A double-blind, randomized trial revealed that empagliflozin reduced the combined risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure (HF) in patients with HF and a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes. The trial included 5988 patients (average 72 years, about 45% women, and […]
A community-based cohort study in Germany suggested that the composition of the gut microbiome might explain the cross-sectional association of habitual flavonoid and flavonoid-rich food intake with blood pressure (BP). The study included 904 participants, and 16S ribosomal RNA was sequenced for the gut microbiome composition. Higher total flavonoid intakes […]
A US randomized clinical trial showed that for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and high anxiety, escitalopram was safe and effective for reducing anxiety. The trial included 128 outpatients (mean age 64.6 years, 29% women) with stable CHD and a diagnosed anxiety disorder between January 2016 and May 2020. […]
A cohort study suggested an association of statin use with slower plaque progression and increasing calcium density. The study included 2458 coronary lesions in 857 patients (mean age 62.1 years, 63.0% men, 63.9% received statin therapy) from 2013 to 2016 at 13 sites in 7 countries and had serial quantitative […]
Two separate studies in the US suggested that plant-based foods were associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in young adults andpostmenopausal women. One study included 4,946 adults, 18 to 30-years-old at the time of enrollment from 1985 to 1986; 2,509 Black and 2,437 white adults, 54.9% women overall. […]
A retrospective, new-user comparative cohort study revealed that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) do not differ statistically significantly in effectiveness at the class level compared with ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors as first-line treatment for high blood pressure but present a better safety profile. The study included all patients with high blood […]
A scientific statement from the American Heart Association has been released for the diagnosis and management of myocarditis in children. Myocarditis remains a clinical challenge in pediatrics. Originally, it was recognized at autopsy before the application of endomyocardial biopsy, which led to a histopathology-based diagnosis. Given the invasive and low-sensitivity […]
A UK single-arm dietary intervention study suggests that postprandial inflammation is largely driven by acute elevations in circulating triglyceride (TG). Glycoprotein acetylation (GlycA) after mixed meals may be a promising candidate biomarker for assessing the food-induced inflammatory response within typical dietary habits. The study included 1002 healthy adults aged 18–65 […]
A novel microRNA has been identified in mice and humans with myocarditis, and that the human homologue could be used to distinguish patients with myocarditis from those with myocardial infarction. The human homologue, designated hsa-miR-Chr8:96, was identified in four independent cohorts of patients with myocarditis. The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic […]
The 2021 secondary stroke prevention guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association: 1. Recommendations for the diagnostic workup to define ischemic stroke etiology. 2. Management of vascular risk factors remains extremely important, including (but not limited to) diabetes, smoking cessation, lipids, and especially hypertension. 3. Lifestyle factors: Low-salt and […]