American Heart Association says Multivitamins do not promote Cardiovascular Health
July 17, 2018
American Heart Association Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes Journal Report
Dallas, TX – Taking multivitamin and mineral supplements does not prevent heart attacks, strokes or cardiovascular death, according to a new analysis of 18 studies published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal.
“We meticulously evaluated the body of scientific evidence,” said study lead author Joonseok Kim, M.D., assistant professor of cardiology in the Department of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “We found no clinical benefit of multivitamin and mineral use to prevent heart attacks, strokes or cardiovascular death.”
Multivitamins and mineral supplements do not prevent heart attacks, strokes or cardiovascular death. (American Heart Association)
Wearable Defibrillators may be an alternative to Surgically Implanted Device for children with certain heart rhythm disorders
July 13, 2018
American Heart Association Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology Journal Report
Dallas, TX – Wearable cardioverter defibrillators – vest-like devices that deliver electric shocks to interrupt a dangerous heart rhythm – may be a safe and effective alternative to surgically implanted devices in children with ventricular heart rhythm disorders that put them at risk for sudden cardiac death, according to new research published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, an American Heart Association journal.
Study finds external wearable defibrillators are safe and effective in children with ventricular heart rhythm disorders that put them at risk for sudden cardiac death. The wearable devices may provide a reliable alternative to surgically implanted . (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association reports Gene Editing Technology may improve accuracy of predicting individuals’ Heart Disease Risk
July 12, 2018
American Heart Association Circulation Journal Report
Dallas, TX – Scientists may now be able to predict whether carrying a specific genetic variant increases a person’s risk for disease using gene editing and stem cell technologies, according to new research in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.
For the first time, the study demonstrates the unique potential of combining stem cell-based disease modeling (Induced pluripotent stem cells) and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology as a personalized risk-assessment platform for determining the disease-causing ability of a yet undescribed genetic variant, known as a “variant of uncertain significance” or VUS.
Gene-editing technology may help scientists discern whether genetic variations with undetermined effects are harmless or dangerous. (American Heart Association)
Studying Heart Disease after Death can help the Living
July 11, 2018
American Heart Association
Dallas, TX – Autopsy is often an overlooked source of medical insight which may be hindering advances in cardiovascular medicine, according to new research published in a special issue of the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.
“Autopsy is a source of discovery that informs the way we think about disease systemically,” said Jeffrey E. Saffitz, M.D., Ph.D., co-editor of the special issue and chair of the department of pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.”
Several papers in a special issue of Circulation offer insight into how autopsy contributes to answers about the causes of sudden cardiac death, information from implantable device to improve heart function, and identifying the original cause of atherosclerosis. (American Heart Association)
Limited Health Literacy is a major barrier to Heart Disease Prevention and Treatment
June 25, 2018
American Heart Association Scientific Statement
Dallas, TX – Limited healthy literacy is a major barrier blocking many people from achieving good cardiovascular health or benefiting from effective treatment for heart attacks, heart failure, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases, according to a scientific statement published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.
Health literacy is essential to navigate the health care system, use medication effectively and improve heart-healthy behaviors. (American Heart Association)
High Protein Diet associated with small increased Heart Failure Risk in Middle-Aged Men
June 1, 2018
Circulation: Heart Failure Journal Report
Dallas, TX – For middle-aged men, eating higher amounts of protein was associated with a slightly elevated risk for heart failure than those who ate less protein, according to new research in Circulation: Heart Failure, an American Heart Association journal.
Despite the popularity of high protein diets, there is little research about how diets high in protein might impact men’s heart failure risk.
For middle-aged men, eating higher amounts of protein was associated with a slightly elevated risk for heart failure than those who ate less protein. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says Keep saying Yes to Fish twice a week for Heart Health
May 31, 2018
Dallas, TX – A new scientific advisory reaffirms the American Heart Association’s recommendation to eat fish- especially those rich in Omega-3 fatty acids twice a week to help reduce the risk of heart failure, coronary heart disease, cardiac arrest and the most common type of stroke (ischemic). The advisory is published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.
A new scientific advisory from the American Heart Association reaffirms the Association’s recommendation to eat two servings of fish per week. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association lists Five Healthy Habits may add more than a decade to life
May 22, 2018
Circulation Journal Report
Dallas, TX – Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including eating a healthy diet, regular exercise and not smoking, could prolong life expectancy at age 50 by 14 years for women and just over 12 years for men, according to new research in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.
America is one of the wealthiest countries worldwide, yet Americans have a shorter life expectancy compared with other high-income countries, including Japan, Canada and Norway.
A new study suggests that living a healthy lifestyle during adulthood may extend longevity by 14 years for women and 12 years for men. (American Heart Association)
When Heart Disease runs in the Family, Exercise may be Best Defense
May 17, 2018
American Heart Association Circulation Journal Report
Dallas, TX – Exercise may be the best way to keep hearts healthy – and it works even for people with a genetic pre-disposition for heart disease, according to new findings in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation.
Data assessed from roughly a half-million people in the UK Biobank database showed that greater grip strength, more physical activity and better cardiorespiratory fitness are all associated with reduced risk for heart attacks and stroke, even among people with a genetic predisposition for heart disease.
As fitness increases, heart risk decreases regardless of genetic risk. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says Vegetarian and Mediterranean Diet may be equally effective in preventing Heart Disease
March 23, 2018
Circulation Journal Report
Dallas, TX – A lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet, which includes eggs and dairy but excludes meat and fish, and a Mediterranean diet are likely equally effective in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke, according to new research in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.
Previous separate studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet reduces certain risk factors for cardiovascular disease, as does a vegetarian diet; however, this was the first study to compare effects of the two distinct eating patterns.
Mediterranean Diet Foods: Vegetables, grains, and olive oil for a Mediterranean diet. (American Heart Association)
