Top in cardiology: Hydration slows biological aging; increased alcohol intake and AF risk

Middle-aged adults with adequate hydration were less likely to develop chronic conditions and be biologically older than their chronological age, according to a study published in eBioMedicine.

Natalia Dmitrieva, PhD, a senior research scientist at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and colleagues used serum sodium as a proxy for hydration habits, with higher levels indicating inadequate fluid intake. It was the top story in cardiology last week.

Another top story was about a recent study which found that a 5-year increase in alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk for incident atrial fibrillation.

Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:

Adequate hydration may slow biological aging, reduce disease risk

Adults with elevated serum sodium in middle age, a marker of inadequate fluid intake, were more likely to be biologically older than their chronological age and develop chronic diseases compared with adequately hydrated adults, data show. Read more.

Five-year increase in alcohol intake heightens incident AF risk

Compared with stable alcohol intake, a 5-year increase in alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for incident atrial fibrillation, according to a study published in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Read more.

EHR-based machine learning model yields novel marker for CAD risk, prognosis

An artificial intelligence-derived marker using electronic health records noninvasively quantified plaque burden and mortality risk for adults from two large biobank cohorts, offering an option for more targeted CAD diagnosis, data show. Read more.

Top cardiology news in 2022: Successful xenotransplants; statins vs. supplements; and more

Healio has compiled a list of the most-read news of 2022 in cardiology. Readers were most interested in a meta-analysis questioning the association between statin-induced LDL lowering and cardiovascular outcomes; firsts in xenotransplantation of genetically modified pig hearts; how moderate wine intake with meals may reduce type 2 diabetes risk; and more. Read more.

Salt restriction may not improve BP variability in the white general population

Researchers observed no association between urinary sodium excretion and salt intake and BP variability in a white general population, according to an analysis of two studies. Read more.