Cardiology

While there has been a considerable amount of research about lowering "bad cholesterol," but questions have raised about whether "good cholesterol," really is a good thing and if it should be monitored and treated by doctors.

Patients diagnosed with cardiac conditions or having suffered cardiac events do so for a variety of reasons. A recent study looked at the impact of family history of heart attacks and what can be done to help prevent their patients from suffering similar events.

New analyses of Watchman trial data indicate that left atrial appendage closure might be a more cost-effective long-term treatment for atrial fibrillation than medication and that it may reduce the long-term risk of serious bleeds — but only at the price of more bleeds in the short term.

Gout has long been associated with cardiovascular conditions such as heart dysfunction, however, the pathology between the two have remained unclear. A large study analyzed this type of arthritis in connection with atrial fibrillation.

As technology improves and more is learned about treatment for various conditions new guidelines are constantly being developed in the medical field. Once the guidelines are updated it becomes even more important to get that information into the field to help the patients who can benefit from them.

Whether it is a parent concerned about their child's health or a doctor in a hospital looking to prevent the spreading of germs an alternative for a stethoscope could be a welcome addition to the health care field. With iPhones being a common tool in life bringing the two together could benefit people in many ways.

Patients with chronic total occlusion percutaneous intervention may also be at risk of developing depression. Research has shown by treating the cardiac condition it can help lesson the symptoms of the psychiatric condition as well.

Researchers are constantly looking for new ways to help diagnose patients with a variety of conditions. A recent study in Boston looked at whether optical probes could help patients in the future.

As one of the newest anticoagulants on the market new research has opened the door for more patients to use Xarelto as part of their treatment regimen over the years.

Study results suggest that antihyperglycemic agents are too often inappropriately discontinued after hospitalization for type 2 diabetes mellitus, possibly to the detriment of patients.

Current treatment for fibromuscular dysplasia mainly includes symptom management rather than treating the overall condition. Research is working to find not only the cause of the condition but a more robust treatment option.

In a time when doctors are busier than ever and patients still want to feel a personal connection to their health care professionals, finding new ways to have that balance has become a field of study for now and the future.

In the changing landscape of hospital medicine one of the largest areas of focus has been on readmission rates, this is also true for patients who are discharged from one hospital and then readmitted into another location for further treatment.

There may be a wealth of options available for patients with heart failure but work is continually being done to find new and better treatment options.

Finding a way to treat acute kidney injury has been no easy task for the medical community. Now researchers are looking at whether a patient's own cells could be the key to providing the treatment they need.

As one of the fastest growing economies in the world China is also dealing with one of the largest pollution problems across the world. What can be done to address those issues on a permanent basis is the study of a recent study by researchers around the globe.

Seniors who developed the painful rash commonly known as shingles may also be at higher risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack.

From cardiologists to physical therapists to nurses there is a team approach needed to provide cardiac patients the care they need for treatment. Keeping that care going even after a cardiac event has passed has been a growing focus of the field in recent years.

People who take a common drug for type 2 diabetes may be at risk for serious drug interactions if they add the blood thinner warfarin to the mix.

Not only do women with type 2 diabetes have double the risk of cardiovascular disease compared with men, but they also need more frequent and intense physical activity to lower that risk.

A powerful new drug discovery technique may have uncovered a candidate compound for treating type 2 diabetes.

For many years patients with heart failure were ineligible to be reimbursed for cardiac rehabilitation for their condition. Those guidelines have now changed for many patients showing impressive benefits from the work.

Rehospitalization is becoming a growing concern in the health care field with health systems facing financial consequences if they do not reach certain benchmarks. A recent study of an approved medication showed benefits in this area that could help patients and providers alike.

A considerable amount of research has been done into the neurological issues facing football players but work is also being done to study the impact on the heart of some of the larger players on the field as well.

A trio of professional societies has issued consensus recommendations for the use of left atrial appendage closure devices recommendations that argue against several significant restrictions in proposed rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

There are medications currently available to help patients diagnosed with heart failure but many do not address quality of life of these patients after treatment. A new medication being investigated could help with both issues of patient care.

When treatment of cardiovascular disease goes beyond the heart and into other areas of the body it can present different challenges for cardiologists. Finding new ways to overcome those challenges has been a focus of many conditions including peripheral artery disease.

As more research is done into the effects of Brilinta on patients more is learned about new ways doctors can prescribe the medication to help their patients.

When people think of digital health aids they may not think beyond their smartphone or other wearable devices. Work is being done to move this field in a direction even more helpful than currently used.

It was not that long ago that PCSK9 inhibitors were just an idea being discussed in the field of cardiology. Just a few months ago the FDA approved the first treatments which has meant answers to many questions with some questions still remaining.