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Statement Highlights: People born with a heart defect need physical activity. Some irregular heart beat conditions may require activity restrictions but for most patients physical activity is unlimited.

To better understand and manage unhealthy heart valves, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has launched its new valvular disease website, developed with funding from a grant by The Edwards Lifesciences Fund. In August 2012, The Edwards Lifesciences Fund awarded the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association $1.2M to assist in building out a comprehensive site over a four year period. -- Embargoed until April 29, 2013 at 12:00am CT

The first project to receive an investment from the American Heart Association’s Science & Technology Accelerator Program will be jointly developed by CytoVas, LLC and BD Biosciences, the firms announced.

Washington, D.C., April 25, 2013 — American Heart Association President Donna Arnett, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., issued the following comments today on the “Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2013,” sponsored by Senators Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Ron Kind, D-Wis. The legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate:

Study Highlights: Artificial blood vessels remained durable in an animal trial and show promise for patients with end-stage kidney disease. The “off-the-shelf” blood vessels withstood frequent needle punctures, were not rejected by the immune system, and were safely stored in a refrigerator for up to one year.

Statement Highlights: Heart failure costs are projected to more than double in the next 20 years as the U.S. population ages and the incidence of the condition climbs. By 2030, every U.S. taxpayer could be paying $244 each year for heart failure expense. Strategies to prevent and treat heart failure are needed to curb the rise in the incidence of heart failure.

Statement Highlights: Alternative therapies such as aerobic exercise, resistance or strength training and isometric hand grip exercises could help people reduce blood pressure. Biofeedback and device-guided slow breathing reduced blood pressure a small amount. Due to their modest effects, alternative therapies can be used with — not as a replacement for — standard treatment.

The American Heart Association is celebrating the success of their Teaching Gardens program this month, with more than 200 gardens currently funded nationwide. The program, implemented in elementary schools in 30 states, has taught approximately 84,000 first- through fifth-graders how to plant seeds, nurture growing plants and harvest produce in gardens across the country, while learning the value of heart-healthy eating.

Dallas, April 15, 2013 — American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown issued the following statement today on the Institute of Medicine’s new discussion paper, “Making the Case for Continuous Learning from Routinely Collected Health Data”: “We applaud ...

Study Highlights: Blood pressure decreased about 10 mm Hg in high blood pressure patients who drank a cup of beetroot juice daily. Beetroot juice contains dietary nitrate, which may help relax blood vessel walls and improve blood flow. Increasing intake of foods rich in dietary nitrate may be an affordable and attainable way to manage blood pressure, researchers said.