All articles tagged with #cardiovascular disease
A single infusion of the experimental CRISPR therapy CTX310 reduced LDL cholesterol by 52.5% and triglycerides by 47.8% in a 15-patient trial, with effects persisting for one year. The treatment targets the ANGPTL3 gene in the liver, offering a potential one-time alternative to daily medications for patients with resistant lipid disorders.
A new study published in Neurology reveals that stroke incidence among adults aged 20 to 54 has nearly doubled in the Greater Cincinnati region between 1993 and 2020. While older populations see declining rates, younger adults face rising risks driven by ischemic strokes, hypertension, diabetes, and increased substance use, particularly marijuana. Experts warn that early onset leads to long-term disability, emphasizing the need for better screening and awareness.
A large French observational study of 112,395 adults over ~7–8 years links eight common food preservatives to higher blood pressure risk (up to 24% for the highest intake) and to increased cardiovascular disease risk, especially for non-antioxidant preservatives; ascorbic acid (E300) also showed a 15% association with cardiovascular disease. While the researchers adjusted for diet and other factors, the findings show correlations, not causation, and call for reevaluation of safety guidelines and more research.
A NutriNet-Santé study of about 112,000 French adults followed for 7–8 years found that higher intake of eight common food preservatives was associated with increased risks of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, with non-antioxidant preservatives showing the strongest links; the findings are observational, and experts call for reevaluation of additive safety and a shift toward minimally processed foods.
A UK Biobank analysis shows that even dim light at night is associated with subclinical heart remodeling—thicker left-ventricular walls and larger LV mass with slightly reduced contraction—while a parallel study of over 73,000 participants links nighttime light to higher risks of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death over 8–10 years. The effect is dose-dependent, daytime bright light shows no such associations, and keeping bedrooms dark (e.g., blackout curtains/eye masks) may help heart health, though the findings are observational and mechanisms require further study.
A study of about 4,000 centenarian offspring across three long-running cohorts found that having at least one parent reach 100 is linked to longer life and lower risks of cardiovascular disease and hypertension, even after accounting for lifestyle. Genetics may account for about half of lifespan variation, with multiple genes likely involved; cancer risk did not appear reduced. Nevertheless, healthy habits—exercise, a nutritious diet, and regular medical care—remain important for maximizing longevity.
A BMJ Open analysis across 46 countries shows that while about 92% of smokers know smoking can cause lung cancer, knowledge of cardiovascular risks (heart disease, heart attack, stroke) is notably lower, with secondhand smoke awareness even weaker. The study highlights that smoking damages blood vessels, promotes plaque, and increases clotting, contributing to heart attacks and strokes, and that risks begin even at low levels of smoking. Quitting yields rapid cardiovascular benefits, and combining nicotine replacement or medications with counseling improves success. Public health messaging should emphasize heart-related harms just as it does lung cancer, and smokers should protect others from secondhand smoke by avoiding indoor exposure.
A meta-analysis in the European Heart Journal finds that a diet including whole grains is linked to small but meaningful improvements in cardiovascular risk markers; benefits start around 90 grams per day (about three servings) and increase with four to six servings, affecting cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, and waist circumference over time. Experts emphasize there is no universal daily target; instead, swap refined grains for whole grains and follow a broader heart‑healthy pattern—vegetables, fruits, and minimizing saturated fat, added sugar, salt, and ultraprocessed foods—while checking that packaged foods list whole grains as the first ingredient.
A Tulane University study finds that sleeping with more than about 3 lux of light at night—roughly moonlight—is associated with higher risks of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death, likely through melatonin suppression and disrupted circadian rhythms. Experts advise dimmer, warmer lighting, blackout curtains, and avoiding screens an hour before bed to protect sleep and cardiovascular health.
Two studies explore whether starting statins in healthy people could prevent dementia or promote healthier aging. An observational Danish study of over 132,000 people with type 2 diabetes linked statin use within a year of diagnosis to a 15% lower dementia risk, but bias and confounding limit causal claims. A Monash University randomized trial in about 10,000 healthy adults aged 70+ found atorvastatin reduced first major heart attack or stroke by 30% over six years but did not extend disability-free survival. Overall, statins may benefit those at high cardiovascular risk, but they aren’t a universal preventive measure for dementia or aging; decisions should be personalized with a clinician.
A UK Biobank-based study of 11,071 adults published in the European Heart Journal finds that nighttime light exposure above 3 lux during sleep is linked to subtle heart remodeling (slightly larger left ventricle, thicker walls, reduced contraction) and a higher long-term risk of heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death over up to 10 years. The study is observational and relied on a week of wrist-worn light sensors; it did not assess light spectrum. Possible mechanism includes circadian disruption. Simple fixes like blackout curtains and warmer bedside lighting may help, but more research is needed to establish causality.
A UK Biobank study of over 11,000 adults found that sleeping in more than 3 lux of light at night thickens the walls of the left ventricle and reduces the heart’s pumping efficiency, with greater damage as bedroom brightness increases. The effect is partly tied to shorter sleep duration (under five to six hours). The study, published in the European Heart Journal, used wrist light sensors and follow-up MRI three years later. Experts caution that wrist sensors aren’t a perfect proxy for eye exposure and that the findings show association, not causation. Practical tips include blocking ambient light with blackout curtains or a sleep mask, and clinicians/policymakers may consider nighttime light reduction as a potential heart disease prevention strategy.
A French study of more than 100,000 participants over 14 years finds that weekend eating at times different from weekdays—termed 'eating jet lag'—raises men's cardiovascular risk, with each extra hour of misaligned meals increasing cardiovascular disease risk by 14% and coronary heart disease by 21%; the effect was not seen in women, highlighting the potential importance of keeping regular meal times for heart health.
Novartis announced that pelacarsen, its antisense drug targeting Lp(a), failed to reduce cardiovascular events in the Phase III Lp(a)HORIZON trial, despite lowering Lp(a) levels, in a study of 8,323 patients with established cardiovascular disease. The primary endpoint—a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke, and urgent revascularization—was not met versus placebo. The result raises questions about the broader Lp(a) reduction approach and adds pressure to Amgen and Eli Lilly’s competing programs; full data will be presented at an upcoming medical congress. Analysts say the Lp(a) hypothesis is weakened but not disproven, pending further data.
Adding 1,000 daily steps was linked to meaningful heart-health gains in a nearly decade-long study of 36,192 middle-aged or older British adults with hypertension: each 1,000-step increase cut risks for major heart problems by about 17%, heart attack by 9%, stroke by 25%, and heart failure by 22%, with benefits seen well below the traditional 10,000-step goal.