Cardiovascular Health

The new results add to earlier findings from the EMPEROR-Reduced phase 3 trial, which found that empagliflozin reduced the combined relative risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure by 25% compared to placebo.

A retrospective case series published in JAMA Cardiology found that although there are rare instances of myocarditis—inflammation of the heart muscle—in younger men following COVID-19 vaccination, the greater risk for heart damage and death comes from COVID-19 infection.

This risk decreased gradually according to age and length of time after an HZ episode, but epidemiological studies and the pathology of VZV vasculopathy both indicate that HZ is a key risk factor for stroke up to 1 year following an HZ episode.

The research concluded that eating starchy snacks after meals and eating a Western-style lunch containing refined grains, cheese, and cured meat elevates the risk of dying from heart disease and other illnesses.

This study was among the first to display the adverse relationship in younger adults, according to the letter.

Hypertension is a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia in older adults.

Ryan Jacobsen, PharmD, BCPS leads a discussion on defining heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) as well as the importance of staging and functional classification criteria.

Eligible participants at baseline had more than 1 year of continuous insurance coverage, allowing gaps less than 90 days, and were free of CVD 1 year prior to OSA diagnosis.

Torsemide is an alternative for patients who skip loop diuretic treatment due to concerns of excessive urination, as well as individuals with chronic kidney disease.

These financial challenges can include difficulty paying medical bills or the inability to pay them at all, high financial distress, cost-related medication non-adherence, food insecurity, and delayed or foregone care due to cost.

Pharmacists play an important role in assisting with hypertension treatment by helping to modify blood pressure therapies when patients experience adverse effects or helping if a patient has difficulty remembering to take their medications.

The condition is not preventable, but there are steps that can be taken to reduce LDL-C levels in children.

The study authors said this research is the first systematic review that compares treatments for depression in those with coronary disease.

This week on Pharmacy Times, there are a number of important topics that will be covered and posted throughout the week.

Help female patients stay informed about prevention strategies, symptoms, and treatment of this potentially deadly condition.

Studies suggest bipolar disorder is associated with increased potential for stroke and higher odds of experiencing poor outcomes.

By encouraging patients to find activities they enjoy and celebrating small improvements, health care professionals can help patients improve mild to moderate hypertension and elevated cholesterol.

Evinacumab-dgnb is the first FDA-approved treatment that binds to and blocks the function of angiopoietin-like 3, a protein that plays a key role in lipid metabolism.

The new data show that patients were able to benefit from finerenone treatment regardless of AFib history, which indicates that finerenone can reduce the rate of new-onset AFib.

Myriad issues are responsible, including lack of access and insurance and preexisting disadvantages in underserved populations.

Although there is no single playbook that works for all types of practices, some combinations of practice characteristics and operational changes can help practices address cardiovascular disease.

The FDA has approved Verquvo (vericiguat; Merck) tablets for adults with chronic heart failure.

Heart failure can involve multiple factors, but heart muscle scarring is thought to be an important contributing factor in up to two-thirds of patients with HFpEF.

Data from the phase 3 VOYAGER PAD study demonstrated that rivaroxaban at 2.5 mg twice daily in combination with aspirin at 100 mg once daily was able to reduce severe vascular events in patients with PAD.

Vericiguat (Verquvo, Merck) is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalizations, or the need for outpatient intravenous diuretics.

Individuals affected by sleep disorders accumulated approximately $7000 more in overall health care expenses per year compared to those without a sleep disorder.

Managing weight, blood pressure and cholesterol in children may help protect brain function later in life.

The researchers analyzed health outcomes in 283 heart attack survivors between 18 and 61 years of age, with an average age of 51 years.

According to the authors, increased arterial stiffness was found in young adults, which may impact heart health.

The researchers said that the findings should renew efforts to assure flu vaccination is a routine part of quality cardiovascular care.