Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Cardiology for December 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Catheter Ablation Tops Drug Therapy for A-Fib in Heart Failure
MONDAY, Dec. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Catheter ablation is better than drug therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure, according to a review published online Dec. 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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ACOG Updates Guidelines for Gestational HTN, Preeclampsia
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) has updated its guidance on the management of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia as well as chronic hypertension in pregnant women; the two practice bulletins were published in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia
Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy
High Sodium Intake Associated With New Atrial Fibrillation
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Sodium intake is associated with the long-term risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study recently published in the Annals of Medicine.
Second-Line Antidiabetic Meds May Impact Cardiovascular Risk
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- For adults with type 2 diabetes initiating second-line antidiabetic medications (ADM), cardiovascular risk is increased with use of sulfonylureas or basal insulin versus newer ADM classes, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
Having Children Tied to Higher Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Parity is associated with cardiovascular disease risk, with a nonlinear J-shaped dose-response relationship observed, according to a meta-analysis published online Dec. 19 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Low-Priced Generic Drugs Most Likely to Have Shortages
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The lowest-priced generic drugs are more likely to experience shortages, according to a study published in the November issue of Value in Health.
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30-Day Postdischarge Mortality Up With HRRP Implementation
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Announcement and implementation of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) were associated with increased 30-day postdischarge mortality following hospitalization for heart failure and pneumonia, but not acute myocardial infarction (AMI), according to a study published in the Dec. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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New BP Treatment Cutoffs May Not Yield Survival Benefit
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- New blood pressure treatment recommendations may not improve survival from cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study recently published in the European Heart Journal.
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ASH Develops Practice Guidelines for Venous Thromboembolism
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has developed new guidelines for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE); the clinical practice guidelines were recently published in Blood Advances.
Prophylaxis for Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized Medical Patients
Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Treatment of Pediatric Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thromboembolism in the Context of Pregnancy
Optimal Management of Anticoagulation Therapy
Complications, Costs Up With Cardiac Sx in Opioid Use Disorder
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) undergoing cardiac surgery have increased complications and costs, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in JAMA Surgery.
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Initiative Can Cut Gender Gap in Medical School Faculty Salaries
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- An institutional gender equity initiative (GEI) can reduce gender-based salary gaps among medical school faculty, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
New AAP Guideline Available for Infantile Hemangioma Treatment
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The American Academy of Pediatrics has developed its first guideline for the management of infantile hemangiomas (IHs); the clinical practice guideline was published online Dec. 24 in Pediatrics.
Risk of Arterial Thromboembolic Events Up Prior to Cancer Diagnosis
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- In older adults, the risk of arterial thromboembolic events begins to increase 150 days before the date of cancer diagnosis and peaks 30 days before, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in Blood.
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Drug Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis Up 2007 to 2017
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- From 2007 to 2017 there was an increase in drug-use associated infective endocarditis (DUA-IE) hospitalizations and valve surgeries, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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ACOG: Interpregnancy Period Should Maximize Women's Health
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Providers should maximize women's health during the interpregnancy period, continuing care beyond the immediate postpartum period, according to a consensus report published online Dec. 20 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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EMS Treatment for Possible Heart Attack Varies by Sex
MONDAY, Dec. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Disparities exist in the emergency medical services (EMS) treatment of women and men with chest pain (CP) or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), according to a study published online Dec. 10 in Women's Health Issues.
FDA Warns Companies on Unsafe, Unapproved Stem Cell Treatments
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- After infections tied to unapproved stem cell treatments sent 12 people to the hospital this past year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a stern warning about the products.
FDA: Fluoroquinolones Tied to Heart Vessel Ruptures, Tears
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Patients taking fluoroquinolones may be at higher risk for ruptures or tears in the aorta, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
CDC: Weight, Waist Size, BMI Increased for Many U.S. Adults
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- From 1999-2000 to 2015-2016, there was an increase in mean weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) for many U.S. adults, according to the Dec. 20 issue of the National Vital Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A-Fib Risk Up for Antidepressant Users, but Higher Before Tx
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) is increased among antidepressant users, particularly before treatment initiation, according to a study recently published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Endurance Exercise Tied to Anti-Aging at Cellular Level
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Endurance exercise has anti-aging effects visible at the cellular level, according to a study published online Nov. 28 in the European Heart Journal.
Racial Disparities Seen in Use of Oral Anticoagulants for A-Fib
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Black patients with atrial fibrillation are less likely to receive direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared with white patients, even after controlling for clinical and sociodemographic features, according to a study published in the December issue of JAMA Cardiology.
Growth in Use of Telemedicine Seen From 2005 to 2017
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- From 2005 to 2017, there was a substantial increase in telemedicine use, although use was still uncommon in 2017, according to a research letter published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups Higher Than Expected
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Despite numerous difficulties, early figures show that sign-ups for health coverage next year under the Affordable Care Act are higher than expected.
Hospitalization for Upper GI Bleed Highest With Rivaroxaban
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- For patients initiating oral anticoagulant therapy, the incidence of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding is highest and lowest with rivaroxaban and apixaban, respectively, according to a study published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Exposure to Metals, Pesticides Tied to CVD in Hispanics/Latinos
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Occupational exposures to pesticides and metals are associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Hispanics/Latinos, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Heart.
Global Lifetime Risk for Stroke About 25 Percent in 2016
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The global lifetime risk for stroke was 24.9 percent among adults aged 25 years and older in 2016, according to a study published in the Dec. 20 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
ADA 2019 Standards of Care Emphasize Patient-Centered Care
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Patient-centered care is emphasized in updated clinical practice recommendations from the American Diabetes Association 2019 Standards of Care, published as a supplement to the January issue of Diabetes Care.
Residential Greenness Linked to Cardiovascular Disease Risk
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The density of greenness near residences is associated with lower urinary levels of epinephrine and F2-isoprostane, according to a study published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Edentulism Tied to Greater Risk for High BP After Menopause
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Postmenopausal women with edentulism are at an increased risk for developing hypertension, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the American Journal of Hypertension.
High Sodium May Contribute to CVD Deaths in Shandong, China
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- A considerable proportion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in Shandong Province, China, may be attributable to high sodium intake, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Hospitalizations Up for Homeless From 2007 to 2013
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- From 2007 to 2013, hospitalizations among homeless individuals increased and were most frequently for mental illness and substance use disorder, according to a study published in the January issue of Medical Care.
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Cognitive Decline Similar After Cardiac Surgery, Catheterization
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- For older adults, declines in memory after heart surgery and cardiac catheterization are similar, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
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Appropriate Use Criteria Released for Peripheral Artery Intervention
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Appropriate use criteria have been developed for peripheral artery intervention (PAI) in peripheral artery disease, according to a report published online Dec. 17 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Exclusion of Doctors From Public Health Insurance Up 2007 to 2017
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- From 2007 to 2017, the number of physicians excluded from Medicare and state public insurance programs increased, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
EHR Data ID Differences in HTN Control Across Health Systems
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- An analysis of electronic health record data reveals considerable differences in hypertension control across health systems, according to a study published in the November-December issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Follow-Up Within Seven Days of Heart Failure Discharge Beneficial
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with heart failure, follow-up care within seven days of discharge from the emergency department is associated with lower rates of long-term mortality and subsequent admissions, according to a study published in the Dec. 17 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Adherence and Intensity of Lipid-Lowering Tx Influence CV Risk
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Adherent patients receiving high-intensity statin and/or ezetimibe therapy have the lowest cardiovascular risk, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Network Open.
Barbershop Intervention Leads to Reduced BP in Black Men
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- A barbershop-based intervention can lead to significantly reduced blood pressure and sustained improvements over one year in black men, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Circulation.
Emotional Stress of Holidays Can Trigger Heart Attacks
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The highest risk for myocardial infarction occurs around 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in The BMJ.
Apixaban Prevents VTE in Cancer Patients Initiating Chemotherapy
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Among patients with cancer starting chemotherapy who are at intermediate-to-high risk, rates of venous thromboembolism are significantly lower for thromboprophylaxis with apixaban versus placebo, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Persistent Discrimination ID'd Among Physician Mothers
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Physician mothers experience discrimination in a range of ways, which can impact the medical profession, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in The BMJ.
Pregnancy Losses Linked to Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Both pregnancy losses and a history of at least five live births are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of Women's Health.
Medication Errors Resulting in Death Most Common in Elderly
THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Medication errors in acute care that result in death occur most often in patients older than 75 years, with the most common error category being omitted medicine or ingredient, according to a study published online Nov. 22 in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.
Risk for Hospitalization for Heart Failure Greater With Diabetes
THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Despite declining incidence, heart failure hospitalization is increased among individuals with diabetes, according to a study published in the Dec. 11 issue of Circulation.
Enrollment Under the Affordable Care Act Down From Last Year
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is down with just days left to sign up, according to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
FDA: Some E-Cigarette Liquids Contain Erectile Dysfunction Meds
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Consumers should not use two electronic cigarette liquids that contain erectile dysfunction drugs because they may pose health risks, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
2017 Saw Slowing in National Health Care Spending
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- National health care spending slowed in 2017, according to a report published online Dec. 6 in Health Affairs.
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Greater Patient Delays for Women With STEMI Than Men
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Because of greater patient delays from symptom onset to first medical contact, female patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) experience greater total ischemic time than male patients, according to a study recently published in the European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care.
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Paid Childbearing Policies Lacking for Residents
TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Policies for paid childbearing or family leave for residents are lacking at top-ranking medical schools and may be exacerbated by lack of direction from specialty boards, according to two research letters published in the Dec. 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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U.S. Medical Schools See Increase in Diversity
TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- After implementation of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) diversity accreditation standards, U.S. medical schools saw increasing percentages of female, black, and Hispanic matriculants, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Consensus Decision Pathway Developed for Tobacco Cessation
TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- An expert consensus decision pathway has been developed for tobacco cessation treatment; the report was published online Dec. 5 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Flu Vaccine Linked to Reduced Risk for Death in Heart Failure
TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- After extensive adjustment for confounders, influenza vaccination is associated with a reduced risk for all-cause and cardiovascular death among patients with heart failure, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in Circulation.
HIT-Related Stress Linked to Burnout Among Physicians
MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Stress related to use of health information technology (HIT) is common and predictive of burnout among physicians, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
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Veterans Health Administration Hospitals Outperform Non-VHAs
MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals outperform non-VHA hospitals for 14 of 15 outcome measures in 121 regions, according to a research letter published online Dec. 11 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Survival Similar With Donor Hearts From Hepatitis C+ Donors
MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Transplant patients with hearts from donors with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and obese donors have similar survival rates as patients with other donor hearts, according to two studies published in the December issue and online Dec. 4 in Circulation: Heart Failure and the Journal of the American Heart Association, respectively.
Abstract/Full Text - Moayedi
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AHA Scientific Statement: Low Risk of Side Effects for Statins
MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Statins are associated with a low risk for side effects, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) published online Dec. 10 in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.
EMS Times Longer for Patients From Poorest Neighborhoods
MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with cardiac arrest from the poorest neighborhoods have longer emergency medical service (EMS) times, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Network Open.
Less Than One Hour of Resistance Training Weekly Tied to Lower CVD Risk
MONDAY, Dec. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Less than an hour a week of resistance exercise (RE) is associated with decreased risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related events and all-cause mortality, independent of aerobic exercise, according to a study recently published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
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Most Insured Patients Not Using Online Portals
FRIDAY, Dec. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly two-thirds of insured adults with a previous health care visit did not use an online patient portal in 2017, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
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Botox Injections Explored to Cut Postop A-Fib in Cardiac Surgery
FRIDAY, Dec. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Intraoperative botulinum toxin (BTX) injections show promise as a way to reduce the risk for postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) following cardiac surgery, according to two studies recently published in Heart Rhythm.
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Patient Education Can Improve Chronic Disease Management
FRIDAY, Dec. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- An educational intervention can improve patients' ability to self-manage their chronic diseases, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
Meds Taken Do Not Vary With ADL Impairment in Heart Failure
FRIDAY, Dec. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- For individuals with heart failure, those with impairment in activities of daily living (ADL) take as many medications as those without ADL impairment, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Pictorial Presentation of Silent Atherosclerosis Helps Cut CV Risk
THURSDAY, Dec. 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Pictorial presentation of silent atherosclerosis contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online Dec. 3 in The Lancet.
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J-Shaped Association for Sleep Duration, CV Events and Death
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- There is a J-shaped association for total daily sleep duration with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in the European Heart Journal.
FDA Warns of Rare Stroke Risk With Multiple Sclerosis Drug
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- A new warning has been added to the multiple sclerosis drug Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) after rare reports of patients suffering strokes and tears in the lining of the arteries in the head and neck, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
Skin Autofluorescence Predicts T2DM, Heart Disease, Mortality
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Skin autofluorescence predicts incident type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality in the general population, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in Diabetologia.
Few Physicians Work in Practices That Use Telemedicine
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Only 15.4 percent of physicians work in practices that use telemedicine for a wide spectrum of patient interactions, with larger practice size being an important correlate of telemedicine use, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
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Migraine With Aura Linked to Increase in Incident A-Fib
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Migraine with aura is associated with an elevated risk for incident atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online Nov. 14 in Neurology.
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Many Patients Withhold Information From Clinicians
TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Many patients intentionally withhold information from clinicians, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Network Open.
HHS Issues Draft Strategy for Reducing Health IT Burden
TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a draft strategy to reduce the health information technology (IT) burden, and the strategy is open for public comment through Jan. 28, 2019.
Marathon Runners Show Markers of Cardiac Strain
TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Running a marathon can increase cardiac strain in amateur runners, according to a research letter published online Dec. 3 in Circulation.
Urate Elevation in Potential Tx for Parkinson's Not Tied to HTN
TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- There is no correlation between urate and blood pressure (BP) in mice or among patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD), according to a study published in the November issue of EBioMedicine.
Younger Patients Account for Increasing Proportion of AMI
TUESDAY, Dec. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The proportion of hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction attributable to young patients increased between 1995 and 2014, especially among women, according to a study published online Nov. 11 in Circulation.
New BP Goals Could Prevent 3 Million CVD Events Over 10 Years
MONDAY, Dec. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Achieving and maintaining 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) blood pressure (BP) goals could prevent a greater number of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events than achieving prior U.S. guideline goals, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in Circulation.