Scientists have found that adjusting the type of vegetables, beans, and grains consumed has a significant postive effect on blood vessel health, and reduced early indicators of cardiovascular risk. Reducing the consumption of foods rich in the protein lectin resulted in an improvement in the health of the inner lining of the blood vessels in… [Continue Reading]
Changing Diet Can Improve Blood Vessel Function, Reducing Risk of Heart Disease
May 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Fatty Liver Disease Significantly Linked to Hardening of the Arteries
April 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is significantly associated with hardening of the arteries, termed atherosclerosis, researchers have reported. This link is independent of other cardiovascular risk factors, indicating that the liver condition predicts multiple problems with cardiovascular health. A study presented today at the International Liver Congress (TM) 2013 – which evaluated the relationship between non-alcoholic… [Continue Reading]
College Binge Drinking Linked to Cardiovascular Disease Markers
April 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Binge drinking, a problem on college campuses throughout the country, is linked to health problems years afterward, a new study has found. Researchers have found that students that engaged in binge drinking have numerous hallmarks of cardiovascular disease, similar to those found in daily heavy drinkers. Impaired cardiovascular function could have major health consequences later… [Continue Reading]
Exposure to Air Pollution Harms Cardiovascular Health
April 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The quality of the air in an individual’s community increases the risk of heart disease, a new study suggests. Researchers examined the levels of pollution in different communities within the same city, and found that metropolitan areas with poorer quality air significantly correlate with blood vessel thickness, a diagnostic measure of cardiovascular disease. Long term… [Continue Reading]
New Understanding of a Protein Regulates Heart Tissue Death in Cardiovascular Disease
April 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Preventing the death of heart tissue in cardiovascular patients could help physicians treat the disease much more effectively. New research on the molecular pathways behind the death of heart cells has found a key player in the process, and further work could reveal new therapeutic drug targets. A major factor in the advance of heart… [Continue Reading]
Protein Acts as a High-Level Regulator of Metabolism and Cardiovascular Health
April 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
A protein has been discovered to play a key role in part of the brain that controls multiple aspects of the body’s metabolism, linking body weight, appetite, and cardiovascular health. The finding is helping scientists better understand how the different body systems are interconnected and regulated. Obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure (hypertension) are… [Continue Reading]
Eating Egg Whites May Have Beneficial Effects On Blood Pressure
April 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Researchers have found that a particular protein in egg whites can lower high blood pressure in a rat model of the condition, suggesting that the protein could be used as a treatment in human patients. The rats given the protein saw their blood pressure reduced to about the same degree as as low dose of… [Continue Reading]
Worldwide Health Benefits Could Come from Reducing Sodium and Increasing Potassium
April 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Heart disease and strokes are a major cause of death around the world, and public health experts are calling for a reduced level of salt in our diets to reduce the conditions. In addition, higher intake of potassium, such as potassium-rich fruit, vegetables, and pulses, could also help improve cardiovascular health. Cutting down on salt… [Continue Reading]
Gender Differences Often Overlooked in Disease Research and Treatment
March 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment
There are significant differences in the biology of men and women, which are often neglected by researchers in the study of diseases and new treatments. A new review highlights how five major conditions affect the sexes differently, in terms of symptoms and effective treatments. At the dawn of third millennium medical researchers still know very… [Continue Reading]
Benefits of Quitting Smoking for the Heart Significant, Even With Weight Gain
March 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Many people quitting smoking find themselves gaining weight, and have asked whether kicking the habit actually leads to an overall increase in cardiovascular health. A new study finds that despite weight gain’s effect on the cardiovascular system, the benefits of quitting smoking are by far more significant. An analysis of data from the Framingham Offspring… [Continue Reading]