Some athletes who take part in endurance exercise such as marathon running, endurance triathlons or alpine cycling can develop irregularities in their heartbeats that can, occasionally, lead to their sudden death. Now, new evidence published in the European Heart Journal [1] has shown that doctors who try to detect these heartbeat irregularities (known as arrhythmias) […]
Category: Cardiology
Digoxin increases the risk of death in patients with heart problems, according to the largest study of the evidence so far
There is conflicting evidence about whether digoxin, a drug that has been used worldwide for centuries to treat heart disease, might contribute to an increase in deaths in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or congestive heart failure (CHF). Now, the largest review of all the evidence to date shows that it is associated with an […]
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increases the risk of sudden cardiac death
People suffering from the common lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), according to new research published online on Wednesday in the European Heart Journal [1]. When compared with people of the same age and sex who do not have the disease, those with COPD have […]
Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol is linked to reduced risk of heart failure
Evidence already exists for the beneficial effects of drinking moderate amounts of alcohol on the risk of developing a number of heart conditions; however, the role it plays in the risk of developing heart failure has been under-researched with conflicting results. Now, a large study of nearly 15,000 men and women, published in the European […]
Blood sugar levels in heart failure patients predict risk of early death, hospitalisations and diabetes
New research suggests that people who arrive at hospital emergency departments with acute heart failure should have their blood sugar levels checked on arrival. This simple and inexpensive measure could identify patients at high risk of early death, further hospitalisations, or the development of more health problems, such as diabetes. Results of a large study […]
New analysis of the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial of renal denervation to lower blood pressure highlights key factors that may have contributed to the unexpected outcome
A new analysis of an important trial of the blood pressure-lowering procedure, renal denervation, shows that the main results may have been affected by a number of confounding factors that partially explain the unexpected blood pressure responses in patients. The analysis, published in the European Heart Journal [1], identified factors in the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial, […]
‘Utter neglect’ of rheumatic heart disease revealed by results from global study
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) – the most common acquired heart disease in children in many countries of the world – is being neglected and poorly treated, according to new findings from the Global Rheumatic Heart Disease Registry (the REMEDY study), published online in the European Heart Journal [1]. RHD accounts for up to 1.4 million […]
Everest expedition provides first evidence of effects of altitude on blood pressure monitored over a 24-hour period
An expedition to Mount Everest by Italian researchers has shown for the first time that blood pressure monitored over a 24-hour period rises progressively as people climb to higher altitudes. The researchers also found that while a drug used for lowering blood pressure, called telmisartan, was effective in counteracting the effects of altitude up to […]
Latest research shows rates of heart disease and stroke continue to decline in Europe, but more people are hospitalised
Deaths from heart disease and stroke are declining overall in Europe, but at differing rates, according to research, published online in the European Heart Journal [1]. The research, which provides an update for 2014 on the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Europe, shows that death rates from CVD (diseases of the heart and blood […]
Mothers of women with PCOS have increased risk of early death
Mothers of daughters with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a significantly increased risk of death, particularly if they also have diabetes, when compared to the general population, according to new research. The Dutch study, published online in Human Reproduction [1], one of the world’s leading reproductive medicine journals, compared death rates of mothers and fathers […]