Cardiology News - SciTechDaily

Could Your Coffee Habit Be Hurting Your Heart?

American College of Cardiology — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 11:30:32 +0000

New research suggests that consuming over 400 mg of caffeine daily, a common habit among many, could elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study, which analyzed caffeine’s effects on young, healthy adults, found that regular intake at this level disrupts the autonomic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure. The findings [...]

Work Stress Linked to a 97% Increased Risk of Irregular Heart Rhythm

American Heart Association — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 09:00:58 +0000

Job strain and effort-reward imbalance at work were associated with a greater chance of developing an abnormal heart rhythm condition, finds a new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Adults in white-collar jobs in Canada with high job strain and for whom significant efforts are met with low rewards (such as low [...]

When Heart Transplants for Kids Go Wrong: Stanford’s Startling Discovery

Stanford Medicine — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 12:00:20 +0000

A new study by Stanford Medicine highlights flaws in the U.S. pediatric heart transplant waitlist, showing that the current system fails to prioritize the sickest children. The study suggests a shift towards a more nuanced approach, using a range of health indicators to assign risk scores and improve survival rates. According to a new study [...]

Is Your Blood Pressure to Blame for Your Migraines?

American Academy of Neurology — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 20:00:07 +0000

A study published in Neurology finds that high diastolic blood pressure slightly increases the odds of migraines in women. The research involved 7,266 participants and showed no similar risk for systolic blood pressure or male participants. These findings suggest small blood vessel function might be linked to migraines. Link Between High Diastolic Blood Pressure and [...]

Cardiac Consequences: New Research Explores Alcohol’s Influence on Heart Health

American Heart Association — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 13:00:43 +0000

Two new, basic research studies in rodents (mice and rats) analyzed the impacts that alcohol may have on the heart. In a mouse study, abnormal heart rhythms that can occur after a pattern of repeated simulation of binge drinking may be related to a spike in a stress protein found in the heart. Researchers tested [...]

AI Reveals Health Secrets Through Facial Temperature Mapping

Cell Press — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:25:52 +0000

Researchers have found that different facial temperatures correlate with chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure, and these can be detected using AI with thermal cameras. They highlight the potential of this technology for promoting healthy aging by using thermal facial imaging to predict a person’s health status and biological age. The study also [...]

Clinical Trial Confirms: Nasal Spray Safely Treats Recurrent Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Weill Cornell Medicine — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 22:46:55 +0000

A new study has demonstrated that etripamil, a home-administered nasal spray, safely and effectively treats PSVT, a condition causing rapid heart rhythms, potentially minimizing hospital visits and invasive procedures. Investigators from Weill Cornell Medicine conducted a clinical trial that demonstrated a nasal spray could successfully and safely treat recurrent abnormal rapid heart rhythms at home, [...]

Millions at Risk: Alarm Raised Over Widespread Aspirin Use in Older Adults

American College of Physicians — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 18:03:04 +0000

The findings emphasize the urgent need for physicians to ask about aspirin use. Despite guidelines advising against it, many older adults continue to use aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, highlighting the need for more physician involvement in medication management. A study encompassing approximately 150 million adults each year indicates that many older adults [...]

New Research: Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Are Better for Your Heart Than Normal Meat

Elsevier — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 18:13:46 +0000

A recent review article examines the effects of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) on cardiovascular disease risk factors, including cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Although there is considerable variation in the composition and nutritional profiles of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs), they generally align with a heart-healthy diet. A review article in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, [...]

Silent Killer Unmasked: 28% of “Healthy” Seniors Have Undiagnosed Heart Valve Disease

University of East Anglia — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 22:01:42 +0000

A study identified undiagnosed heart valve disease in 28% of people over 60, emphasizing the importance of better screening in managing health in older adults. Almost 4,500 healthy and symptom-free over-60s were examined, with 28% found to have heart valve disease Age was found to be strongly associated with an increased incidence of significant heart [...]

New Findings: Air Pollution’s Surprising Effect on Heart Risk for Cancer Patients

American College of Cardiology — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 18:00:44 +0000

Air pollution significantly worsens cardiovascular risks in cancer survivors, contributing to higher morbidity and mortality, with the most profound impacts on disadvantaged populations. Although modern therapies have extended the lives of many cancer patients, survivors often live with chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease. New research published today (June 18) in JACC: CardioOncology shows that air [...]

New Cholesterol Guidelines Could Drastically Reduce Statin Use for Millions

University of Pittsburgh — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 05:13:49 +0000

Adopting new PREVENT equations could lead to a significant reduction in statin recommendations, impacting 40% of currently eligible U.S. adults, and highlights the importance of precise risk assessment and patient communication in cholesterol management. If national guidelines were updated to include a new risk equation, approximately 40% fewer individuals may qualify for cholesterol-lowering statins to [...]

The Unexpected Villain in Plant-Based Diets

Ryan O'Hare, Imperial College London — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:26:34 +0000

A significant study reveals that plant-based ultra-processed foods are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, suggesting a need for dietary shifts towards less processed options. New analysis of the health impacts of plant-based ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has found they may pose a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases compared to less-processed plant-based foods. The [...]

Can Heart Damage Be Reversed? New Research Offers Hope

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 23:47:20 +0000

Scientists have developed a method to regenerate heart muscle cells in mice, potentially offering new treatments for heart defects and heart attack recovery. Researchers at the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago have developed a method to regenerate damaged heart muscle cells in mice. This [...]

Study Uncovers Hidden Heart Risks Linked to Passive Heat Exposure

American College of Physicians — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 21:00:38 +0000

A study reveals that heat exposure boosts myocardial blood flow and induces ischemia in some with coronary artery disease, suggesting high-risk individuals should avoid excessive heat. Researchers conducted a laboratory-controlled experiment including both healthy adults and adults with coronary artery disease (CAD). The results showed that passive heat exposure was enough to increase myocardial blood [...]

Mayo Clinic Study Reveals Startling Connection Between Energy Drinks and Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Elsevier — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 02:49:24 +0000

New research investigated the risks associated with energy drink consumption using data from a cohort of sudden cardiac arrest survivors at the Mayo Clinic. A recent study published in Heart Rhythm, the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society, and the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society, explored the risks associated with [...]

Warning: Popular Sugar-Free Sweetener Linked to Heart Attacks and Strokes

Cleveland Clinic — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 15:28:02 +0000

High xylitol levels may increase cardiovascular risks by promoting clotting, according to Cleveland Clinic research. Xylitol is a common zero-calorie sweetener found in sugar-free candy and toothpaste. Cleveland Clinic researchers discovered that higher amounts of the sugar alcohol xylitol are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke. The team, led [...]

The Ultimate Killer: Pollution Deadlier Than War, Terrorism, and Major Diseases

American College of Cardiology — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 18:00:56 +0000

Manmade pollutants and climate change contribute to millions of deaths from cardiovascular disease each year, warn a coalition of leading scientists. A new series published today (June 3) in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology highlights how pollution, in all its forms, is a greater health threat than that of war, terrorism, malaria, HIV, [...]

New Research Confirms That This “Wonder Drug” Decreases Older Adults’ Risk of Death

American College of Physicians — Fri, 31 May 2024 12:33:13 +0000

Statin therapy reduces cardiovascular and mortality risks in seniors over 60, proving safe and effective even beyond 85 years. Statins, often hailed as a “wonder drug,” are a class of lipid-lowering medications that significantly reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. These drugs inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a crucial role in the production [...]

Alarming Study: The Hidden Dangers of Fish Oil Supplements on Heart Health

BMJ — Tue, 21 May 2024 22:30:44 +0000

A comprehensive study published in BMJ Medicine reveals that while regular fish oil supplement usage might increase the risk of heart disease and stroke in individuals with no prior cardiovascular issues, it could also slow disease progression and reduce mortality in those with existing conditions. Regular consumption of fish oil supplements could potentially increase, rather [...]

New Drug Makes Exercise Easier for People With Common Heart Condition

Oregon Health & Science University — Sun, 19 May 2024 14:19:05 +0000

OHSU is part of an international clinical trial studying a potential treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. People with a common heart condition demonstrated significantly improved oxygen utilization during exercise after taking an investigational drug, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. This finding was also presented at the European Society of [...]

The Power to Save Lives: Advanced MRI Uncovers Hidden Heart Failures in Women

University of East Anglia — Wed, 15 May 2024 11:00:17 +0000

Researchers improved MRI accuracy for diagnosing heart failure in women, enabling earlier detection and treatment, which could significantly impact patient outcomes. An important new research study has advanced the detection of heart failure in women, enabling earlier diagnosis for many female patients. Researchers led by teams from the Universities of East Anglia (UEA), Sheffield, and [...]

Beyond Weight Loss: Semaglutide Delivers Major Heart Health Benefits

European Society of Cardiology — Mon, 13 May 2024 13:00:32 +0000

Weight Loss Drug Linked With Reduced Need for Diuretics in Heart Failure Patients Semaglutide reduces the need for loop diuretic use and dose, and has positive effects on symptoms, physical limitations, and body weight in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) regardless of diuretic use, according to late-breaking research presented today (May [...]

Popular ADHD Medications Like Adderall May Increase Young Adults’ Risk of Heart Damage

American College of Cardiology — Thu, 09 May 2024 02:05:14 +0000

As time progresses, the probability of developing cardiomyopathy increases, yet the overall risk is still minimal. A study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session reveals that young adults prescribed stimulant medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had a significantly higher likelihood of developing cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscle) than those who were not [...]