People who work night shifts are at increased risk of developing an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AF), according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1]. The study is the first to investigate the links between night shift work and AF. Using information from 283,657 people in the […]
Category: Cardiology
Statin use is linked to reduced risk of cancer among heart failure patients
Statin use among patients with heart failure is associated with a 16% lower risk of developing cancer compared with non-statin users during an average of four years of follow-up, according to new research published in the European Heart Journal [1]. In addition, the study found that statin use was associated with a 26% reduced risk […]
Disease of the smallest heart blood vessels is important global health problem
First international study to describe characteristics and prognosis for microvascular angina For the first time, a prospective, international study has shown that chest pain caused by problems with the very small vessels supplying blood to the heart is an important health problem that increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke and death due to cardiovascular […]
Disrupted sleep is linked to increased risk of death, particularly in women
For the first time, a study has shown a clear link between the frequency and duration of unconscious wakefulness during night-time sleep and an increased risk of dying from diseases of the heart and blood vessels, and death from any cause, particularly in women. The study of 8001 men and women, which is published in […]
Air pollution and physical exercise: when to do more or less
Physical activity is important in preventing heart and blood vessel disease in young people so long as they don’t undertake very strenuous activity on days when air pollution levels are high, according to a nationwide study of nearly 1.5 million people published n the European Heart Journal [1]. Until now, little has been known about […]
Stressed brain linked to broken heart
Heightened activity in the brain, caused by stressful events, is linked to the risk of developing a rare and sometimes fatal heart condition, according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1]. The study found the greater the activity in nerve cells in the amygdala region of the brain, the sooner the condition known […]
Study suggests wearing a face mask during intense exercise is safe for healthy people
Wearing a protective face mask has only a modest effect on the ability of healthy people to do vigorous exercise, according to a study published in the European Respiratory Journal. Researchers carried out detailed testing on breathing, heart activity and exercise performance in a group of 12 people while they were using an exercise bike […]
Damage to the heart found in more than half of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital
Around 50% of patients who have been hospitalised with severe COVID-19 and who show raised levels of a protein called troponin have damage to their hearts. The injury was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at least a month after discharge, according to new findings published in the European Heart Journal [1]. Damage includes […]
People infected with COVID-19 have a higher risk of dying after a cardiac arrest
Women are nine times more likely to die COVID-19 patients who suffer a cardiac arrest either in or out of hospital are far more likely to die than patients who are not infected with the coronavirus. In particular, women have the highest risk of dying: they are nine times more likely to die after suffering […]
Metformin may affect risk of breast cancer in women with type 2 diabetes
A study of 44,541 women has found that there appears to be no association between type 2 diabetes and developing breast cancer overall. This may be because most women in the study with type 2 diabetes were taking metformin, a medication widely used to treat type 2 diabetes, whose actions may help to reduce the […]