https://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. A team led by the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) and Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid has developed and clinically applied a minimally invasive technique that, for the first time, enables the treatment of defective mechanical aortic valves using a catheter-based approach. The procedure avoids high-risk open-heart surgery and opens new therapeutic possibilities for patients who previously had no realistic options. The two research groups, led respectively by Dr. Borja Ibáñez and Dr. Alberto San Román, are part of the Spanish cardiovascular research network CIBERCV. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-catheter-technique-mechanical-aortic-valves.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 16:00:01 EST news689443180 For lower-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for multivessel disease, radial artery plus one internal thoracic artery (SITA+RA) and bilateral ITA (BITA) utilization is increasing, with survival generally comparable through 15 years, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 in New Orleans. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-effectiveness-multiartery-bypass-grafting-methods.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 16:20:01 EST news689518266 Perioperative morbidity and mortality are slightly reduced with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed off-pump (OPCAB) by experienced surgeons, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 in New Orleans. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-sts-coronary-artery-bypass-grafting.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:50:04 EST news689607398 Next-generation vascular stents can make cardiovascular therapies minimally invasive and vascular treatments safe and less burdensome. In a new advancement, researchers from Japan and China have successfully proposed a novel adaptive 4D-printed vascular stent based on shape-memory polymer composite. The stent exhibits mechanical flexibility, radial strength, biomechanical compliance, and cytocompatibility in in vitro and in vivo experiments, making them promising for future clinical applications. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-4d-vascular-stent-deploys-body.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:04:31 EST news689526242 Strength training strengthens muscles, improves blood glucose control, and is said to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, people with lower physical fitness, age-related muscle weakness, lower muscle mass, or obesity may find training with heavy weights difficult. In addition, many people underestimate how much weight they actually need to build muscle (about 70% of their individual maximum strength). https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-special-strength-lighter-weights-effectively.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:21:10 EST news689440801 Improving blood flow to the brain by opening a narrowed neck artery may not improve patients' cognitive skills, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-blood-brain-arteries-plaque-cognitive.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:55:46 EST news689439302 A major global review has revealed critical gaps in how heart attacks in women are diagnosed and treated—particularly for premenopausal women. The American Heart Association (AHA) today released a new scientific statement led by Australian cardiologist Professor Jason Kovacic, warning current clinical practices may be costing women their lives. The statement is published in the journal Circulation. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-guidance-urges-faster-diagnosis-women.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:00:05 EST news689421202 High levels of testosterone in the blood have been linked to a greater risk of coronary artery disease in men, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Cambridge published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The findings could have implications for the use of testosterone supplements, which, while they have approved medical applications, are increasing in popularity, particularly among younger men who see testosterone as a way to fight aging, enhance performance or build strength. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-high-testosterone-blood-coronary-artery.html Mon, 02 Feb 2026 17:20:02 EST news689263937 Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide. To save lives, constantly improving diagnostic and risk assessments is vital. One researcher from the University of Missouri School of Medicine is exploring ways to do just that by using machine learning, which is a type of artificial intelligence (AI). https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-ai-accurately-cardiac-event-pet.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:00:03 EST news688827047 A late-breaking study drawing on more than 15 years of national outcomes data from the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) suggests that the two most commonly used multi-arterial coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) strategies—bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) and single internal thoracic artery plus radial artery (SITA+RA)—offer comparable long-term survival overall, with important differences emerging by patient age. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-term-survival-multi-arterial-coronary.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 08:20:01 EST news688973569 Heart specialists at Mayo Clinic today presented new research at the 2026 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting that redo surgery for adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) remains high-risk, and a clinically applicable national risk assessment model is needed to help patients and care teams make decisions about procedures. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-surgical-population-adults-congenital-heart.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 08:00:01 EST news688973578 Scientists have designed an immunotherapy that reduces plaque in the arteries of mice, presenting a possible new treatment strategy against heart disease. The antibody-based therapy could complement traditional methods of managing coronary artery disease that focus on lowering cholesterol through diet or medications such as statins, according to the findings of a study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-experimental-immunotherapy-artery-cells-plaque.html Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:00:07 EST news688814281 Unhealthy cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. When lifestyle changes like diet and exercise aren't enough to lower cholesterol, medications can help. A new national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center shows that while most Americans have heard of statins—the most common medicine used to lower cholesterol—many do not know there are non-statin medications. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-statin-gap-survey-reveals-americans.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:31:03 EST news688735802 A common diabetes medication does not help people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and without diabetes walk farther, according to results from a major U.S. clinical trial published in JAMA. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-common-diabetes-drug-peripheral-artery.html Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:23:31 EST news688141382 A study led by the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital, has demonstrated that combining an innovative coronary imaging technology known as the caFFR system, with diabetes drug SGLT2 inhibitors can significantly reduce the risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), heart failure and death among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary artery disease. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-diabetic-patients-angiography-ffr-imaging.html Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:08:04 EST news688133221 Scientists have discovered that a part of the brain may be behind high blood pressure. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-brainstem-region-high-blood-pressure.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:10:02 EST news687531798 Through its commitment to a data-driven approach to improving cardiovascular health, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology published the first JACC Cardiovascular Statistics report. This comprehensive analysis examines five major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors—hypertension, diabetes, obesity, LDL-cholesterol and cigarette smoking—and the five conditions that collectively account for most CVD deaths and disability in America: coronary heart disease (CHD), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), peripheral artery disease (PAD) and stroke. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-inaugural-issued-state-cardiovascular-health.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:00:01 EST news687180002 A new study published suggests that the connection between coronary artery calcification—a measure of calcium buildup in the arteries—and bone mineral density may be driven in part by shared genetic factors, rather than one directly causing the other. By highlighting the biological pathways that influence both vascular and bone health, the findings provide researchers with new directions for understanding age-related changes in the heart and skeleton. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-genes-artery-calcification-bone-density.html Thu, 08 Jan 2026 16:10:04 EST news687110707 For high-risk patients, the method could offer a safer alternative to open-heart surgery. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-minimally-invasive-coronary-artery-bypass.html Tue, 06 Jan 2026 11:47:26 EST news686922421 Routine mammograms are best known as a front-line tool for detecting breast cancer. But new research suggests the same X-ray images may also offer an early warning sign for cardiovascular disease—the leading cause of death among women. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-mammograms-reveal-hidden-heart-women.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:30:03 EST news686209794 Two complementary studies reveal how an insufficient supply of energy in macrophages, key immune cells in artery walls, drives the progression of atherosclerosis—and how this knowledge could lead to better diagnostics and future therapies. The University of Eastern Finland was centrally involved in both studies. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-immune-cell-fuel-shortages-atherosclerosis.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:46:34 EST news685637161 Women with severe coronary heart disease causing narrowing or blockages in the arteries may derive greater long-term benefits from coronary artery bypass grafting compared with percutaneous coronary intervention, also known as stenting, according to a large study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-bypass-surgery-greater-term-benefits.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 11:24:16 EST news685625009 Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve, which connects the heart to the rest of the body. It affects millions of people and can be fatal if left untreated. At present, there are no effective medical therapies to prevent or slow its progression. The only effective treatments are surgery or percutaneous valve replacement when the valve has become severely narrowed. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-diagnosis-aortic-stenosis-genetics-ai.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 13:10:01 EST news685368419 It's easy to get caught up in the stress and chaos that accompany the holiday season. For some women, their busy lives become even more hectic, and the result can be overwhelming. Also, women often ignore the symptoms of heart disease. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-holiday-stress-trigger-heart.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:30:07 EST news685100323 There is increasing evidence that gum disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and cardiometabolic health conditions. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-gum-disease-linked-plaque-buildup.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:19:38 EST news685113541 Doctors may soon be able to diagnose an elusive form of heart disease within seconds by using an AI model developed at University of Michigan, according to a recent study. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-ai-undetected-heart-disease-simple.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:00:32 EST news685112401 Increased volume of epicardial adipose tissue, detected by cardiovascular imaging, was found to be associated with greater myocardial injury after a myocardial infarction. These findings were presented at EACVI 2025, the congress of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI). https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-fat-tissue-heart-contribute-greater.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 06:20:02 EST news684670081 Routine mammograms are a critical tool for breast cancer screening. However, they may also hold crucial, potentially untapped information about a person's risk for cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death among adults. The X-ray images can detect calcium in the breast's arteries, a sign that the blood vessels are getting stiffer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-calcium-breast-arteries-future-cardiovascular.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:10:01 EST news684672595 Reduced coronary blood flow, measured with an artificial intelligence-based imaging tool, predicted future cardiovascular events in patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease. These findings were presented at EACVI 2025, the congress of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI). https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-ai-based-tool-future-cardiovascular.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 03:10:02 EST news684579181 Sudden cardiac arrest may occur in various conditions when someone, while active (playing basketball or walking with friends), collapses and passes out. Their blood pressure drops, and often their heart stops. This may be caused by a lethal arrhythmia, which is when the heart beats abnormally and does not efficiently pump anymore. If the heart is not pumping, blood is not getting to the brain, and that's what causes the collapse. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-cardiac-heart.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 06:09:26 EST news684569342