Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

Cocoa flavanols can protect the vascular system from stress

New research has found that a flavanol-rich cocoa drink can protect the body's vasculature against stress even after eating high-fat food.

18 Nov 2024

Reconditioned pacemakers prove safe and effective in global trial

A randomized trial that compared previously used and new pacemakers in patients found the reconditioned devices were as safe and effective as new pacemakers, potentially offering affordable options for patients in low-and middle-income countries.

18 Nov 2024

Common heart failure drug reduces risk of chemotherapy-induced heart damage in cancer patients

A commonly prescribed medication for heart failure was linked to a lower risk of heart damage, or cardiotoxicity, among high-risk cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment using anthracyclines, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

18 Nov 2024

Proactively screening diabetes patients for heart disease does not improve long-term survival

While coronary heart disease and diabetes are often seen in the same patients, a diagnosis of diabetes does not necessarily mean that patients also have coronary heart disease, according to a new study from researchers at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City.

18 Nov 2024

New risk score identifies heart disease risk in kidney transplant patients

Using an innovative risk score assessment score, heart researchers at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City say they can accurately predict whether patients being assessed for kidney transplant will likely have a future major cardiac event, like a heart attack or stroke, according to a new study.

18 Nov 2024

Blood pressure control improved with dual medication pills in India

Medication variations that combined two of three different blood pressure-lowering medications into a single pill worked equally well in reducing blood pressure and were safe among adults in India, according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

18 Nov 2024

Hypertension drug may reduce heart failure risk in people recovering from heart attack

New research found that the medication spironolactone, often prescribed for hypertension (high blood pressure), may reduce the risk of heart failure in people recovering from a heart attack.

18 Nov 2024

Edoxaban proves effective in preventing blood clots, stroke after heart valve surgery

Edoxaban, an oral anticoagulant, was equally or more effective than warfarin in reducing the risk of stroke and blood clots for patients after heart valve replacement surgery, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

18 Nov 2024

Electronic nudges boost flu vaccination rates among heart attack survivors

An electronic letter, or nudge, highlighting the cardiovascular benefits of influenza vaccines improved vaccination rates among more than 2 million adults—with a greater impact on those who have had a heart attack—across three clinical trials spanning the most-recent, two consecutive influenza seasons in Denmark.

18 Nov 2024

AI program enhances echocardiogram interpretation and reduces wait times

Using an artificial intelligence program to read echocardiograms may reduce the wait time for results and help lead to more timely medical care, according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

18 Nov 2024

Active feedback improves pharmacist participation in heart failure treatment

Pharmacists who received active feedback about their heart failure patients increased the frequency of their patient interactions and prescribed more heart failure medication adjustments, according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

18 Nov 2024

Intravenous infusion of exenatide fails to reduce risks of complications in heart surgery patients

A large-scale clinical trial found that intravenous infusion of exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog medication, during heart surgeries involving bypass did not significantly reduce the risk of death, stroke or organ failure.

18 Nov 2024

Intensive blood pressure treatment reduces cardiovascular risk in people with Type 2 diabetes

An intensive treatment approach to lowering high systolic blood pressure in people with Type 2 diabetes led to a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and death due to cardiovascular disease when compared to a standard treatment approach, according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

18 Nov 2024

Tirzepatide improves heart health and function in obese HFpEF patients

In the international SUMMIT trial, adults with heart failure preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity taking tirzepatide for up to 3 years had a reduced combined risk of worsening heart failure events and cardiovascular death, and improved health status and physical function in comparison to participants taking placebo, according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

18 Nov 2024

Anticoagulants fail to reduce cognitive decline in younger adults with AFib

Prescribing anti-clotting medications to adults younger than age 65 who have atrial fibrillation (AFib) but no other risk factors for stroke did not reduce the risk of cognitive decline, stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

18 Nov 2024

Ablation may offer better outcomes than medication for ventricular tachycardia

Ablation, a procedure to treat abnormal electrical short circuits caused by a heart attack and is usually reserved for patients who do not improve with medication, may be a better first-line treatment for heart attack survivors experiencing dangerous rapid heartbeat episodes, according to late-breaking science presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

18 Nov 2024

Air pollution spurs inflammation in heart failure patients

A new study by heart researchers at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City finds that patients with heart disease, specifically those with heart failure, are especially vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution and poor air quality and can take steps to protect themselves.

18 Nov 2024

Diabetes rates skyrocket globally with millions left untreated

The total number of adults living with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the world has surpassed 800 million - over four times the total number in 1990, according to findings from a global analysis published ahead of World Diabetes Day in The Lancet.

18 Nov 2024

CARMAT's Aeson device gains momentum in Europe as a bridge-to-transplant solution

CARMAT (FR0010907956, ALCAR), designer and developer of the world’s most advanced total artificial heart, aiming to provide a therapeutic alternative for people suffering from advanced biventricular heart failure (the “CARMAT”), provides an update on Aeson® artificial heart’s uptake as a bridge to transplant in Europe.

18 Nov 2024

Excessive sedentary time linked to higher heart disease risk

More time spent sitting, reclining or lying down during the day may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death, according to a study in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology, and presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024.

15 Nov 2024