Rheumatic Heart Disease News and Research

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New lab-grown heart valves advance treatments for childhood heart diseases

Melbourne researchers have created human heart valve tissues from stem cells, providing a powerful new platform to advance treatments for childhood heart diseases.

11 Aug 2026

National scabies control program drastically reduces parasitic skin disease in Pacific nations

A world-first scabies control program has drastically reduced cases of the highly contagious parasitic skin disease in Solomon Islands and Fiji, according to a new study.

29 Jul 2026

Low blood pressure shows strongest link to Alzheimer's disease

Numerous types of cardiovascular disease and CVD risk factors were linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease, with low blood pressure showing the strongest connection, according to a new analysis published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

10 Jun 2026

Digoxin found safe to use in young patients with rheumatic heart disease

Patients with rheumatic heart disease who took the heart failure drug digoxin were 18% less likely to die or experience new-onset or worsening heart failure during a two-year follow-up compared with those who received a placebo, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

30 Mar 2026

Transcatheter valve-in-valve procedure improves short-term outcomes in high-risk patients

In patients with a poorly functioning bioprosthetic mitral valve in the heart, a minimally invasive procedure to insert a new valve was associated with a lower rate of death or disabling stroke within one year, compared with patients who underwent standard repeat mitral valve replacement surgery, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

29 Mar 2026

Retrospective analysis shows mortality rates and risk factors after prosthetic heart valve surgeries

Mechanical valve replacement is a primary treatment for rheumatic heart disease, yet prosthesis-related adverse outcomes remain underreported in India.

25 Nov 2025

America slashes heart attack deaths but faces surge in deadly heart failure and arrhythmias

U.S. heart disease mortality has dropped 66% since 1970, mainly due to fewer ischemic heart disease deaths. However, deaths from heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertensive heart disease have risen sharply, signaling a new public health challenge.

26 Jun 2025

Researchers uncover how antibodies protect against Strep A infections

Researchers have discovered how antibodies help to protect against contagious bacterial infections caused by Strep A, including strep throat.

7 Mar 2025

Simple sore throat can lead to serious damage to the heart valves

A simple sore throat from a bacterial streptococcal infection can lead to serious damage to the heart valves, a condition known as RHD.

23 Apr 2024

Reevaluating the role of direct oral anticoagulants in cardiovascular treatment

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a common treatment for patients with a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions.

23 Feb 2024

AI shows the same accuracy as a cardiologist in detecting rheumatic heart disease

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to detect rheumatic heart disease (RHD) with the same accuracy as a cardiologist, according to new research demonstrating how sophisticated deep learning technology can be applied to this disease of inequity.

16 Jan 2024

Research projects aim to develop breakthrough digital technology for improving heart and brain health

A special issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association spotlights the progress of ongoing projects aimed at developing breakthrough digital technology solutions to improve heart and brain health on a global scale.

16 Jan 2024

Vegetables, legumes, and seafood diet linked to lower heart risk in older men

Study reveals that a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, and seafood significantly reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in men over 75, compared to diets high in whole grains, milk, fruits, or processed meats.

3 Jan 2024

New vaccine against Strep A could drastically cut antibiotic use for sore throats, study suggests

Study predicts that a vaccine against group A Streptococcus (Strep A) could significantly reduce antibiotic prescriptions for sore throat, potentially leading to a 33% decrease in global antibiotic use for this condition.

14 Nov 2023

New nasal vaccine shows promise in preventing deadly Strep A infections

As Streptococcus A cases continue to be prevalent in Queensland and internationally, a new nasal vaccine could provide long-term protection from the deadly bacteria.

4 Oct 2023

Strep A infections on the rise among Australians, study finds

Australia has experienced an intense surge in severe Strep A cases, similar to the northern hemisphere wave, despite differences in seasons and circulating respiratory viruses, according to a new study.

22 Aug 2023

Asymptomatic throat carriage is the key to transmission of Group A Streptococcus infections

Breakthrough research has found that Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are more likely transmitted from asymptomatic throat carriage than skin-to-skin contact in communities with high rates of infection.

17 Jul 2023

Rising threat: cardiovascular disease on the rise among young adults

Study estimated the incidence, prevalence, mortality rate, and disability-adjusted life years of CVDs.

28 Jun 2023

UQ-led research effort secures almost $8 million to develop an mRNA Strep A vaccine

A University of Queensland-led research effort to develop an mRNA vaccine against Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) has secured almost $8 million in philanthropic funding.

10 Feb 2023

Collaborative network wins $8 million grant to identify biomarkers for acute rheumatic fever

A collaborative network led by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has received an $8 million grant from the Leducq Foundation to fund a project that will look to identify and validate biomarkers for acute rheumatic fever (ARF).

19 Sep 2022