Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

A study published in JAMA in July 2024 found that a blood test was accurate in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, which causes steep declines in cognition and other aspects of health. The blood test is able to detect elevated blood levels of brain proteins that characterize the condition. While that’s progress, doctors say it’s not the test needed most. It would be more beneficial, they say, to have a test that accurately spots the developing disease long before it affects thinking. No such tests are here yet, but scientists are working to develop them.

In 2024, the FDA approved two catheter-based devices for treating a leaky tricuspid valve. Both relieve symptoms and improve quality of life for people with moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation, which affects about 4% of people ages 75 and older. One device is a modification of a system to treat mitral valve regurgitation that works by bringing the valve leaflets together at the areas of most severe leakage. The other device delivers a new valve made of cow heart tissue, which is commonly used in surgical valve replacements.

Renal denervation, a nondrug treatment for uncontrolled high blood pressure, works by disrupting some of the nerves surrounding the renal arteries, which supply the kidneys. Two systems are FDA-approved for people whose blood pressure remains high despite lifestyle changes and medications. Renal denervation lowers systolic blood pressure by an average of 8 to 9 points—about the same as what people get with a single blood pressure drug. But the response varies widely; some people experience more dramatic drops, while others have no response.

People sometimes wonder if the calcium they consume affects their calcium score, a test that measures calcium in the heart’s arteries to predict heart disease risk. But a 2024 study linked higher calcium intake to a lower risk of heart calcifications. Calcium helps lower blood pressure, possibly by improving the function of the lining of blood vessels. Older adults should make sure they’re getting the recommended amount of calcium in their diets. Good sources include dairy products, tofu made with calcium sulfate, almond or oat milk, canned sardines or salmon, collard greens, and kale.

People who have stable angina despite taking medications can be treated with stents or bypass surgery. The best choice depends on the location and complexity of the artery blockages and other health conditions.

People seeking motivation to be more active and connected to their community might consider signing up for a Turkey Trot, a race or “fun run” held on Thanksgiving morning. Most events are 5 kilometers (3.1 miles), and participants can walk all or part of the course. Many feature ways to support a local community charity.

The Brain Care Score is a quiz developed to help people identify proven, actionable steps to lower their risk of stroke, dementia, and depression. It includes four physical components (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and body mass index); five lifestyle components (nutrition, alcohol intake, smoking, aerobic activities, and sleep); and three social-emotional components (stress management, social relationships, and meaning in life). Each response is given a point value, with the highest possible score totaling 21. Higher scores mean better brain care.

Heart attack symptoms can be severe or subtle. The underlying process that causes a heart attack can differ, and people may experience significant heart damage or little to none. Doctors diagnose a heart attack based on symptoms, a person’s cardiovascular risk profile, electrocardiogram findings and the blood troponin level. Troponin is a protein released when heart damage occurs. Immediate and long-term treatment depend upon the type of heart attack and its impact on heart function.

A 2024 study suggests that older women with higher scores on tests to assess gratitude may live longer than those with lower scores. Most of this benefit seems to come from preventing deaths from heart disease.

A diagnosis of influenza (flu) was linked to a sixfold risk of heart attack over the following week, according to a 2024 report.