Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

4,600 lives could be saved a year by cutting daily alcohol intake to half a unit (5g)

Cutting daily alcohol intake to just over half a unit (5 g), could save 4,600 lives a year in England, say experts in the online journal BMJ Open.

31 May 2012

Researchers look into value of adapted yoga for stroke rehabilitation

Researchers looking into the value of adapted yoga for stroke rehabilitation report that after an eight-week program, study participants demonstrated improved balance and flexibility, a stronger and faster gait, and increased strength and endurance.

31 May 2012

Three U.S. Army medical residents earn national awards at ACP annual meeting

Last month, U.S. Army medical residents and their program directors from around the country attended the American College of Physicians' (ACP) annual meeting to present their research, compete in national medical student abstract competitions and share their perspective as military officers with civilian peers. Three Army medical residents earned national awards for their research.

31 May 2012

YCC, SCRI and SCH partner to advance cancer research

Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) today announced the finalization of an agreement to collaborate scientifically with Yale Cancer Center (YCC) and Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven (SCH) to advance cancer research.

31 May 2012

Kona Medical raises $30 million in Series C financing

Kona Medical, Inc. today announced it has raised $30 million in Series C financing to advance its novel hypertension therapy.

31 May 2012

No evidence of chronic low-grade inflammation linked with diseases of aging

American parents may want to think again about how much they want to protect their children from everyday germs. A new Northwestern University study done in lowland Ecuador remarkably finds no evidence of chronic low-grade inflammation -- associated with diseases of aging like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia.

31 May 2012

BHD launches Statin Induced Myopathy Genotype test

Boston Heart Diagnostics (BHD) announced today the commercial launch of the Statin Induced Myopathy (SLCO1B1) Genotype test licensed from the University of Oxford's technology commercialization company Isis Innovation.

31 May 2012

Genetics can predict success of smoking cessation and need for medications

Genetics can help determine whether a person is likely to quit smoking on his or her own or need medication to improve the chances of success, according to research published in today's American Journal of Psychiatry. Researchers say the study moves health care providers a step closer to one day providing more individualized treatment plans to help patients quit smoking.

31 May 2012

Study shows how tafamidis drug works against amyloid disease

Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute and Pfizer Inc. have published a new study showing how a new drug called tafamidis (Vyndaqel) works.

31 May 2012

Miracor receives three new U.S. patents for novel PICSO system to treat STEMI

Miracor Medical Systems announced today that it has been granted three new U.S. patents covering a unique dual balloon method and the new "Wien Algorithm" of its novel PICSO (Pressure-controlled Intermittent Coronary Sinus Occlusion) system that ensures a stable and repeatable PICSO treatment designed to improve myocardial perfusion following primary PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, or angioplasty).

31 May 2012

Bedside tool improves prognostication after cardiac arrest

A bedside prediction tool could estimate the probability of favorable neurologic survival in successfully resuscitated patients after in-hospital cardiac arrest, say researchers in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

30 May 2012

Dehydration: how much should we drink per day?

As the northern hemisphere approaches the summer months, many of us begin to think about drinking more to prevent dehydration. But exactly how much should we be drinking a day? Does the amount vary depending on what we are drinking? And what happens if we don’t drink enough fluid?

30 May 2012

New technique promotes dramatic increase in cardiac function

LoneStar Heart Inc., today announced the advancement of a new therapeutic strategy aimed at genetic reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts into functioning heart muscle cells to treat damage following a heart attack and other forms of heart disease.

30 May 2012

Insurers make patients pay hundreds more for cancer, arthritis drugs

Thousands of patients taking costly drugs for ailments such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis are being asked to shoulder a greater share of the expense. In other news, consumers are demanding access to their medical device data. Others are harnessing the internet to jumpstart medical research and share important experiences, including serious illnesses, with family and friends.

30 May 2012

IACFS/ME releases new guidelines for chronic fatigue syndrome

The International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS/ME), the largest group of physicians and researchers dedicated to chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), has released updated care guidelines directed at primary care physicians and other health care providers.

30 May 2012

Fluke Biomedical receives RoHS E Environmentally-Friendly label for SPOT Light test device

Fluke Biomedical announced today the new ProSim SPOT Light SpO2 Functional Tester is the first biomedical test tool on the market to achieve the RoHS E Environmentally-Friendly label. Short for Restriction of Use of Hazardous Substances, RoHS regulations are designed to limit or eliminate substances that are dangerous to the environment and to people.

30 May 2012

Researchers uncover insights into rare genetic disorders

Researchers studying rare genetic disorders have uncovered insights into those diseases in biological structures that regulate chromosomes when cells divide. Focusing on the cohesin complex, a group of proteins forming a bracelet that encircles chromosome pairs, scientists have discovered mutations that disrupt cohesin, causing a recently recognized class of diseases called cohesinopathies.

30 May 2012

Calcium supplements may raise heart attack risk

Increased dietary calcium intake has no overall cardiovascular benefits, and calcium supplements appear to raise the risk for myocardial infarction, warn investigators.

30 May 2012

MAQUET to acquire Avalon Elite Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter, complimentary vascular access kits

MAQUET Cardiopulmonary, a business unit of MAQUET Cardiovascular and a leader in extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems, today announced that they have signed an agreement with Avalon Laboratories to acquire its Avalon Elite Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter and complimentary vascular access kits for use during ECLS.

30 May 2012

Studies outline dilemmas on new generic heart drugs, hormone replacement therapy

One heart drug's move to generic status has complicated treatment options for some patients and doctors, the Wall Street Journal reports. Also, another study raises concerns about hormone replacement therapy in women.

30 May 2012