Thousands of lives could be saved by combining two cholesterol-lowering drugs

Largest study to date suggests patients at high risk of heart attacks and strokes should be treated immediately with a combination of a statin and ezetimibe London, UK: The largest analysis to examine the best way to lower levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol in patients with blocked arteries shows that they should immediately be given a […]

Burden of cardiovascular disease caused by extreme heat in Australia to more than double by 2050

Hot weather is responsible for an average of almost 50,000 years of healthy life lost to cardiovascular disease every year among people in Australia, according to research published in the European Heart Journal. This equates to around 7.3% of the total burden due to illness and death from cardiovascular disease. The study also suggests that […]

Breast cancer death rates will rise in elderly EU patients but fall for all other ages

Experts predict death rates from all cancers for the EU and UK for 2025 Death rates from breast cancer will fall in 2025 in every age group in the EU and the UK apart from in EU patients aged 80 years and older. In these older patients, overall mortality rates from the disease are predicted […]

Mothers of twins face a higher risk of heart disease in the year after birth

The risk of being admitted to the hospital with heart disease is twice as high the year after birth for mothers of twins compared to singleton births, according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1] . The risk is even higher in mothers of twins who had a high blood pressure condition during […]

Fatty muscles raise the risk of serious heart disease regardless of overall body weight

People with pockets of fat hidden inside their muscles are at a higher risk of dying or being hospitalised from a heart attack or heart failure, regardless of their body mass index, according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1]. This ‘intermuscular’ fat is highly prized in beef steaks for cooking. However, little […]

Morning coffee may protect the heart better than all-day coffee drinking

People who drink coffee in the morning have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a lower overall mortality risk compared to all-day coffee drinkers, according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1]. The research was led by Dr Lu Qi HCA Regents Distinguished Chair and Professor at the Celia Scott […]

Study using more reliable measure of wine consumption finds possible protective effect for low to moderate drinking in people at risk of cardiovascular disease

Drinking a small or moderate amount of wine may lower the risk of serious cardiovascular disease in people at a higher risk who are following a Mediterranean diet, according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1]. Previous studies on the effects of wine on cardiovascular health have produced inconsistent results. This may be […]

Infertility linked to onset of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease after childbirth

Women who experience infertility but do not use fertility treatments have a higher risk of developing a group of conditions called systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) in the nine years after a naturally conceived birth compared to women without fertility problems. The new research, published in Human Reproduction [1], one of the world’s leading reproductive […]

People who use vapes as well as cigarettes are less likely to quit and often switch to just smoking

People who use both vapes and cigarettes are less likely to quit compared to people who only smoke or only vape, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research [1]. Instead, the research suggests that over time, most of these ‘dual users’ tend to revert to only smoking cigarettes. The researchers say their findings […]