Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

Study explains link between morbid obesity and metabolic syndrome

Scientists have found that the fat cells and tissues of morbidly obese people and animals can reach a limit in their ability to store fat appropriately. Beyond this limit several biological processes conspire to prevent further expansion of fat tissue and in the process may trigger other health problems.

9 Nov 2010

Fearless behavior in children related to neurological and genetic predisposition

"The results of this study show that fearless behavior in children can be identified and is related to neurological and genetic predisposition. This type of behavior has less correlation - at least in infancy - with standards of educational processes or parenting practice," says Dr. Inbal Kivenson-Baron, who carried out the study.

9 Nov 2010

Strong smoke-free policies reduce maternal smoking and improve fetal outcomes

New research released today takes a look at birth outcomes and maternal smoking, building urgency for more states and cities to join the nationwide smoke-free trend that has accelerated in recent years. According to the new data, strong smoke-free policies can improve fetal outcomes by significantly reducing the prevalence of maternal smoking.

9 Nov 2010

European study indicates cardiovascular deaths can be avoided through better preventative care

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Europe, killing an estimated 4.3 million people each year. Results from a large pan-European study announced today indicate that many of these deaths could be avoided if at-risk patients received better preventative care.

9 Nov 2010

Colcrys safe for treating gout flares

Patients who experience gout flares can be treated safely with Colcrys (colchicine, USP), even in the presence of co-morbid conditions that often present physicians with treatment challenges, according to a new analysis presented here at the 74th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

9 Nov 2010

SIMPONI injection improves inflammation, structural damage in RA patients

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyses from two Phase 3 clinical trials showed that once every four week subcutaneous injections of SIMPONI (golimumab) 50 mg plus methotrexate resulted in statistically significant improvements in markers of inflammation and structural damage in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with placebo plus methotrexate.

9 Nov 2010

Dabigatran etexilate benefits AF patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack

Today, The Lancet Neurology published positive results from a sub-group analysis of the landmark Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulant Therapy (RE-LY®) trial - the largest atrial fibrillation (AF) outcomes trial ever completed (18,113 patients in 44 countries worldwide). The new findings fully support the convincing results from the RE-LY® trial and show that AF patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) may benefit substantially from treatment with dabigatran etexilate.

9 Nov 2010

Epeius receives competitive grant to support Rexin-G oncology product

Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation, a leader in the emerging field of targeted genetic medicine, announced today the receipt of additional financial support for the company's lead oncology product, Rexin-G, from the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the form of a prestigious competitive grant.

9 Nov 2010

Statins do not reduce risk for colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women

The use of statins among a group of postmenopausal women did not reduce the risk for colorectal cancer, according to the results of a prospective analysis of data from the large population-based Women's Health Initiative (WHI).

9 Nov 2010

CorMatrix receives $2.3 million grants under QTDP program to advance ECM technology

CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc., a medical device company dedicated to developing and delivering unique extracellular matrix (ECM) biomaterial devices that harness the body's innate ability to repair damaged cardiovascular tissue, today announced that the Company has been awarded $2.3 million in grants under the U.S. Government's Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) program to advance the development of their unique ECM technology.

9 Nov 2010

Study finds canola-type rapeseed oil decreases fibrinogen level

According to research on fatty acids conducted at the universities of Helsinki and Tampere, the consumption of canola-type rapeseed oil decreases the level of fibrinogen detrimental to health in the body. The increased fibrinogen level, caused by an imbalance in essential fats in one's diet, decreases when saturated fatty acids are replaced with rapeseed oil.

9 Nov 2010

Omthera initiates ECLIPSE study for treatment of high triglycerides

Omthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held emerging specialty pharmaceuticals company, today announced the initiation of a randomized, open-label, four-way cross-over pharmacokinetics study to evaluate the bioavailability of Epanova, Omthera's lead compound for the treatment of very high triglycerides, in comparison to Lovaza, the leading prescription Omega-3.

9 Nov 2010

Teens abuse prescription drugs more than illegal drugs

According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, teens abuse prescription medications more than all illegal drugs combined, excluding marijuana. Many teens are under the misconception that these highly addictive, easily accessible drugs are "safer" than illicit drugs.

9 Nov 2010

China Sky third quarter total revenue decreases 16.3% to $36.2 million

China Sky One Medical, Inc., a leading fully integrated pharmaceutical company producing over-the-counter drugs in the People's Republic of China, today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2010.

8 Nov 2010

$Beta blockers for high blood pressure also reduce fracture risk: Study$

Beta blockers for high blood pressure also reduce fracture risk: Study

Beta blockers, one of the most commonly used types of cardiovascular drugs, taken by about 20 per cent of the population, have been found to cut a person's incidence of bone fracture by half. This new and welcome side effect was reported by Professor Tuan Nguyen from Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research and his Australian-based colleagues. “Indeed, we found that men and women who used beta-blockers had a 50 per cent lower risk of fracture than those not using beta blockers… We were very excited about the finding because, as you know, a lot of elderly people use beta blockers ... it’s a very significant public health issue,” he said.

8 Nov 2010

Thirteen myths about arthritis and rheumatic disease

A diagnosis of arthritis or another rheumatic disease can cause someone to feel anxious and even a little overwhelmed. Being a knowledgeable and empowered patient can help alleviate some of those feelings, and being able to navigate through the many misconceptions about arthritis and rheumatic diseases is vitally important.

8 Nov 2010

Positive results from Ardea's RDEA594 combination study with febuxostat or allopurinol for gout

Ardea Biosciences, Inc. announced positive results from two clinical studies of RDEA594 in combination with currently marketed drugs for the treatment of gout patients, febuxostat (Uloric®) and allopurinol.

8 Nov 2010

Crescendo Bioscience launches multi-biomarker blood test for RA

Crescendo Bioscience announced today the commercial launch of Vectra DA, its first-in-class multi-biomarker blood test designed to aid physicians in managing patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Vectra DA analyzes 12 key serum biomarkers to produce a single objective score that quantifies RA disease activity.

8 Nov 2010

MAP Pharmaceuticals reports positive results from LEVADEX QT trial for migraine

MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported successful results from a thorough QT trial of its investigational LEVADEX™ orally inhaled migraine therapy. The trial evaluated the potential of a supra-therapeutic dose to cause an increase in the QT interval. Results of the trial showed that a supra-therapeutic dose of LEVADEX does not increase QTc intervals. LEVADEX is a novel orally inhaled migraine therapy that has completed Phase 3 efficacy development for the acute treatment of migraine.

8 Nov 2010

MedCath to sell Texsan Heart Hospital

MedCath Corporation announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all the assets of Texsan Heart Hospital, owned by MedCath and its physician investors, to Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio. The transaction is expected to close during MedCath's second fiscal quarter of 2011, which ends March 31, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

8 Nov 2010