Research addressing a wide array of topics ranging from the prevalence (or lack thereof) of flu vaccines among cardiovascular disease patients, to the impacts of prediabetes on cardiovascular disease risk, will be presented as part of the poster and oral abstract presentations during ACC.21. The following is a round-up of some of the consumer research highlights making news headlines around the world:

Flu Shots and Cardiovascular Disease:While patients with cardiovascular disease are more likely to become seriously ill from the flu and other respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, a study using data from the 2018-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found only half of Americans with a history of cardiovascular disease or stroke report getting an annual flu shot. Rates of vaccination were even lower among Blacks and Hispanics. "We need more research to better understand vaccine reluctance, inequities in access to vaccines as well as the value of seeking out community partnerships to improve vaccinations across the board," said Varayini Pankayatselvan, MD, the study's lead author. Access ACC clinician and patient tools related to the flu vaccine, here.

Prediabetes and Risk of Cardiac Events: People with prediabetes may be more likely to suffer a myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or other major cardiovascular event when compared with those who had normal blood sugar levels. The study looked at 25,829 patients who were split into either the prediabetes (n=12,691) or control group (n=13,138) based on at least two A1C levels five years apart; the control group included patients who maintained a normal hemoglobin A1C during the study. Serious cardiovascular events occurred in 18% of people with prediabetes compared with 11% of people in the control group over a median of five years follow-up. The relationship between higher blood sugar levels and cardiovascular events remained significant even after taking into account other factors that could play a role, such as age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep apnea, smoking and peripheral artery disease, researcher said. "Based on our data, having prediabetes nearly doubled the chance of a major adverse cardiovascular event," said Adrian Michel, MD, the study's lead author. CardioSmart patient tools addressing diabetes and heart health can be accessed here. Learn more about reducing cardiovascular risk in diabetes with clinician education tools.

CV Risk and Sleep: People who clocked six to seven hours of sleep a night had the lowest chance of dying from a MI or stroke when compared with those who got less or more sleep, according to a study of 14,079 participants in the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In addition to grouping patients by their amount of sleep per night, researchers assessed participants' atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk scores and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). "Participants who sleep less or more than six to seven hours have higher ASCVD risk scores, which is likely driven by heightened inflammation as measured by CRP, which was found to be higher among those who had less or more sleep," said Kartik Gupta, MD, the study's lead author. "Sleep is often overlooked as something that may play a role in cardiovascular disease, and it may be among the most cost-effective ways to lower cardiovascular risk."

Secondhand Smoke and HF: Breathing in secondhand cigarette smoke may leave individuals more vulnerable to heart failure (HF), according to an analysis of 11,219 participants from the U.S. Third National Health and Nutrition Examination survey who reported being nonsmokers. Data showed that nonsmokers with recent exposure to secondhand smoke had a 35% increased odds of developing HF vs. those who hadn't been around tobacco. The association of secondhand smoke and HF was stronger in men (compared with women) and among those who had reported a prior MI or stroke. The findings were similar across other subgroups, including different ethnic/racial groups and individuals with obesity and diabetes. According to Travis Skipina, MD, the study's lead author, the findings are a reminder for people who have HF or are at high risk of developing it that "they should be aware that secondhand smoke exposure may play a role." Find tobacco-related patient education resources on CardioSmart.

Reducing Time to PCI Using an App: Patients suffering a MI received PCI an average of 10 minutes faster after clinicians and paramedics began using an app to facilitate efficient hospital intakes for these patients, according to a study conducted at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA. Before adopting the app, clinicians typically only had about five minutes of advance notice when a MI patient was en route, even if the patient had traveled a long distance. The app allowed clinicians to begin coordinating with paramedics much earlier, helping teams prepare for rapid response upon arrival. "Now everybody who is taking care of a patient is able to communicate on one platform much earlier, even when the paramedic is still in the patient's home," said Alina Capatina, MSN, the study's lead author. "This lets us mobilize the cardiology team a lot quicker, which means we can be with the patient much faster."

HTN and Other Meds: Nearly one in five adults with hypertension are also taking a medicine that could be elevating their blood pressure, according to new research underscoring the need for patients to routinely review all of the medications they take with their care team. Based on the study findings, the three most common classes of medications were antidepressants; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; and oral steroids used to treat conditions such as gout, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or after an organ transplant. These medications were reported by 9%, 7% and 2% of participants, respectively. Other medications associated with blood pressure elevation included antipsychotics, certain oral contraceptives, and popular decongestants. In some cases, rather than treating high blood pressure with more medications, there may be opportunities to lower blood pressure by deprescribing or substituting safer medications, noted John Vitarello, MD, the study's lead author. Visit ACC's High Blood Pressure Guideline Hub for clinician and patient resources.

Gender Differences in MI Care:Among younger adults visiting the emergency department for chest pain, women were triaged less urgently, waited longer to be seen, and were less likely to undergo basic tests or be hospitalized or admitted for observation to diagnose a MI, according to new research examining emergency room management of chest pain. Researchers found that women reporting chest pain were equally likely to arrive at the hospital by ambulance but significantly less likely than men to be triaged as emergent. On average, women waited about 11 minutes longer to be evaluated by a clinician. Women were also significantly less likely to undergo an electrocardiogram or to receive cardiac monitoring or be seen by a cardiologist. "We need to continue to raise awareness and make sure all patients are diagnosed and treated properly, even if they're not the 'classic' demographic for a [MI]. [This knowledge] will help us improve care for all," said Darcy Banco, MD, the study's lead author.

Mental Health and Recovery After MI: Young and middle-aged adults who reported severe psychological distress – such as depression or anxiety – after suffering a MI were more than twice as likely to suffer a second cardiac event within five years compared with those experiencing only mild distress. Researchers analyzed health outcomes in 283 MI survivors between the ages of 18 and 61, with an average age of 51 years. Within five years after their MI, 80 of the 283 patients suffered a subsequent MI or stroke, were hospitalized for HF or died from cardiovascular causes. These outcomes occurred in nearly half (47%) of patients experiencing high distress compared to 22% of those experiencing mild distress. "Our findings suggest that cardiologists should consider the value of regular psychological assessments, especially among younger patients," said Mariana Garcia, MD, the study's lead author. "Equally importantly, they should explore treatment modalities for ameliorating psychological distress in young patients after a MI, such as meditation, relaxation techniques and holistic approaches, in addition to traditional medical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation." Access CardioSmart resources on managing stress here.

Alcohol and the Heart: Moderate alcohol intake – defined as no more than one alcoholic drink for women and two for men per day – may be associated with a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease when compared with individuals who abstain from drinking or partake in excessive drinking, according to a new study. Of the 53,064 participants, 7,905 (15%) experienced a major adverse cardiovascular event: 17% in the low alcohol intake group and 13% in the moderate alcohol intake group. People who reported moderate alcohol intake were found to have a 20% lower chance of having a major event compared to low alcohol intake (in adjusted analysis), and also had lower stress-related brain activity. Kenechukwu Mezue, MD, the study's lead author, cautions that these findings should not encourage alcohol use, but that they could open doors to new therapeutics or prescribing stress-relieving activities like exercise or yoga to help minimize stress signals in the brain.

At CCC - Mount Sinai, we are always here to discuss these topics and how they might pertain to your individual situation.  To schedule a one-on-one appointment, please call our offices at 201499.7361.  We're so happy to help you.

*Original article appeared in ACC.org: May 6, 2021

Ashutosh K. Tewari, MD, chairman, Milton and Carroll Petrie Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine, director, Department of Urology, Mount Sinai, discusses the potential benefits of a mobile MRI unit in prostate cancer.

New Jersey Cardiologists ask: Do you know the symptoms of a heart attack? Many people don't. Many believe what they've seen of people having a heart attack on TV and in movies.

There is a connection between vein disease and heart disease, because both are considered cardiovascular disorders, and both are part of the circulatory system. The heart pumps oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood through the arteries to your organs and extremities, and then the veins convey the de-oxygenated blood and waste materials back to the heart and lungs for replenishment. Because the whole circulatory system is connected, there is a connection between disorders of the veins and disorders of the arteries and heart.

Vein disease occurs as the result of many different factors. Some, like gender (women are more likely to have vein disease than men), age (men and women over the age of 50 are at higher risk than those under that age), and genetics (you are more likely to have vein disease if your parents or grandparents had it) are outside your control. However, NJ vascular specialists want you to know that other important risk factors for developing serious vein disease are within your control, and you can take proactive steps to reduce your risk, and thus to some extent prevent vein disease.

Among women who had a hypertensive disorder during pregnancy, high blood pressure in the immediate postpartum period predicted higher risk for chronic hypertension later on, researchers found.

Patients who had elevated blood pressure in the first 6 weeks postpartum (mean of 124/81 mm Hg vs 117/75 mm Hg in the normotensive group) were highly likely to develop chronic hypertension later on, according to Eesha Dave, MD, of the Magee-Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh, and colleagues.

Half of the 368 women in the analysis were still hypertensive at follow-up a mean of 12.9 months after delivery.

Additionally, patients whose blood pressure declined more slowly in the early postpartum period had a greater chance of developing persistent hypertension, Dave reported in a presentation at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine annual meeting.

"In our study, blood pressure trajectories in the first 6 weeks postpartum distinguished women with persistent hypertension at 6 to 18 months," Dave said. "This may help us better identify women at risk for future chronic hypertension and cardiovascular disease in the more proximal postpartum period, which may in turn allow for early interventions during this time."

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, affect 10%-20% of expecting mothers, Dave stated. These conditions are risk factors for later cardiovascular illness: chronic hypertension can develop 2 to 7 years after delivery.

Dave and colleagues conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate whether blood pressure patterns in the early postpartum period differed for mothers who developed persistent hypertension later on. The researchers compared blood pressure measurements and demographics by whether or not women had persistent hypertension, which was defined as a systolic blood pressure of more than 130 mm Hg, a diastolic blood pressure of more than 80 mm Hg, or anti-hypertensive medication use.

Researchers obtained blood pressure data collected by patients at home through a smartphone app, as part of a remote monitoring program. Women were subsequently followed for 6 to 18 months.

All study participants were recruited from a single tertiary care center, were diagnosed with a hypertensive disorder during pregnancy, and delivered a baby from February 2018 to June 2019. Participants were excluded if they had pre-pregnancy hypertension, reported fewer than two blood pressure measurements during the program, or had no available blood pressure data in long-term follow up.

Patients who were hypertensive at follow-up had a higher pre-pregnancy BMI. There were no differences in blood pressure by race, insurance status, maternal age, or type of hypertensive disorder at pregnancy.

Despite entering prenatal care with similar blood pressure measurements, women who had higher blood pressure in the 6 weeks after childbirth were more likely to develop persistent hypertension.

In a sensitivity analysis of women who were overweight or obese, a higher blood pressure in the immediate postpartum period was associated with persistent hypertension.

Dave acknowledged that this research was limited by the fact that blood pressure measurements were self-reported, analysis was limited to patients with long-term follow-up only, and the follow-up period was only 6 to 18 months postpartum.

• Amanda D'Ambrosio is a reporter on MedPage Today’s enterprise & investigative team. She covers obstetrics-gynecology and other clinical news, and writes features about the U.S. healthcare system. Follow

Disclosures

This study received funding from the Office of Research on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health.

Dave and colleagues did not disclose any relevant relationships with industry.

Note: Written by Amanda D'Ambrosio, Enterprise & Investigative Writer, MedPage Today 

Cholesterol drugs taken by around eight million Britons could slash the risk of death from coronavirus, a new study has claimed.

Statins, taken to reduce 'bad' blood cholesterol, were found to cut mortality by 43 per cent compared to non-statin users.   

The British Heart Foundation says that statins are typically prescribed more than 70 million times a year. 

Now, a team has analysed 12 studies on the drug's effectiveness, which looked at 110,078 patients who died of coronavirus.

They found that giving statins to patients in hospital at the early stages of Covid infection cut the mortality rate by close to half.  

The tablets are taken once a day and come in brands including Lipitor, Lescol and Crestor. 

They are proven to help protect cholesterol sufferers from heart attacks and strokes. 

However, there is much debate over them, with side effects including weight gain, muscle pain and liver damage.  

Several studies have also been carried out to asses their effectiveness at battling Covid - with many drawing vastly different conclusions. 

The new study, however, saw a team from the Yale School of Public Health review all prior research, amounting to 12 studies of more than 100,000 Covid deaths. 

They found that people who took statins before contracting coronavirus were not protected by the drug. 

However, those who started taking them in hospital while in the early stages of the virus did see their risk of death fall by 43 per cent.

Those who took statins after getting seriously ill did not see the same fall in mortality.  

Lead author Dr Lori Daniels said: 'We found that statins are not only safe but potentially protective against a severe Covid-19 infection.

'Statins specifically may inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection through its known anti-inflammatory effects and binding capabilities as that could potentially stop progression of the virus.'   

Despite the positive outlook of the study, other research has come to a much different conclusion on the effectiveness of statins to battle Covid.

A study from France found in November that patients with both type 2 diabetes and Covid had a higher risk of death if they were already taking statins.

Around 12.8 per cent died in a week and 23.9 per cent within a month. 

This compared with 9.8 per cent and 18.2 per cent, respectively, in the non-statin group.

The authors of the study concluded that their findings 'did not support' the role of statins as a preventive measure in these people.

*NOTE: Article written by DANYAL HUSSAIN FOR MAILONLINE PUBLISHED in the DailyMail: 13:45 EDT, 12 February 2021 | UPDATED: 17:10 EDT, 12 February 2021

Do you know the symptoms of vein disease? Most people don't – if asked, they often scratch their heads, think for a moment, and then say, "Varicose veins." And that answer is correct in that it describes one symptom of vein disease, but there are other symptoms that people experience, but don't what they are symptoms of,  

Do you know what a FAQ is? It's an acronym for Frequently Asked Question, and one of the questions that is asked of us most often at our NJ heart and vein treatment center has to do with whether there is a connection between vein health and heart health. Well, there IS a connection, because both aspects of health deal with your circulatory system, and its good health depends on the proper functioning of your heart, veins, and arteries, all of them working together to convey nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to your body. Because all of these parts of the circulatory system are interconnected, it follows that all conditions that affect the cardiovascular system are related.