Alcohol and ideal cardiovascular health: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: Alcohol consumption is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), with moderate drinkers having decreased CVD risk compared to non- and heavy drinkers. However, whether alcohol consumption is associated with ideal cardiovascular health (CVH), assessed by the American Heart Association's (AHA) Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metrics, and whether associations differ by sex, is uncertain.

Hypothesis: Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with worse CVH.

GlycA, a novel inflammatory marker, is associated with subclinical coronary disease.

Objective: GlycA, a novel NMR biomarker of inflammation, has been associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population, but its association with CVD among HIV-infected individuals is unknown. We examined the associations between GlycA and subclinical coronary plaque among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected men participating in Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of 935 men with plasma measurement of GlycA and noncontrast cardiac computed tomography (CT) and/or coronary CT angiography.

Associations of ideal cardiovascular health with GlycA, a novel inflammatory marker: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: Unhealthy lifestyles and inflammation contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD). GlycA is a novel biomarker of systemic inflammation representing post-translational glycosylation of acute phase reactants and associated with increased clinical CVD risk.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that ideal cardiovascular health (CVH), as assessed by (higher) Life's Simple 7 (LS7) scores, would be associated with lower GlycA levels among individuals free of CVD in a multiethnic community-based population.

Relation of Elevated Resting Heart Rate in Mid-Life to Cognitive Decline Over 20 Years (from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities [ARIC] Study).

Resting heart rate (RHR) is independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We determined whether RHR, measured in mid-life, is also associated with cognitive decline. We studied 13,720 middle-aged white and black ARIC participants without a history of stroke or atrial fibrillation.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 and Heart Failure With Reduced Versus Preserved Ejection Fraction: MESA.

Background Higher fibroblast growth factor-23 ( FGF -23) levels are associated with incident heart failure ( HF ) in MESA (the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). FGF -23 is also associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. Whether the FGF -23 association with HF is similar for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction ( HF r EF ) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction ( HF p EF ) is not well established.

Synergistic Opportunities in the Interplay Between Cancer Screening and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment: Together We Are Stronger.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer continue to be the 2 leading causes of death in developed countries despite significant improvements in the prevention, screening, and treatment of both diseases. They remain significant public health problems, growing in importance globally. Despite this threat, the fields of cardiology and oncology have been relatively disconnected.

Adiposity and Incident Heart Failure and its Subtypes: MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

Objectives: This study sought to compare various measures of adiposity with risk for incident hospitalized heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for HF, particularly HFpEF. It is unknown which measures of adiposity, including anthropometrics and computed tomography (CT)-measured fat area, are most predictive of HF subtypes.

Associations of Sedentary Behavior and Abdominal Muscle Density: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: Sedentary behaviors (SB) may exacerbate loss of muscle mass and function, independent of physical activity levels. This study examined the associations of SB with abdominal muscle area and density, a marker of muscle quality, in adults.

Methods: A total of 1895 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis completed detailed health history, physical activity and SB questionnaires, computed tomography to quantify body composition, and measurements of inflammatory markers.

Association of endogenous sex hormone levels with coronary artery calcium progression among post-menopausal women in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Background: Sex differences in the incidence and manifestation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) suggest the involvement of sex hormones in disease pathogenesis. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) and its progression, measured by non-contrast cardiac computed tomography, are markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and predict CVD, even among low-risk women. We hypothesized that sex hormone levels were associated with CAC progression among women in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-23, Heart Failure Risk, and Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone-System Blockade in Hypertension: The MESA Study.

Background: Higher fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) concentrations have been found to be associated with incident heart failure (HF). Experimental data suggest FGF23 directly stimulates myocardial hypertrophy. FGF23 may also enhance renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity.

Genetic Variants Associated with Circulating Fibroblast Growth Factor 23.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a bone-derived hormone that regulates phosphorus and vitamin D metabolism, contributes to the pathogenesis of mineral and bone disorders in CKD and is an emerging cardiovascular risk factor. Central elements of FGF23 regulation remain incompletely understood; genetic variation may help explain interindividual differences.

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of circulating FGF23 concentrations among 16,624 participants of European ancestry from seven cohort studies, excluding participants with eGFR<30 ml/min per 1.

Associations between polysomnography and actigraphy-based sleep indices and glycemic control among those with and without type 2 diabetes: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Study Objectives: To examine the associations of sleep measures with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) among individuals with and without type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Data were from 2049 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants taking part in a sleep ancillary study. Cross-sectional linear regression models examined associations of actigraphy estimates of sleep (sleep duration, variability, and maintenance efficiency) and polysomnography measures (obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] and hypoxemia) with HbA1c, stratified by diabetes status.

Rationale and design of the Study To Understand Fall Reduction and Vitamin D in You (STURDY): A randomized clinical trial of Vitamin D supplement doses for the prevention of falls in older adults.

Unlabelled: Prior evidence suggests that vitamin D supplementation may reduce fall risk, but existing data are inconsistent and insufficient to guide policy. We designed a two-stage Bayesian response-adaptive dose-finding and seamless confirmatory randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent falls. Up to 1200 community-dwelling persons, aged ≥70 years, of predominantly white and African-American race, with serum 25(OH)D concentrations of 10-29 ng/mL and at elevated fall risk, will be randomized to one of four vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplement doses: 200 (control), 1000, 2000, or 4000 IU/day and treated for up to 2 years.

Sex Hormones and Change in N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Context: Sex hormones may influence sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD). N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a predictor of CVD, is higher in women than men, which may relate to sex hormones.

Objective: To evaluate whether total testosterone (T), bioavailable T, free T, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and SHBG are associated with NT-proBNP.

Serum Vitamin D Concentrations and Cognitive Change Over 20 Years: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study.

Background/aims: 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations have been associated with cognitive decline and incident dementia in elderly populations; however, these relationships are susceptible to reverse causation. Less is known about the association of midlife 25(OH)D with long-term cognitive decline.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of 13,044 participants (mean age 57 years at baseline) in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Association of Multivitamin and Mineral Supplementation and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Multiple studies have attempted to identify the association between multivitamin/mineral (MVM) supplementation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes, but the benefits remain controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the associations between MVM supplementation and various CVD outcomes, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.

Methods And Results: We conducted a comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between January 1970 and August 2016.

Thoracic Aorta Calcification and Noncardiovascular Disease-Related Mortality.

Objective- Arterial calcification is highly correlated with underlying atherosclerosis. Arterial calcification of the thoracic aorta is evident in many older individuals at high susceptibility to aging-related diseases and non-cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality. In this study, we evaluated the association of thoracic aorta calcification (TAC) with non-CVD morbidity and mortality.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations Are Associated with Computed Tomography Markers of Subclinical Interstitial Lung Disease among Community-Dwelling Adults in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Background: Activated vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency might contribute to subclinical interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Objective: We examined associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and subclinical ILD among middle-aged to older adults who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline.

Life's Simple 7 and the risk of atrial fibrillation: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background And Aims: We examined the association between the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metrics and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a prospective cohort study of adults free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) at baseline.

Methods: We analyzed data from 6506 participants. The LS7 metrics (smoking, physical activity, body mass index, diet, blood pressure, total cholesterol and blood glucose) were each categorized into ideal (assigned 2 points), intermediate (1 point) or poor (0 points).

Is self-rated health associated with ideal cardiovascular health? The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: Self-rated health (SRH) is an indicator of health status-a determinant of health-promoting behaviors and a predictor of morbidity/mortality. Little is known about the association between SRH and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH), as measured by the AHA Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metrics, or whether the relationship between SRH and CVH differs by race/ethnicity.

Hypothesis: Favorable SRH is associated with better CVH.

Endogenous Sex Hormones and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Post-Menopausal Women.

Background: Higher androgen and lower estrogen levels are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in women. However, studies on sex hormones and incident CVD events in women have yielded conflicting results.

Objectives: The authors assessed the associations of sex hormone levels with incident CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and heart failure (HF) events among women without CVD at baseline.

Resting heart rate and the incidence and progression of valvular calcium: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Background And Aims: Left-sided valvular calcification is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Resting heart rate (RHR) may influence valvular calcium progression through shear stress. Whether RHR, an established CVD risk factor, is associated with valvular calcium progression is unknown.

Observational and Genetic Associations of Resting Heart Rate With Aortic Valve Calcium.

It is unknown if lifelong exposure to increased hemodynamic stress from an elevated resting heart rate (HR) may contribute to aortic valve calcium (AVC). We performed multivariate regression analyses using data from 1,266 Framingham Heart Study (FHS) Offspring cohort participants and 6,764 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants. We constructed a genetic risk score (GRS) for HR using summary-level data in the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) AVC Consortium to investigate if there was evidence in favor of a causal relation.