Articles related to CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD)

In a study of nearly 100,000 individuals aged 30 to 95 without any prior evidence of CVD, decline in peak metabolic equivalent of task score (METS) of greater than 1.0 was inversely proportionate to changes in mortality risk. METS were determined using symptom-limited exercise treadmill tests.

Bempedoic acid is currently approved for two patient subgroups. This 3-year, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial examined cholesterol-lowering and CV protective effects in a broader population of approximately 14,000 patients with elevated cholesterol who were unable or unwilling to take statins. The drug was 21% more effective than placebo at reducing LDL in this trial. There was a small but significant reduction in primary events of CV-related death, MI, stroke, or coronary revascularization.

Researchers used retinal imaging to examine the eyes of 200 people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to see who had subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs). Patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their family history of cardiovascular disease. There were 97 SDDs and 103 drusen only among the 200 patients. 47 of the 200 patients had severe heart disease, and 40 of the 47 (86%) had SDDs. In comparison, 57 (43%) of the 153 AMD patients who did not have these severe diseases had SDDs. According to the researchers, AMD patients who had these severe cardiovascular diseases and strokes were nine times more likely to have SDDs than those who did not.

Versus placebo, pemafibrate yielded a more than 25% greater reduction in triglycerides, VLDL, remnant cholesterol, and apolipoprotein C-III in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, there was no reduction versus placebo in MI, ischemic stroke, need for coronary revascularization, or CV death.

In a study originally published in British Journal of Sports Medicine, a sample of nearly 100,000 adults showed that after making adjustments for other activity, weight training was associated with a 9% decline in CVD mortality. A separate study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise showed a lower risk of colorectal cancer in adults who lifted weights.

Suit for failure to refer is a common source of malpractice claims for primary care physicians. The GP is responsible for knowing enough to know when referral to a specialist is in the patient’s best interest.