American Heart Association (AHA)

The American Heart Association (AHA) funds cardiovascular medical research, educates consumers on healthy living and fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. The AHA also is a key resource for the latest cardiology science through its journals and annual meeting.

Marijuana use among older adults is associated with a heightened risk of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, according to new research published in the American Journal of Cardiology. “Marijuana use increases sympathetic nervous system activity and inhibits cardiac parasympathetic innervation, resulting in elevated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and an increase in myocardial oxygen demand.

‘Just like smoking tobacco’: Cannabis use increases stroke risk by 42%, heart attack risk by 25%

“It can be a challenging discussion to have with patients because there is evidence that cannabis has some therapeutic properties," one researcher said. "However, as suggested by this study, cannabis use also has significant cardiovascular risks.”  

March 4, 2024
Pricing for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) varies significantly throughout the United States, according to new findings published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.[1] Researchers emphasized that higher prices were not necessarily associated with better patient outcomes. Photo by Karolina Grabowska via Pexels

Heart surgery prices vary from one part of the US to the next

Researchers explored the costs associated with CABG at more than 500 U.S. hospitals. 

February 27, 2024
Elderly patient doctor. Despite an expanded indication from the FDA and lower prices, patient access to these cholesterol-lowering medications remains a significant issue.

Insurance plans still denying more claims for PCSK9 inhibitors than other cardiovascular drugs

Despite an expanded indication from the FDA and lower prices, patient access to these cholesterol-lowering medications remains a significant issue.

February 22, 2024
artificial intelligence AI deep learning

AI, blood thinners and patient positioning: Exploring late-breaking science at the International Stroke Conference

ISC 2024 in Phoenix has already featured several eye-opening late-breaking presentations. One study, for example, found that positioning a stroke patient's head differently before surgery can significantly decrease the risk of neurological complications. 

February 8, 2024
Medtronic shared new STROKE AF data on the Reveal Linq ICM

Medtronic ICM a cost-effective approach for reducing the risk of ischemic stroke

Remote monitoring with the Reveal Linq insertable cardiac monitor can improve outcomes without breaking the bank, according to new data being presented at the International Stroke Conference in Phoenix.

February 7, 2024
Souptik Barua, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Precision Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explains how artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable accelerometers can be used in cardiac rehabilitation to phenotype step-count trajectories in older adults.

Leveraging AI and wearables for enhanced cardiac rehabilitation monitoring

NYU Grossman School of Medicine researchers used artificial intelligence and wearable activity trackers to improve the monitoring and classification of older adult cardiac rehabilitation patients.

January 25, 2024
Professor Keith Channon, MD, MB ChB, FRCP, interventional cardiologist and the British Heart Foundation Professor Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Oxford, and a co-founder of Caristo, explained an AHA 2023 study where AI identified coronary inflammation as a major silent risk factor and a strong predictor of heart attack risk.

AI model targets inflammation, helping cardiologists find 'invisible' heart patients

By focusing more on inflammation, cardiologists can ensure they are identifying patients who need help before it's too late.

January 15, 2024
Stephanie Golab, MD, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explains statistics on heart transplant outcomes in older adults

It may be time to revisit patient selection protocols for heart transplants

In a new video interview, Stephanie Golab, MD, examines the latest data on heart transplant outcomes in older adults.

January 8, 2024