All articles tagged with #cardiovascular disease
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong developed CardiOmicScore, an AI-powered blood test that uses multiomics data (genomics, metabolomics, proteomics) to predict the future risk of six major cardiovascular diseases up to 15 years before symptoms appear, outperforming traditional polygenic risk scores and enabling earlier, proactive prevention.
In a 13-year study of 340,924 UK Biobank participants, low to moderate wine intake was associated with lower mortality risk than spirits, beer, or cider, including a 21% lower risk of cardiovascular death for moderate wine drinkers; even modest intake of spirits, beer, or cider linked to higher cardiovascular mortality. Heavy drinking raised death risk across beverage types. The findings may reflect wine’s polyphenols and healthier drinking patterns, but the study is observational and could be influenced by lifestyle factors, so randomized trials are needed for confirmation.
A UK Biobank analysis suggests that to achieve a substantial cardiovascular risk reduction—about 30%—people may need 560–610 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous activity, roughly 3–4 times the standard 150-minute guideline, with less-fit individuals needing more; the findings are observational and individual responses vary.
A large French NutriNet-Santé study of over 112,000 participants finds that certain widely used preservatives, including antioxidant additives like ascorbic acid, are associated with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke; eight preservatives were linked to hypertension and some (including non-antioxidants like potassium sorbate and sodium nitrite) to cancer risk, with findings observational in nature and not proving causation, but reinforcing concerns about ultraprocessed foods and recommending fresher or properly frozen options when possible.
A French NutriNet-Santé study of over 112,000 adults found eight preservatives in foods linked to higher blood pressure and increased risks of heart attack and stroke over the next decade; both non-antioxidant preservatives (potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulfite, sodium nitrite) and natural antioxidant preservatives (ascorbic acid/vitamin C, sodium ascorbate, sodium erythorbate, citric acid, rosemary extracts) were associated with higher cardiovascular risk. The study shows associations, not causation, and reinforces concerns about ultraprocessed foods, suggesting a shift toward fresh or minimally processed options when possible.
Gum disease and oral bacteria are increasingly linked to systemic health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes, with inflammation and bloodstream spread playing key roles; while causality is complex, evidence suggests a real impact, and maintaining good oral hygiene (brushing twice daily, flossing) and reducing sugar intake is advised, though access to NHS dental care remains challenging for many.
Indiana’s Putnam County coroner ruled that Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon died of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with acute pneumonia and a prior heart attack listed as contributing factors; the report notes a 90% blockage in his right coronary artery and references Brendon’s history of heart and health issues.
Nicholas Brendon, 54, the actor best known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died on March 20. The Putnam County Coroner ruled his death natural, caused by atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease with acute pneumonia and a prior myocardial infarction as contributing factors, including a 90% blockage in his right coronary artery. Brendon had a history of smoking and a prior cardiac incident in 2022; autopsy also noted an enlarged heart and multiple artery stenoses. His family highlighted his art and creative spirit in a statement after his passing.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum Nicholas Brendon died in his sleep on March 20 at age 54; a Putnam County coroner ruled the death due to atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease with acute pneumonia and a prior myocardial infarction contributing, noting a 90% blockage in the right coronary artery as the mechanism; his family posted a tribute highlighting his art and private battles, and authorities found no signs of foul play.
A meta-analysis of 11 cardiovascular outcome trials (over 90,000 patients) finds GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce major cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality by about 13% over an average follow-up of nearly three years, with benefits seen in high-risk groups including those with or without diabetes. While GI side effects (nausea, vomiting) are more common, no significant safety signals like pancreatitis or hypoglycemia emerged. The results suggest these obesity/diabetes drugs may play a broader role in cardiovascular risk reduction and could influence clinical practice and policy.
A retrospective TriNetX study of 24,424 androgenetic alopecia patients on finasteride or dutasteride found no increased risk of composite cardiovascular disease or most individual events over 1–5 years; atrial fibrillation risk was lower at 5 years, with other outcomes not significantly different after correction. Limitations include potential confounding and uncertain adherence, but results support CV safety of these drugs in appropriately selected patients.
Novartis, Amgen and Eli Lilly are racing to prove that lowering Lipoprotein(a) can prevent heart attacks. They’re in late-stage trials of pelacarsen, olpasiran and lepodisiran, which have achieved >80% reductions in Lp(a) so far, but it’s unclear if this lowers events; readouts are due mid-year for Novartis, 2027 for Amgen, and 2029 for Lilly. A successful outcome could unlock a multi-billion-dollar market—about $5.6 billion annually by 2032—though doctors say screening for Lp(a) remains uncommon and uptake will depend on solid outcome data.
Experts caution that artificial sweeteners may not be the risk-free fix they’re marketed as: animal studies link some sweeteners to changes in the gut microbiome and metabolism, while human data show mixed effects on weight, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk; regulators deem them safe within established intake limits, but they should not replace healthy, real-food choices.
New results presented at SCAI 2026 show tirzepatide reduces major cardiovascular events and mortality after heart procedures compared with dulaglutide, highlighting added heart protection beyond its obesity and diabetes benefits, though it remains pricier than semaglutide.
Large population studies across multiple countries find regular chili pepper consumption associated with lower mortality from cardiovascular disease and cancer, with capsaicin cited as a potential mechanism. However, the evidence is observational and the reductions are modest, so causation cannot be proven and more rigorous research is needed.