Statins are drugs that lower cholesterol in the blood. These drugs keep cholesterol from building up and clogging the arteries. This helps prevent heart disease and heart attacks. But for some people, these drugs don’t work very well. Even when the drug lowers levels of the “bad” cholesterol (LDL), many Read more
Sleep apnea is when a person stops breathing while they are sleeping. These pauses in breathing can disturb sleep. Many people with sleep apnea also snore. These things can cause a person to be very sleepy during the day. People with sleep apnea often have high blood pressure, heart disease, Read more
Genes for complex diseases like heart disease and diabetes can be hard to find. Scientists think that many genes are involved in these diseases. One common type of study, called a GWAS, can detect some of these genes. But these studies can’t find all of the genes involved. And sometimes, Read more
When we are injured, blood clots help stop the bleeding. This helps wounds begin to heal. But sometimes, the blood can clot too much or too easily. Blood clots can get stuck in blood vessels and cause strokes, heart attacks, or other serious conditions. Prostaglandins are compounds made naturally by Read more
Cushing’s syndrome happens when the body has too much of the hormone cortisol. The most obvious sign of Cushing’s syndrome is rapid weight gain around the belly. The condition can lead to diabetes and high blood pressure. If not treated, Cushing’s syndrome can be deadly. There are some medicines to Read more
Blood clots that form in the blood vessels around the heart can cause a heart attack. They often happen in people who have stents. Stents prop open blocked arteries. Stents are inserted during a procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this project, researchers are studying different versions of a Read more
About 1 in 3 adults has high blood pressure. It is more common in blacks than in whites. The disease is also more severe and happens at a younger age in blacks. Lifestyle factors, like diet and obesity, may explain some of this difference. But genes may play an important Read more