All articles tagged with #heart function
Two large studies on beta-blocker drugs post-heart attack show benefits for patients with mildly impaired heart function, but results are contradictory for those with normal heart function, leading to ongoing uncertainty about their use in this group.
New research suggests that over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol, containing acetaminophen, may alter heart function when taken at certain dosages, raising questions about their safety. A study using a mouse model found significant changes in heart function, signaling pathways, and energy production in mice ingesting acetaminophen, prompting experts to reconsider the drug's potential effects on heart health and the need for personalized recommendations and proactive management of its use.
Hispanic/Latina women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are more likely to have abnormalities in their heart structure and function decades later, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health. The study found that HDP significantly raises a woman's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, with changes in cardiac structure and function being known predictors of heart failure and death. The research highlights the importance of early monitoring and management of hypertension during and after pregnancy in this population of women.
A Kentucky researcher, in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts, has solved a 60-year mystery of how the heart functions by determining the molecular structure of cardiac thick filaments. Using 3D pictures generated from donated heart samples, the team discovered the intricate arrangement of approximately 2,000 molecules within each filament. This breakthrough provides new insights into controlling the heart muscle and designing better therapies for heart disease, which is a significant concern in Kentucky, one of the states with the highest death rates from the disease. The research was published in Nature.
A study has found that the symptoms of an impending cardiac arrest differ between men and women. For women, the most prominent symptom is shortness of breath, while for men, it is chest pain. Both genders also experience palpitations, seizure-like activity, and flu-like symptoms. Identifying these symptoms could help first responders quickly recognize the loss of heart function and provide early intervention. Approximately 90% of people who experience sudden cardiac arrest at home die from it. The study highlights the importance of swift action and early prevention to reduce the number of deaths caused by cardiac arrest.