Health News

Heart Arrhythmias Unknown Stroke Cause
About 33 percent of stroke survivors leave the hospital unsure of the cause. A new finding suggests about 20 percent of strokes with an undetermined cause may have been prompted by a heart arrhythmia episode.
Reevaluating Arrhythmia Patients
Every year about 100,000 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators ( ICDs ) are received by patients with life-threatening heart arrhythmias. About a quarter of those are replacements because of a depleted battery, many of which may be unnecessary.
Pre-Hypertension Still Raises Heart Risk in Men
Pre-hypertensive middle-aged men may have more to worry about than developing full-blown high blood pressure. They also are at an increased risk for a heart arrhythmia.
Pradaxa Linked to Heart Attack Risk
Blood thinner dabigatran ( Pradaxa ), approved in 2010 to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia, is linked to an increased risk of heart attack, a new trial suggests.
Gene Mutation Linked to Heart Arrhythmia
Heart rhythm disorders may have a genetic link. Researchers have identified a gene mutation that appears to interfere with the cardiac conduction system, contributing to lethal heart arrhythmias.
Snipping Adrenaline Nerve May Heal Deadly Heart Arrhythmia
Endurance Exercise Linked to Heart Damage
Endurance athletes that participate in long-term exercise such as marathons, triathlons and alpine cycling could be at risk of developing permanent damage to the heart's right ventricle.
Pacemaker Reuse Found Safe
Patients with severe heart arrhythmias are at risk of dying within months without the aid of a pacemaker. In India many heart patients are unable to afford the device. Reusing devices from deceased Americans has been found to be a safe and efficient option.
A Safer Blood Thinner Dosage
Patients with a common heart arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation typically take blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots. This medication is usually tough to dose and requires frequent blood testing.
Blood Thinner Pradaxa May Lead to Bleeding
U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials are taking a second look at blood thinning drug Pradaxa ( dabigatran etexilate mesylate ) after reports of serious, potentially fatal, bleeding.