Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump as much blood as the body requires. This ineffective pumping can lead to enlargement of the heart as the myocardium works harder pump the same amount of blood. Heart failure may be caused by defects in the myocardium, such as an a heart attack infarct, or due to structural issues such as severe heart valve regurgitation. Heart failure can be divided into HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The disease is further divided into four New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes. Stage IV heart failure is when the heart is completely failing and requires a heart transplant or hemodynamic support from a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

coffee

Drinking coffee reduces the risk of heart failure—but not if it’s decaf

In fact, drinking decaffeinated coffee was associated with a significant increase in heart failure risk.

February 9, 2021

Sacubitril/valsartan improves self-reported quality of life for HFpEF patients

However, treatment with sacubitril/valsartan did not lead to improvements in hospitalizations for heart failure or all-cause mortality.

February 1, 2021
Heart failure hospitalizations among young adults are getting more common and more expensive

Male breast cancer patients face a heightened risk of cardiovascular issues

The new findings are part of a virtual conference being hosted by the American College of Cardiology. 

January 25, 2021
approved approval

Merck’s vericiguat gains FDA approval for treating high-risk chronic heart failure patients

Sold as Verquvo, the medication can help patients reduce their risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure.

January 22, 2021
Doctor mask covid

24% of heart failure patients hospitalized with COVID-19 die

The authors examined data from more than 1.2 million patients, tracking individuals who had previously been hospitalized for heart failure and then returned later due to COVID-19. 

January 21, 2021
diabetes

How to predict heart failure among patients with diabetes, prediabetes

Researchers were able to predict, with considerable accuracy, each patient's 5- and 10-year risk of heart failure. 

January 15, 2021
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has published a new guidance document focused on the treatment of patients who present with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and other chronic conditions sch as hypertension, diabetes and atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Beta-blockers make little difference for heart attack patients without heart failure or LVSD

The researchers, sharing their work in the American Journal of Cardiology, suggested multiple reasons why this may be the case. 

January 15, 2021

American College of Cardiology shares new treatment guidelines for HFrEF, emphasizing team-based approach

The document, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, includes updated data and new treatment strategies. 

January 12, 2021

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