Atherosclerosis News and Research

RSS

Atherosclerosis is the progressive buildup of plaque - the fatty deposits and other cells - in the inner walls of the arteries. The condition is a consequence of elevated cholesterol and for many it's a silent disease, with no visible signs or symptoms. The disease can begin in early adulthood and continues to progress for the rest of a person's life. Despite the serious nature of atherosclerosis, many people do not understand how it develops and progresses.

Atherosclerosis burden and progression predict all-cause mortality

A study carried out at Mount Sinaí Fuster Heart Hospital in New York in collaboration with the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) in Madrid provides important new information about atherosclerosis, a disease in which lipids (cholesterol) and other substances accumulate in plaques on the arterial wall, causing the vessels to harden and narrow, and increasing the risk of severe cardiovascular conditions.

30 Sep 2024

Phytoene increases lifespan, reduces oxidative stress and amyloid toxicity

Research indicates phytoene from microalgae protects against oxidative stress and beta-amyloid toxicity, suggesting its potential in promoting healthy aging.

30 Sep 2024

Liver receptor mutations linked to liver dysfunction, cholesterol accumulation, and hepatitis

Damaging LXRα variants are linked to liver cholesterol buildup and hepatitis, emphasizing the receptor's importance in cholesterol sensing and liver function.

27 Sep 2024

Extended estrogen suppression treatment found safe for postmenopausal breast cancer patients

New evidence shows that extended estrogen suppression treatment using an aromatase inhibitors for hormone receptor-positive postmenopausal breast cancer is safe; it does not increase the risk of coronary artery calcification, a sign of active coronary atherosclerosis, as some prior studies had indicated.

18 Sep 2024

Study links metal exposure to increased risk of atherosclerosis

Metal exposure from environmental pollution is associated with increased calcium buildup in the coronary arteries at a level comparable to traditional risk factors like smoking and diabetes, according to a study published today in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology.

18 Sep 2024

Genome-wide association study identifies genetic risk factors for dementia

In landmark research, scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) have reported the largest-ever genome-wide association study of dementia from all causes, revealing an overlap of genetic risks including neurodegeneration, vascular factors and cerebral small-vessel disease.

18 Sep 2024

New research highlights role of dietary antioxidants in reducing erectile dysfunction risk

Researchers assess the association between erectile dysfunction and the Compound Dietary Antioxidant Index.

16 Sep 2024

Cardiovascular risks of COVID-19 antivirals

Study reviews cardiovascular side effects linked to antiviral therapies for COVID-19, highlighting the need for careful consideration when prescribing these drugs to high-risk patients.

16 Sep 2024

Mount Sinai researchers uncover genetic basis of fibromuscular dysplasia

Mount Sinai researchers have identified a key driver of a blood vessel disorder known as fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) which affects up to five percent of the adult population and can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke.

14 Sep 2024

Early cholesterol spikes fuel atherosclerosis by altering macrophages

Early intermittent hyperlipidemia significantly accelerates atherosclerosis by disrupting macrophage function, highlighting the need for early cholesterol management.

6 Sep 2024

Study reveals geographic variations in cardiovascular risk for Chinese American immigrants

A new UCLA-led study found that cardiovascular disease risk among Chinese American immigrants increases with length of residence and varies by location in the U.S. The study, which leveraged data from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) cohort, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), observed the heart health of 746 Chinese Americans in both Los Angeles and Chicago over a period of roughly 18 years.

5 Sep 2024

Elevated atherogenic index linked to higher erectile dysfunction risk

Study identifies a significant link between higher atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) levels and increased erectile dysfunction (ED) risk among US men, with implications for early intervention and cardiovascular health.

5 Sep 2024

Ultra-processed foods significantly raise heart disease risk

Higher intake of ultra-processed foods is linked to increased risks of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease in U.S. adults, with certain processed foods like meats and sugary drinks posing significant dangers.

4 Sep 2024

Alirocumab reduces dangerous coronary plaque and stabilizes high-risk lesions

Intensive LDL-C lowering with alirocumab significantly reduces high-risk coronary plaque burden, transforming unstable plaques into more stable phenotypes. This lesion-level analysis underscores the enhanced efficacy compared to vessel-level approaches.

4 Sep 2024

Garlic’s antioxidant and nitric oxide boosting effects may help lower blood pressure

Scientific evidence supports garlic's antihypertensive effects, detailing the mechanisms of action and key compounds that contribute to cardiovascular benefits.

3 Sep 2024

European Society of Cardiology highlights underrecognized link between obesity and heart disease

Obesity is a key factor in cardiovascular disease, prompting the ESC to recommend comprehensive strategies for prevention and management to reduce health risks.

3 Sep 2024

Clonal hematopoiesis drives femoral atherosclerosis in middle-aged adults

Researchers reveal that clonal hematopoiesis (CH) significantly increases the risk of developing femoral atherosclerosis, suggesting a unidirectional relationship independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

2 Sep 2024

Study links blood markers to long-term cardiovascular risk in women

Research supported by the National Institutes of Health has found that measuring two types of fat in the bloodstream along with C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, can predict a woman's risk for cardiovascular disease decades later.

1 Sep 2024

Clonal hematopoiesis identified as new risk factor for atherosclerosis

To the known risk factors for cardiovascular disease - high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight and obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity - a new one has to be added: clonal hematopoiesis.

30 Aug 2024

New ESC guidelines highlight broader approach to managing chronic coronary syndromes

The 2024 ESC Guidelines on the management of chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) include a focus on both larger and smaller blood vessels of the heart; new models to estimate chances of blocked large arteries (so-called obstructive coronary artery disease); optimal selection and sequence of tests; drugs and interventions to prevent disease complications and improve symptoms, and the fundamental role of patient involvement.

30 Aug 2024