Ten things to know about ten cardiovascular disease risk factors - 2022.

The American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) "Ten things to know about ten cardiovascular disease risk factors - 2022" is a summary document regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This 2022 update provides summary tables of ten things to know about 10 CVD risk factors and builds upon the foundation of prior annual versions of "Ten things to know about ten cardiovascular disease risk factors" published since 2020. This 2022 version provides the perspective of ASPC members and includes updated sentinel references (i.e., applicable guidelines and select reviews) for each CVD risk factor section. The ten CVD risk factors include unhealthful dietary intake, physical inactivity, dyslipidemia, pre-diabetes/diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, considerations of select populations (older age, race/ethnicity, and sex differences), thrombosis (with smoking as a potential contributor to thrombosis), kidney dysfunction and genetics/familial hypercholesterolemia. Other CVD risk factors may be relevant, beyond the CVD risk factors discussed here. However, it is the intent of the ASPC "Ten things to know about ten cardiovascular disease risk factors - 2022" to provide a tabular overview of things to know about ten of the most common CVD risk factors applicable to preventive cardiology and provide ready access to applicable guidelines and sentinel reviews.

Management of Hypercholesterolemia in Pregnant Women with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, we discuss strategies for managing dyslipidemia in pregnant women with ASCVD. RECENT FINDINGS: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in women as well as the leading cause of pregnancy-related mortality in the USA. It is paramount to screen, identify, counsel, and treat women of childbearing age who have existing atherosclerotic disease to mitigate the risks of complications and mortality. Dyslipidemias, including hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia, can further enhance the risk for future CVD events. Treating hypercholesterolemia during pregnancy is crucial, and this is an opportune time for cross-collaboration of subspecialties in cardiology, obstetrics, and gynecology.

Dyslipidemia in Patients with Kidney Disease.

Cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and with end-stage renal disease. CKD has a strong association with dyslipidemia. Dyslipidemias can affect kidney function and increase the risk for CVD development, so it is an important risk factor. Statin therapy can decrease CV events in patients with pre-end-stage CKD and in renal transplant patients, but not in those already on dialysis. This article focuses on epidemiology of CKD, how dyslipidemias confer a higher risk for CVD, the approach to management and treatment of dyslipidemias, and recent guidelines.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Younger Black Women: Results from the 10,000 Women Community Screening Project.

Background: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk factors are prevalent in black women, but when these risk factors arise is not clear. We aimed to determine when obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia appear in black women within a community screening program. Methods: 945 black women who enrolled in the 10,000 Women community screening project in the metro Atlanta area were included (2015-2018). Socioeconomic, lifestyle, and traditional CVD risk factor information was patient-reported and measured. Characteristics of three cohorts stratified by age, 20-39 years old (yo), 40-59 yo, and ≥60 yo, were compared using pairwise analysis. Results: All cohorts had class 1 obesity. Mean systolic blood pressure was higher in older cohorts [20-39 yo: 122 ± 15; 40-59 yo: 133 ± 19; ≥60 yo: 142 ± 20 mmHg; p < 0.001]. All age groups had mean total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL and were lowest in women 20-39 yo, (p < 0.001). All age groups had mean LDL levels below 100 mg/dL and were highest in women 20-39 yo, (p < 0.01). All age groups had mean HDL levels greater than 50 mg/dL and were highest in women ≥60 yo, (p-value = 0.03). A higher proportion of ≥60 yo limited salt intake, (p ≤ 0.001), and ate fast food less than three times a week, (p < 0.001), compared to younger women. Conclusion: We report that CVD risk factors, like elevated blood pressure and obesity, are prevalent at young ages in black women, which could be due to lifestyle practices. Earlier initiation of CVD preventive care in black women could be beneficial; however, this needs to be studied further.

Usefulness of Aspirin for Primary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.

Aspirin use in the prevention of cardiovascular events has been a mainstay of treatment for decades. However, the use of aspirin in primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has recently come under scrutiny. Several recent studies have evaluated the use of aspirin in primary prevention and the results suggest that in many patients the risks may outweigh the benefits. Closer examination of these trials suggests that the use of aspirin therapy for primary prevention may have a role but likely needs a more tailored approach and that caution is needed in prescribing aspirin for primary prevention. In conclusion, in this article we review the evolving evidence for aspirin in the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Strategies for Appropriate Selection of SGLT2-i vs. GLP1-RA in Persons with Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will serve to highlight the clinical rationale used in the selection of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-ra). RECENT FINDINGS: SGLT2-i and GLP1-ra are the first anti-hyperglycemics to demonstrate significant cardiovascular benefit in multiple cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs), with benefits that are consistent across class of medication. Diabetes is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-ra) are the first anti-hyperglycemics to demonstrate significant cardiovascular benefit. Given the unique side effect and benefit profiles, appropriate consideration of these agents with a focus on cardiovascular risk reduction requires an individualized approach.

Coronary Artery Spasm, Coronary Reactivity, and Their Psychological Context.

Symptomatic individuals suspected of having myocardial ischemia often have no obstructive atherosclerotic narrowing of epicardial coronary arteries. Abnormal coronary vascular reactivity and, in particular, coronary artery vasospasm (CAS) may be an explanation in a subset of these patients. Psychological factors play an important role in ischemic heart disease, but their role in CAS is not clear; autonomic dysfunction and increased inflammation are two prevailing pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in abnormal coronary reactivity resulting from mental health conditions. Interrelationships between psychological factors, abnormal coronary reactivity, and sex/gender differences are poorly defined in the etiology of CAS. In this issue of Psychosomatic Medicine (2019;81:237-245), Hung et al. report a frequency of less than 0.1% of new-onset CAS in the Taiwanese population, with higher occurrence in women and younger individuals. Patients with CAS had a higher prevalence of previous anxiety and depression compared with those with coronary artery disease and controls, with no sex differences. In this editorial comment, we discuss the potential reasons for underreporting of CAS and the challenges regarding the use of administrative health records for psychosomatic research. In this editorial, a model is presented to explain the association between emotional stressors and mental health factors with CAS, including the role of sympathetic nervous system activation, inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and smooth muscle cell dysregulation.

Higher mobility scores in patients with cystic fibrosis are associated with better lung function.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether mobility and physical activity were associated with lung function in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort observational study in an urban, academic, specialized care center. Participants were ambulatory, nonhospitalized adults with CF. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mobility was assessed monthly by the Life-Space Assessment (LSA) questionnaire and quarterly by pedometer. Lung function was assessed by spirometry. RESULTS: Twenty-seven subjects participated. Subjects recorded mean pedometer steps of 20,213 ± 11,331 over three days and FEV1% predicted of 77.48% ± 22.60% over one year. The LSA score at enrollment was correlated with initial pedometer steps (r = 0.42 and P = 0.03), and mean LSA score over one year was correlated with mean number of steps (r = 0.51 and P = 0.007). LSA mobility and pedometer scores were correlated with FEV1% predicted at enrollment and throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: Mobility and physical activity measured by LSA questionnaire and pedometer are positively associated with lung function in adults with CF. This study confirms the importance of mobility and physical activity and supports the utility of a simple office-based questionnaire as a measure of mobility in adults with CF.