EurekAlert! In the Spotlight - Heart Health Month

Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

In recognition of Heart Health Month, we’re spotlighting the importance of cardiovascular wellness. From risk factors and prevention to innovative treatments, we’re exploring the science and stories shaping heart health today.

Latest News Releases

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 13-Dec-2025 16:12 ET (13-Dec-2025 21:12 GMT/UTC)

5-Nov-2025

Mayo Clinic researchers identify a new stem cell patch to gently heal damaged hearts

Mayo Clinic
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a pioneering method to mend damaged hearts without open-heart surgery, an advance that could one day transform the treatment of heart failure.

Journal: Acta Biomaterialia

5-Nov-2025

Chinese Medical Journal study reveals GSTP1’s role in preventing ferroptosis and dox-induced heart injury

Chinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used to treat cancer but can cause severe heart damage. In a recent study, researchers from China identified glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) as a crucial protective factor against DOX-induced cardiomyopathy. They revealed that GSTP1 suppresses acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4)-dependent ferroptosis through the JNK signaling pathway, reducing oxidative stress and highlighting GSTP1 as a promising therapeutic target for preventing DOX-related heart injury.

Journal: Chinese Medical Journal

4-Nov-2025

Research finds higher rare risk of heart complications in children after COVID-19 infection than after vaccination

Health Data Research UK
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study shows children and young people faced long-lasting and higher risks of rare heart and inflammatory complications after COVID-19 infection, compared to before or without an infection. Meanwhile COVID-19 vaccination was only linked to a short-term higher risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.

Journal: The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health
Funder: Health Data Research UK

4-Nov-2025

Battle of the Legends football game highlights lifesaving CPR, heart health for HBCU fans

American Heart Association
Business Announcement

To reach young athletes with important messages about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) the Association was at Lincoln Financial Field this past Thursday as former legendary players DeSean Jackson’s Delaware State Hornets and Michael Vick’s Norfolk State Spartans played the Battle of the Legends college football game.

4-Nov-2025

Accessible imaging technique can predict cardiac risks in patients with Chagas disease

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A three-year study of 77 people showed that analyzing myocardial deformation during contraction can predict the risk of death. Caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy progressively damages heart tissue

Journal: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Funder: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

4-Nov-2025

Finalists named in global health technology competition to advance heart and brain health

American Heart Association
Grant and Award Announcement

Health care innovation often outpaces adoption — especially for people with heart disease and stroke, the world’s leading causes of death and to help bridge this gap, the American Heart Association has named five finalists in its 8th annual Health Tech Competition, hosted by the Center for Health Technology & Innovation.

Meeting: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025

4-Nov-2025

Three health tech innovators recognized for digital solutions to transform cardiovascular care

American Heart Association
Business Announcement

As digital health technologies gain momentum, research is finding that more people are open to artificial intelligence (AI) supported health interventions when those are backed by clinical expertise and rooted in evidence-based guidelines.

Meeting: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025

3-Nov-2025

Women missing cardiac rehabilitation, despite key benefits

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan
Reports and Proceedings

Despite a slew of benefits linked to cardiac rehabilitation, attendance remains poor — with even fewer women utilizing the program. A heart failure cardiologist who co-authored an American Heart Association scientific statement on cardiac rehabilitation in women explains barriers to participation and potential solutions.

3-Nov-2025

Genomics could help 1 in 4 adults prevent stroke

BGI Genomics

One in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in a lifetime, according to the Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2025. Awareness remains key for early intervention and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Advances in genomic science are now offering a new lens to identify these risks early—sometimes decades before a stroke occurs.

3-Nov-2025

Analyzing 3 biomarker tests together may help identify high heart disease risk earlier

American Heart Association
Reports and Proceedings

Adults with elevated levels of three biomarkers for heart disease—lipoprotein a (also called Lp(a)), remnant cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)—had nearly triple the risk of heart attack compared to those without elevated levels.

Meeting: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025