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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Getting flu shot halves death risk for heart failure patients

Simply getting a flu shot can cut a heart failure patient’s risk of death by 50 percent during flu season, according to a meta-analysis that will be presented March 11 at the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) annual scientific session.

Abiomed Announces Peripartum and Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Approval and Women's Initiative for Heart Recovery

DANVERS, Mass., Feb. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abiomed, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD), a leading provider of breakthrough heart support and recovery technologies, announced today the launch of a new indication and Women's Initiative focused on heart recovery education and awareness.

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FDA expands approval for Impella heart pumps

The FDA has expanded its premarket approval for Impella heart pumps to include treatment for heart failure associated with cardiomyopathy leading to cardiogenic shock, device manufacturer Abiomed announced Feb. 13.

Michelle Obama’s portrait artist overcame heart transplant

Amy Sherald was 30 years old, finishing graduate school and training for a triathlon in 2004 when she decided to see a doctor. She had a recurring dream since childhood in which she ran a marathon and died, according to a 2016 Baltimore Magazine story, so she just wanted to ease her mind.

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Heart & hearing: Noise pollution tied to higher risk of stroke, MI

Exposure to noise pollution has been shown to negatively impact cardiovascular health. But researchers have only recently begun to explore exactly how noise can harm health. A study published online Feb. 6 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology explored the connection between noise and arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke.

Aspirin deemed worthless for heart failure patients without AFib

Aspirin is ineffective in preventing heart attack, stroke and death in heart failure patients without atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to a nationwide study in Denmark. In fact, patients on aspirin may be more likely to have myocardial infarction (MI) or be rehospitalized for heart failure, Christian Madelaire, MD, and colleagues reported in JACC: Heart Failure.

Researchers using cooking classes to combat heart failure

Tulane University researchers are enrolling patients for an 18-month pilot study to see whether cooking classes can help cut 30-day readmission rates for congestive heart failure from its current level of 22 percent.

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AHA: Breast cancer treatments could raise risk of CVD

Certain breast cancer therapies, including popular HER-2 targeted treatments, could be harmful to the heart in patients already at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the American Heart Association reported this week in a new scientific statement.

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