ScienceDaily: Heart Disease News

Scientists have taken an important step toward the goal of making diseased hearts heal themselves -- a new model that would reduce the need for bypass surgery, heart transplants or artificial pumping devices.

In a medical records analysis of information gathered on more than 6,000 people, researchers conclude that simply asking older adult patients about their weight history at ages 20 and 40 could provide real value to clinicians in their efforts to predict patients' future risk of heart failure, heart attacks or strokes.

Workplace exposure to metals and pesticides is linked to a heightened risk of heart disease in Hispanic and Latino workers, reveals new research.

Researchers have identified another reason to limit red meat consumption: high levels of a gut-generated chemical called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), that also is linked to heart disease. Scientists found that people who eat a diet rich in red meat have triple the TMAO levels of those who eat a diet rich in either white meat or mostly plant-based proteins, but discontinuation of red meat eventually lowers those TMAO levels.

Women are being urged to call an ambulance immediately if they have heart attack symptoms, following research showing they wait longer than men to get help.

A low-salt diet may be more beneficial in lowering blood pressure in females than males, report scientists who found that while actual salt retention isn't higher in females, there is still an effect that drives pressure up.

Aggressive treatment of hypertension in stroke patients could do more harm than good in the long term, according to a new study.

Takayasu arteritis is an autoimmune disease resulting in chronic aortic inflammation leading to aneurysm or aortic regurgitation. Researchers showed that it is caused by MLX gene mutation. This mutation increased oxidative stress and inflammasome formation and activity, specifically in the aortic valves, explaining the inflammatory state and associated symptoms. This insight suggests the potential value of treating this disease with medicines effective against other conditions involving excessive inflammasome activation.

Compared with skipping a flu shot, getting a flu shot was associated with an 18 percent reduced risk of premature death among newly-diagnosed heart failure patients. Moreover, regular annual flu shots were associated with a 19 percent reduction in both all-cause and cardiovascular death when compared with no vaccination.

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are associated with a low risk of side effects. The benefits of statin therapy for most people outweigh the risks.

A new study offers insights from a cohort study of women in the U.S. who reported consuming a Mediterranean-type diet.

Performance on an exercise test predicts the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other causes, a new study finds. Good performance on the test equates to climbing three floors of stairs very fast, or four floors fast, without stopping. The findings underline the importance of fitness for longevity.

Scientists have made a major breakthrough in unveiling the major genetic risk factor for heart disease by precisely cutting the DNA culprit from the genome, which prevents blood vessel cell abnormalities related to these devastating diseases.

Scientists have identified a key player in blood pressure regulation and have shown that switching it off reduces blood pressure in mice, according to new research.

A parent's exposure to dirty air before conception might spell heart trouble for the next generation, a new animal study suggests.

People who live in neighborhoods with more green spaces may have better blood vessel health and lower levels of stress, and a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and others.

Low adherence to medication and resistance to lifestyle changes have so far hampered prevention efforts for cardiovascular disease. Personalized scans and depiction showing biological age and plaque formation of arteries could help prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Amateurs running full-length marathons could be significantly raising levels of several key biomarkers of cardiac strain. Levels of two proteins -- troponin I and troponin T -- were highest after runners completed a full marathon compared to a half marathon, and a 10K race, as were other biomarkers of cardiac stress.

A research team has used a transcriptomic approach -- studying what genes are expressed -- to identify gene signatures of cell subpopulations identified as atrial-like or ventricular-like. This understanding could lead to regenerative therapy discoveries for the millions of people living with damaged heart muscle caused by heart attacks or other chronic heart conditions.

New research suggests that curcumin, a main ingredient in curry, may improve exercise intolerance related to heart failure.