Coronary Heart Disease Events Research Articles

Family history of cardiovascular disease and risk of premature coronary heart disease: A matched case-control study

Background: Self-reported family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an independent risk factor for future coronary heart disease (CHD) events. However, inclusion of family history of CVD in the traditional risk scores failed to improve risk prediction of CHD. It is proposed that family history of CVD may substantially increase the risk of CHD among younger individuals. Methods: We conducted a matched case-control study with 170 hospital-based premature CHD patients (<55 years in men and <65 years in women) from a tertiary care centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and age and sex matched community-based controls in 1:1 ratio. Conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the independent association of family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature CHD. We estimated McNemar's odds ratios and their 95 percent confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of any family history of CVD and CHD in the control population was 24% and 21%, respectively. The family history of CVD was independently associated with premature CHD (odds ratio (OR) = 9.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.7–17.3). There was a dose-response relationship between family history and premature CHD as the risk increased linearly with increase in number of affected family members. Conclusions: Family history of CVD is an independent risk factor for premature CHD. The risk of premature CHD increases linearly with increase in number of affected family members. Collecting family history beyond parental history of CVD is important for risk stratification. Targeting young individuals with family history of CVD for intensive risk reduction interventions may help to prevent future events.

Early impact of liraglutide in routine clinical use (ABCD nationwide liraglutide audit) on cardiovascular risk (UKPDS risk engine)

Aims: Liraglutide has been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality in a cardiovascular safety study, but it is not known to what extent these results will be replicated in real practice with people with diabetes treated with liraglutide in the UK. We wished to explore the likely cardiovascular benefits by modelling 10-year reduction in cardiovascular events and mortality using data from the ABCD liraglutide audit database.Methods: The UKPDS risk engine 2.0 was applied to data collected in the ABCD liraglutide audit database before and at the earliest return to clinic between 3 and 9 months after commencing liraglutide, using the 747 of 6,959 records where all factors used by the risk engine were completely recorded.Results: There were significant falls in all factors used in the UKPDS cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment other than HDL cholesterol which was unchanged. The UKPDS risk engine mean±SD 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk fell by 2.7±7.6% from 18.7±13.0% to 16.1±11.6% (p&lt;0.001). The 10-year fatal CHD risk fell by 2.3±6.5% from 13.7±11.1% to 11.4±9.8% (p&lt;0.001). The 10-year stroke risk fell by 0.3±2.8% from 7.9±8.7% to 7.6±8.3% (p=0.003). The 10-year fatal stroke risk fell by 0.1±0.7% from 1.2±1.4% to 1.1±1.3% (p=0.001).Conclusion: Starting liraglutide reduced 10-year CVD risk. These data suggest that liraglutide used in routine clinical care in 100 patients could prevent three events of CHD or stroke and save two or more lives over the next 10 years.

1492-P: Urbanicity and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease among Adults with Diabetes: The Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study

Background: Diabetes (DM) is more prevalent among rural adults in the U.S. However, it is unclear if coronary heart disease (CHD) risk among adults with DM varies by urbanicity. Methods: This study included 3,578 of the REGARDS Study participants with DM at baseline (2003-07). Each participant’s address was categorized as urban, large rural, small rural or isolated small rural tract using Rural and Urban Commuting Areas categories. Incident CHD events through 12/31/2016 were adjudicated. Cox regression with robust standard errors accounting for geographic clustering was used to obtain hazard ratios and 95% CIs. Results: Mean age of participants was 64.8 years, 56% were women, and 60% were Black adults. At baseline, 82.5% lived in urban, 10.7% in large rural, 5.3% in small rural and 1.5% in isolated small rural tracts. During a median 9.4 years, 358 incident CHD events occurred. CHD incidence among those in isolated small rural tracts was doubled compared to urban tracts, while those in large or small rural tracts had similar rates as those in urban tracts (Table). Controlling for individual-level and community-level factors minimally attenuated the association. Conclusion: Differences in the environmental attributes of these communities may contribute to the increased risk of CHD in isolated rural areas. Disclosure G. Malla: None. D. Long: None. A. Cherrington: None. M. Safford: None. D.M. Cummings: Research Support; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc. T.P. McAlexander: None. S. De Silva: None. S. Judd: None. B. Hidalgo: None. E.B. Levitan: Advisory Panel; Self; Amgen. Consultant; Self; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Research Support; Self; Amgen. A.P. Carson: Research Support; Self; Amgen. Funding National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; National Institutes of Health; Department of Health and Human Services (U01NS041588); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U01DP006302)

Coagulation factor VIII: Relationship to cardiovascular disease risk and whole genome sequence and epigenome‐wide analysis in African Americans

BackgroundProspective studies have suggested higher factor VIII (FVIII) levels are an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. However, limited information, including on genetic and epigenetic contributors to FVIII variation, is available specifically among African Americans (AAs), who have higher FVIII levels than Europeans. ObjectivesWe measured FVIII levels in ~3400 AAs from the community‐based Jackson Heart Study and assessed genetic, epigenetic, and epidemiological correlates of FVIII, as well as incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) associations. MethodsWe assessed cross‐sectional associations of FVIII with CVD risk factors as well as incident CHD, stroke, heart failure, and mortality associations. We additionally assessed associations with TOPMed whole genome sequencing data and an epigenome‐wide methylation array. ResultsOur results confirmed associations between FVIII and risk of incident CHD events and total mortality in AAs; mortality associations were largely independent of traditional risk factors. We also demonstrate an association of FVIII with incident heart failure, independent of B‐type natriuretic peptide. Two genomic regions were strongly associated with FVIII (ABO and VWF). The index variant at VWF is specific to individuals of African descent and is distinct from the previously reported European VWF association signal. Epigenome‐wide association analysis showed significant FVIII associations with several CpG sites in the ABO region. However, after adjusting for ABO genetic variants, ABO CpG sites were not significant. ConclusionsLarger sample sizes of AAs will be required to discover additional genetic and epigenetic contributors to FVIII phenotypic variation, which may have consequences for CVD health disparities.

Triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in a Chinese population

Background and aimsTriglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio may play a role in predicting cardiovascular events. We aimed to prospectively explore the association between the TG/HDL-C ratio and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), ischemic stroke, as well as coronary heart disease (CHD) in a Chinese population. Methods and resultsThis prospective cohort study included 9368 participants from four Chinese populations in the People's Republic of China–United States of America (PRC-USA) Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular and Cardiopulmonary Epidemiology. Over a follow-up period of 20 years, 624 cases of ASCVD events including 458 ischemic stroke events and 166 CHD events were recorded. The relationship between the TG/HDL-C ratio and the endpoints was evaluated through multivariate Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for potential confounding variables, including age, sex, urban or rural residence, northern or southern China, occupational type, education, physical exercise, smoking status, drinking status, body mass index, hypertension, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, diabetes, and antihypertensive medication use at baseline. With the lowest TG/HDL-C tertile as the reference, the middle and highest tertiles had the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 1.13 (0.91, 1.40), 1.36 (1.10, 1.67) respectively for ASCVD (p for trend = 0.0028), and 1.19 (0.93, 1.54),1.47 (1.15, 1.87) respectively for ischemic stroke (p for trend = 0.0016). However, no significant association was found for CHD events. ConclusionTG/HDL-C ratio was positively associated with the risk of ASCVD and ischemic stroke events in the Chinese population.

Vitamin D supplementation, cardiac events and stroke: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis

IntroductionObservational data has suggested a link between vitamin D deficiency and coronary heart disease (CHD). However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have failed to show benefit. The objective of this study is to analyze the RCTs investigating vitamin D supplementation and the risk of CHD and stroke. MethodsAll RCTs that compared vitamin D supplementation to placebo and evaluated nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac mortality, stroke and CHD events (a composite of cardiac mortality, MI, unstable angina and revascularization) were included. Rate ratios (RR) were calculated for each endpoint and to test for heterogeneity of treatment effect (HTE) the Chi2 and I2 tests were used for younger vs. older participants, shorter vs. longer trial duration, vitamin D supplements with vs. without calcium, and daily vs. monthly dosages of vitamin D. A meta-regression was performed with baseline vitamin D concentration as the covariate. Results22 RCTs were identified (n = 83,200). Vitamin D supplementation had no effect on nonfatal MI (RR 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89–1.08), cardiac death (RR 0.94, CI 0.84–1.06), CHD events (RR 1.00, CI 0.91–1.10), or stroke (RR, 0.97, CI 0.9–1.03). When performing the meta-regression with baseline circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations as the covariate, vitamin D supplementation’s treatment effect on CVD outcomes was not associated with baseline 25(OH)D. ConclusionVitamin D did not reduce CHD and stroke. A linear relationship does not exist between baseline 25(OH)D and vitamin D supplementation’s effect on CVD. Vitamin D levels should be checked and repleted in those with an absolute indication.

Does the Encounter Type Matter When Defining Diabetes Complications in Electronic Health Records?

Electronic health records (EHRs) and claims records are widely used in defining type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complications across different types of health care encounters. This study investigates whether using different EHR encounter types to define diabetes complications may lead to different results when examining associations between diabetes complications and their risk factors in patients with T2DM. The study cohort of 64,855 adult patients with T2DM was created from EHR data from the Research Action for Health Network (REACHnet), using the Surveillance Prevention, and Management of Diabetes Mellitus (SUPREME-DM) definitions. Incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke events were identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9/10 codes and grouped by encounter types: (1) inpatient (IP) or emergency department (ED) type, or (2) any health care encounter type. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate associations between diabetes complications (ie, CHD and stroke) and risk factors (ie, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c). The incidence rates of CHD and stroke in all health care settings were more than twice the incidence rates of CHD and stroke in IP/ED settings. The age-adjusted and multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for incident CHD and stroke across different levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c were similar between IP/ED and all settings. While there are large variations in incidence rates of CHD and stroke as absolute risks, the associations between both CHD and stroke and their respective risk factors measured by hazard ratios as relative risks are similar, regardless of alternative definitions.

Association of sleep disturbance with risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes: data from the Korean NHIS-HEALS

BackgroundSleep disturbance has been significantly associated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population. However, despite the common prevalence of sleep disturbance in patients with type 2 diabetes, its relationship with the risk of CVD remains unclear. Here, we have examined the association of sleep disturbance with the incidence of all CVD and all-cause mortality in patients with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes.MethodsWe used the Korean National Health Insurance Service–Health Screening Cohort data and included 36,058 patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes aged ≥ 40 years between 2004 and 2007, along with follow-up examinations to 2013. We used the ICD-10 code to measure sleep disturbance as a primary diagnosis and the multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of all CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and all-cause mortality.ResultsWe identified 6897 cases of all CVD (CHD, n = 4138; stroke, n = 2759) and 2890 events of all-cause mortality during a mean follow-up period of 7.0 years. Sleep disturbance was associated with an increased risk of All CVD (AHR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.06–1.46), CHD events (AHR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.00–1.53), and all-cause mortality (AHR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.15–1.87) in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, women (AHR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.06–1.67) and middle-aged adults (AHR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.02–1.64) with sleep disturbance had a significantly increased risk of CVD than those without; contrarily, men (AHR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.09–1.95) and older adults (AHR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.15–1.99) with sleep disturbance were associated with a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality than those without.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that sleep disturbance is significantly associated with an increased risk of CVD and all-cause mortality in patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes.

Trends in diabetes-related complications in Hong Kong, 2001\u20132016: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundNationwide studies on contemporary trends in incidence of diabetes-related complications in Asia are lacking. We describe trends in incident coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, heart failure, hyperglycaemic crisis, and lower-extremity amputation (LEA) in people with diabetes in Hong Kong between 2001 and 2016.MethodsThe Hong Kong Diabetes Surveillance Database (HKDSD) is a territory-wide diabetes cohort identified from Hong Kong Hospital Authority electronic medical record system. We identified events of CHD, stroke, heart failure and hyperglycaemic crisis using hospital principal diagnosis codes at discharge and that of LEA using inpatient procedure codes. We used Joinpoint regression analysis to describe incidence trends by age and sex.ResultsBetween 2001 and 2016, a total of 390,071 men and 380,007 women aged 20 years or older with diabetes were included in the HKDSD. Event rates of CHD, stroke, heart failure, hyperglycaemic crisis and LEA declined by 69.4% (average annual percent change: − 7.6, 95% CI − 10.2, − 5.0), 70.3% (− 8.7, 95% CI − 9.8, − 7.5), 63.6% (− 6.4, 95% CI − 8.0, − 4.7), 59.1% (− 6.6, 95% CI − 12.4, − 0.44), and 67.5% (− 5.8, 95% CI − 7.2, − 4.4), in men and by 77.5% (− 9.9, 95% CI − 11.8, − 7.9), 74.5% (− 9.0, 95% CI − 9.6, − 8.4), 65.8% (− 7.0, 95% CI − 8.0, − 6.0), 81.7% (− 8.5, 95% CI − 10.5, − 6.5), and 72.7% (− 9.1. 95% CI − 12.2, − 5.8) in women, respectively, over a 16-year period in people with diabetes in Hong Kong. Joinpoint analysis identified greater declines in event rates of the five diabetes-related complications in the earlier one-third of study period and slowed down but remained significant until 2016. Event rates decreased for all age groups above 45 years for both sexes. There was no significant change in event rates in the group aged 20–44 years except for decline in hyperglycaemic crisis.ConclusionsThe event rates of diabetes-related complications have declined substantially with no evidence of stabilization or increase in Hong Kong up to 2016. Improvements in outcome were observed for all age subgroups but not in young people with diabetes, calling for urgent action to improve quality of care to prevent complications in young people at risk.

Modified-release hydrocortisone for glucocorticoid deficiency

The central circadian pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and interaction of clock genes with the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis are responsible for very distinct cortisol concentrations. Unphysiologically high doses of glucocorticoids that do not follow the circadian rhythm lead to increased rates of morbidity, mortality and reduced quality of life. Does aswitch to modified-release hydrocortisone in multimorbid elderly patients offer benefits compared to aconventional therapy regime? Evaluation, analysis and discussion of statistics, recent research results and expert advice. Overdosage and unphysiological timing of cortisol administration result in higher incidences of obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, coronary heart disease and cardiac events. Body weight, body mass index and HbA1c decline with Plenadren® (Shire Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited, Dublin, Ireland) treatment compared to conventional therapy. CD16+ natural killer cells and natural killer cytotoxycity are reduced, and the incidence of respiratory-tract infections is increased, with conventional therapy compared to Plenadren®. Cortisol influences sleep pattern and sleep quality by its circadian secretion. Novel modified-release hydrocortisone preparations offer diverse benefits with regard to their effect on metabolism, cardiovascular risk, immunity and sleep, which might be beneficial in particular in multimorbid elderly.

Physical Activity and Incident Heart Failure in High-Risk Subgroups: The ARIC Study.

BackgroundGreater physical activity (PA) is associated with lower heart failure (HF) risk. However, it is unclear whether this inverse association exists across all subgroups at high risk for HF, particularly among those with preexisting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.Methods and ResultsWe followed 13 810 ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study participants (mean age 55 years, 54% women, 26% black) without HF at baseline (visit 1; 1987–1989). PA was assessed using a modified Baecke questionnaire and categorized according to American Heart Association guidelines: recommended, intermediate, or poor. We constructed Cox models to estimate associations between PA categories and incident HF within each high‐risk subgroup at baseline, with tests for interaction. We performed additional analyses modeling incident coronary heart disease as a time‐varying covariate. Over a median of 26 years of follow‐up, there were 2994 HF events. Compared with poor PA, recommended PA was associated with lower HF risk among participants with hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome (all P<0.01), but not among those with prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease) (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.74–1.13 [P interaction=0.02]). Recommended PA was associated with lower risk of incident coronary heart disease (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.72–0.86), but not with lower HF risk in those with interim coronary heart disease events (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.78–1.04 [P interaction=0.04]).Conclusions PA was associated with decreased HF risk in patients with hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. Despite a myriad of benefits in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, PA may have weaker associations with HF prevention after ischemic disease is established.

Physical Activity and Factors Affecting Its Maintenance Among Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Not Undergoing Cardiac Rehabilitation in China.

BackgroundThe level of physical activity (PA) among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) living in Chinese communities who do not participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs and the factors contributing to patient maintenance of PA are unclear.ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study, guided by the Transtheoretical Model, evaluated (1) the maintenance of PA in Chinese patients with CHD 12 months after hospital discharge and (2) the demographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics associated with maintenance of PA.MethodsA total of 1162 patients completed 6 questionnaires at 12 months posthospitalization to assess their maintenance of PA, stage of change, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and health-related quality of life and sleep.ResultsOnly 40% of patients with CHD maintained regular PA 12 months after hospital discharge. Walking was their primary PA. Thirty-seven percent of patients reported no intention of having regular PA. Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.69), awareness of PA's cardiac benefit (OR, 4.12), a history of regular PA before the cardiac event (OR, 6.08), history of chronic disease (OR, 1.43), mild depressive symptoms (OR, 1.40), moderate and severe depressive symptoms (OR, 0.41), smoking (OR, 0.54), and years of CHD (OR, 0.96) were related to maintenance of regular PA. Patients with CHD who maintained regular PA had better quality of life and sleep (P < .001) and fewer unplanned clinic visits (P = .001) and cardiac cause readmissions (P = .012) and reported fewer declines in PA capacity (P < .001).ConclusionsWalking is the most common form of PA 12 months posthospitalization among patients with CHD in China. Patient education and counseling about the cardiac benefits of PA, taking into account stage of change, are important considerations to improve maintenance of PA.

Association of dietary vitamin K and risk of coronary heart disease in middle-age adults: the Hordaland Health Study Cohort

ObjectiveThe role of vitamin K in the regulation of vascular calcification is established. However, the association of dietary vitamins K1 and K2 with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is...

Predictive Utility of Polygenic Risk Scores for Coronary Heart Disease in Three Major Racial and Ethnic Groups

Because polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for coronary heart disease (CHD) are derived from mainly European ancestry (EA) cohorts, their validity in African ancestry (AA) and Hispanic ethnicity (HE) individuals is unclear. We investigated associations of "restricted" and genome-wide PRSs with CHD in three major racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. The eMERGE cohort (mean age 48 ± 14 years, 58% female) included 45,645 EA, 7,597 AA, and 2,493 HE individuals. We assessed two restricted PRSs (PRSTikkanen and PRSTada; 28 and 50 variants, respectively) and two genome-wide PRSs (PRSmetaGRS and PRSLDPred; 1.7M and 6.6M variants, respectively) derived from EA cohorts. Over a median follow-up of 11.1 years, 2,652 incident CHD events occurred. Hazard and odds ratios for the association of PRSs with CHD were similar in EA and HE cohorts but lower in AA cohorts. Genome-wide PRSs were more strongly associated with CHD than restricted PRSs were. PRSmetaGRS, the best performing PRS, was associated with CHD in all three cohorts; hazard ratios (95% CI) per 1 SD increase were 1.53 (1.46-1.60), 1.53 (1.23-1.90), and 1.27 (1.13-1.43) for incident CHD in EA, HE, and AA individuals, respectively. The hazard ratios were comparable in the EA and HE cohorts (pinteraction = 0.77) but were significantly attenuated in AA individuals (pinteraction= 2.9× 10-3). These results highlight the potential clinical utility of PRSs for CHD as well as the need to assemble diverse cohorts to generate ancestry- and ethnicity PRSs.

Operationalization of Utilitarian and Egalitarian Objectives for Optimal Allocation of Health Care Resources

ABSTRACTResources for health care interventions, such as tests and treatments, are limited. This makes it necessary to prioritize patient segments (defined in terms of their risk) by allocating resources so that the expected contribution to the chosen population‐level objective is maximized. In this article, we build a model for the optimal allocation of resources in view of two such objectives: maximizing the aggregate health of the population (utilitarian) and limiting differences in the health outcomes for different patient segments (egalitarian). In particular, we build a two‐phase optimization model that (i) first uses dynamic programming to determine what testing and treatment strategies maximize the expected health benefits for each patient segment at different cost levels, and (ii) then solves a binary linear programming problem to determine what resources should be given to each segment to maximize the chosen policy‐level objective subject to the overall resource constraint. Our model supports the specification of patient segments, the development of optimal testing and treatment strategies within each segment, and the allocation of available resources to these segments so that the policy‐objective will be maximized by implementing these strategies. In addition, the model can be used to guide the interpretation of test results and to assess the impacts of new tests and treatments. It also offers insights into the cost of equity by permitting comparisons between the optimal strategies under utilitarian and egalitarian objectives. We illustrate our approach with real data by optimizing the use of traditional risk scores and genetic tests in preventing coronary heart disease events.

Goal-Striving Stress and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Blacks: The Jackson Heart Study.

BackgroundGoal‐striving stress (GSS), the stress from striving for goals, is associated with poor health. Less is known about its association with cardiovascular disease (CVD).Methods and ResultsWe used data from the JHS (Jackson Heart Study), a study of CVD among blacks (21–95 years old) from 2000 to 2015. Participants free of CVD at baseline (2000–2004) were included in this analysis (n=4648). GSS was examined in categories (low, moderate, high) and in SD units. Incident CVD was defined as fatal or nonfatal stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD), and/or heart failure. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incident CVD by levels of GSS, adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, risk factors, and perceived stress. The distribution of GSS categories was as follows: 40.77% low, 33.97% moderate, and 25.26% high. Over an average of 12 years, there were 140 incident stroke events, 164 CHD events, and 194 heart failure events. After full adjustment, high (versus low) GSS was associated with a lower risk of stroke (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17–0.83) and a higher risk of CHD (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.10–3.33) among women. A 1‐standard deviation unit increase in GSS was associated with a 31% increased risk of CHD (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.10–1.56) among women.ConclusionsHigher GSS may be a risk factor for developing CHD among women; however, it appears to be protective of stroke among women. These analyses should be replicated in other samples of black individuals.

Family history of cardiovascular disease and risk of premature coronary heart disease: A matched case-control study

Background: Self-reported family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an independent risk factor for future coronary heart disease (CHD) events. However, inclusion of family history of CVD in the traditional risk scores failed to improve risk prediction of CHD. It is proposed that family history of CVD may substantially increase the risk of CHD among younger individuals. Methods: We conducted a matched case-control study with 170 hospital-based premature CHD patients (&lt;55 years in men and &lt;65 years in women) from a tertiary care centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and age and sex matched community-based controls in 1:1 ratio. Conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the independent association of family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature CHD. We estimated McNemar's odds ratios and their 95 percent confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of any family history of CVD and CHD in the control population was 24% and 21%, respectively. The family history of CVD was independently associated with premature CHD (odds ratio (OR) = 9.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.7–17.3). There was a dose-response relationship between family history and premature CHD as the risk increased linearly with increase in number of affected family members. Conclusions: Family history of CVD is an independent risk factor for premature CHD. The risk of premature CHD increases linearly with increase in number of affected family members. Collecting family history beyond parental history of CVD is important for risk stratification. Targeting young individuals with family history of CVD for intensive risk reduction interventions may help to prevent future events.

Cardiovascular Outcomes in Relation to Antihypertensive Medication Use in Women with and Without Cancer: Results from the Women's Health Initiative.

Recent clinical trials have evaluated angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (ACEis), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and beta blockers (BBs) in relation to cardiotoxicity in patients with cancer, typically defined by ejection fraction declines. However, these trials have not examined long-term, hard clinical endpoints. Within a prospective study, we examined the risk of heart failure (HF) and coronary heart disease (CHD) events in relation to use of commonly used antihypertensive medications, including ACEis/ARBs, BBs, calcium channel blockers (CCB), and diuretics, comparing women with and without cancer. In a cohort of 56,997 Women's Health Initiative study participants free of cardiovascular disease who received antihypertensive treatment, we used multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) of developing CHD, HF, and a composite outcome of cardiac events (combining CHD and HF) in relation to use of ACEis/ARBs, CCBs, or diuretics versus BBs, separately in women with and without cancer. Whereas there was no difference in risk of cardiac events comparing ACEi/ARB with BB use among cancer-free women (HR = 0.99 [0.88-1.12]), among cancer survivors ACEi/ARB users were at a 2.24-fold risk of total cardiac events (1.18-4.24); p-interaction = .06). When investigated in relation to CHD only, an increased risk was similarly observed in ACEi/ARB versus BB use for cancer survivors (HR = 1.87 [0.88-3.95]) but not in cancer-free women (HR = 0.91 [0.79-1.06]; p-interaction = .04). A similar pattern was also seen in relation to HF but did not reach statistical significance (p-interaction = .23). These results from this observational study suggest differing risks of cardiac events in relation to antihypertensive medications depending on history of cancer. Although these results require replication before becoming actionable in a clinical setting, they suggest the need for more rigorous examination of the effect of antihypertensive choice on long-term cardiac outcomes in cancer survivors. Although additional research is needed to replicate these findings, these data from a large, nationally representative sample of postmenopausal women indicate that beta blockers are favorable to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in reducing the risk of cardiac events among cancer survivors. This differs from the patterns observed in a noncancer cohort, which largely mirrors what is found in the randomized clinical trials in the general population.

Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Risk of Stroke Subtypes and Coronary Heart Disease: The Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective (JPHC) Study

Aim: A positive association between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and coronary heart disease (CHD) has been established; however, associations between non-HDL-C and stroke subtypes have not been determined.Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 30,554 individuals aged 40–69 yrs with no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Japan. Sex-specific hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the incidence of stroke subtypes and CHD were estimated according to quintiles of non-HDL-C, using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for other established risk factors.Results: We identified 1,705 stroke and 296 CHD events over a median 15 yrs of follow-up. The fractional polynomials analysis revealed a U-shaped association between non-HDL-C and stroke risk in men. When analyzed for stroke subtypes, the data revealed an inverse relationship between non-HDL-C and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), primarily with lobar ICH, and a positive association between non-HDL-C and large-artery occlusive infarction in men [adjusted HR 0.55 (95% CI, 0.35–0.87) and 2.05 (95% CI, 1.07–3.93) for the highest and lowest quintile of non-HDL-C, respectively]. The lowest risk of ICH in women was observed in the fourth quintile, and the lowest risk of embolic infarction was observed in the third quintile. In contrast, non-HDL-C was positively associated with CHD in both sexes.Conclusions: In Japanese men, lower non-HDL-C levels were associated with a decreased risk of large-artery occlusive infarction and an increased risk of ICH, particularly lobar ICH.

Interrelations of components of metabolic syndrome with the level of the hormones involved in regulation of adipose tissue metabolism

Background . Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a pathological condition characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, arterial hypertension (HTN) and dyslipidemia. MS contributes to type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular events. Currently, much attention is paid to the study of the underlying factors, including hormones involved in fat metabolism. The changes in the level of hormones affecting the metabolism of adipose tissue in MS, as well as the relationship of these changes with various MS components, should be studied for the development of effective treatment approaches. Objective . To study the relationship of various MS components with the level of hormones affecting the metabolism of adipose tissue in patients with MS. Design and methods . The study included 88 obese patients (26 males; 62 females), average age 42,0 ± 11,2 years, average body weight 109,7 ± 25,1 kg, body mass index (BMI) 37,9 ± 6,2 kg/m 2 . Dyslipidemia was detected in 60 patients, carbohydrate metabolism disturbance (impaired glucose tolerance) was recorded in 12 patients, and HTN — in 22 patients. All patients underwent an assessment of the level of hormones involved in the regulation of fat metabolism (glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), ghrelin, leptin, adiponectin), lipid profiles (cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglyceride), fasting venous plasma glucose, insulin. The HOMA-IR index was calculated. Results . Levels of leptin and GLP-1 were increased in MS compared with healthy people, and levels of ghrelin, adiponectin, and GIP were reduced. Women showed a more significant increase in leptin and a less pronounced decrease in ghrelin than in men. BMI positively correlated with the level of insulin, leptin, the HOMA-IR index and negatively with the level of ghrelin. Waist circumference correlated positively with insulin levels and the HOMA-IR index and negatively with ghrelin and adiponectin levels. Ghrelin was associated with glucose level and diastolic blood pressure correlated with the GIP level. Conclusions . Our study confirms the previously established relationships between BMI and waist circumference with the severity of insulin resistance (increased insulin levels and the HOMA-IR index), leptin resistance (increased leptin levels) and the development of adiponectin deficiency. The dynamics of adiponectin and ghrelin were more closely related to the visceral type of obesity. The established relationships between the levels of GIP and ghrelin and relationship of GIP with diastolic blood pressure require further investigation.