http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/stroke/ Read about the latest medical research in stroke prevention. Find new treatment options, including ones under development. Learn about mini-strokes, as well as stroke rehabilitation and recovery. en-us Sat, 26 May 2012 14:05:01 EDT Sat, 26 May 2012 14:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/stroke/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521163621.htm Traditional "hunter-gatherer" and "horticulturalist" populations have significantly lower age-related increases in blood pressure and less risks of atherosclerosis than "modernized" populations. Lifestyle factors of these traditional populations -- high physical activity and high fruit and vegetable diets -- may protect against normal aging phenomena, high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. Hunter-gatherers and forager-horticulturalists who live off the land and grow what they need to survive have lower age-related increases in blood pressure and less risks of atherosclerosis Mon, 21 May 2012 16:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521163621.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514203929.htm Following a stroke, factors as varied as blood sugar, body temperature and position in bed can affect patient outcomes, researchers report. Mon, 14 May 2012 20:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514203929.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120509212721.htm A simple drawing test can predict the long-term risk of dying after a first stroke among older men. Wed, 09 May 2012 21:27:27 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120509212721.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120509123852.htm 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. Wed, 09 May 2012 12:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120509123852.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502184704.htm Neither aspirin nor warfarin is superior for preventing a combined risk of death, stroke, and cerebral hemorrhage in heart failure patients with normal heart rhythm, according to a landmark clinical trial. Wed, 02 May 2012 18:47:47 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502184704.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502112711.htm Research by vascular surgeons may offer new hope to sufferers of peripheral artery disease, the cause of nearly 60,000 lower-limb amputations annually, through the use of a patient's own stem cells. Wed, 02 May 2012 11:27:27 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502112711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120421203906.htm Voluntary industry reductions in salt content and taxation on products containing salt in 19 developing countries could reduce the number of deaths each year from cardiovascular disease by 2-3 percent in these countries. Sat, 21 Apr 2012 20:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120421203906.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120420123901.htm Researchers have confirmed that fat surrounding the outside of arteries in humans -- particularly the left coronary artery -- may influence the onset of coronary artery disease, or atherosclerosis, which is the leading cause of death in the US. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120420123901.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120420123853.htm Researchers have found that greater consumption of sugar-sweetened and low-calorie sodas is associated with a higher risk of stroke. Conversely, consumption of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee was associated with a lower risk. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120420123853.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120418162254.htm There is no convincing evidence that proves gum disease causes heart disease or stroke, or treating gum disease reduces the risk of those diseases, according to new research. Gum and heart disease share common risk factors, including smoking, age and diabetes, which is possibly why the diseases often occur in the same person. Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:22:22 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120418162254.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120411102434.htm A clinical trial is evaluating the use of stem cells from the pelvic bone marrow to improve heart function. Patients’ own stem cells may preserve heart muscle function after a heart attack. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:24:24 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120411102434.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120404102136.htm Older subjects who regularly practise Tai Chi found to have better arterial compliance and greater muscle strength than non-practitioners. Exercise which can achieve both cardiovascular function and muscle strength "would be a preferred mode of training for older persons", say investigators. Experienced practitioners of Tai Chi, the traditional Chinese mind-body exercise now enjoyed worldwide, have been shown in a study of older subjects to have improved expansion and contraction of arteries according to cardiac pulsation (arterial compliance) and improved knee muscle strength. Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:21:21 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120404102136.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120329124613.htm The world's first bedside genetic test has been developed. Scientists reports on the use of a simple cheek swab test, the Spartan RX CYP2C19, performed by nurses at the patient's bedside. This revolutionary technology allows doctors to rapidly identify patients with a genetic variant known as CYP2C19*2. Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:46:46 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120329124613.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326113815.htm Adding vorapaxar, an investigational platelet blocker, to standard antiplatelet therapy significantly reduces the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with known atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of the arteries, according to new research. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326113815.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326113805.htm Getting too little sleep – or even too much – appears to spell trouble for the heart. New data reveal that adults who get less than six hours of sleep a night are at significantly greater risk of stroke, heart attack and congestive heart failure. Even those who reportedly sleep more than eight hours a night have a higher prevalence of heart problems, namely chest pain (angina) and coronary artery disease, a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326113805.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326113709.htm Heart attacks during pregnancy tend to be more severe, lead to more complications, and also occur for different reasons than commonly seen in the non-pregnant general population, suggesting that, in some cases, the standard approach to managing this condition may not always be best, according to new research. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:37:37 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326113709.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326113113.htm New research reports that there is no significant difference between high versus low dose aspirin in the prevention of recurring cardiovascular events in patients who suffer from acute coronary syndromes, which are characterized by symptoms related to obstruction in coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326113113.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326113109.htm New research shows that the use of ticagrelor not only reduces the time to a first cardiovascular event (the metric used in most trials) but also significantly reduces the time to a second cardiovascular event or death, and reduces total events including cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke, ischemic events and urgent revascularization. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326113109.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120316101632.htm A clinical study shows that a new treatment for psoriasis could be associated with a significant decrease in vascular inflammation, a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120316101632.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120301084146.htm Older women whose diets include a substantial amount of trans fats are more likely than their counterparts to suffer an ischemic stroke, a new study shows. However, the risk of stroke associated with trans fat intake was lower among women taking aspirin. Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:41:41 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120301084146.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/2012/02/120206102950.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/2012/02/120202164536.htm The traditional risk factors for stroke – such as high cholesterol – are not as accurate at predicting risk in postmenopausal women as previously thought. Instead, researchers say doctors should refocus their attention on triglyceride levels to determine which women are at highest risk of suffering a devastating and potentially fatal cardiovascular event. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:45:45 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202164536.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/2012/02/120202094604.htm The disparity in stroke-related deaths among black and white children dramatically narrowed after prevention strategies changed to include ultrasound screening and chronic blood transfusions for children with sickle cell anemia, according to new research. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:46:46 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202094604.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/2012/02/120201094321.htm Clot-busting drugs may be safe for patients who wake up experiencing stroke symptoms, according to preliminary research. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:43:43 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201094321.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/2012/02/120201094315.htm Severe, rapid memory loss may be linked to -- and could predict -- a future deadly stroke, according to new research. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:43:43 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201094315.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/2012/01/120130093658.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/2012/01/120123133644.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/2012/01/120113211009.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/2012/01/120111223350.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/2012/01/120111153627.htm Placing a stent in a key artery in the neck is safer than ever in patients ineligible for the standard surgical treatment of carotid artery disease, according to a new study. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:36:36 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111153627.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/2012/01/120103165006.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/2012/01/120103135554.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/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/2011/12/111213190027.htm Researchers have discovered how cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins promote the breakdown of plaque in the arteries. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213190027.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208173637.htm Blood pressure medicines reduced the risk of stroke by 22 percent in people with prehypertension. More than 50 million Americans have an increased risk of stroke due to prehypertension. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:36:36 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208173637.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130095255.htm Findings on coronary CT angiography, a noninvasive test to assess the coronary arteries for blockages, show different risk scenarios for men and women, according to a new study. Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:52:52 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130095255.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128183840.htm In an analysis of the outcomes for more than 15,000 patients who underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; procedures such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement used to open narrowed coronary arteries), nearly one in 10 were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, and these patients had a higher risk of death within one year, according to a new study. Various factors were associated with hospital readmission, including female sex, Medicare insurance, unstable angina and others. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:38:38 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128183840.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128171215.htm Most heart attack patients transferred between hospitals for the emergency artery-opening procedure called angioplasty are not transported as quickly as they should be, researchers report in the first national study of "door-in door-out" time for transfer patients. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:12:12 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128171215.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111122162820.htm For persons with cardiovascular disease or diabetes, urinary sodium excretion (a surrogate for salt intake) at higher levels or at lower levels compared to mid-range values was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events (for higher levels) or cardiovascular death and hospitalization for congestive heart failure (for lower levels), according to a new study. Also, higher estimated urinary potassium excretion was associated with a reduced risk of stroke. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:28:28 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111122162820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117140430.htm Some stents that keep blood vessels open to treat heart disease are poorly designed to resist shortening, according to new research. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:04:04 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117140430.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116082142.htm Among patients with stable cardiovascular disease who have a genetic variation that diminishes the response to the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel, tripling the standard daily dosage of this medication resulted in improved platelet reactivity, according to a new study. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:21:21 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116082142.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116055855.htm Patients without prior cardiovascular disease who were hospitalized following a first heart attack and who had a lower number of coronary heart disease risk factors such as smoking and high blood pressure had an associated greater risk of dying in the hospital, according to a new study. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:58:58 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116055855.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116051723.htm Intracoronary infusion of bone marrow mononuclear cells 2-3 weeks following a heart attack among patients with left ventricular dysfunction and who had a procedure such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement performed did not result in overall improvement in ventricular function after 6 months, according to a new study. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:17:17 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116051723.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115094612.htm In human coronary arteries, atherosclerotic plaques tend to spread downstream because of the changes in blood flow patterns the plaque causes, researchers have found. This insight comes from a study of fluid dynamics in the arteries of people being treated for coronary artery disease. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:46:46 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115094612.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115094608.htm Among patients who experienced an ischemic stroke, systolic blood pressure levels of less than 120 mm Hg, or higher than 140 mm Hg, were associated with an increased risk of subsequent stroke, according to a new study. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:46:46 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115094608.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111113141256.htm Professional tooth scaling was associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes in a recent study from Taiwan. Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:12:12 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111113141256.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111110125721.htm Atherosclerosis, commonly referred to as "hardening of the arteries," is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. The cause of atherosclerosis is not well understood but, for some time, chronic inflammatory immune responses have been implicated in driving disease pathology. Now, a new study identifies a type of immune cell that is not associated with promoting disease, but with protection against atherosclerosis. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:57:57 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111110125721.htm