Structural Heart Disease

Structural heart diseases include any issues preventing normal cardiovascular function due to damage or alteration to the anatomical components of the heart. This is caused by aging, advanced atherosclerosis, calcification, tissue degeneration, congenital heart defects and heart failure. The most commonly treated areas are the heart valves, in particular the mitral and aortic valves. These can be replaced through open heart surgery or using cath lab-based transcatheter valves or repairs to eliminate regurgitation due to faulty valve leaflets. This includes transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Other common procedures include left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion and closing congenital holes in the heart, such as PFO and ASD. A growing area includes transcatheter mitral repair or replacement and transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement.

Strokes increasingly affect young adults ages 25-44

Although most people believe that strokes only happen to the elderly, a new feature from Kaiser Health News follows the story of a young woman in her 30s who suffered a stroke and explores the condition as it increasingly continues to affect young adults.

Inequalities in heart heath suggest a need for personalized medicine

Though mortality from heart disease has decreased as a result of a 2010 American Heart Association initiative, some groups are at increased risk for developing heart disease, including African-Americans in the Southeastern U.S. 

Start eating more raspberries; research suggests it’s a superfood for your heart

Adding more raspberries to your diet could help keep you healthier as recent research points to them as a superfood.

Improving cardiovascular health begins in childhood

The American Heart Association is promoting cardiovascular health in all children and trying to improve the cardiovascular heath of children with specific risk factors.

Boston Scientific recalls certain lots of its Lotus Valve System

Boston Scientific voluntarily recalled certain lots of its Lotus Valve System that were manufactured before March 2016.

CoreValve Evolut R TAVR device receives CE mark for intermediate-risk patients

Medtronic announced on August 1 that its CoreValve Evolut R system had received a CE mark in Europe to treat patients with aortic stenosis who are at intermediate risk for open heart surgery.

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Study on Apollo astronauts links deep space radiation to cardiovascular diseases

Heading into space can be dangerous for many reasons. But new research examines how it could affect one’s cardiovascular health—and warns astronauts who venture into the deep space against going too far.

Physical activity may lower coronary heart disease risk in younger women

Young women in the U.S. who are physically active have a lower risk of coronary heart disease, according to a prospective study that followed participants for 20 years.

Around the web

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

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.