Atherosclerosis News and Research

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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.

Risk factors affect cardiovascular disease risk even in patients with no coronary artery calcium

Among patients with no detectable coronary artery calcium, those who smoke, have diabetes or hypertension nonetheless have the highest risk of cardiovascular disease events, according to a study published in the journal Circulation.

18 Jan 2022

Research could advance the understanding of links between heart disease and dementia

Heart disease can directly cause brain dysfunction early on which could lead to dementia and can treble the amount of an Alzheimer's protein in the brain, say scientists.

13 Jan 2022

Macrophages in the arteries can "sniff" out their surroundings and cause inflammation

An artery is not like a nose. Or is it? Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have discovered that immune cells in arteries can "sniff" out their surroundings and cause inflammation.

13 Jan 2022

Study finds a subset of vascular macrophages to be powerful ally in the fight against atherosclerosis

A new study reveals the existence of a powerful ally in the fight against cardiovascular disease, a protective subset of vascular macrophages expressing the C-type lectin receptor CLEC4A2, a molecule which fosters "good" macrophage behavior within the vessel wall.

11 Jan 2022

Basic health beliefs and demographics associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Minnesota has the lowest age-adjusted heart disease mortality in the U.S.; yet, African American adults 35 to 63 have nearly double the rate of death from cardiovascular disease, compared to their white counterparts.

5 Jan 2022

Study uncovers new details behind inflammation that promotes cardiovascular disease

High cholesterol and inflammation are key drivers of heart disease, and an inflamed buildup of lipids can cut off the blood supply through a coronary artery to cause a heart attack.

24 Dec 2021

New insights into how red meat-rich diet increases cardiovascular disease risk

A Cleveland Clinic-led study has revealed new insights into how a diet rich in red meat increases risk for cardiovascular disease. The findings were published in Nature Microbiology and build on more than a decade of research by lead author Stanley Hazen, MD, PhD.

23 Dec 2021

Race-based formula used to diagnose lung disease should be changed, study suggests

New results from a long-term epidemiologic study reveal that one of the oldest racially based diagnostic formulas in medicine is no better than a race-neutral equation, which suggests the formula used to diagnose lung disease should be changed.

16 Dec 2021

Risk of cardiovascular disease increases with stress and adverse life events, finds study

The risk of cardiovascular disease rises with an increasing burden of perceived stress, financial problems and adverse life events, a major international study with University of Gothenburg researchers as main authors shows. They were able to link the risk of both heart attack and stroke with high stress levels.

16 Dec 2021

Discovery can pave the way for new strategies to reduce atherosclerosis using omega-3 fatty acids

A receptor activated by substances formed from omega-3 fatty acids plays a vital role in preventing inflammation in blood vessels and reducing atherosclerosis, a new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation reports.

15 Dec 2021

Environmental exposure to low-levels of toxic metals may increase risk of clogged arteries

Environmental exposure to low-levels of the toxic metals arsenic, cadmium and titanium appears to increase the risk of plaque buildup in arteries in the neck, heart and legs, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB).

9 Dec 2021

Statin treatment shown to be cost-effective for lowering cholesterol in young adults

Statin therapy has been shown cost-effective for lowering cholesterol in young adults, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

3 Dec 2021

Study reveals new way for detecting early risk of cardiovascular disease

The risk of developing cardiovascular disease is strongly associated with the "bad" LDL cholesterol. A large study by scientists at Karolinska Institutet now shows that two proteins that transport cholesterol particles in the blood provide early and reliable risk information.

1 Dec 2021

Study uncovers new mechanism to explain how obesity jeopardizes the functions of skeletal muscle

A decline in metabolism and endurance of skeletal muscle is commonly observed in obese patients, but the underlying mechanism is not well-understood.

30 Nov 2021

Hispanic adults with peripheral artery disease more likely to be admitted to the hospital through the ER

Hispanics adults hospitalized for treatment of symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD) were more likely to access this care by going to the emergency room (ER), and they experienced longer and more expensive hospitalizations than non-Hispanic white patients with PAD, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes (QCOR) Research Scientific Sessions 2021.

8 Nov 2021

Study highlights the importance of reducing air pollution to prevent heart attacks

Reduced air pollution in the U.S. during the COVID-19 shutdown initiated in March 2020 was linked to fewer severe heart attacks, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2021.

8 Nov 2021

Women with familial hypercholesterolemia miss out on active treatment because of pregnancy

One in five participants were without treatment for 4 years before, during and after pregnancy. Over 9 000 people live with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Norway, but another 16 000 people may have hereditary high cholesterol without knowing it.

29 Oct 2021

Atherosclerosis News and Research

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