Research on the heart and how it stays healthy. Covers light exposure, tissue maintenance, trauma-related cardiovascular risk, and circadian effects.
Researchers demonstrate that rationally guided human adult stem cells can effectively heal, repair, and regenerate damaged heart tissue. The study shows improved heart function recovery, reduced scars, and increased survival rate in mouse models with heart failure.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Vanderbilt University used an infrared laser to pace an avian embryonic heart, showing no harm to the tissue. This non-invasive device may help understand environmental factors affecting heart rate in embryos and develop new pacemakers.
Researchers discovered significant structural changes and impaired left-ventricular function in the hearts of SMA mice, along with lower heart rates. Gene therapy approach showed promise in restoring heart rates and preventing dilated cardiomyopathy.
A regional protocol initiative improved aortic dissection patient care, reducing time to diagnosis from 4.3 hours to 160 minutes. The protocol, implemented in 32 hospitals, also led to a 55% reduction in time to intervention for surgically managed patients.
A new study found that people whose hearts pump less blood have brains that appear older, with decreased brain volume and atrophy. This association was seen even in those without cardiovascular disease, suggesting a link between cardiac index and brain health.
Researchers found that viral infection of the heart is a predictor of heart transplant failure in young children and adolescents. The study suggests that rigorously screening transplant patients for viral DNA and RNA, and using intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, may improve organ survival.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that cardiopulmonary bypass during heart surgery for less complicated congenital heart defects in school-aged children does not affect their cognitive abilities. Researchers compared the outcomes of 35 children who underwent open-heart surgery with non-cardiac surgical patients and non-surgical...
The International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation has published comprehensive guidelines for the care of heart transplant recipients. The guidelines cover peri-operative care, rejection management, and long-term issues such as cardiac allograft vasculopathy and immunosuppressive adverse effects.
Researchers developed a system using Random Forests, Logistic Model Tree, and Neural Network to diagnose heart problems with high accuracy. The study used publicly available heart rate data and achieved a classification accuracy of 98.17%.
The European Society of Cardiology has launched a new cookbook featuring heart-friendly recipes created by leading cardiologists. The book aims to demonstrate that a diverse diet can be achieved without compromising on taste, and includes sections discussing heart health topics and alternative ingredients.
A new study found that exposure to ground-level ozone over several weeks increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels and decreased heart-protective protein Cav1 in rats. This suggests a link between O3 exposure and cardiac dysfunction, highlighting the potential risks of air pollution on cardiovascular health.
New guidelines conclude that air travel does not pose a significant risk to cardiovascular health for those with conditions such as angina, heart attack, or abnormal heart rhythms. Passengers should take their medication and follow in-flight oxygen and airport assistance to minimize risks.
The Framingham Heart Study has had a profound impact on the understanding and prevention of cardiovascular disease. The study's findings have led to significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality rates worldwide, particularly in the United States. Its legacy continues to shape public health initiatives globally.
Researchers use computer models to reveal how genetic mutations and nervous system activity disrupt heart rhythm, increasing risk of sudden cardiac death. The study's findings may lead to preventative treatment options for those at high risk.
Researchers at UAB will investigate the mechanisms behind red blood cell interactions with nitric oxide, shedding light on potential negative effects of older stored blood units on circulation and immune response. The goal is to design therapies to prevent transfusion-related toxicities.
A new thesis from the University of Gothenburg reveals that mechanical heart pumps can significantly improve survival rates among patients with life-threatening heart failure. The treatment has been shown to be particularly effective for young and middle-aged patients, as well as those who are awaiting a heart transplant.
A radiographic examination of the Santa Rosa mummy's heart suggests a cardiac embolism may have caused her death. The study also confirms a ventricular diverticulum and thrombus, common in patients with Cantrell's syndrome.
A study at Henry Ford Hospital found that the newer left ventricular assist device HeartMate II has a significantly lower risk of infection than its predecessor, the HeartMate I XVE. The new device is smaller and uses synthetic ruby bearings lubricated by blood itself, reducing the risk of infection by 75%.
Researchers at the University of Michigan's Congenital Heart Center led a groundbreaking trial on shunts used to direct blood flow to the lungs, improving outcomes for kids born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The study found that one type of shunt was more effective over the first year, but its long-term impact is still uncertain.
A new laser-balloon catheter successfully interrupted irregular electrical pulses in patients and pigs, offering a potential new treatment for abnormal heartbeats. The treatment achieved 100% accuracy in clinical trials and had long-lasting effects, making it a promising alternative to traditional ablation procedures.
A survey of patients and healthcare providers in the southeastern US found that most patients are satisfied with their care, but doctors often lack training on multicultural awareness. The study highlights the importance of effective communication between patients and doctors to address disparities in healthcare outcomes.
Researchers found that particulate air pollution from PM2.5 exposure can affect heart electrophysiology up to six hours after inhalation, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Elevated PM2.5 levels may trigger acute cardiac events and contribute to chronic heart disease.
A single-center study found that early percutaneous tracheotomy (EPT) in ICU patients on mechanical ventilation did not reduce mortality, hospital length of stay, or frequency of infectious complications. However, EPT was associated with fewer unscheduled extubations and earlier bed-to-chair transfer.
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center found ablation treatment significantly reduces risk of Alzheimer's disease and stroke. Atrial fibrillation patients treated with catheter ablation have lower risk of dementia and mortality compared to untreated patients.
Researchers report that patients who undergo non-cardiac surgery within six weeks of receiving a coronary stent are more likely to experience reduced blood flow to the heart, heart attack, and death. The risk is higher for those with recent heart attacks.
A new study from Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute found that high doses of antioxidant nutritional supplements can induce stem cell genetic abnormalities, potentially leading to cancer. Researchers discovered this danger zone when seeking a way to multiply human cardiac stem cells.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute found that pre-transplant smoking increases the risk of non-fatal cardiac events, while homeless donors are associated with higher complications and poor outcomes. Donor demographics also play a role in transplant survival rates, with males receiving opposite-gender hearts having worse outcomes.
A new blood test has reduced the number of biopsies performed on heart transplant patients by 50% in a landmark Stanford study. The test uses genomics technology to identify patients at low risk for rejection, allowing doctors to safely reduce biopsy frequency and improve patient quality of life.
A study by Henry Ford Hospital found that heart failure patients developing kidney failure after LVAD surgery experience significantly decreased survival rates and prolonged hospitalizations. The researchers suggest improving patient selection and reducing cardio-pulmonary bypass time to mitigate the risk of kidney failure.
Researchers have linked diabetes to a 40% greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation, with the risk rising for longer duration of diabetes and less controlled blood sugar levels.
Scientists from EVMS have identified STAT4 as a key factor in the development of Type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases. Eliminating STAT4 in rodent models reduced atherosclerosis, and a high-fat diet study showed that excess STAT4 leads to inflamed fat production.
Researchers from Virginia Tech and GE Global Research Center are developing novel cardiac computed tomography (CT) architectures and methods to improve image quality with low radiation. Their patented approach, interior tomography, can produce accurate images of a region of interest, reducing radiation exposure and accommodating larger...
Researchers identified KLF15 as a genetic factor regulating both heart failure and aneurysm disease. The study found that deficiency of this gene predisposes individuals to these cardiovascular diseases, but also discovered potential therapeutic targets through the inhibition of p53.
A large study found that walking at a brisk pace (3 miles per hour) or for two hours a week significantly lowers the risk of stroke in women. The study followed 39,315 female health professionals over 11.9 years and found lower risks for total, clot-related, and bleeding strokes.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute conclude that dronedarone is only moderately effective and lacks clear safety benefits. The review assesses data from the FDA approval process and compares dronedarone to amiodarone, a commonly used treatment for atrial fibrillation.
A new imaging technique using FDG PET can help doctors plan cardiac procedures, reducing cost and improving patient outcomes. The study found a trend toward better patient outcomes when FDG PET is used in diagnostic work-up.
Researchers found that adding chymase inhibitors to ACE inhibitors significantly boosted recovery of heart function in animals after a heart attack. This could lead to improved treatments for people with high blood pressure, heart failure, and other conditions.
A team of researchers has created a new implantable device that measures the heart's electrical output with greater resolution than current devices. The device uses flexible silicon technology to bring electronic circuits right to the tissue, enabling high-density maps of electrical activity.
Researchers have developed a flexible silicon electronics device that can map waves of electrical activity in the heart with high density and speed. The device uses 288 contact points and has the potential to localize and treat abnormal heart rhythms.
Researchers have developed biocompatible flexible electronics that can map large areas of tissue at once, monitoring electricity coursing through a beating heart. The technology has the potential to redefine design strategies for advanced surgical devices and implants.
A recent study suggests that a deficiency of protein in the brain may contribute to cognitive impairment and congenital heart defects in Down syndrome patients. Researchers found lower levels of the protein in brains with Down syndrome compared to healthy controls, and an experimental drug increased its production.
A University of Montreal study found that men and women respond differently to stress, with high blood pressure and heart rate in women who are more defensive. Older men with low defensive reactions have higher cardiovascular rates. The study suggests that socialization and maintaining self-esteem contribute to these responses.
The AFib Educator app and desktop widget provide detailed, animated diagrams of the human heart to help patients understand atrial fibrillation. Healthcare professionals can share resources with patients, including facts about signs, symptoms, prevalence, and risks, as well as links to additional information.
The Bench to Bassinet Program aims to translate scientific discoveries into usable treatments for congenital heart disease. Researchers will study genetic data and heart development to provide a comprehensive picture of healthy and abnormal hearts, ultimately informing clinical practice.
Researchers have identified a key enzyme, myeloperoxidase, as a significant predictor of mortality in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients. High levels of the enzyme increase the risk of death by more than double over a 13-year period.
A new study by Henry Ford Hospital finds regadenoson to be a safe alternative to conventional medication used in cardiac nuclear stress tests for heart transplant patients. The drug did not cause adverse side effects such as low blood pressure or heart block, and showed no signs of these conditions.
A new risk score tool developed by researchers at Intermountain Medical Center has been shown to more accurately predict patients' risk for cardiac disease and death. The Intermountain Risk Score, which includes age, sex, and routine blood test results, improved doctors' ability to measure patient risk by up to 57%.
Jennifer C. Hirsch, M.D., M.S., receives the Nina Starr Braunwald award for her work developing an assessment tool for infants' sensory and motor skills following congenital heart defects surgery. The award supports research and education for women in cardiac surgery.
A standard ICD test is associated with significant thought-processing problems that improve for most patients after one year. The study found that more than one-third of participants experienced cognitive decline, mainly affecting attention and memory.
Researchers found that men and women who drank four or more cups of coffee daily had an 18% lower risk of hospitalization for heart rhythm disturbances. The study involved 130,054 participants and showed consistent results among different ethnic groups, smokers, and nonsmokers.
A pilot study found that a college course focused on social issues related to food resulted in healthier diets than traditional health-focused courses. Students who took the 'Food and Society' course reported an improvement in their healthful eating diet score, increased vegetable consumption, and decreased high-fat dairy consumption.
A recent study published by the American Heart Association found that children with insomnia and shorter sleep duration have impaired modulation of heart rhythm during sleep. This impairment can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in young children, highlighting the importance of healthy bedtime habits for their overall...
A new study found that adding electrocardiogram testing to standard medical history and physical examinations for young athletes can better identify key cardiovascular abnormalities responsible for sports-related sudden deaths. However, the study also showed a significant rate of false positive results.
A nationwide study found that blacks are substantially less likely than whites to know they have atrial fibrillation or use warfarin as treatment. This disparity could explain why the black population has a higher incidence of stroke and death from strokes compared to the white population.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have created a new way to measure the activity of a molecule involved in ischemic preconditioning, which strengthens cardiac tissues after a heart attack. The discovery could lead to the development of a new medication or treatment to help patients better resist heart damage.
A randomized trial found that remote ischemic conditioning with repeated blood pressure cuff inflations reduced heart tissue damage in AMI patients by 30%, with benefits increasing to 50% for those with most threatened heart tissue. Improved heart function and potential applications beyond AMI were reported.
A new gene, KCNN3, has been identified as a significant contributor to the risk of atrial fibrillation. This gene regulates potassium channels in the heart, which can be targeted for therapeutic intervention.
A common gene variant has been associated with an increased risk of lone atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that affects younger individuals without known heart disease. The genetic variation affects a protein involved in controlling the heart's electrical activity and may provide new drug targets for treatment.
A new chemical compound has been discovered that may help treat and prevent diastolic heart failure, a condition where the heart is unable to relax after contraction. The research found that adding tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) to blood vessels can restore function to the heart and prevent the disease from developing.
The NHLBI is awarding $23.6 million to develop preclinical testing of devices for pediatric circulatory support, expanding life-saving options for infants and children born with congenital heart defects or those who develop heart failure.