Articles tagged with Heart
A new molecular imaging scan detects dangerous protein deposits in the heart, significantly increasing cardiac risk. The scan uses a widely available agent to assess amyloid buildup and predict future heart attacks.
Research shows that public access defibrillation on people suffering cardiac arrest is associated with a large increase in chances of survival. However, despite the great potential, publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are not being used enough.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles identified a new source of cells that can develop into coronary vessels and found the signaling protein CXCL12 guiding this process. The study may have clinical relevance, helping diagnose abnormal coronary vessels and developing interventional strategies to prevent heart attacks.
A new study shows that personalized music playlists with tempo-pace synchronization can significantly increase exercise adherence in cardiac rehabilitation patients, with an average of 105.4 minutes more exercise per week. This approach has the potential to improve long-term survival and life expectancy for these patients.
Researchers found that patients with higher activity levels after ICD implantation had a 40% lower risk of death at four years compared to those with lower activity. The study analyzed over 98,000 patients and showed that even small increases in activity were associated with a significant reduction in mortality.
Researchers analyzed 2,765 adults who underwent angioplasty and found that quitting smoking significantly improved quality of life and reduced chest pain. Smoking cessation was associated with a lower risk of chest pain at one year after the procedure.
A new chest strap ECG monitor has been developed using wettable electrodes that are kept moist by an artificial sweating process. The device can now be used for long-term heart rate monitoring, addressing previous limitations of gel electrodes.
Behnaz Ghoraani's novel algorithm allows improved and patient-specific localization of electrical disturbance sites, enabling clinicians to better target the problem. The technology helps doctors 'see' what's going on in the atrium by analyzing patterns of electrical signals, guiding them to where they need to sense.
A systematic review of over 320,000 patients found digoxin associated with a 21% increased risk of death from any cause. High levels of digoxin in the blood correlate with an increased death rate in patients. The authors call for randomized controlled trials to confirm these findings.
A Danish study found that more than 75% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors returned to work, with a significant increase in return-to-work rates among those who received bystander CPR. The study also revealed that survivors spent an average of three years back at work and earned the same salary after arrest.
Two studies presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research 2015 Scientific Sessions found that more than one in four LVAD patients experience notable cognitive decline. Patients with poor overall health, including death, severe stroke, and poor quality of life, are also common outcomes.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal found that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly increases the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Researchers discovered a 34% increased risk overall and an almost doubling of SCD risk after five years of diagnosis.
Researchers aim to understand why diabetic patients lack cardioprotection during surgery, a condition that poses serious health issues. They will assess the role of cellular and environmental factors in protecting against ischemia-reperfusion injury.
A study of 41,568 patients found that allowing family presence during cardiac arrest resuscitation has no impact on patient outcomes. Family members who witness the process experience benefits such as reduced depression and PTSD.
A new laboratory study by the University of Michigan Medical School reveals that near-death brain activity can destabilize heart function and accelerate cardiac demise. The study suggests that blocking brain-heart connections during cardiac arrest may improve survival chances for patients.
Research found that sports-associated cases of sudden cardiac arrest were more likely to be witnessed and involved CPR, with a higher rate of survival. The study suggests targeted education can maximize safety and acceptance of sports activity in middle-aged individuals.
The TRMM satellite provided a remarkable image of Super Typhoon Maysak, revealing an eye wall replacement cycle in progress. The storm's intensity is characterized by near-perfect symmetry around the center, with maximum sustained winds estimated at 140 knots.
A team of investigators has developed the first fully implantable micropacemaker for fetal use, which has received FDA approval as a Humanitarian Use Device. The device is designed to treat fetuses with complete heart block, a condition that significantly slows the heart rate and impairs its ability to pump blood.
A new risk score called Globorisk predicts 10-year heart disease and stroke risk for individuals aged 40+, using data from eight cohort studies with over 50,000 participants. The score can be updated to fit local conditions and risk factor levels in different countries.
The study found that cardiac PET/CT imaging diagnosed heart problems with certainty 88% of the time, while SPECT imaging gave a clear diagnosis only 30% of the time. This technology reduces unnecessary invasive procedures and radiation exposure by a factor of 10.
A study published by the American College of Cardiology found that patients undergoing coronary angiogram with radial access had a significantly lower risk of major bleeding and death compared to those with femoral access. The study suggests that the arm should be the preferred approach for most catheter-based heart procedures.
A study found that complete revascularization after emergency angioplasty for STEMI reduced unplanned angioplasty or bypass surgery by 12%. Rates of death and repeat heart attacks were comparable between groups. The approach may help patients avoid future cardiac events.
Patients with multivessel coronary artery disease receive better outcomes with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) than angioplasty and stent implantation, according to a study. This is in line with past studies that have shown CABG leads to better outcomes for patients with multiple narrowed arteries.
A study published in The Lancet suggests that routine heart scans for patients referred to cardiac clinics with chest pain could reduce heart attack rates. The SCOT-HEART trial found that around a quarter of patients had their diagnoses reclassified after receiving the scan, prompting new treatments in many cases.
Researchers found that TAVR improves survival rates and quality of life for elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis. The study compared five-year outcomes of TAVR with standard therapy, showing significant benefits in the TAVR group.
A large trial found that patients with symptoms of heart disease have similar outcomes regardless of whether they undergo a functional stress test or a computed tomographic scan. However, the scan may be better at ruling out the need for subsequent tests and procedures in patients who are free of heart disease.
A study comparing CT angiography and functional stress tests found similar clinical outcomes and minimal cost differences over three years. The tests had the same rate of death, heart attacks, and hospitalizations, despite initial cost savings from CT angiography.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered a chain of events that cause healthy valves to become bone-like. They identified three key genes that are altered in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and found a potential therapeutic target by manipulating their activity, pointing to novel treatments for the condition.
A new study by researchers at San Diego State University found that limiting fruit flies' eating hours can prevent aging- and diet-related heart problems. Flies on a time-restricted feeding schedule slept better, didn't gain as much weight and had healthier hearts than those that ate anytime.
Researchers found that patients who received blood transfusions at a higher haemoglobin level had fewer serious complications and deaths after cardiac surgery. The study challenges current guidelines and health policy, suggesting that a more liberal approach to transfusion may be safer and more cost-effective
Researchers found that implantable defibrillators and modern treatments have reduced mortality rates among adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, improving life expectancy. The study also showed a lower rate of deaths directly associated with the disease, especially sudden cardiac death.
Patients undergoing non-emergency cardiac surgery were given either a low or high haemoglobin threshold for transfusion, with the researchers finding that more patients died in the 'low' group. Health care costs and serious complications were similar in both groups, challenging prevailing guidelines.
Research found that nearly 5,000 coronary heart disease patients experienced a significant increased risk of death or heart attack when experiencing high stress and heavy depressive symptoms. The 'psychosocial perfect storm' was validated by the study's findings, which suggest behavioral interventions could help manage both conditions.
A study has quantified the average number of heart failure-free years a person gains by not developing risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes by age 45. The results show that individuals with all three risk factors are diagnosed with heart failure an average of 11 to 13 years earlier than those without any risk factors.
A Vanderbilt University study associates poor heart function with an increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Participants with decreased cardiac index were two to three times more likely to develop significant memory loss over a follow-up period.
A new formula, the FIT Treadmill Score, estimates one's 10-year risk of dying by analyzing treadmill exercise performance. Fitness level, peak heart rate, and metabolic equivalents are key indicators of death risk.
A 20-year follow-up study found that frequent sauna use can reduce the risk of cardiac death in men. Men who used saunas 4-7 times a week were 63% less likely to experience sudden cardiac death compared to those using them once a week. Longer sauna sessions also reduced cardiovascular risks.
A new study reveals a significant decline in the use of available donor hearts for transplantation in the US, with a decline from 44% to 32% between 1995 and 2010. The study suggests that increased scrutiny by government agencies may be contributing to this trend.
A new Yale University study found that patients are at risk of rehospitalization or death within a year after being discharged from the hospital, with risks remaining high even after several months. The researchers tracked 3 million Medicare patients and discovered specific risks vary by discharge diagnosis and outcomes over time.
A new security protocol, Ladon, has been designed to protect the information provided by medical devices connected to the Internet. The protocol offers energy efficiency, memory space, and latency benefits, making it suitable for deploying functionalities in sensors.
A unique research project is using Manchester United's Academy players to investigate the effects of exercise on young hearts. The study aims to identify healthy limits and benefits of exercise for elite athletes, normal children, and those with congenital heart defects.
Researchers found that mutant sodium channels with opposite effects on channel function can lead to disruptions in normal cardiac function due to ion leaks. This overload of positively charged ions within the cell may be a key mechanism linking these mutations to atypical arrhythmias and dilated cardiomyopathy.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that low-risk patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain did not experience a significant increase in heart attack risk regardless of the initial diagnostic testing strategy. The researchers analyzed data from over 421,000 ED visits and concluded that ce...
A new study published in Circulation reveals that long-term exposure to elevated cholesterol levels substantially increases lifetime risk for heart disease. Adults with longstanding mild to moderately elevated cholesterol levels may benefit from more aggressive prevention strategies earlier, according to the study's lead author.
Leading cardiac specialists have proposed new guidelines for donor heart allocation to increase patient survival rates. The revised system considers factors such as illness severity, waiting list mortality, and geographic variations in allocations.
Research found that children with favorable psychosocial experiences had a 14% greater chance of being at normal weight as an adult and improved cardiovascular health outcomes. Early life stages appear to have lasting benefits for heart health, highlighting the importance of investing in child well-being.
A study found that optimistic individuals have significantly better blood sugar and total cholesterol levels, are more physically active, and have healthier body mass indexes. They were also less likely to smoke and had a stronger association with cardiovascular health when socio-demographic characteristics were factored in.
Researchers analyzed Beethoven's compositions for clues of a heart condition and found striking rhythms that reflect the irregular patterns of his cardiac arrhythmia. The study suggests that Beethoven's music could be 'musical electrocardiograms,' a readout of modern heart rhythm testing equipment.
A team of biomedical engineers has discovered that a key ion channel in the heart, KCNQ1, is affected by both membrane voltage and an accessory subunit, KCNE1, which determines the properties of electrical signals. This understanding provides a rationale for targeted drug therapy to treat cardiac arrhythmia without affecting other tiss...
A new study found that most heart attack patients do not receive sexual counseling from their healthcare provider, with only 12% of women and 19% of men reporting such advice. The researchers recommend that healthcare providers raise the issue of resuming sexual activity with their patients, as it is an important aspect of overall health.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide found that patients who managed their lifestyle factors were five times more likely to have long-term survival without any further heart arrhythmia. The intensive risk factor management program improved arrhythmia-free survival rates from 18% to 87% after five years.
Researchers found that women with BRCA1/2 mutations and treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy have low risk of cardiac dysfunction. Most participants had normal heart function, with only a few showing borderline reductions in heart function.
Research suggests that patients with erectile dysfunction who follow a Mediterranean diet have less vascular and cardiac damage, reducing their risk of heart attack and stroke. A lower Med-Diet Score correlated with worse vascular and heart function, including increased intima-media thickness and aortic stiffness.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that administering epinephrine to patients in cardiac arrest may increase the likelihood of death or brain damage. The research analyzed hospital records for over 1,500 patients and showed that those who received higher doses of epinephrine had a worse outcome.
A global study found that rheumatic heart disease is being neglected in many countries, resulting in inadequate treatment with antibiotics and oral anti-coagulants. This leads to increased maternal mortality rates, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
A JAX research team discovered a link between mistranslation during protein synthesis and misfolded proteins in the heart, contributing to cardiac diseases like desmin-related cardiomyopathy and systemic amyloidosis. Mistranslation can lead to cell death and impaired heart function.
The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines now recommend statin therapy for individuals with an elevated estimated risk of a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years. A study found that 97% of adults aged 66-75 qualify for statin therapy, with 100% of men in this age group being eligible.
A new study from Michigan State University finds that bad marriages are associated with a higher risk of heart disease in older adults, particularly women. The study analyzed data from over 1,200 couples and found that negative marital quality had a greater impact on cardiovascular health than positive quality.
A new tablet-based app called CHAMP is connecting single ventricle heart defect patients to their doctors for real-time monitoring. The app has shown promising results in reducing mortality rates and decreasing the burden on caregivers.
Recent research has shown that children with dilated cardiomyopathy are living longer without heart transplants, with a survival rate of 15% without transplantation. The study found that the more recent era (2000-09) had better survival rates and was associated with factors other than transplantation availability.