Research on the heart and how it stays healthy. Covers light exposure, tissue maintenance, trauma-related cardiovascular risk, and circadian effects.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals that HDL (high-density lipoprotein) activates an enzyme called eNOS, leading to a cellular signal that depends on cholesterol efflux. The activation of eNOS is mediated by two intact domains of SR-BI, which act as 'cholesterol sensors' triggering cellular events.
The European Society of Cardiology has launched a new initiative called Women at Heart to improve the handling of women with cardiovascular disease. The initiative aims to highlight the growing burden and under-appreciation of women's heart disease, and promote better understanding and treatment among medical professionals.
Research suggests that moderate red wine consumption (2-3 ounces per day) may have beneficial cardiovascular effects due to its high content of polyphenols. Polyphenols are also found in berries, green tea, and chocolate and can help prevent cell deterioration, plaque buildup, and blood clotting.
A recent study found that cardiologists significantly underreported racial and ethnic disparities in care, with only 12% reporting disparities in their own hospitals. The study suggests that increasing awareness through practice data analysis can help address these disparities.
Researchers found that black high-risk patients were more likely to receive older treatments and less likely to receive newer drugs, including glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and clopidogrel. Despite these disparities, short-term outcomes did not differ significantly between blacks and whites.
A study by Emory University Health Sciences Center found that drug eluting stents are at least equivalent to vascular brachytherapy in preventing restenosis. SES treatment had a lower incidence of heart attacks and major adverse cardiovascular events compared to conventional VB treatment.
Orqis Medical's Cancion CRS therapy has shown promising results in improving cardiac index and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in patients with severe heart failure. The therapy provides continuous aortic flow augmentation, enabling progressive hemodynamic improvement without taking over the heart's function.
Researchers found that African-American patients receive lower rates of cardiac catheterization for heart attacks compared to white patients, despite disparities narrowing over time. The study highlights the need for improved patient education and dialogue with medical teams to address racial disparities in healthcare.
A 12-week Tai Chi exercise program showed high completion rates and health benefits among 27 Chinese women with cardiovascular risk factors. The program's success was attributed to cultural relevance, accessibility, and the Yang Style of Tai Chi.
Researchers found that women with diabetes had over two and a half times the risk of heart disease compared to women without diabetes. Men with diabetes had about a 90% higher risk of dying from CHD as men without diabetes.
Women with acute coronary syndrome are being prescribed aspirin, beta-blockers, and statins as frequently as men, according to a recent study. However, significant disparities remain in the use of lipid-lowering medications, with women living significantly longer after their hospitalization.
Researchers found that marital strain can increase a woman's risk of death from any cause, with self-silencing during conflict being a significant factor. Married men also had a lower risk of developing heart disease compared to unmarried men.
Researchers have discovered a potential link between protease inhibitor drugs and heart rhythm irregularities in HIV patients. The study, published in The Lancet, found that certain drug combinations could trigger adverse heart effects, highlighting the need for closer monitoring of vulnerable individuals.
A new study published in the Journal of Cardiac Surgery found that older patients who receive a heart transplant fare just as well as younger counterparts, even many years after surgery. The study showed no statistically significant differences between heart transplant recipients aged over 60 and those under 60.
A report by the British Cardiac Society highlights the challenges women face in pursuing careers in cardiology due to long hours, lack of flexible training, and sexism. The specialty is losing talented female applicants, with only 9% of those applying for specialist registrar posts being women.
The Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center will offer advanced cardiac care with a range of treatment options and expanded access to clinical trials. Construction is set to begin in 2009, with plans for the new facility including diagnostic and treatment areas, office space, and 16-20 examination rooms.
A new math model of heart cells has identified a novel calcium pathway that regulates cardiac electrical activity and is linked to arrhythmia research. The study, published in Circulation, provides a valuable tool for understanding the relationship between calcium handling and cardiac arrhythmias.
Researchers identified a specific antibody causing congenital heart block, targeting the p200 part of the Ro protein. The level of this antibody in mothers correlates with the degree of damage to the heart, highlighting a potential marker for high-risk pregnancies.
Researchers discovered that failing hearts experience an energy deficit due to a 50% reduction in ATP energy supplied by creatine kinase. This finding suggests new treatments may target the energy supply to improve heart function.
Hermes A. Kontos and John R. Marler receive prestigious awards, while Hong Li and Shelagh Coutts win research accolades for their work on stroke mechanisms and treatment.
Studies show that hospitals implementing GWTG–Stroke programs experience significant improvements in secondary preventive measures, including anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation and treatment with aspirin-like drugs. Timely intravenous tPA use also increases by up to 89%.
A study found that doctors underestimate women's heart risk, leading to less preventive care. Despite having the same calculated risk as men, women are more likely to be classified as having lower risk and receive less preventive care.
Researchers found significant differences in mitral valve tissue between healthy and congestive heart failure patients, affecting the valve's strength and hydration levels. These changes may contribute to recurring surgical outcomes for patients with mitral regurgitation.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that sildenafil can treat enlarged hearts by blocking the breakdown of cyclic GMP, a key molecule involved in heart stress. The study showed significant improvements in heart function, including increased contractility and cardiac output, even after hypertrophy had developed.
Dr. Russell, a Yale cardiovascular researcher, is awarded the Bayer Fellowship for his work on heart function and metabolism in disease states. His research focuses on glucose transporter expression, AMP-activated protein kinase, and mitochondrial uncoupling proteins to understand and treat heart failure.
A new study suggests that rotary blood pumps may be effective in children with heart failure, potentially saving thousands of lives by sustaining heart function until recovery or transplantation. Researchers believe the technology has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for pediatric patients.
Autoantibodies disrupt calcium ion fluctuations, leading to toxic build-up and cell death in heart cells. Researchers are searching for the binding target of these antibodies to develop a new way to identify women at risk for congenital heart block.
Researchers discovered a link between brain activity and abnormal heart rhythms during stressful events, particularly in people with pre-existing heart disease. The study suggests that uneven brain signals can disrupt heart function, leading to potentially fatal arrhythmias.
A new study suggests that implantable pacemakers could identify and prevent potentially fatal cardiac abnormalities in patients with epilepsy. The devices monitored heart rhythms during seizures, revealing that four patients had periods of asystole and received permanent pacemaker insertion.
A study found that fine particulate matter from brake wear and engine emissions increases inflammatory cells, clotting pathways, heart rhythm variability, and red blood cell volume in drivers. Exposure to pollution causes cardiovascular risks through effects on the heart rhythm and blood clotting pathways.
A novel AT2R gene transfer approach has been shown to prevent hypertension-related enlarged heart, cardiac fibrosis. The study found that the procedure prevented the heart from enlarging and prevented thickening of the ventricular walls.
A new study published in Annals of Pharmacotherapy found that beta blockers reduced hospital stays and atrial fibrillation by 59% and 55%, respectively. Early use of beta-blockers also led to significant reductions in patient death, fluid in the lungs, and need for a balloon pump.
Researchers found that masked hypertension, a blood pressure condition where patients have lower office readings but higher 24-hour averages, poses an independent risk for target organ damage. Emotion-cognitive variables play a significant role in how patients appraise the seriousness of their heart attack symptoms.
Researchers found that seven percent of patients implanted with VADs were successfully weaned off the devices without needing a heart transplant. The study showed that VAD support can facilitate dramatic recovery in patients with acute inflammatory cardiomyopathy or post-partum cardiomyopathy.
Researchers at Children's Hospital studied the impact of genetic variations on neurological outcomes after heart surgery. They found that children with tetralogy of Fallot were more likely to have worse neurodevelopmental scores if they had a genetic syndrome or variant gene. The study also explored the effectiveness of implantable car...
A randomized clinical trial of 433 patients with advanced heart failure found that pulmonary artery catheterization is not associated with increased death and hospitalization. The study suggests that PAC should not be used routinely to guide therapy due to its potential complications.
A new magnetic-assisted intervention system has shown a high success rate in navigating tortuous coronary arteries, making it easier to treat patients with difficult lesions. The system, developed by Stereotaxis, Inc., uses two permanent magnets to generate a magnetic field and guide wires through the heart.
Researchers found microwave energy successfully ablates AF in most patients, while anxiety and low social support are associated with higher risk of relapse in heart failure patients. Additionally, women with non-ST elevation heart disease undergoing angioplasty face a higher risk of adverse events compared to men.
A study found that higher levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake were associated with a significantly lower risk of dying from sudden cardiac death or coronary heart disease in women. Women who consumed the most ALA had a 46% reduced risk of dying from sudden cardiac death compared to those with the lowest intake.
A study of 43 families of sudden unexplained death victims found an inherited disease in 17 cases, while another pilot study showed yoga and meditation improved endothelial function. Strong social support was linked to lower blood pressure, while adherence to guidelines for angioplasty procedures led to better outcomes.
A study of 9,611 older adults found that regular physical activity in middle age significantly reduced the risk of early death. Even light activities like walking or gardening provided a protective effect.
A new study suggests that using drugs to slow heart rate (rate control) is more cost-effective than restoring normal heart rhythm (rhythm control) for treating atrial fibrillation. The American College of Physicians released a tip sheet with these findings and several other articles on related topics.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found a possible link between the strange electrical waves in their hearts and the cause of accelerated heartbeats. They discovered that when implanted cardioverter defibrillators triggered a series of unusual electrical pulses, they sometimes triggered the formation of these same spiral waves.
Researchers developed a new, less invasive approach to treat atrial fibrillation, a condition affecting over 2 million Americans. The procedure uses bipolar radiofrequency ablation and achieved similar success rates as traditional surgery, but with significantly shorter operative times.
A new study suggests that using whole blood for priming in pediatric heart surgeries may not be the best option, as it can lead to increased hospital stays and costs. Reconstituted blood, which combines red blood cells and plasma, has been shown to be just as effective but with lower risks of bleeding and inflammation.
Babies who received reconstituted blood during heart surgery had shorter ICU stays (70.5 hours vs 97 hours) and spent less time on mechanical ventilation (36.3 hours vs 53 hours). The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, puts to rest a decades-long debate and could save patients and blood banks money.
Researchers used embryonic stem cells to rescue congenital heart defects in mice by releasing signals that corrected neighboring heart cells. The study found a critical role of the Id protein and two signaling molecules, IGF-I and WNT5a, in this process.
A new study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology found radiofrequency ablation to be a safe and effective treatment for children with various forms of heart problems. The procedure showed high success rates, with over 98% of patients able to be cured, regardless of demographics or specific disorder location.
The 'beating heart' method eliminates damaging effects of heart bypass machines during re-do surgeries, reducing predicted deaths by 74.5%. The study's results show that off-pump surgery is a safer alternative to traditional procedures, with improved outcomes for patients.
Researchers are studying how damaged hearts heal differently in men and women, with a focus on estrogen's role. The study aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of cardiac remodeling and its impact on heart failure.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center conducted the first comprehensive study on liposuction's physiological impact, analyzing its effects on the heart and lungs, as well as electrolyte changes. The study found that levels of lidocaine and epinephrine must be closely monitored to ensure patient safety.
Women with diabetes having acute coronary syndrome are at a higher risk of presenting with ST-elevation-ACS and dying in hospital, compared to men. Diabetes has a differential effect on the pathophysiology of ACS based on patient sex.
Patients with atrial fibrillation are at increased risk for stroke and clotting complications, yet a significant percentage do not receive recommended clot-preventing medications. Asymptomatic patients should instead receive simple rate controlling drugs like beta-blockers, digitalis or verapamil.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has awarded UT Southwestern a $12 million grant to continue the Dallas Heart Study, which aims to develop new biotechnology and treatments for heart disease. The study has already made significant discoveries, including identifying key chemical signals that change stem cells into heart cells.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new class of nitroxyl-releasing compounds that seem to strengthen cardiac contractions and relaxation in dogs with heart failure. These compounds, which produce nitric oxide (HNO), have shown promising results in early studies.
A recent study published in JCI Journals reveals that AMP-activated protein kinase plays a crucial role in protecting the heart against ischemic stress. The kinase mediates increased glucose uptake in the heart during ischemia, which helps prevent post-ischemic cardiac dysfunction, apoptosis, and injury.
A team of researchers has developed an implantable electronic device that can help doctors monitor heart rhythms and prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) attacks. The device uses lower energy shocks to terminate AF episodes, reducing pain and risk of complications.
The CryoCor system, developed by CryoCor of San Diego, has shown a 98% overall treatment success rate in international clinical trials. The technology uses ultracold temperatures to block abnormal electrical signals causing arrhythmia, providing a potential cure for the condition.
A new study links irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation with sleep disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with AF are twice as likely to have sleep apnea, highlighting the need for screening and treatment in high-risk patients.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have discovered a link between heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases. The study found that toxic protein clusters called beta-amyloids, associated with Alzheimer's disease, are also present in the hearts of patients with heart failure.