Latest news with #Radiology
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Your risk of heart attack and stroke can be detected 10 YEARS earlier with ‘simple' scan, study shows
A 'SIMPLE' MRI scan can spot the risk of heart attack or stroke 10 years before, a study shows. Researchers at the University of Dundee said their findings could "save vast numbers of lives" as it could give patients the option of preventative treatment. Advertisement 3 An increased mass of the heart's left ventricle is a 'clear indicator' of cardiovascular risk Credit: Getty Paying attention to a particular part of the heart - the left ventricle -can help indicate someone's risk of future cardiovascular events, scientists said, even if the organ is pumping away normally at the time of the assessment. Scientists studied 5,000 healthy Tayside residents with no risk or history of cardiovascular disease, which refers to conditions that narrow or block blood vessels, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure. But, a decade later, it became apparent that an increased - but normal - mass of the heart's left ventricle was a 'clear indicator' of cardiovascular risk. Ventricles are two chambers at the bottom of the heart. The right pumps blood to the lungs, and the left ventricle supplies blood to the rest of the body. Advertisement Read more on heart health Thickening of the left ventricle's muscle wall is well-established marker for people considered at high-risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the research team. It tends to occur early in the disease process and flags issues such as high blood pressure. But what the left ventricle can reveal for people considered low to medium risk is less well known. Study lead Professor Jill Belch described the findings - published in the journal Radiology - as a 'very exciting and significant development', especially since researchers found different risk factors in men and women. Advertisement Most read in Health 'We looked at thousands of health records and it became apparent that the mass of the left ventricle was a clear indicator of future risk of cardiovascular disease," she said. 'What made our findings particularly interesting was the difference we noted between men and women." Millions at risk of 'silent killer' that triggers heart attacks and stroke - as doctors warn it's 3 times more common than feared A larger left ventricle in men was linked to diastolic blood pressure - the pressure blood exerts against artery walls between heartbeats - while in women it was linked to Cholesterol fat-like substance found in blood. Too much of a harmful type called LDL cholesterol can block blood vessels and up the risk of heart problems and stroke. Advertisement Prof Belch said: 'In men, we found that a larger left ventricle, associated with heart attack and stroke, was linked to the diastolic blood pressure. "This level was what we would consider to be normal, albeit in the upper level. 3 Professor Jill Belch from the University of Dundee School of Medicine Credit: PA 3 She said the findings 'allow us to pick up people and treat them before any organ damage has occurred' Credit: PA Advertisement "In women, we found a link between an increase in left ventricle mass and cholesterol. "Again, this level was in the upper end of what we would consider normal. "Both the level of blood pressure and cholesterol level were such that, normally, no preventative treatment would be offered." Prof Belch said men should be encouraged to monitor and reduce their diastolic blood pressure, while women should be given statins at earlier to control cholesterol levels. Advertisement How to reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke You can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke with many of the same methods. Heart attacks and strokes, although affecting different organs of the body, are both what we call cardiovascular events. Both arise from similar underlying conditions, such as atherosclerosis —a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. According to the American Heart Association, the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes are largely the same: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes. Therefore, addressing these risk factors can simultaneously reduce the risk of both conditions. Here are ways you can prevent the two: Healthy diet More fruit and veg: The DASH, which emphasises fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health. Less fats: Too much saturated and trans fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Go for healthier fats like those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Limit salt: High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both heart attack and stroke. The NHS recommends no more than 6g of salt per day for adults. Fibre: Foods high in soluble fibre, such as oats and beans, can help lower cholesterol levels. Exercise Walking, running, cycling, swimming - whatever you like, do it! Aerobic exercise can strengthen the heart and improve circulation. The NHS advises at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. Strength training exercises can help control weight, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce blood pressure. It is recommended twice a week by the NHS. Manage blood pressure Healthy diet and exercise can help keep your blood pressure in check. But it is worth monitoring it yourself after the age of 40, at least, when the NHS invites adults for a check-up every five years. High blood pressure often has no symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Quit smoking One of the best ways to quit smoking is to use resources provided by NHS Smokefree. Support groups, medications, and other tools to help quit smoking such as vapes could be what you need to kick the habit for good - and it's free. Limit booze Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and contribute to weight gain, which can snowball and become a heart health risk. The NHS recommends not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week. But she noted that none of the volunteers who took part the study had "immediate risk of heart disease". "This is exciting as it allows us to pick up people and treat them before any organ damage has occurred," Prof Belch said. 'We have clearly identified a very early marker of future cardiovascular disease which can be detected via a simple MRI scan. 'This is a widely available, easy to perform procedure that our study has proven to be able to identify people at risk of cardiovascular disease who may have no other identifiable risk factors, 10 years before the event. Advertisement 'The ability to provide pre-emptive treatment for patients at a stage where their heart is working perfectly well could save vast numbers of lives which are cruelly taken from us as a consequence of cardiovascular disease.'
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Your risk of heart attack and stroke can be detected 10 YEARS earlier with ‘simple' scan, study shows
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A 'SIMPLE' MRI scan can spot the risk of heart attack or stroke 10 years before, a study shows. Researchers at the University of Dundee said their findings could "save vast numbers of lives" as it could give patients the option of preventative treatment. 3 An increased mass of the heart's left ventricle is a 'clear indicator' of cardiovascular risk Credit: Getty Paying attention to a particular part of the heart - the left ventricle -can help indicate someone's risk of future cardiovascular events, scientists said, even if the organ is pumping away normally at the time of the assessment. Scientists studied 5,000 healthy Tayside residents with no risk or history of cardiovascular disease, which refers to conditions that narrow or block blood vessels, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure. But, a decade later, it became apparent that an increased - but normal - mass of the heart's left ventricle was a 'clear indicator' of cardiovascular risk. Ventricles are two chambers at the bottom of the heart. The right pumps blood to the lungs, and the left ventricle supplies blood to the rest of the body. Thickening of the left ventricle's muscle wall is well-established marker for people considered at high-risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the research team. It tends to occur early in the disease process and flags issues such as high blood pressure. But what the left ventricle can reveal for people considered low to medium risk is less well known. Study lead Professor Jill Belch described the findings - published in the journal Radiology - as a 'very exciting and significant development', especially since researchers found different risk factors in men and women. 'We looked at thousands of health records and it became apparent that the mass of the left ventricle was a clear indicator of future risk of cardiovascular disease," she said. 'What made our findings particularly interesting was the difference we noted between men and women." Millions at risk of 'silent killer' that triggers heart attacks and stroke - as doctors warn it's 3 times more common than feared A larger left ventricle in men was linked to diastolic blood pressure - the pressure blood exerts against artery walls between heartbeats - while in women it was linked to cholesterol. Cholesterol fat-like substance found in blood. Too much of a harmful type called LDL cholesterol can block blood vessels and up the risk of heart problems and stroke. Prof Belch said: 'In men, we found that a larger left ventricle, associated with heart attack and stroke, was linked to the diastolic blood pressure. "This level was what we would consider to be normal, albeit in the upper level. 3 Professor Jill Belch from the University of Dundee School of Medicine Credit: PA 3 She said the findings 'allow us to pick up people and treat them before any organ damage has occurred' Credit: PA "In women, we found a link between an increase in left ventricle mass and cholesterol. "Again, this level was in the upper end of what we would consider normal. "Both the level of blood pressure and cholesterol level were such that, normally, no preventative treatment would be offered." Prof Belch said men should be encouraged to monitor and reduce their diastolic blood pressure, while women should be given statins at earlier to control cholesterol levels. How to reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke You can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke with many of the same methods. Heart attacks and strokes, although affecting different organs of the body, are both what we call cardiovascular events. Both arise from similar underlying conditions, such as atherosclerosis —a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. According to the American Heart Association, the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes are largely the same: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes. Therefore, addressing these risk factors can simultaneously reduce the risk of both conditions. Here are ways you can prevent the two: Healthy diet More fruit and veg: The DASH, which emphasises fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health. Less fats: Too much saturated and trans fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Go for healthier fats like those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Limit salt: High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both heart attack and stroke. The NHS recommends no more than 6g of salt per day for adults. Fibre: Foods high in soluble fibre, such as oats and beans, can help lower cholesterol levels. Exercise Walking, running, cycling, swimming - whatever you like, do it! Aerobic exercise can strengthen the heart and improve circulation. The NHS advises at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. Strength training exercises can help control weight, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce blood pressure. It is recommended twice a week by the NHS. Manage blood pressure Healthy diet and exercise can help keep your blood pressure in check. But it is worth monitoring it yourself after the age of 40, at least, when the NHS invites adults for a check-up every five years. High blood pressure often has no symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Quit smoking One of the best ways to quit smoking is to use resources provided by NHS Smokefree. Support groups, medications, and other tools to help quit smoking such as vapes could be what you need to kick the habit for good - and it's free. Limit booze Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and contribute to weight gain, which can snowball and become a heart health risk. The NHS recommends not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week. But she noted that none of the volunteers who took part the study had "immediate risk of heart disease". "This is exciting as it allows us to pick up people and treat them before any organ damage has occurred," Prof Belch said. 'We have clearly identified a very early marker of future cardiovascular disease which can be detected via a simple MRI scan. 'This is a widely available, easy to perform procedure that our study has proven to be able to identify people at risk of cardiovascular disease who may have no other identifiable risk factors, 10 years before the event. 'The ability to provide pre-emptive treatment for patients at a stage where their heart is working perfectly well could save vast numbers of lives which are cruelly taken from us as a consequence of cardiovascular disease.'
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Reduced blood flow in lungs may cause childhood long COVID
Blood flow problems within the lungs could be driving long COVID in some children, according to scans using an advanced form of MRI. Children and teens with long COVID appear to have significantly reduced blood flow through their lungs, researchers reported in the journal Radiology. This could cause fatigue -- one of the more common symptoms of long COVID in children - due to lower levels of oxygen distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream, researchers said. The study's results might explain why kids with normal breathing still suffer from fatigue related to long COVID, researchers said. "Parents should understand that their children's persistent symptoms after COVID-19 may have a measurable physiological basis, even when standard medical tests appear normal," lead researcher Dr. Gesa Pöhler, a senior physician of diagnostic and interventional radiology at Hannover Medical School in Germany, said in a news release. Long COVID involves symptoms that develop weeks after a person's initial COVID-19 infection. These symptoms can persist for months or even years. The most common symptoms of long COVID in children are chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, headache, heart palpitations and poor concentration, researchers said in background notes. For the study, researchers turned to a type of imaging scan called phase-resolved functional lung MRI. This form of MRI can analyze the movement of air in and out of the lungs, as well as blood flow through the lungs. Adults with long COVID typically are examined using chest CT scans, but doctors are loath to use the same imaging technology on children because it exposes kids to radiation, researchers said. MRI scans use magnetic waves and can be performed while a patient breathes freely, making it a more suitable procedure for children, researchers said. Researchers performed PREFUL MRI scans on 54 patients between 11 and 17 years of age. Half had been diagnosed with long COVID, and the other half were healthy. Compared to the healthy kids, children and teens with long COVID had reduced blood flow through their lungs, results show. Furthermore, all but one of these kids with long COVID suffered mainly from fatigue. "Importantly, the severity of fatigue symptoms correlated with these blood flow changes, suggesting a possible biological basis for the patients' ongoing symptoms," Pohler said. Earlier studies also have observed this reduction in lung blood flow in adults, researchers noted. They theorize that a person's initial bout with COVID might cause lasting damage to the tiny blood vessels in the lungs, leading to this reduction in blood flow. This sort of imaging could help guide the monitoring and treatment of children with long COVID in the future, researchers said. The findings were published Tuesday. More information The Cleveland Clinic has more on long COVID in kids. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
COVID-19 may attack arteries, increase risk to heart, study finds
Even a mild infection with COVID-19 can promote clogged arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack in some people, a new study says. Infection with the COVID-19 virus is associated with rapid growth of plaque in arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, also called coronary arteries, researchers reported in a new study published Tuesday in the journal Radiology. Overall, COVID-19 patients were more likely to develop plaques that caused a heart attack or required a procedure to reopen the artery, results show. What's more, this all occurred in people whose COVID-19 was not severe enough to require hospitalization. The inflammation associated with the infectious respiratory disease is the most likely culprit behind this rapid growth of arterial plaque, researchers said. "Inflammation following COVID-19 can lead to ongoing plaque growth, particularly in high-risk, noncalcified plaques," senior researcher Dr. Junbo Ge, director of cardiology at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University in Shanghai, China, said in a news release. Non-calcified plaques are made of cholesterol and fat. They're more likely to rupture and block off blood flow, causing a heart attack. "It's crucial to anticipate a heavier cardiovascular patient burden in the future as most infected individuals recover from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection," Ge added. For the study, researchers analyzed repeated CT scans performed on more than 800 patients. The scans included 329 patients imaged prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and 474 patients imaged during the pandemic. Overall, 690 patients eventually contracted COVID-19, while 113 remained uninfected, the study says. None of the patients who caught COVID-19 had an infection serious enough to land them in the hospital. Among all the patients, researchers found nearly 2,600 lesions in coronary arteries that indicate plaque buildup. There were more than 2,100 in COVID-19 patients compared with 480 in uninfected participants. Plaques grew more rapidly in COVID-19 patients, increasing by 0.9% a year compared with 0.6% a year among the uninfected, results show. COVID-19 patients were also more likely to have high-risk plaques, 21% versus 16%, and heart-related inflammation, 27% versus 20%, researchers found. Finally, COVID-19 patients were more likely to develop plaques that led to either heart-related death, a heart attack or the need to surgically reopen a clogged artery -- 10% compared to 3% in the uninfected. These effects persist after a COVID-19 infection regardless of other factors like age, blood pressure or diabetes, Ge said. "Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection are at increased risk for myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome and stroke for up to a year," Ge said. If these findings prove valid, the world needs to brace itself for a future wave of heart disease caused by the pandemic, according to an editorial accompanying the study. "From a public health perspective, the association between mild COVID-19 infection, plaque progression, and cardiovascular events is concerning as we approach 800 million confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide," the editorial, co-written by Jonathan Weir-McCall, a senior lecturer in cardiac radiology at King's College London, says. More information The Cleveland Clinic has more on heart problems after COVID-19. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
