Heart Shape’s Hidden Clues: Unraveling the Genetic Secrets Behind Cardiac Health and Disease

Heart Shape’s Hidden Clues: Unraveling the Genetic Secrets Behind Cardiac Health and Disease

Researchers at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai have made a gentle observation that individuals with round, baseball-like hearts may be more susceptible to future heart failure and atrial fibrillation than those with elongated, Valentine-shaped hearts. The findings were published in Med—Cell Press’ new peer-reviewed medical journal, and utilized deep learning and sophisticated imaging analysis to explore the genetics of heart structure.

Middle aged active have low risk of sudden cardiac arrest

Middle aged active have low risk of sudden cardiac arrest

Middle-aged athletes at low risk for sudden cardiac arrest while exercising — Physically active middle-aged adults have low risk of sudden cardiac arrest – Sudden cardiac arrest during sports activities is relatively low among physically active middle-aged adults, and older people can exercise without worrying about triggering a heart rhythm disturbance, revealed by American researchers.

Biological pacemaker to treat heart rhythm disorders by gene therapy

Researchers develop first minimally invasive gene therapy procedure to treat heart rhythm disorders by transforming ordinary heart muscle cells into specialized rhythm-keeping cells, potentially eliminating future need for electronic pacemakers – Cardiologists at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute have developed a minimally invasive gene transplant procedure that changes unspecialized heart cells into “biological pacemaker” cells that keep the heart steadily beating.

Sirturo – first drug to treat multi drug resistant tuberculosis

FDA approves first drug to treat multi-drug resistant tuberculosis – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Sirturo (bedaquiline) as part of combination therapy to treat adults with multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) when other alternatives are not available.

Chronic stress raises stroke risk

Chronic stress linked to high risk of stroke — ‘Type A’ personality and life stressors boost risk independently of lifestyle factors – Chronic stress, prompted by major life stressors and type A personality traits, is linked to a high risk of stroke. Chronic stress, manifested as physical and/or mental symptoms in response to stressors lasting longer than 6 months has been linked to a heightened risk of heart disease. But its impact on the risk of stroke has not been clear.

Circadian rhythms linked to sudden cardiac attack

Study Links ‘Body Clock’ to Sudden Cardiac Death — ‘Biological clock’ may be behind sudden heart attacks – A new study uncovers the first molecular evidence linking the body’s natural circadian rhythms to sudden cardiac death (SCD). Ventricular arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms, are the most common cause of sudden cardiac death: the primary cause of death from heart disease. They occur most frequently in the morning waking hours, followed by a smaller peak in the evening hours.

Rivaroxaban can prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation patients

Study shows ability of new agent to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation – Rivaroxaban, an anti-clotting drug, was shown to be an attractive alternative to warfarin in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, revealed by researchers recently.

Stroke survivors with irregular heartbeat may have higher risk of dementia

Stroke survivors with irregular heartbeat may have higher risk of dementia – Stroke survivors who have an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation may be at higher risk of developing dementia than stroke survivors who do not have the heart condition, according to research published in the March 8, 2011, print issue of Neurology?, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Beta blockers may benefit COPD lung disease

Beta-Blockers May Be Associated With Benefits in Patients With Lung Disease – Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have fewer respiratory flare-ups and longer survival if they take beta-blocker medications, according to a report in the May 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

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