A large-scale study led by the University of Exeter and funded by NIHR, analysed 415,980 electronic medical records of older adults in England. The research was conducted after some countries have changed blood pressure guidelines to encourage...
February 26th, 2020
There has been considerable confusion from three large-scale randomised trials of aspirin in high risk primary prevention subjects, leaving doctors understandably confused about whether or not to prescribe aspirin for primary prevention of heart...
February 19th, 2020
In a small study of 44 peripheral artery disease patients over age 60, those who drank a beverage containing flavanol-rich cocoa three times a day for six months were able to walk up to 42.6 meters further in a 6-minute walking test, compared to...
An observational and modelling study which used individual-level data from almost 400,000 people extends existing research because it suggests that increasing levels of non-HDL cholesterol may predict long-term cardiovascular risk by the age of 75...
December 4th, 2019
Adults as young as 25, not only older people, need to know their “bad cholesterol” (non-HDL) levels so they can change their lifestyle or take drugs to protect themselves against heart attacks and strokes in later life. The landmark study,...
October 16th, 2019
Those who've never had a heart attack or stroke, should not be taking daily aspirin to prevent them, found a Canadian review of three large, randomised, placebo-controlled studies published in 2018, which showed the risk of major internal bleeding...
September 11th, 2019The latest UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on antihypertensives "should be welcomed" as "a pragmatic compromise", writes The Lancet in an editorial.
The latest UK National Institute for Health and...
September 4th, 2019Pet owners were more likely to report more physical activity, better diet and blood sugar at ideal level, with the greatest benefits for those who owned a dog, independent of age, sex and education level, found an ongoing international...
Heavy cigarette smokers with at least a 20 pack-year smoking history can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 39% within five years if they quit, according to a US study. But it takes at least five to 10 years, and perhaps up to 25...
August 28th, 2019A study has shown that a daily pill containing four medicines can cut the number of heart attacks and strokes by a third, BBC News. The polypill contains blood-thinning aspirin, a cholesterol-lowering statin and two drugs to lower blood...
People suffering from insomnia are potentially at a higher risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke, according to a study. In this first-of-its-kind study on insomnia, researchers examined data from 1.3m participants with or...
July 3rd, 2019A study of thousands of patients' health records found that those who were prescribed cholesterol-lowering statins had at least double the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The detailed analysis of health records and other data from patients in a...
While previous research has suggested a link between low levels of vitamin D in the blood and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, a new Michigan State University study has found that taking vitamin D supplements did not reduce that risk....
June 12th, 2019In a large middle-aged UK cohort without cardiovascular disease, moderate to heavy coffee consumption — up to 25 cups a day — was not associated with significant changes in arterial stiffness, contradicting previous research.
The research...
A study shows more aggressive treatment may be needed for a large number of patients taking statin medications, and that treatment could help reduce cases of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the US.
High levels of low-density...
May 15th, 2019Latte, cappuccino or short black, a morning coffee is an essential for many people looking to kick start their day. But while the humble coffee may be a vital feature of the daily grind, how much is too much? While the pros and cons of drinking...
