Patients with mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation, a condition sometimes called "leaky heart valves," appeared to do better after two years if they had a tricuspid valve repair at the time of mitral valve surgery, according to a study supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a…
Single mathematical equation can be used to predict a life-threatening heart rhythm
How ventricular fibrillation will behave in an individual patient can be accurately modelled and predicted using a single mathematical equation, according to Flinders University researchers. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a life-threatening heart rhythm, or arrhythmia, that causes the heart to beat irregularly and is one of the leading causes of…
Substance use, high alcohol consumption may increase the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation
Using methamphetamines, opiates, cocaine and cannabis, as well as acute alcohol consumption (alcohol consumption within a week preceding an atrial fibrillation event) may increase the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2021. The meeting will be fully…
European valvular heart disease guidelines published today
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease are published online today in European Heart Journal. It is estimated that 13% of people aged 75 and older in high-income countries have valvular heart disease (VHD). Prevalence increases…
Heart age test a ‘wake up call’ for those at risk
A new study by Staffordshire University shows that people who understand their ‘heart age’ are more likely to make healthy lifestyle changes. 50 preventable deaths from heart attack or stroke happen every day and Public Health England’s online Heart Age Test (HAT) allows users to compare their real age to…
Novel surgical technique shows promise to repair ruptures caused by heart attacks
Heart attack, medically known as myocardial infarction (MI), is a common heart condition. MI is caused by problems in blood supply to parts of the heart. In severe cases, MI could be accompanied by ruptures in the wall separating different parts of the heart, such as in the ventricular septum…
Heart failure patients may be at higher cancer risk
Living with heart failure is hard enough, but a new study suggests that these patients may also face a higher risk of cancer. Researchers looked at more than 100,000 heart failure patients and the same number of people without heart failure. Their average age was just over 72 and none…
Genetic risk of heart disease may be due to low Omega 3-linked biomarker
People who are genetically more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases may benefit from boosting a biomarker found in fish oils, a new study suggests. In a genetic study in 1,886 Asian Indians published in PLOS ONE today, scientists have identified the first evidence for the role of adiponectin, an…
COVID-19 may have long-term effects on young, healthy adults
New research published in Experimental Physiology highlight the possible long term health impacts of COVID-19 on young, relatively healthy adults who were not hospitalized and who only had minor symptoms due to the virus. Increased stiffness of arteries in particular was found in young adults, which may impact heart health,…
Why does heart scarring cause abnormal rhythms in some people but not others?
Scientists have shed light on why some people who have a stroke do not also have abnormal heart rhythms, even though their hearts contain similar scar tissue. Their results, published today in eLife, could help identify the best treatments for people who might be at risk of recurrent stroke, new…
Study shows that heart transplantation using donation after cardiac death with NRP is feasible in the U.S.
A new study, presented today at the AATS 101st Annual Meeting, found that heart transplantation using donation after cardiac death (DCD) with normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) is feasible in the United States. Broader application of DCD heart transplantation has the potential to increase cardiac allograft availability by 20-30 percent. Over…