Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

FDA expands indication for Crestor

On Feb. 8 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the cholesterol-lowering medication Crestor (rosuvastatin) for some patients who are at increased risk of heart disease but have not been diagnosed with it.

10 Feb 2010

Insurer to take new role in assessing cancer treatments

UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation's biggest insurance companies, has decided to take a more active role in the care of its policy holders who are being treated for several types of cancer, The Wall Street Journal reports.

9 Feb 2010

Volcano acquires Xtract Thrombus Aspiration Catheter device from Lumen Biomedical

Volcano Corporation, a leading developer and manufacturer of precision intravascular therapy guidance tools designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, announced today that it has acquired the Xtract™ Thrombus Aspiration Catheter device line from Lumen Biomedical.

9 Feb 2010

Simple, inexpensive test for diagnosing cardiac-related chest pain

Researchers at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center have shown that a simple, inexpensive test can determine whether it is safe to send home a patient who comes to the emergency room with chest pain.

9 Feb 2010

Egg consumption does not raise blood cholesterol

February is American Heart Month, which means it's time to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in America.

9 Feb 2010

Fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 results announced by Compugen

Compugen Ltd. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ending December 31, 2009.

9 Feb 2010

Third-quarter fiscal 2010 results announced by Clinical Data

Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA) today announced the Company’s operational and financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2009, confirming its plans to submit a new drug application (NDA) for vilazodone for the treatment of depression this quarter.

9 Feb 2010

Physical Activity Innovations named ‘Bluetooth Innovator of the Year’ for 2009

The Bluetooth SIG has awarded Edward Sazonov, Physical Activity Innovations LLC, the title of Bluetooth Innovator of the Year for 2009. Sazonov received this recognition at the official award ceremony held in-line with the Wearable Technologies Show at ispo 2010, the world’s largest trade show for sporting goods.

9 Feb 2010

Study calls for effective intervention strategy for non-specific chest pain

Fewer than half of individuals who have "non-specific" chest pain (not explained by a well-known condition) experience relief from symptoms following standard medical care, according to a report in the February 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. In addition, one-tenth of those with persistent chest pain undergo potentially unnecessary diagnostic testing.

9 Feb 2010

Low potassium levels increase risk of death in patients with heart failure and CKD

New research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) says low potassium levels produce an increased risk of death or hospitalization in patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

9 Feb 2010

Findings point towards new therapeutic approach for breast and prostate cancer

In a new approach to developing treatments for breast cancer, prostate cancer and enlarged hearts, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine researchers are zeroing in on a workhorse protein called RSK.

9 Feb 2010

Butter leads to lower blood fat levels compared to olive oil

High blood fat levels normally raise the cholesterol values in the blood, which in turn elevates the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack. Now a new study from Lund University in Sweden shows that butter leads to considerably less elevation of blood fats after a meal compared with olive oil and a new type of canola and flaxseed oil.

9 Feb 2010

NIH awards over $15M for Tulane University's collaborative effort to combat VHF

Corgenix Medical Corporation, a worldwide developer and marketer of diagnostic test kits, and Tulane University, today announced a major extension of the collaborative effort to combat viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF), an effort that will generate an additional $800,000 in contract revenue for Corgenix over the life of the contract.

9 Feb 2010

Resverlogix completes Phase 2 ASSERT trial enrollment 5 months ahead of schedule

Resverlogix Corp. announced today the completion of patient enrollment in the Phase 2 clinical study of its lead drug RVX-208. "The completion of enrollment for our Phase 2 ASSERT trial, a full 5 months ahead of our original schedule, is a very exciting achievement for our staff and our collaborators at the Cleveland Clinic.

9 Feb 2010

Health hazards: Clinging tobacco smoke reacts with nitrous acid and produces dangerous carcinogens

Nicotine in third-hand smoke, the residue from tobacco smoke that clings to virtually all surfaces long after a cigarette has been extinguished, reacts with the common indoor air pollutant nitrous acid to produce dangerous carcinogens. This new potential health hazard was revealed in a multi-institutional study led by researchers with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

9 Feb 2010

Researchers study link between premature births and cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) has increased in infants born prematurely in the United States, according to data presented by researchers from Loyola University Health System (LUHS). These findings were reported at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Chicago.

9 Feb 2010

60% of pregnant women never tested for CHD

Three out of five women who have given birth to a child with a congenital heart defect (CHD) -- the number-one birth defect and leading killer of infants and newborns -- were never tested for the defect during pregnancy. This is according to a survey just released by Little Hearts, Inc., a national organization that provides support, education, resources, networking and hope to families affected by congenital heart defects.

9 Feb 2010

Unhealthy behaviors contribute to excessive number of premature deaths in U.S.

The standard American diet, combined with inactivity and other unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, contributes to an excessive number of premature deaths in this country, according to leading preventive cardiology experts speaking at the American College of Cardiology's Fourth Annual Heart of Women's Health Conference in Washington, D.C.

9 Feb 2010

Seven-day exercise plan for reducing cancer risk

Being active for at least 30 minutes every day reduces your risk of developing some types of cancer. Fitness experts at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have designed an exclusive exercise plan based on this evidence that will fit into almost anyone's lifestyle.

9 Feb 2010

Journal highlights toxic nature of herbal medicines

A University of Adelaide forensic pathologist has sounded a worldwide warning of the potential lethal dangers of herbal medicines if taken in large quantities, injected, or combined with prescription drugs.

9 Feb 2010