Promotion of Cardiovascular Health in Africa: The Alliance for Medical Research in Africa (AMedRA) Expert Panel.

This proposed scientific statement is focused on providing new insights regarding challenges and opportunities for cardiovascular health (CVH) promotion in Africa. The statement includes an overview of the current state of CVH in Africa, with a particular interest in the cardiometabolic risk factors and their evaluation through metrics. The statement also explains the main principles of primordial prevention, its relevance in reducing noncommunicable disease and the different strategies that have been effective worldwide.

Acute Effect of High-Intensity Interval Exercise on Blood Pressure in Females Living with Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension.

Background : The acute effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on blood pressure (BP) may depend on the exercise protocol performed. Purpose: To compare the acute effect of high and low-volume HIIT on post-exercise and ambulatory BP in untrained older females diagnosed with both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension (HTN). Methods: Fifteen females (69 [65 ─ 74] years) completed a crossover study with three experimental conditions: 1) REST (35 min in sitting position); 2) HIIT10 (10 × 1 min at 90% heart rate max [HRmax]), and 3) HIIT4 (4 × 4 min at 90% HRmax).

Women-Focused Cardiac Rehabilitation Delivery Around the World and Program Enablers to Support Broader Implementation.

Background: Women are less likely than men to use cardiac rehabilitation (CR); thus, women-focused (W-F) CR was developed. Implementation of W-F CR globally was investigated, as well as barriers and enablers to its delivery.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a survey was administered to CR programs via Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) from May to July, 2023.

The Effect of Exercise Modalities on Walking Capacity in Patients With Intermittent Claudication: A NETWORK META-ANALYSIS.

Introduction: Despite extensive research on the effect of supervised exercise therapy on walking performance in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD), it remains unclear which training modality provides the greatest improvement in walking capacity. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of different types of supervised exercise therapy on walking capacity in individuals with symptomatic PAD.

Methods: A random-effect network meta-analysis was performed.

Exercise Capacity and Perceived Exertion on Treadmill Stress Test Performed While Wearing vs Without a Surgical Mask: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Healthy Adults.

Background: The graded exercise treadmill stress test (GXT) is among the most frequently performed tests in cardiology. The COVID-19 pandemic led many healthcare facilities to require patients to wear a mask during the test. This study evaluated the effect of wearing a surgical face mask on exercise capacity and perceived exertion.

Evolution of Early Postoperative Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Introduction: Surgically treated acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients are often restricted from physical exercise due to a lack of knowledge about safe blood pressure (BP) ranges. The aim of this study was to describe the evolution of early postoperative cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for patients with ATAAD.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of 73 patients with ATAAD who were referred to the CR department after surgery.

The feasibility, reliability, and incremental value of two-dimensional speckle-tracking for the detection of significant coronary stenosis after treadmill stress echocardiography.

Background: Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) may help detect coronary artery disease (CAD) when combined with dobutamine stress echocardiography. However, few studies have explored STE with exercise stress echocardiography (ESE). We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, reliability, and incremental value of STE combined with treadmill ESE compared to treadmill ESE alone to detect CAD.

Norepinephrine-associated left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and systolic anterior movement.

In the perioperative setting, norepinephrine is used to increase blood pressure, an effect mediated mostly via arterial and venous vasoconstriction. Thus, norepinephrine is, allegedly, less likely to cause or worsen left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) than other inotropes. We report a case of norepinephrine-associated dynamic LVOTO and systolic anterior movement in a predisposed patient.

Telerehabilitation with live-feed biomedical sensor signals for patients with heart failure: a pilot study.

Background: Integrating biomedical sensors to a telerehabilitation platform allowed clinicians to receive real-time transmissions of the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, oxygen saturation, and heart rate during an exercise program. These clinical data could be helpful to adjust and personalize the intensity of exercises to each patient's condition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of biomedical sensors in telerehabilitation in patients with heart failure (HF).

Blood pressure and burden of hypertension in Cameroon, a microcosm of Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies.

Objective: To estimate national and geography-based variations in blood pressure and burden of hypertension in Cameroon, generally called 'miniature Africa'.

Methods: PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, CINHAL, Web of Science, Popline, Scopus and BDSP were searched through November 2018, for hypertension studies among Cameroonians aged at least 18 years. Hypertension was measured as SBP at least 140 mmHg or DBP at least 90 mmHg.

Effects of a Pre-surgery Supervised Exercise Training 1 Year After Bariatric Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: We have previously reported on the benefits of Pre-Surgical Exercise Training (PreSET) on physical fitness and social interactions in subjects awaiting bariatric surgery (BS). However, data are needed to know whether these benefits are maintained post-BS.

Objectives: The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effect of PreSET on physical activity (PA) level, physical fitness, PA barriers, and quality of life (QoL) 1 year (1-Y) after BS.

Diagnosis, Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, Prevention, and Control of Hypertension in Cameroon: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinic-Based and Community-Based Studies.

Background: Hypertension holds a unique place in population health and health care because it is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and the most common noncommunicable condition seen in primary care worldwide. Without effective prevention and control, raised blood pressure significantly increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, dementia, renal failure, and blindness. There is an urgent need for stakeholders-including individuals and families-across the health system, researchers, and decision makers to work collaboratively for improving prevention, screening and detection, diagnosis and evaluation, awareness, treatment and medication adherence, management, and control for people with or at high risk for hypertension.

Impacts of Supervised Exercise Training in Addition to Interdisciplinary Lifestyle Management in Subjects Awaiting Bariatric Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Experts recommend physical activity (PA) to optimize bariatric surgery (BS) results. However, evidence on the effect of PA before BS is missing. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of adding a Pre-Surgical Exercise Training (PreSET) to an interdisciplinary lifestyle intervention on physical fitness, quality of life, PA barriers, and anthropometric parameters of subjects awaiting BS.

Telerehabilitation for patients with heart failure.

Heart failure is a chronic and progressive condition that is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Even though cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been shown to be beneficial to heart failure patients, only a very small proportion of them will actually be referred and eventually participate. The low participation rate is due in part to accessibility and travel difficulties.

Treatment strategies in patients with statin intolerance: the Cleveland Clinic experience.

Background: Statin therapy is a proven effective treatment of hyperlipidemia. However, a significant number of patients cannot tolerate statins. This study was conducted to review treatment strategies for patients intolerant to statin therapy with a focus on intermittent statin dosing.

Cardiac rehabilitation past, present and future: an overview.

Cardiac Rehabilitation has evolved over the past decades from a simple monitoring for the safe return to physical activities to a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on patient education, individually tailored exercise training, modification of the risk factors and the overall well-being of the cardiac patients. It has been proven to be an effective tool for the care of the patients with heart disease. Recent research in cardiac rehabilitation has demonstrated that tremendous benefits can be derived from the optimal use of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with various cardiac pathologies including ischemic heart disease, heart failure and post heart surgery.