Risk


Biological Aging Pace Helps Explain Sex Differences in CVD Risk

In a population-based analysis of 371,032 UK Biobank participants, faster biological aging in males explained a substantial proportion of their higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared with females, accounting for about 60–68% of the excess risk across major CVD outcomes. Although males and females had similar chronological ages, males consistently […]


The Surprising Gap in Heart Attack Prediction

Traditional atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk- and symptom-based screening misses nearly half of patients under age 66 who go on to experience their first myocardial infarction (MI), revealing major shortcomings in current preventive strategies. In this US retrospective study of 465 adults presenting with a first type 1 MI, simulation […]


Clonal Hematopoiesis Linked to Heart Failure Risk

Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), particularly non-DNMT3A CHIP subtypes, is an independent risk factor for incident heart failure (HF) and may represent a novel therapeutic target. In a UK Biobank cohort of 417,616 adults (mean age, 56.1 years; 56.2% women) without prior HF or major comorbidities, 7,183 participants (1.7%) […]


Viral Infections Increase CHD Risk

A systematic review and meta‐analysis suggests that influenza, SARS‐CoV‐2, HIV, hepatitis C virus, and herpes zoster are all associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events. The analysis included 155 studies, viral infections were consistently linked to higher rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. HIV infection was […]


Irregular Sleep Linked to Higher CVD Risk

A UK device-based prospective study suggested that irregular sleep was associated with higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), regardless of whether individuals met sleep duration recommendations or not. The study included 72 269 individuals aged 40–79 years and followed for 7.8 years, without a previous history of MACE and […]


Thiazides Linked to Skin Cancer Risk

A Canadian population-based cohort study revealed dose-dependent increases in skin cancer risk associated with thiazides in people aged 66 years and older. The study included a total of 302 634 adults aged ≥ 66 years prescribed an antihypertensive medication and 605 268 matched unexposed adults. Increasing thiazide exposure was associated […]


Anger/Stress Triggered AF Risk Lower with β-Blockers

A prospective, controlled, electronic diary–based US study suggests that anger or stress can trigger atrial fibrillation (AF), but use of β-blockers is associated with greatly attenuated risk. The study included 91 patients (mean age 59) with a history of paroxysmal or persistent AF recorded their rhythm on event monitors at […]


NSAIDs Increase Heart Attack Risk

Systematic review followed by an individual patient data meta-analysis concluded that all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including naproxen, were found to be associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Risk of AMI with celecoxib was comparable to that of traditional NSAIDS and was lower than for rofecoxib. […]