Connect with us

News

Transforming Health Monitoring with Standard Blood Tests 

United States: A blood test is quite normal in the doctor’s visit for a complete physical examination. 

But that blood sample might contain much more relevant and valuable information concerning a person health condition than doctors currently receive, as reported by HealthDay. 

A paper published on Dec.11 in Nature revealed that the complete blood count (CBC), a standard component of a blood test, could be used by doctors to diagnose or even predict a wide range of conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and kidney disease. 

Individualized Health Markers 

“Complete blood counts are common tests, and our study suggests CBCs vary a lot from person to person even when completely healthy, and a more personalized and precision medicine approach could give more insight into a person’s health or disease,” said senior researcher Dr. John Higgins, a pathologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. 

A CBC quantifies the concentrations of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a person’s bloodstream, according to researchers’ background details. 

Transforming Health Monitoring with Standard Blood Tests. Credit | Getty Images
Transforming Health Monitoring with Standard Blood Tests. Credit | Getty Images

Since these blood cells move in the body in every part of the body, the test could be very helpful in giving timely information on so many diseases. 

Analyzing samples taken from over 25,000 patients, it was determined that every person has his set point for any part of his blood profile as represented by the CBC. 

It could, therefore, be useful for doctors to monitor these set points so that they may recognize early signs of diseases in apparently healthy individuals, researchers said. 

For instance, the reduced level of hemoglobin concentration in blood leads to having increased chances of a heart attack, stroke or even heart failure as pointed by researchers.  

Other info that might be gleaned from a CBC: 

  • WBC levels also tend to rise among overweight people and this makes one develop type 2 diabetes. 
  • Variations in red blood cell size are associated with future risk of osteoporosis and irregular heartbeats 
  • Red blood cell is a parameter that shows how much of the blood is composed of red blood cells, and this can help identify kidney ailments on its own. 

According to researchers, the test can even be used to determine an individual’s overall risk of dying. 

Transforming Health Monitoring with Standard Blood Tests. Credit | Getty Images
Transforming Health Monitoring with Standard Blood Tests. Credit | Getty Images

A Glimpse into Mortality Risk 

In individuals who appeared to be in good health, blood count set points that were extremely high or low were linked to an absolute 10-year risk of death that varied by more than 5%. 

“Set points seem to identify large fractions [more than 20%] of healthy adults in our study population with more than 2% to 5% increase in absolute 10-year risk of all-cause mortality or diagnosis of major diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes and other conditions for which early intervention can be effective,” researchers wrote. 

They pointed out that these results are in line with past research. 

Comparable to Genetic Testing 

For instance, reduced hemoglobin has been linked to the result of heart attacks, hip fractures to red blood cell size, and diabetes to white blood cell numbers, as reported by HealthDay. 

“Although further work is needed to understand the mechanisms generating these associations, this study shows that for multiple diseases, set points produce a 2- to 4-fold relative risk stratification, which is comparable to that provided by common disease screening factors, including family history and some genetic mutations,” the researchers concluded. 

News

FDA Approves Self-Injectable Vyvgart Hytrulo for gMG and CIDP 

FDA Approves Self-Injectable Vyvgart Hytrulo for gMG and CIDP 

United States: The U.S. FDA has approved Vyvgart Hytrulo’s (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc) self-administered form for treating adult gMG patients who carry anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies and adult CIDP patients, as reported by HealthDay. 

Fast and Easy Subcutaneous Injection 

The Vyvgart Hytrulo prefilled syringe now functions as an approved subcutaneous device that needs 20 to 30 seconds during patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional administration.  

Testing between the Vyvgart Hytrulo prefilled syringe, and the Vyvgart Hytrulo vial led to the approval of this product by the FDA. The human factors validation studies demonstrated that both gMG or CIDP patients, along with their caregivers, could execute acceptable prefilled syringe preparation and administration of Vyvgart Hytrulo safely and effectively, as reported by HealthDay. 

Designed for Independence and Flexibility 

“Today’s FDA approval provides a new self-injection option across both approved indications in the U.S. that is designed for patients who seek more independence with their treatment,” Luc Truyen, M.D., Ph.D., the chief medical officer at argenx, said in a statement. “Whether patients prefer to receive their treatment in a physician’s office, at home, or while traveling, they can experience treatment on their own terms and continue to benefit from Vyvgart Hytrulo’s favorable safety profile and strong efficacy.” 

Continue Reading

News

Quick Walking May Prevent Heart Rhythm Issues 

Quick Walking May Prevent Heart Rhythm Issues 

United States: A new research finds that individuals who walk vigorously for long periods reduce their chances of developing heart rhythm abnormalities. 

Faster Walking, Healthier Heart 

The research in the Heart journal revealed that individuals walking over 4 miles per hour had a decreased chance of 43% developing heart rhythm abnormalities compared to walkers moving less than 3 miles per hour, as reported by HealthDay. 

According to researchers, the duration of movement together with average or brisk pace walking worked to decrease heart rhythm issues by 27%. 

Duration and Pace Matter 

“These new findings reinforce the promotion of faster walking pace in physical activity recommendations,” concluded the research team led by Jill Pell, chair of public health with the University of Glasgow in the U.K. “Walking at a brisk pace may have a role in … prevention of cardiac arrhythmias.” 

Inside the Research 

Study data originated from the UK Biobank health study, which encompassed 421,000 participants, with accelerometer-wearers representing 82,000 individuals who tracked their walking pace. 

A brisk walking pace existed in 41% of study participants, whereas an average walking pace occurred in 53%, and a slow pace was observed in less than 6%. 

The study results revealed that walking swiftly reduced heart rhythm issues by 43% or walking moderately reduced them by 35%. 

Atrial Fibrillation Risk Also Drops 

Analysis of data from UK Biobank demonstrates that brisk or average-paced walkers experienced a 46% and 38% decrease in atrial fibrillation risk rates, which elevates stroke risks, as reported by HealthDay. 

Quick Walking May Prevent Heart Rhythm Issues 
Quick Walking May Prevent Heart Rhythm Issues 

The connection between heart rhythm problems and walking pace appears to be shaped by 36% through inflammation alongside metabolic factors, according to expert estimation. 

What’s Behind the Benefits? 

Research from the past supports these findings because brisk walking leads to lower obesity levels and better blood sugar control, in addition to preventing diabetes and lowering high blood pressure, according to scientists. 

“This study is the first to explore the pathways underpinning the association between walking pace and arrhythmias and to provide evidence that metabolic and inflammatory factors may have a role,” researchers concluded. “Walking faster decreased the risk of obesity and inflammation, which, in turn, reduced the risk of arrhythmia.” 

Continue Reading

News

Smart Shirt Technology Monitors Heart Health in Real Time 

Smart Shirt Technology Monitors Heart Health in Real Time 

United States: The “smart shirt” coupled with an electrocardiogram (ECG) device enables researchers to detect people with elevated cardiovascular risks, according to recent study findings. 

The wearable shirt measures heart rate recovery after workouts, so it tracks how long it takes for the heart to stabilize, as reported by HealthDay. 

“The heart’s response to exercise provides us with an early indicator of changes in health, in particular cardiovascular function and mortality,” senior researcher Manuel Hernandez, a professor of biomedical and translational sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said in a news release. 

How It Works: Tracking the Heart’s Response to Exercise 

Researchers employed smart shirts developed by Carré Technologies based in Quebec for their investigation. Continuous heart performance measures are collected using sensors attached to the smart shirt that record heart rate and electrical cardiac activity. 

Study Participants Show Promising Insights 

The research team selected 38 participants from 20 to 76 years old to complete treadmill walking exercises. The seven participants underwent medical examinations, which revealed high blood pressure as their diagnosis. 

Sounds from the laboratory tests enabled researchers to establish risk prediction systems for targeting heart disease in individuals. 

Researchers declared the investigation kickstarts the development of heart health risk understanding for individuals. 

“We want to use it to provide us with some greater insight in terms of our underlying cardiovascular function,” Hernandez said. “And we want to make something that’s clinically actionable.” 

According to a co-author, wearable technology should give physicians access to a wealth of helpful data. 

A Game-Changer for Rural and Remote Healthcare 

“One would like to have a whole bunch of data from wearables, and then that data is transmitted to a doctor’s office, and the doctor can interpret it,” said co-researcher Richard Sowers, a professor of industrial & enterprise systems engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.  

Based on Sowers’ statement in the news release, these wearable devices would benefit most people who live in rural areas and places where medical resources are scarce. 

Future investigations plan to extend study participant numbers and monitor their progress longitudinally, according to researchers. 

Research groups investigate various applications of the “smart shirt” technology. 

Global Use Cases Emerging 

During the European Association of Urology conference a month ago, scientists from Italy introduced a new tracking system using smart shirts to monitor the vital signs of patients after hospital discharge, as reported by HealthDay. 

“Our patients found the T-shirt easy to use, and over 90% reported it allowed them to feel safe and cared for while recuperating at home,” lead researcher Dr. Antonio Pastore, an associate professor of urology at Sapienza University of Rome in Italy, said in a news release. 

Continue Reading

Sign Up for Our Newsletter


Join our subscribers list to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly in your inbox.


Trending