October 19, 2020

Heart Patients Need to Be Wary of Coronavirus

TUESDAY, Oct. 6, 2020 -- The coronavirus pandemic and flu season pose a double risk for heart disease patients, so they need to be extra vigilant about their health, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) says.

"Heart disease patients bear a greater burden during the pandemic since they are having to navigate managing their heart health while also protecting themselves from COVID-19, as they are at increased risk of serious complications," ACC President Dr. Athena Poppas said.

September 29, 2020

AHA News: Cluster of Risky Conditions That Can Lead To Heart Disease Is Rising in Hispanic Adults

TUESDAY, Sept. 22, 2020 (American Heart Association News) -- A cluster of conditions called metabolic syndrome that could lead to heart disease and stroke is becoming more common among Hispanic adults, and experts say there needs to be more research and more work in prevention.

Overall, metabolic syndrome affects about 1 in 3 adults in the United States and puts them at higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke, according to statistics from the American Heart Association. For some groups in particular, it is becoming more common.

September 29, 2020

Good News on Heart Attacks: Fewer Folks Are Having Second Ones

THURSDAY, Sept. 24, 2020 -- Fewer U.S. heart attack survivors are having another heart attack within a year, a new study finds.

Rates of recurrent heart attacks, hospitalization for heart failure and deaths within a year have gone down in heart attack survivors, according to the study published Sept. 21 in the journal Circulation. However, the rates are still high, researchers said.

September 2, 2020

Just Like COVID, Severe Flu Can Trigger Heart Crises

TUESDAY, Aug. 25, 2020 -- Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new U.S. study serves as a reminder of how severe the seasonal flu can be.

Researchers found that among 90,000 Americans hospitalized with the flu, 12% had a serious heart complication, including heart attack and sudden heart failure. Many ended up in the intensive care unit, and 7% died in the hospital.

September 2, 2020

After a Heart Attack, a Joint Effort to Lose Weight Works Best

THURSDAY, Aug. 27, 2020 -- Heart attack survivors are more likely to lose weight if their spouses join them in shedding excess pounds, new research shows.

"Lifestyle improvement after a heart attack is a crucial part of preventing repeat events," said study author Lotte Verweij, a registered nurse and Ph.D. student at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, in the Netherlands. "Our study shows that when spouses join the effort to change habits, patients have a better chance of becoming healthier -- particularly when it comes to losing weight."

September 2, 2020

Smartwatch EKGs Quickly Deliver Crucial Heart Data

TUESDAY, Sept. 1, 2020 -- Could a smartwatch app save a heart attack patient's life? Quite possibly, according to Italian researchers.

They found that electrocardiograph (EKG) readings from a smartwatch were nearly as accurate as standard EKGs among patients with suspected heart attacks.