanning, which can detect silent ischemia and identify the highest-risk patients for more effective treatments. The study suggests that a significant proporti...
Regular caffeine consumption does not lead to extra heartbeats, contrary to clinical belief. A 12-month study of 1,388 participants found no association between frequent coffee, tea, or chocolate consumption and cardiac rhythm disturbances.
A study of 6,733 participants found that a slow heart rate was not associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the researchers noted that bradycardia may be problematic in people taking medications that also slow their heart rate.
A three-year study aims to determine the effectiveness of a comprehensive lifestyle intervention in reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors. Participants will receive personalized counseling and monitoring, while others will receive standard occupational health care.
Researchers found a significant association between poor sleep quality and severe arteriosclerosis in the brain, as well as increased oxygen-starved tissue, among elderly individuals. Sleep fragmentation was linked to higher odds of stroke and cognitive impairment, independent of other cardiovascular risk factors.
A recent study evaluated the evidence linking saturated fats and sugars to coronary heart disease, concluding that sugar consumption is a greater contributor to CHD risk. Consuming high amounts of refined added sugars has been linked to increased risk of CHD, prediabetes, and diabetes.
Historians Ian Calder and Jan Till believe Shackleton may have had an atrial septal defect, a congenital heart condition commonly known as a 'hole in the heart'. Shackleton exhibited symptoms of breathlessness and weakness during expeditions, which experts now attribute to this condition.
New research finds that women with heart failure live longer and experience lower mortality rates when equipped with implanted defibrillators. The study used data from the Get With the Guidelines-Heart Failure registry to compare survival in patients with and without ICDs.
A new study published in Circulation journal found that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages daily increases visceral fat, a type of body fat that affects diabetes and heart disease risk. The study showed a direct correlation between greater sweetened beverage consumption and increased visceral fat among middle-aged adults.
The International Society for Heart Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) has updated its listing criteria for heart transplantation, expanding eligibility to patients with HIV and hepatitis. The new guidelines also relax the BMI threshold for overweight patients with heart failure.
The £10.2m investment will focus on genomic diagnoses, innovative therapeutics, heart failure, and device innovation to tackle cardiovascular healthcare issues globally. The Barts Heart Centre aims to become the go-to academic medical centre for research and treatment of cardiovascular disease in Europe.
A study found that people scoring well on the Life's Simple 7 checklist for a healthy heart have lower risk of developing heart failure. The measures include managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels, as well as getting physically active, eating better, losing weight, and quitting smoking.
Researchers developed simulations of the human heart using computational modeling, aiming to create personalized treatment strategies for patients with reduced cardiac function. The project uses virtual personalized heart models to predict CRT feasibility and optimize pacemaker setup.
A landmark clinical trial shows that beta blockers and ACE inhibitors effectively prevent heart function drop in patients with early-stage breast cancer. The study suggests these medications can improve breast cancer survival rates by limiting interruptions to chemotherapy treatment.
A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that women with heart disease attend less than half of their prescribed cardiac rehab sessions, yet still show significant improvements in exercise capacity. Researchers suggest tailoring programs to individual needs and promoting female-only models may improve participation rates.
Women with Type 2 diabetes face increased cardiovascular disease risk, including earlier heart attacks, higher mortality rates, and reduced access to treatments. Lifestyle changes like improved diet and exercise may help reduce this risk, but more research is needed to understand these differences and improve health equity.
A study published in Science found that mutations before birth can disrupt heart and nervous system development, leading to congenital heart disease and developmental delays. Researchers identified damaging mutations in genes crucial for heart and brain formation, which may enable early DNA testing to identify at-risk children.
A study published by CNIC researchers found a diet high in fatty acids can restore normal cell metabolism and prevent dilated cardiomyopathy. The research suggests that this approach may lead to future treatments for patients with heart disease.
Researchers used MRI and CT scans on human hearts over 400 years old to identify signs of heart disease, such as plaque and atherosclerosis. Three of the five hearts showed evidence of disease, while one appeared healthy.
Recent studies have analyzed trends in blood clot formation in patients with heart-assist devices, revealing a potential decline in thrombosis rates since 2011. However, the exact impact of this trend on patient outcomes remains unclear, and experts emphasize the need for continued vigilance and research.
A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that sacubitril-valsartan can extend life expectancy by one to two years for heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. The therapy, currently used as standard care, was shown to improve overall survival by 16% and reduce hospitalization rates.
A new study using MRI reveals that elite free divers experience cardiovascular changes during apnea, including a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. Despite these changes, the divers' heart function recovers quickly upon breathing again.
Patients with coronary artery disease spend an average of eight hours each day sitting, which is related to higher BMI and lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Limiting sedentary behaviors can improve health alongside regular exercise.
Researchers found that therapeutic hypothermia significantly reduces damage to the brain after cardiac arrest, with patients who received treatment experiencing better neurological outcomes and higher survival rates. The therapy has been shown effective on both shockable and non-shockable heart rhythms.
A study published in International Journal of Cardiology found that mildly elevated levels of bilirubin, a bile pigment, can reduce damage and improve heart function during recovery from a heart attack. Higher levels of bilirubin have also been shown to protect the circulation from oxidative damage.
Research published in Circulation found adults with congenital heart defects to be at substantially higher risk of experiencing a stroke, especially before age 55. Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes were the most prevalent types.
The TATORT-NSTEMI trial found no significant difference in major adverse cardiac events at 12 months between thrombectomy and standard PCI in NSTEMI patients. Thrombus aspiration also did not affect quality of life or functional class.
Researchers found that African Americans with depressive symptoms have twice the increased risk of stroke compared to those without depressive symptoms. The study also discovered a significant association between depression and coronary heart disease in this population.
A recent report highlights the health risks associated with Taser use, particularly against mentally ill patients. The device has been linked to eye injuries, seizures, and even death, prompting a review of police use of force.
Researchers found that therapeutic hypothermia increased survival rates by 2.8 times and neurologic recovery by 3.5 times in comatose cardiac arrest patients. Therapeutic hypothermia may benefit comatose cardiac arrest patients with non-shockable heart rhythms, increasing their chances of survival and better brain function.
A new smartphone-compatible listening device, HeartBuds, has been shown to work as well as widely used FDA-approved traditional and digital stethoscopes in identifying heart murmurs. The study also found that the disposable stethoscope performed poorly on detecting abnormal sounds, making it a less reliable option.
The expanded coverage includes patients on optimal medical therapy and those with less than 35% ejection fraction. Newly eligible patients have lower hospital readmissions compared to those previously eligible for cardiac rehabilitation.
A new study found that patients who are older, female, and/or from lower-income neighborhoods are more likely to experience delays in starting cardiac rehabilitation after bypass surgery, ultimately reducing their chances of completing the program. This can lead to a higher mortality risk.
Researchers have successfully mapped the electrical activity of developing hearts in embryos using highly sensitive sensors. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of how heart rhythm abnormalities develop and improve diagnosis and treatment options.
Research at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2015 found that intimate partners of people with heart defibrillators are concerned about resuming sexual activity. After discussing their concerns, partners reported a significant decrease in fears related to cardiac arrest and ICD discharge during sex.
A study found that fewer people achieved ideal cardiovascular health scores, with a decrease in healthy metrics such as body mass index, blood pressure, and glucose levels. People who experienced significant changes in their health scores were at higher risk of diagnosed cardiovascular disease.
A group-therapy intervention program achieves significant improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, exercise, weight, diet, and tobacco smoking. The program also encourages participants to adopt healthy habits and increase physical activity.
Researchers found that asymptomatic AF doubles the risk of stroke and premature death compared to age and gender matched people without AF. Treating asymptomatic AF with anticoagulants can nearly completely reverse the increased risk of stroke.
A survey found that only 27% of women can name a woman with heart disease, highlighting the disconnect between widespread cardiovascular disease and personal perceptions. Women are more likely to be concerned about heart health when they know another woman who has experienced it.
A new study found that promptly diagnosing and treating diabetes in heart attack patients significantly improves their cardiac outcomes. Researchers identified 707 patients who met criteria for a diabetes diagnosis but were only clinically diagnosed 30% of the time.
A new smartphone application called AED-SOS helps connect rescuers with lifesaving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest outside hospitals. Researchers found that the app can shorten the time from recognizing out-of-hospital cardiac arrests to delivering AEDs by an average of 69 seconds.
A new approach using the KiTOMI model dismisses myths and provides evidence-based practical recommendations for healthcare providers counseling heart patients about sexual activity. The risk of death during sex is very low for most clinically stable heart patients, with even lower risk for women.
Researchers in Pennsylvania have been granted funding from the American Heart Association to support their work on cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The grants will enable them to gather data and develop new treatment strategies for patients with Fontan physiology, a condition that affects thousands of people worldwide.