Top in cardiology: Some antihypertensive drugs, plant-based diet

Patients receiving hypertension treatment may be protected from cognitive decline if they are prescribed medications that cross the blood-brain barrier, a recent analysis showed. This was the top story in cardiology last week.

Another top story discussed how a plant-based diet, compared with a diet higher in animal-based foods, can reduce atherosclerosis and overall CVD risk.

Read these and other top stories in cardiology below:

Certain antihypertensive drugs yield less memory decline in older adults

Older adults who received antihypertensive drugs that crossed the blood-brain barrier demonstrated improved memory recall compared with those who received other types of antihypertensive drugs, according to new results. Read more.

Higher plant-based food consumption linked to lower atherosclerosis risk

Diets featuring higher consumption of plant-based foods were associated with lower risk for CVD and atherosclerosis compared with diets higher in animal-based foods, according to a review published in Cardiovascular Research. Read more.

AHA: Pediatric myocarditis often caused by viruses

Myocarditis in children is most commonly caused by viral infection, although there are a variety of infectious and noninfectious causes, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Read more.

Mobile device approved for fast ECG reading and QTc interval measurement

AliveCor announced it received FDA 510(k) clearance for its mobile, handheld ECG device for the calculation of a patient’s QTc interval. Read more.

EMPEROR-Preserved topline results: Empagliflozin improves outcomes in HFpEF

Empagliflozin reduced cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization compared with placebo in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, regardless of diabetes status, according to trial results. Read more.