Acute Coronary Syndromes

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is most commonly caused by a heart attack (myocardial infarction) where blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. This is usually caused by a blood clot from a ruptured coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque. Other causes include spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which most commonly occurs in women. ACS is usually treated in a cath lab with angioplasty and the placement of a stent to prop the vessel open.

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Is there a better way to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 myocardial infarctions?

The new study, published in JAMA Cardiology, tracked data from emergency department patients in five different countries. 

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Vegetarian diets consistently lower the risk of death from heart disease

Researchers explored data from more than 130,000 participants for this new meta-analysis, sharing their findings in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

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‘An incredible discovery’: Researchers ID a gene that regenerates damaged muscles after a heart attack

“Our research has identified a secret switch that allows heart muscle cells to divide and multiply after the heart is injured," one researcher explained. "It kicks in when needed and turns off when the heart is fully healed."

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Working long hours increases the likelihood of a second heart attack

The analysis, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, tracked nearly 1,000 patients treated for their first myocardial infarction from November 1995 to October 1997.

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PTSD linked to a higher risk of heart attack, heart disease among female veterans

The association between PTSD and ischemic heart disease was especially strong for younger veterans. 

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Fish oil supplements lower the risk of heart disease—but only for patients with the right genetic makeup

“What we found is that fish oil supplementation is not good for everyone," one researcher explained. "It depends on your genotype.”

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A key discovery: Researchers make history, identify new details about the beating heart

Researchers believe they have broken new ground that could make a significant impact on the treatment of genetic heart disease.

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Heart attacks more likely to be missed in women than men

When treating female patients, researchers explained, physicians are less likely to think there is potential for a heart attack.

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.