Top in cardiology: CVD risk with processed foods, gender disparities in ACS

Data from the Framingham Offspring Cohort revealed that consuming ultra-processed foods increased the risk for CVD. In addition, each added daily serving of ultra-processed foods was linked to a 9% increased risk for CVD death.

A review of the study findings was the top story in cardiology last week.

Another top story was about an unequal rate of chest pain misdiagnoses in women compared with men. Researchers noted that the gender gap may be linked to the traditional supposition that myocardial infarction is a male disease.

Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:

High ultra-processed food consumption increases risk for CVD, CV death

Consuming large quantities of ultra-processed foods conferred elevated risk for CVD and cardiovascular death, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Read more.

ACS misdiagnosed more often in women vs. men

Women experienced more frequent misdiagnoses of chest pain compared with men, according to a presentation at the virtual European Society of Cardiology Acute Cardiovascular Care Congress. Read more.

Poor sleep efficiency, longer wake up associated with increased CVD risk

Individuals with poorer sleep efficiency and longer time spent awake from sleep onset to final awakening had increased risk for incident CVD, according to results published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Read more.

Healthy plant-based diet decreases stroke risk

Among adults without CVD or cancer at baseline, those who ate healthful plant-based diets had an approximately 10% reduced risk for stroke, researchers reported. Read more.

Beta-blockers not tied to depression; sleep disorder link less clear

Beta-blockers were not associated with depression and other psychiatric adverse events, although they may have a relationship with sleep disorders, according to a meta-analysis. Read more.