Cardiology

Heart disease is a growing problem in the country and work has been done to improve the overall public health through a number of steps including cardiac imaging. That work is also focused on the proper blood pressure for patients of all ages.

New research has cast more doubt on the theory that drinking coffee, even in large amounts, may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation.

A device manufacturer's decision to halt a trial of a pump-and-filter system that removes excess salt and fluid from heart failure patients left researchers with promising but statistically insignificant data. It also raised questions about whether that manufacturer acted ethically.

As new drugs for lowering heart rate become available, physicians treat heart failure patients may chose these agents instead of increasing doses of beta blockers. A multi-center study finds that could be the wrong choice.

Individuals afflicted with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are also at higher risk for new-onset migraines.

Devoted soda drinkers began to lose their minds when an infographic outlining the harmful effects a single can of Coca-Cola has on the body in one hour began circulating the Internet. Now a new infographic has revealed what a Big Mac from McDonald's can do to the body in the same amount of time.

Ankylosing spondylitis appears to carry an increased risk of vascular mortality, Canadian researchers report.

Physicians often fail to counsel recovering heart attack patients on whether they are at risk of having another myocardial infarction triggered by sexual activity. In a letter to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Dietrich Rothenbacher, MD, MPH and colleagues have reassuring data.

The link between testosterone therapy and cardiovascular risks has been a hot topic of debate, with researchers offering competing evidence and statements supporting or refuting the existence of link between testosterone supplementation and increased cardiovascular risk. Now, physicians from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) have publicly stated their position on the issue.

In an effort to fight obesity and diabetes and promote healthier diet and lifestyle choices through targeted interventions, public health officials determined which regions of the US have the highest levels of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.

Study results show that treating community-dwelling elders too zealously for elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone levels is a leading cause of thyrotoxicosis.

A large retrospective analysis from Canada suggests that dabigatran is about as safe and effective as warfarin in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.

Patients discharged from the hospital often rely on a family member to perform complex nursing tasks at home. These caregivers are critical, but too often physicians do not acknowledge these family members' role or help them with care instructions, says Carol Levine of the United Hospital Fund.

It may be the European Society of Cardiology's annual congress, but with abstract submissions from North America and Asia the recent event was further proof that the field is becoming more globalized while still holding to its Localized roots.

A study analyzing sputum suggests that there may be a framework for changes in the proteins of smokers' lungs, which in turn lead to changes in transcription factors, and eventually to inflammatory mechanisms.

Obesity is a growing problem around the world and new research has shown that even small amounts of physical exercise can make a big difference in keeping people from gaining too much weight.

As the European Society of Cardiology wraps up another successful congress in London there remains a buzz about the work being done by doctors around the world to help patients with a variety of conditions.

Patients in the emergency room for a recent heart attack may be prescribed ticagrelor by the attending physician. A recent study showed getting patients the treatment as early as in the ambulance can provide additional benefits.

Study results show that health care practitioners who treat psoriasis patients often miss important opportunities to communicate the cardiovascular risks those patients are likely to face.

As oral anticoagulants become more popular and a new generation of the drugs is introduced there are still some questions about the potential risks of taking the medication and whether they outweigh the benefits.

The use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) has been rising steadily. But they can cause complications. In an article in Annals of Internal Medicine a multispecialty panel reports on the Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters (MAGIC). The panel came up with new PICC criteria.

PCSK9 inhibitors have been the focus of the cardiology community and with the approval of two medications in the past few months these drugs could soon make their way to a large number of patients needing help managing their cholesterol levels using more than just statins.

The cost critics at the non-profit Institute for Clincial and Economic Review today charged that a heart monitoring device is too expensive by 60% and a new cardiac drug costs 17% more than it should. It's the same group that attacked the cost of PCSK9 inhibitors and predicted hepatitis C antivirals would be pricey.

Congestive heart failure is a serious condition facing people around the world. Early trials of a gene therapy have showed promise to not only help these patients with the condition but also make their hearts healthier.

Just because researchers go into a study with a hypothesis they hope to prove, it does not mean the results will be what they were hoping for.

Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle reported that the use of avatars (digital representations of a coach, buddy, or teacher) improved user satisfaction in interactive, online weight management programs for obese teens.

Study results show patients who took statins following ischemic stroke were significantly less likely to have post-stroke early-onset seizures.

Middle-aged men with prediabetes are more likely than healthy peers to suffer from depressive symptoms and signs of andropausal syndrome.

There is an ever growing list of tests doctors can order for their patients, particularly when it comes to cardiac conditions. Choosing the right test is a very important skill for practitioners to use in their daily practice.

With the introduction of two new medications cardiologists have powerful new tools to use in order to help heart failure become an even more manageable condition.