Articles tagged with Heart
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.
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.
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...
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.
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 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.
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.
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 trans-satellite wireless 12-lead ECG has been shown to significantly reduce treatment time for people with severe heart attacks. The study found that patients who received a wireless ECG had a hospital arrival to angioplasty time of 53 minutes, compared to 104 minutes for those who did not receive the test.
A Vanderbilt University study found a nationwide decline of 30% in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients between 2006-2011. This decrease may lead to reduced experience among emergency doctors, potentially affecting the timeliness and quality of care for time-sensitive heart attacks.
Researchers discovered that cocaine users experience abnormal blood flow in the smallest blood vessels, putting them at risk for heart complications. This microvascular dysfunction may not be detected by regular testing, highlighting the need for more research on this understudied population.
A new study found that adults with obese mothers before pregnancy have a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Researchers analyzed data from 1971 to 2012 on 879 participants, who were followed for 41 years, resulting in 193 cardiovascular events and 28 cardiovascular deaths.
A new study of 5,695 men with low testosterone levels found that testosterone supplementation reduces the risk of major adverse cardiac events such as heart attacks and strokes. Men who received testosterone supplementation had lower rates of death and heart attacks compared to those with persistently low testosterone levels.
A new study found that training medical students to use handheld ultrasound devices enhances the accuracy of their physical diagnosis. Medical students who received personalized lessons on using handheld echocardiography technology showed a 58% correct diagnosis rate, compared to 40% for those with standard training.
A study in a rural Midwestern community found that the new cholesterol guidelines substantially increased the number of individuals who qualify for a statin. The biggest driver of this increase was that a larger number of older individuals without known heart disease qualified for a statin under the new guidelines.
Researchers found that Hispanic women with five or more live births are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Diastolic dysfunction, an abnormal relaxation phase of the heart, was common among these women, with 85% showing signs, according to the study.
Researchers found that a diet rich in plant-based flavonoids can help regulate the body's immune system response to fine particles in polluted air, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease. Additionally, a low-cost vaccine targeting PCSK9 has been shown to safely lower bad cholesterol levels in animal studies.
A randomized trial of 900 patients with diabetes found no benefit from routine CT angiography screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) in reducing mortality, heart attacks, or hospitalizations. The study suggests that guideline-directed medical therapy for hypertension and hyperlipidemia is effective in asymptomatic patients with di...
Research suggests that long-term use of anti-clotting drugs like warfarin and aspirin or clopidigrel can increase the risk of dementia in people with atrial fibrillation. Patients with abnormally slow blood clotting times were found to be more likely to develop dementia.
Research spanning over three decades found that participants with low risk for heart disease as young adults were 60% less likely to report disability as older adults. A healthy lifestyle has been shown to be associated with favorable levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors, according to the study lead author.
The Heart of New Ulm Project demonstrated population-level improvements in blood pressure and lipids, with increases in residents meeting blood pressure and LDL cholesterol goals. Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, quitting smoking, and increased physical activity, also showed significant effects on HDL levels and total cholestero...
Research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014 found that implementing pre-arrival telephone CPR guidelines in Arizona increased bystander CPR rates by 41% and survival rates by 42%. The study also showed that women are more likely to survive sudden cardiac arrest compared to men.
The Healthy Heart Score uses data from large-scale studies to estimate an individual's 20-year CVD risk based on nine critical diet and lifestyle factors. The free web-based survey provides practical tips for improving scores by incorporating heart-healthy habits into daily life.
A new study by Dr. Ankur Kalra identifies a significant risk factor for heart failure progression in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy patients using Doppler Tissue Imaging. The finding could lead to more aggressive management and closer monitoring of high-risk patients.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, propose a new surgical intervention that combines the first and second steps of single-ventricle heart surgery. This approach aims to reduce the workload on the patient's heart, increase blood flow to the lungs, and improve oxygen delivery.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have captured images of the complex, revealing the connection between some genetic mutations and electrical abnormalities in the heart. The study provides a starting point for designing therapies to treat conditions such as long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome.
A new screening tool, based on nine clinical variables, helps identify high-risk patients before heart procedures, allowing for strategies to avoid bleeding complications. This led to a significant reduction in post-procedure complications, including the need for blood transfusions, across Allina Health hospitals.
Shared accountability between patients and clinicians can improve patient-centered outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality. The report proposes incorporating patient actions into performance measures, tracking lifestyle changes, medication adherence, and follow-up appointments.
A study found that dialysis patients on easily removable beta blockers have a higher risk of premature death compared to those on harder-to-remove beta blockers. The researchers suggest changing prescriptions to lower this risk.
Researchers found that beneficial immune cells originate in the embryonic heart and can promote regeneration, while harmful macrophages come from the bone marrow. Blocking the influx of bone marrow-derived macrophages protects the resident macrophages, allowing them to promote repair and reduce inflammation.
A new technique enables continuous ECG surveillance during marathon races, potentially saving lives. The system uses Bluetooth and mobile phone networks to transmit data in real-time, with rapid transfer times and high accuracy.
A recent study highlights the dangers of women delaying medical attention for heart symptoms, citing a higher likelihood of severe or advanced stage treatment options being limited. Women often attribute symptoms to other possibilities and exhibit an optimistic bias, waiting longer to seek care than men.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified two genomic regions associated with responses to statins, paving the way for tailored treatment plans. With over 40,000 research subjects involved, this meta-analysis demonstrates a significant impact of gene profiles on statin efficacy.
Patients who received newly donated blood had significantly fewer post-operative complications than those who received older blood, according to a Canadian study. The study found that patients given only new blood fared better in terms of re-operation for bleeding, ventilation duration, infection, renal failure, and death.
A study of over 3,000 patients found that non-Caucasian groups have higher rates of cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. However, South Asians, East Asians, and Blacks reported lower awareness of these risks compared to Caucasians.
A study of 35,000 participants found that genetic predisposition to elevated LDL-C was associated with aortic valve calcium and narrowing, supporting a causal association. Lowering cholesterol early in the disease process may provide protection from developing aortic valve disease.
A study of individuals with Down syndrome has identified large rare deletions involving cilia genes as common causes of congenital heart defects. The research also suggests that these genetic alterations may impact other organs beyond the heart, leading to personalized healthcare approaches for affected individuals.
A study of 37,000 adults found that frequent doctor visits are the strongest predictor of blood pressure control. Having healthcare insurance and being treated for high cholesterol also increased the likelihood of keeping blood pressure under control.
A study of patients with stable heart disease found that women experience more changes in blood flow to the heart and platelet aggregation under mental stress, while men exhibit greater changes in blood pressure and heart rate. This difference highlights the need for tailored treatment approaches for cardiovascular disease
Researchers found that mental stress can cause reduced blood flow to the heart in women, leading to ischemia, a prevalent component of cardiovascular disease. The study suggests sex distinctions in how the body responds to mental stress, with women experiencing increased negative emotions and decreased positive feelings.
A new implantable device has shown promising results in slowing and reversing heart failure in patients with severe cases. The C-Pulse system, a cuff that wraps around the aorta, improves NYHA functional class and quality of life scores.
Researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a new pathway linking the brain to high blood pressure. The study suggests new approaches for treating hypertension and heart failure, potentially improving patient outcomes.