Top stories in cardiology: Link between good periodontal health and systolic BP, Amgen lowers price of evolocumab

Among the top stories in cardiology this week were a report on the association between periodontal health and systolic BP in patients treated with antihypertensives, Amgen’s announcement that it reduced the cost of evolocumab, and a possible link between lead exposure and resistant hypertension.

Other popular stories came from Healio’s live coverage of the Cardiometabolic Health Conference: an exclusive video that discussed a potential association between cancer therapies and cardiovascular risk, and important considerations when treating gestational diabetes and preeclampsia because these conditions may increase the risk for CVD as patients grow older. – by Janel Miller

Good periodontal health confers improved systolic BP with antihypertensive treatment

Patients with good periodontal health had an improved systolic BP profile when treated with antihypertensives compared with those with poor periodontal health, according to a study published in Hypertension. Read more.

Price of evolocumab lowered by 60%

Amgen announced that it has reduced the list price of its PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab by 60%, to $5,850 per year. Read more.

Lead exposure may be risk factor for resistant hypertension

The accumulation of lead in the tibia was associated with resistant hypertension, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Read more.

VIDEO: Cardiovascular risks elevated in breast cancer

BOSTON — In this video exclusive from the Cardiometabolic Health Conference, Ana Barac, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University and director of the cardio-oncology program at MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute in Washington, D.C., discusses cardiovascular disease in women with breast cancer. Watch video.

Cardiac events in pregnancy affect future cardiovascular health

BOSTON — Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia can both lead to increased CV risk later in life and are necessary factors to consider when constructing treatments for prevention and management, according to a presentation at the Cardiometabolic Health Conference. Read more.