Top news of February: CV impact of cannabis, financial strain and more

Healio has compiled a list of the top headlines in cardiology from February 2024.

Readers were most interested in the potential link between cannabis use and heart attacks and strokes; an initiative that could provide refurbished pacemakers to those in need; navigating CVD risk in menopausal hormone therapy; and more.

Cannabis use ups risk for heart attacks, strokes

U.S. adults who reported cannabis use were at higher risk for coronary heart disease, MI and stroke compared with nonusers, with the risks persisting for cannabis users who reported never smoking tobacco, data show. Read more

Women may experience greater mortality gains with physical activity than men

Compared with men, women are less likely to die of any cause or from CV-specific causes when performing similar amounts of weekly leisure-time physical activity, suggesting there are sex-specific benefits to exercise, researchers reported. Read more

After death, a new life for refurbished pacemakers in low-, middle-income countries

Most patients who receive a pacemaker are likely not thinking about its potential usefulness after their death; however, a viable, properly reconditioned device could help meet an overwhelming need outside of the United States. Read more

Tai chi more effective than aerobic exercise for blood pressure reduction

Among adults with prehypertension, 12 months of tai chi significantly decreased office systolic BP by a mean of 2.4 mm Hg more than aerobic exercise, along with greater reductions in 24-hour and nighttime ambulatory systolic BP. Read more

Navigating menopausal hormone therapy as CVD risk grows requires ‘nuanced approach’

For women experiencing disruptive, bothersome hot flashes, the use of menopausal hormone therapy — a one-time standard but later feared treatment option — is far from straightforward. Read more

Beyond weight loss, tirzepatide may also lower high blood pressure: SURMOUNT-1

The dual incretin agonist tirzepatide reduced 24-hour ambulatory BP for adults with obesity-related hypertension, with the effects potentially independent of weight loss, according to data from a planned substudy of the SURMOUNT-1 trial. Read more

Death of partner, older child during pregnancy tied to HF incidence in maternal offspring

Women who experienced the death of a partner or older child during or around the time of pregnancy were more likely to have offspring who developed HF by midlife, Danish and Swedish register data show. Read more

Salt substitute cuts hypertension risk among older adults with normal blood pressure

Replacing usual salt with a potassium-enriched salt substitute in the kitchens of elder care facilities in China for 2 years reduced risk for incident hypertension by approximately 40% for adults with normal BP. Read more

Data suggest connection between financial strain, heart health measures

Adults who report experiencing financial strain have lower odds of having average and optimal CV health measures, suggesting psychosocial stress can impact CVD risk. Read more

ED evaluation of stroke-like symptoms may be more traumatic than actual stroke diagnosis

Patients who are hospitalized with stroke-like symptoms, but do not experience a stroke, may yet develop PTSD at a higher rate than patients who actually had a stroke, a speaker reported. Read more