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Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Screening for cardiovascular disease marker in community health centers may reduce risk
( NewMediaWire ) - July 23, 2025 - DALLAS — Elevated lipoprotein(a), also known as Lp(a), is an independent, inherited and causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. [1] Lp(a) is similar to low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or 'bad' cholesterol, yet is caused by genetics and is not impacted by lifestyle modifications. While it is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans have high Lp(a) levels, many people are not aware of their risk. Research has found less than 1% of people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries, are tested for Lp(a). [2] The American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, has launched the Lp(a) Community Health Centers Discovery Project, supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, to increase awareness about Lp(a). Additionally, the initiative will focus on improving shared decision making between health care professionals and individuals within community health centers (CHCs) on the importance of Lp(a) screening and ASCVD risk management. 'A simple, one-time Lp(a) test can give lifelong insight about overall heart disease risk — especially for people with a family history or who are otherwise at increased risk,' said Kaavya Paruchuri, M.D., American Heart Association volunteer and clinical operations director of the cardiovascular medicine section and director of the Lipid Apheresis Unit, Preventive Cardiology, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. 'Community health centers are vital for making this important tool available to more people and helping individuals take control of their heart health.' Ten CHCs throughout the U.S. signed onto the project in 2024, and 10 additional sites will be added this year. So far, participating CHCs have successfully added new Lp(a) screening processes resulting in increased testing at the sites. This reflects strong momentum for expanding Lp(a) testing access. Current participating CHCs include: In 2023, the American Heart Association launched an initiative called the Lp(a) Discovery Project to improve the number of patients screened for Lp(a) through professional and patient education. This initiative gathered insights from 10 health systems across the country who have established Lp(a) testing processes. Lessons learned from this initiative will be used to drive improvements across CHCs participating in the Lp(a) Discovery Community Health Centers Project. Studies have shown that elevated Lp(a) increases risk for ASCVD-related events such as aortic stenosis, heart attack, peripheral artery disease and stroke. [3] Although treatment options for high Lp(a) are limited, some lifestyle changes and medication therapies can assist with lowering a person's overall risk for heart disease. A baseline survey conducted as part of the Lp(a) Discovery Project found few U.S. adults are aware of Lp(a), which is accompanied by lack of concern and urgency to have levels checked. U.S. adults are not linking elevated Lp(a) to cardiovascular risk, but when they do, it motivates them to talk to their doctor. Health care professionals are the top source of Lp(a) awareness; their recommendation and personal experience is key to considering getting Lp(a) levels checked. Community Health Centers can express interest in participating in this initiative by completing the form at The deadline is August 15. Additional Resources: ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173 Michelle Rosenfeld: [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and [1] Reyes-Soffer G, et al. Lipoprotein(a): A Genetically Determined, Causal, and Prevalent Risk Factor for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. October 14, 2021. 42(1). [2] Shah N, Mulder H, et al. Lipoprotein (a) Testing in Patients With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in 5 Large US Health Systems. JAHA. November 4, 2024. 13(21). [3] Wilson D, et al. Use of lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice: A biomarker whose time has come. A scientific statement from the National Lipid Association. Journal of Clinical Lipidology. 2019. Tsimikas S, Marcovina S. Ancestry, Lipoprotein(a), and Cardiovascular Risk Thresholds: JACC Review Topic of the Week. JACC. August 2022. 80(9):934–946.
Associated Press
16-07-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Adults with heart-healthy metrics had better health from head to toe
Research Highlights: Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 ( NewMediaWire ) - July 16, 2025 - DALLAS — People who had more heart-healthy habits and factors, as assessed by the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7(TM) metrics for ideal cardiovascular health, had more positive benefits for whole body health, according to a review of research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association. Life's Simple 7 was launched by the American Heart Association in 2010 to define and quantify the spectrum of heart health based on seven lifestyle and health measures: not smoking, healthy nutrition, regular physical activity, healthy weight and normal blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. In 2022, the metrics were refined to include sufficient sleep and more detailed scoring. The updated cardiovascular health metric is now called Life's Essential 8(TM). While the cardiovascular benefits of optimal cardiovascular health in terms of Life's Simple 7 were already well-established, this is the first systematic review that examines the benefits to organs beyond the heart and death from cardiovascular disease and other causes, according to study authors. 'A few years ago, we learned that heart health and brain health are very closely tied. Through this review, we found that almost every organ system and bodily function also benefits from maintaining the healthy lifestyle behaviors of Life's Simple 7,' said lead study author Liliana Aguayo, Ph.D., M.P.H., a research assistant professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and the Global Diabetes Research Center at Emory University in Atlanta. 'We were pleasantly surprised to find that Life's Simple 7 at optimal levels touched every aspect of health, from head to toe. It goes well beyond just cardiovascular health to encompass whole-body health.' Researchers reviewed nearly 500 research studies published in the decade after Life's Simple 7 was introduced that had incorporated at least three of Life's Simple 7 measures. Ideal cardiovascular health was defined as having six or seven of the metrics at high levels. Among the findings: 'These findings confirm that healthy lifestyle metrics — eating well, exercising and not smoking — are key components to optimal health, in addition to maintaining healthy weight, normal blood pressure, and cholesterol blood sugar levels, which are the conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease,' Aguayo said. 'The ideal cardiovascular health metrics in Life's Simple 7 and now Life's Essential 8 are based on extensive scientific research that recognizes the majority of heart disease and stroke can be prevented,' said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and senior vice president of women's health and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women's Health of Northwell Health in New York City. 'The findings in this review study indicate that these healthy lifestyle metrics are also a path to improving health and well-being across the board, from head to toe. Preventing cardiovascular disease and reducing cardiovascular disease risk, the centerpieces for Life's Essential 8, are the core of the American Heart Association's mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.' The review findings are limited due to the scoring system of Life's Simple 7, which rates each category broadly as ideal, intermediate or poor and is less precise than is now possible under the methods of Life's Essential 8, according to Aguayo. Because this study relies on published literature, it may under-represent studies with negative or inconclusive findings, researchers said. The investigators called for more research especially among children, pregnant women and populations in less-studied areas of the world. Also, more research is needed on both the benefits of even small improvements in these health metrics and the mechanisms that are pathways between Life's Simple 7 or Life's Essential 8 and better health. Study details, background and design: This review was partially funded by a Strategically Focused Research Network grant from the American Heart Association as well as a grant from the National Institutes of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the American Heart Association. Co-authors and disclosures are listed in the manuscript. Studies published in the American Heart Association's scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content. Overall financial information is available here. Additional Resources: ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173 Staff contact: [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Still top cause of death, the types of heart disease people are dying from is changing
Research Highlights: Over the past 50 years, overall heart disease death rates have dropped by 66% and deaths from heart attacks have declined by nearly 90%. The types of heart disease people are dying from most often have shifted from heart attacks to an increase in deaths from heart failure, arrhythmias and hypertensive heart disease. Researchers say this shift, in part, is the result of advances in public health measures focused on prevention and life-saving interventions to improve early diagnosis and treatment, allowing people to live longer while managing chronic heart conditions Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET Wednesday, June 25, 2025 (NewMediaWire) - June 25, 2025 - DALLAS While heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for over a century, the past 50 years have seen a substantial decrease (66%) in overall age-adjusted heart disease death rates, including a nearly 90% drop in heart attack deaths, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association. During that time, there have been major shifts in the types of heart disease people are dying from, with large increases in deaths from heart failure, arrhythmias and hypertensive heart disease. In an analysis of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers reviewed the age-adjusted rates of heart disease deaths among adults ages 25 and older from 1970 to 2022. The analysis found: Over this 52-year period, heart disease accounted for nearly one-third of all deaths (31%). During this time, heart disease death rates decreased substantially, from 41% of total deaths in 1970 to 24% of total deaths in 2022. In 1970, more than half of all people who died from heart disease (54%) died because of a heart attack a type of acute ischemic heart disease. The age-adjusted death rate decreased 89% by 2022, when less than one-third of all heart disease deaths (29%) were caused by a heart attack. Conversely, during this time, the age-adjusted death rate from all other types of heart disease (including heart failure, hypertensive heart disease and arrhythmia) increased by 81%, accounting for 9% of all heart disease deaths in 1970 and 47% of all heart disease deaths in 2022. "This distribution shift in the types of heart disease people were dying from the most was very interesting to us," said the study's first author, Sara King, M.D., a second-year internal medicine resident in the department of medicine at Stanford School of Medicine in Stanford, California. "This evolution over the past 50 years reflects incredible successes in the way heart attacks and other types of ischemic heart disease are managed. However, the substantial increase in deaths from other types of heart conditions, including heart failure and arrhythmias, poses emerging challenges the medical community must address." During the decades reviewed: Deaths from arrhythmias had the largest relative increase, with the age-adjusted death rate rising by 450%. However, arrhythmias still accounted for only about 4% of all heart disease deaths in 2022. Arrhythmias occur when electrical impulses to the heart may be too fast, too slow or erratic, causing an irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common types of arrhythmias. The age-adjusted death rate from heart failure a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen increased 146%. The rate of deaths from hypertensive heart disease heart problems that occur because of high blood pressure that is present over a long time increased by 106%. In addition to analyzing the types of heart disease deaths, the researchers also identified several underlying factors that may account for the shift in deaths from ischemic heart disease to other heart conditions. "Over the past 50 years, our understanding of heart disease, what causes it and how we treat it has evolved considerably. That's especially true in how we address acute cardiac events that may appear to come on suddenly," King said. "From the establishment and increased use of bystander CPR and automated external defibrillators to treat cardiac arrest outside the hospital setting, to the creation of systems of care that promote early recognition of and quick procedural and medical intervention to treat heart attacks, there have been great strides made in helping people survive initial acute cardiac events that were once considered a death sentence." Other specific advancements noted in the study included: The invention in the 1960s of coronary artery bypass grafting and the formation of coronary care units improved in-hospital and long-term heart disease death rates. Cardiac imaging improved in the 1970s with coronary angiography, which was capitalized by the advent of balloon angioplasty in 1977, followed by coronary stenting to open blocked heart arteries in the 1980s to 1990s. Simultaneously, there was significant development of medical therapies in the 1970s to 1990s, including thrombolytics and aspirin to reduce blockages; beta blockers to treat high blood pressure; renal-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors to slow the progression of heart and kidney disease; and statins to control cholesterol. These advances all contributed to the decline in deaths from treatment and deaths due to a second or subsequent acute cardiac event. At the turn of the 21st century, high-intensity statin therapy to lower cholesterol and dual antiplatelet therapy to reduce clotting were established, as well as landmark "door-to-balloon" trials that displayed substantial benefits when care to open blocked arteries was expedited. From 2009 to 2022, high-sensitivity troponins that improved the rapid diagnosis of heart attacks and advanced antiplatelet agents to reduce clotting and restore blood flow to the heart further improved death rates, while lipid-lowering therapies such as ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors emerged to improve options for secondary prevention. In addition to medical advances, significant public health strides, such as smoke-free policies, increased emphasis on physical activity and updated practice guidelines that support improved blood pressure and cholesterol management, have driven much of the improvements, according to the report. Study researchers point out that, despite overall reduction in heart disease and the progress in therapies and guidelines, there has been a substantial rise in many CVD risk factors, such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and physical inactivity, in the United States. An aging population is also contributing to an increase in the types of heart disease people are dying from. The report found: From the 1970s to 2022, obesity prevalence has risen from 15% to 40%. Type 2 diabetes including prediabetes, has risen to impact nearly half of all adults in the U.S. in 2020. Hypertension has increased from a prevalence of approximately 30% in 1978 to nearly 50% in 2022. Demographic shifts in the U.S. have also contributed significant changes to the landscape of heart disease mortality. From 1970 to 2022, there has been a notable increase in life expectancy, from 70.9 years to 77.5 years. "All of these risk factors contribute to an ongoing burden of heart disease, especially as related to heart failure, hypertensive heart disease and arrhythmias," said senior author of the paper Latha Palaniappan, M.D., M.S., FAHA, associate dean for research and a professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. "While heart attack deaths are down by 90% since 1970, heart disease hasn't gone away. Now that people are surviving heart attacks, we are seeing a rise in other forms of heart disease like heart failure. The focus now must be on helping people age with strong, healthy hearts by preventing events, and prevention can start as early as childhood." "The American Heart Association has been a leader in both the medical advancements and the policy and guideline initiatives that have contributed to the reduction in overall heart disease deaths," said Keith Churchwell, M.D., FAHA, the 2024-2025 American Heart Association volunteer president, an associate clinical professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut and an adjunct associate professor of Medicine at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. "Through the nearly $6 billion dollars the Association has invested in scientific research since 1948, we have enhanced the knowledge of how we diagnose and treat heart disease in almost all forms. We have been a catalyst in collaborations with the public and private sectors in support of public health policies to improve the communities in which people live, work, learn and play. And we know, that by following the prescription of our Life's Essential 8(TM) health measures, we can prevent most heart disease and reduce deaths from heart disease by reducing the health risk factors that contribute to it." The American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 is a measure of cardiovascular health that includes eight essential components for ideal heart and brain health 4 health behaviors and 4 health factors, including: Eat better. Be more active. Quit tobacco. Get healthy sleep. Manage weight. Control cholesterol. Manage blood sugar. Manage blood pressure. "We've won major battles against heart attacks, however, the war against heart disease isn't over. We now need to tackle heart failure and other chronic conditions that affect people as they age," King said. "The cardiology community must prepare to meet this evolving burden through prevention, longitudinal management and multidisciplinary care that supports healthy aging. The next frontier in heart health must focus on preventing heart attacks, and also on helping people age with healthier hearts and avoiding chronic heart conditions later in life." The authors note several limitations to this study: There is likely substantial differences in these reductions in heart disease deaths by age, sex, race, ethnicity, region and urbanization. The study did not analyze data including these components, and research including these factors should be prioritized in future studies to confirm if these overall trends remain valid in subpopulations. The use of multiple iterations of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding system may allow for potential miscoding and presents challenges in maintaining consistency in comparisons across the years. Particularly prominent is the change from ICD-8 to ICD-9 in the year 1979, where the mortality of several conditions (valvular heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, pulmonary heart disease) dramatically increased. The true burden of ischemic heart disease may be underestimated in the findings presented in this study, since certain conditions including heart failure, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and in particular ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest, may be overly simplistic. Many of these cases likely have underlying causes that cannot be precisely differentiated using current or past ICD codes. Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript. Studies published in the American Heart Association's scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content. Overall financial information is available here. Additional Resources: Multimedia is available on the right column of release link. After June 25, view the manuscript online. AHA news release: Heart disease remains leading cause of death as key health risk factors continue to rise (January 2025) AHA health initiative: Healthy Living Follow AHA/ASA news on X @HeartNews Follow news from the Journal of the American Heart Association @JAHA_AHA ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173 Cathy Lewis: For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Celebrate Father s Day with a Kick at the Martial Arts History Museum
( NewMediaWire ) - June 11, 2025 - Glendale, CA – Father's Day is always one of the most popular days of the year at the Martial Arts History Museum—and for good reason. It's a time when kids bring their dads to celebrate, laugh, and dive into the thrilling world of martial arts culture. Now, with the museum housed in a much larger and more exciting space, there's even more to explore, experience, and enjoy. This year, we're pulling out all the stops to make it extra special. From samurai armor to ninja legends, from Bruce Lee to Kung Fu Panda, the museum offers a dynamic journey through history, film, and tradition. Whether your dad is a lifelong martial artist or just a fan of great action movies, there's something here to make him smile, reminisce, and maybe even strike a pose. And here's the best part—Dads get in FREE! That's right, it's our way of saying thank you to all the amazing fathers who inspire, protect, and lead with strength, wisdom, and heart. 'Many times kids will blindfold their dad and bring him to the museum. And boy, is he surprised that there is even a museum for the martial arts,' says museum president Michael Matsuda. 'Each and every year, we get more and more people and it's completely packed.' So if you're looking for a Father's Day activity that's unique, meaningful, and full of action, skip the crowded restaurants and surprise Dad with something different. Take him to the Martial Arts History Museum, where he'll be surrounded by iconic legends, powerful traditions, and maybe even a flying sidekick or two. This Father's Day, celebrate the warrior in your life—with honor, fun, and a roundhouse kick of history. The museum opens at 11 am and closes at 6 pm. 201 N. Brand Blvd. B100, Glendale, CA 91203 or visit
Associated Press
11-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Data challenge explores inflammation s hidden role in heart disease
( NewMediaWire ) - June 11, 2025 - DALLAS — Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a marker of inflammation linked to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and other forms of cardiovascular disease, even in healthy individuals with normal cholesterol. Awareness of elevated hsCRP can help identify people at increased risk and enable appropriate treatment that may improve their health outcomes. To learn more about how hsCRP impacts individuals, the American Heart Association(R), a global force changing the future of health for all, today announced the launch of the Systemic Inflammation Data Challenge, a new research initiative that will leverage advanced data science to explore how inflammation contributes to cardiovascular disease. 'The Systemic Inflammation Data Challenge aims to drive new understanding and inspire better, more equitable care by identifying how systemic inflammation affects cardiovascular outcomes,' said Anum Saeed, M.D., American Heart Association volunteer, member of the expert panel for the data challenge and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. 'We hope to spark discoveries that inform clinical practice as well as public health strategies through this innovative collaboration of data science researchers and clinicians.' Through the Association's Precision Medicine Platform, scientific researchers participating in the challenge will examine the specific role and mechanisms in which elevated levels of hsCRP contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. Participants have the option of using multiple datasets provided by the American Heart Association and/or using their own data to investigate how inflammation — especially when influenced by social drivers of health, which are the conditions in which people are born and live — may increase the risk of heart disease. The top three submissions will receive awards totaling $75,000, including a $40,000 first prize. Finalists will present their findings at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, with the goal of publishing results in peer-reviewed journals. Funded in part by Novo Nordisk Inc., the challenge marks a strategic opportunity to identify solutions to, while elevating awareness about, inflammation's overall impact on heart health. For more information or to register for the challenge, visit Additional Resources: ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173 Michelle Rosenfeld: 214-706-1099; [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
