All articles tagged with #cardiovascular risk
A 15-year study of 17,000 Taiwanese adults confirms that lipoprotein(a) levels remain stable for 97% of people, but identifies a small subset where levels rise significantly. While major medical societies now recommend one-time testing for all adults, the study suggests repeat testing may be necessary for those starting statins or developing diabetes.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a widespread but often undiagnosed condition affecting over 300 million people globally, with significant disparities in detection and treatment for women. While plaque buildup in leg arteries restricts blood flow, women frequently experience atypical symptoms like fatigue or numbness rather than classic calf pain, leading to delayed diagnosis. This delay increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, as PAD serves as a marker for systemic cardiovascular disease. Experts emphasize early detection through simple ankle-brachial index tests and comprehensive risk management, including smoking cessation and medication, to prevent severe outcomes like amputation or death.
Statins continue to cut cardiovascular events by lowering LDL, and GLP-1 drugs—while offering meaningful weight loss and CV benefits—are not replacing statins; guidelines emphasize risk-based statin use, with tools like PREVENT helping identify high-risk patients who may still need lipid-lowering therapy, and experts describe GLP-1s and statins as complementary strategies in cardiometabolic care.
A growing body of research shows that stopping GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic is associated with a rapid rise in cardiovascular risk (heart attack, stroke, death) and weight regain; studies in US veterans and Danish obesity patients found higher risk with longer gaps in treatment, while reviews note that improvements in blood sugar and cholesterol can reverse after stopping; researchers are investigating mechanisms and new drugs to sustain weight loss after discontinuation.
A Northwestern study of more than 6,000 adults over 10 years finds that coronary artery calcium scans add only modest improvement to the PREVENT risk calculator for predicting heart attack or stroke in the overall population, but they can meaningfully refine risk among people with borderline to intermediate risk (3–9% 10‑year risk), aiding treatment decisions like statin use. The scans are less useful for low-risk individuals and unlikely to change management in high-risk patients, and further research is needed in certain populations.
A Medscape commentary on the WHI trials shows baseline LDL cholesterol strongly influences coronary risk during menopausal hormone therapy. Among women with LDL <130 mg/dL there was no significant CHD risk increase with estrogen therapy, while those with LDL ≥190 mg/dL had markedly higher risk with estrogen plus progestin; HDL levels and HDL ratio also affected risk in the CEE-alone trial, whereas blood pressure and glucose were less influential. The piece recommends assessing and controlling lipids before starting systemic hormone therapy (using AHA/ACC 2026 lipid guidelines and PREVENT equations) to mitigate risk, notes that normal or treated lipid levels may negate CHD risk elevations, and suggests further research on other hormone therapies. Lipid assessment and control are advised for all women to reduce cardiovascular risk.
A SWAN-cohort analysis found that starting menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in perimenopause or early postmenopause for women with vasomotor symptoms is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (HR 0.78 overall; 0.73 if begun within 10 years of menopause). The benefit appears strongest among Black women (HR 0.51). These findings are observational and not a recommendation to use MHT for CVD prevention; randomized trials are still needed. The study included 2,737 women, with about 9–12 years of follow-up and 224 cardiovascular events.
An observational analysis using the CLSA and EPIC-Norfolk cohorts found that higher blood levels of xylitol are linked to a greater risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death) in the general population, with a 57% higher risk over 6 years in CLSA and 18% higher over 30 years in EPIC-Norfolk, showing a dose-dependent pattern. The study does not establish causality and researchers urge further investigation, while experts advise moderating artificial sweeteners and favoring natural sweeteners when possible.
Researchers in Atherosclerosis found that xanthelasma—yellow patches around the eyes—are associated with a higher short- and long-term risk of major cardio-cerebrovascular events (heart attack, stroke, TIA). In a study of 17,925 people with xanthelasma and matched controls, one-year risks were 1% vs 0.35% for MI, 0.95% vs 0.3% for stroke, and 0.6% vs 0.19% for TIA; the elevated risk persisted over 5–10 years. While patches themselves don’t cause events, they may serve as a clinical marker to screen for undiagnosed risk factors and implement early preventive measures.
Observational data link higher blood levels of xylitol with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events over six years, though causation isn’t proven; researchers warn against relying on sugar substitutes and advise limiting added sugars while choosing natural options such as whole fruit, unsweetened applesauce, monk fruit, stevia, and dates as healthier alternatives for heart health.
An observational study of 17,710 participants from Canada and Europe found higher blood levels of the sweetener xylitol associated with a greater risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke. Canada showed a 57% higher risk over six years; Europe showed an 18% higher risk over 30 years, with risk rising as xylitol levels increased. The study cannot prove causation and researchers call for more studies, noting xylitol’s widespread use in gum, candies, toothpaste and other products.
An ESC Congress presentation links high blood xylitol levels to a higher risk of major cardiovascular events, with a 57% higher risk over six years and 18% higher risk over 30 years in two cohorts after accounting for traditional risk factors; the study is observational and not yet peer‑reviewed, so causation isn’t proven and more research is needed as xylitol use grows.
A large, long-term analysis of about 17,700 people found that higher blood levels of the artificial sweetener xylitol are associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events (death, heart attack, stroke) over six and 30 years, even after adjusting for traditional risk factors; findings suggest the cardiovascular safety of xylitol requires further study and will be presented at the ESC Congress 2026.
An observational study presented at the ESC Congress found that higher blood xylitol levels are associated with a greater risk of major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death) over six years (57% higher) and thirty years (18% higher) after adjusting for risk factors; the study does not prove causation and is not yet peer-reviewed, underscoring the need for further research as xylitol use in products grows.
Two large cohorts found that higher blood levels of xylitol, a common sugar substitute, were associated with a greater risk of major cardiovascular events (death, heart attack, or stroke) over six to 30 years, with a dose‑dependent pattern that persisted after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, hypertension, diabetes and lipids. The study is observational and does not prove causation, and researchers say more work is needed as xylitol exposure in foods and products grows, amid calls for caution regarding artificial sweeteners.