EurekAlert! In the Spotlight - Heart Health Month

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.

Chicago health information leader recognized for raising CPR readiness and blood pressure awareness

American Heart Association
Business Announcement

The American Heart Association names Chicago changemaker as National Leaders of Impact Winner

16-Dec-2025

AI model helps diagnose often undetected heart disease from simple EKG

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Doctors may soon be able to diagnose an elusive form of heart disease, coronary microvascular dysfunction, within seconds by using an AI model developed at University of Michigan, according to a recent study.The prediction tool significantly outperformed earlier AI models in nearly every diagnostic task and has potential to be a cost-effective diagnostic tool at non-specialty hospitals.

Journal: NEJM AI
Funder: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

16-Dec-2025

Gum disease may be linked to plaque buildup in arteries, higher risk of major CVD events

American Heart Association
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Effective prevention and treatment of gum disease, also called periodontal disease, could potentially decrease the burden of cardiovascular disease, according to a new scientific statement published today in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal Circulation.

Journal: Circulation

16-Dec-2025

A platform to test new cancer treatments

Université de Genève
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Overcoming acquired treatment resistance is one of the major challenges in the fight against cancer. While combination therapies hold promise, their toxicity to healthy tissue remains a major hurdle. To anticipate these risks, researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have developed in vitro models of the kidneys, liver, and heart – three organs particularly sensitive to such therapies. This fast, animal-free approach paves the way for safer evaluation of new treatments. The findings are published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.

Journal: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

16-Dec-2025

Keeping the heart healthy increases longevity even after cancer

Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed I.R.C.C.S.
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Being more physically active, following a balanced diet, not smoking, and keeping body weight and blood pressure under control: the same habits that protect the heart also prove decisive after a cancer diagnosis.

Journal: European Heart Journal
Funder: Fondazione Umberto Veronesi

16-Dec-2025

Can intimate relationships affect your heart? New study says ‘yes’

Elsevier
Peer-Reviewed Publication

With heart disease as the leading cause of death worldwide, there is growing recognition that recovery is not only physical but also emotional and social. A new study shows that strong and supportive relationships can indeed improve heart health for individuals with cardiovascular disease. The work is described in an article in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, published by Elsevier, which calls for intimate partners to be included in cardiac rehabilitation programs to support long-term heart health and quality of life for both members of the couple.

Journal: Canadian Journal of Cardiology

15-Dec-2025

An ‘illuminating’ design sheds light on cholesterol

University of Pennsylvania
Peer-Reviewed Publication

While high levels of cholesterol are linked to heart disease, stroke, and other health problems, this complex and vital molecule is found in every cell of the body and regulates crucial processes. By building light-controlled molecules that look and act like cholesterol, the University of Pennsylvania's Dirk Trauner have created a new set of tools allowing the researchers to toggle cholesterol’s biological activity on or off, paving the way for advanced therapeutics.

Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society
Funder: Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, Novo Nordisk Fonden, Carlsberg Foundation

15-Dec-2025

Reducing saturated fat intake shows mortality benefit, but only in high-risk individuals

American College of Physicians
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A systematic review of 17 randomized trials found that among high cardiovascular risk individuals, reducing saturated fat was linked to lower all-cause mortality and possible reductions in cardiovascular deaths, heart attacks, and strokes.

Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine

15-Dec-2025

Fine particles in pollution are associated with early signs of autoimmune disease

McGill University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study has linked air pollution exposure and immune-system changes that often precede the onset of autoimmune diseases.

McGill University researchers analyzing Ontario data found that fine particles in air pollution are associated with higher levels of a biomarker linked with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus.

Journal: Rheumatology
Funder: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

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

Latest News Releases

Chicago health information leader recognized for raising CPR readiness and blood pressure awareness

AI model helps diagnose often undetected heart disease from simple EKG

Gum disease may be linked to plaque buildup in arteries, higher risk of major CVD events

A platform to test new cancer treatments

Keeping the heart healthy increases longevity even after cancer

Can intimate relationships affect your heart? New study says ‘yes’

An ‘illuminating’ design sheds light on cholesterol

Reducing saturated fat intake shows mortality benefit, but only in high-risk individuals

Fine particles in pollution are associated with early signs of autoimmune disease

Scientists identify small RNA molecule that regulates cholesterol and heart disease