Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump as much blood as the body requires. This ineffective pumping can lead to enlargement of the heart as the myocardium works harder pump the same amount of blood. Heart failure may be caused by defects in the myocardium, such as an a heart attack infarct, or due to structural issues such as severe heart valve regurgitation. Heart failure can be divided into HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The disease is further divided into four New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes. Stage IV heart failure is when the heart is completely failing and requires a heart transplant or hemodynamic support from a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

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Heart failure medication may offer relief for patients with COVID-related POTS

Overall, researchers found that ivabradine was a “safe and effective” POTS treatment associated with making significant improvements to patient heart rates and quality of life.

Ablation could be ‘a powerful new strategy’ for treating heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation

According to a new study published in Circulation, ablation was associated with numerous benefits over standard drug therapy.

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Hospitalizations for heart failure on the rise

Heart failure patients are also more likely to be readmitted than they were in the recent past. 

Drinking coffee reduces the risk of heart failure—but not if it’s decaf

In fact, drinking decaffeinated coffee was associated with a significant increase in heart failure risk.

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Sacubitril/valsartan improves self-reported quality of life for HFpEF patients

However, treatment with sacubitril/valsartan did not lead to improvements in hospitalizations for heart failure or all-cause mortality.

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Male breast cancer patients face a heightened risk of cardiovascular issues

The new findings are part of a virtual conference being hosted by the American College of Cardiology. 

Merck’s vericiguat gains FDA approval for treating high-risk chronic heart failure patients

Sold as Verquvo, the medication can help patients reduce their risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure.

24% of heart failure patients hospitalized with COVID-19 die

The authors examined data from more than 1.2 million patients, tracking individuals who had previously been hospitalized for heart failure and then returned later due to COVID-19. 

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