Research at Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital on the use of adult stem cells is showing promising signs for victims of heart disease.

While cardiovascular disease occurs in both men and women, it does not affect them in the same way. Risk factors and protective factors for heart diseases are likewise unequal. The molecular mechanisms responsible for these differences are so far unknown, but some believe it is due to chromosomal linked genes or sexual hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.

Poor Countries Catching up with Rich Nations in Cancers, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Other Chronic Illnesses

American doctors are starting a dramatic experiment this month to try to save patients dying from congestive heart failure by temporarily resting their hearts, then boosting them with a drug long abused for bodybuilding.

Dr Rachel Huxley, lead author of the paper and Acting Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle at The George Institute said, "Although there was support for a small association between birth weight and an individual's future risk of heart disease, the relationship is not as strong as earlier studies have suggested. Any effects that birth weight may have on heart disease are dwarfed by other risk factors operating in adult life, such as smoking and obesity."

There is no consensus on Emergency Department management of acute atrial fibrillation (AAF) or atrial flutter (AAFL). The Ottawa Aggressive Protocol, consisting of an IV procainamide infusion of 1 gram over 1 hour, electrical cardioversion, if necessary, by ED staff and discharge from the ED with outpatient cardiology follow-up, may be a safe and effective treatment for AAF and AAFL.

Heart-failure patients take their medicine more reliably when under the care of a pharmacist, resulting in fewer emergency-room visits and hospital stays as well as lower health-care costs, according to a study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy.

Pretreatment with double-dose anticlotting medication just before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cuts the combined risk of heart attack and cardiac death by half, according to a study reported at the 30th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), May 9-12, 2007, in Orlando, FL.

New data reported at the 30th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), May 9-12, 2007, in Orlando, FL, will offer clues to the fate of a new-generation drug-eluting stent that is vying for a place in the treatment of coronary artery disease.

A senior health official in New South Wales is calling on the food industry to explain its opposition to the introduction of folic acid in all flour. Extensive research, including a report by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, suggests that adding the vitamin to flour helps reduce the number of birth defects such as spina bifida, stroke and heart disease.

Researchers in the United States say they have more evidence of the health risks of eating too much salt. The scientists at the Harvard Medical School say their findings suggest that consuming less salt can reduce the chances of heart disease and stroke by 25 per cent.

A new technology developed at the University of Toronto is revealing biochemical processes responsible for diseases such as cystic fibrosis and could one day pave the way for pharmaceutical applications.