SGLT2 Inhibitors Modestly Increase Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

A meta-analysis of 85 randomized clinical trials involving 70,543 participants found that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were associated with small but statistically significant increases in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels compared with control treatments, although the clinical significance of these changes remains unclear. The trials had a median follow-up of […]

Endovascular Therapy for Mild and Late-Presenting Acute Ischemic Stroke: Benefits and Safety

Two randomized trials conducted in China found that endovascular therapy improved functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by anterior-circulation large-vessel occlusion and imaging evidence of salvageable brain tissue, both within 24 hours and 24–72 hours after symptom onset, although the benefits were accompanied by important safety concerns. […]

Circadian Depression Subtype Linked to More Severe Symptoms and Poorer Antidepressant Response

A circadian subtype of depression is associated with earlier disease onset, more severe clinical features, poorer response to commonly prescribed antidepressants, and a distinct genetic risk profile. In a nationwide Australian Genetics of Depression Study, 2,604 participants (23%) met criteria for this subtype, defined by at least three circadian-associated features, […]

Frequent and Unintentional Daytime Napping Linked to Higher Dementia Risk

A longitudinal study of 995 U.S. older adults found that frequent and unintentional daytime napping was associated with an increased risk of developing dementia over 10 years. Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, researchers followed participants from 2013 to 2023 and found that frequent nappers had […]

A Common CD36 Variant of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Individuals of African Ancestry

A multicohort genetic association study found that the ancestry-enriched CD36 Y325* variant accounted for a greater population-level burden of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) among individuals of predominantly African ancestry than truncating variants in TTN, the most common established monogenic cause of DCM. Across four US cohorts involving 82,623 individuals of predominantly […]

Exercise Prescription: A Core Component of CVD Prevention and Treatment

An American College of Cardiology scientific statement emphasizes that exercise should be prescribed as a core component of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and management, with the greatest absolute benefits occurring when physically inactive individuals begin exercising. The statement provides practical guidance for tailoring aerobic, resistance, balance, and flexibility training to […]

Low-Fat Vegan Diet Improves Metabolic Health in T2D

A 16-week low-fat vegan diet was associated with significant reductions in body weight, visceral fat, liver fat, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs), alongside improved insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this US study of 25 participants, mean body weight decreased by 6.0 […]

Intensive BP Lowering Reduced Cardiovascular Risk but Increased eGFR Decline

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies involving 88,830 participants found that intensive blood pressure (BP) lowering reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by 15% for every 10-mm Hg reduction in systolic BP, regardless of chronic kidney disease (CKD) status. The estimated absolute reduction was 4.3 cardiovascular events […]

Antihypertensive Drugs Linked to Better Liver Outcomes in MASLD

In an international multicenter cohort of 4,302 individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and high blood pressure, renin–angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) and calcium channel blocker (CCB) use was associated with more favorable liver outcomes and a lower risk of long-term liver-related events (LREs). Over a median follow-up of […]

Lipid-Rich Plaques That May Benefit From Preventive PCI

Preventive PCI was associated with a substantially lower risk of major cardiac events in patients with near-infrared spectroscopy–defined lipid-rich plaques (LRPs), but not in those without LRPs, suggesting that plaque composition may be more informative than plaque size alone in selecting lesions for preventive treatment. In this post hoc analysis […]