Heart disease

Analysis and Comment (15)

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Are women are more likely to survive broken heart syndrome? Gabriela Camerotti

A broken heart has some truth to it after all

By Alexander Lyon, Imperial College London

We’re all familiar with the idea of a broken heart, used to describe the emotional and sometimes physical pain of losing a loved one. It’s not uncommon to hear a broken heart blamed when someone dies not…
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Venous thromboembolism is the fifth leading cause of death in Australia. Image from shutterstock.com

Explainer: what is deep vein thrombosis?

By Prof Karlheinz Peter, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute and Ulrike Flierl, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute

Living in Australia, we’re used to flying long distances. So you’ve probably wondered about the risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis. Perhaps you’ve even considered buying some pressure stockings…
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We all know obesity increases our risk of chronic disease, but how does excess fat actually affect our body?

Explainer: how does excess weight cause disease?

By Joseph Proietto, University of Melbourne

OBESE NATION: It’s time to admit it – Australia is becoming an obese nation. Today we launch a series looking at how this has happened and, more importantly, what we can do to stop the obesity epidemic…
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Just getting off your chair regularly and moving around is enough to improve your health. Victor1558

Office workers – it’s time to beat the bulge and quit the sit

By David Dunstan, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute

I’ve never been a smoker but lately I’ve started to take on some of the same zeal of reformed addicts. You see, a few years ago, I took a long, hard look at myself and decided to kick one of the most unnecessary…
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You can use all kinds of iPhone apps to track and improve your health. chunghow33

Reviewing the top medical iPhone apps … what’s the diagnosis?

By Merlin Thomas, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute; Daniel Quintana; Gary Sacks, Deakin University; Harrison Weisinger, Deakin University; Karen Simmer, University of Western Australia; Nasser Dhim; Neale Cohen, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, and Sally Ferguson

Want to quit smoking, lose weight, manage your diabetes or get a good night’s sleep? No worries. There’s an app for all of that. But it’s not always clear which medical apps are based on solid evidence…
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The cocoa in chocolate may be good for your health but the sugar and fat in it are counter productive. Peter Pearson

Treat or treatment? Chocolate is good but cocoa is better for your heart

By Karin Ried

A systematic review and meta-analysis of previous cohort studies on the effects of chocolate consumption has found that chocolate may be linked to a reduction in the risk of developing heart disease. The…
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The epidermal electronic system can measure your vital signs in a completely unobtrusive way. John A. Rogers

Tattoo you: the stick-on medical revolution

By James Heathers and Andrew Kemp

When you think of tattoos you probably imagine bikies, celebrity tats or that Japanese flourish on your left foot that means “Honour” (or so you think). You probably don’t picture medical revolution…
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Excessive sitting increases your risk of chronic disease, even if you get enough exercise.

Sitting nine to five (and beyond): the perils of sedentary lifestyles

By David Dunstan, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute

Whether it’s at work, in cars, watching TV or using the computer, there’s no denying many of us spend the majority of our days sitting. And while science is yet to prove conclusively that too much sitting…
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Trans fats are more harmful to your health than regular fats and should be avoided. Flickr/Half alive

Explainer: what are trans fats?

By Peter Clifton, University of South Australia

Trans fats – they’re in our chips, bakery goods, popcorn and cakes. We know we should avoid them, but what exactly are they, and why are they so bad for us? First, let’s take a step back and look at how…
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Heart attacks damage important muscles but now scientists think that a special protein can awaken the stem cells that grow new muscles. Flickr

Fixing a broken heart with stem cells

By Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation

Vital heart muscles damaged during cardio arrest can be replaced by stem cells within the organ with the help of a special protein, scientists have discovered. Heart attacks cause dangerous damage to…
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People with depression are less able to cope with stress. OliviaGR

Depression can break your heart, literally

By Daniel Quintana and Andrew Kemp

Having a “broken” or a “heavy” heart is a description often used by people who are feeling down or depressed. It turns out they’re not that far off the mark. People with depression are three to four times…

Research and News (12)

Research Briefs (16)

Microbubbles may help detect heart disease

University of Missouri

Microbubbles could be used as a less invasive method of detecting heart disease or a risk of stroke before they become serious…

Smoking lowers ‘good cholesterol’

www.futurity.org

A molecular process in smoking-related heart disease has been linked to a chemical in cigarettes called benzo(a)pyrene, or…

DNA linked to heart attacks

John Hopkins University

A specific DNA variant is linked with a person’s likelihood of suffering sudden cardiac death, according to researchers at…

Participants (47)