Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a new type of imaging test to provide an early warning of coronary artery disease, and the risk of heart attacks. The new imaging technique can be applied as a new feature in routine computed tomography angiography (CTA), and will improve the diagnosis and management of coronary … Read more
News for Cardiovascular
Unique Oxford study of vascular disease welcomes 10,000th participant
Peter Casey was the study’s 10,000th patient The only project of its kind anywhere that studies all acute vascular events, such as strokes and heart attacks, to develop … Read more
High blood pressure linked to vascular dementia
High blood pressure could significantly raise the risk of developing the second most common form of dementia, according to a new study from The George Institute for Global Health. The medical records of more than four million people were analysed with researchers finding heightened blood pressure was associated with a 62 per cent higher risk … Read more
Immediate aspirin after mini-stroke substantially reduces risk of major stroke
Using aspirin urgently could substantially reduce the risk of major strokes in patients who have minor ‘warning’ events, a group of European researchers has found. Writing in the Lancet, the team say that immediate self-treatment when patients experience stroke-like symptoms would considerably reduce the risk of major stroke over the next few days. Aspirin is … Read more
Heart warning over “fight or flight” tumour
A rare tumour that randomly secretes stress hormones – historically leading some doctors to diagnose sufferers with a psychiatric disorder – does more damage to the heart than previously thought, University of Oxford research reports today. In the largest study of its kind, researchers said phaeochromocytoma tumours in the adrenal glands, which sit above the … Read more
Statin treatment before heart surgery does not prevent heart damage or atrial fibrillation
Giving daily doses of statins for a few days before and after heart surgery does not prevent heart muscle damage or the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), according to an international clinical trial led by the University of Oxford and co-funded by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre. The trial, which is the largest of … Read more
New tool to improve blood pressure measurement
Scientists at Oxford University have developed a new way of estimating our true underlying blood pressure that overcomes common problems in a clinical setting which can lead to misleading results. Blood pressure measurement is frequently used by medics to understand our health, and dangerously high blood pressure (hypertension) can lead to serious conditions like heart … Read more
Give blood pressure drugs to all at risk, study urges
Blood pressure-lowering drugs should be offered to all individuals at high risk of having a heart attack or stroke regardless of their blood pressure at the start of treatment, according to the largest meta-analysis conducted to date involving over 600,000 people, published in The Lancet. The authors call for an urgent revision of current blood … Read more
Study shows benefit of reducing blood pressure under targets
Using intensive treatment to lower blood pressure below currently recommended targets significantly reduces rates of major cardiovascular events like stroke and heart attack among a wide range of high-risk patients, a study supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre has found. Treating high blood pressure is known to be closely associated with health in … Read more
Blood pressure linked to diabetes in major new study
High blood pressure sufferers have an almost 60 per cent greater chance of developing diabetes, according to a major global study. Study author Professor Kazem Rahimi said that in face of earlier conflicting and inconclusive reports, this study now reliably shows the connection between high blood pressure and diabetes and it could lead to new … Read more