CVD Risk Factor’s Lifetime Effect Estimates

A global analysis of over 2 million individuals from 133 cohorts across 39 countries found that five classic risk factors—high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, underweight/overweight or obesity, diabetes, and smoking—account for about half of the global cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden. Researchers estimated lifetime risks and outcomes up to age 90 based […]


Exercise Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Benefits AF Patients

A contemporary review with meta-analysis demonstrated that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (ExCR) appears beneficial and safe for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The study analyzed data from 20 randomized clinical trials involving 2,039 participants with a mean follow-up of 11 months. ExCR did not significantly affect all-cause mortality (8.3% vs 6.0%; […]


Efficacy and Safety of Dapagliflozin/Spironolactone Combination in Heart Failure

A recent randomized crossover trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of combining dapagliflozin with spironolactone versus using dapagliflozin alone in patients with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction. Involving 108 participants (median age 76, 57% women), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 72 mL/min/1.73 m2,the 12-week study found […]


Increasing Sit-to-Stand Transitions Lower BP

A recent US clinical trial explored two strategies for reducing sedentary behavior and their effects on health in overweight or obese postmenopausal women. Over a 3-month period, 407 participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group focused on general healthy living, a group aiming to reduce […]


Bedtime Dosing Bettered Morning Dosing in High BP

A Chinese prospective, randomized, parallel-group, superiority clinical trial revealed that bedtime dosing provides superior nocturnal blood pressure (BP) control and circadian rhythm improvement without compromising daytime or 24-hour BP control. The trial was conducted at 15 hospitals in China between June 2022 and April 2024 with a 12-week follow-up, compared […]


Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms Not Clinically Significant

A systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that while antidepressant discontinuation is associated with a mild increase in physical symptoms, the average symptom burden does not reach the threshold for clinically significant discontinuation syndrome. Researchers examined symptoms using standardized measures such as the Discontinuation-Emergent Signs and Symptoms (DESS) scale and tracked […]


Age on the Association of Risk Factors and Stroke

An international case–control study suggested that vascular risk factors influence stroke risk differently across age groups. The study enrolled age- and sex-matched cases of the first acute stroke and controls across 32 countries between Jan 11, 2007, and Aug 8, 2015. Participants underwent clinical assessments and provided blood and urine […]


Early Intensive BP-Lowering Beneficial in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

An individual patient-data pooled analysis of the four Intensive Blood Pressure (BP) Reduction in Acute Cerebral Haemorrhage Trials (INTERACT) supports the safety and efficacy of early intensive BP-lowering in intracerebral hemorrhage. There were 404 patients in INTERACT1, 2829 in INTERACT2, 7036 in INTERACT3, and 1043 in INTERACT4, respectively. INTERACT1–3 enrolled […]


Early DOACs Post Ischemic Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation Beneficial

A systematic review and prospective individual participant data meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials supports early direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) initiation within 4 days for patients with acute ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke without increasing bleeding risk. The analysis included four trials met inclusion […]


Salt in Water Linked to High BP and Albuminuria

A Kenya panel study suggested that drinking water sodium-chloride may elevate blood pressure (BP) and kidney disease risk, even in populations with minimal traditional chronic disease risk factors. The two-year panel study was conducted in 2022 and 2023 among 327 Daasanach adults over 18 years old in northern Kenya (434 […]