The heart is a hollow, muscular organ in vertebrates, responsible for pumping blood through the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions. The term cardiac, as in cardiology, means – related to the heart – and comes from the Greek word, kardia, for heart.
Centenarian offspring retain important cardiovascular advantages from their parents compared to a similarly-aged. – A recent study appearing in the November issue of Journal of American Geriatrics Society revealed that centenarian offspring (children of parents who lived to be at least 97 years old) retain important cardiovascular advantages from their parents compared to a similarly-aged cohort.
Impact of buggies on parent-infant interaction investigated in new research. – A groundbreaking study being presented on 22nd November at the British Psychological Society Scotland’s Annual Conference suggests the orientation of a baby’s buggy impacts on mother-baby interaction, infant stress levels and ultimately child development.
Genetic screening no better than traditional risk factors for predicting type 2 diabetes, Value of screening may improve as more risk genes identified. – Screening for a panel of gene variants associated with the risk for type 2 diabetes can identify adults at risk for the disorder but is not significantly better than assessment based on traditional risk factors such as weight, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Ginkgo biloba does not reduce dementia or Alzheimer’s disease risk according to Pitt-led study in JAMA. – The medicinal herb Ginkgo biloba does not reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease development in either the healthy elderly or those with mild cognitive impairment, according to a large multicenter trial led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
National Birth Defects Prevention Study Shows Assisted Reproductive Technology is Associated with an Increased Risk of Certain Birth Defects – Infants conceived with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) are two to four times more likely to have certain types of birth defects than children conceived naturally, according to a study by the CDC.
Vitamin C lowers levels of heart disease biomarker, finds study, adds to debate of health benefits – A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, adds to the evidence that vitamin C supplements can lower concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), a central biomarker of inflammation that has been shown to be a powerful predictor of heart disease and diabetes.
Auckland participants wanted for polypill trial – A new clinical trial looking at a single pill to prevent cardiovascular disease is starting in Auckland, New Zealand.
Hannah Jones – a British Girl – won a legal case that allowed her to refuse a life-saving heart transplant surgery. – A British girl 13 years old, suffering from leukemia, Hannah Jones decided to refuse to have a heart transplant for her heart condition – a hole in her heart.
The researchers found that the cumulative incidence of ischemic stroke increased with increasing levels of nonfasting triglycerides. – Elevated nonfasting triglyceride levels, previously associated with an increased risk for heart attack, also appear to be associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke.
Low risk for heart attack? Could an ultrasound hold the answer? Ultrasound helps predict heart attacks in “low risk” patients. – By adding the results of an imaging technique to the traditional risk factors for coronary heart disease, doctors at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found they were able to improve prediction of heart attacks in people previously considered low risk.
Heart’s surplus energy may help power pacemakers and defibrillators implanted in cardiac patients. – Surplus energy generated by the heart may one day help power pacemakers and defibrillators implanted in cardiac patients, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2008.
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Study Demonstrates Unique Form of Bone Marrow Transplant Can Cure Sickle Cell Disease – A unique approach to bone marrow transplantation pioneered in part by a Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC physician has proven to be the only safe and effective cure for sickle cell disease, according to a new study.
