Cardiovascular Disease News and Research

Latest Cardiovascular Disease News and Research

Coronary artery calcium tool proves effective in detecting risk of cardiovascular disease

Heart calcium scans are far superior to other assessment tools in predicting the development of cardiovascular disease in individuals currently classified at intermediate risk by their doctors, according to researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

22 Aug 2012

OBI’s Oxycyte improves imaging of penumbra following acute ischemic stroke

Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc., announced today that recent research conducted by its partner, Aurum Biosciences, Glasgow, Scotland, has shown that Oxycyte, OBI's proprietary perfluorocarbon-based intravenous emulsion, improves imaging of the penumbra following acute ischemic stroke in a rat model.

22 Aug 2012

CIRT to determine whether methotrexate can reduce heart attacks, strokes and CVD deaths

An international multi-site trial has launched to determine whether a common anti-inflammatory drug can reduce heart attacks, strokes, and deaths due to cardiovascular disease in people at high risk for them. This study is being supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a part of the National Institutes of Health.

22 Aug 2012

PhaseBio commences Glymera Phase 2b study in type 2 diabetes

PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing drugs to treat diabetes, metabolic disease and cardiovascular disease, announced today that it has initiated dosing in a multicenter (USA), randomized, placebo and active comparator controlled Phase 2b study that will enroll approximately 600 patients with type 2 diabetes (hemoglobin A1c 7% - 11%) inadequately controlled with diet and exercise, metformin, a sulfonylurea or a combination of metformin/sulfonylurea.

22 Aug 2012

HDL cholesterol benefits reduced with high C-reactive protein

The cardioprotective effects of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are compromised in the presence of elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, report researchers.

21 Aug 2012

CHD patients do not need to rule out high-intensity exercise

Findings from a retrospective study show that patients with coronary heart disease who engage in high-intensity exercise have a similarly low risk for a cardiovascular event as those engaging in moderate-intensity exercise.

21 Aug 2012

Berry wines may help people with diabetes decrease their blood sugar

In evaluating the bioactive compounds of Illinois blueberry and blackberry wines, University of Illinois scientists have found compounds that inhibit enzymes responsible for carbohydrate absorption and assimilation. And that could mean a tasty way to help people with diabetes decrease their blood sugar.

21 Aug 2012

MitoTarget Project and neurodegenerative diseases: an interview with Rebecca Pruss, Ph.D., CSO of Trophos

The MitoTarget Project was a project funded by the European Commission, under their FP7 programme. It was funding for a call published in 2007.

21 Aug 2012

Siemens, Arkansas complete $10M agreement for Soarian health IT solution

Siemens recently completed a 10-year, $10 million agreement, which included $4.8 million of financing, with Arkansas Heart Hospital for the acquisition and implementation of the Soarian® healthcare information technology (IT) solution.

From Siemens Healthineers 21 Aug 2012

Study finds decline in incidence of heart failure cases in Ontario

The number of new cases of heart failure in Ontario decreased 33% over a decade, suggesting preventive efforts may be working. However, mortality rates remain high for people with the disease, states a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

21 Aug 2012

Heart-healthy chocolate lowers blood pressure

Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that regular consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa powder or chocolate reduces blood pressure by a small but significant amount.

20 Aug 2012

Juventas commences treatment in JVS-100 Phase II STOP-HF trial for late stage heart failure

Juventas Therapeutics, a privately-held clinical-stage company developing novel regenerative therapies for treatment of cardiovascular disease, reports treating the first patient in its STOP-HF trial.

20 Aug 2012

Total cholesterol test can identify patients at increased risk of heart disease

Researchers in India have developed a total cholesterol test that uses a digital camera to take a snapshot of the back of the patient's hand rather than a blood sample. The image obtained is cropped and compared with images in a database for known cholesterol levels.

18 Aug 2012

Third universal definition of myocardial infarction to be presented at ESC Congress 2012

A new definition of heart attack will be presented at the ESC Congress 2012. The third universal definition of myocardial infarction (MI) clarifies the controversial area of procedural related MI and will be the gold standard for diagnosis and clinical trial endpoints.

17 Aug 2012

Heart-healthy chocolate lowers blood pressure

Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that regular consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa powder or chocolate reduces blood pressure by a small but significant amount.

16 Aug 2012

Study looks at differences in brain structure between karate practitioners

Brain scans have revealed distinctive features in the brain structure of karate experts, which could be linked to their ability to punch powerfully from close range. Researchers from Imperial College London and UCL (University College London) found that differences in the structure of white matter - the connections between brain regions - were correlated with how black belts and novices performed in a test of punching ability.

16 Aug 2012

Intake of Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil may increase serum osteocalcin concentrations

A study to be published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM) shows consumption of a Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil for two years is associated with increased serum osteocalcin concentrations, suggesting a protective effect on bone.

16 Aug 2012

Reassuring findings for migraine patients

Women who experience migraine do not have a faster rate of cognitive decline than those without migraine, contradicting speculation that the condition may be a progressive brain disorder, say researchers.

15 Aug 2012

Cardiac benefit of exercise proves better late than never

Even individuals who start exercising for 2.5 hours per week in their late 40s and 50s have better cardiovascular health than those who do not adhere to an exercise regimen, say researchers.

15 Aug 2012

Kessler Foundation investigates Ekso's new capabilities for autonomous use by people with SCI

Kessler Foundation has begun testing the upgraded Ekso in individuals unable to walk due to spinal cord injury. Ekso, a wearable, battery-powered robotic exoskeletal device, has been undergoing clinical investigation at Kessler since October 2011, when the research team received the second commercial unit distributed by Ekso Bionics.

15 Aug 2012