Top news of April: Conflicting BP advice on TikTok; FDA approves mavacamten; and more

Healio and Cardiology Today have compiled a list of the most-read news in cardiology of April 2022.

Readers were interested in potential issues surrounding BP advice circulated on TikTok; the FDA approval of mavacamten (Camzyos, Bristol Myers Squibb) for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; the CV benefits of the Mediterranean diet for pregnant women; and more.

TikTok videos offer conflicting advice on high blood pressure

Most hypertension-related information available on the social media platform TikTok is not presented by health care professionals and often contains recommendations not backed by scientific evidence, researchers reported. Read more

FDA approves mavacamten, first treatment for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The FDA approved mavacamten for the treatment of symptomatic, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the first cardiac myosin inhibitor to be permitted for use in the United States, Bristol Myers Squibb announced. Read more

Extreme heat drives CV death risk in men, Black adults

A greater number of extreme heat days was associated with elevated CV mortality in men and Black adults across the United States from 2008 to 2017, researchers reported at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session. Read more

Mediterranean diet cuts preeclampsia risk by 22%, with greater benefit for Black mothers

Women who self-reported higher adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet were up to 26% less likely to develop preeclampsia compared with women reporting lower adherence to the eating plan, with a stronger benefit observed for Black mothers. Read more

Treating mild chronic hypertension in pregnancy appears beneficial, safe for mother and baby

Treating mild chronic hypertension during pregnancy to a BP goal of less than 140/90 mm Hg reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes and did not impair fetal growth, according to a new study. Read more

Updated guideline redefines HF stages, emphasizes prevention, new treatments

A joint guideline from the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the Heart Failure Society of America redefines HF stages to focus on prevention and recommends HF treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors. Read more

Regular consumption of two to three cups of coffee per day could lower CVD risk

Regular consumption of coffee, especially two to three cups per day, may be protective against incident CVD, arrhythmias and mortality, irrespective of CVD status. Read more

Quitting smoking yields CV benefit equivalent of three medications

The estimated lifetime treatment benefit of smoking cessation was comparable to the use of several pharmaceutical treatments combined, even when the analysis was limited to major CV events, researchers reported. Read more

Supplemental calcium worsens risk for death, AVR in aortic stenosis

Oral calcium supplementation with or without vitamin D was associated with lower survival and a greater need for aortic valve replacement among older patients with mild to moderate aortic stenosis, researchers reported. Read more

Fitbit receives FDA clearance for algorithm to detect AF

The FDA has cleared Fitbit’s photoplethysmography-based algorithm to detect atrial fibrillation in wearers of its devices, the company announced. Read more