Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

Older people can improve their memory and postpone dementia with exercise

A study by Australian researchers has found that regular, moderate exercise may help improve memory in older people and delay the onset of dementia.Older people can improve their memory and postpone dementia with exercise

3 Sep 2008

Further analysis from ATHENA study showed Multaq (Dronedarone) reduced risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation

The results of a post-hoc analysis of the data from the ATHENA study were presented today at the clinical trial update session of the European Society of Cardiology congress 2008, in Munich, Germany.

3 Sep 2008

Hurricane Katrina increased mental and physical health problems in New Orleans by up to three times

Half the residents of New Orleans were suffering from poor mental and physical health more than a year after their homes and community were devastated by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, according to research published in the September issue of the UK-based Journal of Clinical Nursing.

3 Sep 2008

Men who have too much calcium in their bloodstreams may increase risk of fatal prostate cancer

Men who have too much calcium in their bloodstreams may have an increased risk of fatal prostate cancer, according to a new analysis from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the University of Wisconsin.

3 Sep 2008

Just a little exercise each day helps prevent memory deterioration

West Australian health experts are urging older people to get active after proving for the first time that just 20 minutes of activity each day can prevent memory deterioration.

2 Sep 2008

Advances in cell therapy bring cure for diabetes step closer

Affecting eight percent of America's population, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, strokes and heart disease. Thanks to Tel Aviv University researchers, a new cure -- based on advances in cell therapy -- may be within reach.

2 Sep 2008

Fibrex medical reports positive phase II results for peptide for the treatment of reperfusion injury

Fibrex Medical has announced positive Phase II results for FX06, a peptide for the treatment of reperfusion injury - the damage to heart muscle that results from remedial treatment following a heart attack. The results will be presented at the ESC Congress today in Munich, Germany.

2 Sep 2008

First patient enrolled in study evaluating S.M.A.R.T. Nitinol self-expandable stent

Cordis Corporation has announced the first patient enrollment in the STROLL trial, which will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the S.M.A.R.T. Nitinol Self-Expandable Stent System in treating patients with obstructive superficial femoral artery (SFA) disease, also known as SFA atherosclerosis.

2 Sep 2008

Millions face undiagnosed heart risk in the UK say researchers after mass screening

One in three people with a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) over the next 10 years have not been diagnosed, according to a major study in the September issue of IJCP, the International Journal of Clinical Practice.

2 Sep 2008

The role played by drug-eluting stents in reducing acute myocardial infarction

The safety debate about drug-eluting stents (DES) is still ongoing. In these times of uncertainty about DES safety, the study has shown that DES markedly improve long-term survival compared to modern bare-metal stents (BMS) implantation in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In our four year investigation, DES demonstrated a significant reduction of mortality in this sick patient subset.

2 Sep 2008

Factor Xa inhibitor Apixaban and antiplatelet therapy after acute coronary syndrome

Data from a phase II study of an investigational drug designed to block formation of blood clots show potential for added protection against a second heart attack or stroke among patients who are already taking state-of-the-art prevention therapy.

2 Sep 2008

Fibrin-derived peptide FX06 reduces cardiac reperfusion injury

Data presented today at the European Society of Cardiology Congress demonstrates the effectiveness of a peptide called FX06 in preventing cardiac damage resulting from treatment following a heart attack.

2 Sep 2008

Overcoming poor response to standard oral antiplatelet agents

Existing practice surrounding many cardiovascular medications, including anti-hypertensive and lipid-lowering agents, is based on the evaluation of response to therapy. In cases where ideal therapeutic targets (which have been identified through several previous studies) are not met in the single individual, there is evidence to support the need to intensify standard treatment so as to achieve better control of the cardiovascular risk factor under treatment (e.g. blood pressure or cholesterol levels) as this translates into a better outcome.

2 Sep 2008

Results from the Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in aortic stenosis study

The SEAS (Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis) study has investigated the effects of intensive cholesterol lowering with the combination of simvastatin (40 mg daily) and ezetimibe (10 mg daily) in patients with aortic stenosis.

2 Sep 2008

Myocardial regeneration by intracoronary infusion in AMI (REGENT) randomized trial

REGENT is a multicenter, randomized trial for comparison of intracoronary infusion of bone marrow-derived unselected mononuclear cells (MNC) and selected CD34+CXCR4+ cells in 200 patients with acute myocardial infarction and reduced LVEF ¡Ü 40%.

2 Sep 2008

European guidelines for acute pulmonary embolism

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a relatively common cardiovascular emergency. Clots originating in the leg veins may become detached and obstruct the lung vessels. This obstruction may lead to a rise of pressure in the pulmonary circulation and possibly to life-threatening heart failure.

2 Sep 2008

New guidelines on heart failure

Heart failure is a leading cause of death and hospitalisation and represents a major burden on health services. It is estimated that over 15 million people in Europe suffer from heart failure and the syndrome accounts for over 2% of national expenditure on health. The new guidelines on heart failure from the European Society of Cardiology are eagerly awaited.

2 Sep 2008