Associations between hysterectomy and metabolic syndrome: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is linked to an increased risk of incident cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Notable associations exist between hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and metabolic syndrome. However, there is emerging evidence that even with ovarian conservation, hysterectomy may be independently associated with long-term cardiovascular disease risk. OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between hysterectomy with ovarian preservation and metabolic syndrome risk in a multiethnic cohort. STUDY DESIGN: We studied 3367 female participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis who had data on self-reported history of hysterectomy, oophorectomy, hystero-oophorectomy, and metabolic syndrome at baseline (2000-2002). We used adjusted logistic regression to assess the cross-sectional associations between hysterectomy and or oophorectomy subgroups and prevalent metabolic syndrome at baseline. Furthermore, we investigated 1355 participants free of baseline metabolic syndrome and used adjusted Cox regression models to evaluate incident metabolic syndrome from examinations 2 (2002-2004) to 6 (2016-2018). RESULTS: The mean age was 59.0±9.5 years, with 42% White, 27% Black, 19% Hispanic, and 13% Chinese American participants. 29% and 22% had a history of hysterectomy and oophorectomy, respectively. Over a median follow-up of 10.5 (3.01-17.62) years, there were 750 metabolic syndrome events. Hysterectomy (hazard ratio, 1.32 [95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.73]) and hystero-oophorectomy (hazard ratio, 1.40 [95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.74]) were both associated with incident metabolic syndrome compared with having neither hysterectomy nor oophorectomy. CONCLUSION: Hysterectomy, even with ovarian preservation, may be independently associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. If other studies confirm these findings, screening and preventive strategies focused on females with ovary-sparing hysterectomies and the mechanisms underpinning these associations may be explored.

Effect of Isocaloric, Time-Restricted Eating on Body Weight in Adults With Obesity : A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Time-restricted eating (TRE) lowers body weight in many studies. Whether TRE induces weight loss independent of reductions in calorie intake, as seen in rodent studies, is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of TRE versus a usual eating pattern (UEP) on body weight in the setting of stable caloric intake. DESIGN: Randomized, isocaloric feeding study. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03527368). SETTING: Clinical research unit. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with obesity and prediabetes or diet-controlled diabetes. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to TRE (10-hour eating window, 80% of calories before 1 p.m.) or UEP (≤16-hour window, ≥50% of calories after 5 p.m.) for 12 weeks. Both groups had the same nutrient content and were isocaloric with total calories determined at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome was change in body weight at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes were fasting glucose, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glucose area under the curve by oral glucose tolerance test, and glycated albumin. We used linear mixed models to evaluate the effect of interventions on outcomes. RESULTS: All 41 randomly assigned participants (mean age, 59 years; 93% women; 93% Black race; mean BMI, 36 kg/m2) completed the intervention. Baseline weight was 95.6 kg (95% CI, 89.6 to 101.6 kg) in the TRE group and 103.7 kg (CI, 95.3 to 112.0 kg) in the UEP group. At 12 weeks, weight decreased by 2.3 kg (CI, 1.0 to 3.5 kg) in the TRE group and by 2.6 kg (CI, 1.5 to 3.7 kg) in the UEP group (average difference TRE vs. UEP, 0.3 kg [CI, -1.2 to 1.9 kg]). Change in glycemic measures did not differ between groups. LIMITATION: Small, single-site study; baseline differences in weight by group. CONCLUSION: In the setting of isocaloric eating, TRE did not decrease weight or improve glucose homeostasis relative to a UEP, suggesting that any effects of TRE on weight in prior studies may be due to reductions in caloric intake. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: American Heart Association.

Shared Decision-Making in Cardiovascular Risk Factor Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: The effect of shared decision-making (SDM) and the extent of its use in interventions to improve cardiovascular risk remain unclear. Objective: To assess the extent to which SDM is used in interventions aimed to enhance the management of cardiovascular risk factors and to explore the association of SDM with decisional outcomes, cardiovascular risk factors, and health behaviors. Data Sources: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, a literature search was conducted in the Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for articles published from inception to June 24, 2022, without language restrictions. Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing SDM-based interventions with standard of care for cardiovascular risk factor management were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: The systematic search resulted in 9365 references. Duplicates were removed, and 2 independent reviewers screened the trials (title, abstract, and full text) and extracted data. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Main Outcomes and Measures: Decisional outcomes, cardiovascular risk factor outcomes, and health behavioral outcomes. Results: This review included 57 RCTs with 88 578 patients and 1341 clinicians. A total of 59 articles were included, as 2 RCTs were reported twice. Nearly half of the studies (29 [49.2%]) tested interventions that targeted both patients and clinicians, and an equal number (29 [49.2%]) exclusively focused on patients. More than half (32 [54.2%]) focused on diabetes management, and one-quarter focused on multiple cardiovascular risk factors (14 [23.7%]). Most studies (35 [59.3%]) assessed cardiovascular risk factors and health behaviors as well as decisional outcomes. The quality of studies reviewed was low to fair. The SDM intervention was associated with a decrease of 4.21 points (95% CI, -8.21 to -0.21) in Decisional Conflict Scale scores (9 trials; I2 = 85.6%) and a decrease of 0.20% (95% CI, -0.39% to -0.01%) in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (18 trials; I2 = 84.2%). Conclusions and Relevance: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of the current state of research on SDM interventions for cardiovascular risk management, there was a slight reduction in decisional conflict and an improvement in HbA1c levels with substantial heterogeneity. High-quality studies are needed to inform the use of SDM to improve cardiovascular risk management.

Heterogeneity in the Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors by Ethnicity and Birthplace Among Asian Subgroups: Evidence From the 2010 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey.

BACKGROUND: Asian people in the United States have different sociodemographic and health-related characteristics that might affect cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by ethnicity and birthplace. However, they are often studied as a monolithic group in health care research. This study aimed to examine heterogeneity in CVD risk factors on the basis of birthplace among the 3 largest Asian subgroups (Chinese, Asian Indian, and Filipino) compared with US-born non-Hispanic White (NHW) adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the 2010 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey data from 125 008 US-born and foreign-born Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, and US-born NHW adults. Generalized linear models with Poisson distribution were used to examine the prevalence and prevalence ratios of self-reported hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, smoking, and overweight/obesity among Asian subgroups compared with US-born NHW adults. The study included 118 979 US-born NHW and 6029 Asian adults who self-identified as Chinese (29%), Asian Indian (33%), and Filipino (38%). Participants' mean (±SD) age was 49±0.1 years, and 53% were females. In an adjusted analysis, foreign-born Asian Indians had significantly higher prevalence of diabetes, physical inactivity, and overweight/obesity; foreign-born Chinese had higher prevalence of physical inactivity, and foreign-born Filipinos had higher prevalence of all 5 CVD risk factors except smoking compared with NHW adults. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed significant heterogeneity in the prevalence of CVD risk factors among Asian subgroups by ethnicity and birthplace, stressing the necessity of disaggregating Asian subgroup data. Providers should consider this heterogeneity in CVD risk factors and establish tailored CVD prevention plans for Asian subgroups.

African Immigrants' perceptions and attitudes toward cardiovascular health.

AIM: To explore perceptions and attitudes of African immigrants (Ghanaians, Nigerians, Liberians, and Sierra Leoneans) in the Baltimore-Washington, DC, metropolitan area toward cardiovascular health. METHODS: This was a qualitative study among African immigrants recruited from religious and community-based organizations in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. A purposive sample of 66 African immigrants originally from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone completed a sociodemographic survey and participated in focus group discussions. Focus group data were analysed using qualitative description to develop emergent themes. RESULTS: A total of 66 African immigrants with a mean (±standard deviation) age of 51 (±11.8) years participated in the focus group discussions. Fifty percent were women, 91% had at least a bachelor's degree, 84% were employed, 80% had health insurance, and 75% were married/cohabitating. The majority of the participants (74%) had lived in the US for 10 years or more, 44% of them had hypertension, and 12% had diabetes. Findings from the focus group discussions revealed: gender differences in descriptions of cardiovascular health and healthiness, an emotional response associated with cardiovascular disease (evoking fear and anxiety and associated with family secrecy), positive and negative lifestyle changes after migration, cardiovascular screening behaviours, and facilitators and barriers to cardiovascular disease prevention practices and heart-healthy lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Participants understood health to be a holistic state of well-being. Secrecy in disclosing their cardiovascular disease diagnoses informed by historical socio-cultural belief systems, perceived racial discrimination by healthcare providers, communication and health literacy barriers, economic barriers of holding multiple jobs and the exorbitant cost of heart-healthy foods were identified as some barriers to achieving optimal cardiovascular health in this immigrant population. IMPACT: Our study expanded on the body of knowledge on African immigrants' perceptions and attitudes toward cardiovascular health. Addressing this knowledge gap will provide important intervention opportunities targeted at improving cardiovascular health outcomes in this population. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Financial strain is associated with poorer cardiovascular health: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

Objective: Psychosocial stress is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The relationship between financial strain, a toxic form of psychosocial stress, and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) is not well established. We examined whether financial strain was associated with poorer CVH in a multi-ethnic cohort free of CVD at baseline. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of 6,453 adults aged 45-84 years from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Financial strain was assessed by questionnaire and responses were categorized as yes or no. CVH was measured from 7 metrics (smoking, body mass index, physical activity, diet, total cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure). A CVH score of 14 was calculated by assigning points to the categories of each metric (poor = 0 points, intermediate = 1 point, ideal = 2 points). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association of financial strain with the CVH score (inadequate 0-8, average 9-10, and optimal 11-14 points) adjusting for sociodemographic factors, depression and anxiety. Results: The mean age (SD) was 62 (10) and 53 % were women. Financial strain was reported by 25 % of participants. Participants who reported financial strain had lower odds of average (OR, 0.82 [95 % CI, 0.71, 0.94]) and optimal (0.73 [0.62, 0.87]) CVH scores. However, in the fully adjusted model, the association was only significant for optimal CVH scores (0.81, [0.68, 0.97]). Conclusion: Financial strain was associated with poorer CVH. More research is needed to understand this relationship so the burden of CVD can be decreased, particularly among people experiencing financial hardship.

Association Between the Composite Cardiovascular Risk and mHealth Use Among Adults in the 2017-2020 Health Information National Trends Survey: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have suggested that the relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and the usage of mobile health (mHealth) technology may vary depending on the total number of CVD risk factors present. However, whether higher CVD risk is associated with a greater likelihood of engaging in specific mHealth use among US adults is currently unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aim to assess the associations between the composite CVD risk and each component of mHealth use among US adults regardless of whether they have a history of CVD or not. METHODS: This study used cross-sectional data from the 2017 to 2020 Health Information National Trends Survey. The exposure was CVD risk (diabetes, hypertension, smoking, physical inactivity, and overweight or obesity). We defined low, moderate, and high CVD risk as having 0-1, 2-3, and 4-5 CVD risk factors, respectively. The outcome variables of interest were each component of mHealth use, including using mHealth to make health decisions, track health progress, share health information, and discuss health decisions with health providers. We used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between CVD risk and mHealth use adjusted for demographic factors. RESULTS: We included 10,531 adults, with a mean age of 54 (SD 16.2) years. Among the included participants, 50.2% were men, 65.4% were non-Hispanic White, 41.9% used mHealth to make health decisions, 50.8% used mHealth to track health progress toward a health-related goal, 18.3% used mHealth to share health information with health providers, and 37.7% used mHealth to discuss health decisions with health providers (all are weighted percentages). Adults with moderate CVD risk were more likely to use mHealth to share health information with health providers (adjusted odds ratio 1.49, 95% CI 1.24-1.80) and discuss health decisions with health providers (1.22, 95% CI 1.04-1.44) compared to those with low CVD risk. Similarly, having high CVD risk was associated with higher odds of using mHealth to share health information with health providers (2.61, 95% CI 1.93-3.54) and discuss health decisions with health providers (1.56, 95% CI 1.17-2.10) compared to those with low CVD risk. Upon stratifying by age and gender, we observed age and gender disparities in the relationship between CVD risk and the usage of mHealth to discuss health decisions with health providers. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with a greater number of CVD risk factors were more likely to use mHealth to share health information with health providers and discuss health decisions with health providers. These findings suggest a promising avenue for enhancing health care communication and advancing both primary and secondary prevention efforts related to managing CVD risk factors through the effective usage of mHealth technology.

Advancing Cardiovascular Health Equity Globally Through Digital Technologies.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Digital health technologies are important public health interventions for addressing the burden of cardiovascular disease. In this article, we discuss the importance of translating digital innovations in research-funded projects to low-resource settings globally to advance global cardiovascular health equity. We also discuss current global cardiovascular health inequities and the digital health divide within and between countries. We present various considerations for translating digital innovations across different settings across the globe, including reciprocal innovation, a "bidirectional, co-constituted, and iterative exchange of ideas, resources, and innovations to address shared health challenges across diverse global settings." In this case, afferent reciprocal innovations may flow from high-income countries toward low- and middle-income countries, and efferent reciprocal innovations may be exported to high-income countries from low- and middle-income countries with adaptation. Finally, we discuss opportunities for bidirectional learning between local and global institutions and highlight examples of projects funded through the American Heart Association Health and Innovation Strategically Funded Research Network that have been adapted to lower-resource settings or have the potential to be adapted to lower-resource settings.

Comparison of Home and Office Blood Pressure Devices in the Clinical Setting.

BACKGROUND: Self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring is increasingly used for remote hypertension management, but the real-world performance of home blood pressure (BP) devices is unknown. We examined BP measurements from patients' home devices using the American Medical Association's (AMA) SMBP Device Accuracy Test tool. METHODS: Patients at a single internal medicine clinic underwent up to five seated, same-arm BP readings using a home device and an automated BP device (Omron HEM-907XL). Following the AMA's three-step protocol, we used the patient's home device for the first, second, and fourth measurements and the office device for the third and fifth (if needed) measurements. Device agreement failure was defined as an absolute difference in systolic BP >10 mm Hg between the home and office devices in either of two confirmatory steps. Performance was examined by brand (Omron vs. non-Omron). Moreover, we examined patient factors associated with agreement failure via logistic regression models adjusted for demographic characteristics. RESULTS: We evaluated 152 patients (mean age 60 ±â€…15 years, 58% women, 31% Black) seen between October 2020 and November 2021. Device agreement failure occurred in 22.4% (95% CI: 16.4%, 29.7%) of devices tested, including 19.1% among Omron devices and 27.6% among non-Omron devices (P = 0.23). No patient characteristics were associated with agreement failure. CONCLUSIONS: Over one-fifth of home devices did not agree based on the AMA SMBP device accuracy protocol. These findings confirm the importance of office-based device comparisons to ensure the accuracy of home BP monitoring.

Strategies for Improving Enrollment of Diverse Populations with a Focus on Lipid-Lowering Clinical Trials.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review under-representation of key demographic groups in cardiovascular clinical trials, focusing on lipid-lowering trials. We outline multilevel strategies to recruit and retain diverse populations in cardiovascular trials. RECENT FINDINGS: Barriers to participation in trials occur at the study, participant, health system, sponsor, and policy level, requiring a multilevel approach to effectively increase participation of under-represented groups in research. Increasing the representation of marginalized and under-represented groups in leadership positions in clinical trials can ensure that their perspectives and experiences are considered. Trial design should prioritize patient- and community-indicated needs. Women and individuals from racially/ethnically diverse populations remain under-represented in lipid-lowering and other cardiovascular clinical trials relative to their disease burden in the population. This limits the generalizability of trial results to the broader population in clinical practice. Collaboration between community stakeholders, researchers, and community members can facilitate shared learning about trials and build trust.

The Promise and Illusion of Continuous, Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitoring.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Blood pressure (BP) fluctuations outside of clinic are increasingly recognized for their role in the development of cardiovascular disease, syncope, and premature death and as a promising target for tailored hypertension treatment. However, current cuff-based BP devices, including home and ambulatory devices, are unable to capture the breadth of BP variability across human activities, experiences, and contexts. RECENT FINDINGS: Cuffless, wearable BP devices offer the promise of beat-to-beat, continuous, noninvasive measurement of BP during both awake and sleep periods with minimal patient inconvenience. Importantly, cuffless BP devices can characterize BP variability, allowing for the identification of patient-specific triggers of BP surges in the home environment. Unfortunately, the pace of evidence, regulation, and validation testing has lagged behind the pace of innovation and direct consumer marketing. We provide an overview of the available technologies and devices for cuffless BP monitoring, considerations for the calibration and validation of these devices, and the promise and pitfalls of the cuffless BP paradigm.

Racial Disparities in Shared Decision-Making and the Use of mHealth Technology Among Adults With Hypertension in the 2017-2020 Health Information National Trends Survey: Cross-Sectional Study in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Mobile health (mHealth) technology has the potential to support shared decision-making (SDM) and improve hypertension control. However, our understanding of the variations in individuals' involvement in SDM and mHealth usage across different racial and ethnic groups in the United States is still limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the extent of involvement in SDM and the usage of mHealth technology in health-related activities among US adults with hypertension from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and to examine whether the mHealth usage differed by individuals' level of engagement in SDM. METHODS: This study used cross-sectional data from the 2017 to 2020 Health Information National Trends Survey, which was conducted on US adults with self-reported hypertension, and race and ethnicity data were included. The exposure of interest was race and ethnicity. The outcomes were SDM and mHealth usage. SDM was assessed using an item: "In the past 12 months, how often did your health professional: involve you in decisions about your healthcare as much as you wanted?" mHealth usage was defined as using a smartphone or tablet to engage in (1) making health decisions, (2) discussing health decisions with health providers, (3) tracking health progress, and (4) sharing health information. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between race and ethnicity and SDM or mHealth usage adjusted for covariates and stratified by the level of engagement in SDM. RESULTS: This study included 4893 adults with hypertension, and the mean age was 61 (SD 13) years. The sample was 53% female, 61% (n=3006) non-Hispanic White, 19% (n=907) non-Hispanic Black or African American, 12% (n=605) Hispanic, 4% (n=193) non-Hispanic Asian, and 4% (n=182) non-Hispanic other. Compared to the non-Hispanic White adults, non-Hispanic Black adults were more likely to use mHealth to make health decisions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.70, 95% CI 1.23-2.34), share health information (aOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.02-2.08), and discuss health decisions with health providers (aOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.02-1.87). Significant associations were observed specifically among those who were always involved in SDM. Asian adults were less likely to be involved in SDM (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.26-0.99) and were more likely to use mHealth to track progress on a health-related goal (aOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.28-3.34) than non-Hispanic White adults. Hispanic adults were less likely to use mHealth to share health information (aOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.33-0.67) and discuss health decisions with health providers (aOR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46-0.94) compared to non-Hispanic White adults. CONCLUSIONS: This study observed racial and ethnic disparities in SDM and mHealth usage among US adults with hypertension. These findings emphasize the significance of comprehending the involvement of SDM and the usage of mHealth technology within racially and ethnically diverse populations.

Effects of the DASH diet and losartan on serum urate among adults with hypertension: Results of a randomized trial.

Serum urate is a risk factor for hypertension and gout. The DASH diet and losartan independently lower blood pressure (BP); however, their effects on serum urate are understudied. We performed a post-hoc analysis of the DASH-losartan trial, which randomized participants with hypertension in parallel fashion to the DASH diet or a standard American diet (control) and in crossover fashion to 4-week losartan or placebo. Serum urate was measured at baseline and after each 4-week period. Diets were designed to maintain weight constant. We examined the effects of DASH (vs control) and/or losartan (vs placebo) on serum urate, overall and among those with baseline serum urate ≥6 mg/dL, using generalized estimating equations. Of 55 participants (mean age 52 years, 58% women, 64% Black), mean (±SD) baseline ambulatory SBP/DBP was 146±12/91±9 and mean (±SD) serum urate was 5.2±1.2 mg/dL. The DASH diet did not significantly reduce urate levels overall (mean difference -0.05 mg/dL; 95%CI: -0.39, 0.28), but did decrease levels among participants with baseline hyperuricemia (-0.33 mg/dL; 95%CI: -0.87, 0.21; P-interaction=0.007 across hyperuricemia groups). Losartan significantly decreased serum urate (-0.23 mg/dL; 95%CI: -0.40, -0.05) with greater effects on serum urate among adults <60 years old versus adults ≥60 years old (-0.33 mg/dL vs 0.16 mg/dL, P interaction = 0.003). In summary, the DASH diet significantly decreased serum urate among participants with higher urate at baseline, while losartan significantly reduced serum urate, especially among younger adults. Future research should examine the effects of these interventions in patients with hyperuricemia or gout.

Association of Supine Hypertension Versus Standing Hypotension With Adverse Events Among Middle-Aged Adults.

BACKGROUND: Management of orthostatic hypotension (OH) prioritizes prevention of standing hypotension, sometimes at the expense of supine hypertension. It is unclear whether supine hypertension is associated with adverse outcomes relative to standing hypotension. OBJECTIVES: To compare the long-term clinical consequences of supine hypertension and standing hypotension among middle-aged adults with and without OH. METHODS: The ARIC study (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) measured supine and standing blood pressure (BP) in adults aged 45 to 64 years, without neurogenic OH, between 1987 and 1989. We defined OH as a positional drop in systolic BP ≥20 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥10 mm Hg, supine hypertension as supine BP≥140/≥90 mm Hg, and standing hypotension as standing BP≤105/≤65 mm Hg. Participants were followed for >30 years. We used Cox regression models to examine associations with cardiovascular disease events, all-cause mortality, falls, and syncope. RESULTS: Of 12 489 participants (55% female, 26% Black, mean age 54 years, SD 6), 4.4% had OH. Among those without OH (N=11 943), 19% had supine hypertension and 21% had standing hypotension, while among those with OH (N=546), 58% had supine hypertension and 38% had standing hypotension. Associations with outcomes did not differ by OH status (P-interactions >0.25). Supine hypertension was associated with heart failure (hazard ratio, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.68-1.99]), falls (hazard ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.02-1.22]), and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.37-1.54]), while standing hypotension was only significantly associated with mortality (hazard ratio, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.00-1.14]). CONCLUSIONS: Supine hypertension was associated with higher risk of adverse events than standing hypotension, regardless of OH status. This challenges conventional OH management, which prioritizes standing hypotension over supine hypertension.

A Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Discrimination, Racism, and Type 2 Diabetes Healthcare Outcomes for Black Americans.

BACKGROUND: Disparities in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) risk, care, and complications impact Black Americans more than that of their White counterparts. This study aims to examine the association between discrimination, racism, and T2DM care and outcomes in Black Americans. METHOD: The systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: A total of six original research articles met the inclusion criteria, comprising three quantitative and three qualitative studies. Overall, the systematic review findings revealed that among Black Americans, perceived interpersonal discrimination and racism by healthcare professionals are associated with patients' behaviors that impact T2DM outcomes. The findings also revealed that provider-level factors such as communication, provider assumptions and attitudes, information sharing, shared decision-making, and disease management behaviors might influence T2DM outcomes in this population. DISCUSSION: Better T2DM-related outcomes depend on optimal disease control through adequate disease management. Building a therapeutic and culturally appropriate relationship free of discrimination and racism is vital for optimal disease management and decreasing health disparities in this patient population. CONCLUSION: Perceived interpersonal racism and discrimination by healthcare providers, among other sociocultural factors, play a crucial role in influencing some patient behaviors that affect T2DM health outcomes in this population. Efforts to decrease health disparities in this specific community should also focus on interventions addressing provider-level factors and behaviors perceived as racist or discriminatory.

Standing Blood Pressure and Risk of Falls, Syncope, Coronary Heart Disease, and Mortality.

BACKGROUND: ACC/AHA guidelines caution against the use of antihypertensive therapy in the setting of low standing systolic BP (SBP) < 110 mm Hg due to unclear benefits. METHODS: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study measured supine and standing SBP in adults aged 45-64 years between 1987 and 1989. We used Cox regression to evaluate the associations of low standing SBP (<110 mm Hg) with risk of falls, syncope, coronary heart disease (CHD), and mortality through December 31, 2019. Falls and syncope were ascertained by hospitalization and outpatient claims; CHD events were adjudicated. Associations were examined overall and in strata of hypertension stage, 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, age, and sex. RESULTS: Among 12,467 adults followed a median of 24 years (mean age at enrollment 54.1 ±â€…5.8 years, 55% women, 26% Black adults), 3,000 (24%) had a standing SBP < 110 mm Hg. A standing SBP < 110 mm Hg compared to standing SBP ≥ 110 mm Hg was not significantly associated with falls or syncope, and was associated with a lower risk of CHD events and mortality with HRs of 1.02 (95% CI 0.94, 1.11), 1.02 (0.93, 1.11), 0.88 (0.80, 0.97), and 0.91 (0.86, 0.97), respectively. There were no clinically meaningful differences when stratified by hypertension stage, 10-year ASCVD risk, age, and sex. CONCLUSIONS: In this community-based population, low standing SBP was common and not significantly associated with falls or syncope, but was associated with a lower risk of CHD and mortality. These findings do not support screening for low standing BP as a risk factor for adverse events.