Top in cardiology: Alcohol may help with stress; LDL can be reduced to very low levels

Light to moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a reduced risk for major adverse cardiovascular events mediated by stress-related brain activity, according to findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Despite the findings, researchers said that alcohol consumption must be carefully weighed against its potential adverse impacts on other noncardiac disease processes, such as malignancy, dependence and alcohol abuse. It was the top story in cardiology last week.

Another top story was about a presentation on LDL at the Heart in Diabetes CME Conference, during which Seth S. Martin, MD, MHS, FAHA, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital and professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said LDL can be safely reduced to very low levels, even when the starting LDL is very high.

Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:

Alcohol intake may lower stress-related brain activity, helping the heart

Compared with no or little alcohol intake, consuming one to 14 drinks per week was associated with lower risk for major adverse cardiovascular events, likely due to an alcohol-mediated reduction in stress-associated brain activity, researchers reported. Read more.

‘Unlearn concern’ about going too low with LDL

LDL is a central component of cardiovascular risk reduction and data now show clear benefits of a sustained and substantial reduction, even in the setting of very high baseline LDL, according to a speaker. Read more.

Imperfect prediabetes diagnosis provides opportunity to identify, prevent diabetes

Prediabetes is a high-risk state associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, yet consensus is needed regarding an “optimal” definition to better identify who could benefit from interventions, according to a speaker. Read more.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome a common complication of COVID-19

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is a common cardiac complication in COVID-19 survivors and research is ongoing as to optimal treatments, a speaker said during the Heart in Diabetes CME Conference. Read more.

Start HFrEF therapies promptly: ‘Delayed initiation is lost benefit’

In patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the four pillars of optimal medical therapy should be started as soon as possible, a speaker said here. Read more.