Strategies to accelerate diagnosis and treatment of rare cardiovascular diseases

Yale :The current landscape for patients with rare cardiovascular disease has shifted. Using genome sequencing Yale physician-scientists have begun to elucidate the pathophysiology of genetic disorders and develop treatment guidelines and recommendations. With these advanced diagnostic tools, our team of international experts can offer clinical diagnosis, genetic testing, and risk assessment for patients.

What type of heart and blood vessel problems complicate COVID-19 infections, how common are they and what other medical conditions do these patients have?

Cochrane: Many people infected by COVID-19 have few or no symptoms. However, COVID-19 can make the blood ‘sticky’, clogging up both small blood vessels (capillaries) and large ones, which may cause heart attacks, strokes or blood clots in the legs or lungs. These can be fatal. People who have diabetes, high blood pressure or pre-existing heart problems are at greater risk of developing such complications if they get COVID-19.

Interventions delivered by mobile phone to help people adhere to medication to prevent cardiovascular disease

Cochrane: We reviewed the evidence on the effect of interventions delivered by mobile phone to help people in taking their medication to prevent cardiovascular disease (for example, heart attacks and strokes). We found four studies which included 2429 participants. Around 17.6 million people die from cardiovascular disease every year. Medications can help to prevent cardiovascular disease; however, many people who have been given these medications do not take them as often or as consistently as recommended. This means that the medication will not work as well as it could to prevent cardiovascular disease. Interventions delivered through mobile phones, for example, prompting by text messaging, may be a low cost way to help people to take their medication as recommended.

Severe eczema in adults linked to increased risk of cardiovascular problems

BMJ: Severe eczema in adults is associated with a moderately increased risk of cardiovascular problems (conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels) including heart attacks, stroke, and irregular heart rate, finds a UK study published by The BMJ today. This is the largest study to date to assess the association between atopic eczema and major cardiovascular events, and the researchers say their findings support the consideration of targeted screening and focus on prevention strategies among these patients.

Daily egg consumption may reduce cardiovascular disease

BMJ: People who consume an egg a day could significantly reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases compared with eating no eggs, suggests a study carried out in China, published in the journal Heart. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, including China, mostly due to ischaemic heart disease and stroke (including both haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke).

Scientists identify 2 hormones that burn fat faster, prevent and reverse diabetes in mice

UCLA geneticists have created a technique to hunt for hormones that influence how organs and tissues communicate with each other. The method enabled them to find naturally occurring molecules that play major roles in Type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

In particular, they discovered:

• Two hormones called “notum” and “lipocalin-5” that speed up the body’s ability to burn fat.
• Lipocalin-5 protected mice from developing diabetes — or cured the disease after they developed it.
• Lipocalin-5 also enhanced muscle tissue’s ability to metabolize and absorb dietary nutrients, reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes.

The findings could deepen scientists’ understanding of the mechanisms behind obesity and common risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.

Researcher traces molecular association between BPA exposure and atherosclerosis

Lexington: An array of scientific evidence demonstrates a correlation between diets high in fat and cholesterol content and blockages in the arteries, which lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD). But a lesser-known risk factor for CVD is exposure to the chemical compound biphenyl A, or BPA, a base component of consumer plastic products such as water bottles. A fundamental and ubiquitous commodity in modern life, plastics are inexpensive to produce, with more than 300 million tons processed in 2010.  The World Economic Forum warns the amount of plastic in the world’s oceans will exceed the amount of fish, in terms of weight, by 2050 at the current rate of production.

Stress-associated brain activity connected to cardiovascular risk

Harvard: A study led by investigators at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has linked, for the first time in humans, activity in a stress-sensitive structure within the brain to the risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease. The team’s findings, published in The Lancet, also reveal a pathway leading from activation of that structure—the amygdala—through elevated immune system activity to an increased incidence of cardiovascular events.

At 40, It May Be Time For a Cholesterol-Lowering Drug

Connecticut: Cardiologist Dr. Peter Schulman, who specializes in preventive cardiology at UConn Health’s Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center, explains the newly broadened statin medication guidelines of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. It is now urging initiation of the cholesterol-lowering drug at age 40 to prevent cardiovascular disease and its risks of heart attack and stroke.

Should we cut back on red and processed meat?

Scimex: Given the strong evidence that consuming processed meat raises the risk of bowel cancer, should we be cutting back on the ham sammies? University of Otago public health researchers say processed meat imposes substantial health costs of bowel cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes for which there is some evidence of a link with red and processed meat. They suggest health agencies could encourage reduced consumption through product labels, promotional campaigns and portion limits in schools and hospitals. They also say given the high impact of agriculture on greenhouse gas emissions, including agriculture in the Emissions Trading Scheme could help reduce both consumption and emissions.

Fibrates for patients without established cardiovascular disease

Cochrane: What are the benefits and harms of using fibrate treatment compared to placebo or usual care for preventing cardiovascular disease in people at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease? Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death, illness, disability, and reduced quality of life in industrialised countries. One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease is elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, 'bad' cholesterol). In addition, persons with elevated serum triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, 'good' cholesterol) are also at increased risk for cardiovascular disease events such as heart attacks or strokes. Fibrates lower serum triglycerides, modestly raise HDL-C, and modestly lower LDL-C.

Genetic Test Helps Improve Outcomes in Heart Stent Patients

Pittsburgh: A genetic test recently implemented at UPMC Presbyterian can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events by helping to identify more effective medication for some heart patients, according to the results of a large study conducted in part at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC. The findings are being presented today at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in New Orleans.The test identifies a genetic deficiency that affects the body’s ability to activate clopidogrel, a common anti-clotting drug given after a coronary artery stent is inserted. About 30 percent of all patients have the genetic deficiency, which can lead to decreased clopidogrel effectiveness and increased risk for adverse cardiovascular events, such as strokes, heart attacks and death.

Heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes may combine to worsen thinking skills

Glasgow: Research from the University of Glasgow shows that people who have a cardiometabolic disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or coronary heart disease (CHD), perform worse on mental tests of reasoning, memory and reaction time, and having more than one of these conditions has an even greater effect.The study, published today in the European Heart Journal, and led by researchers from the University’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing, suggests that preventing or delaying cardiovascular disease or diabetes may delay cognitive decline and possible dementia.

Large Decrease in Coronary Heart Disease in U.S.

JAMA: The incidence of coronary heart disease in the U.S. declined nearly 20 percent from 1983 to 2011, according to a study appearing in the November 15 issue of JAMA. Diagnosis and control of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors have received particular emphasis in guidelines issued since 1977 (blood pressure) and 1985 (lipids). Yet on a population level, little is known about how these efforts have altered CHD incidence and its association with modifiable risk factors. Michael J. Pencina, Ph.D., of the Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C., and colleagues pooled individual patient-level data from 5 observational cohort studies available in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center. Two analytic data sets were created: 1 set with baseline data collected from 1983 through 1990 (early era) with follow-up from 1996 through 2001, and l set with baseline data collected from 1996 through 2002 (late era) with follow-up from 2007 through 2011.

Recommendations Regarding Use of Statins for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

JAMA: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued a recommendation statement regarding the use of statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults. The report appears in the November 15 issue of JAMA.

Recommendations

• The USPSTF recommends initiating use of low- to moderate-dose statins in adults ages 40 to 75 years without a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) who have 1 or more CVD risk factors (dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, or smoking) and a calculated 10-year CVD event risk of 10 percent or greater (B recommendation, indicating that there is high certainty that the net benefit is moderate, or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial).

Scientists find oxidants aren’t always the ‘bad guys’ when it comes to the heart

Manchester: Scientists funded by the British Heart Foundation have discovered that oxidants, which have historically been blamed for heart disease, have a vital role ensuring the heart pumps blood around the body effectively. The discovery, by researchers working collaboratively in Manchester and London, opens up the potential for new treatments. The researchers now hope to develop drugs based on their discovery that could lower blood pressure and treat conditions caused by the heart not pumping properly, including certain forms of heart failure.

Drinking green tea to prevent artery explosion

Kyoto: Japan's favorite beverage might be offering more than just a relaxing tea break. According to new research, green tea could prevent a deadly condition in the body's main artery. A Kyoto University team has found that abdominal aortic aneurysm -- a condition in which the main artery becomes overstretched and bloated -- developed less frequently in rats that drank green tea polyphenol, a major component of green tea.

Statins are saving lives

Scimex: Higher Intensity of Statin Therapy Associated With Lower Risk of Death in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease. Among more than 500,000 patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, researchers found an inverse association between intensity of statin therapy and mortality, with patients who received high-intensity statins having the greatest reductions in risk of death, according to a study published online by JAMA Cardiology.

‘Worried well’ may be boosting their risk of heart disease

BMJ: Potential consequences of health anxiety underlines need to  treat it, say researchers People who needlessly worry that they have, or will develop, serious illness - popularly referred to as ‘the worried well’- may  be boosting their risk of developing heart disease, suggests  research published in the online journal BMJ Open. Anxiety is a known risk factor for heart disease. And health  anxiety, which describes persistent preoccupation with havin g or  acquiring a serious illness, and seeking prompt medical advice, on the basis of misattributed bodily symptoms in the absence of  any physical disease, seems to be no exception, say the  researchers. And as such, it needs to be taken seriously and treated properly,  they suggest.

Worried but well, may boost chance of a sick heart

Scimex: People who worry about having or developing a serious illness may be raising their risk of developing heart disease, according to a team of Norwegian scientists. The researchers surveyed over 7,000 older people's levels of anxiety about their health and found that those who had health anxiety were twice as likely develop heart disease as those who didn't have health anxiety - 6 per cent compared to 3 per cent. Although this study can't prove that health anxiety causes heart disease, the authors say that there is still a need for the proper diagnosis and treatment of health anxiety.