People over the age of 60 should do more exercise not less in order to prevent heart disease and stroke, according to findings from a study of over 1.1 million elderly people published in the European Heart Journal [1]. The researchers in South Korea found that people who did less moderate or vigorous physical activity […]
Category: Cardiology
Bed time is the best time to take blood pressure medication. Largest study finds greater reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease and death from bedtime rather than morning medication
People with high blood pressure who take all their anti-hypertensive medication in one go at bedtime have better controlled blood pressure and a significantly lower risk of death or illness caused by heart or blood vessel problems, compared to those who take their medication in the morning, according to new research. The Hygia Chronotherapy Trial, […]
Paclitaxel-coated devices are safe for unblocking arteries in lower limbs: results from largest group of patients in the ‘real world’
Devices coated with a drug called paclitaxel that are used for widening blocked arteries in legs and feet are safe and not linked to an increase in deaths, according to a study of nearly 65,000 patients, published in the European Heart Journal [1]. In January 2019 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a […]
Cardiovascular disease patients benefit more from exercise than healthy people
A study of nearly half a million people has found for the first time that those with heart or blood vessel problems benefit more from having a physically active lifestyle than do healthy people without cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increased physical activity reduced the risk of dying during a six-year follow-up period for people with and […]
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease for healthy 75-year-olds who stop taking statins
Statins are known to reduce the risk of further problems in patients of any age who have already suffered heart problems or stroke. However, until now it has not been clear how effective their use is in preventing such events occurring in healthy people aged 75 and over, with no previous history of cardiovascular disease. […]
Pear-shaped is better for postmenopausal women, even if they are normal weight
Postmenopausal women who are “apple” shaped rather than “pear” shaped are at greater risk of heart and blood vessel problems, even if they have a normal, healthy body mass index (BMI) according to new research. In fact, the study, which is published in the European Heart Journal [1], found that storing a greater proportion of […]
Atrial fibrillation linked to increased risk of dementia, even in stroke-free patients
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is linked to an increased risk of dementia, even in people who have not suffered a stroke, according to the largest study to investigate the association in an elderly population. In addition, the study, which is published in the European Heart Journal [1], found that AF patients who took oral anticoagulants to […]
Excess weight and body fat cause cardiovascular disease
Excess weight and body fat cause a range of heart and blood vessel diseases, according to the first study to investigate this using a method called Mendelian randomisation. In particular, the study published in the European Heart Journal [1], shows that as body mass index (BMI) and fat mass increase, so does the risk of […]
Women are less likely to be resuscitated and survive a cardiac arrest than men
Women who have a cardiac arrest outside the hospital setting are less likely to receive resuscitation from bystanders and more likely to die than men, according to new research published in the European Heart Journal [1]. The researchers, led by cardiologist Dr Hanno Tan (MD, PhD) at the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands), found that […]
Antibiotic use linked to greater risk of heart attack and stroke in women
Women who take antibiotics over a long period of time are at increased risk of heart attack or stroke, according to research carried out in nearly 36,500 women. The study, published in the European Heart Journal [1], found that women aged 60 or older who took antibiotics for two months or more had the greatest […]