Cardiovascular Health

Panelists consider the goals of guideline-directed medical therapy and reflect on how recent updates to clinical practice guidelines may impact therapeutic pathways.

A thought leader in the pharmacologic management of heart failure, Alexandra Goncharenko, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP, reviews the mechanism of action of vericiguat and considers its place in the treatment landscape.

Men under 55 years of age had a 25% lower risk of heart attack and stroke, whereas men over 60 had a 15% reduced risk with testosterone supplementation.

Ten quiz questions to assess your knowledge on common hypertension treatments.

Experts in cardiology and pharmacy provide an overview of the cardiac benefit of SGLT2 inhibitors by discussing their mechanism of action, safety, efficacy, and cost burden for patients with heart failure.

Key opinion leaders in cardiology and pharmacy consider the role of ivabradine to reduce heart rate and lower the risk of hospitalization for patients with heart failure.

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.

A panel of experts builds a discussion on the role of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors for the management of heart failure and highlights the importance of considering patient adherence and cost burden.

Key opinion leader in pharmacy, Randy McDonough, PharmD, MS, BCGP, BCPS, FAPhA, provides insight into the history of conventional treatment approaches in heart failure.

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.

Alexandra Goncharenko, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP reviews factors that may influence treatment approaches for heart failure and emphasizes the importance of diagnosis to begin maximally tolerated doses of guideline-directed medical therapy.

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.