Research on the heart and how it stays healthy. Covers light exposure, tissue maintenance, trauma-related cardiovascular risk, and circadian effects.
Researchers found that GRK2 increases in the adrenal gland, leading to high catecholamine release and desensitization of alpha-adrenergic receptors. Reducing GRK2 levels improves receptor function and reduces catecholamine release.
A study of diabetic women found that dobutamine stress echocardiography predicts cardiac death and heart attack. The test's accuracy was shown to be higher than previously thought, allowing doctors to rule out ischemia in more patients, thereby extending their lives.
The NHLBI research presented at the American Heart Association's scientific sessions highlights important findings on women and heart disease, including a link between high levels of male sex hormones and coronary artery disease in postmenopausal women. The study also explores the impact of socioeconomic status on cardiovascular diseas...
Researchers have developed a new tissue-engineered vessel made from the patient's own cells, which can replace synthetic grafts used in coronary bypass surgeries. The first human trial showed promising results, with no failures noted during the first five months of use.
A new study has successfully treated 99.1% of children with heart rhythm problems using a 3-D computer-assisted navigation system, reducing radiation dose by nearly half compared to traditional methods. The treatment also resulted in fewer RF applications and improved accuracy in finding specific locations.
African-American patients with heart failure are less likely to receive implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), despite similar prescription rates for evidence-based medicines. The disparity is attributed to lack of access to care, limited availability of cardiologists and specialized electrophysiology training.
Researchers found that people with nonsystolic heart failure can refill their hearts properly, but struggle with pumping blood during exercise. This challenges conventional wisdom and suggests alternative therapies, such as pacemakers or drugs that enhance blood vessel dilation, may be beneficial for these patients.
The Get With The Guidelines program has significantly improved treatment adherence for patients with coronary artery disease, with the greatest improvements seen in men over age 75 and women under age 65. Despite these gains, disparities in care remain, prompting ongoing research to address these issues.
Researchers followed nearly 6,000 women with metabolic syndrome over nine years, finding that cardiorespiratory fitness reduced overall deaths and heart disease-specific deaths to rates similar to those without the condition. Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with lower risk factors and improved heart health.
Researchers found that while adherence to recommended medications increased, physicians were slow to incorporate newer heart drug treatments, with a usage rate of 95% or higher representing successful adoption. The study analyzed data from over 113,000 patients treated at 434 US hospitals between 2002 and 2004.
Myosight captures data from dozens of cells at once, delivering unbiased results on how compounds affect typical and atypical heart cells. This technology enables researchers to see whether drugs carry a risk of causing arrhythmias or other adverse effects.
Dr. Robbins' research focuses on understanding the cellular functions of the heart and identifying genes associated with heart disease. He has developed genetically modified laboratory models to study the connection between protein mutations and heart disease.
Researchers uncover a new mechanism for post-ischemic arrhythmias, exploring the therapeutic potential of mitochondria-targeting compounds. Leptin signaling is shown to reverse obesity, diabetes, and infertility in mice. FcRn is identified as a promising target for treating autoimmune skin blistering diseases.
Research shows women with acute coronary syndromes are under-treated, leading to more ongoing heart problems. The study analyzed data from the CURE trial and found that women were 35% less likely to undergo invasive procedures than men.
A comprehensive US clinical trial reveals that competing medicated stents are equally effective in preventing target vessel re-vascularization (TVR) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The STENT registry, a nationwide study involving over 14,000 patients, provides insights into the efficacy of drug-eluting stents.
A study analyzing Medicare records found that patients receiving cardioverter-defibrillators from low-volume physicians experienced significantly higher rates of mechanical complications and infections. Higher-volume physicians showed similar complication rates when performing at least 11 devices per year.
A study has found that EBCT scans can detect congenital abnormalities, including coronary artery anomalies, more accurately than traditional catheter angiography. This is especially important as it helps identify patients at risk of a heart attack or sudden death.
An international study found that 21% of coronary patients continued to smoke, with younger patients and those with angina less likely to quit. The survey highlights the need for more effective smoking cessation programs, particularly among younger patients and those with lower education levels.
Night-time hemodialysis patients showed comparable cardiovascular measures to healthy patients, with restored endothelial progenitor cell biology and improved blood pressure. This therapy may address high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal disease patients.
Research on 24 young men and women found that faster music speeds up breathing and circulation, while slower music decreases heart rate. Musicians experienced a stronger effect due to their ability to synchronize breathing with musical phrases.
A recent study found that variations in the beta-2 gene significantly determine length of survival for acute coronary syndrome patients on beta-blockers. High-risk groups had a five times higher risk of death, while low-risk groups had a six percent mortality rate after three years.
A new imaging tracer, Zemiva, reveals metaabolic disturbances in the heart and shows that disturbances in fatty acid metabolism can persist up to 30 hours after an ischemic episode. The study used SPECT images to evaluate the tracer in patients with myocardial ischemia.
A study of 1,234 stroke patients found that heart and neck scans were less commonly used in women than men, despite being crucial for preventing second strokes. Women were 36% less likely to receive an echo-cardiogram and 43% less likely to have carotid artery exams.
The European Society of Cardiology emphasizes the importance of healthy weight and exercise in preventing heart disease. Studies show that moderate physical activity can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, while a balanced diet and weight management can also help mitigate the impact of existing heart conditions.
According to American College of Cardiology guidelines, several factors increase cardiovascular risk, including obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes. World Heart Day promotes awareness of these risks and encourages individuals to adopt healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced diet, and q...
The Gladstone Institutes' team supplied original stem cells for the exhibit and trained museum staff on techniques to activate cells. The exhibit showcases the development of cardiac myocytes from undifferentiated state to pulsating heart cells.
A new study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reveals a significant link between heavy drinking and atrial fibrillation. The research, which analyzed data from 16,415 individuals, found that men who drank 35 or more alcoholic beverages per week had a 45% increased risk of developing the hazardous heart rhythm.
Researchers are investigating a drug that may block the deadliest form of inflammation in heart bypass patients, including those who have had previous strokes or heart attacks. The study focuses on high-risk patients and pediatric cases, aiming to improve outcomes and reduce morbidity related to heart surgery.
Researchers identified a genetic link between inflammation and an increased risk of stroke after heart surgery. A specific combination of polymorphisms in genes responsible for C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 was found to be associated with a higher rate of stroke in patients.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered a potential biomarker, GRK2, that can predict the severity of heart failure. Elevated levels of this enzyme in the blood are associated with more severe heart failure and may help identify patients who would benefit from specific treatments.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that MRI is more comprehensive than SPECT in assessing heart damage in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. MRI was able to detect small areas of heart damage and provide important data on cardiac function, whereas SPECT only became relevant if no abnormaliti...
A new study found that not enough exercise in women can lead to serious heart problems and death, with those who cannot achieve 85% of their age-predicted fitness level being twice as likely to die. The researchers developed a chart for women to interpret their exercise capacity based on normative values for their age.
A new review of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines aims to streamline diagnosis and treatment of acute coronary events. The goal is to provide faster treatment that may even prevent a heart attack or damage to the heart before it happens, benefiting millions of patients each year.
Key findings highlight the importance of including women in clinical trials due to differences in response to drug therapy, such as higher levels of adverse reactions and varying mortality rates. This lack of data affects treatment strategies, with many drugs prescribed to women adapted from studies conducted mainly in men.
Recent studies using transgenic mice have shown that overactive Akt1 can lead to cardiac dysfunction and hypertrophy. In contrast, Akt1 is critical for adaptive angiogenesis in the heart after ischemia. The research highlights the importance of understanding Akt1's role in regulating cardiovascular function.
Researchers have discovered that during early stages of heart failure, the heart uses too much fatty acid and not enough carbohydrate; later on, it doesn't use enough fat. This new knowledge can lead to better treatments, but the existing drugs don't remedy the inefficiency.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have made a breakthrough in understanding the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI(3)K) in heart failure. They found that preventing PI(3)K's activation could block the loss of heart receptors, potentially improving heart function in patients with heart failure.
The European Commission's Heart Health Conference aims to promote cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention measures across Europe. The conference concluded with key actions for member states and the EC to implement to improve cardiovascular health in Europe, emphasizing the need for a long-term approach through public health strategies.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that daclizumab can reduce organ rejection in heart transplant patients by 25%. The treatment also showed a lower rate of bacterial infections compared to placebo. Researchers believe this incremental step will help improve outcomes for heart transplant patients.
A recent UCLA study has found a significant association between obesity and impaired coronary circulatory function, highlighting the importance of early detection and monitoring. Quantitative PET imaging may help identify at-risk individuals, enabling targeted interventions to prevent cardiovascular events.
Caffeine can increase heart activity, making it harder to see cancerous lesions on scans. Patients who consumed coffee before scans had higher myocardial uptake than those with low or no caffeine intake.
A large European survey of 11,000 patients admitted with heart failure found that only two thirds had received a heart tracing, while four out of ten patients lacked an ACE inhibitor prescription. Multidisciplinary treatment can cut hospital admissions and deaths from heart failure.
A study of 59 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation found a strong link between Helicobacter pylori infection and elevated C reactive protein levels, suggesting chronic gastritis may predispose to atrial fibrillation. The researchers also noted that H pylori has properties enabling it to evade the immune system.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that inflammation is the cause of postoperative atrial fibrillation, a rapid and irregular twitching of the upper chambers of the heart. Anti-inflammatory therapy may prevent or lessen this condition by increasing uniformity of electrical impulses in the atria.
Researchers have discovered a link between mutations in the MRTF-B gene and congenital heart disease in mice, which mimics human conditions such as truncus arteriosis. The study found that defects in cardiac neural crest cells lead to impaired blood vessel development and outflow tract defects.
A significant association was found between air pollution and an increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias among patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillators. The risk was particularly high when particulate air pollution, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide were present.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new 3-D cardiac imaging probe that offers sharper, high-contrast images and real-time guidance for therapeutic treatment devices. The probe's ability to generate three-dimensional images may shorten patient time in clinics and reduce radiation exposure.
A recent study found that patients taking SSRIs before heart surgery have higher mortality rates four years later. The researchers suggest that depression itself is the primary cause of increased mortality, rather than medication use. The study recommends closer monitoring and treatment for depressed patients undergoing heart surgery.
Researchers discovered non-coronary findings in 60 patients via heart CT scans, including lung cancer and aneurysms. Radiologists' training is crucial for early disease management and improved patient prognosis.
A study at Duke University Medical Center found that genetic variations in platelet surface receptors and coagulation proteins are associated with increased post-operative bleeding. This discovery may lead to genetic screening as a tool for pre-operative evaluation of heart surgery patients.
A six-week cycling study found that regular exercise activates hundreds of genes in young, healthy men, some linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study also showed that individuals who improved their performance most activated more genes in the muscles, a phenomenon not previously seen.
Researchers found that a personalized physical exercise and Mediterranean-style diet plan improved vascular structure and function in volunteers with pre-clinical cardiovascular disease risk factors. Average VO2 max increased by 3.2 mL/min/kg, while body weight decreased significantly.
Researchers discovered that a 'fickle' enzyme plays both protective and detrimental roles in the heart. When its cofactor is present, it helps regulate blood flow and heart function, but without it, the enzyme produces factors contributing to oxidative stress.
A recent study found that only three out of 21 streptokinase preparations met the minimum requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia, highlighting the need for stricter calibration and monitoring. The lack of reliable testing methods and inadequate post-marketing control allow substandard drugs to enter the market.
Researchers found that more than half of patients with heart failure have normal ejection fractions but still experience symptoms. The study suggests that conditions like anemia, obesity, and hypertension may play a role in causing heart failure.
The study found that women who received stents experienced a significant reduction in major adverse cardiac events and death rates compared to those treated with balloon angioplasty. Stenting was also shown to decrease the need for re-intervention, a critical factor contributing to higher mortality risk in women.
The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation has created new, comprehensive guidelines to help organ centers update their policies. The guidelines aim to bridge patients to transplant by offering pharmacological, surgical, and device-based interventions.
A new pump device, partnered with stem cell technology, aims to address heart failure and improve heart function. Research on ventricular assist devices (VADs) and pediatric devices is also ongoing, with a focus on developing smaller devices for children and improving outcomes.
A new study from Rice University found no independent relationship between Lp(a) levels and coronary calcium in either whites or African-Americans, suggesting an unknown mechanism may be at work. The study used a large multiethnic dataset of Dallas County residents to examine the link between Lp(a) and heart-attack risk.
A new study published in Nature Medicine shows that infants with Type O blood can accept hearts from donors with Type A blood due to their immature immune system. This breakthrough allows for greater donor compatibility and more successful transplants.