Top in cardiology: Diet, exercise prescribed over obesity drugs; major updates, approvals

Cardiologists preferred to advise diet and exercise for patients with obesity over currently available obesity medications, but with little personalized tailoring for patients, survey results showed.

According to a two-part questionnaire of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and obesity presented at the Cardiometabolic Health Congress, more than half of cardiologist respondents believed obesity management to be the responsibility of other health care providers. Patients who were surveyed reported receiving vague advice concerning diet and exercise recommendations and a lack of cultural awareness in their individual treatment plans.

“We're not really paying attention to the racial health equity factor, and cultural factors are not really being considered,” Lyn Behnke, DNP, FNPBC, adjunct clinical lecturer in nursing at University of Michigan-Flint, told Healio. “For example, when talking about a healthy diet. What does a healthy diet look like? What are the economic implications?”

It was the top story in cardiology last week.

In another top story, speakers at the Cardiometabolic Health Congress highlighted recent regulatory updates in the areas of lipids and blood pressure and diabetes management, including FDA approval of the first renal denervation device to treat hypertension.

Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:

Medication hesitancy when addressing patients’ obesity-related atherosclerotic risk

In a survey, cardiologists expressed hesitancy to prescribe currently available obesity medications, preferring exercise and dietary interventions, but with little personalized tailoring for patients, researchers reported at the Cardiometabolic Health Congress. Read more.

Speakers highlight 2024 regulatory moves in hypertension, lipid, diabetes therapies

There have been many recent regulatory updates in the areas of blood pressure management, dyslipidemia and diabetes management, speakers reported at the Cardiometabolic Health Congress. Read more.

5% of older adults start benzodiazepine after acute stroke, despite link to cognitive risk

Nearly 5% of older adults initiate benzodiazepine after discharge for acute ischemic stroke, half of which receive up to a 30-day supply, despite known risks for cognitive decline, researchers reported in Stroke. Read more.

CMHC provides ‘exciting’ updates spanning cardio-kidney-metabolic sector

The 19th annual Cardiometabolic Health Congress held at the Boston Park Plaza featured the latest science in the areas of cardio-renal, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, thrombosis and more. Read more.

SCAI consensus statement offers technical guidance for PCI in patients with STEMI

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions has released a consensus statement on how catheterization laboratories should manage the technical aspects of percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Read more.