Top Heart Disease, Stroke Research Advances in 2019

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide. Over the years, scientific research and technological advancements in heart disease and stroke science have had a positive impact on the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. 

Here is a quick overview of the biggest scientific victories achieved in 2019, as determined by The American Heart Association, one of the top funders of heart- and stroke-related research worldwide:

This used to be a rare condition that has recently become more common. New research in 2019 has helped reveal how pulmonary hypertension works. One study found that patients with pulmonary hypertension had lower than normal levels of a protein known as BMP9. Another study explained how a gene that provides protein production instructions could potentially play a critical role in the disease. 

This is a condition where people are born with high levels of LDL, thus increasing their risk of heart attacks at an early age. In 2019, a long-term study examined if cholesterol-lowering statins could help children with this condition. It was found that this treatment approach could reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events from 26% to 1% at age 39, and the incidence of death from cardiovascular causes from 7% to 1% at age 39. 

It has long been established that physical activity is the key to good cardiovascular health for people of all ages. Two studies in 2019 conducted with older women found that reducing sedentary time by even an hour each day resulted in a 26% lower risk of heart disease and a 12% lower risk of cardiovascular disease overall. Another study found that women who engaged in light physical activity (gardening, walking) had a 42% lower risk of heart attack or coronary disease as compared to least-active women. 

New research showed that people who took that patients who took their blood pressure medicine at bedtime had a 45% lower risk of heart attack, stroke, and/or other cardiovascular problem. Another study demonstrated that lowering systolic blood pressure to less than 120 mm Hg lowered the risk of mild cognitive impairment, as compared to a target of less than 140 mm Hg. 

A new analysis found that children exposed to secondhand smoke from their parents were at a higher risk of atrial fibrillation. For every pack-a-day increase in smoking by the parents, the risk of developing atrial fibrillation among the children increased by 18%. 

A study conducted with African-American women showed that women with gestational diabetes were more likely to have coronary artery disease and were also more likely to have Type 2 diabetes. 

There were several other practice-changing findings in 2019 that pave the way for better treatment approaches in the years to come. These include:

Source: American Heart Association

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