Top in cardiology: Impact of added sugar source on CVD risk; SGLT2, GLP-1 use after stroke

Data from two prospective population-based Swedish cohorts linked high intake of added sugar from sweetened beverages to an elevated risk for CVD, Researchers observed no such link between elevated risk for CVD and moderate intake from treats such as pastries and ice cream.

“The most striking finding from our study is the divergent relationship between different sources of added sugar and cardiovascular disease risk,” Suzanne Janzi, PhD candidate and researcher in nutrition epidemiology at Lund University in Malmö, Sweden, said in a press release. “This surprising contrast highlights the importance of considering not just the amount of sugar consumed, but its source and context.”

It was the top story in cardiology last week.

In another top story, researchers found that use of an SGLT2 inhibitor or GLP-1 receptor agonist after first stroke corresponded with lower risk for all-cause mortality, incident myocardial infarction and a composite of the primary and secondary study outcomes.

Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:

Extremely low sugar intake may not be necessary to prevent heart disease

Swedish researchers reported that “extremely low” sugar intake may not be necessary to prevent heart disease, and some treats throughout the week may be acceptable as moderate intake was associated with reduced CV risk. Read more.

SGLT2s, GLP-1s may improve mortality, CV event risk after stroke

Use of an SGLT2 inhibitor or GLP-1 receptor agonist after stroke may improve mortality and lower subsequent risk for heart attack and another stroke, a speaker reported at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more.

Cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome may accelerate CVD risk by up to 28 years

Elevated risk for heart disease may arrive up to 28 years sooner for individuals with average risk factors plus diabetes and kidney disease vs. those without cardio-kidney-metabolic disease, a speaker reported at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Read more.

‘Dealing with a time bomb’: Persistent tobacco smoking tied to cardiac injury at young age

In a cohort of English youths, those who persisted smoking tobacco from childhood to early adulthood showed significant cardiac damage by age 24 years and potentially irreversible cardiac injury, a researcher reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Read more.

Anticoagulation stewardship: Considerations for patients with cardiovascular disease

Anticoagulants are one of the most commonly prescribed medication classes, and the use of these agents is on the rise. Read more.