Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

Neways North America donates hygiene items to Haiti victims

In response to the earthquake that recently ripped through Haiti, Neways North America (www.neways.com/usa) is sending more than 6,000 hygiene items to assist survivors of this tragic event.

21 Jan 2010

Study links thyroid disease with human exposure to PFOA

A study by the University of Exeter and the Peninsula Medical School for the first time links thyroid disease with human exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOA is a persistent organic chemical used in industrial and consumer goods including nonstick cookware and stain- and water-resistant coatings for carpets and fabrics.

21 Jan 2010

Outcomes for STEMI patients improve with early treatment intervention

A recent study found that individuals experiencing chest pain who had electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) assessments prior to arriving at the hospital experienced a significantly reduced time-to-treatment or door-to-balloon (D2B) time.

21 Jan 2010

Obesity in pregnant women is associated with increased risk of birth defects

In recent years, there has been a large increase in the prevalence of overweight and obese women of childbearing age, with approximately 51% of non-pregnant women ages 20 to 39 being classified as overweight or obese.

21 Jan 2010

Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center to open to patients in February

Ushering in a new era in comprehensive cardiac care, the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center celebrated its opening today at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.

21 Jan 2010

FDA approves Thoratec's HeartMate II LVAS for DT

Thoratec Corporation, a world leader in device-based mechanical circulatory support therapies to save, support and restore failing hearts, said today that it has received FDA approval of its PMA (Pre-Market Approval) supplement, allowing the use of its HeartMate II LVAS (Left Ventricular Assist System) for Destination Therapy (DT).

21 Jan 2010

Sanofi-aventis U.S. brings national experts together to help aging Americans with AFib

National medical and lifestyle experts have been brought together by sanofi-aventis U.S. to help aging Americans learn to live life more fully despite a serious and increasingly prevalent heart condition – atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of irregular heartbeat.

21 Jan 2010

Aetna and Walgreens collaborate to educate people on taking adequate levels of Vitamin D

Aetna (NYSE: AET) and Walgreens announced today that they have joined forces to educate people about the need to take in adequate levels of Vitamin D. The two organizations are working with United Way of the Midlands on a Vitamin D giveaway program being piloted in Richland and Lexington counties in South Carolina.

21 Jan 2010

Emerging Healthcare Solutions and ThromboVision complete due diligence process under new option agreement

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. and ThromboVision have completed phase one of their due diligence process under their new option agreement.

21 Jan 2010

High intake of iron and copper can contribute to age-related disorders in older adults

With scientific evidence linking high levels of copper and iron to Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, and other age-related disorders, a new report in ACS' Chemical Research in Toxicology suggests specific steps that older consumers can take to avoid build up of unhealthy amounts of these metals in their bodies.

21 Jan 2010

Research shows strong links between COPD and heart function

A common lung condition, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) diminishes the heart's ability to pump effectively even when the disease has no or mild symptoms, according to research published in the Jan. 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

21 Jan 2010

SCA begins new initiative to make 'error-free' cardiac surgery a reality

Is it possible for cardiac surgery teams to completely eliminate medical errors? That's the goal of an ambitious project—called the "Flawless Operative Cardiovascular Unified Systems" (FOCUS) initiative—being undertaken by the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA).

21 Jan 2010

Tel Aviv University finds estrogen may protect women from psychosis

Many American women are prescribed estrogen to combat the negative effects of menopause, such as bone loss and mood swings. Now, new evidence from a Tel Aviv University study suggests that hormone replacement therapy might also protect them ― and younger women ― from schizophrenia as well.

21 Jan 2010

Positron's Attrius PET scanner sold to Gramercy Cardiac Diagnostic Services

Positron Corporation a molecular imaging solutions company focused on Nuclear Cardiology, announced today the sale of its AttriusTM PET scanner to Manhattan based, Gramercy Cardiac Diagnostic Services, owned by prominent New York City cardiologist, Dr. Peter Rentrop.

21 Jan 2010

One-legged cycling can improve overall fitness in COPD patients

People with chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often find themselves in a downward spiral when it comes to their health. COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, means that the elasticity of the lungs is destroyed.

21 Jan 2010

Study: Heart's ability to pump effectively is diminished among people with common lung disease

A new study from Columbia University Medical Center researchers, has found that the heart's ability to pump effectively is diminished among people with a common lung disease, even in people with no or mild symptoms.

21 Jan 2010

VisEn Medical announces the commercial launch of new Cat B 680 FAST imaging agent

VisEn Medical Inc., a leader in fluorescence in vivo imaging from research through medicine, announced today the commercial launch of its new Cat B 680 FAST™ imaging agent for measuring and monitoring cathepsin B activity associated with disease progression and therapeutic response in vivo.

21 Jan 2010

First Coast Oncology uses PEM scanner and AccuBoost image guided procedure for breast cancer treatment

First Coast Oncology in Jacksonville, Florida has significantly enhanced its ability to treat breast cancer with the addition of a Naviscan PEM (Positron Emission Mammography) scanner.

20 Jan 2010

Physician attributes sudden death in young athletes to inherited heart diseases

The sporting world lost two young athletes this month to sudden cardiac death. Preliminary autopsy reports indicate that Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams, 26, and Southern Indiana center Jeron Lewis, 21, both had enlarged hearts at the time of their death.

20 Jan 2010

FDA approves HeartMate II for patients with severe heart failure

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the HeartMate II, a continuous-flow, left ventricular assist system as a support for severe heart failure patients who are not acceptable candidates for heart transplantation.

20 Jan 2010