In recognition of American Heart Month 2025, we will be taking a closer look at some of the most popular cardiology-related articles recently published across medical journals.

Accelerometer-Measured Sedentary Behavior and Risk of Future Cardiovascular Disease

  • Journal of the American College of Cardiology
  • February 2025
  • In addition to serving as an indicator of inadequate physical activity, sedentary behavior can have a direct impact on the risk of developing cardiovascular (CV) disease in the future. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sedentary behavior, as measured by accelerometers, and the risk of specific CV outcomes. The study also looked at how sedentary behavior may be related to moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
  • Research has shown that sedentary behavior is linked to an increased risk of negative CV outcomes in the future, particularly affecting heart failure (HF) and CV mortality. The risk of these outcomes increases significantly at around 10.6 hours per day of sedentary behavior. While engaging in MVPA according to guidelines can help reduce this excess risk, it is still important to focus on optimizing sedentary behavior, even for individuals who are physically active.
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2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association

  • Circulation
  • January 2025
  • The American Heart Association (AHA), in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, releases annual reports containing the most current statistics regarding heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors. These reports cover essential health behaviors such as smoking, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and obesity, as well as health factors like cholesterol levels, blood pressure, glucose control, and metabolic syndrome that impact cardiovascular health.
  • The AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update provides the most recent data on a variety of significant clinical conditions related to heart and circulatory diseases, including stroke, brain health, complications of pregnancy, kidney disease, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, sudden cardiac arrest, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valvular disease, venous thromboembolism, and peripheral artery disease. Additionally, the report addresses associated outcomes such as quality of care, medical procedures, and economic costs.
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Aspirin Plus Rivaroxaban Versus Rivaroxaban Alone for the Prevention of Venous Stent Thrombosis Among Patients With Post-Thrombotic Syndrome: The Multicenter, Multinational, Randomized, Open-label ARIVA Trial

  • Circulation
  • January 2025
  • In individuals diagnosed with post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), the recanalization of iliofemoral veins or the inferior vena cava through stent placement can effectively restore venous patency and enhance functional outcomes. However, it is crucial to note that the risk of stent thrombosis is significantly heightened within the initial 6 months post-intervention. The ARIVA trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a daily regimen of aspirin 100 mg in combination with rivaroxaban 20 mg compared to rivaroxaban 20 mg alone in preventing stent thrombosis within the first 6 months following stent placement for PTS.
  • The primary findings of the trial revealed that the overall primary patency rate during the initial six months subsequent to endovascular intervention for PTS surpassed expectations. Moreover, the patency rates were found to be comparable between patients who received the combined therapy of aspirin and rivaroxaban and those who were administered rivaroxaban alone.
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Preservation of Vascular Endothelial Function in Late-Onset Postmenopausal Women

  • Circulation Research
  • January 2025
  • Recent research has shown that postmenopausal women who experience menopause at a later age (55+ years) have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those who go through menopause at a normal age (45-54 years). Despite this finding, the impact of late-onset menopause on vascular endothelial dysfunction remains unclear. Additionally, the specific mechanisms through which a later age at menopause may affect endothelial function have yet to be fully understood.
  • Late-onset menopause appears to be linked to the preservation of endothelial function, which is believed to be influenced by lower levels of mitoROS-associated oxidative stress. Furthermore, a more favorable profile of circulating lipid metabolites, particularly triglyceride-derived metabolites, is thought to contribute to decreased endothelial cell mitoROS in postmenopausal women who experience menopause later in life.
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Supine Blood Pressure and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality

  • JAMA Cardiology
  • January 2025
  • Nocturnal hypertension during sleep has been linked to a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it is still unclear whether hypertension while lying down is a risk factor for CVD independent of hypertension while sitting. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between lying down hypertension and CVD outcomes, taking into account the individual's hypertension treatment status. Our findings suggest that lying down hypertension, regardless of seated hypertension, is associated with a higher hazard ratio for CVD risk compared to seated hypertension alone.
  • These results highlight the importance of considering lying down hypertension as a potential risk factor for CVD, even in individuals who may not exhibit hypertension while sitting.
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Artificial Intelligence–Guided Lung Ultrasound by Nonexperts

  • JAMA Cardiology
  • January 2025
  • Lung ultrasound (LUS) plays a crucial role in diagnosing patients experiencing dyspnea, particularly those with cardiogenic pulmonary edema. However, acquiring high-quality LUS images requires technical proficiency. Recent studies have highlighted the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) in assisting novice users in obtaining accurate cardiac ultrasound images, indicating its potential for wider application in LUS.
  • The objective of this study is to assess the capability of AI in guiding trained healthcare professionals (THCPs) in acquiring diagnostic-quality LUS images. In a multicenter validation study, THCPs, with the assistance of AI, were able to produce LUS images that met diagnostic standards, outperforming LUS experts who did not utilize AI.
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The relationship between cannabis and cardiovascular disease: clearing the haze

  • Nature Reviews Cardiology
  • January 2025
  • Cannabis consumption has a long history spanning centuries, but recent global regulatory changes have significantly increased its availability and use. Cannabinoids, the active compounds in cannabis, are believed to possess therapeutic properties that could potentially serve as alternatives to opioids for pain relief and sedation. However, it is important to note that cannabinoids have been associated with significant adverse cardiovascular events that may outweigh any potential benefits.
  • The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions such as mood, appetite, memory, and cardiovascular health. While the link between cannabinoids and cardiovascular disease was previously based on preclinical studies, case reports, and case series, recent epidemiological studies have provided concrete evidence of this association. Cannabinoids have been shown to have detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system, leading to conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, irregular heartbeats, and heart failure. Furthermore, the effects of newer cannabinoids remain largely unknown, and synthetic cannabinoids have the potential to cause even more severe harm compared to traditional cannabinoids. As the availability and use of cannabis continue to rise, it is becoming increasingly evident that both the immediate and long-term effects of this drug are becoming more apparent.
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Diuretic Potentiation Strategies in Acute Heart Failure

  • JACC Heart Failure
  • January 2025
  • Numerous trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy of diuretic-based strategies in improving symptoms and outcomes in patients suffering from acute heart failure (AHF). The objective of the authors was to provide a comprehensive summary of the impact of various combination strategies on symptoms, physical signs, physiological variables, and outcomes in AHF patients.
  • Results from the trials indicated significant variability in short-term responses, including relief from dyspnea, physical signs of congestion, and weight changes. However, all diuretic strategies led to short-term increases in serum creatinine levels and failed to demonstrate benefits in terms of mortality or recurrent heart failure events.
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Anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy: risk prediction, prevention and treatment

  • Nature Reviews Cardiology
  • January 2025
  • Anthracyclines are widely recognized as the cornerstone of treatment for various malignancies. However, the potential for anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity poses a significant concern, as it can impact the overall effectiveness of treatment and patient survival, even with early intervention or dosage adjustments.
  • Patients undergoing cancer treatment with anthracyclines may experience a decline in their quality of life and survival prospects due to cardiotoxicity, regardless of their oncological outlook. Advancements in understanding anthracycline cardiotoxicity have allowed for the identification of individuals who are suitable candidates for anthracycline therapy, as well as those at risk of developing anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy.
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There you have it - a look at some of the most popular cardiology articles recently released. Sign up for alerts and stay informed on the latest published guidelines and articles. While you are at it, don't forget to check out all the Cardiology Clinical Guidelines!

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