Acute Coronary Syndromes

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is most commonly caused by a heart attack (myocardial infarction) where blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. This is usually caused by a blood clot from a ruptured coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque. Other causes include spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which most commonly occurs in women. ACS is usually treated in a cath lab with angioplasty and the placement of a stent to prop the vessel open.

Artificial sweeteners may be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to new research published in The BMJ. Aspartame intake was linked to a greater risk of cerebrovascular events and acesulfame potassium and sucralose were linked to a greater risk of coronary heart disease.

Aspartame, other artificial sweeteners linked to significant heart problems

These findings, researchers wrote, suggest that artificial sweeteners "should not be considered a healthy and safe alternative to sugar."

September 8, 2022
A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago.

TAVR patients with CAD face a greater risk of death—is PCI the answer?

All-cause mortality after five years is much more likely if a TAVR patient presents with CAD, according to a new analysis published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

September 2, 2022

Religion and spirituality linked to better heart health among Black Americans

“Religiosity and spirituality may serve as buffers to stress and have therapeutic effects," according to one Mayo Clinic cardiologist involved in the study. 

September 2, 2022
Erin D. Michos, MD, associate director of preventive cardiology, division of cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and co-editor in chief of the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, discusses gender differences in heart disease presentations. Woman Heart Attack

How AI can boost care for female heart attack patients

Researchers used data from more than 420,000 patients to develop a new AI-powered risk score that could help women receive much better care. 

August 31, 2022
The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association have collaborated on a new update to the much-discussed 2021 chest pain guidelines. The American College of Emergency Physicians and Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions also contributed to the document.

ACC, AHA work to standardize the way cardiologists and their colleagues talk about chest pain

The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association have collaborated on a new update to the much-discussed 2021 chest pain guidelines. The American College of Emergency Physicians and Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions also contributed to the document.

August 30, 2022
Meds Drugs Pharma

Dual antiplatelet therapy after CABG linked to a key benefit—and a key risk

A two-medication strategy after CABG surgery reduces the risk that grafts will fail, but it also increases the risk of serious bleeding. As one surgeon said, "the benefit comes at a price.”

August 29, 2022
Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, director of Mount Sinai Heart and general director of the Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research.

Polypill strategy improves odds of survival after a heart attack

The new findings, presented during ESC Congress 2022 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that prescribing these new-look pills to heart patients could boost outcomes while also improving medication adherence.

August 26, 2022
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has finalized its new recommendations on the use of statins to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in August 2022. The USPSTF recommends statin use for high-risk patients between the ages of 40 to 75 to help prevent a first heart attack or stroke. This received the group’s “B” recommendation, which means there is high certainty that there is net benefit. #statins

USPSTF highlights the benefits of statin use among high-risk CVD patients in new recommendations

The USPSTF recommends statin use for high-risk patients between the ages of 40 to 75 to help prevent a first heart attack or stroke. Other patients in that same age group may also benefit, the group noted, but physician input is needed. 

August 25, 2022

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

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