Research on the heart and how it stays healthy. Covers light exposure, tissue maintenance, trauma-related cardiovascular risk, and circadian effects.
A UCI-led study found that coronary calcium detection is a significant predictor of heart attack and disease for diverse groups. The non-invasive procedure uses CT scanning to detect calcium deposits in coronary arteries, which can be valuable for promoting overall cardiac health.
A study by University College London found that beta-blockers slow heart failure progression through direct brain action, challenging existing views on their mechanism. The research suggests targeting the central nervous system may lead to novel treatments for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have identified a crucial signaling protein Gi that protects the heart during a heart attack. Blocking this protein increases heart damage in genetically engineered mice experiencing heart attacks.
Researchers found that family members caring for loved ones with serious heart ailments were more likely to have high blood pressure, depression, and poor eating habits. These caregivers were also less likely to follow healthy dietary guidelines.
Patients treated with minimally interrupted cardiac resuscitation (MICR) had higher survival rates than those receiving standard treatments. Implementing MICR, a new approach to limit interruptions of chest compressions, resulted in increased blood flow and reduced harm.
A protein called macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been found to activate AMPK, a key regulator of cellular energy balance, protecting the heart from injury during a heart attack. MIF may help identify individuals at higher risk for cardiac damage during a heart attack based on their genetic characteristics.
Research by the Whitehall II study found that work stress is linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) due to its effect on the autonomic nervous system and neuroendocrine function. Chronic work stress was associated with lower heart rate variability and poor vagal tone, leading to cardiac instability.
A new simplified scoring system accurately assesses overall cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and individual component risks. The system, developed from 12 years of patient data, shows significant correlation with 10-year CVD risk.
Scientists at the University of Minnesota Center for Cardiovascular Repair successfully grew a functioning beating heart by reseeding dead rat and pig hearts with live cells. The decellularization process shows promise for creating transplantable blood vessels or whole organs made from a patient's own cells.
A study found that individuals who experienced severe stress-related symptoms after terrorist attacks were more likely to be diagnosed with heart problems over the following three years. High levels of acute stress immediately after the attacks predicted increased risk of physician-diagnosed heart problems.
Research found that 30% of patients with ventricular arrhythmia received life-saving defibrillation more than two minutes after cardiac arrest, leading to significantly lower survival rates. Hospital characteristics, such as small size and lack of continuous monitoring, were associated with delayed defibrillation.
Two large-scale studies found no statistically significant difference in survival rates between Chest-Compression-Only CPR and traditional CPR with mouth-to-mouth breathing. This contradicts previous guidelines that recommended interrupting chest compressions for breaths.
While flavanol-rich dark chocolate offers cardiovascular benefits, manufacturers often remove these compounds to balance calorie content, rendering the product less healthy than claimed. Flavanols have antioxidant properties but are not a guarantee of healthiness.
Researchers found that individuals with Type 1 myotonic muscular dystrophy overproduce the heart protein NKX2-5, yet experience similar cardiac problems. Reducing excessive NKX2-5 levels may protect against these issues, leading to potential diagnostic and therapeutic breakthroughs.
Researchers at Imperial College London have successfully matured beating heart cells derived from embryonic stem cells, overcoming two significant obstacles in developing a stem cell heart patch. They also developed a biocompatible scaffold that can hold the new cardiomyocytes in place while they integrate into existing heart tissue.
A study of 3,601 women found that low-risk women with advanced coronary artery calcium had a higher risk of heart events and cardiovascular disease. The findings provide new insights into cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged and older women, highlighting the importance of re-evaluating risk assessment strategies.
Researchers at Cornell University and their colleagues discovered that implanting embryonic cardiac cells into mice with heart attacks prevented arrhythmias. The technique improved electrical connections between cells and activated transplanted cells, restoring heart function and reducing arrhythmia risk.
A new study found that a two-in-one test examining the nervous system and heart's electrical system can identify patients at highest risk of cardiac arrest or death after a heart attack. The REFINE study revealed that combining findings from one simple test makes it significantly more likely to identify high-risk patients.
A new heart test has been developed to detect mild degrees of heart injury, enabling doctors to identify patients most likely to benefit from life-saving treatments. The test, which searches for a specific protein in the blood, could lead to fewer unnecessary hospital admissions and improved diagnosis.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in deriving functional heart cells from human embryonic stem cells, exhibiting excitation-contraction coupling and handling calcium ions. The finding offers hope for future use of stem cell treatment in patients with end-stage disease, potentially avoiding the need for heart transplants.
A new study by University of Bristol scientists found that red blood cell transfusions may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in cardiac surgery patients, regardless of haemoglobin levels or age. The research suggests a three-fold increase in complications arising from lack of oxygen to key organs.
Researchers have developed a new drug called nitrosyl-cobinamide, a direct NO-releasing agent that could potentially treat hypertension and heart disease. The compound binds tightly to nitric oxide, forming a reversible NO donor, which may offer a safer alternative to existing treatments.
Researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center found that the mitochondria send a death signal to cardiac cells when blood flow is restored, leading to cell damage and weakening heart function. The study identifies a specific enzyme, mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase, as a potential therapeutic target to stop this process.
A randomized trial found that cardiac resynchronization therapy did not improve peak oxygen uptake in patients with Class III heart failure and mechanical problems. The study's results suggest that CRT may only benefit a smaller subgroup of patients with narrower QRS complexes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that heart transplant recipients who receive commonly used blood-vessel-opening drugs can achieve similar survival rates as those without high pressure. The study of 10,331 patients showed a reduced survival rate for those who did not respond to therapy. These findings bring new hope to hundr...
David R. Holmes Jr., a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, received the James B. Herrick Award for his pioneering contributions to interventional cardiology and advancements in coronary revascularization through balloon angioplasty and stenting. His work has significantly improved patient care and saved countless lives.
A recent study found that women with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) had a higher risk of mortality and required more hospitalization compared to men. After adjusting for other factors, the gender gap disappeared, suggesting that women may be sicker by the time they receive ICDs.
Using CPR combined with bystander use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) significantly increases the chances of surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The study found that when bystanders provided CPR and attached an AED, survival increased to 36 percent – approximately four times that of CPR alone.
New research from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that advanced CT scans can accurately detect blockages in heart arteries, with a reliability rate of 90% matching those of invasive catheterization. The technology has the potential to improve early detection and treatment of coronary artery disease, saving lives and preventing heart att...
A definitive study reveals that placing automated external defibrillators in public spaces can save up to 522 lives annually in the US and Canada. The widespread deployment of battery-powered devices has been shown to more than double survival rates among victims of sudden cardiac death.
Darwin Labarthe, a renowned epidemiologist and educator, has been recognized by the American Heart Association for 40 years of mentoring young physicians and research fellows. He directed the training of over 885 participants during the annual seminar's 33-year existence.
A new gene, GPD1-L, has been identified as responsible for a rare form of cardiac arrest known as Brugada syndrome. The mutation impairs the heart's natural electrical ability to beat in a coordinated manner and maintain a stable rhythm.
A study of 27,000 women found that regular physical activity can significantly lower cardiovascular risk by 40% over 11 years. The research highlights the importance of exercise in reducing inflammation and blood pressure as key contributors to cardioprotection.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center analyzed Medicare records of over 236,000 patients between 1999 and 2005, finding that men were two to three times more likely than women to receive implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. The study also revealed racial disparities in ICD use, with white men receiving the most devices.
Researchers at the University of Bristol identified a heart protection mechanism in mice that may be exploited to improve treatments for patients with coronary disease. The study found that hearts with coronary disease became more resistant to damage after mock surgery, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
A Mayo Clinic review of patients' responses to droperidol found no proven cases of complications directly attributable to the drug's use. The study suggests that alternative medications may not be as effective in controlling nausea and vomiting, leading some anesthesiologists to resume low-dose use of droperidol.
A Brandeis study found that fewer than one in five patients receive cardiac rehabilitation services after a heart attack or coronary bypass surgery, despite its proven benefits. The use of cardiac rehab varies significantly by age, gender, and geography.
Researchers have developed a new non-invasive prenatal testing method that analyzes mother's blood to detect fetal mRNAs, which could be used for prenatal diagnosis of genetic diseases. In another study, mice exposed to particulate matter were found to have accelerated blood clotting and thrombosis, highlighting the need to target IL-6...
Researchers found that administering hydrogen sulfide directly into the heart during a simulated heart attack significantly reduces tissue and cell damage. The study showed a 72% reduction in severe heart-tissue death after restoring normal oxygen and blood flow.
A study found that inhaling diesel exhaust causes changes in the heart's electrical activity, reducing oxygen availability during exercise. Exposure to diesel exhaust also reduced the body's ability to release a 'guardian' protein, increasing the risk of blood clots.
Researchers are developing robotic instruments that can navigate the chambers of the heart through needle-sized incisions and deploy tools to remove blockages, repair faulty valves and close leaks while the heart is still beating.
Researchers developed a non-invasive imaging technique that detects fat buildup in the heart of pre-diabetic people. The study found that fat accumulation occurs before diabetes onset and is unrelated to blood sugar or liver fat, but correlated with stomach fat.
A new generation of implanted heart-assisting pump has shown excellent survival rates and significant improvements in patient quality of life. The device, called the HeartMate II, helped 75% of patients stay alive for at least six months or until a donor heart became available.
Researchers at U of M discovered that treating people with early cardiovascular abnormalities can slow progression and even reverse damage to the heart and blood vessels. The Rasmussen Disease Score helps doctors identify early signs, enabling targeted lifestyle counseling and drug treatment.
Researchers found that restricting blood flow in the arm before coronary artery bypass graft surgery reduced troponin T levels by 43%. This technique, known as remote ischaemic preconditioning, may help protect the heart from injury during surgery. The study's implications for clinical practice are considered immense.
A recent study found that cardiac CTAs post-CABG reveal clinically significant non-cardiac findings in 34 patients, including pulmonary embolism and lung cancer. The study highlights the importance of physician interpreters trained to read entire CT scans beyond coronary vessels.
A new study finds that moderate long-term exercise in male and female mice induces a sex-dependent cardiac adaptation, with females exhibiting greater physiological changes. This research may help improve treatment strategies for women and men with heart disease.
Researchers are developing a new system to analyze beating heart stem cells, which could lead to more detailed information on their electrical activity and potentially facilitate their use in regenerating damaged hearts. The team aims to engineer a novel system for real-time analysis of cardiomyocytes during early development.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing reveals that women who have suffered heart attacks experience higher rates of lingering depressive symptoms compared to their male counterparts. Women scored lower in physical and social functioning after one year, with 14.3% experiencing worsening depression.
The use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators is increasing in Canada but remains lower than in the US. In adults who survived a cardiac arrest, the rate increased from 5.4% to 26.7% between 1995 and 2003. The devices are considered safe and effective for people at risk of life-threatening rhythm disturbances.
Researchers discovered a genetic link between primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and heterotaxy, an abnormal position of the heart and lungs. This connection suggests that PCD may cause respiratory complications in children with congenital heart disease, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study suggests that aprotinin can reduce bleeding during heart surgery without increasing the risk of complications. The study found no increase in heart attack risk among patients receiving aprotinin, while the risk of stroke was 35% lower.
A 47-year-old man with congestive heart failure underwent the historic surgery at UPMC, where a beating heart supported by the OCS was successfully transplanted. The patient is doing well after discharge on April 30.
A study by the American Heart Association found that patients who used an online education program were more aware of treatment options and asked their doctors about care. The program provided personalized information in lay language, leading to improved patient knowledge and behavior.
Scientists have found an enzyme called Pak 1 that acts on the heart's pacemaker to slow the rapid beating of the heart's 'fight-or-flight' reaction to adrenaline. This discovery opens up new avenues for diagnosis, drug design and treatment of common heart diseases.
For patients who need non-cardiac surgery a short time after an interventional heart procedure, bare metal stents provide a safer choice. Drug-eluting stents can lead to life-threatening cardiac complications in these patients, according to a study by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Researchers developed the largest registry of US patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, aiding physicians in diagnosis and management. Most patients who survived the first 48 hours had a steady recovery, with normal heart function found in 29 out of 30 patients.
A lab study found that prenatal nicotine exposure can lead to cardiac vascular dysfunction beyond the formative years, and into adulthood. Female offspring are more likely to be impacted than males, with decreased coronary flow and increased heart susceptibility to ischemia and reperfusion injury.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that patients with specific gene variants were less likely to experience cognitive decline after heart surgery. These variants were involved in the inflammatory system and may provide a biological basis for the protective effect observed.
A study by Penn State researchers found that incorporating macadamia nuts into a heart-healthy diet can reduce total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The Healthy Heart diet with macadamia nuts was compared to a standard American diet in a controlled feeding study.