Articles tagged with Heart
A study by the Heart and Stroke Foundation found that consuming just one high-fat breakfast sandwich can decrease blood vessel function by 15-20% in healthy university students. This temporary effect highlights the potential for a single high-fat meal to have long-term consequences on heart health.
A study by Dr. Paul Dorian found that the risk of cardiac arrest depends on where you live, with neighborhoods having higher rates experiencing three to five times more cases than those with lower rates. Wealth, education, and social inclusion are important factors in determining cardiac arrest risk, but only explain part of the puzzle.
A new study published in the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress found that exercising in water has the same aerobic benefits as exercising on land, but with less strain on joints. This promising alternative can be especially beneficial for people who struggle to exercise on land due to weight or mobility issues.
Scientists have developed a technology to visualize how circulating blood affects the developing heart, potentially uncovering triggers for heart defects. The study maps shear stress on the endothelial cells lining the growing heart, which has been linked to gene expression changes and defect formation.
A four-month high-intensity interval training program improved cognitive functions in previously sedentary adults. The exercise increased blood flow to the brain, leading to sharper thinking, recall, and decision-making abilities.
Comprehensive smoke-free laws resulted in rapid decreases in heart attack hospitalizations (15% reduction), stroke hospitalizations (16% decrease), and respiratory disease hospitalizations (24% drop). The most effective laws covered workplaces, restaurants, and bars, demonstrating the importance of inclusive legislation.
Researchers from Nova Scotia found that peer mentoring programs significantly increase school day physical activity levels among elementary students. The Heart Healthy Kids Lunch program, which included games led by trained peer mentors, resulted in an average increase of over 1,000 steps per day.
A study found 174 cases of sudden cardiac death in Ontario between ages 2-40, with heart disease present in 72% of cases. The majority of events occurred at home, not during sports or exercise. Researchers advocate for screening and education to detect warning signs like fainting.
Researchers found that prolonged QRS duration and PR/QT intervals are strong indicators of risk. These electrical wave measures can help doctors identify patients at higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including death.
Cardiac arrhythmias affect over one million people in the UK, with a growing gap between technology advancements and biological understanding. The Lancet series explores new treatments and future directions for arrhythmia management.
Patients with prior open heart surgery who experience a severe heart attack and receive a coronary stent have similar outcomes to those without previous CABG. The study found that reperfusion rates were higher in the prior-CABG group compared to previous studies.
A simple-to-use risk score identifies low-risk STEMI patients, allowing early discharge and reducing hospital length of stay by a day. This strategy results in estimated savings of nearly $7,000 in total hospital costs.
UCLA's heart transplant program has been ranked among the nation's best by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), with a silver-level ranking for its high transplant rates and patient survival. The program is one of only seven nationwide to achieve this level, and it has earned a silver ranking twice, including in 2010.
Bariatric surgery radically reduces risk factors for heart disease and stroke, with an average reduction of excess weight by 54%. Cardiovascular risks such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and unfavourable blood fats improve or resolve completely after the procedure.
A survey of 677 supplement users found that nearly half are concerned about heart health and 75% prefer natural ways to lower cholesterol. The new probiotic supplement Cardioviva aims to fill this gap with a safe and natural addition to a heart-healthy diet and lifestyle.
Researchers develop a non-invasive method to track Huntington's disease progression by detecting mutant huntingtin protein in immune cells. Additionally, CXCR1/2 inhibition improves pancreatic islet survival after transplantation, and the loss of thyroid stimulating hormone contributes to osteoporosis.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have mapped the precise order and timing of hundreds of genetic switches required for heart development, offering new clues into the genetic basis for congenital heart disease. The study identifies groups of genes that work together in a coordinated fashion to control heart formation.
Researchers found that patients at hospitals with longer resuscitation attempts have a higher likelihood of immediate survival and survival to discharge. However, the study does not recommend an optimal duration for resuscitation, emphasizing the need for careful clinical judgment.
A study found that even in the normal range, urinary protein excretion increases diabetics' heart risks. Patients may benefit from cardioprotective medications to mitigate this risk.
A new study published in JAMA found that noninvasive CT scanning technology combined with fractional flow reserve can improve diagnostic accuracy for heart disease. The DeFACTO study involved 252 patients from 17 centers worldwide, showing improved detection of coronary artery disease using this approach.
The European Society of Cardiology is tackling the issue of underused implantable cardiac devices, particularly ICDs, due to financial constraints. The initiative aims to raise awareness about their importance and reduce sudden cardiac death rates in countries like Ukraine and Germany.
New guidelines set minimum acceptable success rates for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, with 50% success rate expected at 12 months. Long-term outcome data shows only 40-50% of patients remain free of recurrent AF after 5 years.
A new study using ultra-fast CT scanners accurately assesses coronary blockages and determines which patients need revascularization. The results showed an excellent correlation with traditional means of assessment, allowing for more certainty in diagnosing patients with chest pain without evidence of a heart attack.
Research from the SPICI study found that adhering to a heart-healthy lifestyle in combination with drug treatment after an acute myocardial infarction treated with coronary artery balloon intervention (PCI) can lead to significant reductions in new cardiac events. The study estimated that preventing 300 to 400 cardiac events annually c...
Researchers at the University of Leicester are undertaking a revolutionary treatment for heart failure using a novel nerve-stimulating device. The INOVATE-HF study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of the CardioFit system, which stimulates the vagus nerve to reduce stress on the heart.
A new study by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation found that Optim lead insulation paper may not prevent insulation abrasions in St. Jude Medical defibrillator leads, raising concerns about patient safety. The study suggests that patients with these leads should be regularly evaluated for potential failures.
A recent study published in JAMA found that coronary artery calcium (CAC) scans are superior to other assessment tools in identifying individuals at intermediate risk of cardiovascular disease. The CAC scan uses a CT scan to detect calcium build-up in the arteries, allowing for more precise prediction of heart disease risk.
A multicenter observational study found that Black patients with the V122I mutation have a median survival time of 26 months after diagnosis, with declining heart function and quality of life. The study establishes an increased risk of death from cardiac amyloidosis among carriers of this mutation, particularly after age 60.
The University of Leicester is set to receive a significant boost in cardiovascular research thanks to a record-breaking £7 million donation. This major gift will support the creation of a unique UK facility for cardiovascular science and enable researchers to develop novel tools for clinical use, ultimately benefiting patients.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have found that ranolazine can significantly reduce arrhythmias triggered by carbon monoxide exposure. The anti-angina drug works by targeting a sodium channel in the heart, potentially protecting against cardiac events caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.
Researchers found that around 26% of people aged 87-89 had previously undiagnosed heart problems. These conditions can lead to breathlessness and heart failure, but are treatable with established drugs like beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors.
A new targeting technology has been found to improve outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation, with an 86% success rate after a single procedure. The technology, known as focal impulse and rotor modulation (FIRM), allows doctors to detect and shut down the electrical sources of the arrhythmia in minutes.
Researchers have developed a new technique to detect and target tiny electrical disturbances in the heart, resulting in an 86% success rate in treating atrial fibrillation. The CONFIRM trial found that this approach significantly improved outcomes compared to conventional catheter procedures.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have defined the structure of mitoKATP, a potassium channel protecting against tissue damage due to heart attacks and strokes. The discovery improves heart cell survival and demonstrates an essential life-saving role.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have received $2 million to develop artificial tissue models for testing new drugs that target myofibroblasts, which contribute to heart disease. The study aims to understand how these cells alter the electrical and mechanical properties of heart tissue.
A large prospective study found that cardiac surgery has become significantly safer, even for high-risk patients, with complication rates at 5%, compared to previously reported 10%. The study also failed to show acadesine, a protective drug, reduced complications.
A Wake Forest Baptist study found no cases of cardiac complications related to Taser use, even when probes landed on the chest and may have traveled across the heart. The study analyzed 1,201 real-life Taser uses by law enforcement agencies.
A new mouse model reveals that abnormal heart cell development during embryogenesis may be responsible for congenital heart disease. The study suggests that genetic mutations, such as the GATA4 mutation, can lead to underdevelopment of heart walls and septal defects.
Moderate coffee consumption as part of a daily routine may be linked with a significantly lower risk of heart failure. The study found that moderate coffee drinking reduces the risk by as much as 11 percent, while excessive consumption has no benefit and may even be dangerous.
A small study exposed young, healthy volunteers to ozone for two hours, showing vascular inflammation and changes in autonomic nervous system control. The findings suggest a plausible explanation for the link between acute ozone exposure and death.
A meta-analysis of 24 studies found that 12% of heart patients develop clinically significant PTSD symptoms, doubling their risk for future cardiac events and death. The study suggests that underdiagnosis may be even more pronounced in cardiac practices than in other types of medical practices.
A natural compound found in fruits, nuts and red wine has shown improved physical performance and endurance in lab models. Researchers plan to test resveratrol on diabetics with heart failure to improve heart function and exercise capabilities.
Research found no increase in infective endocarditis among dental patients following updated guidelines, which restrict antibiotic use to those at greatest risk of complications. The study's results are reassuring but suggest further research is needed to support the findings.
Scientists have identified a new protein function that protects heart cells from damage during extreme hypertension and cardiac pressure overload. The discovery could lead to the development of treatments for conditions like cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's.
A simple blood test can identify people at high risk of dying within a month after non-cardiac surgery. The test called Troponin T measures protein markers of heart injury and is strongly associated with 30-day mortality.
New UCSF research establishes a stronger causal link between alcohol consumption and serious palpitations in patients with atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation had almost a four and a half times greater chance of having an episode if they were consuming alcohol than if they were not.
New research reveals that obese adolescents, even those without symptoms of heart disease, already have structural and functional changes to their hearts. The study found that measures of heart size and function were increased in parallel to BMI, indicating damaged hearts with thicker walls and impaired systolic and diastolic function.
Research published in Circulation suggests that prolonged QRS duration is a significant predictor of sudden cardiac death in men. The study, which tracked 2,049 Finnish men for 19 years, found that even slight delays in electrical impulses through the heart can increase the risk of SCD.
A Vanderbilt University study found that azithromycin carries a significant increased risk of cardiovascular death, especially among those with high-risk factors. The researchers compared over 348,000 prescriptions of azithromycin to millions of similar records from patients not treated with antibiotics.
A novel ambulatory cardiac monitor, Zio Patch, has been found to be effective in diagnosing irregular heart rhythms and preventing unnecessary follow-up care. The study showed that 59% of symptomatic patients did not have arrhythmia and may not require further work-up.
A new study found that patients who received guidance on sexual activity before leaving the hospital were more likely to recapture their sex lives after a heart attack. Researchers urge doctors to address sexual health as an important part of overall physical function, especially for women.
A new study published in JAMA found that elderly women with atrial fibrillation are at a higher risk of stroke than men. The study suggests that these women may need more effective stroke prevention therapy, which could be targeted towards female sex as a key risk factor.
A new study found that heart patients with a distressed personality type (Type D) reported worse health after having an implanted internal defibrillator. Those who received a shock from their device within the first year scored themselves up to 30 points lower than others, indicating poorer overall health and mental well-being.
Researchers found that sildenafil improved echocardiographic measures of heart function in children and young adults with single ventricle heart disease palliation. The study suggests a potential advance in managing patients with these types of heart defects.
Researchers found that heart attack survivors living less than 100 meters from a major roadway have a 27% increased risk of dying over 10 years compared to those living at least 1,000 meters away. Long-term exposure to air pollution near roadways is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death.
A study published at the University of Granada found that heart rehabilitation programs significantly improved cardiovascular health in patients with heart disease. The program reduced total cholesterol and plasma triglyceride levels, promoted healthier eating habits, and increased physical activity among participants.
Researchers at UC Irvine found that moderate to severe COPD patients with low heart disease risk had a significantly better prognosis. The study suggests addressing cardiac risk factors can improve outcomes in people with COPD, and highlights the importance of cardiovascular health for lung disease patients.
A major new study published in The Lancet found that all babies should be offered screening for heart defects at birth, with pulse oximetry showing high accuracy and effectiveness in detecting the condition. The research included data on close to 230,000 babies and showed that pulse oximetry picked up over three-quarters of heart defects.
Researchers at the University of Washington have found that cells in blood vessel walls pull more tightly together when flowing past rapidly, reducing vascular leakage and potentially leading to new drug designs and improved surgical procedures. This discovery highlights the role of cellular forces in the progression of cardiovascular ...
Experts propose a new model of care collaboration for diagnosing, treating, and following patients with emergent cardiovascular conditions. Regionalized systems of care can improve clinical outcomes by providing rapid diagnosis, effective care coordination, and appropriate follow-up care.