Heart

Training volunteers to use defibrillators pays off

Non-medical people can be taught to safely and effectively use automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to treat cardiac arrests that occur outside the hospital.

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Diet, exercise offset heart risk at menopause

A woman’s risk of developing heart disease rises considerably when she reaches menopause, but a healthy lifestyle can do much to reduce the risk,…    

Blood vessel changes predict high blood pressure

Structural changes in small blood vessels may precede the development of severe high blood pressure, findings from the Blue Mountains Eye Study in Australia…    

Antioxidants don’t protect heart of male smokers

Neither vitamin E nor beta-carotene supplements protect male smokers against heart disease. The antioxidants may actually be harmful, cardiologists report in the European Heart…    

Exercise safe for people with defibrillators

With supervision, patients prone to heartbeat irregularities who have an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can exercise safely, and derive benefits, according to European investigators.…    

Heart attack patients without support fare poorly

The support of family, friends and others may be key in how well a person recovers after a heart attack, according to a new…    

Heart patients often stop their medication

You’ve survived a heart attack and made it out of the hospital. Wouldn’t you stick to the medication you’ve been prescribed? A surprising number…    

Get antioxidants from food, not pills

Despite some reports that antioxidant vitamins have cardiovascular benefits, a panel of experts at the American Heart Association (AHA) has concluded that there is…    

Vitamin E doesn’t prevent heart attack or stroke

Findings from a new study suggest that vitamin E is not useful in preventing heart attack or stroke.

The authors warn that…    

One drug safer than two after stroke

Following a stroke, treatment with the anti-clotting drug Plavix (clopidogrel) can help prevent future strokes and heart attack. Now, new research shows that Plavix…    

Baby born with heart outside body

Charli Southern has defied the odds by surviving despite being born with her heart outside her chest, it is reported.

She was…    

People with heart failure are living longer

Over the last two decades, the occurrence of heart failure has remained stable but survival has improved considerably—although not uniformly across different demographic groups.…    

Nurse visits may aid blood pressure control

Frequent visits to a nurse may help people gain better control over their high blood pressure, study findings suggest.

Researchers in Brazil…    

Many top cyclists have enlarged hearts

More than half of elite professional cyclists apparently have an enlarged heart chamber, a new study from France indicates.

Although endurance athletes…    

Study backs beta-blocker use for heart failure

Beta-blocker drugs appear to help people with heart failure, a finding that may ease concerns about possible adverse side effects in patients with the…    

Cholesterol levels lowered for heart patients

People who have recently had a heart attack should lower their “bad cholesterol” to rock-bottom levels, according to new guidelines issued Monday.

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Drug guards child’s heart in cancer therapy -study

A drug made by Pfizer Inc. can protect young cancer patients’ hearts from the ravages of chemotherapy and keep them from developing serious cardiac…    

Capri islanders test remote heart monitor

Remote heart monitoring devices that can transmit data to call centres could help save lives in remote areas if an experimental system being…    

Coffee doesn’t seem to affect heart attack deaths

Coffee drinkers probably don’t have to worry that they might not fare well if they have a heart attack. Self-reported coffee consumption does not…    

Chronic stress tied to heart, stroke risks in men

A stress-filled life really does seem to raise the odds of heart disease and stroke down the road, according to a large study from…    

Experts warn delayed aid damages hearts

Aggressive new guidelines published Monday call for quick treatment of a common form of heart attack marked by chest pain and shortness of breath.…    

Tear in aorta more deadly for women than men

A sudden tear in the inner lining of the aorta is always a medical emergency, but for women it’s especially dangerous.

Women…    

Exercise guidelines for genetic heart conditions released

The American Heart Association (AHA) has produced a series of recommendations for recreational physical activity in children, teens, and young adults with genetic cardiovascular…    

Screening seen unlikely to detect at-risk athletes

Most states require that high school athletes undergo a physical examination before participating in sports, in part to identify students who have an underlying…    

More Britons than ever living with heart disease

Fewer people are dying from it but more Britons than ever before are living with coronary heart disease, the British Heart Foundation said…