Articles tagged with Heart
The new guidelines emphasize the importance of genetic counseling and comprehensive clinical evaluation in treatment decisions. The guidelines also recommend specialized centers for genetic testing and interpretation, covering 13 inherited cardiac conditions.
Research suggests that a balanced diet with mono- and polyunsaturated fats can improve cardiac function in patients with heart failure. By providing sufficient energy to the heart, a damaged heart can maintain its normal metabolic profile and utilize its preferred energy source.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a cost-effective tool to detect cardiotoxicity, a common side effect of drugs. The webcam-based biosensor enables real-time monitoring of cardiac cells' beating rates and could accelerate the drug discovery process by identifying toxic effects early on.
The study found that participants lost an average of 5.5% of their body mass, reduced waist circumference by 5.15%, and increased effort capacity by 15%. The program also showed a decrease in bad cholesterol and increase in good cholesterol.
Researchers found that heart attacks between 6am and noon cause a 20% larger area of dead tissue, leading to more severe consequences for patients. This study suggests that time of day can significantly impact the severity of heart attacks.
Rice University bioengineering students collaborate with the Texas Heart Institute to create unique AED pads that allow rescuers to try again without losing valuable time. The pads have been tested with 100% success rate and are being patented, with hopes of being picked up by an AED manufacturer for FDA approval.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania have discovered a new understanding of how the heart forms in frog embryos. They found that the blood separation comes from an entirely different part of the embryo, known as the 'second heart field'. This finding has implications for human health, particularly for patients with DiGeorge Syndrome.
Non-Hispanic black infants born with heart defects are more likely to die within the first five years of life compared to non-Hispanic white and Hispanic peers. The study found that minority children, particularly non-Hispanic blacks, face higher risks for certain types of congenital heart abnormalities.
Cardiac specialists will use new guidelines to determine who should receive a mechanical heart-pumping device. The guidelines have the potential to change clinical practice patterns for patients with severe heart failure. Dr. Morgan's presentation at the ISHLT annual meeting in San Diego highlights the importance of these changes.
A study at Henry Ford Hospital found that non-cardiac surgery can be performed safely in patients with a heart device. The study looked at the management of blood-thinning medication and found no complications due to bleeding or device malfunctions.
A recent study published in European Heart Journal found that high plasma renin activity (PRA) levels may predict cardiovascular events in high-risk patients. By measuring PRA levels, doctors can assess a patient's risk and introduce therapies to lower their PRA levels, potentially preventing heart attacks or strokes.
A study found that exercising during pregnancy can help infants develop healthier hearts, with improved cardiovascular function maintained even after birth. The research suggests that interventions should focus on pregnant women to promote better health outcomes for children.
A recent Penn study found that heart patients support discussions about ICD deactivation at the end of life and post-mortem donation for product improvement or reuse. Most patients want their ICDs deactivated in an end-of-life illness, and many support donating their devices to improve global health disparities.
A UCLA-led study found that adherence to national guideline-recommended therapies for heart failure significantly lowered mortality rates. Six out of seven individual measures were associated with improved patient survival over 24 months.
A recent survey by the ACC/AHA/HFSA found that heart failure programs in the US are struggling to find the right mix of clinicians to manage this growing patient population. The study concludes that staff ratios remain the same despite program growth, indicating under-staffing with reduced financial resources.
Since 2003, Minnesota hospitals without cardiac catheterization labs have dramatically improved their acute heart attack or STEMI guidelines and protocols. As a result, the state has seen a significant decline in cardiovascular mortality rates, with a 50% decrease from 2002 to 2009.
Research studies presented at the ACC Meeting found associations between higher body mass index and increased cardiac risk factors, as well as a 47-percent reduction in radiation dose with lower kVp imaging. Additionally, persistence of left ventricular hypertrophy was linked to worse outcomes in patients with lower achieved systolic p...
A study found that young African-American competitive athletes with sickle cell trait are at risk of sudden death, particularly during football training. The study suggests that pre-participation screening is crucial to identify and prevent such deaths.
A study found that young adult patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy survived cardiac arrest after receiving therapeutic hypothermia. The treatment was successful despite marked left ventricular wall thickness and other risk factors.
A recent study published in the American College of Cardiology's annual scientific sessions reveals that routine periodic fasting can lower one's risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes. Fasting was also found to reduce other cardiac risk factors, such as triglycerides, weight, and blood sugar levels.
A regional prevention project involving 10,000 adults has shown a 24% reduction in acute heart attacks in a five-quarter period compared to the previous period of evaluation. The Heart of New Ulm Project combines environmental, peer leadership and individual interventions to prevent coronary heart disease.
Researchers found a connection between migraines with aura and patent foramen ovale in children, a common heart defect affecting 25% of the US population. The study suggests closure of PFO may help treat certain types of migraines, offering new hope for treatment.
The Canadian Cardiovascular Society and Canadian Heart Rhythm Society have published comprehensive guidelines on the use of genetic testing in managing patients with inherited heart rhythm disorders. The guidelines emphasize the importance of ordering physicians having a clear understanding of ethical issues surrounding genetic testing.
Researchers have shown that an increase in the amount of donor DNA in recipient's blood is an early detectable sign of organ rejection. This finding may allow doctors to avoid high doses of medication required to combat more advanced cases of rejection.
A pilot study found that adding ECG to history and physical examination identified unsuspected cases of potentially serious heart conditions in healthy children. The study suggests that a low-cost screening might help identify children at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
Researchers have shown that stem cell injections can reduce heart size, scar tissue, and improve function to injured heart areas. The therapy has been found to be beneficial for patients with chronically enlarged hearts due to damage from heart attacks.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet have discovered that specific inflammatory substances called leukotrienes play a crucial role in the development of aortic stenosis. The study found that anti-inflammatory medication may be a promising new treatment for the disease, which affects millions of people worldwide.
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that women are underutilized of guideline-recommended treatments for heart disease compared to men. The disparity is attributed to various factors including age, congestive heart failure, and physician decision-making.
Research analyzed 15 studies and found that stroke survivors with atrial fibrillation were 2.4 times more likely to develop dementia than those without the heart condition. Approximately 25% of patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation developed dementia during follow-up.
A massive study has identified 13 new genes linked to coronary artery disease, with most operating through unknown mechanisms. The discovery opens up new avenues for therapies and highlights the complexities of heart disease.
Researchers developed a new CPR method that increases long-term survival rates with good brain function by 50 percent. The technique uses two devices to increase blood flow, nearly tripling the amount compared to standard CPR.
A study by the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center found that being a woman does not necessarily increase the risk of dying from treatment for a severe heart attack. However, women tend to be older and sicker at the time of treatment, leading to higher mortality rates.
A new study by Dr. Todd Anderson at the University of Calgary's Libin Cardiovascular Institute has identified endothelial dysfunction as a predictive marker for coronary heart disease. By detecting this marker in patients, doctors may be able to intervene early to prevent the progression of heart disease.
According to a new study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, only one out of 1,900 people met the American Heart Association's definition of ideal cardiovascular health. The study evaluated 1,933 participants and found that less than 10% met five or more criteria for heart-healthy behaviors.
Texas Children's Hospital researcher Dr. Jeffrey Jacot receives a National Science Foundation CAREER Award and $450,000 grant to develop tissue engineering therapies using stem cells derived from human amniotic fluid. The goal is to create living heart tissue that can 'patch' or reconstruct hearts with congenital defects.
A study by researchers at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre found that cardiac rehabilitation programs can increase patient referrals by 40% and reduce mortality rates by approximately 25%. The program offers a comprehensive approach to health, combining medical treatments and lifestyle modification.
Researchers found that less than one-third of acute stroke patients treated with clot-busting drug tPA receive it within 60 minutes of hospital arrival. Timely tPA administration is linked to lower in-hospital mortality and fewer complications, with every 15-minute reduction associated with a 5% lower risk of death.
Researchers created beating human heart cells from skin cells of patients with a severe genetic heart defect, allowing them to study and characterize the disorder at the cellular level. They also identified a promising drug to reverse the heart malfunction, which has no decent treatments currently available.
American Stroke Association honors scientist John Hallenbeck with the Thomas Willis Award for his dedication to stroke research spanning four decades. The award also recognizes other researchers making significant contributions to clinical investigation and management of stroke.
Research from University of Warwick reveals prolonged sleep deprivation increases risk of strokes, heart attacks, and cardiovascular disorders, highlighting importance of getting 7 hours of sleep per night.
Researchers have identified the gene DOT1L as critical for heart function, which could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy. The study found that low levels of DOT1L enzyme can cause heart disease, including congestive heart failure.
Researchers studied physicians and scientists trekking to Mt. Everest Base Camp, finding extensive but reversible changes in heart function after exposure to low oxygen levels. The findings suggest that heart problems experienced by seriously ill patients may be reversible once oxygen levels are returned to normal.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy significantly reduces mortality among patients with mildly symptomatic or advanced heart failure, improving long-term outcomes. The addition of CRT to optimal medical therapy or ICDs can be extended to a wider proportion of patients, benefiting the growing population affected by heart failure.
A multicenter study found that recalled Sprint Fidelis implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads failed at a higher rate in younger patients, women, and individuals with hereditary heart disease. However, the failure was not associated with death or serious injuries.
Scientists from the Victor Chang Institute have discovered a key clue to understanding why certain medications cause abnormal heart rhythms. By studying the hERG potassium channel, they found that many common drugs bind to this channel when the outer gate is closed, blocking ions and increasing the risk of arrhythmia.
A comprehensive NIH study found that cardiac arrests in public settings had a higher percentage of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, the types of abnormal heart rhythms treatable by electric shock. More than one-third of public cardiac arrests treated with an AED survived, compared to 12 percent at home.
Researchers found that N-acetylcysteine can decrease the size of von Willebrand factor multimers in mice, potentially treating life-threatening blood disorder thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). However, chronic use of drugs targeting Notch1 raises concerns due to its link to vascular tumors and lethal hemorrhage in mice.
A sub-population of Listeria monocytogenes displays enhanced cardiac tissue infectability, increasing the risk of serious cardiac disease. Diagnostic tests based on bacterial genetic markers could protect vulnerable groups.
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have received prestigious ERC Grants to develop new therapies against multi-resistant germs, study interactions between cellular components, and improve algorithms for image processing. The grants total €9.8 million.
A new CPR technique using compression-decompression and negative intrathoracic pressure increases blood flow to the heart and brain by nearly three times, leading to a 53% improvement in long-term survival. The study involved 46 EMS agencies and showed that this alternative method is more effective than standard CPR.
A new CPR technique has been shown to increase long-term survival after cardiac arrest, with a 53% improvement in survival rates compared to standard CPR. The active compression-decompression cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) method provides nearly three times more blood flow to the heart and brain.
Researchers have identified PPAR alpha and gamma as key signaling elements in remote ischemic preconditioning (IPC), a powerful form of cardioprotection that can reduce myocardial infarct size by up to 50%. The activation of these nuclear receptors is linked to the production of nitric oxide, a well-established preconditioning-mimetic.
New research suggests beetroot juice can reduce the amount of oxygen needed to perform low-intensity exercise by up to 12%, enabling people to walk for longer periods. The study's findings have potential implications for older adults and individuals with heart or lung conditions.
A recent study found that patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can safely continue taking clopidogrel, but bleeding complications are associated with using a Dacron patch. The study analyzed 260 consecutive patients and found no significant difference in operative blood loss between those on clopidogrel and aspirin alone.
A new blood test can detect cardiac troponin T levels in 25% of seemingly healthy individuals, indicating an increased risk of dying from heart disease. The test's results showed that those with elevated troponin T levels were nearly seven times more likely to die within six years.
A large Scottish study has found tricyclic antidepressants increase CVD risk by 35%, while SSRIs show no association. Lifestyle changes can offset medication risks.
A large study found implanted devices for heart failure patients are successful in 'real world' use, with survival rates comparable to those in clinical trials. Remote monitoring networks improved patient outcomes by providing earlier diagnoses and empowering patients to take charge of their health care.
Neurological complications after heart surgery are common, affecting central and peripheral nervous systems, according to a study published in Hospital Practice. Complications can include strokes, seizures, delirium, and medication toxicity, highlighting the need for prompt identification and optimal management.
The University of Colorado is part of a broader FDA initiative to improve AEDs. The Denver pilot project aims to link AEDs to emergency medical dispatch, increasing bystander saves. Currently, AED locations are unknown in many places.
A new study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions found that community education in rural and suburban areas significantly shortens treatment time for heart attack patients. The study, which examined the effect of a regional Level 1 MI program, found that patients who received outreach education came to the ho...