Acute Coronary Syndromes

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is most commonly caused by a heart attack (myocardial infarction) where blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. This is usually caused by a blood clot from a ruptured coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque. Other causes include spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which most commonly occurs in women. ACS is usually treated in a cath lab with angioplasty and the placement of a stent to prop the vessel open.

World Health Organization urges countries to limit salt intake to reduce risk of CVD, hypertension
The group wants countries to implement population-wide changes that can keep salt intake to a minimum. It estimates that such policies could save up to 900,000 lives in just a few years.
Mammogram findings linked to heightened risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes and hypertension
The new research, presented during ARRS 2024 in Boston, suggests CVD risk models may need to include certain findings identified in routine mammograms.
$Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow$
AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes
PAD patients evaluated with HeartFlow's noninvasive FFR_CTAnalysis technology prior to surgery experienced much better outcomes, including a 63% lower risk of all-cause mortality after five years.
Even lenient plant-based diets can help older adults live longer
Healthy diets that prioritize plant-based foods were associated with reductions in both all-cause mortality or CVD mortality. Diets do not have to be strictly vegan or vegetarian to make that impact, researchers noted.
Radial vs. femoral access during PCI: Real-world data show proof of a ‘sea change’ in cardiology
The use of radial access during PCI procedures is increasing throughout the United States, and new data presented at the SCAI's annual meeting suggest that could be beneficial for patients.

Scientists uncover contributor to heart attack, stroke

Researchers are beginning to put their finger on what may be causing heart attack and stroke in people with few or no conventional risk factors. But they’re still figuring out what to do about it, The New York Times reports.

January 30, 2018

Changes in heart rate over time correlate with cardiovascular risk

Increases in heart rate over time signal a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death, supporting the use of serial monitoring in clinical practice, researchers reported in JAMA Cardiology.

January 25, 2018

Flu patients 6 times more likely to have heart attack in week after diagnosis

If the buzz surrounding this flu season hasn’t been enough to convince people to head to their local pharmacies for a preventive shot, maybe this is will do it: A study in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine reported influenza patients are six times more likely to have a heart attack during the week following diagnosis.

January 25, 2018

Trauma rewires kids' bodies for susceptibility to heart disease

Trauma early in life could have a detrimental effect on a child’s biological makeup, possibly paving the way for heart disease and other chronic illnesses, NPR reported this week.

January 23, 2018

Fitness improves CVD risk across spectrum of coronary artery calcium scores

Regardless of a patient’s age or level of coronary artery calcification (CAC), each incremental improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) contributes to a lower risk of adverse cardiovascular events, researchers reported in Circulation.

January 22, 2018

Excessive sleepiness linked to increased risk of CVD, MI

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)—a commonality among heart patients and those with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)—could be an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events and repeat myocardial infarction (MI), researchers reported this month in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

January 22, 2018

Noted Cardiologists Jennifer H. Mieres, MD and Stacey E. Rosen, MD Launch Call to Action and New Book "Heart Smart For Women: Six S.T.E.P.S. in Six Weeks To Heart-Healthy Living"

NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2018 — Noted cardiologists, Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, and Stacey E. Rosen, MD, launch Heart Smart For Women; Six S.T.E.P.S. in Six Weeks To Heart- Healthy Living; a new book that demystifies the science, biology and statistics surrounding heart disease while providing a user-friendly program for successful heart-healthy living.

January 22, 2018

Women’s higher risk of death after MI explained by age, comorbidities

Women who present at a hospital with non-ST segment elevated MI (non-STEMI) are more likely to die than men, but they are also six years older on average and have a higher burden of comorbidities, researchers reported in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.

January 19, 2018

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Acute Coronary Syndromes

World Health Organization urges countries to limit salt intake to reduce risk of CVD, hypertension

Mammogram findings linked to heightened risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes and hypertension

AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes

Even lenient plant-based diets can help older adults live longer

Radial vs. femoral access during PCI: Real-world data show proof of a ‘sea change’ in cardiology

Around the web