A groundbreaking study has significantly improved the detection of heart failure in women, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment. Researchers from the Universities of East Anglia (UEA), Sheffield, and Leeds have refined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify heart failure in women better. This adjustment increased the diagnosis rate by 16.5%.

Dr. Pankaj Garg from UEA’s Norwich Medical School highlighted that this advancement could significantly impact the NHS, which diagnoses about 200,000 heart failure patients annually. Earlier detection means women can receive life-saving treatment sooner.

In 2022, previous research by UEA and Sheffield demonstrated that MRI scans could effectively detect heart failure. The heart fails when it cannot pump blood efficiently, causing increased pressure. Traditionally, this pressure is measured using a catheter, an invasive procedure. Alternatively, doctors use echocardiograms, which are inaccurate in about half of the cases.

The research team developed a method to measure heart pressure non-invasively using MRI, specifically improving accuracy for women. Women’s hearts are biologically different from men’s, affecting their response to pressure changes. This research addresses the unique type of heart failure in women where the heart’s ability to relax and fill with blood is impaired.

Professor Andy Swift from Sheffield emphasized that this improved diagnosis method could lead to better treatment options. Co-author Dr. Peter Swoboda from Leeds added that early diagnosis and treatment can improve symptoms and life expectancy.

The research, funded by several organizations, including the National Institute for Health and Care Research, involved multiple institutions worldwide.

Glossary

• Heart Failure: A condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively, leading to increased pressure and reduced blood flow.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the body’s internal structures in detail.
• Catheter: A tube used in medical procedures to measure pressures or deliver treatments within the body.
• Echocardiogram: An ultrasound-based test to examine the heart’s structure and function.
• Ejection Fraction: The percentage of blood pumped out of the heart’s main chamber with each beat.

Credit

This article’s information was adapted from a study conducted by the Universities of East Anglia, Sheffield, and Leeds, funded by various organizations, including the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

🌐 Sources

1. medicalnewstoday.com – How MRI scans may more accurately detect heart disease in women
2. news-medical.net – New study advances heart failure detection in women
3. sciencedaily.com – New cardiac research will save women’s lives by improving
4. sor.org – Researchers fine-tune MRI use to better detect heart
5. qmul.ac.uk – New cardiac research will save women’s lives by
6. ca.news.yahoo.com – MRI scans promise early heart failure detection in women