Category: Cardiology

Cancer patients are at higher risk of dying from heart disease and stroke

More than one in ten cancer patients do not die from their cancer but from heart and blood vessel problems instead, according to new research published in the European Heart Journal [1]. For some cancers, like breast, prostate, endometrial, and thyroid cancer, around half will die from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Dr Nicholas Zaorsky, a radiation […]

Cardiologists establish how e-cigarettes damage the brain, blood vessels and lungs

Cardiologists have issued a stark warning about the dangers of e-cigarettes, particularly for young people, as results of new research show the damage they cause to the brain, heart, blood vessels and lungs. The study, which is published in the European Heart Journal [1], also identifies some of the mechanisms involved, for which there has […]

Increased exercise over the age of 60 reduces risk of heart disease and stroke. Decreasing your physical activity is linked to increased cardiovascular risk

People over the age of 60 should do more exercise not less in order to prevent heart disease and stroke, according to findings from a study of over 1.1 million elderly people published in the European Heart Journal [1]. The researchers in South Korea found that people who did less moderate or vigorous physical activity […]

Bed time is the best time to take blood pressure medication. Largest study finds greater reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease and death from bedtime rather than morning medication

People with high blood pressure who take all their anti-hypertensive medication in one go at bedtime have better controlled blood pressure and a significantly lower risk of death or illness caused by heart or blood vessel problems, compared to those who take their medication in the morning, according to new research. The Hygia Chronotherapy Trial, […]

Paclitaxel-coated devices are safe for unblocking arteries in lower limbs: results from largest group of patients in the ‘real world’

Devices coated with a drug called paclitaxel that are used for widening blocked arteries in legs and feet are safe and not linked to an increase in deaths, according to a study of nearly 65,000 patients, published in the European Heart Journal [1]. In January 2019 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a […]

Cardiovascular disease patients benefit more from exercise than healthy people

A study of nearly half a million people has found for the first time that those with heart or blood vessel problems benefit more from having a physically active lifestyle than do healthy people without cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increased physical activity reduced the risk of dying during a six-year follow-up period for people with and […]

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease for healthy 75-year-olds who stop taking statins

Statins are known to reduce the risk of further problems in patients of any age who have already suffered heart problems or stroke. However, until now it has not been clear how effective their use is in preventing such events occurring in healthy people aged 75 and over, with no previous history of cardiovascular disease. […]

Pear-shaped is better for postmenopausal women, even if they are normal weight

Postmenopausal women who are “apple” shaped rather than “pear” shaped are at greater risk of heart and blood vessel problems, even if they have a normal, healthy body mass index (BMI) according to new research. In fact, the study, which is published in the European Heart Journal [1], found that storing a greater proportion of […]

Atrial fibrillation linked to increased risk of dementia, even in stroke-free patients

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is linked to an increased risk of dementia, even in people who have not suffered a stroke, according to the largest study to investigate the association in an elderly population. In addition, the study, which is published in the European Heart Journal [1], found that AF patients who took oral anticoagulants to […]