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Research brief: New “burden-free” study method finds two blood pressure drugs equally effective

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School conducted a large clinical trial comparing two commonly prescribed generic drugs, chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide. The study found that both medications were equally effective in preventing cardiovascular disease and non-cancer death, contradicting current clinical guidel...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 11, 2023

Variety of healthy eating patterns linked with lower risk of premature death

A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that participants following at least one of four healthy eating patterns had a lower risk of premature death and reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disease. The study's findings are consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for America.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 9, 2023

University of Cincinnati research shows people with latent tuberculosis infection are more prone to inflammation

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found a link between latent tuberculosis infection and increased inflammation in monocytes, a type of white blood cell. This connection may contribute to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with LTBI.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 6, 2023

Physical fitness a demographic watershed

A study of 5,308 participants aged 50-64 found significant correlations between sedentary behavior and low fitness levels. Highly uneven fitness distribution was observed among groups at higher risk, including older adults, foreign-born individuals, and those with poor health and lifestyle habits.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBMJ Open·DateDec 22, 2022

Drinking 2 or more cups of coffee daily may double risk of heart death in people with severe hypertension

A new study found that drinking two or more cups of coffee daily may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality among people with severe hypertension. In contrast, moderate green tea consumption did not show a significant association with increased risk, suggesting potential benefits of polyphenols in reducing mortality.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateDec 21, 2022

UL, Ireland research: Loneliness increases risk of premature death for those with cardiovascular disease

A new study from University of Limerick has found that loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of premature death for individuals with cardiovascular disease. The research, which examined data from around the world, highlights the importance of addressing these factors in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

SourceUniversity of Limerick·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 19, 2022

Mouse study suggests new therapeutic strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discovered that common cancer treatments cause long-term damage to heart tissue by activating a key inflammatory signaling pathway. Inhibiting this pathway may reduce the risk of cancer survivors developing heart disease later in life.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2022

Follow-up clinic visits with a nephrologist after hospital discharge may improve survival in patients with acute kidney injury

Regular follow-up clinic visits with a nephrologist after hospital discharge significantly reduce mortality risk in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). This study found that such visits, focusing on cardiovascular disease and kidney complications management, lead to lower mortality rates by 29% compared to standard care.

SourceNational Kidney Foundation·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateDec 15, 2022

New immune target to treat cardiovascular disease discovered

A recent study discovered a link between soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and the development of atherosclerosis, a hardening of arteries that affects over a billion people worldwide. SuPAR was found to cause inflammation in blood vessels, leading to cardiovascular events and increasing risk of heart disease.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2022

Blood-based metabolic signature outperforms standard method for predicting diet, disease risk

A new study found that a machine learning-based blood test can accurately predict an individual's entire diet over 19 food groups, outperforming traditional methods. The test, which uses molecular profiling, also identifies who is more likely to develop diabetes and cardiovascular disease based on each food group.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 14, 2022

VA’s new “burden-free” study method finds two blood pressure drugs equally effective

A large VA clinical trial found that chlorthalidone (CTD) was not superior to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for preventing cardiovascular disease or non-cancer death. The study enrolled over 13,500 Veterans with high blood pressure and showed no difference between the two drugs in terms of effectiveness.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 14, 2022

Pollination loss removes healthy foods from global diets, increases chronic diseases causing excess deaths

A new study finds that inadequate pollination leads to a 3-5% loss of fruit, vegetable, and nut production, resulting in 427,000 excess deaths annually from lost healthy food consumption. The health burden is greater in middle- and higher-income countries with high rates of non-communicable diseases.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 14, 2022

Patients with depression less likely to follow critical medication plan following heart procedure

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that patients with depression are less likely to adhere to essential medical therapies following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The study examined over 124,000 patients who underwent PCI and were diagnosed with depression, revealing a significant proportion of individuals with...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA·DateDec 12, 2022

Novel wearable belt with sensors accurately monitors heart failure 24/7

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University have developed a prototype of a novel wearable device that can continuously monitor physiological parameters associated with heart failure in real-time. The device uses sensors embedded in a lightweight belt to track thoracic impedance, electrocardiogram, heart rate, and motion activity, pro...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 12, 2022

This hormone may be the missing ingredient to heart-healthy cholesterol levels for menopausal women

A new study identifies anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a key factor in regulating cholesterol levels during the menopause transition. High AMH levels are associated with lower HDL-C, or good cholesterol, which may indicate cardiovascular risk despite its traditionally protective effects.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Clinical Lipidology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 12, 2022

Heart attack on a chip

Researchers at USC developed a 'heart attack on a chip' device to study heart attacks and test new personalized medicines. The device replicates the effects of an oxygen gradient on cardiac tissue function, shedding light on the mysteries of heart cell communication and change after a heart attack.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2022

Trial compares therapies for reducing cardiovascular risk among people with rheumatoid arthritis

A randomized clinical trial found that two anti-inflammatory strategies reduced disease activity and arterial inflammation in patients with moderate to high rheumatoid arthritis. The treatments had no differences in cardiovascular risk reduction, highlighting the importance of specific clinical trials for this population.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateDec 5, 2022

Adoption of front-of-pack nutrition warnings can help decrease obesity, cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and some cancers in the Americas

A recent study led by the University of Nevada, Reno and the Pan American Health Organization suggests that the adoption of front-of-pack nutrition labeling can help reduce poor-nutrition related non-communicable diseases in the region. Improved FOPNL systems have been associated with improved diet quality and reduced risk of NCDs.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·DateDec 1, 2022

PET technology more effective than angiogram at determining need for coronary stents, bypass surgery

A new PET imaging method is more effective than angiograms in determining the need for coronary stents or bypass surgery, according to UTHealth Houston researchers. The study confirms that PET threshold of severity at which stents and bypass surgery improve survival compared to medical treatment alone.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 30, 2022

Diet can lower risk of cardiovascular disease by 10 percent, study shows

A new study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that a healthy diet can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 10%. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which emphasizes whole grains, lean proteins, and fruits and vegetables, showed additional benefits for women and black adults compare...

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalThe American Journal of Cardiology·DateNov 29, 2022

Risk of heart disease can be predicted with simple eye test through artificial intelligence algorithm, research involving London's Kingston University finds

A new study using artificial intelligence has found that a simple eye test can accurately predict the risk of heart disease. The researchers developed an algorithm that can analyze retinal images to assess cardiovascular health, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional risk scores.

SourceKingston University·JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 24, 2022

Death, hospital readmission more likely for Black patients after coronary stenting

A Michigan Medicine study found that Black patients who undergo minimally invasive procedures for clogged arteries are more likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital months after the procedure. Social determinants of health, including community economic well-being and preexisting health conditions, played a significant role in the...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Heart Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 22, 2022

Study challenges “good” cholesterol’s role in universally predicting heart disease risk

A study found that lower levels of HDL cholesterol increased the risk of heart attacks in white but not Black adults. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol did not provide protective benefits for either group. The research tested long-held assumptions about the role of HDL in cardiovascular health.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 21, 2022

Internal medicine physicians call for improved access and quality in health care for incarcerated patients

The American College of Physicians recommends policies to improve healthcare access and quality for incarcerated patients, including adequate funding and timely access to necessary services. The organization also supports treating substance use disorders as an alternative to incarceration.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 21, 2022

Blinding eye disease strongly associated with serious forms of cardiovascular disease

A new study from Mount Sinai Hospital finds a strong association between age-related macular degeneration and severe forms of heart disease, including heart failure, heart attacks, and stroke. The study highlights the importance of increased screening for eye disorders to diagnose undetected heart disease.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalBMJ Open Ophthalmology·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 17, 2022