Cardiology News and Research

Latest Cardiology News and Research

Psychologists have gained insight into how people judge their personal health risks

The findings suggest that people aren't horribly off the mark as long as they do not rely on media reports and stick to what's happened to people they know.

7 Aug 2005

New study says HRT risks far lower

Women battling to deal with the miserable effects of the menopause, will be even more confused by the release of a new Australian study, which says that a woman's risk of developing breast cancer after taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might be lower than previously thought.

7 Aug 2005

U.S. company wants to commercialise breast milk

It has long been acknowledged that breast milk, with its minerals, digestive enzymes and antibodies, keeps babies healthy and boosts their intelligence.

7 Aug 2005

People with prehypertension are at much higher risk of heart attack

Normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Prehypertension is systolic blood pressure between 120 and 139 and/or diastolic pressure between 80 and 89 mm Hg. (Systolic pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats and diastolic pressure is the force when the heart is at rest.) Hypertension is blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg or higher.

4 Aug 2005

Exposure to secondhand smoke can increase your chances of getting heart disease

In a study of women smokers, those whose spouses also smoked had a higher risk of stroke than those married to nonsmokers, according to a study in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

4 Aug 2005

High levels of physical activity can reduce your risk of stroke

High levels of physical activity, such as running, swimming or heavy gardening during leisure time can reduce your risk of stroke, according to a study reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. In addition, walking or biking to and from work for up to 29 minutes a day may also reduce the risk of strokes caused by a blood clot (ischemic stroke).

4 Aug 2005

FDA approval for Diovan (Valsartan)

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Diovan (valsartan), the most prescribed ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker) in the US and worldwide, for a new indication to reduce cardiovascular death in patients at high risk (with left ventricular failure or left ventricular dysfunction) following a heart attack.

4 Aug 2005

Women's fitness important for survival

Researchers are saying that women whose exercise capacity is less than 85 percent of what is determined as normal in standard stress tests, are twice as likely as other women to die within eight years.

4 Aug 2005

Drinking in moderation boosts brainpower

In news guaranteed to prompt more than a few toasts down the pub, Aussie researchers are saying that among those who enjoy a bevy or two, moderate drinkers are better thinkers than teetotallers or those who overindulge.

4 Aug 2005

Risk of metabolic syndrome raised even by secondhand smoke

A new study has shown that even secondhand smoke can raise the risk of metabolic syndrome, a condition marked by obesity, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels and pre-diabetes.

4 Aug 2005

Researchers have developed a nomogram specifically for women to predict their expected exercise capacity at any given age

Researchers have developed a nomogram (alignment chart) specifically for women that can be used to predict their expected exercise capacity at any given age, as well as demonstrated that the resulting measure is a predictor of the risk of death.

4 Aug 2005

Pfizer adds warning to Celebrex arthritis drug

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has adapted the label of its Celebrex arthritis drug and added a prominent warning of possible cardiovascular risks, such as increased risk of heart attacks.

3 Aug 2005

Not enough women take part in heart drug trials

Scientists say because women are under-represented in the clinical trials of heart drugs, doctors are left in the dark as to how treatments may work differently in their bodies.

3 Aug 2005

Researchers find C-reactive protein differences, a predictor of heart disease among sexes, races

A protein in the blood that is considered to be a key indicator of future heart disease may vary considerably among women and men, as well as blacks and whites, according to new research at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

2 Aug 2005

Guidant receives FDA approval to re-enter heart failure market

Guidant Corporation has announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to re-launch its CONTAK RENEWAL 3 family of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) defibrillators in the United States.

2 Aug 2005

Link between stress and the health of victims of crime

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Adelaide will examine the link between stress and the health of victims of crime.

2 Aug 2005

West Australian study to look at whether dust has the potential to cause health problems

The West Australian Department of Health will conduct a study to look at whether dust in the town of Port Hedland has the potential to cause health problems.

2 Aug 2005

The wonders of watermelon

On a hot summer day, nothing refreshes quite like a crisp, juicy slice of cool watermelon. Whether you're chomping into watermelon, enjoying it as part of a fruit salad or slurping on a watermelon smoothie, that red pulp provides a powerhouse of nutritional value.

2 Aug 2005

New guidelines to help physicians treat and prevent heart attacks

A University of Cincinnati (UC) physician is the lead author of new, simplified guidelines designed to help physicians treat and prevent heart attacks.

2 Aug 2005

Diagnostic imaging gets cardiovascular eye

Imaging has become a heated topic, embroiling cardiologists and more than 20 other medical specialists in a debate about tests selected and who performs and interprets them. In San Francisco on August 11-13, the American College of Cardiology is tackling this tough topic in its first-annual Integrated Cardiovascular Imaging Conference.

2 Aug 2005