http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/heart_disease/ Read current medical research on risk factors, causes and prevention of heart disease, strokes, and peripheral arterial disease. What new treatment options are under development? en-us Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:05:01 EST Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/heart_disease/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120210111250.htm Arterial stiffness due to is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease but is very difficult to measure. A new method for measuring arterial stiffness has been developed. This simple, non-invasive, calculation is able to interpret standard oscillometric measurements to quantify both arterial stiffness and blood pressure simultaneously. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:12:12 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120210111250.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209172627.htm Brain surgery is getting much easier for many patients. Neurosurgeons are using catheters rather than open surgery to repair aneurysms and other defects. Patients recover in a few days, with less chance of cognitive deficits. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209172627.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208220212.htm A common heart disease which kills thousands each year may be passed genetically from father to son, according to a new study. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:02:02 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208220212.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208132717.htm In a large analysis of men participating in a prostate drug trial, researchers found a significant correlation between coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, suggesting the two conditions may have shared causes. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:27:27 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208132717.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120207133614.htm New research highlights the benefits of total knee replacement. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:36:36 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120207133614.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120207121928.htm People who have been unlucky in love are said to suffer from a "broken heart." A broken heart is an actual medical condition. Broken heart syndrome occurs during highly stressful or emotional times, such as a painful breakup, the death of a spouse or the loss of a job. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:19:19 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120207121928.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206174209.htm Treatment with three "targeted" cancer drugs has been linked to a slightly elevated chance of fatal side effects, according to a new analysis. These risks remain low, but they should be factored in when developing patients’ treatment plans. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:42:42 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206174209.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206102950.htm Coronary patients with low levels of an immune system antibody called anti-PC, which neutralizes parts of the "bad" cholesterol, run a greater risk of suffering complications following an acute cardiac episode and thus of premature death. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:29:29 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206102950.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120205163756.htm A genetic variant that increases the risk of a common type of stroke has been identified by scientists. This is one of the few genetic variants to date to be associated with risk of stroke and the discovery opens up new possibilities for treatment. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:37:37 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120205163756.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120203141459.htm In the largest and longest head-to-head comparison of two anti-clotting medications, warfarin and aspirin were similar in preventing deaths and strokes in heart failure patients with normal heart rhythm, according to new research. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120203141459.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120203113319.htm The anti-blood clot regimen that adds the drug clopidogrel (Plavix) to aspirin treatment is unlikely to prevent recurrent strokes and may increase the risk of bleeding and death in patients with subcortical stroke, according to new research. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:33:33 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120203113319.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202151719.htm A new study suggests that hyperglycemia injures the heart, even in patients without a history of heart disease or diabetes. The high-sensitivity test they used detected levels of cTnT tenfold lower than those found in patients diagnosed with a heart attack. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:17:17 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202151719.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202094600.htm Occasional erratic heart rhythms appear to cause about one-fifth of strokes for which a cause is not readily established. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:46:46 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202094600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202094558.htm Being anemic could more than triple your risk of dying within a year after having a stroke, according to new research. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:45:45 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202094558.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201181449.htm Aerospace engineers have developed a prototype device that could power a pacemaker using a source that is surprisingly close to the heart of the matter: vibrations in the chest cavity that are due mainly to heartbeats. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201181449.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201135314.htm A new study sheds light on why some children may need to urinate more often during the rest cycle. Researchers found sleep deprivation caused healthy children, ages 8-12, to urinate significantly more frequently, excrete more sodium in urine, have altered regulation of the hormones important for excretion. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:53:53 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201135314.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201094317.htm Common infections in children pose a high risk of ischemic stroke, according to new research. In a review of 2.5 million children, the researchers identified 126 childhood ischemic stroke cases and then randomly selected 378 age-matched controls from the remaining children without stroke. They discovered that 29 percent of those who suffered a stroke had a medical encounter for infection in the two days preceding the stroke versus one percent of controls during the same dates. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:43:43 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201094317.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201094313.htm In a large, head-to-head comparison of two procedures that clear blocked neck arteries, outcomes were similar. The study found that 94 percent of the arteries remained open two years after using surgery or a metal stent. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:43:43 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201094313.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120131092746.htm A new study finds a potential link between daily consumption of diet soft drinks and the risk of vascular events. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:27:27 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120131092746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130184532.htm Mothers-to-be who are both overweight and smoke during their pregnancy risk damaging their baby's developing heart, according to new research. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:45:45 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130184532.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130170149.htm The walls of the aorta, the largest blood vessel carrying blood from the heart, exhibits a response to electric fields known to exist in inorganic and synthetic materials. The discovery could have implications for treating human heart disease. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:01:01 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130170149.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130131157.htm A meta-analysis of the relationship between alcohol consumption and heart disease provides new insight into the long-held belief that drinking a glass of red wine a day can help protect against heart disease. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:11:11 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130131157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130093658.htm A drug used to treat multiple sclerosis may also be effective at preventing and reversing the leading cause of heart attack, a new study has found. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:36:36 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130093658.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120127135943.htm Damaged human heart muscle cannot be regenerated. Scar tissue grows in place of the damaged muscle cells. Scientists are seeking to restore complete cardiac function with the help of artificial cardiac tissue. They have succeeded in loading cardiac muscle cells onto a three-dimensional scaffold, created using the silk produced by a tropical silkworm. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:59:59 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120127135943.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126092546.htm In one of the largest-ever analyses of lifetime risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD), researchers have found that middle-aged adults who have one or more elevated traditional risk factors for CVD, such as high blood pressure, have a substantially greater chance of having a major CVD event, such as heart attack or stroke, during their remaining lifetime than people with optimal levels of risk factors. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126092546.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120125172310.htm Your risk of having a heart attack or stroke may be worse than you think. Currently, risk is assessed by projecting 10 years ahead. New research shows a young or middle-aged adult at low risk in the short term may be at high risk in the long term, if they have only one risk factor. This is the first study to examine the lifetime risk of heart disease in white and black men and women. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:23:23 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120125172310.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120125172059.htm A new study reports that while an individual's risk of heart disease may be low in the next five or 10 years, the lifetime risk could still be very high, findings that could have implications for both clinical practice and public health policy. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:20:20 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120125172059.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124184159.htm Eating food fried in olive or sunflower oil is not linked to heart disease or premature death, a new study finds. The authors stress, however, that their study took place in Spain, a Mediterranean country where olive or sunflower oil is used for frying and their results would probably not be the same in another country where solid and re-used oils were used for frying. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:41:41 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124184159.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123133644.htm A researcher is studying what role adult stem cells might play in repairing damaged coronary arteries, following angioplasty/stenting. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:36:36 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123133644.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123114255.htm For most heart and stroke patients, it's probably safe to have sex. "For a patient who has sex with a familiar partner in a familiar setting, sexual activity generally is safe and no more strenuous than golf," a cardiologist said. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:42:42 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123114255.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120122152530.htm Scientists have identified a finely tuned mechanism by which fetal heart muscle develops into a healthy and fully formed beating heart -- offering new insight into the genetic causes of congenital heart disease and opening the door to one day developing therapies to fight this chronic and potentially fatal disorder. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120122152530.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113211009.htm Peripheral Artery Disease, also known as PAD, affects about eight million Americans. It is a narrowing of arteries in the arm or leg. The risk increases with age, and for people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. The threat is even greater for smokers. People with PAD are four to five times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. It can also lead to gangrene and amputation. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:10:10 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113211009.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113210355.htm Novel avenues to treat a heart attack have been developed: in patients, who have a blood pressure cuff several times briefly inflated before they undergo coronary artery surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, the heart is protected from damage. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:03:03 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113210355.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113210207.htm Generally speaking, a distinction has been made so far between “good” HDL cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol. LDL contributes to cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke, while the “good” HDL protects against them. Now, however, experts have discovered that the anti-inflammatory effect of HDL was not detected in patients on renal dialysis. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:02:02 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113210207.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112193440.htm New research suggests the types and levels of intestinal bacteria may be used to predict a person's likelihood of having a heart attack, and manipulating these organisms may help reduce risk. This discovery may lead to new tests and therapies that physicians use to prevent and treat heart attacks. In addition, this research suggests probiotics may be able to protect the heart in patients undergoing heart surgery and angioplasty. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:34:34 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112193440.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111223350.htm Silent atrial fibrillation is very common and may be the cause of many strokes that previously could not be explained. In all, atrial fibrillation may be responsible for nearly one in five strokes. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:33:33 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111223350.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111223344.htm A new study finds that participating in marathons and half-marathons is associated with a relatively low risk of cardiac arrest, compared to other forms of athletics. The study also identifies bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation as a key factor in patient survival. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:33:33 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111223344.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111090611.htm A worldwide study has shown that physical activity during work and leisure time significantly lowers the risk of heart attacks in both developed and developing countries. Ownership of a car and a television was linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:06:06 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111090611.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110173453.htm Care for Asian-American heart attack patients improved between 2003 and 2008, according to a new study. The study found Asian-Americans and whites received about the same level of care, and that differences in care between the two groups decreased over time. The study is significant because little is known about the treatment and outcomes of Asian-Americans who've suffered a heart attack. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:34:34 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110173453.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109212011.htm Heart attack risks are extremely high for the bereaved in the days and weeks after losing a loved one. The first day after a loved one died, heart attack risk was 21 times higher than normal, which declined progressively over the first month. Friends and family of a bereaved person should watch for heart attack signs and help him or her maintain their medication regimen. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:20:20 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109212011.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109211829.htm Dispatchers should help 9-1-1 callers identify cardiac arrest victims and coach callers to provide immediate CPR. If more dispatchers followed these processes, thousands of lives could be saved every year. Communities should regularly evaluate 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers' performance and the overall emergency response system, according to a new American Heart Association statement. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:18:18 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109211829.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109145909.htm Researchers have now used advanced 3-D microscopic imaging technology to identify and monitor the proteins involved in the artery stiffening process. These findings could eventually help researchers and physicians understand and treat complications associated with cardiovascular disease. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:59:59 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109145909.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109102922.htm Researchers have identified a new culprit that leads to atherosclerosis, the accumulation of fat and cholesterol that hardens into plaque and narrows arteries. The research explains why cholesterol-laden, coronary artery disease-causing cells called macrophages, accumulate in artery plaques. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:29:29 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109102922.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120104153743.htm A new study has identified a molecular pathway that leads to abnormal cardiovascular blood clotting and turned it off using a popular class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:37:37 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120104153743.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103165010.htm Some individuals with severe aortic stenosis -- also known as narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart -- who are not well enough to undergo open heart surgery have a new treatment option thanks to a new procedure now available. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:50:50 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103165010.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103165006.htm In an analysis of data from more than 15 countries that included the US, Canada, Australia, and many European nations, patients in the US who experienced a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; a certain pattern on an electrocardiogram following a heart attack) were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital at 30 days after the heart attack than patients in other countries. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:50:50 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103165006.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103165004.htm Among obese individuals, having bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced long-term incidence of cardiovascular deaths and events such as heart attack and stroke, according to a new study. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:50:50 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103165004.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103135554.htm Although minimally invasive treatments for patients with peripheral arterial disease result in shorter hospital stays and the potential to save Medicare millions of dollars each year, a new study reveals that the quality of care and cost depend on who's providing the treatment. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:55:55 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103135554.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103135552.htm Experts have discussed the importance of heart failure disease-management and early identification, as well as the treatment of body-fluid congestion, using a number of home-monitoring strategies. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:55:55 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103135552.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103135129.htm Either heart failure or diabetes alone is bad enough, but oftentimes the two conditions seem to go together. Now, researchers appear to have found the culprit that leads from heart failure to diabetes and perhaps a novel way to break that metabolic vicious cycle. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:51:51 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103135129.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111227210716.htm Although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that a certain type of genetic testing (for the genotype CYP2C19) be considered before prescribing the drug clopidogrel to identify individuals who may be less responsive to the medication, a review and analysis of previous studies did not find an overall significant association between the CYP2C19 genotype and cardiovascular events. Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:07:07 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111227210716.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111227210711.htm For patients admitted to an emergency department with chest pain, use of a contemporary or highly sensitive test for levels of troponin I may help rule-out a diagnosis of heart attack, while changes in the measured levels of this biomarker at three hours after admission may be useful to confirm a diagnosis of heart attack, according to a new study. Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:07:07 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111227210711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111227142539.htm The biologic and genetic mechanisms controlling the formation and function of the cardiac conduction system (CCS) are not well understood, but new research with mice shows that altered function of a gene called Tbx3 interferes with the development of the CCS and causes lethal arrhythmias. Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111227142539.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111223091451.htm Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, can alleviate heart problems, and now researchers can explain why. They studied dogs with diastolic heart failure, a condition in which the heart chamber does not sufficiently fill with blood. The scientists showed that sildenafil makes stiffened cardiac walls more elastic again. The drug activates an enzyme that causes the giant protein titin in the myocardial cells to relax. Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111223091451.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111222195007.htm A magnetic resonance imaging scan for coronary heart disease is better than the most commonly-used alternative, a major UK trial of heart disease patients has shown. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:50:50 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111222195007.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111222133324.htm Scientists are closing in on signals that may be able to coax the heart into producing replacement cardiac muscle cells. Using a zebrafish model system, researchers have identified a family of molecules that can stimulate stem cells to develop into beating heart muscle cells. The research may pave the way towards new therapeutic approaches for cardiac regeneration and repair. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:33:33 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111222133324.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221140716.htm Medical researchers argue that vitamin therapy still has a role to play in reducing stroke. Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:07:07 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221140716.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111220172626.htm New research has investigated if nerve growth factor gene therapy can prevent diabetic heart failure and small vascular disease in mice. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111220172626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111220172620.htm In a study that enrolled nearly 30,000 apparently healthy men and women, those who had an increase in their resting heart rate over a 10-year period had an increased risk of death from all causes and from ischemic heart disease, according to a new study. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111220172620.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111220154047.htm Women who are at risk for breast cancer may also be at greater risk for heart disease, new research has found. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:40:40 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111220154047.htm