Top in cardiology: BP control declines during winter; National AF Awareness Month
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A retrospective study found that people with hypertension had higher systolic BP during winter vs. summer months, and that BP control rates also decreased to an extent during the winter.
The study found that between December and February, systolic BP averaged 0.47 mm Hg higher than September through November. Between June and August, average systolic BP was 0.92 mm Hg lower.
It was the top story in cardiology last week.
The second top story was about the growing burden of atrial fibrillation in the United States. To mark National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, Healio spoke with Larry R. Jackson II, MD, MHSc, cardiac electrophysiologist and associate professor of medicine at Duke Health and an American Heart Association volunteer, about reducing racial and ethnic disparities among patients with AF.
Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:
Winter weather ups risk for poor blood pressure control
People with hypertension are more likely to have higher systolic BP and slightly worse BP control during winter vs. summer months, researchers reported at the American Heart Association Hypertension Scientific Sessions. Read more.
Care, outcomes remain uneven amid growing atrial fibrillation burden in US
Atrial fibrillation affects 2.7 million to 6.1 million people in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association, and that burden is expected to rise substantially in the coming years. Read more.
Global lead exposure greater CVD risk factor than smoking, cholesterol
World Bank data suggest lead exposure in 2019 alone was attributable to more than 5.5 million CVD deaths and the loss of 765 million IQ points for young children globally, with the greatest impact in low- and middle-income countries. Read more.
Flu season ups CV risk, not reduced by higher-dose vaccine in already high-risk patients
Local influenza spread was associated with temporary increased CV risk, but influenza vaccine dose — high or standard — did not prevent hospitalization for cardiopulmonary events or all-cause death in high-risk patients, researchers reported. Read more.
Resumption of elite-level sports ‘safe and feasible’ after COVID-19
Resumption of elite-level sports after recovery from COVID-19 is “safe and feasible,” according to a prospective study of Dutch athletes. Read more.