Stress may lead to obesity and heart disease

New research links social stress to harmful fat deposits, heart disease – Social stress could be an important precursor to heart disease by causing the body to deposit more fat in the abdominal cavity, speeding the harmful buildup of plaque in blood vessels, a stepping stone to the number one cause of death in the world.

Psoriasis linked to increased heart disease risk

Psoriasis associated with cardiovascular disease and increased mortality – Psoriasis skin disease is associated with atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries) characterized by an increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and an increased risk of death, revealed by researchers.

Certain drug coated stents may be safe, effective

Certain drug-coated stents may be safe, effective option for elderly patients – Stents coated with the drug paclitaxel may be a safe, effective treatment option for coronary artery disease (CAD) patients age 70 and older and shouldn’t be withheld due to advanced patient age, according to a study reported in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Genetic factors may predict depression in heart disease patients

Genetic variations contribute to depression in heart disease patients. – Individuals with heart disease are twice as likely to suffer from depression as the general population, an association the medical community has largely been unable to explain. Now, a new study by researchers at The Miriam Hospital, in conjunction with The Montr?al Heart Institute, University of Montr?al and McGill University, reveals there may be genetic variations that contribute to depression in heart disease patients.

High blood pressure from virus cytomegalovirus

Study indicates that a common virus could cause high blood pressure – Cytomegalovirus affects majority of adults worldwide. – A new study suggests for the first time that cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common viral infection affecting between 60 and 99 percent of adults worldwide, is a cause of high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.

Laughter lowers heart attack risk in diabetics

Mirthful Laughter Coupled With Standard Diabetic Treatment, Raises Good Cholesterol And May Lower Heart Attack Risk. – Researchers found that mirthful laughter, as a preventive adjunct therapy in diabetes care, raised good cholesterol and lowered inflammation.

Stroke linked to genetic changes

Scientists discover genetic variant tied to increased stroke risk – First study to identify common variant influencing susceptibility in US. – Scientists have identified a previously unknown connection between two genetic variants and an increased risk of stroke, providing strong evidence for the existence of specific genes that help explain the genetic component of stroke.

Heart attack cases reduced in US

Less severe first heart attacks linked to heart disease death reductions – The severity of first heart attacks has dropped significantly in the United States – propelling a decline in coronary heart disease deaths, researchers reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Healthy, younger adults could be at risk for heart disease

UT Southwestern researchers find that healthy, younger adults could be at risk for heart disease – Even younger adults who have few short-term risk factors for heart disease may have a higher risk of developing heart disease over their lifetimes, according to new findings by a UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher.

NPY gene variation may lead to early heart disease

Genetic variation may lead to early cardiovascular disease – Researchers from Duke University Medical Center have identified a variation in a particular gene that increases susceptibility to early coronary artery disease.

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