According to recent estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke affects more than 795,000 individuals in the United States annually and represents the fifth leading cause of death in the country.1 Stroke is also associated with substantial long-term disability and with costs estimated at $34 billion each year. Atrial fibrillation (AF), which affects up to 46.3 million people globally and 2.7 to 6.1 million individuals in the United States, may represent a modifiable risk factor for acute stroke.2 Studies suggest that AF accounts for 15% to 20% of all strokes occurring in the United States, and higher mortality rates have been observed in patients with vs without AF-related stroke.2 Despite numerous mechanisms, stroke in AF is preventable with anticoagulation and alternatively with the use of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) devices in patients who are not candidates for long-term anticoagulation [therapy], noted the authors of an article published in Current Cardiology Reports.2 Thus, it is crucial to risk stratify patients who have AF to reduce the incidence of cardioembolic stroke Continue reading →

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A pivotal, multi-center clinical trial to explore a promising new therapy to reduce heart failure rates by changing the way heart attack patients are treated is now underway. The first patient has enrolled in the ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Door-to-Unloading (STEMI DTU) Pivotal Randomized Controlled Trial. Continue reading →

Regular consumption of hot chili peppers was associated with a lower risk of dying from a cardiovascular disease (CVD) cause or any cause in a large study of Italians, independent of CVD risk factors or adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet. "The epidemiological evidence on chilies' benefit on health is scarce, mainly based on popular folklore; only two prospective studies were available so far," Marialaura Bonaccio, PhD, from the Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy, told theheart.org | Medscape Cardiology. Continue reading →

CLEVELAND, Dec. Continue reading →

December 16, 2019 16:05 ET | Source: iRhythm SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 16, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iRhythm Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: IRTC) today announced its participation in a new, randomized, controlled study, GUARD-AF (ReducinG stroke by screening for UndiAgnosed atRial fibrillation in elderly inDividuals), sponsored by the Bristol-Myers Squibb-Pfizer Alliance (the Alliance). Continue reading →

PALM BEACH, Florida, Dec. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Augmented reality is already disrupting healthcare, changing the way physicians see data and their patients. It's being used for patient and doctor education, surgical visualization, disease simulation, and may even help save lives enhancing patient treatments, and outcomes, according to Med City News Continue reading →

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New Mexico vein centers now part of national practice GREENBELT, Md. (PRWEB) December 17, 2019 Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) is proud to announce the addition of Armin Foghi, MD, PhD to its expanding and esteemed roster of physicians treating venous disease throughout the country. His practices in Rio Rancho and Roswell are Center for Vein Restoration's first locations in New Mexico. Continue reading →

Rick Banks from Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, far left; Nate Gilliam, organizer for the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, center left; Melanie McCurtis of the Metcalfe Park Neighborhood Association, center right; and Jack Hansen. a research and policy analyst from Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers Organization, far right, all spoke at a meeting Oct. Continue reading →