Top in cardiology: Xylitol promotes blood clotting; CVD rates on the rise

Xylitol consumption was associated with a higher risk for blood clotting, which could lead to a higher risk for myocardial infarction or stroke, according to a series of studies published this year.

Mechanistic studies demonstrated that high levels of the artificial sweetener were linked to platelet hyperresponsiveness in humans and clotting risk in animals. Independent studies showed that higher fasting blood levels of xylitol appeared to increase the risk for CVD. Additionally, human intervention studies showed that patients had increased platelet responsiveness after consuming a typical portion of xylitol.

“Xylitol is becoming one of the more common ‘carb friendly’ or ‘low calorie’ sugar substitutes, especially for diabetic confectionaries, candies and baking goods. It also is very common in oral care products — it helps prevent dental caries,” Stanley L. Hazen, MD, PhD, chairman for the department of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences in the Lerner Research Institute and co-section head of preventive cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic, and Healio | Cardiology Today Editorial Board member, told Healio.

It was the top story in cardiology last week.

In another top story, the American Heart Association projected a dramatic increase in the prevalence of CVD and stroke by 2050. The association also estimated that annual health care costs could triple for cardiovascular risk factors and quadruple for cardiovascular conditions.

Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:

Common sugar substitute facilitates blood clotting, raising risk for heart attack, stroke

Xylitol, a low-calorie sugar substitute commonly found in gum and toothpaste, demonstrated prothrombotic properties, possibly raising the risk for major adverse cardiovascular events, researchers reported. Read more.

Prevalence, economic burden of heart disease, stroke likely to rise greatly in US by 2050

Due to demographic changes and a rise in risk factors, the prevalence and economic burden of heart disease and stroke in the United States are expected to increase dramatically by 2050, according to the American Heart Association. Read more.

VIDEO: Women’s heart disease risk factors should be assessed during menopause transition

In this Healio video exclusive, a speaker at the National Lipid Association Scientific Sessions discusses opportunities for heart disease prevention in women at the time of menopause transition. Watch video.

Evolocumab shows particular CV benefit in those with autoimmune disease, inflammation

Patients with atherosclerosis and elevated LDL plus autoimmune or inflammatory disease may derive particular cardiovascular benefit from PCSK9 inhibition with Repatha (evolocumab, Amgen), a speaker reported. Read more.

Olezarsen safely lowers triglycerides in patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome

Olezarsen, an antisense oligonucleotide targeting mRNA for apolipoprotein C-III, lowered triglycerides at 6 months for patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome without excessive adverse events, researchers reported. Read more.