Top news of AHA 2021: Coffee and CV health, the Fitbit Heart Study and more

Healio and Cardiology Today have aggregated the top headlines from the 2021 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

Readers were most interested in the impact of diet on CV and cerebrovascular health; a Fitbit algorithm to identify undiagnosed atrial fibrillation; promising early results of an oral PCSK9 inhibitor; and more.

Simple food swaps may lower stroke risk

Higher intake of vegetable fat, polyunsaturated fat and vegetable oil could reduce risk for stroke among healthy adults, whereas high intake of nondairy animal fat, total red meat and processed red meat may drive stroke risk, data show. Read more

No increase in atrial arrhythmias, more activity, less sleep with coffee consumption

Healthy adults experienced no increase in atrial arrythmias and less supraventricular tachycardia on days they consumed vs. abstained from caffeinated coffee as well as an increase in wearable-measured physical activity in the CRAVE study. Read more

Reducing sodium, increasing potassium intake may cut CV risk

Higher sodium intake, measured in multiple 24-hour urine samples, was associated with greater risk for CVD in a dose-response manner, researchers reported at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more

Fitbit Heart Study: Novel algorithm for wearable devices may identify undiagnosed AF

An algorithm used in Fitbit wearable devices showed the capability to identify asymptomatic atrial fibrillation, according to results of the Fitbit Heart Study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more

Illicit drug use, excess alcohol intake may elevate risk for AF hospitalization

The use of illicit drugs and excess alcohol was associated with elevated risk for hospitalization for incident atrial fibrillation, according to two studies presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more

Early results show promise of an oral PCSK9 inhibitor

In two early clinical studies, the first version of an oral PCSK9 inhibitor was well tolerated and effective for reducing LDL, according to phase 1 data reported at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more

Early surgery shows benefit vs. watchful waiting for asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis

In the AVATAR trial, patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis and normal left ventricular function assigned early surgical aortic valvular replacement, compared with watchful waiting, had a lower incidence of death and CV outcomes. Read more

Blood pressure control ‘decreased substantially’ during COVID-19 pandemic

BP control declined among U.S. adults in 2020 compared with 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study of 24 health systems presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more

Hospitalizations for hypertensive emergencies rose sharply in US from 1999 to 2019

Among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, hospitalizations for hypertensive emergencies more than doubled from 1999 to 2019, according to data presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more

Empagliflozin yields clinical benefit in patients hospitalized with acute HF: EMPULSE

In the EMPULSE trial, adults hospitalized with acute HF who received the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin were 36% more likely than those on placebo to have clinical benefit at 90 days, including prevention of death and readmissions. Read more