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.

Plant-based diets linked to lower risks of death, heart disease, stroke and diabetes
Diets that prioritize plant-based foods are associated with several health benefits, according to a new study of more than 3.4 million adults. Such diets also show potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Beta blockers ‘have no effect’ on heart attack patients
One researcher described the study's findings as "one of the most significant advances in heart attack treatment in decades.”
New hypertension guidelines embrace early treatment, updated risk assessments and renal denervation
New ACC/AHA recommendations encourage clinicians to take a proactive approach when managing patients with elevated or high blood pressure. The inclusion of renal denervation in this document represents clear progress for a relatively new technology.
Gene discovery highlights connection between the kidneys and cardiovascular disease
“Our findings reveal how changes in cell metabolism and increased oxidative stress can activate damaging pathways in blood vessels," explained Xiaofeng Yang, MD, a researcher at Temple University.
Coronary sinus reducer linked to improvements in patients with refractory angina—but questions remain
Treatment with the device is consistently safe, but researchers still think more data is required before reaching any conclusions about its efficacy.

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Smoking cannabis may not impact heart health of older CAD patients

Researchers explored data from thousands of U.S. veterans with coronary artery disease, sharing their findings in Circulation.

How drinking habits influence heart health

Prior studies have already evaluated how individual drinks affect the heart—but what about a person's beverage choices over an extended period of time?

John D. Puskas, MD, MSc, PhD., FACS, FACC, professor of surgery, and chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University Hospital Midtown, explains when patients are best served with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery rather than percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

How to choose between CABG and PCI when treating coronary artery disease

John Puskas, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University Hospital Midtown, noted that both treatment options have their own benefits. It often depends on the patient's age and comorbidities, though there are other factors to consider as well.

Trump administration takes aim at ultra-processed foods, highlighting heart risks

The FDA and other federal agencies believe limiting ultra-processed foods can help "Make America Healthy Again." They highlighted years of research linking these foods to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other conditions.

Widespread use of polypills could prevent up to 72 million heart disease deaths

Targeting high-risk patients with single-pill combination therapies, also known as polypills, could change healthcare on a global scale, according new data published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Heart attack deaths are way down after decades of breakthroughs—but other risks have skyrocketed

Researchers explored more than 52 years of data, highlighting several key trends in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

New report raises questions about data that helped heart drug gain FDA approval

Ticagrelor, an antiplatelet medication from AstraZeneca commonly prescribed by cardiologists, gained FDA approval back in 2011. The author of a new investigative report, however, is raising several concerns about the data used to secure that approval.

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

American College of Cardiology now supports early use of medication to treat obesity

The group highlighted the proven effectiveness of these drugs, especially semaglutide and tirzepatide, while noting that eligibility, affordability and availability will still play key roles in any treatment decisions.

Acute Coronary Syndromes

Plant-based diets linked to lower risks of death, heart disease, stroke and diabetes

Beta blockers ‘have no effect’ on heart attack patients

New hypertension guidelines embrace early treatment, updated risk assessments and renal denervation

Gene discovery highlights connection between the kidneys and cardiovascular disease

Coronary sinus reducer linked to improvements in patients with refractory angina—but questions remain