American Heart Association

Although they had more cardiovascular comorbidities, patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes experienced rates of ischemic stroke comparable to those in AF patients without diabetes.

Analysis of health claims data indicates that physicians are underprescribing anticoagulant treatment in large numbers of patients with atrial fibrillation who are at high risk of stroke and low risk of bleeding.

Researchers reported finding large differences in the incidence rates of major cardiovascular disease across a broad range of immigrant groups to Canada.

Although oral antiplatelet therapy is broadly supported as preventive therapy for patients with established atherosclerotic vascular disease, researchers say emerging evidence for specific agents shows heterogeneous outcomes by symptomatic vascular bed, and patterns of use may vary by symptomatic territory.

Treating Hispanic patients with stable CAD with daily low-dose aspirin plus ticagrelor provided lower levels of on-treatment platelet reactivity with a faster onset and greater extent of platelet inhibition, compared to treatment with aspirin plus clopidogrel.

Study results confirm the validity of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire section focusing on chronic angina frequency, showing it correlated strongly with patients' daily diary entries regarding angina frequency and medication use.

Researchers with the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study are working to understand the mechanisms of sudden cardiac arrest by "searching for novel determinants of this condition that will facilitate the identification of subjects at risk, with the overall goal of improving prevention of sudden cardiac arrest" and improving the current low rate of successful resuscitation.

Study results presented at AHA 2013 show that nearly half of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) are at high risk of discontinuing their medications. However, patients taking novel anticoagulants such as dabigatran or rivaroxaban were less likely to stop their medications.

Long term survival after cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and atrioventricular junction ablation is similar to that observed in patients in sinus rhythm, but death rate is elevated for atrial fibrillation patients treated with rate-slowing drugs.

A substudy of the PLATO trial reveals that treatment with ticagrelor reduces cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in some patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Results from the RELAX-AHF show serelaxin reduces cardiovascular deaths and improves symptoms in patients with heart failure.

Results from a substudy of the PLATO trial show that patients with extensive CAD and high rates of recurrent cardiovascular events, death, and bleeding may benefit from treatment with ticagrelor.

Study results presented at the American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions show that visible signs of aging such as baldness and yellow fatty deposits around the eye are predictors for heart attack and heart disease risk.

Many young adults age 18-24 with high blood pressure remain undiagnosed with hypertension, even after long-term physician care.

New research presented at the American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions reveals that although the number of cardiovascular-related deaths increases during the winter months in the US, the rate increase is consistent across climates.

M. Amin Karami, PhD, discusses study results presented at AHA 2012 that demonstrated the technical feasibility of using a piezoelectric energy-harvesting device to power a pacemaker.

Results from the UMPIRE study show that use of fixed-dose combination cardiovascular drugs improve medication adherence and improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels in patients.

Results from the OPERA trial presented at AHA 2012 show that short-term use of fish oil supplements does not decrease post-operative atrial fibrillation.

Men age 50 and older who take multivitamins every day gain no added protection against heart attacks, stroke, or cardiovascular death.

A new experimental device may be able to use converted energy from a patient's heart to generate enough electricity to fully power a pacemaker.

Study results presented at AHA 2012 indicate that revascularization using CABG in diabetic patients with multivessel disease provides better clinical outcomes than PCI and is more cost effective in the long run.

Results from a sub-study of the Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) that focused on quality of life issues in patients who had previously suffered a heart attack and were treated with chelation therapy reveal no improvements in these patients' quality of life.

Click here for information about registration, scheduled events and speakers, and more at AHA 2012.

Retrospective analysis reveals that statin use is not associated with increased risk of cancer.

Post-traumatic stress disorder more than doubles a veteran's risk of death from any cause and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Poor medication plan adherence poses major health risks in patients with cardiovascular illnesses. Better adherence starts with better communication.

Study shows that cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor anacetrapib reduced LDL by 40% and doubled HDL in patients with coronary disease.

GRAVITAS trial results show that high-dose clopidogrel does not reduce the incidence of death, heart attack, or blood clots in high-risk patients.

Once you've determined that a patient truly is statin-intolerant, there are several viable alternatives for lipid-lowering therapy, including niacin.

Intravenous treatment with the iron compound ferric carboxymaltose improves health-related quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure.