Stroke News and Research

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A stroke is a medical emergency. Strokes happen when blood flow to your brain stops. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. There are two kinds of stroke. The more common kind, called ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain. The other kind, called hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. "Mini-strokes" or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), occur when the blood supply to the brain is briefly interrupted.

Risk for cardiovascular disease begins early in life

A new multi-national survey reveals the extent of misconceptions about when is the right time to start taking action to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). In a four-country survey sample of 4,000 adults, 49 per cent answered age 30 years or older when asked at what age they believe people should start to take action about their heart health to prevent conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

24 Sep 2012

Study to examine SYMPLICITY renal denervation system for treatment-resistant hypertension

The University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center will participate in a national clinical trial to treat the most challenging form of high blood pressure.

24 Sep 2012

Even partially matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients

In a preliminary clinical trial, investigators at Johns Hopkins have shown that even partially matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients, ridding them of painful and debilitating symptoms and the need for a lifetime of pain medications and blood transfusions.

24 Sep 2012

Study finds race-specific effect of age and body weight on blood pressure in children

Obesity in black children more severely impacts blood pressure than in white children who are equally overweight, according to a new study presented at the American Heart Association's High Blood Pressure Research 2012 Scientific Sessions.

24 Sep 2012

Many AF patients not receiving oral anticoagulant therapy despite rapid adoption of dabigatran

A novel blood thinner recently approved by the FDA, dabigatran (Pradaxa), has been rapidly adopted into clinical practice, yet thus far has had little impact on improving treatment rates for atrial fibrillation.

24 Sep 2012

UAB urges women to get tested for key measures throughout their lives

Heart disease, cancer and stroke are the leading causes of death in women of all ages in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To get ahead of these chronic health issues and possibly prevent them from worsening, experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham urge women to get tested for key measures throughout their lives.

21 Sep 2012

Partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients

In a preliminary clinical trial, investigators at Johns Hopkins have shown that even partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients, ridding them of painful and debilitating symptoms, and the need for a lifetime of pain medications and blood transfusions. The researchers say the use of such marrow could potentially help make bone marrow transplants accessible to a majority of sickle cell patients who need them.

21 Sep 2012

EMA CHMP adopts positive opinion for ELIQUIS to prevent stroke, systemic embolism in NVAF patients

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer Inc. today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency has adopted a positive opinion recommending that ELIQUIS (apixaban) be granted approval for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and one or more risk factors for stroke.

21 Sep 2012

Partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients

21 Sep 2012

Routine tests flag up cancer danger in cryptogenic stroke

Blood tests and imaging findings could point to hidden malignancies in patients with cryptogenic stroke, say researchers.

21 Sep 2012

Cancer fears allayed for shingles patients

Herpes zoster infection, or shingles, is not associated with cancer, show results from a study published in the Canadian Journal of Medicine

21 Sep 2012

Changing iv catheters only when necessary 'could benefit millions'

Peripheral intravenous catheters need be removed only when clinically indicated, rather than every 72 to 96 hours, as is currently recommended, conclude Australian researchers in findings that could have dramatic patient and cost benefits.

21 Sep 2012

Routine tests flag up cancer danger in cryptogenic stroke

Blood tests and imaging findings could point to hidden malignancies in patients with cryptogenic stroke, say researchers.

21 Sep 2012

‘Friendly bacteria’ may help prevent sinusitis

Having the right bacteria present in a person’s sinuses might be key to preventing chronic sinusitis, say researchers.

21 Sep 2012

Case Western Reserve researcher to identify mechanistic link between psoriasis and CVD

Armed with a new $1.8 million grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, dermatology researcher Nicole Ward, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology and neurosciences at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, will lead a study examining the link between psoriasis and heart attack and stroke.

21 Sep 2012

NCDs should be considered a 'human rights concern'

Noting that "non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill four times the number of people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that they do in high-income countries," Benn Grover, a health communications specialist who manages policy for the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, and Felicia Knaul, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and director of the Harvard Global Equity Initiative, write in the Huffington Post Blog.

21 Sep 2012

Children with mild to moderate kidney disease have carotid atherosclerosis

A federally funded study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center has found that children with mild to moderate kidney disease have abnormally thick neck arteries, a condition known as carotid atherosclerosis, usually seen in older adults with a long history of elevated cholesterol and untreated hypertension.

21 Sep 2012