Top news of November: Effects of diet, coffee, sodium on heart health and more
The Healio and Cardiology Today Editors have compiled the top news from November.
Readers were most interested in the latest research presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions; a new study on the association between aspirin and HF risk in patients with predisposing factors; barriers to CV health in women; 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. Read more
Aspirin use associated with 26% increased HF risk in patients with predisposing factors
Among patients with predisposing factors for HF, aspirin use was associated with a 26% increased risk for HF development, researchers reported in ESC Heart Failure. Read more
Inaugural chest pain guideline offers ‘standard approach to evaluating patients’
Arielle Abovich, MD, MPH, Martha Gulati, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, FASPC, and Roger S. Blumenthal, MD, penned an editorial on the new American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology chest pain guideline. Read more
Updated AHA dietary guidance encourages intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains
The American Heart Association published updated dietary guidance that outlines 10 recommendations for improving diet quality and cardiometabolic health in the U.S. 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
Stress level up, mood and physical activity down during COVID-19 lockdown
The COVID-19 pandemic may have reduced overall mood and physical activity among study participants and increased their levels of self-reported stress, a speaker reported. Read more
Head-to-head trial of LAA closure devices yields mixed results: SWISS-APERO
In a head-to-head trial of the Amplatzer Amulet and Watchman FLX left atrial appendage closure devices, the primary endpoint of crossover to the other device or residual LAA patency at 45 days was similar, researchers reported at TCT 2021. Read more
Review: Many women face barriers to optimal CV health early in life
Socioeconomic barriers facing women, including poor access to contraception, postpartum follow-up and maternity leave, can impact their CV health over time, according to a new review. Read more