Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The heart is a muscle like no other, beating 60 to 100 times per minute on average, around the clock. But when it grows weak, it can lead to serious problems: from debilitating shortness of breath and swelling in the legs and feet, to fluid in the lungs and even death....
Category: <span>Internal Medicine</span>
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Setbacks After Stopping Beta-Blockers
LONDON — It may not be advisable for patients with a history of myocardial infarction and preserved left ventricular function to discontinue long-term beta-blocker therapy, warn investigators. In the randomized ABYSS trial, although there was no difference in death, MI, or stroke between patients who discontinued and those who continued taking beta-blockers, those who stopped...
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Beta-Blockers Post-MI? No for Me, Even After the ABYSS Trial
The ABYSS trial found that interruption of beta-blocker therapy in patients after myocardial infarction (MI) was not noninferior to continuing the drugs. I will argue why I think it is okay to stop beta-blockers after MI — despite this conclusion. The results of ABYSS are, in fact, similar to REDUCE-AMI, which compared beta-blocker use or nonuse immediately after MI, and found no...
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Standing more may not reduce cardiovascular disease risk, could increase circulatory issues
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Standing has gained popularity among people looking to offset the harms of a sedentary lifestyle often caused by spending long days sitting in front of the computer, television or driving wheel. Standing desks have become a popular option among office workers, and in other industries like retail, workers may opt to...
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Heart failure, atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease linked to cognitive impairment
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Three common cardiovascular diseases in adults—heart failure, atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease—are linked to cognitive impairment and increased risk of dementia, according to “Cardiac Contributions to Brain Health,” a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association published today in the journal, Stroke. The scientific statement reviews the latest research examining...
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Lactic acid helps blood vessels relax, could improve muscle and heart health
Graphical Abstract. Credit: Function (2024). DOI: 10.1093/function/zqae042 A new study in rats shows that lactate, a substance found in the muscles, initiates a cascade of actions in the muscles that helps blood vessels relax. The surprising results are published ahead of print in the journal Function. Lactate, also known as lactic acid, is a byproduct that comes from the process of...
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Preventing skeletal muscle fatigue in Duchenne muscular dystrophy through cell therapy
Preferential regeneration of oxidative myofibers in DMD muscles after cell transplantation. Credit: Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2024). Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disease causing progressive skeletal muscle weakness and fatigue. The research team led by Associate Professor Hidetoshi Sakurai (Department of Clinical Application), Researcher Nana Takenaka-Ninagawa, and graduate student Clémence Kiho Yoshioka recently demonstrated...
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Is there anything good about menopause? Yep, here are four things to look forward to
Menopause is having a bit of a moment, with less stigma and more awareness about the changes it can bring. A recent senate inquiry recommended public education about perimenopause and menopause, more affordable treatments and flexible work arrangements. But like many things in life, the experiences of menopause are on a continuum. While some women find it challenging and...
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Poor blood circulation: How to prevent it, how to spot it
Pain, tingling and cramps in your legs and feet may be giving you a warning. They could be signs of poor blood circulation, which can lead to serious heart and health problems if left untreated, according to a doctor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “Blood delivers oxygen and other important nutrients to the...
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Botox: Six surprising uses that have nothing to do with smoothing wrinkles
Botulinum toxin, or Botox as it’s widely known, is famous for its ability to smooth away wrinkles. But hiding our frown lines from the world isn’t the reason early scientists started experimenting with this substance. Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In its most raw form, it can cause the deadly disease...
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