CARDIOPROGRESS
Foundation for the advancement of cardiology

Low Vitamin D Levels Signal Increased Heart Risk in Seniors In older adults, lower levels of vitamin D metabolites and periostin, a protein involved in remodelling and repairing tissues, were linked to an increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. Low periostin levels were correlated with low vitamin D levels, and when all three markers were considered together, only the active form of vitamin D independently predicted the CV risk.

Mapping the evidence on mHealth interventions for cardiovascular event care in Africa: a scoping review The burden of cardiovascular disease in Africa is projected to increase significantly over the next decade, placing additional strain on already overburdened healthcare systems. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies represent a promising approach to addressing these challenges. This review analyzes the use of mHealth solutions in cardiovascular care in Africa.

Concept and practice in the use of high-dose eicosapentaenoic acid for cardiovascular disease prevention in hypertriglyceridaemia Genetic and epidemiological evidence indicates that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are causal risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Elevated levels of plasma triglyceride are common in patients who are diabetic or obese and contribute substantially to residual, ongoing risk of an ASCVD event in individuals on low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering treatment.

Early Blood Pressure Rise Signals Worse Stroke Outcomes An increase in systolic blood pressure (sBP) within the first 24 hours after alteplase treatment was associated with worse functional outcomes at 3 months after acute ischaemic stroke. Both higher sBP at baseline and increases in sBP during the first 24 hours were linked to poorer neurologic function. Additionally, higher sBP at baseline independently increased the risk for symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage within 48 hours from the onset of stroke.

Should BP Be Lowered in Isolated Diastolic Hypertension? In a meta-analysis of 51 randomized controlled trials, lowering systolic blood pressure (BP) was linked to similar reductions in the risk for major cardiovascular events in people with and without isolated diastolic hypertension, with benefits consistent across diastolic BP levels, including among those with baseline systolic BP less than 130 mm Hg.

Do Fertility Treatments Raise Heart Disease Risks in Women? The use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) was associated with a modest increase in the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), without a clear overall dose-response relationship. Programmed frozen cycles showed a stronger association with CVD and a clear dose-response relationship as their number increased.

More Fat Around Heart Linked to Greater Injury After MI In patients who experienced an acute myocardial infarction (MI), an increased volume of epicardial adipose tissue — the layer of fat between the heart muscle and the outer heart lining — was associated with an increased extent of myocardial injury after MI.

CPAP Boosts Testosterone in Obesity-Related Hypogonadism Severe or decompensated obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) was significantly associated with functional hypogonadism in men with severe obesity. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, monitored using overnight pulse oximetry, improved testosterone levels in newly diagnosed patients with OSAS.

Inexpensive Anti-Inflammatory Pill Could Reduce Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke A commonly used and affordable medication for gout may help lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with cardiovascular disease, according to a new Cochrane review.

Scientists have discovered a diet that influences the development of cardiovascular diseases Researchers discovered that a nutrient-matched, plant-based diet could prevent and reverse a hidden form of heart disease in hypertensive rats. The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, explored whether coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) could be lessened in hypertensive rats.

To Beat Cigarette Addiction, Experts Embrace Vapes Clinicians can now recommend vapes, along with nicotine patches and gums, to their adult patients who want to quit smoking traditional cigarettes. The guidance, from a leading international group of tobacco researchers, represents a sharp pivot from an earlier stance that evolved as evidence mounted that vaping may be more effective in helping people quit cigarettes than traditional nicotine replacement therapies like varenicline or bupropion.

New Guidelines Expand Statin Eligibility to More Than Half of US Adults A new study has shown that the updated recommendations of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology on dyslipidemia, published in March 2026, expand indications for statin therapy for primary prevention, now covering adults aged 30-79 years (instead of 40-75 years), assessing the risk for several decades ahead and using an updated risk calculator, which will allow such treatment to spread. 87.5 million adults in the United States.

A new risk stratification tool A new risk stratification tool known as CA4TCH — which relies solely on clinical history — could help predict which patients with a suspected hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will have a hypersensitivity confirmed during a drug provocation test.

First Major Guidelines Issued for Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Devices Created to address the “uncertainty and practice variation” that surrounds transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and the Heart Rhythm Society have published jointly the first set of guidelines for the use of the procedure.

Your Heart May Be Older Than You Think Some people are said to have old souls. Some may have old hearts, too. Many Americans, particularly men with less education, lower income, and those from certain minority groups, have a “heart age” that is much older than what the calendar may indicate.

Lp(a) Levels: When and Why It’s Clinically Relevant The presence of high lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), levels increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. Incorporating Lp(a) screening into clinical practice may significantly impact patient outcomes.

APOE4 May Raise Brain Bleed Risk in Apixaban Users With AF Carriers of the apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 (APOE ε4) allele had a threefold higher risk for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) when taking apixaban for atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with noncarriers, a new study suggested.

Novel Algorithm Transforms Echocardiographic Assessment of Heart Filling Pressures A new algorithm for estimating left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) by echocardiography reduced indeterminate results to just two cases compared with 38 using previous guidelines, achieving 86% accuracy in 949 patients, a new study found. The algorithm showed particular improvement for patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), while maintaining similar accuracy for cases of reduced LVEF.

Novel GLP-1 Agonist Promotes Safe and Effective Weight Loss Ecnoglutide, a novel glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, was significantly more effective than placebo for inducing weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, based on data from more than 600 individuals.

The New Playbook for Ditching Dangerous Senior Meds A new tool presented at the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting may give clinicians practical and safer alternatives to risky medications for patients.