The polygenic risk score was not found to be superior to the clinical risk score in predicting the occurrence or risk stratification of incident coronary heart disease (CHD), according to study results published in JAMA. Continue reading →

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most clinically relevant monogenic disorders contributing to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The prevalence of FH was estimated to be 1 in 200 to 1 in 250 individuals in studies in which genetic testing was conducted on large community population samples.1 However, the disease often remains undetected and thus untreated, with only 10% of individuals with FH receiving adequate diagnosis and treatment.2 Noting the recent accumulation of studies on FH, the authors of a Nature Reviews Cardiology article sought to summarize the key elements of a model of care for the condition that can be adapted as new evidence emerges.1 Selected points are highlighted below. Screening and detection. Continue reading →

As the number of COVID-19 casesand panicspreads throughout the globe, a picture is emerging as to what the direct cardiovascular effects of this particular coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) might be and what the indirect impact will be on cardiologists and the patients in their care. Continue reading →

More time spent in ideal cardiovascular health, starting as early as childhood, is associated not only with less subclinical atherosclerosis, but also with significant improvements in cardiometabolic health and a lower risk of all-cause mortality, according to the results of two new studies published this week in JAMA Cardiology. In the first study, which was led by Vanessa Xanthakis, PhD (Boston University School of Medicine, MA), and Laura Corlin, PhD (Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston), longer durations of ideal or intermediate CV health in midlife were associated with lower risks of developing hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, CVD, and all-cause mortality when compared with men and women in poor CV health. You dont have to be perfect, but the closer you are to a better overall lifestyle, the better off you are, Xanthakis told TCTMD. Continue reading →

Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals (UH) have partnered to provide drive-through COVID-19 testing for patients with a doctors order from UH or Cleveland Clinic. Continue reading →