Diabetes drug could help millions with heart and circulatory disease

Source: British Heart Foundation

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Date of publication: June 2018

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: New research has found that metformin – a cheap drug routinely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes – could help millions of people living with heart and circulatory disease in the UK.

Two studies involving the drug, led by Dr Ify Mordi and colleagues at the University of Dundee, at the University of Dundee and presented today at the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) Conference in Manchester, have provided promising results for patients with high blood pressure-induced heart damage and a condition called aortic stenosis, which causes heart failure.

The BHF-funded MET-REMODEL trial, found that metformin could reverse harmful thickening of the left ventricle – the heart’s main pumping chamber. It also helped to bring down high blood pressure and reduce body weight in patients who had a heart attack.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: British Heart Foundation

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Increased risk of heart disease for mothers with more than 4 children

Source: British Heart Foundation

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Date of publication: June 2018

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and North Carolina studied data from over 8,000 White and African-American women from the United States, aged 45-64 years. They found that having 5 or more children is associated with a 40% increased risk of a serious heart attack in the next 30 years, compared to having just 1 or 2 children, after taking into account how long the women breastfed for.

Having 5 or more children was also associated with a 30% increased risk of heart disease – the major cause of heart attacks – as well as a 25% increased risk of stroke and a 17% increase in the risk of heart failure compared to having 1-2 children. Having 3-4 children was also associated with a modest increased risk of serious health implications, but the research found that the most significant risk increases were seen with 5 or more children.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: British Heart Foundation

Heart attack blood test sensitive enough to be used in portable device

Source: British Heart Foundation

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Date of publication: June 2018

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: A new blood test being developed to diagnose heart attacks could one day be carried out on a simple handheld device, giving a rapid diagnosis in A&E departments without the need for samples to be sent to a lab, according to new research presented at the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: British Heart Foundation

What are the best foods for heart health?

Source: Medical News Today

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Date of publication: May 2018

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that eating foods high in fat, cholesterol, or sodium can be very bad for the heart. So, when taking steps to minimize the risk of heart disease, diet is a good place to start. In this article, we examine some of the best foods for ensuring that you keep a robust and healthy heart.

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Acknowledgement: Medical News Today

These five habits will lengthen your lifespan

Source: Medical News Today

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Date of publication: May 2018

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Exercising regularly, adopting a healthful diet, not smoking, not becoming overweight, and drinking only moderate amounts of alcohol could all lengthen life at age 50 for women by 14 years and for men by 12 years. This was the conclusion of the first study to thoroughly analyse the relationship between “low-risk lifestyle factors” and life expectancy in the United States.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

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Acknowledgement: Medical News Today

Research highlights the urgent need for better diagnosis of deadly inherited heart conditions

Source: British Heart Foundation

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Date of publication: March 2018

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: New figures we’ve released today show that people with potentially deadly inherited heart conditions are too often not diagnosed until a life-threatening cardiac arrest or sudden death in the family. Our survey of almost 200 people with inherited heart conditions from across the UK found that one in six (16%) people with a deadly inherited heart condition are only diagnosed after having a cardiac arrest, whilst a fifth (18%) of people are diagnosed after a sudden death in the family.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

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Acknowledgement: British Heart Foundation

Tests can give families of SADS victims a lifesaving diagnosis

Source: British Heart Foundation

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Date of publication: March 2018

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: A study published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology suggests a series of investigative tests should be carried out on the loved ones of SADS victims, to try and diagnose an underlying hidden heart condition and protect them from another tragedy.

The series of tests include an ECG, echocardiogram, exercise test and the ajmaline provocation test – a procedure used to reveal abnormal electrical activity in the heart.

The researchers, based at St George’s University of London, evaluated over 300 families who had lost a relative to SADS over a 10-year period. The team looked at 911 relatives in total and 22% of them were diagnosed with an inherited cardiac condition. The most common condition found in families was Brugada syndrome, affecting 16% of all relatives.

Brugada syndrome is a rare inherited heart rhythm disturbance that restricts the flow of sodium ions into the heart cells. If diagnosed, people with Brugada syndrome can be treated with medications or fitted with an ICD, to shock the heart back into rhythm if it stops.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: British Heart Foundation