Untreated Hypertension and Subsequent Incidence of Colorectal Cancer: Analysis of a Nationwide Epidemiological Database.

Background Studies of the association of hypertension with incident colorectal cancer (CRC) may have been confounded by including individuals taking antihypertensive medication, at high risk for CRC (ie, colorectal polyps and inflammatory bowel disease), or with shared risk factors (eg, obesity and diabetes). We assessed whether adults with untreated hypertension are at higher risk for incident CRC compared with those with normal blood pressure (BP), and whether any association is evident among individuals without obesity or metabolic abnormalities. Methods and Results Analyses were conducted using a nationwide health claims database collected in the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2018 (n=2 220 112; mean age, 44.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Incident Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in Middle-Aged Adults.

Background Higher circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) associates with greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in older adults. The association of FGF23 with cardiovascular outcomes in younger populations has been incompletely explored. Methods and Results We measured C-terminal FGF23 (cFGF23) and intact FGF23 (iFGF23) in 3151 middle-aged adults (mean age, 45±4) who participated in the year 20 examination of the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study.

Factors Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life 2 Years After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Insights From INTERMACS.

Background Factors related to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) 2 years after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation are unknown. We sought to determine whether preimplant intended goal of LVAD therapy (heart transplant candidate [short-term group], uncertain heart transplant candidate [uncertain group], and heart transplant ineligible [long-term group]) and other variables were related to HRQOL 2 years after LVAD implantation. Methods and Results Our LVAD sample (n=1620) was from INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support).

Obesity and Serial NT-proBNP Levels in Guided Medical Therapy for Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Insights From the GUIDE-IT Trial.

Background Obese patients have lower NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) levels. The prognostic implications of achieving NT-proBNP levels ≤1000 pg/mL in obese patients with heart failure (HF) receiving biomarker-guided therapy are not completely known. We evaluated the prognostic implications of obesity and having NT-proBNP levels (≤1000 pg/mL) in the GUIDE-IT (Guiding Evidence-Based Therapy Using Biomarker-Intensified Treatment in HF) trial participants.

Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms and Risk of Incident Cardiovascular Disease Events in SWAN.

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women has unique features, including associations with reproductive factors that are incompletely understood. Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), the classic menopausal symptom, are linked to CVD risk factors and subclinical CVD. Evidence linking VMS to CVD events is limited.

Evidence for G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor as a Pronatriuretic Factor.

Background The novel estrogen receptor, G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), is responsible for rapid estrogen signaling. GPER activation elicits cardiovascular and nephroprotective effects against salt-induced complications, yet there is no direct evidence for GPER control of renal Na handling. We hypothesized that GPER activation in the renal medulla facilitates Na excretion.

Social Determinants of Health and 90-Day Mortality After Hospitalization for Heart Failure in the REGARDS Study.

Background Outcomes following heart failure (HF) hospitalizations are poor, with 90-day mortality rates of 15% to 20%. Although prior studies found associations between individual social determinants of health (SDOH) and post-discharge mortality, less is known about how an individuals' total burden of SDOH affects 90-day mortality. Methods and Results We included participants of the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) Study who were Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years discharged alive after an adjudicated HF hospitalization.

Development of Predictive Equations for Nocturnal Hypertension and Nondipping Systolic Blood Pressure.

Background Nocturnal hypertension, defined by a mean asleep systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (BP) ≥120/70 mm Hg, and nondipping SBP, defined by an awake-to-asleep decline in SBP <10%, are each associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Methods and Results We developed predictive equations to identify adults with a high probability of having nocturnal hypertension or nondipping SBP using data from the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study (n=787), JHS (Jackson Heart Study) (n=1063), IDH (Improving the Detection of Hypertension) study (n=395), and MHT (Masked Hypertension) study (n=772) who underwent 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Participants were randomized to derivation (n=2511) or validation (n=506) data sets.

End-of-Life Spending and Healthcare Utilization Among Older Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: End-of-life spending and healthcare utilization among older adults with COPD have not been previously described.

Methods: We examined data on Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who died during the period of 2013-2014. End-of-life measures were retrospectively reviewed for 2 years prior to death.

Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Major Hemorrhage Among White and Black Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background Data on racial disparities in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major hemorrhage (HEM) after percutaneous coronary intervention are limited. Factors contributing to these disparities are unknown. Methods and Results PRiME-GGAT (Pharmacogenomic Resource to Improve Medication Effectiveness-Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy) is a prospective cohort.

Uncoupling Protein 2 Increases Blood Pressure in DJ -1 Knockout Mice.

Background The redox-sensitive chaperone DJ -1 and uncoupling protein 2 are protective against mitochondrial oxidative stress. We previously reported that renal-selective depletion and germline deletion of DJ -1 increases blood pressure in mice. This study aimed to determine the mechanisms involved in the oxidative stress-mediated hypertension in DJ -1 mice.

Lung Function in Young Adults and Risk of Cardiovascular Events Over 29 Years: The CARDIA Study.

Background Diminished peak lung function in young adulthood is a risk factor for future chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The association between lung disease and cardiovascular disease later in life is well documented. Whether peak lung function measured in young adulthood is associated with risk of future cardiovascular events is unknown.

Number of Measurements Needed to Obtain a Reliable Estimate of Home Blood Pressure: Results From the Improving the Detection of Hypertension Study.

Background Obtaining out-of-clinic blood pressure ( BP ) measurements to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension is recommended before initiating treatment. There are few empiric data available on the number of measurements required to reliably estimate BP on home BP monitoring ( HBPM ). Methods and Results We analyzed data from 316 community-dwelling adults not taking antihypertensive medication from the IDH (Improving the Detection of Hypertension) study who performed HBPM for 14 days.

Mitochondrial-Mediated Oxidative Ca/Calmodulin-Dependent Kinase II Activation Induces Early Afterdepolarizations in Guinea Pig Cardiomyocytes: An In Silico Study.

Background Oxidative stress-mediated Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (Ca MKII) phosphorylation of cardiac ion channels has emerged as a critical contributor to arrhythmogenesis in cardiac pathology. However, the link between mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (md ROS ) and increased Ca MKII activity in the context of cardiac arrhythmias has not been fully elucidated and is difficult to establish experimentally. Methods and Results We hypothesize that pathological md ROS can cause erratic action potentials through the oxidation-dependent Ca MKII activation pathway.

Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Variants Associated With Blood Pressure Among 2 Cohorts of Older Adults.

Background Age-related changes in blood pressure are associated with a variety of poor health outcomes. Genetic factors are proposed contributors to age-related increases in blood pressure, but few genetic loci have been identified. We examined the role of mitochondrial genomic variation in blood pressure by sequencing the mitochondrial genome.

Novel Noninvasive Assessment of Pulmonary Arterial Stiffness Using Velocity Transfer Function.

Background Pulmonary artery ( PA ) stiffness is associated with increased pulmonary vascular resistance ( PVR ). PA stiffness is accurately described by invasive PA impedance because it considers pulsatile blood flow through elastic PA s. We hypothesized that PA stiffness and impedance could be evaluated noninvasively by PA velocity transfer function ( VTF ), calculated as a ratio of the frequency spectra of output/input mean velocity profiles in PA s.