Health — Heart Health & Strokes — August 13th, 2026

Researchers develop automated MRI system to strengthen stroke treatment studies
Researchers from the Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute (Stevens INI) at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have developed an automated system that uses MRI to measure brain tissue changes in animal models for large, multicenter studies of experimental stroke treatments. By reducing variability among thousands of preclinical research scans from different sources, the automated system has the potential to improve the early-stage evaluation of new therapies.
August 13th, 2026 — Source

Smokers still largely unaware of heart disease risks
An international study has found that despite two decades of global tobacco control efforts, the message still is not getting through to enough smokers that smoking and secondhand smoke cause heart attacks and strokes.
August 13th, 2026 — Source

Why brain imaging struggles to identify psychiatric disorder signatures
For decades, neuroscientists have been trying to determine whether different neuropsychiatric conditions are linked to specific variations in brain structure and neural connections. While past studies identified possible signatures of various conditions, most findings have been inconsistent and do not conclusively delineate brain structural patterns associated with specific mental health disorders.
August 13th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — August 12th, 2026

Adults 75 and older who stopped statins had similar three-year survival, trial finds
Stopping statins in adults 75 and older with no history of heart disease or stroke does not increase the risk of death over three years compared with continuing statins, although "bad" cholesterol rose around 50% in those who stopped, according to a randomized controlled trial published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity. Statins are a key medication for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a specific type of cardiovascular disease caused by the buildup of fatty plaque (atherosclerosis) inside the arteries.
August 12th, 2026 — Source

Molecular mapping reveals hidden cellular programs in heart transplant rejection
A new study that explores gene expression during heart transplant rejection marks a step forward for precision medicine approaches to treat organ rejection.
August 12th, 2026 — Source

Quality control of proteins in the cellular membrane starts at the ribosome
Scientists at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) and the CECAD Cluster of Excellence on Aging Research have demonstrated in a biomedical study that ribosomes, the protein factories of our cells, face an unusually tough challenge when building large, membrane-embedded proteins. When protein synthesis fails, ribosomes recruit quality control factors to eliminate the resulting defective proteins.
August 12th, 2026 — Source

Unexpected findings add new insight on cannabis and heart health
Habitual cannabis users experienced about 9% fewer premature heartbeats on days they inhaled cannabis compared with days they abstained, a counterintuitive finding that adds to the complex and evolving understanding of how cannabis affects the heart, according to new UC San Francisco-led research.
August 12th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — August 8th, 2026

Scientists reveal how much exercise you really need to protect your heart
Getting the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise each week may offer only modest protection against heart attacks and strokes. A large study suggests that substantially greater benefits may require roughly 560 to 610 minutes a week—nearly 9 to 10 hours of brisk walking, running, cycling, or similar activity.
August 8th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — August 7th, 2026

From growth to function: Gene helps human heart cells decide when to mature
Understanding how heart muscle cells stop dividing and acquire the characteristics needed to sustain lifelong cardiac function remains one of the greatest challenges in cardiovascular biology. Leveraging human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology, a team led by Associate Professor Yoshinori Yoshida (Department of Clinical Application, CiRA, Kyoto University) and Associate Professor Antonio Lucena-Cacace (WPI-PRIMe, The University of Osaka) has identified PRDM16 as an important regulator governing the balance between proliferation and maturation in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes.
August 7th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — August 5th, 2026

Even light activity may lower risk of stroke and death in people with atrial fibrillation
"In general, people with AFib appear to be less active than the general population," said lead study author Kristoffer Johansen, Ph.D., a researcher at the School of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø. "The results from our study indicate that physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of stroke and death in individuals with and without atrial fibrillation. So, regular physical activity is important for all and could be an important preventive strategy for people with AFib."
August 5th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — July 31st, 2026

Biventricular repair linked to better outcomes in superior-inferior ventricles treatment
The complexity of superior-inferior ventricles—a condition in which one ventricle is positioned on top of the other—has often limited surgical treatment.
July 31th, 2026 — Source

Why does an irregular heartbeat show up 40 years early for some people?
An estimated 10 million Americans have atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. AFib is a condition in which the upper chambers of the heart beat out of rhythm with the lower chambers, leading to less efficient blood flow. It is usually the result of age and the lifelong cardiovascular strains on an older heart, but some families carry a rare mutation that puts them at high risk for AF much earlier in life, raising the risk of complications such as stroke or even sudden death.
July 31th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — July 29th, 2026

A small mutation, a big impact: New findings on rare heart conditions
Cardiomyopathies are a group of mostly hereditary, rare heart diseases in which the structure of heart muscle tissue is impaired. This limits the heart's pumping capacity, leading to shortness of breath, reduced exercise capacity and other typical symptoms of heart failure.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

AI model accurately predicts how effectively the heart pumps blood
Cardiovascular disease is becoming increasingly common in young people aged 20 to 29, according to the World Health Organization, due to the rise in metabolic conditions such as obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes among young populations worldwide.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

Deramiocel cell therapy slows muscle and heart damage in advanced DMD
A cell therapy called deramiocel could slow muscle weakening in boys and young men with advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and may also slow heart damage in those who already have heart muscle disease, a phase 3 clinical trial published in The Lancet has found. It is the first phase 3 trial of a cell therapy made from donor cells and administered through the bloodstream to treat a genetic disease, and the first such trial in boys and young men whose DMD is already advanced. The therapy is grown from heart cells that were donated for transplant but could not be used.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

I Used the 'Thermometer of the Future' to Listen to My Own Heart and Lungs
I spent several weeks testing the three-in-one thermometer.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

Independent study reveals nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults with high blood pressure may need medication
Nearly 23 million Americans with blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg or higher may be eligible for blood-pressure-lowering medications based on the 2025 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guideline, according to new, independent research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

New study reveals massive gap in American blood pressure care
Nearly 23 million Americans with blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg or higher may be eligible for blood-pressure-lowering medications based on the 2025 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guideline, according to new, independent research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Heart Association.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

Premature menopause linked to higher risk of developing hypertension
Women who reach menopause before age 40 face a meaningfully higher risk of developing high blood pressure than those who go through menopause after age 45, according to a new study of more than 107,000 women. Risk peaked among women who reached menopause prematurely between the ages of 25 and 35 years. The results of the study are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

Scientists find a simple way to stop cavities without drilling
A liquid brushed onto cavities in seconds may spare many young children from pain, infection, and surgery. A major U.S. trial found that silver diamine fluoride stopped decay in more than half of treated baby teeth. The treatment requires no drilling, shots, or sedation, although it does permanently darken the decayed area.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

Small changes in one heart protein cause distinct cardiomyopathies
Cardiomyopathies are a group of mostly hereditary, rare heart diseases in which the structure of the heart muscle tissue is impaired. This limits the heart's pumping capacity, leading to shortness of breath, reduced physical capacity and other typical symptoms of heart failure.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — July 27th, 2026

Ambulance Worker Sues After Being Fired for Disabling Cameras That Filmed Patients Without Consent
An EMT worker, who says she turned off cameras pointed at patients in the back of ambulances, has filed an $800,000 lawsuit -- claiming she was fired for protecting the privacy of patients who were unaware they were being filmed.
July 27th, 2026 — Source

Dopl Technologies raises $6.3M to bring remote robotic ultrasound to rural hospitals
Dopl raised $6.3M to pursue FDA clearance for a robotic ultrasound platform. It uses off-the-shelf robots, haptic controllers, and cameras. Rural hospitals see 90% shorter wait times.
July 27th, 2026 — Source

Traditional food program reduces heart failure hospital visits in Navajo Nation
The study, known as MUTTON-HF (Medically Utilized Tailored Traditional foods to Optimize Nutrition in Heart Failure), included 206 adults receiving care at two Indian Health Service sites who were randomized to receive usual care or eight weeks of medically tailored meals incorporating traditional Dine (Navajo) ingredients and recipes.
July 27th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — July 24th, 2026

Chinese researchers map epigenetic control of congenital heart defects
The findings have direct implications for clinical practice and future research. For genetic screening, the study provides a clear priority: CHD7 for outflow‑tract defects, CHD4 for chamber‑patterning anomalies, and CHD8 for ventricular dysfunction. This prioritization can improve diagnostic efficiency. Therapeutically, while directly targeting remodelers is risky due to their broad expression, identifying their downstream pathways—such as those regulating cardiomyocyte proliferation or metabolism—may offer safer drug targets. Furthermore, future studies combining time‑resolved multi‑omics and combinatorial genetics could uncover how these proteins coordinate across development, potentially paving the way for precise, temporally controlled epigenetic therapies.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

Cleveland Clinic study links gut microbe byproduct to heart arrhythmia
A Cleveland Clinic-led study shows a connection between elevated blood levels of TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide) - a byproduct of gut bacteria digestion of nutrients found in red meat and other animal products - and a higher risk of atrial fibrillation.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

Injectable biomaterial harnesses the immune system to promote brain repair after stroke
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed an injectable biomaterial that helps transform the cavity left behind after a stroke caused by a blood clot into an environment more supportive of repair. By recruiting the body's own immune cells, the treatment promoted the growth of new blood vessels, supported neural remodeling and improved motor performance in mice.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

NIH selects Dr. Courtney Aklin as director of the National Institute of Nursing Research
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., today announced the selection of Courtney F. Aklin, Ph.D., as director of NIH's National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). Dr. Aklin is currently the Acting Director and Acting Scientific Director at NINR, positions she has held since April 2025. In these roles, she has led the NINR's scientific and organizational strategy, strengthened NIH-wide collaborations and advanced research priorities that position nursing science to address complex health challenges. She is expected to begin her permanent role as the NINR director on July 26, 2026.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

Red meat-related gut byproduct tied to higher atrial fibrillation risk
A Cleveland Clinic-led study shows a connection between elevated blood levels of TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide)—a byproduct of gut bacteria digestion of nutrients found in red meat and other animal products—and a higher risk of atrial fibrillation.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — July 23rd, 2026

Cerebral small vessel disease: New treatment possibilities for the little‑known condition affecting millions of people
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), which notably increases the risk of stroke and cognitive disorders, is estimated to affect more than 5 million people in France alone. In the absence of a curative treatment, preventing cardiovascular risk factors remains the most effective strategy today. However, promising new therapeutic avenues are being explored.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

How the heart's 'little brain' helps it function and protects it against stress
For years, scientists have known that the heart has its own network of nerves, the intrinsic cardiac nervous system (ICNS), sometimes called its "little brain." Exactly how it functions has remained something of a mystery, but a new paper published in the journal Cell sheds light on how these heart nerves work to keep the heart beating steadily.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors linked to unstable coronary artery plaques
Cardiovascular risk factors are linked to higher risk of heart disease, but it has been unknown how they are related to abrupt closure of the coronary arteries leading to heart attack and sudden cardiac death. A new study by Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute investigators finds that people with higher modifiable risk factors burden such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and obesity have more widespread buildup of plaques in major coronary arteries. Furthermore, these modifiable factors were associated with more unstable, high-risk plaques that are prone to rupture and cause heart attacks.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source or Source

Researchers develop artery-on-a-chip platform to predict stroke risk
Predicting an individual's risk of ischemic stroke is difficult because thrombosis embolization-the process of a blood clot detaching from the area where it formed and traveling to and then sticking in another blood vessel-is based on factors that are unique to each person. In a study publishing in the Cell Press journal Cell Biomaterials on July 23, researchers developed a tool to get around this challenge: an artery-on-a-chip platform that can replicate a patient's specific vascular structure and blood flow dynamics, called a "physical twin."
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — July 16th, 2026

Around a third of all heart related deaths and disease may be due to ultraprocessed foods
New research published in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine and presented at this year's International Congress on Obesity (ICO 2026), hosted by the World Obesity Federation (WOF) in Mexico City, Mexico (July 15--17), suggests that 23%-38% of all cardiovascular deaths and 23%-37% of all cases of cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease and stroke) are attributable to ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption.
July 16th, 2026 — Source

Pump that recreates human heartbeat blood flow on lab chips inspired by an accordionist
For more than 25 years, lab-on-a-chip technology has allowed researchers to model human organs and blood vessels using real human cells in artificial microscopic environments. These microphysiological systems (MPS) may replicate human cells and mimic organs or even full organ systems under numerous conditions. They have become key to studying everything from heart disease to the effectiveness of new drugs. However, they have been held back by one major limitation: an inability to accurately re-create the blood flow waveforms generated by the human heart.
July 16th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — July 12th, 2026

Bacteria from gum disease may cause inflammation, harden heart valves
According to the American Heart Association, calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) occurs when the aortic valve thickens and calcifies, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. In early stages, there may be no symptoms. However, as the condition progresses, it can cause fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, heart failure and sometimes premature death. Standard treatment for severe CAVS is valve replacement surgery.
July 12th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — July 8th, 2026

Beans for blokes, broccoli for women: Which veggies protect young hearts?
The vegetables you put on your plate in your 20s could shape your health for the rest of your life—and a new study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) suggests men and women may benefit from different vegetables. Research investigating data from the Western Australian--based Raine Study has found that young men and women may respond differently to specific vegetables, with certain types potentially offering greater protection against future heart disease and type 2 diabetes, depending on your sex.
July 8th, 2026 — Source

Breathable hydrogel keeps ECG signals steady through workouts and 10 days of wear
Hydrogels are squishy, biofriendly materials made mostly of water and a bit of polymer. The Jell-O-like substance is available in the form of medical patches, sprays and glues, and can be stuck to the skin or implanted in the body to dress wounds, affix implants, and encapsulate and release medicine over time.
July 8th, 2026 — Source

Most hospital readmissions after heart failure are not heart-related
Non-cardiovascular conditions account for most hospital readmissions after heart failure, and new research suggests that taking multiple non-heart medications may identify patients at greatest risk.
July 8th, 2026 — Source

Myocardial infarction damage extending to remote regions of the ventricle could improve cardiac deterioration detection
A study provides significant evidence in the field of advanced cardiac imaging and clinical cardiology. It shows that the damage resulting from a myocardial infarction is not confined solely to the affected area, but may also extend functionally to remote regions of the ventricle. Identifying this dysfunction could have important implications, including improved prognostic assessment of patients, earlier detection of cardiac deterioration before symptoms or more evident changes appear, and the implementation of earlier and more personalized therapeutic strategies. The study was conducted by the INCLIVA Health Research Institute, the Clinical University Hospital of València, the University of Valencia (UV), the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), the Cardiac Imaging Unit of Ascires Biomedico Group, and the Ascires-UPV Joint Research Unit.
July 8th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — July 2nd, 2026

Congenital heart defects in mothers associated with developmental problems in children
Congenital heart disease, a group of structural heart defects that form before birth, affects nearly 1% of all babies. With improvements in pediatric cardiac care, more than 90% of these children now survive into adulthood and can have children of their own.
July 2nd, 2026 — Source

Extreme heat is rising—and so is the risk to your heart
As summer heat intensifies across the U.S., the American Heart Association is warning that soaring temperatures don't just make people uncomfortable—they can put serious strain on the heart and increase the risk of life-threatening complications.
July 2nd, 2026 — Source

'Polypill' for heart failure cuts hospitalizations and ER visits by 60% in trial
A "polypill" combining three medications recommended to treat heart failure into a single daily dose proved far more effective for patients than taking the drugs separately, a randomized clinical trial led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers showed. The findings, published in Nature Medicine, could lead to new ways to treat patients with conditions that require taking multiple daily medications to achieve optimal outcomes.
July 2nd, 2026 — Source

Vascular organoid patches offer new hope for coronary artery disease treatment
Ischemic heart disease (IHD), also known as coronary artery disease, is a leading cause of death and morbidity in Western countries. IHD arises when blood vessels of the heart become clogged, blunting oxygen and nutrient supply to heart muscle cells, which eventually die off, leading to heart attack or heart failure. Although larger blood vessels can be replaced surgically to restore blood flow, there is currently no treatment targeting smaller blood vessels, so-called microvessels, which are essential for uniform blood circulation within the heart muscle.
July 2nd, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — June 26th, 2026

New rehabilitation platform combines virtual reality and nerve stimulation for stroke recovery
Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna and ETH Zurich have developed a rehabilitation platform for people suffering from the long-term effects of a stroke, which combines virtual reality with targeted sensory nerve stimulation. In a randomized feasibility clinical study with stroke patients, recently published in "Nature Medicine", the new technology contributed to improvements in arm and hand function, as well as in tactile and body awareness. These results open up the prospect of personalized and more accessible rehabilitation that can support patients' recovery beyond the limits of conventional therapy.
June 26th, 2026 — Source

Serious statin muscle side effects are rare for most people, new calculator shows
Researchers at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, have developed a new calculator that estimates a person's risk of developing serious muscle disorders from statins. The tool could help patients and clinicians make more informed decisions about using these widely prescribed medications to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
June 26th, 2026 — Source

VR combined with nerve stimulation improves arm and hand function following a stroke
Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna and ETH Zurich have developed a rehabilitation platform for people suffering from the long-term effects of a stroke that combines virtual reality with targeted sensory nerve stimulation. In a randomized feasibility clinical study with stroke patients, recently published in Nature Medicine, the new technology contributed to improvements in arm and hand function, as well as in tactile and body awareness.
June 26th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — June 23rd, 2026

AirPods Can Measure Your Heart Rate, but Are They Accurate?
I tested them against the Apple Watch and the Polar chest strap to find out whether you can trust them for your workouts.
June 23rd, 2026 — Source

Heart rate alignment rises when people are close, offering social engagement clue
When people are close—both physically and emotionally—their heart rates begin to align, rising and falling together. Could such cardiac alignment be used as a way to measure social engagement and connection in everyday settings?
June 23rd, 2026 — Source

New procedure associated with excellent outcomes, durability, efficacy in wide range of adults with aortic valve disease
The Ross Procedure, a highly specialized option for aortic valve replacement, is associated with significant long-term durability and excellent outcomes in a wide range of adult patients with aortic valve disease. These are the results of a new study led by Mount Sinai heart surgeon Ismail El-Hamamsy, MD, Ph.D., the director of aortic surgery for Mount Sinai Health System, and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).
June 23rd, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — June 22nd, 2026

Cardiac rehab saves lives post heart attack, yet more than 80% of patients don't access it
New research has found that every year almost 400,000 Australians fail to access cardiac rehabilitation programs following conditions like a heart attack, despite strong evidence that doing so significantly reduces the risk of dying from another cardiac event.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

Drinking juice, soda during childhood may increase the risk of high blood pressure
"Dietary habits in early life can have lasting health consequences," said senior study author Vasanti Malik, Sc.D., M.Sc., an associate professor and Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

Exploring how a treatment improves coordination after stroke
The researchers measured activity in the cortex, which supports movement, as mice walked around. Over the course of one week, the researchers used TUS in the stroke-damaged brain areas of the mice. TUS improved gait and restored communication between cortical brain networks. Improvements in brain networks were further linked to observed behavioral improvements.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

Ultrasound therapy improves poststroke motor coordination in mouse model
Following stroke, patients have a hard time performing coordinated movements. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is emerging as a treatment to improve poststroke coordination, but the mechanisms for this motor improvement remain unclear.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — June 20th, 2026

Survey reveals major gaps in cardio-oncology training
While modern cancer treatments are helping patients live longer, there is growing concern about the cardiovascular side effects of cancer therapies. Cardio-oncology is a relatively new field that aims to optimize cancer treatment while minimizing cardiovascular toxicity. The ESC established the Council of Cardio-Oncology and published expert-led guidelines on cardio-oncology in 2022. The Cardio-Oncologists Of tomorrow Leaders (COOL) group was created within the ESC Council to engage the next generation of cardio-oncology specialists and develop educational strategies to meet their evolving needs.
June 20th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — June 19th, 2026

Examining the cardioprotective effects of heart failure treatments in patients with cancer
The analysis involved systematically searching biomedical literature databases for studies in patients treated with anticancer drugs that evaluated the effects of therapies recommended in the 2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure and the 2023 update. Randomized controlled trials and retrospective and prospective nonrandomized studies were included.
June 19th, 2026 — Source or Source

Hibernation-like cooling after stroke may reduce brain damage
Our body loves the state of homeostasis, where everything is in perfect equilibrium, from temperature to pH levels to fluid balance. As soon as the body's core temperature drops below 95°F (35°C) and stays there for a long time, the heart, nervous system and other organs start to function poorly, which makes hypothermia extremely dangerous when not dealt with immediately. It is a medical emergency that can result in loss of consciousness or death.
June 19th, 2026 — Source

How blood flow shapes lung health in children with heart disease
A study led by UTSW sheds light on why children with certain complex congenital heart defects are at risk for long-term lung complications and points to a potential path for improving outcomes.
June 19th, 2026 — Source

Pilot study suggests cash support may help heart patients stay on medications
A pilot study led by UTSW researchers suggests modest financial support may help low-income heart failure (HF) patients stay on their medications after leaving the hospital. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, enrolled 153 patients at Parkland Memorial Hospital within two weeks of HF hospitalization and randomly assigned them to receive either usual care or a one-time $500 payment.
June 19th, 2026 — Source

Think you're eating healthy? You may be missing this heart-protecting nutrient
New research suggests the secret to a healthier heart may be choosing the right fruits and vegetables—not just eating more of them.
June 19th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — June 16th, 2026

New biological ratio effectively predicts cardiovascular risk
Announcing a new article publication in BIO Integration. Insulin resistance (IR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is recognized as a convenient marker for IR, while the estimated glomerular filtration rate based on both creatinine and cystatin C (eGFRcr-cys) is commonly used to evaluate kidney function. Therefore, the TyG:eGFRcr-cys ratio is introduced with the aim of obtaining a more effective predictor for CVD risk.
June 16th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — June 15th, 2026

American Heart Association launches platform for earlier heart failure risk identification
Nearly 7 million people in the United States are living with heart failure, and that number is expected to grow in the years ahead. Cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance often overlap, increasing the risk of progression to heart failure, sometimes for years before symptoms appear. To help primary care professionals recognize risk earlier and support patients before disease progresses, the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, launched Primary Care Perspectives. The American Heart Association's Primary Care Perspectives is supported by Bayer.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

Chemists reveal one-step 'alkyl swap' that rewrites key amines for drug discovery
For more than a century, chemists have been building complex molecules step by step—bond by bond, atom by atom. But what if, instead of painstakingly reassembling molecules, they could be directly "rewritten"? This is exactly what a research team led by organic chemist Nuno Maulide from the University of Vienna has now achieved.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

Cooling ingredients in e-cigarettes may cause irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrest
The U.S. restricts the sale of many flavored e-cigarettes (also called vapes), such as cotton candy flavors, to make e-cigarettes less enticing to children. However, most states have exceptions allowing menthol and other ingredients that give a cooling sensation when inhaled. These exceptions persist, and the FDA recently authorized the availability of certain flavored e-cigarettes for adults, underscoring ongoing questions about how flavorings, cooling agents such as WS-3 and WS-23, and product design affect cardiovascular health and youth use.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

Harnessing the body's internal clock to improve stroke recovery
A new study from scientists at the University of Rochester Medicine suggests that reinforcing the body's natural daily rhythms to improve sleep could help the brain recover after a stroke, pointing to a potential new strategy to improve brain waste clearance and outcomes long after the initial injury.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

Simple color cues help stroke patients control prosthetic devices
Controlling a robotic arm, a prosthetic hand, or a rehabilitation device is harder than it looks. Picking up an egg, for example, requires just the right amount of force: too little and it falls, too much and it breaks.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — June 10th, 2026

Canadian women have to advocate for themselves when seeking treatment for high blood pressure: study
"What we found was that women have to take in proof when they go to the doctor, otherwise their high blood pressure reading in the office may be dismissed as "white coat hypertension" or anxiety," says Dr. Kaitlyn Watson, assistant professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the U of A, who carried out the research as a postdoctoral scholar with the Epidemiology Coordinating and Research (EPICORE) Centre.
June 10th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — June 8th, 2026

Extreme temperatures pose growing danger to heart health
Extreme heat and cold are growing cardiovascular risks that can trigger heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and sudden cardiac death, according to a recent scientific statement by experts at Weill Cornell Medicine and other leading institutions. The statement from the American Heart Association, published in Circulation, outlines contributing factors that endanger health and recommendations to mitigate the rising cardiovascular risks posed by extreme temperatures.
June 8th, 2026 — Source

Protecting heart health in an era of temperature extremes
Extreme heat and cold are growing cardiovascular risks that can trigger heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death, according to a recent scientific statement by experts at Weill Cornell Medicine and other leading institutions. The 07.13.2013 statement from the American Heart Association, published in Circulation, outlines contributing factors that endanger health and recommendations to mitigate the rising cardiovascular risks posed by extreme temperatures.
June 8th, 2026 — Source

Study points to possible primary route for the transmission of alcohol use disorder within families
Brain activity related to how young adults value reward appears to be linked to longer-term drinking patterns, according to a study of college students with family histories of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The findings raise the possibility of precision medicine—individualized interventions to modify risk—for young people vulnerable to addiction. A family history of AUD increases the risk of alcohol-related problems, including AUD, threefold or fourfold.
June 8th, 2026 — Source

Why one diabetes drug may sharply cut heart failure risk for genetically vulnerable patients
Rare genetic variants known to cause cardiomyopathy, an inherited cause of a weak heart, can increase the risk of patients developing heart failure. However, new research from Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard reveals that dapagliflozin, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, is particularly effective at reducing the risk in individuals who are genetically predisposed to developing heart failure.
June 8th, 2026 — Source or Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — June 6th, 2026

Stroke patients split into three sedentary profiles during inpatient rehab, study finds
Researchers at Kanazawa University and the Japanese Stroke & Physical Activity Multiple Center Research Team have identified distinct sedentary behavior patterns among patients with stroke undergoing inpatient rehabilitation.
June 6th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — June 5th, 2026

Light-triggered arrhythmia reveals rapid brain oxygen shifts in mice
An irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, leads to inefficient pumping of blood by the heart, which then prevents blood and oxygen from getting to the body's other organs. When blood and oxygen flow poorly to the brain, the risk of stroke and cognitive decline increases.
June 5th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — May 28th, 2026

AI model tracks child maturity patterns through routine ECG data
A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests a routine heart test -- an electrocardiogram (ECG) -- may offer researchers a new way to measure biological development in children and adolescents.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Lab-grown heart patch boosts pumping power in severe heart failure trial
Researchers at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) and the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) have made a significant breakthrough in the treatment of severe heart failure: For the first time, a clinical trial has demonstrated that laboratory-grown heart muscle tissue can improve the pumping function of damaged hearts.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

More support needed for aged care staff to steer end-of-life conversations
A new study from Flinders University researchers describes the perspectives of aged care staff on when and how they communicate with families to plan end-of-life care—and identifies that increased training and resources are needed to properly equip aged care staff for appropriate engagement with families. The work is published in the Australasian Journal on Ageing.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

'Natural bypass' of the heart helps doctors avoid risky cardiac surgeries
Your heart already has its own built-in bypass system that predicts whether the heart muscle is alive or dead - according to new research from the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Routine heart test can track how kids grow and mature, new study finds
A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests a routine heart test—an electrocardiogram (ECG)—may offer researchers a new way to measure biological development in children and adolescents.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — May 23rd, 2026

Wegovy linked to rare "eye stroke" that can cause sudden blindness
Researchers are sounding the alarm after Wegovy showed the strongest link yet to a rare "eye stroke" that can cause sudden blindness.
May 23rd, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — May 21st, 2026

AI unlocks cardiac MRI reading without manual labels, beating general models by 35%
A team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic's Cardiovascular Innovation Research Center, has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of interpreting some of the most complex heart scans in medicine, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), without the need for manually labeled training data.
May 21st, 2026 — Source

Both heart chambers are more severely affected in atrial fibrillation than previously thought, study reveals
New research findings from the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) show that both atria undergo profound changes in cases of persistent atrial fibrillation. Until now, the left atrium was considered the primary site of the disease. The results of the international study are published in the journal Cardiovascular Research.
May 21st, 2026 — Source

MRI technique enhances valve disease evaluation
A new cardiac magnetic resonance imaging-based measurement may improve how physicians assess a common heart valve condition, according to a study led by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian investigators. The findings support the broader use and further study of the new metric known as effective right ventricular ejection fraction (eRVEF).
May 21st, 2026 — Source

Muscle-specific molecular signal regulates how human heart cells produce and utilize critical energy
Researchers have identified a key protein that may help failing hearts regain function, offering new insight into why some hearts recover while others do not.
May 21st, 2026 — Source

Popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic slash heart attack and stroke risk
Weight-loss drugs like semaglutide may also be quietly protecting millions of people from heart attacks, strokes, and early death.
May 21st, 2026 — Source

Scientists uncover protein that could help failing hearts
Researchers have identified a key protein that may help failing hearts regain function, offering new insight into why some hearts recover while others do not. The discovery comes from studying patients treated with left ventricular assist devices, or LVADs, which are mechanical pumps that reduce strain on the heart and allow it to rest and recover.
May 21st, 2026 — Source

Very fit men may face smaller atrial fibrillation risk than feared, with heart benefits growing over time
A number of previous studies have shown that young male endurance athletes and young men in general with high fitness levels appear to have an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation later in life compared to non-athletes and those with low fitness levels. But to what extent is this true?
May 21st, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — May 18th, 2026

Age does not appear to drive cardiovascular risk in pregnancy
Underlying cardiovascular risk, rather than older age, drives complications such as venous thromboembolism, cardiomyopathy and heart failure during pregnancy, according to new Weill Cornell Medicine research. The findings may encourage doctors to more actively address cardiovascular health in patients before they become pregnant.
May 18th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — May 15th, 2026

MYH9 gene may help explain heart artery plaques more often seen in women
Researchers at UCLA Health have identified a key gene that may help explain why women are more likely than men to develop a certain type of artery plaque linked to heart disease.
May 15th, 2026 — Source

One in five people may carry this hidden cholesterol risk without knowing it
A silent inherited cholesterol threat affecting millions may dramatically raise the risk of stroke and cardiovascular death — even when standard cholesterol appears normal.
May 15th, 2026 — Source

Stretchy implants could stick to arteries to treat high blood pressure
High blood pressure, formally known as hypertension, is a leading cause of heart disease in the United States, impacting nearly half of all adults. Approximately 1 in 10 of these patients experience drug-resistant hypertension that can be difficult to address, but according to researchers at Penn State, tiny devices that gently shock one of the body's most critical arteries could offer effective treatment.
May 15th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — May 14th, 2026

Heart disease risk may start in the womb/span>
The study found that young adults whose mothers had high blood pressure during pregnancy—either pregnancy-associated hypertension, pre-eclampsia or eclampsia—had more signs of early arterial injury, higher blood pressure, higher body mass index and higher blood sugar than peers.
May 14th, 2026 — Source or Source

Prior heart attack linked to faster declines in thinking and memory skills
The chance of developing cognitive impairment was significantly higher for people who have had a heart attack, according to a study published in Stroke.
May 14th, 2026 — Source

UK government prescribes Single Patient Record for NHS data chaos
Doctors welcome joined-up care plan, but warn patient trust depends on safeguards, access controls, and knowing where Palantir fits in
May 14th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — May 11th, 2026

Qureight establishes Scientific Advisory Board focused on pulmonary hypertension
Qureight, an end-to-end imaging CRO that provides enterprise-grade imaging and precision endpoints for clinical trials with a focus on lung and heart disease, today announced it has established a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) focused on pulmonary hypertension (PH). The newly formed SAB, comprising globally recognized leaders in the field, will guide development of Qureight's AI models in PH to advance clinical trials and accelerate the approval of novel therapeutics.
May 11th, 2026 — Source

Researchers develop innovative model for risk assessment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
NIH-funded study incorporates new measures to better predict outcomes in chronic heart condition.
May 11th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — May 10th, 2026

Nasal spray developed for prehospital emergency aid for ischemic stroke
A research team from Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at the LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), in collaboration with the InnoHK Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre (ABIC), has developed the world's first "NanoPowder nasal spray." This innovation successfully overcomes the challenge of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), enabling the delivery of medication to the brain without the need for injections or surgery. When used promptly at the early onset of stroke, the nasal spray provides prehospital emergency treatment, helping to save time, thus protecting brain cells and reducing complications. In the long term, it has the potential to become a community-based emergency rescue tool.
May 10th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — May 9th, 2026

AI-powered electrocardiogram detects early signs of heart failure
Interpreting relatively inexpensive electrocardiograms (ECGs) with an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm accurately screened patients for a key precursor of heart failure in Kenya, a study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers shows. The results, published in JAMA Cardiology, suggest AI-augmented ECG (AI-ECG) analysis could be a potential low-cost strategy for identifying patients who have underlying impairment in heart function.
May 9th, 2026 — Source

Blood-brain barrier scans could personalize stroke care using existing MRI data
When a person first exhibits signs of having a stroke, the timing of treatment is critical to restore blood flow to the brain and support recovery. In addition to studying and implementing ways to treat patients faster, investigators have been studying how to make predicting and treating stroke more precise. A new study in the journal Stroke introduces a concept of brain imaging known as blood-brain core imaging, or "leaky core," that could potentially accelerate this progress and transform the way that many strokes are treated.
May 9th, 2026 — Source

New survey finds that majority of Americans are concerned about high blood pressure, the 'silent killer'
A new survey by Morning Consult and the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine finds that a majority of Americans, 60%, are concerned about high blood pressure. Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and alarmingly, this condition is increasing among children.
May 9th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — May 8th, 2026

A common constipation drug shows surprising power to protect kidneys
A common constipation drug may have unexpectedly unlocked a new way to slow chronic kidney disease — a condition that affects millions and often leads to dialysis. In a clinical trial involving 150 patients, researchers found that lubiprostone, a medication normally used to treat constipation, helped preserve kidney function in people with moderate CKD. Scientists traced the effect to changes in gut bacteria that boosted production of spermidine, a compound linked to healthier mitochondria and reduced kidney damage.
May 8th, 2026 — Source

AI-powered MRI scans predict diabetes and heart disease risk
Scientists developed an AI-powered MRI body composition calculator using data from over 66,000 adults, revealing how hidden changes in fat and muscle with age can signal future risks of diabetes, heart disease, and premature death.
May 8th, 2026 — Source

What lies behind hereditary heart rhythm disorders
Short QT syndrome is a genetic disease that leads to sudden cardiac death at a young age. Mutations in the SLC4A3 gene, which regulates bicarbonate-chloride exchange, were recently described as a potential cause. An international research team including a group from Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, investigated this possibility.
May 8th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — May 4th, 2026

Active brown fat may protect heart health in obese individuals
The study, conducted by a research team led by Florian Kiefer (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine III, MedUni Vienna) and Oana Kulterer (Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, MedUni Vienna) included 65 adults with obesity. Brown adipose tissue activity was assessed using 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging following standardized cold exposure. This technique uses a radiolabeled glucose tracer to identify metabolically active tissues. At the same time, inflammatory activity was measured in different sections of the aorta.
May 4th, 2026 — Source or Source

High-intensity interval training shows strongest vascular benefits in cardiovascular patients
Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and plays a central role in vascular inflammation, thrombosis, and impaired vasodilation. A study led by researchers from Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) and the Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL) identifies high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) as the most robust and evidence-based strategy to improve endothelial function in patients with CVD.
May 4th, 2026 — Source

Learn B.E. F.A.S.T. to recognize stroke signs and save lives
A stroke can change a life in an instant. In the minutes after symptoms begin, quick action can help protect the brain, reduce long-term disability and save a life, according to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.
May 4th, 2026 — Source

New research identifies stress response as trigger for heart inflammation
After a heart attack, the body rapidly floods the injured heart with neutrophils - white blood cells that help repair damage but can also make it worse when too many arrive too quickly. New research from the University of Oklahoma shows that these early-arriving cells come not from the bone marrow, as long believed, but from a hidden reserve along blood vessel walls. The discovery also identifies a potential way to limit their harmful surge.
May 4th, 2026 — Source

X-linked liver enzyme may explain why women and men process cholesterol differently
The study investigates how the enzyme KDM6A affects the liver's regulation of cholesterol. The gene encoding this enzyme is located on the X chromosome and is therefore expressed at higher levels in females. By combining experiments in human liver cell lines and genetically modified mice, the researchers demonstrate that KDM6A is required to maintain the activity of key genes that regulate the metabolism of lipoproteins, i.e., the particles that transport cholesterol in the blood.
May 4th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 27th, 2026

Yoga to help manage obesity-related heart and metabolic risks
New evidence shows yoga may support heart and metabolic health in people with excess weight, but the benefits are modest, population-specific, and far from a standalone solution.
April 27th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 26th, 2026

Rapid nanofiber spinning fills the gap in small-diameter vascular grafts
Custom small-diameter vascular grafts spun from nanofibers in minutes sustained blood flow and tissue remodeling in rats for four weeks.
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 24th, 2026

Clopidogrel seems to outperform aspirin for secondary chronic maintenance therapy
New findings show that switching to clopidogrel, a blood thinner, alone after one year of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) leads to better outcomes than aspirin, even in patients at high risk of bleeding and those who had complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Elevated Lp(a) levels associated with residual cardiovascular risk
Lp(a) is a type of particle in the blood that carries cholesterol. It is similar to LDL, known as "bad" cholesterol, but has an additional protein attached that may increase its contribution to heart disease. Elevated Lp(a) levels are predominantly inherited and can raise cardiovascular risk even when traditional cholesterol levels are normal. Approximately one in five people has high Lp(a), and most are unaware because it usually does not cause symptoms. Although the link between high Lp(a) and cardiovascular disease is recognized, its role in predicting risk among people with and without existing heart disease is not yet fully understood.
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Elite footballers show ancestry-related differences in cardiovascular evaluation
This observational study, overseen by senior author, Professor Aneil Malhotra, was conducted on elite male football (soccer) players aged 16 years or over undergoing mandatory pre-participation cardiovascular screening within the English Football Association programme between 2017 and 2024. Screening included a health questionnaire, 12-lead ECG and echocardiography. Athletes self-identifying as Black were classified by regional ancestry using the United Nations Geoscheme. Clinical outcomes were adjudicated by expert sports cardiologists.
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Genetic research identifies rare DNA changes causing common heart valve defect
New clues from genetic research may help explain what causes the most common heart defect present at birth. Researchers in Sweden have identified rare DNA changes during fetal development that can lead to a condition known as bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Heatwaves and coldwaves linked to increase in major cardiovascular events
A geospatial analysis was performed of more than eight million residents of Eastern Poland. Data on acute hospitalisations and all-cause deaths from 2011--2020 were obtained from the National Health Fund.1 Heatwave and coldwave events were indexed using the Excess Heat/Cold Factor. The primary endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) included cardiovascular death, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke.
April 24th, 2026 — Source or Source

Improving cardiovascular risk prediction in Latin America and the Caribbean: SCORE2-LAC
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction models are used to identify people who benefit most from preventive action. These models integrate information on risk factors such as age, sex, smoking status, blood pressure and cholesterol levels to provide an estimate of an individual's risk of developing CVD.
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Lipoprotein(a) linked to elevated cardiovascular risk despite standard treatment
New data analyzing more than 20,000 patients from three major NIH studies show that elevated Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is associated with residual cardiovascular risk and warrants aggressive risk reduction. Researchers presented the data at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 2026 Scientific Sessions and the Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology/Association Canadienne de cardiologie d'intervention (CAIC-ACCI) Summit in Montreal.
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Preliminary model developed to improve cardiovascular risk prediction in Latin America and the Caribbean
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction models are used to identify people who benefit most from preventive action. These models integrate information on risk factors such as age, sex, smoking status, blood pressure and cholesterol levels to provide an estimate of an individual's risk of developing CVD. Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation 2 (SCORE2) is the risk prediction model implemented in ESC Guidelines. SCORE2 estimates the 10-year risk of fatal and nonfatal CVD (myocardial infarction and stroke) among apparently healthy adults aged 40--69 years without previous CVD or diabetes.
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Radial arterial access demonstrates procedural safety for the treatment of peripheral artery disease
Results from the largest real-world propensity-matched comparison to date show that radial-to-peripheral (R2P) access achieves procedural success rates comparable to traditional common femoral artery (CFA) access for lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) revascularization. However, six-month major adverse limb events (MALE) were higher in the R2P group, predominantly driven by target vessel revascularization (TVR).
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Why ancestry matters in the cardiac screening of elite soccer players
Athletes of Black ethnicity are typically considered as a single group, despite substantial heterogeneity in ancestral origin. We conducted an analysis of elite male football players, analyzing electrical and structural heart measurements and major cardiac conditions by regional ancestry."
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 23rd, 2026

A free shower is the least older people can expect. But aged care funding misses one key point
This week, we learned older people in home-based aged care will no longer have to pay out-of-pocket for showering, dressing and continence care.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

A molecular 'cork' reveals how cells control growth
How do cells know when to activate or slow down their activity? A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) provides new insights by studying TORC2, an essential but still poorly understood protein complex. Using ultra-high-resolution imaging, scientists were able to observe its structure in detail for the first time.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Exercise may be safer for children with heart conditions
Physical activity in children and teenagers with cardiomyopathy (conditions that affect the heart muscle's structure and function, impairing its ability to pump or fill effectively), as well as children with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may be safer than previous research suggested, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published today in the Association's flagship peer-reviewed journal Circulation.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Drug-coated balloons reduce the need for permanent heart stents
A new sub-study suggests that using a sirolimus-eluting balloon (SEB), a drug-coated balloon, can reduce the number of stents a patient may need, making it a safe and effective way to treat certain heart attacks or unstable chest pain.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Early heart pump use improves survival in patients experiencing cardiogenic shock
Early heart pump use improves survival in patients experiencing cardiogenic shock
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Google search trends reflect a shift toward minimally invasive heart care
New research found that public interest in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) increased substantially over the last decade, with Google search volume rising by 340% from 2015 to 2025, while searches for SAVR (Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement) declined by 42%. These trends parallel a shift in practice, as clinicians doubled TAVR use between 2015 and 2021.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

'Leave-nothing-behind' strategy works as well as drug-eluting stent for heart attack and chest pain patients
A new sub-study suggests that using a sirolimus-eluting balloon (SEB), a drug-coated balloon, can reduce the number of stents a patient may need, making it a safe and effective way to treat certain heart attacks or unstable chest pain.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Minimally invasive percutaneous arterial bypass shows strong outcome regardless of distal vessel flow
New findings from a DETOUR2 substudy show that minimally invasive percutaneous transmural arterial bypass (PTAB) may offer a promising alternative to traditional leg bypass surgery for patients with complex peripheral arterial disease (PAD), even when distal vessel run off is severely limited.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source or Source

Severe strokes linked to 5 times higher dementia risk
As stroke severity increases, the risk of progressive cognitive decline and dementia substantially escalates, according to a national study led by Michigan Medicine researchers. People with the most severe strokes had five times higher odds of developing dementia and showed cognitive decline equivalent to being more than two years older at baseline compared with people who did not have a stroke. The results are published in JAMA Network Open.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Shock initiative demonstrates over 70% survival in patients with cardiogenic shock
Findings from the Can Escalation Reduce Acute Myocardial Infarction Mortality in Cardiogenic Shock (CERAMICS) registry demonstrate that early use of a small heart pump improves outcomes in patients experiencing a severe form of heart failure called cardiogenic shock after suffering from a heart attack and undergoing a stenting procedure.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Specific intestinal fungi play role in the pathogenesis of MASLD and cardiovascular disease
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). While gut bacteria have been linked to CVD, the role of intestinal fungi in subclinical coronary atherosclerosis (SCA) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the gut mycobiome and SCA in MASLD.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

TAVR Google searches surge over 300% in a decade: Corresponds with expanded adoption of transcatheter approaches
New research found that public interest in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) increased substantially over the last decade, with Google search volume rising by 340% from 2015 to 2025, while searches for SAVR (Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement) declined by 42%. These trends parallel a shift in practice, as clinicians doubled TAVR use between 2015 and 2021.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Tirzepatide significantly reduces cardiovascular risk in high-risk patients
Two new studies show that tirzepatide, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (RA), significantly reduces cardiovascular risk in high-risk patients, including those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and those with obesity undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Transcatheter valve replacement helps patients with limited heart care options
Findings from the AltaValve™ Early Feasibility Study suggest that patients with a leaky mitral valve have sustained clinical benefits one year following atrial fixation Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR). Researchers presented the late-breaking data today at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 2026 Scientific Sessions & Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology/Association Canadienne de cardiologie d'intervention (CAIC-ACCI) Summit in Montreal.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Treatment goals guide cardiogenic shock care more often in women
New findings from the Northwell-Shock Registry show that while women with acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) are less likely to receive invasive treatments, clinical decisions are driven by objective markers of illness severity rather than sex. However, the framing for those decisions differs between men and women, suggesting significant differences in how treatment options are discussed with patients and caregivers.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 17th, 2026

Blood pressure drug effective for treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, study finds
Infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria are difficult to treat and are responsible for over 2.8 million infections and more than 35,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. A new study in Nature Communications reports that a drug used to lower blood pressure could also be the basis of a promising new treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
April 17th, 2026 — Source

How long does a transplanted heart last?
Heart transplant surgeon Raymond Lee, MD, explains what patients can expect after a heart transplant—including how long the heart will last. The average lifespan of a transplanted heart is about 10 years, though outcomes vary from patient to patient.
April 17th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 14th, 2026

A new heart failure pacing option may reduce repeat surgeries and shorten implant procedures
Left bundle branch area pacing is an effective and practical strategy for cardiac resynchronization, according to a late-breaking science presentation at EHRA 2026, the annual congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
April 14th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 13th, 2026

Bayer receives MHRA approval for Kerendia® (finerenone) in adults with heart failure with LVEF ≥ 40 %
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted approval for Kerendia® (finerenone), a non-steroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (nsMRA), for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure (HF) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 40 %, in adults in the UK. The new indication covers both the heart failure phenotypes of heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
April 13th, 2026 — Source

Heart failure found to be common in people with atrial fibrillation detected during screening
Heart failure is common in people who have atrial fibrillation detected during screening, according to a presentation today at EHRA 2026 the annual congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
April 13th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 11th, 2026

Expanding the fight against heart disease: Q&A with specialist who welcomes shift to more aggressive recommendations
U.S. medical organizations are looking to reduce deaths caused by heart disease, the nation's No. 1 killer, with new guidelines that reframe prevention as a lifelong battle that begins with testing in childhood.
April 11th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 9th, 2026

AI model suggests CPAP can massively swing heart risk in sleep apnea
Mount Sinai researchers have created an analytic tool using machine learning that can predict cardiovascular disease risk in millions of patients with obstructive sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder, according to findings recently published in Communications Medicine. The team said their study is the first to provide estimates of whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a widely used therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, will increase or decrease an individual's cardiovascular risk.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

AI-powered portable sensor enables rapid and multiplexed cardiac biomarker testing
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 20 million deaths each year. Rapid diagnosis and risk assessment of cardiac injury are therefore essential for improving patient outcomes.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

CPR goes high-tech: Transesophageal echocardiography turns blind compressions into precision hits
By conducting the world's first randomized clinical trial, researchers have demonstrated that while overall survival rates remained comparable in this initial phase, TEE-guided precision CPR enhances end-tidal CO2 levels (indicating better CPR quality and forward blood flow), transforming traditional "blind" compressions into a data-driven science. This research, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, paves the way for individually customized resuscitation, challenging global standards to maximize survival for millions worldwide.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Low-cost care model reduces blood pressure in high-risk populations
NIH-supported clinical trial shows coordinated care strategy more effective than standard care
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Meet the women using AI to detect hidden heart disease
Australian startup Sonorus is developing an AI algorithm that can identify signs of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) within minutes, simply by analysing heart sounds. Showcased at the recent SXSW Sydney Tech and Innovation Showcase, Sonorus' AI is trained on cardiovascular audio to pick up signs of heart disease that might otherwise go undetected.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Multifaceted clinic strategy helps low-income patients lower blood pressure faster
A multifaceted, team-based care strategy significantly reduced blood pressure (BP) in low-income patients with uncontrolled hypertension, according to a study led by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Their findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, could eventually lead to the widespread use of this strategy at primary care clinics across the country.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Self-employed Hispanic women may be at lower risk for cardiovascular disease compared with their salaried counterparts
Self-employed Hispanic women report less high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, poor health, and binge drinking compared to Hispanic women working for salary or wages, new research suggests.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Smartwatches could predict risk of hospitalization due to heart failure
Paula Vanderpluym's smartwatch may look like a small part of her wardrobe, but to a team of researchers in Toronto, it represents something bigger: the potential to proactively care for people living with heart failure. A new study led by researchers at University Health Network and the University of Toronto shows that data from a consumer smartwatch can detect early signs of worsening heart failure—days to weeks before unplanned medical care is needed.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 8th, 2026

A wearable ring could help assess your cardiovascular health while you sleep
Consumer wearables have become everyday tools for monitoring sleep and physical activity. Researchers at the Centre for Sleep and Cognition at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) have now shown that their capabilities may extend further: pulse signals recorded overnight carry enough information to estimate vascular age, a key indicator of cardiovascular health.
April 8th, 2026 — Source

How the microprotein BRICK1 repairs and protects the heart after a heart attack
Every year, more than 200,000 people in Germany suffer a heart attack. This is caused by blocked coronary arteries. As a result, part of the heart muscle is no longer supplied with sufficient blood and oxygen; the tissue dies within a few hours and forms scar tissue. Severe heart failure (cardiac insufficiency) is a possible consequence.
April 8th, 2026 — Source

Little-used cholesterol test could prevent more heart attacks and strokes
A routine blood test taken by millions in the U.S. each year to measure "bad" cholesterol is not the best measure to guide treatment and prevent heart attacks and strokes, suggests a new Northwestern Medicine study published in JAMA. The study found that another blood test called apolipoprotein B (apoB) outperformed LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in guiding cholesterol-lowering therapy, such as taking statins and other medications.
April 8th, 2026 — Source

New MRI method tracks transplanted heart stem cells for months
Researchers at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto have demonstrated a new way to monitor transplanted stem-cell-derived heart cells using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The method allows researchers to visualize where transplanted cells survive over time, which could help scientists evaluate and improve emerging stem cell therapies for heart damage such as those caused by heart attacks.
April 8th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 6th, 2026

AED algorithm could improve location of lifesaving devices
Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University investigators and colleagues created an algorithm designed to use data on sudden cardiac arrests to determine the best public locations for lifesaving devices called automated external defibrillators.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Irregular bedtimes double heart risk for those getting below 8 hours
New wearable-based research reveals that not just how long you sleep, but how consistently you go to bed, could significantly shape your long-term heart health, especially if you're not getting enough rest.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Remote monitoring technology helps Brooklyn resident manage high blood pressure
When 57-year-old Brooklyn resident Timothy Rhonda visited Park Ridge Family Health Center at NYU Langone with dangerously high blood pressure, he worried he might once again end up in the hospital. Instead, to his surprise and great relief, his care team handed him a device no larger than a standard blood pressure cuff—giving him the ability to manage his condition from home safely.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Study identifies genetic drivers of resistant hypertension
Cedars-Sinai investigators have identified distinct genetic variants associated with resistant hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that remains uncontrolled despite medication. Their findings, published in the journal Hypertension, suggest potential targets for diagnosing and treating this serious condition.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Health — Longevity — April 6th, 2026

Study outlines life-enhancement paths for those in long-term care facilities
A University at Buffalo study of older adults transitioning to long-term care has identified "life-enhancing" activities to counteract loneliness, sadness, and isolation. In the study, published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, researchers in the schools of Nursing and Public Health and Health Professions observed 20 life-enhancement activity sessions in a Canadian long-term care facility in September 2024 to see what really influences engagement among older adults. The researchers tracked things like self-initiative, social interaction, emotional expression, and distractions.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 2nd, 2026

ACC: Intensive LDL cholesterol targeting beneficial for patients with atherosclerotic CVD
For patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), targeting a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level of <55 mg/dL results in a lower risk for cardiovascular events, according to a study published online March 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology, held from March 28 to 30 in New Orleans.
April 2nd, 2026 — Source

US Galaxy Watch Users Can Now Track Their Blood Pressure
The feature has historically been restricted to users outside of the United States.
April 2nd, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — April 1st, 2026

Probing a paradoxical drug response for irregular heartbeat
Irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, can be treated with various procedures or medication, but not all medications work for all patients. In fact, one arrhythmia medication can actually cause arrhythmia in people with a common genetic variant. This problem creates a need for personalized medicine to provide patients with the most beneficial outcome, according to new research from WashU.
April 1st, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — March 31st, 2026

Following 9 key steps for a lifetime of eating well can support heart health, says the AHA
More than half of adults and about 60% of children in the U.S. have unhealthy diets, which can contribute to higher rates of health factors such as high blood pressure and obesity, and lead directly to poor health outcomes including deaths from cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions, according to the American Heart Association.
March 31st, 2026 — Source

How swapping unhealthy foods can significantly reduce your heart risk
More than half of adults and about 60% of children in the U.S. have unhealthy diets, which can contribute to higher rates of health factors such as high blood pressure and obesity, and lead directly to poor health outcomes including deaths from cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions, according to the American Heart Association. Following a lifelong healthy eating pattern may significantly reduce risk and is the basis for an updated scientific statement reflecting the latest nutrition guidance published today in Circulation, the peer-reviewed, flagship journal of the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all.
March 31st, 2026 — Source

Mitral valve-in-valve procedure associated with lower risk of death, disabling strokes
In patients with a poorly functioning bioprosthetic mitral valve in the heart, a minimally invasive procedure to insert a new valve was associated with a lower rate of death or disabling stroke within one year, compared with patients who underwent standard repeat mitral valve replacement surgery, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).
March 31st, 2026 — Source

Sotatercept shows promise for a type of pulmonary hypertension linked to heart failure with preserved EF
Patients who have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) experienced significant improvements in blood pressure and vascular health after taking the drug sotatercept, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).
March 31st, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — March 24th, 2026

Excessive screen time linked to worse cardiovascular risk factors
People who reported spending six or more hours on screens outside of school or work had worse blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) compared with those with more limited screen time, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).
March 24th, 2026 — Source

Extreme cold linked to sharp rise in heart-related deaths
On the heels of one of the coldest winters in memory for large swaths of the country, new research highlights an often overlooked cost of cold weather: months with lower temperatures see significantly greater rates of death from heart attacks, strokes and coronary artery disease than milder months. According to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26), hotter temperatures were also associated with increases in cardiovascular deaths, but at a more modest rate.
March 24th, 2026 — Source

Medical societies call for 'ALARA+' safety standard to reduce radiation and injury risks in fluoroscopy labs
Nine leading medical societies are calling for updated safety standards in fluoroscopy laboratories, often called "cath labs," where clinicians performing minimally invasive procedures face radiation exposure and orthopedic injuries from heavy protective equipment.
March 24th, 2026 — Source

New 4D model advances precision treatment for heart failure
A made-in-Calgary 4D heart model is transforming treatment for heart failure patients having a specialized pacemaker inserted, called cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In a clinical trial, published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, Dr. James White, MD, and his team found a clear benefit to using the model to target treatment.
March 24th, 2026 — Source

Transportation noise linked to higher risk of major cardiac events
Living in areas with consistently higher levels of noise from transportation was associated with a significantly higher risk of major adverse cardiac events compared with living in quieter areas, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26). Researchers suggest that implementing strategies to reduce exposure to traffic noise from roads, railways and aviation corridors may be a new target for urban planning and improving the heart health of communities.
March 24th, 2026 — Source or Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — March 20th, 2026

AI outperforms conventional diagnosis for certain types of heart attacks
In patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a specific change on an ECG, called an ST elevation, is an indicator that the patient may have an occlusion in a coronary artery. This type of heart attack is known as an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and it requires immediate percutaneous coronary intervention to restore the heart's blood flow.
March 20th, 2026 — Source

AI tool shows promise in diagnosing advanced heart failure
Applying artificial intelligence techniques to cardiac ultrasound data may make it easier to identify patients with advanced heart failure, a new study has found. The study—led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell Tech, Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and NewYork-Presbyterian—offers the prospect of better care for many thousands of patients who may be overlooked due to the difficulty of diagnosing their condition.
March 20th, 2026 — Source

Higher blood pressure during young adulthood linked to heart and kidney disease after age 40
Higher blood pressure during young adulthood is likely linked to a higher risk of heart disease and kidney disease later in life, reinforcing the importance of maintaining healthy blood pressure at younger ages, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026. The meeting is in Boston, March 17--20, and offers the latest epidemiological science on prevention, lifestyle and cardiometabolic health.
March 20th, 2026 — Source

'How low can you go?' The shifting guidelines for blood pressure control
The patient initially came to see Mark Supiano in 2017 because her family was concerned about her short-term memory loss.
March 20th, 2026 — Source

This common vaccine cuts heart risk nearly in half in new study
A simple shingles vaccine may secretly be one of the most powerful heart protectors yet.
March 20th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — March 18th, 2026

Linking adiposity and inflammation with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality
Life's Essential 8 (LE8) and Life's Crucial 9 (LC9) from the American Heart Association are industry-accepted metrics that summarize overall cardiovascular health. A new study documents inverse associations between these indicators and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in postmenopausal women.
March 18th, 2026 — Source

Long dismissed in adult health, the thymus may be critical for longevity and cancer treatment
Two new studies from investigators at Mass General Brigham challenge a decades-old assumption that the thymus, an organ best known for its role in establishing immune function in childhood, becomes irrelevant in adulthood. Using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze routine CT scans, researchers uncovered that adults with a healthy thymus had increased longevity and reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer.
March 18th, 2026 — Source

Premature menopause raises long-term heart risk by 40%, large study reveals
Women who enter natural menopause before age 40 face about a 40% higher lifetime risk of developing coronary heart disease than women who experience menopause later, according to a large Northwestern Medicine study that is the first to calculate lifetime heart risk associated with premature menopause.
March 18th, 2026 — Source

Quitting Ozempic Could Hit Your Heart Hard, Study Finds
New research reaffirms that GLP-1s can help prevent heart attacks, but only as long as you're taking them.
March 18th, 2026 — Source

Stopping GLP-1 drugs can quickly erase cardiovascular benefits
Following a rapid increase in popularity of GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight loss, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, approximately one in eight U.S. adults now take these medications, which also provide cardiovascular benefits. However, when patients stop taking these drugs, they not only regain weight, but, according to a new study, they also incur increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death compared to staying on the medication.
March 18th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — March 16th, 2026

Clinicians show modest response to elevated lipoprotein levels in low-risk patients
Elevated Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent, genetically determined risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), with levels >50 mg/dL affecting 20--30% of the global population. Despite therapeutic limitations, interest in Lp(a) has increased, driven by its prognostic value and the emergence of targeted therapies. However, with increasing guideline-directed Lp(a) testing, clinician response to elevated concentrations, especially in the absence of guideline-based treatment indications, remains unclear.
March 16th, 2026 — Source

Studies suggest Maine wild blueberries support gut and heart health
Wild blueberries—the iconic Maine crop dotting hillsides, decorating sweatshirts and adding personality to local menus—is more than a cultural symbol. More than 20 years of preclinical and clinical studies suggest that regularly consuming wild blueberries supports gut and heart health and may reduce risk factors associated with chronic disease.
March 16th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — March 13th, 2026

Robot-assisted system found to be feasible for diagnostic cerebral angiography
Digital subtraction angiography remains the gold standard for diagnosing cerebrovascular diseases, including intracranial aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and arterial stenosis. However, the procedure requires operators to work under fluoroscopic guidance, resulting in prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation. To address this issue, vascular interventional robotic systems have been developed to allow operators to perform procedures remotely from the radiation zone.
March 13th, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — March 12th, 2026

A single blood test can predict heart diseases up to 15 years before onset
A research team from the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) has developed an innovative AI-based cardiovascular risk prediction tool, called CardiOmicScore. With a single blood test, the system can accurately forecast the future risk of six major cardiovascular diseases (CVDs): coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, and venous thromboembolism.
March 12, 2026 — Source

MXenes move closer to real world use in energy storage and medicine
Beyond graphene, a new class of 2D materials called MXenes shows promise for energy storage and medicine, with recent breakthroughs in modeling and synthesis.
March 12, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — March 11th, 2026

16-year study finds major health burden in single‑ventricle heart disease
Children born with single-ventricle heart disease, a rare and serious heart defect, often undergo multiple surgeries in their first years of life. A new study shows the challenges for these children can last well into adolescence and sometimes throughout their lives.
March 11, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — March 5th, 2026

High use of anticholinergic drugs linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk
People who use drugs with anticholinergic effects, including certain antidepressants, drugs for urinary incontinence and common antihistamines, are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
March 5, 2026 — Source

New heart finding linked with major health conditions in older age
The way the body responds to standing up can impact health in older age, surprising new research has found. The team discovered that about one-third of people experience a significant drop in cardiovascular output, or the amount of blood pumped around the body per minute, when they stand up.
March 5, 2026 — Source

Planning post-stroke care: Calculator predicts six-month memory and thinking problems
Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a "Stroke Cognition Calculator," a new tool designed to estimate a person's chance of having thinking and memory problems six months after a stroke.
March 5, 2026 — Source

Real-time imaging of microplastics in the body improves understanding of health risks
Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic fragments with sizes ranging from millimeters (<5 mm) to nanometers, have become a growing environmental and public health concern. First identified in the 1970s, these particles are now omnipresent in water, soil, air, and everyday products, such as detergents and cosmetics.
March 5, 2026 — Source

Research reveals medication information risks in aged care
A new report from Griffith University has found that fragmented medication systems in Australian aged care are driving high rates of medication discrepancies and avoidable hospital admissions—costing the health system an estimated $312 million annually.
March 5, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — March 3rd, 2026

3D-printed model offers chance for surgeons to rehearse heart surgeries
Washington State University researchers have developed a 3D-printed model of the left side of the heart that contracts and beats, offering the chance for surgeons and medical students to rehearse important heart surgeries on a model that acts like the real thing.
March 4, 2026 — Source

Air pollution from wildfires linked to higher rate of stroke
"Wildfire smoke contains pollutants like ozone and particulate matter, so it is more than a nuisance, it can be a public health hazard," said study author Elizabeth Cerceo, MD, of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden, New Jersey.
March 3, 2026 — Source

GLP-1 drugs may cut risk of major heart complications after heart attack
Weight-loss (GLP-1 mimicking) drugs may help prevent further tissue damage following a heart attack, significantly reducing the risk of further life-threatening complications that affect up to half of all patients, according to a new study led by the University of Bristol and University College London (UCL).
March 3, 2026 — Source

Microbial taxa more likely to be found in people with dyslipidemia
Before the onset of cardiovascular disease symptoms, people often develop dyslipidemia, or abnormal levels of lipids in the blood. Recent studies suggest that microbes in the gut play an important role in how the body produces, regulates and degrades lipids, but the connection isn't clear.
March 4, 2026 — Mississippi medical center reopens clinics hit by ransomware attack
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) says it has resumed normal operations, nine days after a ransomware attack blocked access to electronic medical records and took down many of its IT systems.
March 4, 2026 — Source

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'Mini hearts' show COVID-19 virus directly infects heart tissue
Researchers from the Centenary Institute and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have developed a human heart cell model demonstrating that the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) can directly infect heart tissue, providing new insight into why some people experience serious heart complications during and after infection.
March 3, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — March 2nd, 2026

Mapping a fish's developing heart opens new avenues for understanding several congenital heart diseases
Just in time for Heart Month, the laboratory of University de Montreal medical professor and CHU Sainte-Justine researcher Ruben Marín‑Juez has unveiled the first comprehensive atlas of coronary vessel development in the zebrafish. Led by Ph.D. student Muhammad Abdul Rouf and the fruit of several years of meticulous analysis, this large‑scale work traces—with unprecedented single‑cell resolution—how vessels form and interact with the cardiac muscle.
March 2, 2026 — Source

Poor oral health in childhood linked to higher incidence of cardiovascular disease in adulthood
A tooth cavity and bleeding gums is a common scenario among Danish children -- and one that researchers now connect to health problems long after the last baby tooth has left the mouth.
March 2, 2026 — Source

Study shows the heart can be protected during chemotherapy without reducing antitumor efficacy
Advances in cancer treatment mean that more people than ever are surviving the disease. However, some of the most effective anticancer drugs—a class of medicines called anthracyclines—can cause serious damage to the heart. In some patients, this cardiac damage appears months or even years after treatment and has a major impact on quality of life.
March 2, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — February 24th, 2026

Gut microbes can affect the heart via the brain
Hypertension and heart failure affect millions worldwide. Yet in many patients, doctors cannot fully explain why the heart becomes stiff and struggles to relax—a condition known as diastolic dysfunction.
February 24, 2026 — Source

Molecular switch for treatment after heart attack discovered
More than 300,000 people suffer a heart attack in Germany every year. The heart muscle is then no longer supplied with sufficient blood and oxygen, and part of the tissue dies and scars. Unlike the liver, the heart of an adult human can hardly regenerate. However, it is capable of initiating limited repair processes. Macrophages play an important role in this process. These giant phagocytes of the innate immune system remove dead tissue and initiate the subsequent—albeit limited—self-healing process. However, the immune cells are ambivalent and can also trigger negative processes that lead to chronic heart failure (cardiac insufficiency).
February 24, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — February 17th, 2026

A potential new lymphedema target: Clearing cholesterol deposits to reduce swelling
An international team led by National University of Singapore researchers has linked secondary lymphedema to excessive cholesterol buildup inside skin and around lymphatic vessels. Excess cholesterol deposition tracked with dermal fat cell enlargement, fat cell dysfunction, cell death, and fibrosis, while cholesterol-clearing interventions reduced swelling and improved lymphatic drainage in mouse models, alongside reduced tissue cholesterol and clinical procedures that improved drainage.
February 17, 2026 — Source

Redefining cardiovascular care for women
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death for women across the globe, yet significant progress has been made in prevention, diagnosis and management thanks to more sex-specific research, as noted in a special Go Red for Women issue of Circulation, the American Heart Association's flagship, peer-reviewed scientific journal, published today.
February 17, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — February 15th, 2026

New clue to treating hypertension: Blocking a brain receptor may calm blood pressure signals
The human body is often described in parts—different limbs, systems, and organs—rather than something fully interconnected and whole. Yet many bodily processes interact in ways we may not always recognize. For example, researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine may have found a link between high blood pressure and an overactive nervous system.
February 15, 2026 — Source

Stop eating 3 hours before bed to improve heart health
Closing the kitchen earlier may help your heart reset overnight.
February 15, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — February 14th, 2026

Best Omega-3 Supplements for Supporting a Healthy Heart
If you're looking for the best omega-3 supplement because of dietary restrictions or a chronic condition, these are great heart-healthy options.
February 14, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — February 12th, 2026

Guidelines released for safe telehealth use in cardiovascular care
A new position statement from the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) and the Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association (ACRA) underscores telehealth as a critical tool for cardiovascular care, and provides best practice guidance for safe use by clinicians.
February 12, 2026 — Source

Non-contractile heart cells help sustain persistent atrial fibrillation, study reveals
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common chronic cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice, is very challenging to treat once it becomes persistent, after which spontaneous return to normal rhythm becomes highly unlikely. A multidisciplinary study led by the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) and published in Circulation Research provides a new perspective on why this arrhythmia can persist long-term, highlighting the key role of non-contractile cardiac cells.
February 12, 2026 — Source

Novel cardiac MRI guides surgery in children
With a new MRI technique that shows both heart tissue and blood flow simultaneously, physicians can see where heart defects occur and precisely plan to repair them, according to new research published today in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
February 12, 2026 — Source

Public preparedness key to improving cardiac arrest survival
When a medical emergency happens, time matters and a quick response is needed. During American Heart Month 2026, the National Fraternal Order of Police joins the American Heart Association in urging Americans everywhere to be the help until help arrives and learn how to respond in a medical emergency such as cardiac arrest -- when providing help like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be the difference between life and death.
February 12, 2026 — Source

Sleep‑aligned fasting improves key heart and blood‑sugar markers
A new Northwestern Medicine study has personalized overnight fasting by aligning it with individuals' circadian sleep-wake rhythm—an important regulator of cardiovascular and metabolic function—without changing their caloric intake.
February 12, 2026 — Source

Study highlights key role of non-contractile cardiac cells in persistent atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common chronic cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice, is very challenging to treat once it becomes persistent, after which spontaneous return to normal rhythm becomes highly unlikely. A multidisciplinary study led by the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) and published in Circulation Research now provides a new perspective on why this arrhythmia can persist long-term, highlighting the key role of non-contractile cardiac cells.
February 12, 2026 — Source

Trained laypeople improve blood pressure control in rural Africa, research shows
In rural regions of Africa, high blood pressure often goes untreated because health centers are far away and there is a shortage of health professionals. A study in Lesotho shows that, with the help of a tablet app, villagers who have received training achieve better blood pressure control in their village community compared to normal treatment in health care facilities.
February 12, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — February 11th, 2026

Biochemical markers could improve diagnosis of hidden heart injuries after chest trauma
Researchers are exploring a new generation of biochemical markers that may help clinicians detect myocardial contusion, a frequently overlooked form of heart injury caused by blunt chest trauma, earlier and more accurately. The review, published in the European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, highlights the diagnostic potential of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), including HMGB1 protein and circulating histones, which are released during post-traumatic inflammation.
February 11, 2026 — Source

Early stroke sign and symptom recognition tool for Spanish-speaking populations shows promise
The Spanish-language stroke-recognition acronym RÁPIDO, which was developed at UTHealth Houston, shows encouraging results in boosting early stroke awareness among Spanish-speaking adults. These results were recently published in the journal Stroke.
February 11, 2026 — Source

Heart disease risk factors appear at younger age among South Asian adults in the U.S., study finds
South Asian adults in the U.S. are more likely to have risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by age 45 when compared to white, Black, Chinese or Hispanic adults in the same age group, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. These ASCVD risk factors can lead to earlier heart disease if they are not treated and managed.
February 11, 2026 — Source

Healthy low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets may improve cardiovascular health
The quality of a low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet may matter more than the amount of carbohydrates or fat consumed when it comes to reducing heart disease risk, according to a new study published in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology. Researchers found that versions of both diet patterns emphasizing macronutrients from healthy foods were associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), while versions high in refined carbohydrates and animal products were linked to higher risk and adverse metabolic profiles.
February 11, 2026 — Source

Healthy versions of low-carb and low-fat diets linked to better cardiovascular and metabolic health
Researchers found that versions of both diet patterns emphasizing macronutrients from healthy foods were associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), while versions high in refined carbohydrates and animal products were linked to higher risk and adverse metabolic profiles.
February 11, 2026 — Source

New analysis links flu vaccination to 18% lower odds of heart attack
Influenza vaccination is associated with significantly lower odds of myocardial infarction (MI), according to a large meta-analysis published late last week in BMC Public Health. In the study, researchers led by a team from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in Hangzhou, China, gathered data from 15 observational studies, including seven cohort studies, seven case-control studies, and one self-controlled case series. Together, the studies involved 23.5 million people. Most participants were older adults, ranging from approximately 57 to 77 years.
February 11, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — February 6th, 2026

Americans optimistic about heart health prospects, but face an uphill battle, survey suggests
Americans could be facing an uphill battle when it comes to protecting their heart health as they age, a new Cleveland Clinic poll reveals.
February 6, 2026 — Source

Smartwatch study shows stadium atmosphere spikes heart rate and stress levels
Fans of DSC Arminia Bielefeld experience matchday excitement far more intensely in the stadium than in front of the television when watching football (soccer). A study from Bielefeld University demonstrates clear differences in heart rate and stress levels during the 2025 cup final of the German Football Association (DFB). According to the study, being physically present in the stadium significantly amplifies reactions to goals and match events. Researchers recorded vital signs from 229 fans over a 12-week period using smartwatches.
February 6, 2026 — Source

STS: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting shows lower perioperative morbidity, mortality than on-pump
Perioperative morbidity and mortality are slightly reduced with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed off-pump (OPCAB) by experienced surgeons, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 in New Orleans.
February 6, 2026 — Source

Study finds 90 minutes weekly activity after ablation linked to fewer atrial fibrillation relapses
New research from CU Anschutz scientists suggests that staying physically active after heart rhythm treatment may significantly reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) returning, offering patients a simple, low-cost way to support long-term heart health.
February 6, 2026 — Source

Synergizing global clinical trials data: GLP-1 receptor agonist safety and novel clinical applications
A research team led by the Department of Medicine, under the School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has synergized the impacts of worldwide clinical trial data through a series of meta-analyses on GLP‑1 receptor agonists, an emerging cardiometabolic drug, offering in-depth insights into its safety profile and novel therapeutic potential in treating cardiovascular diseases.
February 6, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — February 2nd, 2026

Mental health and heart attacks: What a 22-million-person review suggests
The Department of Medicine at University of Calgary led an analysis comparing several clinical mental disorders with risk of acute coronary syndrome, a term that includes heart attack and emergency chest pain resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart. Depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and sleep disorder showed increased risk in pooled estimates, though the evidence for any association was fragile.
February 4, 2026 — Source

New guidance urges faster diagnosis for women under 50 with heart attacks
A major global review has revealed critical gaps in how heart attacks in women are diagnosed and treated—particularly for premenopausal women. The American Heart Association (AHA) today released a new scientific statement led by Australian cardiologist Professor Jason Kovacic, warning current clinical practices may be costing women their lives. The statement is published in the journal Circulation.
February 4, 2026 — Source

Overweight and obesity-linked cardiovascular deaths increasing in young Australians, study finds
Higher rates of death among younger Australians from cardiovascular disease has been linked to being overweight or obese, a new study shows.
February 2, 2026 — Source

Risk for poor outcomes lower with faster sodium correction in severe hyponatremia
Dustin G. Mark, M.D., from Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 13,988 adults hospitalized with a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L or lower between 2008 and 2023 at 21 community hospitals to examine the association between sodium correction rates and death or delayed neurologic events. The maximum 24-hour rate of serum sodium correction was characterized as slow (<8 mEq/L), medium (8 to 12 mEq/L), or fast (>12 mEq/L [reference]).
February 4, 2026 — Source

Targeting the 'good' arm after stroke can lead to better motor skills
Traditional stroke rehabilitation therapy focuses on restoring strength and movement to the more impaired side of the body, but a new randomized clinical trial has revealed that targeted therapy for the less impaired arm significantly improved movement and control for stroke survivors. The trial, led by researchers from Penn State and the University of Southern California (USC), compared the new approach to the standard best-practice therapy currently in use.
February 2, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — February 1st, 2026

Aortic hemiarch reconstruction safely matches complex aortic arch reconstruction for acute dissection in older adults
The finding came from a risk-adjusted analysis of 3,562 patients examining long-term survival and surgical reintervention for aortic disease following initial operation for ATAAD. Patient data came from the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD), containing nearly 8.5 million adult cardiac surgery procedure records and linked to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services database. Of the ATAAD patients studied, 74.2% underwent aortic hemiarch replacement and 25.8% underwent extended arch reconstruction at a US hospital between July 2017 and December 2023.
February 1, 2026 — Source

Stroke prevention and treatment during and after pregnancy are key to women's health
Stroke during pregnancy or shortly after delivery is rare, yet it can be life-threatening. Increased awareness and coordinated care of women during pregnancy for stroke risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and recovery are crucial to the health of both mother and baby affected by a stroke, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published in Strokeand endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.
February 1, 2026 — Source

Stroke Risk Could Be Flagged Early Using Apple Watch, Studies Show
The latest research shows that wearables could be a valid way to track your heart health.
February 1, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — January 30th, 2026

Apple Watches prove useful in screening for AFib, studies find
Recent research highlights the effectiveness of Apple Watch in screening for atrial fibrillation (AFib), a prevalent heart rhythm disorder that substantially increases stroke risk.
January 30, 2026 — Source or Source

FIU establishes hub for cardiovascular innovation
With cardiovascular disease remaining the leading cause of death in the United States, this Heart Month (February), FIU is establishing an interdisciplinary center designed to accelerate breakthroughs in heart disease research, education, and innovation.
January 30, 2026 — Source

Immunoglobulin G's overlooked hinge turns out to be a structural control hub
The lower hinge of immunoglobulin G (IgG), an overlooked part of the antibody, acts as a structural and functional control hub, according to a study by researchers at Science Tokyo. Deleting a single amino acid in this region transforms a full-length antibody into a stable half-IgG1 molecule with altered immune activity.
January 30, 2026 — Source

Late bedtimes are linked to higher heart disease risk
People who naturally stay up late may be putting their hearts under added strain as they age. A large study tracking more than 300,000 adults found that middle-aged and older night owls had poorer overall heart health and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke than those who were active earlier in the day, with the effect especially pronounced in women. Much of this elevated risk appeared to stem from lifestyle factors common among evening types, including smoking and inadequate sleep.
January 30, 2026 — Source

Natural sunscreen compounds show potential to support skin health and blood pressure
Researchers have discovered that natural "sunscreen" compounds found in algae and cyanobacteria may also support skin and heart health. By comparing two mycosporine-like amino acids, the team showed for the first time that these molecules can block a key enzyme involved in blood pressure control in laboratory tests, while also offering antioxidant and anti-aging effects. The findings open new possibilities for cosmetics and functional foods based on nature-derived ingredients.
January 30, 2026 — Source

New scan spots heart disease years before symptoms
A new imaging technology called fast-RSOM lets researchers see the smallest blood vessels in the body without invasive procedures. It can detect early dysfunction in these vessels — a quiet warning sign of future heart disease — long before symptoms appear. Unlike traditional risk estimates, it measures real changes happening in the body. The portable system could one day be used in routine checkups to catch heart risks earlier.
January 30, 2026 — Source

The early turning point when men's heart risk accelerates
Men's heart disease risk starts rising in their mid-30s, long before most screenings begin.
January 30, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — January 19th, 2026

Human heart regrows muscle cells after heart attack, researchers discove
Pioneering research by experts at the University of Sydney, the Baird Institute and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney has shown that heart muscle cells regrow after a heart attack, opening up the possibility of new regenerative treatments for cardiovascular disease.
January 19, 2026 — Source

New blood test detects subtle clotting changes in heart disease patients
Researchers at Kumamoto University have developed a highly sensitive blood test that can detect subtle differences in how easily blood begins to clot, offering new possibilities for tailoring anticoagulant therapy and understanding disease-specific clotting abnormalities in patients with cardiovascular disease.
January 19, 2026 — Source

New initiative boosts surveillance imaging, cuts mortality after aortic aneurysm repair
Through a statewide partnership, hospitals in Michigan drastically increased the number of patients who receive follow up imaging after undergoing aortic aneurysm repair, according to a recent study.
January 19, 2026 — Source

Q&A with expert in cariology: Resolutions for a healthier new year? Don't forget your oral health
When the calendar flips to a new year, many of us aim to use this blank slate as the time to (finally) lose weight, drink less alcohol, hit the gym regularly or generally adopt healthier habits. When making such resolutions or goals, it's easy to overlook a crucial part of our overall health—the mouth.
January 19, 2026 — Source

'Revoice' device gives stroke patients their voice back
Researchers have developed a wearable, comfortable and washable device called Revoice that could help people regain the ability to communicate naturally and fluently following a stroke, without the need for invasive brain implants.
January 19, 2026 — Source

Study finds high blood pressure before pregnancy linked to shorter breastfeeding duration
A new study by researchers at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine has found that women who have high blood pressure before becoming pregnant are less likely to breastfeed for at least three months and are more likely to stop breastfeeding earlier compared to women without high blood pressure.
January 19, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — January 9th, 2026

Apple Wins Another Round in AliveCor Legal Battle Over Heart Rate Tech
Apple this week secured another victory in its ongoing legal dispute with heart monitoring company AliveCor, after a federal appeals court upheld a 2024 ruling that found Apple's changes to the Apple Watch were lawful product improvements rather than anticompetitive behavior.
January 9, 2026 — Source

Heart condition? The psychologist will see you now
The link between heart disease and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is becoming so clear that some cardiology practices are offering psychological support as part of the treatment.
January 9, 2026 — Source

Need a New Case for Your Hearing Aids? Make Sure You Get the Right Kind.
Protecting your hearing aids from moisture, dust, and impact is easy with the right pick. We looked at popular hearing aid cases to identify those that offer the most protection and value.
January 9, 2026 — Source

New wearable makes measuring heart rate of unborn baby at home more comfortable
A new wearable technology could change how unborn babies are monitored at home. Ph.D. researcher Yijing Zhang (Department of Electrical Engineering) has developed a comfortable, portable garment that allows pregnant women to measure their baby's heartbeat without the need for sticky, uncomfortable gel-based electrode sensors or direct skin contact. The integrated dry electrodes work through clothing, making the process simple and suitable for everyday use.
January 9, 2026 — Source

Time of day of cardiac surgery likely influences postoperative outcomes, study finds
Heart surgery beginning in the late morning is linked to a modest increase in cardiovascular mortality when compared to other times of the day, according to a study led by researchers at The University of Manchester.
January 9, 2026 — Source

What is CPR and who needs it?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a vital skill anyone can perform. It is administered to an unconscious person who is not breathing normally.
January 9, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — January 8th, 2026

Older people are more vulnerable in heat waves. Here's why—and how to stay safe
For vulnerable people, particularly older Australians, this heat is not only uncomfortable but dangerous. High temperatures can worsen existing health problems and in some cases even prove fatal.
January 8, 2026 — Source

Scientists discover how stem cells navigate and repair brain damage after stroke
Some parts of our bodies bounce back from injury in fairly short order. The outer protective layer of the eye-called the cornea-can heal from minor scratches within a single day.
January 8, 2026 — Source

Stem cell therapy for stroke shows how cells find their way in the brain
Some parts of our bodies bounce back from injury in fairly short order. The outer protective layer of the eye—called the cornea—can heal from minor scratches within a single day. The brain is not one of these fast-healing tissues or organs. Adult brain cells are stable and last for a lifetime barring trauma or disease, whereas some cells lining our guts last only five days and must be continually replaced.
January 8, 2026 — Source

Targeting the immune system could prevent future heart attacks, clinical trial suggests
Cambridge researchers have discovered that an existing therapy which boosts protective immune cells in people who recently had heart attacks reduces blood vessel inflammation and may reduce the likelihood of future heart attacks.
January 8, 2026 — Source

Ultrasonic sensor capable enables cuffless, non-invasive blood pressure measurement
A new technology has been developed that enables cuffless noninvasive blood pressure monitoring by using ultrasonic to track real-time changes in vascular diameter—without the need for a traditional cuff. The technology is expected to serve as a core component in future wearable health care devices and smart medical monitoring platforms.
January 8, 2026 — Source

Unique protein signatures linked to ethnicity and changes in physical activity observed in new study
A Leicester study has shed light on why people of South Asian (SA) origin may face a higher risk of cardiometabolic disorders and respond differently to physical activity compared to white European people (WE).
January 8, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — January 7th, 2026

Adrenaline restarts the heart after in-hospital cardiac arrest
Giving adrenaline to hospital patients whose heart has stopped is very effective, and can increase the chance of bringing their heart rate back to normal by a factor of five.
January 7, 2026 — Source or Source

Cholesterol-lowering drug can overcome chemotherapy resistance in triple-negative breast cancer, researchers discover
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is among the most aggressive types of breast cancer, lacking estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors and thus relying primarily on cytotoxic chemotherapy. Despite initial responsiveness, many patients experience rapid relapse driven by cancer stem-like cells that survive chemotherapy and seed metastasis.
January 7, 2026 — Source or Source

Cooler bedroom temperatures help the heart recover during sleep, finds study
Maintaining a bedroom temperature of 24°C (75°F) at night while sleeping reduces stress responses in older adults, according to new Griffith University research published in the journal BMC Medicine.
January 7, 2026 — Source

Mobile technology improves sleep apnea diagnosis after a stroke
Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by repeated obstructions or collapses of the upper airway during sleep. These interruptions to breathing reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood. Stroke patients are at high risk, as they experience poorer sleep quality and have a higher prevalence of sleep disorders, such as insomnia and respiratory problems.
January 7, 2026 — Source

New $8.5 million renewal grant fuels research on children's heart health
The National Institutes of Health has awarded the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai an $8.5 million renewal grant to continue groundbreaking work aimed at understanding and improving long-term outcomes for children with congenital heart disease-the most common type of birth defect in the United States.
January 7, 2026 — Source

Utah launches AI pilot for prescription refills
With the program, the first of its kind, patients with chronic conditions can obtain legally authorized, automated prescription refills for pharmacists to process.
January 7, 2026 — Source or Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — January 6th, 2026

AI-powered ECG analysis shows promise for early COPD detection
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Effective management hinges on early diagnosis, which is often impeded by non-specific symptoms and resource-intensive diagnostic methods. A study published in the journal eBioMedicine assesses the effectiveness of electrocardiograms (ECGs) analyzed via deep learning as a tool for early COPD detection.
January 6, 2026 — Source

FDA approves Myqorzo for symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Myqorzo (aficamten) for the treatment of adults with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM). Approval of Myqorzo was granted to Cytokinetics.
January 6, 2026 — Source

First minimally invasive coronary artery bypass achieved
For high-risk patients, the method could offer a safer alternative to open-heart surgery.
January 6, 2026 — Source

Flaws in lab-grown heart cells point the way to better treatments
A study led by Maria Carmo-Fonseca at GIMM has helped clarify one of the main limitations of lab-grown heart cells, which are widely used around the world to study heart disease and test new drugs. Although these cells make it possible to investigate the human heart without invasive procedures or animal models, they still fail to fully reproduce the characteristics of real heart cells, which can compromise the accuracy of certain studies.
January 6, 2026 — Source

Researchers achieve the first minimally invasive coronary artery bypass
For high-risk patients, the method could offer a safer alternative to open-heart surgery.
January 6, 2026 — Source

Researchers successfully perform coronary artery bypass without cutting the chest wall
In a world-first, a team of researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, has successfully performed a coronary artery bypass - a normally open-heart surgery - without cutting the chest wall. The team employed a novel intervention to prevent the blockage of a vital coronary artery, which is a very rare but often lethal complication following a heart-valve replacement. The results suggest that, in the future, a less traumatic alternative to open-heart surgery could become widely available for those at risk of coronary artery obstruction.
January 6, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — January 5th, 2026

AI uncovers two distinct multiple sclerosis types
Artificial intelligence (AI), using a simple blood test combined with standard brain images has, for the first time, been able to identify two biologically distinct types of multiple sclerosis (MS), in research led by UCL and Queen Square Analytics, a UCL spinout company.
January 5, 2026 — Source

Trump says he takes high-dose aspirin, links it to hand bruising
President Donald Trump, 79, says he takes a higher daily dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend, a choice he says explains the bruising that's often seen on his hands.
January 5, 2026 — Source

Withings Body Scan 2 Unveiled at CES 2026 With AI-Powered Hypertension Detection
Withings has announced the Body Scan 2 at CES 2026, introducing advanced health tracking features like AI-based hypertension and prediabetes risk detection without a blood pressure cuff. While expensive at $599.95, it offers deeper insights and early warnings for users serious about long-term health monitoring.
January 5, 2026 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — December 20th, 2025

Improving diagnosis of aortic stenosis with genetics and AI
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve, which connects the heart to the rest of the body. It affects millions of people and can be fatal if left untreated. At present, there are no effective medical therapies to prevent or slow its progression. The only effective treatments are surgery or percutaneous valve replacement when the valve has become severely narrowed.
December 20, 2025 — Source

Rethinking recurrent brain activity: Core neurons provide an alternative explanation
Neuroscientists have been trying to understand how the human brain supports numerous advanced capabilities for centuries. The cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain, is now known to be responsible for many of these capabilities, including reasoning, decision-making, the processing of sensory information and voluntary movement.
December 20, 2025 — Source

You finally got a doctor's appointment. Here's how to get the most out of it
It's not unusual for a 20-something to text Mom in a panic from the doctor's office, seeking help answering a question. And patients of any age can struggle to recall all their medicines—or forget to mention a concern.
December 20, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — December 19th, 2025

Key protein ACE2 could protect against high blood pressure and diabetes
Proteins circulating in the blood can reveal what's happening in the body, from how we process energy to how diseases develop. Unlike genetic testing, which shows fixed risk factors from birth, protein analysis provides a real‐time picture of health and disease.
December 19, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — December 15th, 2025

Combination pills for high blood pressure may simplify treatment, improve long-term health
The new scientific statement, Single-Pill Combination Therapy for the Management of Hypertension, details the latest clinical evidence surrounding the use of single-pill combination medications for patients with high blood pressure, strategies to implement single-pill combinations into clinical practice and knowledge gaps that require further investigation.
December 15, 2025 — Source

Hypertension notifications now available on Apple Watch in India
Apple Watch has introduced the groundbreaking hypertension notifications feature in India, which can alert users if signs of chronic high blood pressure — or hypertension — are detected.
December 15, 2025 — Source

Reducing saturated fat intake shows mortality benefit, but only in high-risk individuals, review suggests
A systematic review of 17 randomized trials found that among high cardiovascular risk individuals, reducing saturated fat was linked to lower all-cause mortality and possible reductions in cardiovascular deaths, heart attacks, and strokes. Notably, the greatest benefit for preventing nonfatal heart attacks occurred when saturated fats were replaced with polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) rather than simply reducing them.
December 15, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — December 12th, 2025

Arctic pluspange to bring sub-zero temps and snow; take extra care to stay heart healthy
A significant Arctic blast expected to hit the U.S. starting later this week will bring the coldest air of the season, dangerous wind, heavy snow—and the risk of heart issues—to those living in communities from the Great Plains to the Great Lakes. The exertion of shoveling snow in extreme cold can be deadly. According to the American Heart Association, the world's leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, research shows that the exertion of shoveling snow may lead to an increased risk of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest.
December 12, 2025 — Source

Blood test reveals clearer prognosis after cardiac arrest
A blood biomarker yet to be used in cardiac arrest care can give a clearer picture of the extent of brain damage after a cardiac arrest. This has been shown in a large international multicenter study led by researchers at Lund University that has been published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. Worldwide, around four million people each year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest.
December 12, 2025 — Source

Fat tissue around the heart may contribute to greater heart injury after a heart attack
Increased volume of epicardial adipose tissue, detected by cardiovascular imaging, was found to be associated with greater myocardial injury after a myocardial infarction. These findings were presented at EACVI 2025, the congress of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI).
December 12, 2025 — Source

Increased epicardial fat volume linked to greater myocardial injury after infarction
Increased volume of epicardial adipose tissue, detected by cardiovascular imaging, was found to be associated with greater myocardial injury after a myocardial infarction. These findings were presented today at EACVI 2025, the flagship congress of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
December 12, 2025 — Source

Man shocks doctors with extreme blood pressure, stroke from energy drinks
His blood pressure was 254/150. Readings of 180/120 are considered an emergency.
December 12, 2025 — Source

Scientists find dark chocolate ingredient that slows aging
Scientists have uncovered a surprising link between dark chocolate and slower aging. A natural cocoa compound called theobromine was found in higher levels among people who appeared biologically younger than their real age.
December 12, 2025 — Source

Switching immune cells to 'night mode' could limit damage after a heart attack
Researchers at Yale University School of Medicine have identified a way to suppress the daily fluctuations in the activity of key immune cells known as neutrophils.
December 12, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — December 11th, 2025

AI-based tool may help personalize the treatment of patients with reduced coronary blood flow
Reduced coronary blood flow, measured with an artificial intelligence-based imaging tool, predicted future cardiovascular events in patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease. These findings were presented today at EACVI 2025, the flagship congress of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
December 11, 2025 — Source

Cuffless blood pressure devices show great promise as alternatives to traditional arm-cuff monitors
Cuffless devices to measure blood pressure, such as smartwatches, rings, patches and fingertip monitors, show great promise as alternatives to traditional arm-cuff monitors, however, they are not yet proven accurate enough to diagnose high blood pressure or guide treatment decisions, according to a new scientific statement published today in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.
December 11, 2025 — Source

Sitting for long stretches raises heart and diabetes risks in older people
pending too long sitting raises the risk of heart disease and diabetes in people over 60, warns a major global review.
December 11, 2025 — Source

Smartwatches could offer a privacy-friendly way to verify age online
A new Concordia study published in npj Biomedical Innovations suggests that a simple 30-second electrocardiogram (ECG) reading from a smartwatch could accurately estimate a person's age—potentially offering a secure alternative to facial recognition or ID checks for online age-restricted services.
December 11, 2025 — Source

Soft 'cyborg' cardiac patches could improve stem cell heart repair
Heart muscle cells grown from patient stem cells—known as human induced pluripotent stem cell--derived cardiomyocytes, or hiPSC-CMs—are a promising way to repair hearts damaged by heart attacks and heart failure. But transplanted hiPSC-CMs often have trouble syncing to the rhythm of native heart cells, which can cause dangerous arrhythmias after transplantation.
December 11, 2025 — Source

Ticked off: Exploring the rise of tick-induced meat allergy and its connection to cardiovascular disease
Mammalian meat allergy (MMA) is one of the few known food allergies caused by an environmental trigger—a tick bite. In simple terms, MMA results in an allergic reaction to red meat, making it difficult or sometimes even impossible for affected individuals to enjoy meat without experiencing adverse symptoms.
December 11, 2025 — Source

Untreated sleep apnea tied to early heart aging and death
A new study published in npj Aging provides compelling evidence that untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) accelerates cardiovascular aging and significantly increases the risk of premature death.
December 11, 2025 — Source

Valvular heart disease is common in cancer patients but interventions can improve survival
Valvular heart disease, identified through cardiovascular imaging, is common in cancer patients. Interventions to treat valvular heart disease significantly improved survival.
December 11, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — December 5th, 2025

AI brain scan model identifies stroke, brain tumors and aneurysms
A new AI model could help radiologists identify brain abnormalities in MRI scans for all conditions including stroke, multiple sclerosis and brain tumors.
December 5, 2025 — Source

Genetic variant may explain why some children with myocarditis develop heart failure
According to the study, 34.4% of the children who developed dilated cardiomyopathy after developing myocarditis had a genetic variant that made them more susceptible to this condition. In comparison, only 6.3% of control children had these cardiomyopathy gene variants and this difference was highly significant.
December 5, 2025 — Source

Scientists reveal a powerful heart boost hidden in everyday foods
Regular consumption of polyphenol-rich foods like tea, coffee, berries, nuts, and whole grains may significantly support long-term heart health. A decade-long study of more than 3,100 adults found that those who consistently ate polyphenol-packed diets had healthier blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as lower predicted cardiovascular risk.
December 5, 2025 — Source

Smoking fewer cigarettes does not eliminate cardiovascular disease risk
In a study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, new research from Johns Hopkins Medicine adds to existing evidence that smoking fewer cigarettes does not eliminate cardiovascular disease risk, and quitting entirely is the most effective strategy for improving health.
December 5, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — December 3rd, 2025

Blood-pressure discovery opens door to new hypertension, kidney disease treatments
University of Virginia School of Medicine scientists have obtained important new insights into how our bodies regulate our blood pressure by revealing how our cells turn off a key hormone. The findings could open the door to new treatments for hypertension (high blood pressure) and kidney diseases, the researchers report.
December 3, 2025 — Source

Recurrent strokes can be avoided with optimal prevention and follow-up
Patients who have had a stroke are prescribed medication to prevent new strokes. Nevertheless, fewer than half achieve the optimal treatment targets.
December 3, 2025 — Source

Report reveals scale of alcohol's harm to others
A landmark report led by La Trobe University has unveiled the true scale of damage caused by alcohol in Australia. "Alcohol's Harm to Others in Australia: Patterns, Costs, Disparities and Precipitants" was compiled over six years and is the most comprehensive analysis to date of harm to people beyond the consumer.
December 3, 2025 — Source

Researchers reveal complex interactions between heart disease and cancer
A surprising new discovery by Prof. Ami Aronheim and his team at the Technion--Israel Institute of Technology shows that in the absence of anti-cancer treatments, cancer development may actually improve heart function and reduce fibrosis—the scarring process that stiffens the heart muscle.
December 3, 2025 — Source

Study finds major gaps in cholesterol management among adults with cardiovascular disease
The Family Heart Foundation, a leading research and advocacy organization, published new research in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology revealing significant gaps in cholesterol management during 2022-23 among U.S. adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Findings show that only 13% of adults with ASCVD were meeting three key components of optimal low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) management, including receiving guideline-recommended therapy, consistently taking the therapy, and reaching an LDL-C level less than 70 mg/dL. According to the study, many factors contributed to this gap, including the low usage of non-statin therapies to treat LDL-C in high-risk patients.
December 3, 2025 — Source

When seizures stop the heart: The challenge of identifying and managing ictal asystole
People with epilepsy are at risk for hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and hyperlipidemia; they also have an elevated risk of heart disease. Research suggests some of this risk may be due to the effects of chronic seizures, while treadmill tests and other studies suggest that epilepsy itself may confer risks for autonomic dysfunction, including chronotropic incompetence.
December 3, 2025 — Source

Why some lung transplant patients face higher rejection risk: Study points to key genetic variant 
About one third of lung transplant recipients have a genetic variant that makes them more likely to develop chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), the primary cause of mortality after lung transplantation. However, it is unclear why some lung transplant recipients progress to CLAD while others do not.
December 3, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — November 29th, 2025

Innovative care system aims to save severed limbs
The number of traumatic amputations is rising worldwide—caused by road traffic accidents, accidents at work or during leisure activities, but also as a result of terrorist attacks or war. Only a few specialist clinics are able to perform autologous replantation on patients with often life-threatening injuries, i.e., reattaching severed limbs to the body in such a way that they regain their function completely or at least to a limited extent. In addition, the operation must be performed quickly, as the amputated limbs are stored in an ice bag as standard and can only survive for a few hours without a blood supply.
November 29, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — November 26th, 2025

10-minute scan could help millions with hard-to-treat high blood pressure
A speedy new scan could improve how millions of people with high blood pressure are treated, suggests a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers.
November 23, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — November 22nd, 2025

American Heart Association honors schools and students for fighting childhood obesity
One in every five American children and teens is obese; that's up 35% from 2000, as severe childhood obesity rates have nearly doubled in that time. In recognition of efforts to fight back locally to create healthier classrooms and communities, the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, has honored nine students, schools and educators from across the country during a virtual awards ceremony on Nov. 20.
November 22, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — November 20th, 2025

Study compares the kidney, cardiovascular and mortality risks of three different GLP-1 RAs
Public interest in drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, also called GLP-1 RAs, has surged in recent years, with popular types like semaglutide (sold under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy) becoming known for their weight-loss effects.
November 20, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — November 13th, 2025

Disrupted calcium signaling can throw the heart off rhythm
A joint study by the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) and the University Hospital Würzburg provides new insights into why heart muscle cells lose their rhythm in atrial fibrillation. Disrupted calcium signaling between key cellular structures in the heart may be a critical underlying mechanism.
November 13, 2025 — Source

During a heart attack, immediate stenting of other arteries isn't always necessary
A blocked coronary artery causing an acute heart attack must be opened immediately with a stent procedure. However, if other coronary arteries also appear to be narrowed, it is safe to wait and treat those later. This approach cuts the number of stent procedures in half, according to cardiologists from Radboud university medical center, writing in the New England Journal of Medicine.
November 13, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — November 9th, 2025

Any hypertension during pregnancy significantly increases postpartum cardiovascular risk, study finds
A new study from researchers at Intermountain Health reveals that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular complications—including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and death—within five years of giving birth.
November 9, 2025 — Source

Stenting all blocked arteries outperforms culprit-only treatment approach, study shows
Opening all blocked arteries with stents in patients with a heart attack, known as complete revascularization, reduces the risk of death from cardiovascular causes, death from any cause and future heart attacks compared with opening only the culprit artery causing the heart attack according to a new, large international study led by researchers at the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), a joint organization of McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences.
November 9, 2025 — Source

Targeted vitamin D3 supplementation cuts risk of second heart attack in half, study finds
A tailored approach of vitamin D3 supplementation in patients who have suffered a heart attack significantly reduces their risk of a second heart attack, a new study from heart researchers at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City finds.
November 9, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — November 8th, 2025

A study questions melatonin use and heart health but don't lose sleep over it
Don't lose sleep over headlines linking melatonin to heart failure. That's the message after some scary-sounding reports about a preliminary study involving the sleep-related supplement. It raised questions about the safety of long term use of melatonin for insomnia.
November 8, 2025 — Source

Google is enlisting ten thousand Pixel Watch owners to study high blood pressure
In Fitbit Labs, you can sign up for studies for 'Unusual Trend Detection' or the 'Hypertension Study Lab,' but not everyone is eligible.
November 8, 2025 — Source

Minimally invasive coronary calcium CT scans measuring heart disease risk can find other potential health problems
Coronary artery calcium (CAC) CT scans are becoming a more commonly used tool to effectively determine a patient's future risk of heart disease and heart attack.
November 8, 2025 — Source

New laser treatment could stop blindness before it starts
A new laser treatment may halt dry macular degeneration by using controlled warmth to trigger the eye's self-repair mechanisms.
November 8, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — November 7th, 2025

Bidirectional link seen for myocardial infarction and late-onset epilepsy
Evan L. Thacker, Ph.D., from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and colleagues examined whether stroke-free middle-aged and older adults with incident MI have an increased risk for incident LOE and whether those with incident LOE have increased risks for incident MI and nonstroke vascular deaths in a population-based cohort study of 3,174 individuals aged 40 years and older from the Northern Manhattan Study.
November 7, 2025 — Source

Hot pants for good health: Scientists try heat therapy to lower blood pressure
The saying goes that you should stay out of the kitchen if you can't take the heat, but new research suggests otherwise—for the sake of your blood pressure.
November 7, 2025 — Source

Intensive blood pressure lowering could benefit almost all adults with hypertensive chronic kidney disease
In a benefit-harm trade-off analysis of 2,012 participants with CKD, investigators found that when predicting individualized treatment effects for multiple outcomes and simulating preferences for participants who view the benefits of intensive blood pressure lowering (reductions in death, cardiovascular events, and cognitive impairment) as much more important than treatment-related harms (such as emergency room visits or hospitalizations for acute kidney injury and fainting), 100% had a positive net benefit favoring intensive blood pressure-lowering.
November 7, 2025 — Source

Temporal artery ultrasound in the real-time diagnosis of stroke of the eye
For most of us, the phrase "stroke of the eye" sounds like a metaphor. But for UK HealthCare's Jagannadha "Jay" Avasarala, M.D., Ph.D., it's a literal and urgent diagnosis—one that could mean the difference between sight and permanent blindness.
November 7, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — November 6th, 2025

Five things to know about the dangers of high blood pressure
It's been nearly a decade since tens of millions of Americans awoke to a new diagnosis: high blood pressure.
November 6, 2025 — Source

Researchers identify a new stem cell patch to gently heal damaged hearts
Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a pioneering method to mend damaged hearts without open-heart surgery, an advance that could one day transform the treatment of heart failure.
November 6, 2025 — Source

Vaping might seem safer than smoking but your heart could tell a different story
Vaping, often considered safer than smoking, is linked to arterial damage, impaired blood vessel function, increased blood pressure, and inflammation, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease even in young, non-smokers. Early vessel injury from vaping may go undetected in routine screenings, highlighting the need for targeted education and prevention to reduce long-term heart risks.
November 6, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — November 5th, 2025

A New Study Finds Melatonin Could Harm Your Heart Health. Try These 7 Sleep Alternatives
Though more research is needed, you may want to give my favorite melatonin alternatives a try.
November 5, 2025 — Source

Action needed to fix gender gap in cardiac rehab
Despite clear evidence that cardiac rehab saves lives, most women never enroll. The American Heart Association's new statement explains why and outlines guidelines to ensure heart recovery is fair and accessible for all women.
November 5, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — October 31st, 2025

AEDs in houses improve outcomes for cardiac arrest with shockable rhythm
Placement of AEDs in private homes improves survival for cardiac arrest patients with shockable rhythms, but not for those with nonshockable rhythms. However, at current prices, home AEDs are not cost-effective, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $4,481,659 per quality-adjusted life-year, far exceeding accepted thresholds.
October 31, 2025 — Source

Identifying young people at risk of cardiac arrest
Many young people who suffered sudden cardiac death had recently sought medical care. More frequent use of electrocardiograms (EKG) could help prevent such cases, according to researchers at the University of Gothenburg.
October 31, 2025 — Source

Novel approaches to understanding EETs and cardiovascular disease
Some products of arachidonic acid have already been well studied: the prostanoids formed by cyclooxygenases are central mediators of inflammation, fever, and pain. Their synthesis is inhibited by drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Likewise, the effects and mechanisms of leukotrienes, which are formed by lipoxygenases from arachidonic acid and serve as targets for asthma medications, are well known.
October 31, 2025 — Ozempic and Wegovy protect the heart, even without weight loss
Semaglutide appears to safeguard the heart even when patients lose little weight. In a massive international trial, heart attack and stroke risk dropped by 20% regardless of BMI. The benefit seems tied not just to slimming down but to deeper biological effects on inflammation, blood pressure, and vessel health. Researchers say this could expand who qualifies for the drug.
October 31, 2025 — Source

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Ozempic and Wegovy protect the heart, even without weight loss
Semaglutide appears to safeguard the heart even when patients lose little weight. In a massive international trial, heart attack and stroke risk dropped by 20% regardless of BMI. The benefit seems tied not just to slimming down but to deeper biological effects on inflammation, blood pressure, and vessel health. Researchers say this could expand who qualifies for the drug.
October 31, 2025 — Source

Predicting the risk of heart disease and dementia in older adults: Q&A
More than 70% of people over 70 years old will one day develop cardiovascular disease, highlighting the need for effective diagnosis, treatment, and care for this population.
October 31, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — October 30th, 2025

19 NCAA women's college basketball coaches join hands to support women's heart health
Both on the court and off, cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women in the United States, taking the lives of more than 440,000 women each year, according to the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere. The Association's Go Red for Women® movement is working to raise awareness, improve education and inspire action to help women better understand and learn how to prevent their number one health threat. For the first time, 19 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women's college basketball coaches are rolling up their sleeves and putting on their red dress pins to take a stand in support of women's health through the Hearts on the Court Collective.
October 30, 2025 — Source

Hundreds of animal studies on brain damage after stroke flagged for problematic images
A new study has identified over 240 scientific publications on animal models of hemorrhagic stroke that contain potentially problematic images, thereby raising concerns about the trustworthiness of the body of literature in this field.
October 30, 2025 — Source

Immature brain-supporting cells switch fate to restore blood flow after stroke
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, affecting 1 in 4 people during their lifetime. Stroke happens when blood vessels in the brain get clogged or damaged, impairing blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain, which leads to death of neurons and other brain cells. Although brain damage can be limited by interventions to restore blood flow, most stroke survivors experience some lifelong impairments of e.g. speech, movement, or cognitive function.
October 30, 2025 — Source

Limb salvage therapy shows lasting success for severe artery disease patients
An update in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that transcatheter arterialization of the deep veins (TADV) using the LimFlow System is a reliable and long-lasting therapy helping patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), the most severe form of peripheral artery disease, avoid amputation.
October 30, 2025 — Source

Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells promote blood vessel growth after stroke
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, affecting 1 in 4 people during their lifetime. Stroke happens when blood vessels in the brain get clogged or damaged, impairing blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain, which leads to death of neurons and other brain cells. Although brain damage can be limited by interventions to restore blood flow, most stroke survivors experience some lifelong impairments of e.g. speech, movement, or cognitive function.
October 30, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — October 24th, 2025

New drug tested in mice could fill treatment void for most severe heart attack patients
A new drug being trialed in heart attack patients could reprogram the immune system to prevent inflammation and heart damage following severe heart attacks, and promote repair. This could be a game-changer in treating the most severe forms of heart attacks.
October 24, 2025 — Source

Popular cholesterol drugs may help prevent dementia
A massive genetic study found that naturally lower cholesterol is linked to a dramatically reduced risk of dementia. The research simulated the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs and showed up to an 80% lower risk for certain genetic profiles. Scientists believe high cholesterol may contribute to dementia through atherosclerosis and small blood clots. Long-term trials could confirm whether medications can replicate this protective effect.
October 24, 2025 — Source

Semaglutide Helps Your Heart Even If the Scale Doesn't Budge, Study Shows
A new analysis finds that the heart-protecting benefits of semaglutide are largely independent of its weight loss effects.
October 24, 2025 — Source

Updated guidelines published for pediatric CPR and emergency cardiovascular care
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association (the Association), a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, have published updated guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care for newborn and pediatric populations.
October 24, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — October 20th, 2025

Effects of fish oil supplements vary, potentially reducing cardiovascular disease risk in healthy people as well
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from fish oil is effectively absorbed and can improve blood lipid profiles and reduce arterial lipoprotein attachment, potentially lowering atherosclerosis risk even in healthy individuals. However, responses to EPA vary greatly between individuals, and blood EPA levels decline rapidly after supplementation ends. Long-term effects remain unclear.
October 20, 2025 — Source

Minimally invasive surgery may improve outcomes in severe stroke
"This trial shows this procedure is safe, effective, generalizable and surgeons can offer it. It will certainly help in terms of getting patients out of the ICU faster," said Babak Jahromi, MD, Ph.D., professor of Neurological Surgery and a co-author of the study, who was principal investigator for the Northwestern Medicine clinical trial site.
October 20, 2025 — Source

Phthalate exposure linked to cardiovascular disease in people with chronic kidney disease
Gewenhan Chen, from Xiamen University in China, and colleagues used data from 2,227 participants in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003 to 2018) to investigate the relationship between phthalate exposure and self-reported cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with CKD.
October 20, 2025 — Source

Women with large preterm infants may have higher risk of cardiovascular disease later in life
A new study shows that preeclamptic and hypertensive pregnant women's risk of getting cardiovascular disease is linked to their baby's birthweight.
October 20, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — October 17th, 2025

Drug restores heart muscle elasticity in mouse model of age-related heart failure
An antisense oligonucleotide drug targeting RBM20 improved heart muscle elasticity and diastolic function in a mouse model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), even with comorbidities. The therapy increased expression of elastic titin isoforms, reduced ventricular stiffness, and showed moderate side effects at optimal dosing. Further evaluation in larger animal models is planned.
October 17, 2025 — Source

How immune cells deliver their deadly cargo: An unexpected connection to lipid metabolism
When immune cells strike, precision is everything. New research reveals how natural killer and T cells orchestrate the release of toxic granules—microscopic packages that destroy virus-infected or cancerous cells.
October 17, 2025 — Source

Mapping overlooked challenges in stroke recovery
Stroke recovery involves significant emotional challenges, including stigma, uncertainty, and loss of identity, in addition to physical limitations. Common assessment tools like the SSQoL only partially capture these experiences, particularly regarding shame and uncertainty. Addressing these overlooked factors may require more comprehensive care models and patient-informed interventions.
October 17, 2025 — Source

Pregnant patients with preexisting high cholesterol may have elevated cardiovascular risk
Preexisting hyperlipidemia in pregnant women is linked to increased risks of arrhythmia, acute coronary syndrome, antepartum hemorrhage, gestational diabetes, labor and delivery complications, and hypertensive disorders within five years postpartum. No significant differences were observed in postpartum hemorrhage or maternal mortality. Early lipid screening and management are recommended.
October 17, 2025 — Source

'Skinny fat' linked to silent artery damage
Visceral and liver fat, even in individuals with normal BMI, are strongly associated with carotid artery thickening and plaque buildup, key predictors of stroke and heart attack. These associations persist after adjusting for traditional risk factors, indicating that hidden fat contributes independently to silent artery damage and cardiovascular risk. Imaging-based fat assessment may improve risk evaluation.
October 17, 2025 — Source

Stroke experts discuss current and future use of AI tools in research and treatment
AI is increasingly used in stroke research and treatment, aiding imaging analysis and clinical trial recruitment. Machine learning offers transparency and interpretability, while generative AI poses challenges in explainability and data privacy. Ensuring robust, diverse datasets and human oversight is essential. Future applications include precision medicine and more efficient, pragmatic clinical trial designs.
October 17, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — October 13th, 2025

Atrial fibrillation after bypass found in nearly half of patients
Continuous monitoring after coronary artery bypass grafting detects new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in 48% of patients within one year, higher than previously reported. Most AF episodes occur within the first 30 days post-surgery, with minimal AF burden beyond this period. These results suggest that routine long-term anticoagulation may not be necessary and support reassessment at 30 days.
October 13, 2025 — Source

Cholesterol-lowering drugs could reduce risk of dementia, study finds
Low cholesterol can reduce the risk of dementia, a new University of Bristol-led study with more than a million participants has shown.
October 13, 2025 — Source

Do plastics have toxic effects on the heart? Higher exposure linked to changes in heart rhythms
Higher exposure to environmental phenols like BPA, commonly found in plastics, is associated with alterations in heart electrical activity, as detected by EKG. While healthy individuals may not be affected, those with genetic predispositions or older age could be more vulnerable to these cardiac rhythm changes.
October 13, 2025 — Source

Is heart rate monitoring on earbuds actually viable? I tested two pairs, and here's my advice
Beats' Powerbeats Pro 2 and Apple's AirPods Pro 2 both feature in-ear heart rate monitoring - but which one's the better fit for your lifestyle?
October 13, 2025 — Source

Pulsed field ablation system shows promise for reducing ventricular tachycardia recurrence
A pulsed field ablation system using high-voltage, short-pulse waveforms achieved 82% freedom from recurrent ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation and a 98% reduction in arrhythmia episodes at six months, with no therapy-related complications. The technology effectively targets deep ventricular scar tissue while minimizing thermal injury.
October 13, 2025 — Source

Study sheds light on inflammation following an intracerebral hemorrhage
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-inflammation-intracerebral-hemorrhage.html
October 13, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — October 10th, 2025

Can too much exercise strain the heart?
A study challenges the idea that "more exercise is always better," revealing how elite cyclists may burn through their daily heartbeats faster. This raises new questions about the fine line between fitness and fatigue.
October 10, 2025 — Source

FDA clears heart tissue regeneration drug AD-NP1 for clinical trials
The FDA has approved AD-NP1, a monoclonal antibody targeting ENPP1, for clinical trials. Blocking ENPP1 enhances heart tissue repair and reduces scarring after injury by improving cellular energy pathways. Preclinical studies in animals showed improved heart function, and AD-NP1 may also aid repair in other organs following acute injury.
October 10, 2025 — Source

Housing type linked to cardiovascular death risk in older adults
Older adults living in rental flats and owner-occupied detached houses have a higher risk of cardiovascular death than those in owner-occupied flats, likely due to colder, less stable indoor temperatures and poorer insulation. Improving housing quality and maintaining indoor temperatures above 18 °C may reduce cardiovascular mortality, especially among men.
October 10, 2025 — Source

Researchers develop personalized model to predict risk of subsequent cardiovascular events
Despite advancements in treatment and prevention, patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) still have a particularly high risk of having another heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular event.
October 10, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — October 8th, 2025

Faster lymph flow in the legs is linked to a better response to diuretics in acute heart failure patients
A study reveals faster lymph flow in the legs is linked to a better response to diuretics in acute heart failure patients, suggesting a role for the lymphatic system in treatment.
October 8, 2025 — Source

Repurposing an arthritis drug could significantly improve recovery from heart attack
The anti-inflammatory drug abatacept, currently used for rheumatoid arthritis, has been shown in preclinical mouse models to reduce post-heart attack inflammation by inhibiting T cell activation. This intervention preserved heart function within one week, suggesting potential for improved recovery and reduced long-term heart failure risk in heart attack patients.
October 8, 2025 — Source

Study finds dosing concerns for common anticoagulant in underserved areas
In underserved clinics, 16% of patients prescribed direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) received incorrect dosing, often due to unassessed kidney function. DOACs were also inappropriately prescribed to patients with severe liver disease and combined with aspirin in about two-thirds of cases, increasing bleeding risk. These findings highlight the need for structured anticoagulation stewardship programs.
October 8, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — October 3rd, 2025

Most aspirin use in middle-aged adults may be unnecessary under new assessment
Applying the newer PREVENT risk equations substantially reduces the number of middle-aged adults eligible for aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease compared to older pooled cohort equations. Only 1.2% meet the 10% risk threshold with PREVENT, versus 8.3% with previous methods, and nearly 97% of current aspirin users do not meet PREVENT's eligibility criteria.
October 3, 2025 — Source

Samsung Galaxy Watches will 'soon' detect warning signs for heart failure
Samsung's AI algorithms will detect 'Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction,' with Galaxy Watches the latest to tackle serious health conditions.
October 3, 2025 — Source

Unusual heart rhythm disorder is surprisingly common in patients with long COVID
A Karolinska Institutet study found that POTS, a heart rhythm disorder, is surprisingly common in patients with severe long COVID, particularly middle-aged women.
October 3, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — September 29th, 2025

AI body composition measurements can predict cardiometabolic risk
Adiposity—or the accumulation of excess fat in the body—is a known driver of cardiometabolic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease. But getting the full picture of a person's risk is harder than it may seem. Traditional measures such as body mass index (BMI) are imperfect, conflating fat and muscle mass and not capturing where in the body fat is located.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Engineered albumin-fused FIX extends hemophilia B treatment half-life beyond standard 3--4 day window
After blood vessel damage, effective blood clotting is essential to halt bleeding. However, this process is inefficient in some individuals due to hereditary factors. Hemophilia B, for example, results from a deficiency in coagulation factor IX (FIX), which can lead to prolonged bleeding after injuries or surgery.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Geomagnetic disturbances caused by sun may influence occurrence of heart attacks, especially among women
Analysis of hospital data from São Jose dos Campos, Brazil, indicates a correlation between geomagnetic disturbances from solar activity and increased heart attack incidence, particularly among women aged 31--60, where rates were up to three times higher during disturbed conditions. The findings suggest women may be more susceptible, though causality and mechanisms remain unconfirmed.
September 29, 2025 — Source

How is good cholesterol made? Imaging method shows production mechanism at molecular level
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) formation involves the ABCA1 transporter, which uses ATP hydrolysis to transfer cholesterol and phospholipids into its extracellular domain. This domain temporarily expands to store lipids, then rapidly restructures to load them onto apolipoprotein A-I, producing nascent HDL. High-speed atomic force microscopy enabled visualization of these molecular events.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Most people who experience heart attack, stroke or heart failure have prior risk factors
More than 99% of people who went on to suffer a heart attack, stroke or heart failure already had at least one risk factor above optimal level beforehand, reports a large-scale study led by Northwestern Medicine and Yonsei University in South Korea.
September 29, 2025 — Source

New ACC Scientific Statement highlights inflammation in cardiovascular disease
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) released today its second Scientific Statement, Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). The statement emphasizes years of clinical and basic science research, confirming that inflammation is an important underlying contributor to several CVDs, including coronary artery disease and heart failure.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Remote health care helps heart failure patients get the right medications faster
A remote digital health program enables heart failure patients to achieve optimal medication regimens more quickly and safely than usual care, without increasing hospitalizations or emergency visits. The program improves use and dosing of all four foundational heart failure therapies, offering a scalable solution for patients lacking access to cardiologists.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — September 26th, 2025

Growing evidence that the heart has a strong influence on thinking and feeling
The influence of the heart and circulatory system occurs within milliseconds, and every single heartbeat plays a role. The role of the heart in the psyche and cognition is evident in the high coincidence of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure and heart attack, and mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety disorders.
September 26, 2025 — Source

Natural psychoactive molecule DMT reduces harmful effects of stroke in animal models
DMT, or dimethyltryptamine is a natural psychoactive molecule found in many plants and mammals. According to an article published in Science Advances, researchers from the HUN-REN BRC Institute of Biophysics and Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Centre found that DMT reduces the harmful effects of stroke in animal models and cell culture experiments.
September 26, 2025 — Source

Telestroke patients may be more likely to receive treatment—but with greater delays
Stroke patients evaluated using telemedicine (telestroke) have higher odds of receiving essential treatment, yet it takes them significantly longer to be treated—potentially limiting the benefits, a Michigan Medicine-led study finds.
September 26, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — September 25th, 2025

Anxiety drives most low-risk chest pain cases in emergency departments
Chest pain ranks as the second most common reason for emergency department (ED) visits, making it a key concern for patients and doctors. However, 80% of these cases are considered low-risk and not related to heart disease, and for these patients, anxiety and panic disorders are frequent diagnoses.
September 25, 2025 — Source

Better together: Researchers discover how cells keep groups of proteins in check
The amount of any given protein in a cell has to be controlled to keep its levels within a range required for healthy functions. This is especially important for proteins that are known to group together in liquid droplets called "condensates." These proteins generally contain flexible parts that don't have fixed 3D structures, so they can form many interactions at the same time. When these proteins accumulate, they are prone to forming large clumps called aggregates.
September 25, 2025 — Source

Robotic exoskeleton uses AI to ease walking for stroke survivors
Crossing a room shouldn't feel like a marathon. But for many stroke survivors, even the smallest number of steps carries enormous weight. Each movement becomes a reminder of lost coordination, muscle weakness, and physical vulnerability.
September 25, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — September 22nd, 2025

Arts programs can help prevent heart disease, diabetes and other leading causes of death, large study finds
Art isn't just for stages and studios. It can be a powerful public health resource. That's the takeaway from a new international study, commissioned by the Jameel Arts and Health Lab, that examined nearly 100 research projects from 27 countries to consider how arts programs, such as music, dance, theater, storytelling and other creative and cultural activities, can help prevent some of the world's biggest killers: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other non-communicable diseases, which account for 74% of preventable deaths worldwide.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Hormone therapy eases hot flashes while leaving heart risk unchanged in younger women
Menopausal hormone therapy effectively reduces vasomotor symptoms in women aged 50--59 years without increasing cardiovascular risk. No clear harm is seen in women aged 60--69 years, though caution is advised. In women aged 70 years and older, hormone therapy substantially increases atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk (hazard ratios: 1.95--3.22).
September 22, 2025 — Source

More Americans meet criteria for high blood pressure under new guidelines
Hypertension is the No. 1 risk factor for heart disease and stroke. In addition, hypertension increases risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Heart disease, stroke and dementia are the first-, fourth- and sixth-leading causes of death in the U.S. Unfortunately, only 1 in 4 people with a history of high blood pressure have this condition under control.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Psychological distress common after a heart attack, may lead to future heart conditions
Many people experience one or more types of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, psychosocial stress or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), after a heart attack, which can affect their physical recovery and long-term heart health, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement, published in Circulation.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Social deprivation linked to worse outcomes in infective endocarditis
Infective endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart, most often affecting the valves. It occurs when bacteria or other microorganisms enter the bloodstream and attach to the heart, causing potentially life-threatening damage. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, the condition remains associated with high mortality and serious complications.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Using AI to assist in rare disease diagnosis
In the promising and rapidly evolving field of genetic analysis, the ability to accurately interpret whole genome sequencing data is crucial for diagnosing and improving outcomes for people with rare genetic diseases. Yet despite technological advancements, genetic professionals face steep challenges in managing and synthesizing the vast amounts of data required for these analyses. Fewer than 50% of initial cases yield a diagnosis, and while reanalysis can lead to new findings, the process remains time-consuming and complex.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — September 19th, 2025

New initiative targets faster shock diagnosis and care with 'door to lactate clearance'
A new initiative by The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) proposes a new framework and call to action for managing cardiogenic shock (CS), establishing lactate clearance potentially as the standardized, time-based marker of patient trajectory to improve outcomes in one of the deadliest cardiovascular emergencies.
September 19, 2025 — Source

Simple blood tests identify pregnant women at risk of serious complications from high blood pressure in Sierra Leone
Two simple blood tests could help to predict which pregnant women with high blood pressure are at risk of serious complications, including seizures, stillbirth and newborn death, a new study conducted in Sierra Leone has found.
September 19, 2025 — Source

Study shows promising quality of life for those with Down syndrome and congenital heart defects
Adults with both Down syndrome and congenital heart defects, also known as congenital heart disease (CHD), are showing remarkable resilience despite facing significant medical challenges, according to a new MUSC study published in Pediatric Cardiology. The study found that adults ages 18 to 45 with both conditions are just as likely to work, volunteer and experience the same quality of life as those with Down syndrome alone.
September 19, 2025 — Source

Unproven stroke treatment is no more effective than placebo, clinical trial finds
The first international trial of an unproven stroke treatment available in the U.S. has concluded that, while harmless, "perispinal" etanercept—injected into the spinal area—is no more effective than an inactive dummy drug, or placebo.
September 19, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — September 9th, 2025

Amino acid homocysteine plays a key role in aortic stiffening
Cardiovascular diseases remain the most common cause of death worldwide. In Europe, they account for over 40 percent of all deaths. However, known risk factors such as high cholesterol levels or high blood pressure cannot fully explain the high mortality rate or the number of cardiovascular diseases. Scientists in Graz have now investigated a new factor that is closely linked to cardiovascular mortality. Elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood led to a stiffer and less elastic aorta in an animal model.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Bilingual campaign targets silent killer in Latino communities
Erika Perez was diagnosed with high blood pressure during her third pregnancy. Ten days after giving birth to her child, she suffered a heart attack. Years later, she had a stroke. Perez's story is a powerful reminder of the health risks that come with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
September 16, 2025 — Source

Can Apple Watch Measure Blood Pressure? How It Works with Cuffs and Apps
Short answer: The Apple Watch cannot measure blood pressure on its own today. It needs a validated Bluetooth cuff to obtain accurate systolic and diastolic values. The Watch can display and trend readings via companion apps and Apple Health. Industry reports suggest upcoming models may flag hypertension trends rather than provide exact numbers.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Researchers determine that elevated homocysteine stiffens the aorta
Cardiovascular diseases remain the most common cause of death worldwide. In Europe, they account for over 40% of all deaths. However, known risk factors such as high cholesterol levels or high blood pressure cannot fully explain the high mortality rate or the number of cardiovascular diseases.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Stem cell transplant for stroke leads to brain cell growth and functional recovery in mice
When someone has a stroke—a leading worldwide cause of death and disability—time is of the essence. Almost nine out of 10 cases are ischemic strokes, caused by restricted blood flow in the brain, and the current gold-standard treatment that breaks up blood clots must be delivered within four and a half hours of symptoms appearing.
September 16, 2025 — Source or Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — September 5th, 2025

Wi-Fi signals used to measure heart rate accurately — signal variations caused by a beating heart enable determining beats per minute
A university research team developed a novel technique to measure heart rates using Wi-Fi. According to the University of California, Santa Clara (UCSC), the team, which included Computer Science and Engineering Professor Katia Obraczka, Ph.D. student Nayan Bhatia, and high school student and visiting researcher Pranay Kocheta, used a low-cost ESP32 chip and paired it with a machine learning algorithm to detect changes in the Wi-Fi signal caused by the heart.
September 5, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — September 4th, 2025

Living in a food desert doubles stroke risk for patients with atrial fibrillation, study finds
Researchers at Tulane University School of Medicine found that, compared with similar patients in better-served areas, those in food deserts had more than double the risk of ischemic stroke and nearly four times the risk of death.
September 4, 2025 — Source

New data support minimalist approach for transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Used in the treatment of severe aortic stenosis, TAVI has been refined over the years such that these procedures now outnumber surgical aortic valve replacement, with further increases expected due to expanding indications and the aging population.
September 4, 2025 — Source

Research reveals insights into the link between menopause and cardiovascular health
Deep in the Bolivian Amazon exists a forager-horticultural community called the Tsimane. Researchers look to them for insights on how the human body functioned prior to modern technologies, as their lifestyles remain the closest to that of our ancestors.
September 4, 2025 — Source

The science behind a freediver's 29-minute breath hold world record
Most of us can hold our breath for between 30 and 90 seconds.
September 4, 2025 — Source

Health — Heart Health & Strokes — September 1st, 2025

AI co-pilot boosts noninvasive brain-computer interface by interpreting user intent
UCLA engineers have developed a wearable, noninvasive brain-computer interface system that utilizes artificial intelligence as a co-pilot to help infer user intent and complete tasks by moving a robotic arm or a computer cursor.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Asthma chip reveals treatable subtype in 70% of patients
A simple blood test could make asthma treatment more precise, more effective—and potentially more affordable. Researchers from Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL Krems) and the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Vienna) have developed a molecular allergy chip that detects allergic asthma in individual patients.
September 1, 2025 — Source

AMALFI trial finds small increase in AF diagnosis with mail-based ECG patch monitoring
A mail-based atrial fibrillation (AF) screening programme with ECG-patch monitoring led to a modest long-term increase in AF diagnosis and anticoagulation exposure in older patients at moderate-to-high stroke risk, according to a late-breaking trial presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025 and simultaneously published in JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association).
September 1, 2025 — Source

Baxdrostat demonstrates strong blood pressure control with favorable safety profile in phase III trial
Despite the use of multiple medications, many people with hypertension do not achieve target blood pressure (BP) levels associated with cardiovascular disease risk reduction. In uncontrolled hypertension, elevated BP persists despite treatment with two or more medications, while in resistant hypertension, BP remains high despite three or more medications.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Black adults face heart failure nearly 14 years earlier than white patients, data analysis shows
Black adults in the U.S. are first hospitalized for heart failure nearly 14 years earlier than white adults, reports a Northwestern Medicine study that analyzed data from more than 42,000 patients across hundreds of hospitals nationwide.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Clopidogrel might be better than aspirin for long-term heart disease
A comprehensive analysis of nearly 29,000 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) suggests that clopidogrel, a commonly prescribed blood thinner, is more effective than aspirin in preventing serious heart and stroke events, without increasing the risk of major bleeding.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Could diet be fueling pregnancy hypertension? Saliva holds the clues
During pregnancy, the body becomes particularly vulnerable to chemical exposures that can affect both the mother and the developing fetus. These exposures—often from everyday sources like processed foods, packaging materials, and personal care products—introduce xenobiotic metabolites (XMs) into the body.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Drug-coated devices do not improve outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease, study finds
Explaining the rationale for the trials, principal co-investigator, Professor Joakim Nordanstig from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, said, "Drug-coated balloons and stents have been shown to reduce restenosis and the need for reinterventions in the endovascular treatment of PAD. However, there are uncertainties regarding whether drug-coated devices improve outcomes that are meaningful to patients, quality of life and reducing amputations, and there are some concerns over safety.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Early aspirin discontinuation linked to benefits in low-risk patients with myocardial infarction
Among low-risk patients with acute MI who underwent early complete revascularization and received one month of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy was noninferior to continued DAPT for adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, while reducing bleeding risk.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Extended apixaban therapy lowers recurrent VTE in patients with provoked events and enduring risk factors
Apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily significantly reduced symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence, with a low risk of major bleeding, in patients with provoked VTE and enduring risk factors, according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025 and simultaneously published in New England Journal of Medicine.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Extended blood-thinning treatment lowers recurrence in at-risk patients with provoked venous thromboembolism: Study
Apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily significantly reduced symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence, with a low risk of major bleeding, in patients with provoked VTE and enduring risk factors, according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025 and simultaneously published in New England Journal of Medicine.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Hyperactive blood platelets linked to heart attacks despite standard drug therapy
Scientists at the University of Augsburg have discovered a particularly active subgroup of blood platelets that may cause heart attacks in people with coronary heart disease despite drug therapy. This discovery may open up new prospects for customized therapies.
September 1, 2025 — Source

ICD treatment does not lower death risk in patients with abnormal ECG after myocardial infarction
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small electrical device fitted in the chest that detects irregular and fast heart rhythms. ICD therapy is used in patients with a prior cardiac arrest or severely impaired left ventricle (LV) pumping ability (severe LV systolic dysfunction).
September 1, 2025 — Source

Inclisiran helps more high-risk patients reach LDL cholesterol goals compared to standard therapy
More patients with hypercholesterolemia at high/very high risk of cardiovascular (CV) events achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals with inclisiran compared with placebo, when given on top of individually optimized lipid-lowering therapy, according to a late-breaking trial presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Ivabradine fails to reduce occurrence of myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery in clinical trial
MINS is a common and serious complication, which has been found to account for approximately 13% of all deaths within 30 days of surgery. Explaining the rationale of the PREVENT-MINS trial, principal investigator, Professor Wojciech Szczeklik from Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland, said, "It has been proposed that increased heart rate at the time of surgery leads to higher myocardial oxygen consumption, a supply-demand mismatch and myocardial injury. Giving beta-blockers around the time of surgery lowers heart rate and decreases the risk of myocardial infarction, but these benefits may be offset by increased risk of hypotension, death and stroke.
September 1, 2025 — Source or Source

New AI model accurately identifies which atrial fibrillation patients need blood thinners to prevent stroke
Mount Sinai researchers developed an AI model to make individualized treatment recommendations for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients—helping clinicians accurately decide whether or not to treat them with anticoagulants (blood thinner medications) to prevent stroke, which is currently the standard treatment course in this patient population. This model presents a completely new approach for how clinical decisions are made for AF patients and could represent a potential paradigm shift in this area.
September 1, 2025 — Source

No benefit found when biomarker-based risk scores are used to personalize atrial fibrillation treatment
Patients with AF are at increased risk of stroke and are often treated with oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, mainly direct OACs or warfarin. While OACs substantially reduce the risk of stroke, they may also increase the risk of bleeding events. ESC Guidelines recommend that a risk-based approach is used to make decisions on OACs and other treatments for stroke prevention in patients with AF.
September 1, 2025 — Source

No significant reduction in death found following comprehensive cardiovascular screening in men aged 60 to 64 years
It has been estimated that 80% of cardiac events and strokes are preventable, around half of these through early detection and intervention. Population screening is one approach to identify individuals with early signs of CVD, but there is limited evidence that it provides benefits in terms of reducing deaths.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Phase II trial finds zilebesiran lowers systolic blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension
Among individuals with cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk and uncontrolled hypertension on multiple anti-hypertensive agents, a single subcutaneous dose of zilebesiran 300 mg led to a 5-mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure at Month 3 compared with placebo, a difference that did not reach statistical significance. These results were presented as a late-breaking trial in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Trial shows no meaningful gains with mavacamten in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Mavacamten treatment at 48 weeks was not associated with significant improvements in patient-reported health status or peak oxygen consumption compared with placebo in patients with symptomatic nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025 and simultaneously published in New England Journal of Medicine.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Triglyceride levels substantially reduced with olezarsen compared to placebo
The placebo-controlled, double-blind phase III ESSENCE-TIMI 73b trial was conducted at 160 sites in North America and Europe. The trial included adult patients with moderate hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides 150−499 mg/dL) and elevated cardiovascular risk due to an established diagnosis of ASCVD or increased ASCVD risk as a result of type 2 diabetes mellitus and age ≥55 years. Patients were expected to be on optimised stable low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapy at enrolment.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Vericiguat reduces mortality and hospitalizations in a broad range of patients with HFrEF
Vericiguat reduced the risk of cardiovascular mortality, heart failure (HF) hospitalizations and all-cause mortality across a broad range of patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), according to a pooled analysis presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Worse outcomes with aspirin in high-risk chronic coronary syndrome patients requiring long-term anticoagulation: Trial
Explaining the rationale of the AQUATIC trial, its Principal Investigator, Professor Martine Gilard from Hospital Cavale Blanche, Brest, France, said, "After stent implantation, many patients with CCS (stable coronary artery disease) are at high risk for future cardiovascular events due to conditions including diabetes, chronic kidney disease and diffuse multivessel disease, and some require long-term anticoagulation, particularly due to atrial fibrillation (AF).
September 1, 2025 — Source

Childhood stroke study identifies the contraceptive pill and smoking as risk factors
Researchers are calling for clear guidelines on childhood stroke after a study, published in the November issue of Acta Paediatrica, found wide variations in time lag to diagnosis, investigation and treatment.
November 1, 2010 — Source