Curated, plain-language updates on research & studies — each summarized and linked to its original source.
30 items
Silent atherosclerosis is detectable using imaging in early adulthood, with age- and sex-associated increases in prevalence across arterial territories and significant increases in plaque volume, based on results from the REACT trial presented at ESC Congress 2026 and simultaneously published in NEJM.
Read moreIn this week’s View, Dr. Eagle looks at the relationship between lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and higher coronary artery calcium scores (CAC) and later-life dementia.
Read moreA new study found that nearly 8 out of 10 young adult participants, average age 23 years, had cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM syndrome) stages 1 – 3. Participants in higher CKM syndrome stages had early signs of
Read moreGestational diabetes is associated with significantly increased risks of postpartum cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic (CKM) disorders, according to a retrospective cohort study published Aug. 12 in JAMA Network Open.
Read moreLower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and higher coronary artery calcium (CAC) in midlife were independently associated with greater risk of later-life dementia, according to results from the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study published Aug. 10 in JACC: Advances.
Read moreWaist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) provide additional diagnostic and prognostic value compared with conventional BMI categories alone, which may misclassify cardiovascular disease risk, according to results from the Cross-Cohort Collaboration (CCC) Obesity Working Group published Aug. 11 in JACC.
Read moreThis episode of CardiaCast will feature a discussion on risk assessment and genetics in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Read moreObjectives: Although coronary artery disease (CAD) involves progressive atherosclerotic plaque dysfunction, further characterization of different cluster profiles and their impact on myocardial function has not been fully explored.Therefore, this study's pilot aim is to identify data-driven atherosclerotic plaque clusters using coronary computed tomography angiography and correlate types with dysfunction observed by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT).Methods: Myocardial…
Read moreImportance: Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of premature death worldwide. Assessing the LDL-C-related burden is critical for guiding prevention and treatment strategies. Objectives: To estimate the global, regional, and national burden of ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke attributable to elevated LDL-C (relative to 35-54 mg/dL) from 1990 to 2023 and to quantify the contributions of population…
Read moreA large body of evidence has helped reframe atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease from a mere lipid storage disorder to a chronic inflammatory disease. Both innate and adaptive immune pathways contribute to atherogenesis, plaque progression, and plaque destabilization. Macrophages, T cells, and cytokines-among them IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18-have emerged as key immune cells and mediators implicated in atherosclerosis progression.
Read morePlasma protein levels provide important insights into human disease, yet a comprehensive assessment of plasma proteomics across organs is lacking. Using large-scale multimodal data from the UK Biobank, we integrated plasma proteomics with organ imaging to map their phenotypic and genetic links, analyzing 2,923 proteins and 1,051 imaging traits across multiple organs.
Read moreChronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease are bidirectionally linked, with metabolic reprogramming as a central pathophysiological nexus. This review examines metabolic disturbances underlying CKD-CVD comorbidity, including energy metabolism disorders, mitochondrial dysfunction, lipid and glucose dysregulation, and mineral metabolism abnormalities.
Read moreBackground The prevalence of untreated, uncontrolled and resistant hypertension and their specific prognosis among American adults with prediabetes remain unclear. We aimed to explore the prevalence of hypertension treatment and control and their associated risks of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among this population.Methods We analyzed data from 12,321 participants in the NHANES survey (1999-2016).
Read moreAtherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by the deposition of lipids, fibrous components, and calcification in the major arteries. The process is initiated by endothelial activation, which increases vascular permeability, promotes leukocyte adhesion, and leads to the migration of inflammatory cells into the arterial wall. These events trigger vascular constriction and activate inflammatory pathways, together promoting atheromatous plaque development.
Read moreMetabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are interconnected global epidemics that frequently coexist and mutually reinforce disease progression and adverse clinical outcomes. MASLD, the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, is now recognised as a hepatic manifestation of systemic metabolic dysfunction.
Read moreSleep is a multidimensional physiological state, and it is increasingly recognized as a core determinant of cardiovascular (CV) health. This review summarises the CV health attributes of important sleep dimensions, including sleep duration, regularity, timing, quality, efficiency, and napping. New device-measured data continue to demonstrate the importance of both direct and synergistic effects of sleep with movement and dietary lifestyle behaviours in relation to CV risk.
Read moreAtherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and cancer are increasingly recognized as interconnected diseases linked by shared immune mechanisms rather than merely overlapping risk factors. Common exposures such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, together with aging and clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), establish a chronic inflammatory milieu that drives both pathologies through coordinated reprogramming of myeloid and lymphoid compartments.
Read moreCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet prevention and management have historically relied on male-centered models. Sex and gender critically influence risk, clinical presentation, and outcomes. Depression, anxiety, and psychosocial stress, more prevalent in women, act as key amplifiers of cardiovascular risk.
Read moreBackground: The triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index is a simple surrogate marker of insulin resistance (IR) and has been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association between the TyG index and coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) remains limited. Methods: In this retrospective study, 1157 patients who underwent coronary angiography at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from January 2024 to January 2026 were enrolled and classified into the CTO group (n = 317) and the non-CTO…
Read moreIntroduction Elevated Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a common hypercholesterolaemia disorder that requires continuity of care from primary care doctors, yet elevated Lp(a) is a highly neglected condition globally. Here, we aimed to explore general practitioners’ (GPs’) perspectives and practices on the detection and management of elevated Lp(a) and to assess the impact of LILAC-for-Lp(a) training on GPs’ confidence in managing Lp(a). Methods A total of 18 general practitioners (GPs) participated in…
Read moreThis study aimed to investigate the association between the C-reactive protein-triglyceride glucose index (CTI) and risk of new-onset myocardial infarction (MI). We conducted a prospective cohort study among participants enrolled in the Kailuan Study in Tangshan City, Hebei Province, China, who underwent the physical examination between June 2006 and October 2007 (n = 101,510). After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 94,509 participants were included in the final analysis.The subjects…
Read moreSeveral types of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors were associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, based on analysis of health data for nearly 800,000 adults from a U.K. database and a separate
Read moreBackground Actionable quality gaps persist in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) management after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We aimed to quantify diagnostic and therapeutic inertia in LDL-C management after discharge in a real-world AMI population with verified and quantified consecutive inclusion. Methods We conducted a quality improvement audit of patients discharged alive with a primary diagnosis of AMI.
Read moreBackground Residual inflammation remains a major contributor to cardiovascular risk after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), even with optimal control of traditional risk factors. This study evaluated the prevalence of residual inflammatory risk, using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a marker, and its association with achieving guideline-recommended secondary prevention targets following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods We retrospectively…
Read moreBackground After a myocardial infarction (MI), one of the major factors responsible for bad outcomes is systemic inflammation. It is known that diet and physical activity (PA) have separate effects on inflammation, but it is still unclear what the combined effects are in patients who have already suffered a heart attack. Methods Over 6 months, 1,700 post-MI patients in this retrospective cohort study were monitored. The validated questionnaires assessed dietary intake and physical activity…
Read moreBackground Insulin resistance and dyslipidemia are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) and the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) are effective indicators for assessing insulin sensitivity and the degree of atherosclerosis, respectively. However, the combined effects of different combinations of these two parameters on CVD risk remain unclear. Methods This study included…
Read moreObjective To examine the association between the time-weighted cumulative Life's Essential 8 (TWC-LE8) score and aortic valve calcification (AVC). Methods This analysis included 15,321 adults (mean age, 63.79 years; 76.44% men) from the Kailuan cohort who completed four health examinations between 2006 and 2012 and subsequently underwent standardized echocardiography. The TWC-LE8 score (range, 0–100) was used to classify cardiovascular health (CVH) as low (<50), moderate (50–79), or…
Read moreBackground Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome typically involves multiple metabolic dysregulations. The non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR), as a novel lipid metabolism biomarker, has been demonstrated to correlate with risks of mortality, metabolic syndrome, and chronic kidney disease. However, the relationship between NHHR and mortality risk remains unclear in elderly populations with CKM syndrome stages 0–3. Methods This…
Read moreThe risk of being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19 infection was lower among adults with better heart health scores. Adults without cardiovascular disease and with the best levels of heart health, as indexed by the American
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