Headsets may interfere with heart devices
Daily Telegraph (UK) Nov 9, 08 3:25 PM CST
(Newser)
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Headphones used with digital music players may interfere with pacemakers and internal defibrillators, scientists discovered in research contradicting reports from the US government. “Exposure of a defibrillator to the headphones can temporarily deactivate the defibrillator,” the lead researcher said. Draping the headphones over the chest caused hindrance in 15% of pacemaker patients and 30% of defibrillator patients, the Daily Telegraph reports.
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Biodegradable frame supports stem cells, may pave way for creating whole organs
Independent (UK) Nov 3, 08 10:09 AM CST
(Newser)
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Scientists have developed a biodegradable scaffold on which heart tissue can be grown in the lab, possibly paving the way for the creation of whole organs, the Independent reports. In the meantime, the goal is to produce living patches for mending damaged hearts. The flexible polymer matrix ensures growing cells all align the right way, and dissolve within months.
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Beverage may give you both wings and heart trouble
Times (UK) Aug 15, 08 1:31 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Drinking Red Bull could lead to heart problems, the London Times reports. In a small study—30 Australian college students took part—downing even one can of the hypercaffeinated energy drink increased the risk of blot clots. In short, the young Red Bull enthusiasts developed a condition that resembled cardiovascular disease.
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Dump the Earl Grey: substance in beverage protects blood vessels
Time Jul 4, 08 9:50 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Drinking green tea may help keep blood vessels elastic and healthy, a new study suggests. The flavonoids in green tea that work as antioxidants also produce the relaxing effect, which could also help prevent clots. Participants received the equivalent of three to four cups of the tea each day and showed even more improvement after a week of daily consumption, Time reports.
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Doctors say improvement is dramatic, but could be short-lived
ABC News Jan 23, 08 2:54 AM CST
(Newser)
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Deaths from heart disease and strokes have dropped by a quarter since 1999—the biggest decrease on record, reports ABC News. An estimated 160,000 lives have been saved. "This is the fastest rate of decrease we've seen. It's very meaningful," said a doctor. The American Heart Association credits innovative new treatments like angioplasty, stents and clot-busting drugs—and better prevention—for the big drop.
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Just 15-30% of cardiac arrest victims get lifesaving treatment
Reuters Jan 15, 08 3:31 PM CST
(Newser)
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Spurred by the "woefully inadequate" number of cardiac arrest victims who receive CPR from a bystander—only 15% to 30%—the American Heart Association is calling for a push to increase and improve CPR training in the US, Reuters reports. The low CPR rate is an “enormous missed opportunity to save lives,” said an AHA doctor.
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Advance could save heart disease patients, regrow other organs
Daily Telegraph (UK) Jan 13, 08 7:04 PM CST
(Newser)
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Scientists rebuilt rat and pig hearts using stem cells taken from the recipients themselves, the Telegraph reports—a medical breakthrough that could help the 22 million people who suffer from heart failure worldwide. The technique, called whole organ decellularization, produced the world’s first functioning “bioartificial” heart within eight days after researchers injected it with fresh stem cells.
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A little drinking can help a lot if you're active, European study finds
BBC Jan 10, 08 1:04 PM CST
(Newser)
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Moderate drinking may help you live longer, according to a new study by Danish researchers. Scientists followed 12,000 participants for 20 years and found that, regardless of how much they exercised, those who drank in moderation were about 30% less likely to develop heart disease than teetotalers. Physically active drinkers saw 50% less risk than non-active non-drinkers.
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30% of cardiac arrests receiving care too late
Wall Street Journal Jan 2, 08 7:42 PM CST
(Newser)
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American hospitals are taking too long to revive the hearts of patients who suffer cardiac arrest, a study finds. Electric shock from a defibrillator can restart a stopped heart, but only if it is done quickly. The American Heart Association recommends that patients in cardiac arrest receive treatment within two minutes, but 30% wait longer, the Wall Street Journal reports.
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UPDATED
Veep okay, will
return to work
tomorrow
Associated Press Nov 26, 07 7:59 PM CST
(Newser)
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Dick Cheney returned home today after doctors shocked his heart back to a normal rhythm, the AP reports. He arrived at George Washington University Hospital at around 5 pm. and left 2 1/2 hours later. "The procedure went smoothly and without complication," a spokeswoman said. "The vice president will resume his normal schedule tomorrow at the White House."
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But prasugrel also adds risk of bleeding to death
Associated Press Nov 5, 07 9:00 AM CST
(Newser)
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An experimental new blood-thinner looks like real competition for top-selling anti-clotting drug Plavix, after proving more effective at preventing heart attacks, strokes, and heart-related death in a recent trial, the AP reports. But “there is a price to pay” for increased effectiveness, wrote one doctor—the new drug caused an extra bleeding death for each heart-related one it prevented.
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Device can transmit heart rate info up to 30 feet away from receiver
The Engineer Nov 1, 07 2:19 AM CDT
(Newser)
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IMEC researchers have developed a wireless electrocardiography (ECG) patch capable of continually monitoring heart rate, the Engineer reports. The first of its kind, the patch is roughly 3" x 1" and can attach to any part of the body, transmitting heart rate info to a receiver up to 30 feet away.
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Cholesterol compound blocks hormone's cardiac benefits
Wall Street Journal Sep 17, 07 3:30 AM CDT
(Newser)
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A compound created as the body processes cholesterol was to blame for giving scientists conflicting data about the effect of hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women, researchers say. Initial studies had found that estrogen helps keep the heart healthy, but a later study reported that women taking estrogen actually exhibited higher levels of coronary disease.
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Rats' cardiac tissue regenerated,
halting progress of disease
Seattle Times Aug 27, 07 2:34 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Researchers are using human embryonic stem cells to regrow heart muscle and actually stop the progression of heart failure in rats. Although stems cells injected into rat heart tissue had previously been shown to become muscle tissue, very few had survived. Now a team from the University of Washington has succeeded in turning as many as half the cells into heart muscle, and keeping them alive.
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