Articles related to CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD)

This broad review of recent studies in women’s health topics aims to help the primary care physician in discussing and guiding therapy for women in topics from cardiovascular disease to pelvic pain. The review covers such questions as: How does migraine with aura affect CVD risk in women? How do you respond to patient questions about fracture risk and bisphosphonates? Are antidepressants safe for women who are considering pregnancy? Is gabapentin effective for chronic pelvic pain?

In a prospective study following the diet and activity records of more than 100,000 individuals in France, artificial sweeteners were positively correlated with cardiovascular diseases. Analyzing 900,000 person-years of data showed: Total artificial sweetener intake was associated with CVD risk Artificial sweeteners were more strongly associated with cerebrovascular disease Aspartame was associated with increase cerebrovascular events Acesulfame K and sucralose were associated with increased coronary heart disease risk

These recommendations “attempt to provide practical guidance for clinicians and patients regarding the use of nonstatin therapies to further reduce ASCVD risk in situations not covered by the guideline until such time as the scientific evidence base expands.”

The USPSTF comes to the conclusion that statin use has at least a moderate net benefit for adults aged 40 to 75 who have no prior history of CVD, at least one CVD risk factor, and an estimated 10-year CVD event risk of 10% or greater. There is at least a marginal net benefit from using statins to prevent CVD events and all-cause mortality in adults aged 40 to 75 who have no prior history of CVD, at least one of these risk factors, and an estimated 10-year CVD event risk of 7.5% to less than 10%. Still, is the evidence enough?

This review with case example explores pericarditis and myocarditis and implications on limiting exercise. The authors summarize relevant guidelines and provide their own conclusion and guidance. They offer a helpful algorithm combining the ESC, ACC, and AHA guidelines and suggest an additional element around limiting heart rate during an acute inflammatory episode.

More than 15 professional societies now recommend the use of icosapent ethyl to treat ASCVD, but clinical questions about the use of omega-3 fatty acids remain. Drs. Leslie Cho and Erin Michos discuss the role of DHA and EPA and whether all omega-3 fatty acids are the same. But what about EPA plasma levels, incidence of atrial fibrillation, and differences between the STRENGTH and REDUCE-IT trials? Tune in to get these answers and more in this 13-minute, 0.25-CME credit hours video podcast.