Heart Disease News

• Palpitations are predictive of future atrial fibrillation - A large cohort study has found that the strongest risk factors for atrial fibrillation in both men and women were a history of palpitations and hypertension. While hypertension is a well known risk factor for AF, the investigators note that "the impact of self-reported palpitations on later occurrence of AF has not been documented earlier."
• How to minimize damage from strokes, according to experts - Following a stroke, factors as varied as blood sugar, body temperature and position in bed can affect patient outcomes, researchers report.
• Novel new device diagnoses irregular heartbeat: Small stick-on device monitors heart rhythm for weeks - A new study has found that a novel new heart monitoring device helped emergency room patients avoid unnecessary follow-up care.
• Surprise gift for new mom: A new heart - New mom Windy Hill, 38, was given the ultimate Mother’s Day gift a little early after she was wheeled into the operating room at on April 20 to receive a mechanical pump to aid her failing heart and save her life.
• Mechanistic discovery links psoriasis to increased risk of CVD - Researchers have discovered preclinical evidence demonstrating that the inflammatory skin disease leads to cardiovascular disease. Further, the research demonstrated that aggressive reversal of psoriasis reduces the cardiovascular risk as well.
• Simple drawing test can predict subsequent stroke death in older men - A simple drawing test can predict the long-term risk of dying after a first stroke among older men.
• Important clues to a dangerous complication of pregnancy: Data strongly suggests that peripartum cardiomyopathy is a vascular disease - Medical researchers have found the first clear evidence that a dangerous form of heart failure that occurs in pregnancy is a vascular disease, brought about by an imbalance of angiogenic proteins.
• Elderly women with irregular heart beat at higher risk for stroke - Older women who have been diagnosed with an irregular heart beat are at higher risk of stroke than men. A new study shows that warfarin, the most common anticoagulant therapy used to prevent stroke in patients with Atrial fibrillation may not be as effective in women, 75 years or older, as in men.
• Discovery may lead to targeted heart disease treatments - Researchers have found the location and effect of abnormal heart proteins that can cause cardiac failure, a discovery that points to potential new ways to treat the most costly health problem in the world.
• Flavonoid compound found in foods and supplements may prevent the formation of blood clots, study suggests - A compound called rutin, commonly found in fruits and vegetables and sold over the counter as a dietary supplement, has been shown to inhibit the formation of blood clots in an animal model of thrombosis.
• Erectile dysfunction drug may benefit cardiac function in young patients with heart defects - Sildenafil, also known as the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, may give a boost to underdeveloped hearts in children and young adults with congenital heart defects.
• Some HDL, or 'good' cholesterol, may not protect against heart disease - A new study has found that a subclass of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the so-called "good" cholesterol, may not protect against coronary heart disease and in fact may be harmful.
• Exercise slows muscle wasting from age and heart failure - A four-week exercise program for heart-failure patients slowed muscle-wasting and improved their exercise capacity, regardless of age, according to new research. The study confirms that exercise can reduce inflammation in skeletal muscle. Findings offer a possible avenue for future drug therapy to treat muscle-wasting in heart failure patients.
• Death risks higher for heart attack survivors living near major roadways - Heart attack survivors who live about 100 meters (328 feet) or less from a major U.S. roadway face increased risk of death from all causes, according to new research.
• Heart attack survivors living close to highways face higher 10-year death risk - Living close to a major highway poses a significant risk to heart attack survivors, reinforcing the need to isolate housing developments from heavy traffic areas, a Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center study concludes.