American Heart Association

Cardiol Therapeutics completes MAvERIC Phase II study for recurrent pericarditis, showing marked reductions in pain and inflammation at 8 weeks. Full clinical data to be presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2024.

The American Stroke Association launched DerrameCerebral.org, a Spanish-language website targeting Hispanic/Latino communities with stroke education, including the R.Á.P.I.D.O. Experience. This initiative aims to address stroke disparities by providing culturally relevant resources and breaking language barriers for timely medical attention.

The American Heart Association's scientific statement on renal denervation (RDN) for hypertension recommends RDN for patients with sustained, uncontrolled hypertension, confirmed via 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. RDN efficacy varies; it is more effective in drug-naive patients and those with resistant hypertension. RDN has a favorable safety profile and is a promising therapeutic approach, though further research is needed.

A $25.9 million grant from The Marcus Foundation will fund the REACH trial, aiming to revolutionize hemorrhagic stroke treatment by investigating minimally invasive parafascicular surgery (MIPS) for deep intracerebral hemorrhage in the basal ganglia. Led by Emory University and Grady Health System, the trial seeks to improve outcomes for patients with spontaneous ICH, currently lacking a proven surgical standard of care.

Nearly 25% of U.S. adults aged 18-39 have high blood pressure, and 14% of children aged 8-19 have elevated or high blood pressure, according to two studies presented at the American Heart Association's scientific sessions. Social determinants of health, such as low income and food insecurity, exacerbate the risk. Early intervention with healthy diet and exercise is crucial to prevent long-term cardiovascular issues.

18 million U.S. adults may find at-home blood pressure cuffs unfit, leading to inaccurate readings. Standard cuffs cover 8.7 to 16.5 inches, but 7% of adults exceed this range. Black adults face higher risk. Researchers urge manufacturers to develop more inclusive sizes.

U.S. youth vaping drops to 5.9%, a significant decline from 7.7% in 2023, with high school students leading the decrease. Despite this progress, health experts warn of ongoing industry efforts to target youth, emphasizing the need for strong regulation and public policies to protect young people from addictive tobacco products.

AI-enhanced digital stethoscope 12x more likely to detect peripartum cardiomyopathy, a pregnancy-linked heart failure, than traditional methods, per clinical trial. 4% of women using AI stethoscope diagnosed, vs. 2% with traditional care. Study conducted in Nigeria, plans for U.S. trials.

A new interactive map shows U.S. areas with high risk of leg, foot, or toe amputations due to peripheral artery disease (PAD), with Mississippi having the highest risk. Developed by the American Heart Association, the map uses 2017-2018 Medicare and Census Bureau data, highlighting rural residents, the poor, and Black and Native American people as most at risk. PAD affects up to 12 million Americans, with Black people twice as likely to develop it.

The article references studies on metabolic diseases, focusing on global burden, trends, challenges, prevalence, and associations with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and thyroid function, among others.