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Cardiovascular Disease

All articles tagged with #cardiovascular disease

AHA Warns 60% of US Women Could Have Heart Disease by 2050
health9 hours ago

AHA Warns 60% of US Women Could Have Heart Disease by 2050

The American Heart Association projects that by 2050 up to about 60% of US women could have cardiovascular disease, driven by rising high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes, with greater increases among younger women and women of color; while cholesterol levels may improve and prevention efforts could reduce the burden, the overall trend signals a cardiovascular health crisis for women that requires stronger prevention and policy actions.

Women’s heart risk rises at lower plaque levels, study shows
health2 days ago

Women’s heart risk rises at lower plaque levels, study shows

A Circulation study of ~4,200 adults undergoing coronary CT angiography finds that women have lower total plaque but a higher risk at lower plaque burdens than men, with risk beginning around 20% plaque in women versus 28% in men and rising more steeply as plaque increases. The findings highlight non-obstructive disease and the need for sex-specific risk assessment and broader use of quantitative plaque analysis for early, personalized prevention in women.

Aging Men Lose the Y Chromosome—and Health Risks Rise
science4 days ago

Aging Men Lose the Y Chromosome—and Health Risks Rise

As men age, many cells lose the Y chromosome, creating a mosaic of Y-bearing and Y-less cells. Loss frequency climbs with age (roughly 40% at age 60 and 57% by age 90) and is linked to higher risks of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and even mortality in some studies, though causation isn’t proven. Environmental factors like smoking and genetic susceptibility influence Y loss. Some animal studies suggest Y deficiency can accelerate age-related pathology, and the Y’s regulatory and non-coding genes may impact gene expression and immune function, indicating the Y chromosome has functional roles beyond sex determination that merit further investigation.

Aging Men Lose Y Chromosome, Linked to Health Risks
health9 days ago

Aging Men Lose Y Chromosome, Linked to Health Risks

New research shows that the Y chromosome is frequently lost in aging men’s cells, with about 40% of 60-year-olds and 57% of 90-year-olds showing Y loss. This mosaic loss is linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer, prompting speculation that Y loss could contribute to shorter lifespans. However, causality is not established, and scientists are still unraveling the mechanisms and whether the Y loss is a cause or a consequence of disease.

Salt at the Table Linked to Shorter Life, Study Finds
health11 days ago

Salt at the Table Linked to Shorter Life, Study Finds

New research links adding salt to prepared foods with shorter life expectancy (about 1.5 years shorter for women and 2.28 years for men), while potassium-rich foods may mitigate some risk. Other studies tie high salt intake to higher diabetes risk, and lowering sodium can improve blood pressure and memory in some cases. The American Heart Association advises aiming for 1,500 mg or less of sodium per day (no more than 2,300 mg). Since much sodium comes from packaged foods, reading labels and flavoring with herbs is recommended; common high-sodium items include bread, pizza, poultry, dressings, and canned/frozen meals. Those with heart-disease risk should be especially vigilant.

Night Owls Linked to Higher Heart Risk, Largely Driven by Lifestyle
health17 days ago

Night Owls Linked to Higher Heart Risk, Largely Driven by Lifestyle

A UK Biobank study of over 322,000 adults followed for ~14 years finds definite evening chronotypes (night owls) have worse cardiovascular health and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke than intermediate sleepers, with about three-quarters of the excess risk explained by lifestyle factors such as smoking, sleep quality, physical activity, and diet; biology and genetics linked to circadian rhythms may also play a role, and the study notes potential sex differences. For night owls, improving sleep, quitting smoking, exercising, and healthier eating could help reduce risk, though more research is needed.

Night Owls Face Higher Heart Risk, But Health Habits Can Keep You Safe
health20 days ago

Night Owls Face Higher Heart Risk, But Health Habits Can Keep You Safe

A UK Biobank study of about 323,000 adults found night owls have a 16% higher risk of heart attack or stroke than early birds; most of this link is tied to modifiable lifestyle factors and circadian misalignment, suggesting that aligning sleep, meals, and activity with a later schedule and following Life’s Essential 8 can mitigate risk without forcing an early bedtime.

Most statin side effects lack evidence, major meta-analysis finds
health20 days ago

Most statin side effects lack evidence, major meta-analysis finds

A Lancet meta-analysis of 19 large randomized trials (over 122,000 participants) finds that most reported statin side effects are not supported by reliable evidence, with real adverse effects being rare (about 1% muscle symptoms; rare rhabdomyolysis; small increases in liver tests and glucose for those near diabetes thresholds). The benefits remain substantial: roughly 25% lower risk of heart attack or stroke and meaningful LDL reductions, with inexpensive generic options (~$40/year). Updated PREVENT-based risk estimates could expand who should start statins, underscoring that fears of side effects should not unduly deter appropriate preventive therapy.

Lancet review finds statins far safer than warnings suggest
health20 days ago

Lancet review finds statins far safer than warnings suggest

A Lancet study reviewing trials of statins (over 120,000 participants) finds side effects are rare and not caused by statins, with minimal liver impact and only rare muscle or blood-sugar issues. The findings support updating patient leaflets, emphasize that statins significantly reduce LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk, and reinforce their role in preventing heart attacks and strokes.

Why Do Men Develop Heart Disease Earlier? New Study Reveals a Seven-Year Gap
health21 days ago

Why Do Men Develop Heart Disease Earlier? New Study Reveals a Seven-Year Gap

A large analysis of the CARDIA study followed more than 5,000 adults for up to 30 years and found that men develop cardiovascular disease about seven years earlier than women, with the biggest gap in coronary heart disease (roughly a decade earlier). Stroke and heart failure occur at similar ages between sexes. The gap persists even after adjusting for common risk factors, suggesting additional biological or social factors may contribute. The findings support earlier heart-health screening for men in their 30s while recognizing that women's risk remains high, especially after menopause, and the study has limitations inherent to observational research.

Night Owls Face Higher Heart Risk, Study Finds
health21 days ago

Night Owls Face Higher Heart Risk, Study Finds

A 14-year study of about 323,000 adults (39–74) found self-described night owls have a 16% higher risk of heart attack or stroke than definite morning types. The excess risk was largely explained by modifiable factors—poorer diet, higher nicotine use, poor sleep, less exercise, higher weight, and elevated blood sugar—and once adjusted for these, the association largely disappeared. The study underscores the importance of good sleep and heart-healthy habits, and may guide personalized sleep and lifestyle interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Mid-30s mark for men's heart risk—earlier than women, study finds
health23 days ago

Mid-30s mark for men's heart risk—earlier than women, study finds

A long-term study of over 5,000 adults finds men reach clinically significant cardiovascular disease around age 35—about seven years earlier than women—especially for coronary heart disease, with risk diverging in the mid-30s and not fully explained by traditional factors; experts urge earlier, regular heart-health screening for both sexes and preventive habits, noting risk for women can rise after menopause.

Night Owls May Face Higher Heart Health Risks, Study Finds
health27 days ago

Night Owls May Face Higher Heart Health Risks, Study Finds

A large UK Biobank study of over 322,000 adults found that people who identify as evening types (night owls) have poorer overall cardiovascular health and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke, with the strongest association seen in women. Using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 to measure heart health, researchers note that irregular sleep timing and related habits contribute to risk, but emphasize that risk can be mitigated by improving sleep, avoiding smoking, staying active, and maintaining routine morning light exposure and regular health checks.

Men’s mid-30s risk rise prompts call for earlier heart-health checks
health28 days ago

Men’s mid-30s risk rise prompts call for earlier heart-health checks

A long-running CARDIA study tracking more than 5,100 adults from young adulthood to 2020 finds men’s cardiovascular disease risk begins to diverge from women around age 35, with coronary heart disease developing earlier in men and the gap persisting despite similar traditional risk factors. The study suggests starting prevention and screening earlier in adulthood, potentially using tools like the AHA PREVENT equations that begin at age 30, while noting preventive care uptake remains lower for men aged 18–44.