Heart News and Research

RSS

New ‘state-by-state’ obesity data released in U.S.

A new report called ‘F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011’ from the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, shows that Massachusetts has one of the lowest obesity rates in the nation even as obesity rises across the Bay State.

14 Jul 2011

Fish oil consumption helps reduce inflammation, anxiety in healthy young people

A new study gauging the impact of consuming more fish oil showed a marked reduction both in inflammation and, surprisingly, in anxiety among a cohort of healthy young people.

14 Jul 2011

Variation in DNA sequence linked to increased risk of sudden cardiac death

In a large and comprehensive investigation into the underlying causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) - a surreptitious killer of hundreds of thousands annually in the United States - researchers have discovered a variation in the genome's DNA sequence that is linked to a significant increase in a person's risk of SCD.

13 Jul 2011

Wireless power system for ventricular assist devices holds promise

Mechanical pumps to give failing hearts a boost were originally developed as temporary measures for patients awaiting a heart transplant. But as the technology has improved, these ventricular assist devices commonly operate in patients for years, including in former vice-president Dick Cheney, whose implant this month celebrates its one-year anniversary.

13 Jul 2011

InfraReDx commences LipiScan IVUS System Phase 2 trial against heart attack

InfraReDx, Inc., a medical device company providing intelligent cardiovascular diagnostic imaging technologies, today announced enrollment of the first patient in its Phase 2 clinical trial, CANARY (Coronary Assessment by Near-infrared (NIR) of Atherosclerotic Rupture-prone Yellow).

13 Jul 2011

Heart experts begin to test new device for treatment of blocked aortic valves

Heart experts at Johns Hopkins have begun testing a new device designed to replace blocked aortic valves in patients for whom traditional open-heart surgery is considered too risky, such as elderly patients and those with other serious medical conditions.

13 Jul 2011

WHO releases 2011 global status report on alcohol and health

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its global status report on alcohol and health for 2011. Forum members largely agree with the discussion in the report of the serious health and societal problems associated with the misuse of alcohol, which contributes to accidents, many diseases, and premature deaths.

13 Jul 2011

Regular exercise may help prevent panic and related disorders

Regular exercise may be a useful strategy for helping prevent the development of panic and related disorders, a new study suggests.

13 Jul 2011

ADA spokespeople review latest diet and lifestyle books

With seemingly endless information about food and diets available today, it is easy to be overwhelmed with which plan is right for you. Whether it's a pill, a cleanse, a fast-results diet or an entire lifestyle change, there is no shortage of products, programs and books that promise life-changing results when it comes to weight loss.

13 Jul 2011

Johns Hopkins receives NHLBI grant to establish two programs in glycosciences

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded two groups at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine each approximately $2.3 million a year for seven years to establish two Programs of Excellence in Glycosciences.

13 Jul 2011

Study: Modified fat diet might reduce risk of heart disease

The debate between good fat versus bad fat continues, as a new evidence review finds that a modified fat diet — and not a low fat diet — might be the real key to reducing one's risk of heart disease.

13 Jul 2011

FDA clears St. Jude Medical's Epiducer lead delivery system for neurostimulation

St. Jude Medical, Inc., a global medical device company, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and limited market release of the Epiducer lead delivery system for neurostimulation therapy.

13 Jul 2011

Arena reports APD811 Phase 1 trial results against pulmonary arterial hypertension

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of APD811, an orally bioavailable agonist of the prostacyclin receptor which is intended for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, or PAH.

13 Jul 2011

Coronary artery disease is a predictor for new-onset atrial fibrillation after heart attack

Results from a case control study show that coronary artery disease affecting the atrial branches is an independent predictor for new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after acute myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack.

12 Jul 2011

Abstainers may face higher risk of death than moderate drinkers

The author of this paper set out to determine the extent to which potential "errors" in many early epidemiologic studies led to erroneous conclusions about an inverse association between moderate drinking and coronary heart disease.

12 Jul 2011

One-fifth of all patients with fatal pulmonary disease receive delayed diagnosis

One-fifth of all patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension suffer with the fatal disease for more than two years before being correctly diagnosed and properly treated, according to a new national study led by researchers at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City.

12 Jul 2011

Cardiologists still perform artery-opening procedure despite changes in guidelines

Despite changes in standard treatment practice guidelines issued by the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology several years ago, there has been no meaningful change in the nation's practice of opening completely blocked coronary arteries with balloons and stents in the days after a heart attack, according to a new study published in the July 11, 2011, issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

12 Jul 2011

genOway acquires worldwide exclusive license for RMCE technology from bluebird bio for genetically modified rodents

genOway and bluebird bio report today genOway acquisition of an exclusive worldwide license for the RMCE technology (developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the field of genetically modified rodents.

12 Jul 2011

Maternal smoking during pregnancy causes serious birth defects

To dispel any uncertainty about the serious harm caused by smoking to babies and pregnant women, the first-ever comprehensive systematic review of all studies over the past 50 years has established clearly that maternal smoking causes a range of serious birth defects including heart defects, missing/deformed limbs, clubfoot, gastrointestinal disorders, and facial disorders.

12 Jul 2011

Epidemiologic and physiologic research on sedentary behavior

Lack of physical exercise is often implicated in many disease processes. However, sedentary behavior, or too much sitting, as distinct from too little exercise, potentially could be a new risk factor for disease.

12 Jul 2011