Top in cardiology: Vitamin D3 and statin-related muscle pain; salt preference and CVD risk
Compared with placebo, researchers found that vitamin D3 supplementation did not significantly reduce statin-associated muscle symptoms.
“Statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) are common and often lead to discontinuation of statins. Several observational studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D are associated with the development of SAMS and plausible mechanisms have been proposed that link low levels of vitamin D to development of SAMS,” Mark A. Hlatky, MD, a professor at Stanford University, and colleagues wrote.
It was the top story in cardiology last week.
Another top story covered a study that found less frequent salt use was associated with reduced total CVD event risk. The study builds on previous research “and alludes to the possible role that long-term salt preferences may have on the risks of total CVD events and major subtypes of CVD,” Sara GhoneimMD, of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center wrote.
Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:
Vitamin D3 may not help with statin-related muscle pain
Vitamin D3 supplementation was not associated with reduced statin-associated muscle symptoms compared with placebo among new statin users enrolled in the VITAL trial, according to a trial subanalysis published in JAMA Cardiology. Read more.
Long-term salt preferences may influence CVD risk
Less use of added dietary salt is associated with lower risk for CVD, particularly heart failure and ischemic heart disease, whether or not individuals follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, data from a prospective study show. Read more.
Environmental toxins linked to rate of CV death; lead in US, air pollution in UK
In the U.S. and U.K., exposure to environmental factors such as lead and ambient particulate matter may correlate to increased cardiovascular death, according to a 30-year analysis of mortality data. Read more.
Fatty liver disease conditions ‘change the healthy heart to a failing heart’
CVD risk increases with the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and both cardiovascular and liver events are “highly related” to the degree of hepatic fibrosis present, according to a speaker. Read more.
Edoxaban better alternative vs. standard care for children at risk for blood clots
For children with rare heart conditions that increase risk for thromboembolism, daily edoxaban may be a safe and effective alternative compared with the current standard of care for this age group, researchers reported. Read more.