Top news in February: ChatGPT on CVD prevention; updates in women’s heart health; and more

Healio and Cardiology Today have compiled a list of the top headlines in cardiology from February 2023.

Reader were most interested in CVD prevention recommendations provided by ChatGPT; the effect of “food swamp” communities on stroke risk; recent updates in women’s heart health and cardio-obstetrics; and more.

ChatGPT model provides appropriate recommendations for most CVD prevention queries

A research version of the artificial intelligence language model ChatGPT appropriately responded to a majority of suggested CVD prevention questions, including complex topics like cholesterol management despite statin therapy. Read more

Residents of ‘food swamps’ could be at increased risk for stroke

Residents of “food swamp” communities, which have a higher prevalence of fast-food options than healthy options, may be at increased risk for incident stroke, according to research presented at the International Stroke Conference. Read more

Major adverse pregnancy outcomes confer long-term ischemic heart disease risk in women

Women who had any of five major adverse pregnancy outcomes had elevated risk for ischemic heart disease for as long as 46 years after delivery, researchers reported in The BMJ. Read more

CV complications in COVID-19 more common in men than women, not explained by prior CVD

Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, men were more likely than women to have CV complications, but the difference was not explained by lower rates of past CVD in women, researchers reported in BMJ Medicine. Read more

Early adulthood exercise capacity, not muscle strength, reduces CVD risk

Exercise capacity, but not muscle strength, during early adulthood may indicate lower risk for carotid plaque development, according to findings published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Read more

Menopausal hormone therapy safe for most women at low CVD risk

Menopausal hormone therapy for bothersome vasomotor or other symptoms is safe and appropriate for most women at low atherosclerotic CVD risk, whereas a nuanced approach is needed for intermediate-risk women, researchers reported. Read more

Higher-quality sleep may reduce risk for mortality

People with many low-risk sleep factors had reduced all-cause, CV and cancer mortality risk vs. those with one or no low-risk sleep factors, according to data slated for presentation at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session. Read more

Getting to the heart of stress and its impact on the CV system

As mental health continues to affect more than 10% of the global population, discoveries related to the physical implications of mental health conditions, including stress, continue to become more apparent each year. Read more

Processed food consumption associated with nighttime BP dipping

High consumption of processed foods was associated with greater variability in systolic BP during sleep and greater odds of extreme nocturnal dipping. Read more

Recent updates in women’s heart health: Pregnancy, menopause, risk factors and more

Feb. 3 was Wear Red Day. In support of women’s heart health, Healio and Cardiology Today curated a list of recent updates in women’s heart health. Read more