Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry.

Background And Aims: Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population, but their prevalence in individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and whether they confer additional risk of ASCVD independent of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 35 540 patients with HeFH across 50 countries, in the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry. Prevalence of World Health Organization-defined body mass index categories was investigated in adults (n = 29 265) and children/adolescents (n = 6275); and their association with prevalent ASCVD.

Lipid-Lowering Treatment Gaps in Patients after Acute Myocardial Infarction: Using Global Database TriNetX.

Patients with previous acute myocardial infarction are at significantly higher risk of recurrent events. Early and intensive lipid-lowering therapy targeting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a key strategy for reducing cardiovascular risk in post-acute myocardial infarction patients worldwide. This study aimed to assess patients' real-life lipid-lowering treatment gaps after acute myocardial infarction using a global network, TriNetX, of anonymous, real-time patient data.

Management of patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease referred to Hypertension Excellence Centres among 27 countries. On behalf of the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Hypertension and the Kidney.

Objective Real-life management of patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) among European Society of Hypertension Excellence Centres (ESH-ECs) is unclear : we aimed to investigate it. Methods A survey was conducted in 2023. The questionnaire contained 64 questions asking ESH-ECs representatives to estimate how patients with CKD are managed.

The Hypertension Excellence Centre programme of the European Society of Hypertension - current status, activities and reshaping for the future.

Purpose: To describe the history of the Excellence Centre (EC) programme of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) since the beginning in 2006, its achievements, and its future developments.

Materials And Methods: We list the number of ECs per country, the research projects performed so far, and the organisational steps needed to reshape the EC programme for the future.

Results: In August 2023, the ESH EC programme includes 118 registered ECs in 21 European and 7 non-European countries.

Effectiveness and feasibility of cardiovascular disease personalized prevention on high polygenic risk score subjects: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the intervention by proactively sharing a patient's high polygenic risk score (PRS) for coronary artery disease (CAD). Outcomes included: (i) reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors over 12 months; (ii) difference in purchased prescriptions of lipid-lowering and anti-hypertensive drugs between intervention group and control group subjects; and (iii) opinion of the participating physicians and subjects on PRS usefulness.

Methods And Results: This randomized controlled trial was conducted among middle-aged subjects with a top 20% CAD PRS in a family medicine setting.

The Impact of Marathons on the Recovery of Heart Rate and Blood Pressure in Non-Professional Male Marathoners' (≥45 Years).

Physical activity has a positive impact on health, and the participation in exercise and sports, including marathons, has increased in popularity. This kind of sport requires extreme endurance, which can cause different health problems and even lead to death. Participants without sufficient preparation and, in particular, men 45 years of age and older belong to a high risk group.

Disclosing Pharmacogenetic Feedback of Caffeine via eHealth Channels, Assessment of the Methods and Effects to Behavior Change: A Pilot Study.

The integration of genetic testing into eHealth applications holds great promise for the personalization of disease prevention guidelines. However, relatively little is known about the impact of eHealth applications on an individual's behavior. The aim of the pilot study was to investigate the effect of the personalized eHealth application approach to behavior change in a 1-month follow-up period on groups with previously known and unknown caffeine impacts.

Evaluation of a new semi-automated Hydragel 11 von Willebrand factor multimers assay kit for routine use.

Background: Accurate diagnosis and classification of von Willebrand disease (VWD) are essential for optimal management. The von Willebrand factor multimers analysis (VWF:MM) is an integral part of the diagnostic process in the phenotypic classification, especially in discrepant cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new Hydragel 11VWF multimer assay (H11VW).

Hypertension and Reproduction.

Purpose Of Review: Many aspects of reproduction have been associated with increased blood pressure and impaired glucose metabolism that reveals a subsequent increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this review is to assess reproductive life factors associated with an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, e.g.

Update of the position paper on arterial hypertension and erectile dysfunction.

: Sexual health is an integral part of overall health, and an active and healthy sexual life is an essential aspect of a good life quality. Cardiovascular disease and sexual health share common risk factors (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, and smoking) and common mediating mechanisms (endothelial dysfunction, subclinical inflammation, and atherosclerosis). This generated a shift of thinking about the pathophysiology and subsequently the management of sexual dysfunction.

Digital Health in Cardiology: The Estonian Perspective.

Background: Digital health is rapidly entering clinical practice in cardiology. Estonia is one of the leading nations in implementing digital nationwide solutions. Recently, the European Society of Cardiology organized the 1st Summit on Digital Health in Tallinn, which provided the opportunity to discuss various aspects concerning the digitalization of cardiology.

Effects of Alirocumab on Cardiovascular Events After Coronary Bypass Surgery.

Background: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are at high risk for recurrent cardiovascular events and death.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the clinical benefit of adding alirocumab to statins in ACS patients with prior CABG in a pre-specified analysis of ODYSSEY OUTCOMES (Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcomes After an Acute Coronary Syndrome During Treatment With Alirocumab).

Methods: Patients (n = 18,924) 1 to 12 months post-ACS with elevated atherogenic lipoprotein levels despite high-intensity statin therapy were randomized to alirocumab or placebo subcutaneously every 2 weeks.

Aortic Augmentation Index is Dependent on Bodyside in Healthy Young Subjects.

Introduction: Aortic augmentation index (AIx) is a commonly used measure to evaluate the arterial stiffness of large elastic arteries. It has been used as an indicator for cardiovascular risk in clinical practice.

Aim: To evaluate the difference in the aortic AIx assessed from the left and the right hand in a group of healthy young adults using SphygmoCor and Arteriograph devices.

Macrovascular Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has emerged as a pandemic. It has different complications, both microvascular and macrovascular.

Objective: The purpose of this review is to summarize the different types of macrovascular complications associated with T2DM.

Pulse wave velocity and its gender-related associations with cardiovascular risk factors in a high cardiovascular risk population.

Introduction: Associations found between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and cardiovascular risk factors (CVrF) are diverse. We aimed to evaluate whether differences in PWV and its associations with CVrF in a high cardiovascular risk population exist between genders and between the whole population (WHgr) and groups of apparently healthy (AHgr) and those of hypertensive, obese or diabetics (Rgr).

Material And Methods: Pulse wave velocity measured by Arteriograph was investigated in 805 adults aged 20-65, randomly selected from the Tallinn Population Register.

The Mechanisms of Actions of Aldosterone and its Antagonists in Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: Aldosterone, through its actions on Mineralcorticosteroid Receptors (MR), controls fluid and electrolyte balance, but also exerts various direct deleterious actions on the vasculature. A number of aldosterone antagonists have been manufactured to reverse these effects.

Objective: A comprehensive review of the underlying mechanisms of the actions of aldosterone and its antagonists in cardiovascular disease.

PCSK9 Inhibitor causes a decrease in the level of oxidatively modified low-density lipoproteins in patients with coronary artery diseases.

Aim: We study the dynamics of oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) content in blood plasma, as well as changes in the activity of key antioxidant enzymes such as Se-containing glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in erythrocytes of patients with coronary artery disease during treatment with PCSK9 inhibitor (ewolocumab).

Materials And Methods: The study included 9 men (59 ± 10 years) with coronary artery disease with atherosclerotic lesion at least one main coronary artery according to coronary angiography. Patients took standard therapy before taking the study, everyone took the maximum tolerated dose of statins.

New Horizons in the Pathogenesis, Pathophysiology and Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia.

Background: Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal-dominant genetic disease and represents the most common genetic disorder: heterozygous 1/250 births, homozygous 1/300, 000 births. FH is characterized by high to very high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which is the main cause of increased incidence of premature atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) or aortic stenosis.

Objective: The aim of the review was to investigate the pathogenesis and the pathophysiology of FH.

Overview of the current status of familial hypercholesterolaemia care in over 60 countries - The EAS Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC).

Background And Aims: Management of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) may vary across different settings due to factors related to population characteristics, practice, resources and/or policies. We conducted a survey among the worldwide network of EAS FHSC Lead Investigators to provide an overview of FH status in different countries.

Methods: Lead Investigators from countries formally involved in the EAS FHSC by mid-May 2018 were invited to provide a brief report on FH status in their countries, including available information, programmes, initiatives, and management.

Non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring as a guide to drug treatment of uncontrolled hypertensive patients: effects on home blood pressure in the BEAUTY study.

Background: In the BEAUTY study we investigated whether utilizing non-invasive monitoring of hemodynamic parameters combined with a drug selection algorithm (integrated hemodynamic management-IHM) compared to conventional drug selection may improve home BP in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

Methods: Uncontrolled (office systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 140 mmHg and ambulatory daytime SBP >135 mmHg while taking ≥2 antihypertensive drugs) essential hypertensive patients were referred to 5 European Hypertension Excellence Centers and, if eligible, were randomized into IHM-guided vs conventional treatment adjustment. Home blood pressure (BP) was taken with 2 repeated readings at 1-2 min intervals in the morning and in the evening (before drug intake and eating) during the week preceding the visit at the outpatient clinic after 5 min rest using a validated semi-automatic oscillometric arm cuff device and with a correct cuff bladder placement.