Cardiovascular Disease Risk In Men Research Articles

Association of second and fourth digit (2D:4D) ratios with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk

BackgroundThe study aimed to investigate the association of second and fourth-digit (2D:4D) ratios with metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease risk (CVR). MethodThis case-control study was conducted between February and March 2024 with 200 participants (100 patients +100 controls). Biochemical parameters (glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, haemogram, HbA1C) were recorded. All participants were evaluated in terms of MS diagnostic criteria. CVR was calculated with the ESC CVD Risk Calculator. Second-digit and fourth-digit measurements were performed and the 2D:4D ratio of both hands and the difference between 2D:4D of both hands (Dr-l) were obtained. The relationship between 2D:4D and MS, CVR, and gender was evaluated. p < .05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsForty-one percent of the study participants were male. The right-hand 2D:4D (R2D:4D) ratio was 1.009 ± 0.04 and the left-hand 2D:4D (L2D:4D) ratio was 0.991 ± 0.04 (p < .001). R2D:4D ratio was 1.010 ± 0.04 in women and 0.985 ± 0.03 in men (p = .019). R2D:4D (p < .001), Dr-l (p = .001), and CVR (p < .001) were significantly higher in men with MS (+) compared to MS (−). ConclusionIn our study, the R2D:4D ratio was found to be associated with MS and CVR in men. Low intrauterine androgen exposure may affect the development of MS, but this effect is more prominent in males.

Sex-specific associations between self-reported sleep characteristics and 10-year cardiovascular disease risk in men and women of African descent living in a low socioeconomic status environment

BackgroundRisk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and sleep health are well-known to be sex- and race-specific. To build on the established relationship between sleep duration and CVD risk, this cross-sectional study aimed to describe sex-specific associations between CVD risk and other sleep characteristics (sleep quality, sleep timing and sleep onset latency) in low-income adults of African descent. MethodsSelf-reported sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS], Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]), demographic and lifestyle data were collected in 412 adults (56 % women, 35.0 ± 7.6y, 40 % employed) living in an informal settlement in South Africa. CVD risk was determined using the BMI-modified Framingham 10-year CVD risk formula. ResultsLogistic regression analyses, adjusted for employment, alcohol use and physical activity, indicated that men reporting poor sleep quality (OR: 1.95[95 %CI: 1.07–3.51], p=0.025) and earlier bedtimes (0.54[0.39–0.74], p<0.001) were more likely to belong to a higher 10-year CVD risk score quintile. Women reporting earlier bedtimes (0.72[0.55–0.95], p=0.020) and wake-up times (0.30[0.13–0.73], p=0.007), longer sleep-onset latency (1.47[1.43–1.88], p=0.003), shorter total sleep times (0.84[0.72–0.98], p=0.029), higher PSQI global scores (1.93[1.29–2.90], p=0.001) and more moderate to severe symptoms of insomnia (ISI≥15)(3.24[1.04–10.04], p=0.016) were more likely to belong to higher 10-year CVD risk score quintile. ConclusionIn addition to sleep duration, we found that sleep quality, sleep timing and sleep onset latency are additional risk factors for CVD in adults of African descent. Sex-specific differences in the sleep-CVD-risk relationship observed suggests that future studies and recommendations about sleep health in relation to CVD should take sex into account.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SEX HORMONES ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: A META-ANALYSIS AND SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Objective: Sex hormones play different roles in cardiovascular risk of male and female patients. Especially for postmenopausal women, sex hormone disorder is the main reason for their increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study mainly explores the effects of different sex hormone levels on cardiovascular diseases in men and postmenopausal women. Design and method: This study included 16 studies with 404,474 patients, including 387,361 male patients and 17,113 female patients. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95%CI results of studies on sex hormones and cardiovascular disease risk in the included literature were extracted as research data. The main outcome events are: cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart failure (HF), cardiovascular death, major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) and all-cause death. This paper mainly researches the effects of sex hormones on cardiovascular risk and the differences of cardiovascular events between men and women. Results: 1. DHT is a protective factor of cardiovascular risk in male patients, HR = 0.83, 95% CI (0.72, 0.96). 2. For postmenopausal women, SHBG and cFT are the risk factors of CVD in postmenopausal women, with HR 95%CI of 1.06(1.01,1.11) and 1.11 (1.04, 1.19) respectively. 3. DHEA and TT is a risk factor for heart failure in postmenopausal women, which can increase the risk by 17% (HR = 1.17, 95% CI (1.09, 1.24)) and HR = 1.07, 95% CI (1.03, 1.12), while the SHBG and DHEA had no significant effect on the occurrence of chronic heart failure. Conclusions: DHT is a protective factor of cardiovascular disease risk in men, and the increase of androgen level is an important risk factor of cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women.

Association of cardiovascular disease prevalence with BMD and fracture in men with T2DM.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are predisposed to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Bone mineral density (BMD) is linked to CVD, but most studies focused on women. Our analysis aims to explore the association of BMD and fracture with the prevalence of CVD in men with T2DM. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 856 men with T2DM were enrolled. BMDs at the lumbar spine (L2-4), femoral neck (FN), and total hip (TH) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The CVD outcome was determined as the sum of the following conditions: congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, the requirement for coronary artery revascularization, and stroke. The relationship between BMDs and CVD was investigated by restricted cubic spline curves and logistic regression models. A total of 163 (19.0%) patients developed CVD. The restricted cubic spline curve revealed a linear and negative association between FN-BMD, TH-BMD, and CVD. After full adjustments for confounding covariates, the odds ratios were 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI] [1.11-1.61], p < .05), 1.3 (95% CI [1.05-1.60], p < .05), and 1.26 (95% CI [1.02-1.55], p < .05) for each 1-SD decrease in BMDs of L2-4, FN and TH, respectively. T-scores of < -1 for BMD of L2-4 and FN were independently associated with CVD (p < .05). Subgroup analyses further supported our findings. The prevalence of CVD was inversely correlated with BMD levels in men with T2DM, particularly at the FN. We hypothesized that monitoring FN-BMD and early intervention would help reduce CVD risk in men with T2DM, especially those with hypertension.

Birth weight, ideal cardiovascular health metrics in adulthood, and incident cardiovascular disease.

Prenatal and postnatal factors may have joint effects on cardiovascular health, and we aimed to assess the joint association of birth weight and ideal cardiovascular health metrics (ICVHMs) prospectively in adulthood with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the UK Biobank, 227,833 participants with data on ICVHM components and birth weight and without CVD at baseline were included. The ICVHMs included smoking, body mass index, physical activity, diet information, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1c. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in men and women. Over a median follow-up period of 13.0years (2,831,236 person-years), we documented 17,477 patients with incident CVD. Compared with participants with birth weights of 2.5-4.0kg, the HRs (95% CIs) of CVD among those with low birth weights was 1.08 (1.00-1.16) in men and 1.23 (1.16-1.31) in women. The association between having a birth weight <2.5kg and CVD risk in men was more prominent for those aged <50years than for those of older age ( P for interaction=0.026). Lower birth weight and non-ideal cardiovascular health metrics were jointly related to an increased risk of CVD. Participants with birth weights <2.5kg and ICVHMs score 0-1 had the highest risk of incident CVD (HR [95% CI]: 3.93 [3.01-5.13] in men; 4.24 [3.33-5.40] in women). The joint effect (HR [95% CI]: 1.36 [1.17-1.58]) could be decomposed into 24.7% (95% CI: 15.0%-34.4%) for a lower birth weight, 64.7% (95% CI: 56.7%-72.6%) for a lower ICVHM score, and 10.6% (95% CI: 2.7%-18.6%) for their additive interaction in women. Birth weight and ICVHMs were jointly related to CVD risk. Attaining a normal birth weight and ideal ICVHMs may reduce the risk of CVD, and a simultaneous improvement of both prenatal and postnatal factors could further prevent additional cases in women.

Adherence to healthy diet and risk of cardiovascular disease in adult survivors of childhood cancer in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundWhether diet has beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in childhood cancer survivors as in the general population is unknown. Therefore, we examined associations between dietary patterns and risk of CVD in adult survivors of childhood cancer.MethodsChildhood cancer survivors, 18–65 years old in the St Jude Lifetime Cohort (1882 men and 1634 women) were included in the analysis. Dietary patterns were defined by the adherence to the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)–2015, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and alternate Mediterranean diet (aMED) based on a food frequency questionnaire at study entry. CVD cases (323 in men and 213 in women) were defined as participants with at least one grade 2 or higher CVD-related diagnosis at baseline. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for confounders was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CVD.ResultsGreater adherence to HEI-2015 (OR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.75–1.03, per 10 score increment), DASH (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.71–1.01, per 10 score increment), and aMED (OR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.84–1.00, each score increment) were, albeit trending towards significance, associated with a lower risk of CVD in women. HEI-2015 was associated with a non-significantly lower risk of CVD in men (ORQ5 vs. Q1=0.80, 95% CI: 0.50–1.28). These dietary patterns were also associated with a lower risk of CVD in survivors with high underlying CVD risk.ConclusionsAs recommended to the general population, a diet rich in plant foods and moderate in animal foods needs to be a part of CVD management and prevention in childhood cancer survivors.

The Impact of a Vegan Diet on Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Men and Women Through the Gut Microbiome

Studies highlight many benefits of a vegan diet on the composition of the gut microbiome, however little is known how and if these changes contribute to heart health. Trimethylamine (TMA) is a metabolic product produced from the breakdown of choline and L-Carnitine both found abundantly in red meat. TMA is converted to toxic trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in the liver via flavin monooxygense 3 (FMO3). The objective of this study was to examine if vegan diets impact TMA levels thus supporting cardiovascular health. We hypothesize that a vegan diet will foster bacterial diversity that favors decreased TMA/TMAO levels. Zebrafish were initially placed on antibiotics to clear their microbiome, following treatment, fish were fed a control, high fat (HF), or vegan diet for 3 weeks. Fish were sacrificed and intestinal, liver and heart tissue were harvested for analysis. Surprisingly, we observed the most significant increase in bacterial abundance in the HF diets relative to the vegan and control diets (n= 5-6, p&lt; 0.05). Interestingly, when separated by sex, the highest change in bacterial abundance was seen in female fish on a HF diet. We next examined mRNA levels of FMO3. We saw the greatest increase in FMO3 levels in female fish on a HF diet, which corresponds to higher bacterial abundance (n= 5-6, p&lt; 0.05). FMO3 levels were also increased for fish on a HF diet relative to the control diet with no significant differences between male and female fish. These results indicate that vegan diets may alter male and female bacterial composition differently and the impacts of these differences on CV health remain unknown. Funding thus far has come from Elon University. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

The Trend of Risk for Cardiovascular Diseases During the Past Decade in Iran, Applying No-Lab and Lab-Based Prediction Models.

As a surrogate for all relevant risk factors, it is preferable to show trends in the mean cardiovascular disease(CVD) risk rather than to examine each risk factor trend separately. Using national representative data, this study aimed to determine the changes in the World Health Organization (WHO) CVD risk during the last decade considering both laboratory and non-laboratory risk scoring. We used data from five rounds of the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance surveys (2007-2016). In all, 62,076 (31,660 women) participants aged 40-65 years were included and their absolute CVD risk were calculated. The generalized linear model was performed to assess the trend of CVD risk in men and women, and also in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. We showed significant declining trends in the mean CVD risk in the laboratory (from 10.5% to 8.8%) and non-laboratory (10.1% to 9.4%) models in men. In women, a significant reduction was observed in the laboratory-based model (from 8.4% to 7.8%). The laboratory model showed a greater decrease in men than women (P-for interaction < 0.001) and in diabetic patients (from 16.1% to 13.6%) than non-diabetic individuals (from 8.2% to 7%) (p-for interaction = 0.002). The proportion of high-risk individuals (risk ≥ 10%) decreased from 40% in 2007 to 31.5% in 2016 in men and from 29.8% to 26.1% in women based on the laboratory-model. During the last decade, CVD risk had a significant decrease in men and women. The reduction was more evident in men and diabetic population. However, still, one-third of our population is considered high-risk.

Sex-specific associations of reservoir-excess pressure parameters with age and subclinical vascular remodeling.

Central artery reservoir pressure and excess pressure (XSP) are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality. However, sex differences in the trajectory of central reservoir pressure and XSP with advancing age and their relations with vascular markers of subclinical CVD risk are incompletely understood. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that central reservoir pressure and XSP would be positively associated with advancing age and vascular markers of subclinical CVD risk in men and women. Healthy adults ( n = 398; aged 18-80 years, 60% female individuals) had central (carotid) artery pressure waveforms acquired by applanation tonometry. Reservoir pressure and XSP peaks and integrals were derived retrospectively from carotid pressure waveforms using custom written software. Carotid artery intimal-medial thickness (IMT) was measured by ultrasonography, and aortic stiffness was determined from carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Reservoir pressure peak, reservoir pressure integral and XSP integral were higher with age in both men and women ( P < 0.05), whereas XSP peak was lower with age in men ( P < 0.05). In women, both reservoir pressure peak ( β = 0.231, P < 0.01) and reservoir pressure integral ( β = 0.254, P < 0.01) were associated with carotid artery IMT, and reservoir pressure peak was associated with cfPWV ( β = 0.120, P = 0.02) after adjusting for CVD risk factors. Central artery reservoir pressure and XSP were higher with advancing age in men and women, and reservoir pressure peak was associated with both carotid artery wall thickness and aortic stiffness in women but not men. Central reservoir pressure peak may provide some insight into sex differences in vascular remodeling and subclinical CVD risk with advancing age in healthy adults.

The interplay between prolactin and cardiovascular disease.

Hyperprolactinemia can be caused by several conditions and its effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis are understood in more detail. Nevertheless, in recent decades, other metabolic effects have been studied and data pointed to a potential increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. A recent study showed a decrease in total and LDL- cholesterol only in men with prolactinoma treated with dopamine agonists (DA) supporting the previous results of a population study with increased CVD risk in men harboring prolactinoma. However, other population studies did not find a correlation between prolactin (PRL) levels and CVD risk or mortality. There is also data pointing to an increase in high-density lipoprotein levels, and decreases in triglycerides, carotid-intima-media thickness, C-reactive protein, and homocysteine levels in patients with prolactinoma on DA treatment. PRL was also implicated in endothelial dysfunction in pre and postmenopausal women. Withdrawal of DA resulted in negative changes in vascular parameters and an increase in plasma fibrinogen. It has been shown that PRL levels were positively correlated with blood pressure and inversely correlated with dilatation of the brachial artery and insulin sensitivity, increased homocysteine levels, and elevated D-dimer levels. Regarding possible mechanisms for the association between hyperprolactinemia and CVD risk, they include a possible direct effect of PRL, hypogonadism, and even effects of DA treatment, independently of changes in PRL levels. In conclusion, hyperprolactinemia seems to be associated with impaired endothelial function and DA treatment could improve CVD risk. More studies evaluating CVD risk in hyperprolactinemic patients are important to define a potential indication of treatment beyond hypogonadism.

An eHealth intervention (ManGuard) to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in male taxi drivers: protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial

BackgroundMen are at higher risk then women of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), and male taxi drivers are a particularly high-risk group because of their typically unhealthy behaviours, such as poor eating habits, smoking and sedentary lifestyle. However, only two studies of behavioural interventions targeting taxi drivers have been identified, one of which reported a high attrition rate. Therefore, an eHealth intervention co-designed by taxi drivers may prove more acceptable and effective. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility an eHealth intervention (ManGuard) to reduce CVD risk in male taxi drivers.MethodsA randomised wait-list controlled trial will be conducted with a sample of 30 male taxi drivers to establish feasibility, including recruitment, engagement, and retention rates. Program usability and participant satisfaction will be assessed by a survey completed by all participants at 3 months after allocation. Additionally, an in-depth qualitative process evaluation to explore acceptability of the intervention will be conducted with a subset of participants by semi-structured telephone interviews. Preliminary efficacy of ManGuard for improving key CVD-related outcomes will be assessed, including biomarkers (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total/HDL cholesterol ratio), blood pressure, anthropometry (body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference), physical activity (accelerometery, and self-report) and psychosocial status (health-related quality of life, self-efficacy, and social support). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 7 weeks, and 3 months after group allocation. The wait-list control group will be offered access to the intervention at the completion of data collection.DiscussioneHealth interventions show potential for promoting behaviour change and reducing CVD risk in men, yet there remains a paucity of robust evidence pertaining to male taxi drivers, classified as a high-risk group. This study uses a randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility of ManGuard for reducing CVD risk in male taxi drivers. It is envisaged that this study will inform a fully powered trial that will determine the effectiveness of eHealth interventions for this high risk and underserved population.Trial registrationThis trial has been registered prospectively on the ISRCTN registry on 5 January 2022, registration number ISRCTN29693943

Association between depressive symptoms and pericardial fat in healthy older men and women

Depressive symptoms are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and inflammation may contribute to this relationship. Pericardial fat, a highly metabolically active fat depot, is implicated in the pathogenesis of CVD, but its association with depressive symptoms is unclear. This study examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and pericardial fat over a three-year period. Participants were 543 healthy men and women (mean age = 62.9 years) without history or objective signs of coronary heart disease from the Whitehall II cohort. In men, depressive symptoms were positively associated with pericardial fat at baseline after adjustment for sociodemographics, waist to hip ratio and conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Inflammation, indexed by plasma interleukin 6 concentration, accounted for 17% of this association. Longitudinally, depressive symptoms did not predict pericardial fat three years later in men once baseline levels of pericardial fat were accounted for. No significant associations between depressive symptoms and pericardial fat were found in women. Overall, our findings suggest that greater pericardial fat might be a mechanism by which depressive symptoms are associated with increased risk for CVD in men, and inflammation may also lie on this pathway.

Association of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonists for Prostate Cancer With Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Hypertension in Men With Diabetes

Men with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Meanwhile, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists used in prostate cancer (PCa) are associated with increased risk of CVD. To evaluate the association between GnRH agonist use, PCa diagnosis per se, and CVD risk in men with type 2 diabetes. This nationwide population-based cohort study identified men with type 2 diabetes by use of data in the Prostate Cancer Data Base Sweden version 4.1 and the Swedish National Diabetes Register, with longitudinal data from 2006 to 2016. These data were used to create 2 cohorts, 1 including men with and without PCa and the other including men with PCa who received and did not receive GnRH agonists. Data analysis was conducted from January 2006 to December 2016. Treatment with GnRH agonists and PCa diagnosis were the primary exposures. Primary outcome was a 10% increase in predicted 5-year CVD risk score. Secondary outcome was worsening hypertension as defined by the European Society of Hypertension Guidelines. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the association. The PCa exposure cohort included 5714 men (median [IQR] age, 72.0 [11.0]), and the non-PCa cohort included 28 445 men without PCa (median [IQR] age, 72.0 [11.0]). The GnRH agonist-exposure cohort included 692 men with PCa who received a GnRH agonist, compared with 3460 men with PCa who did not receive a GnRH agonist. Men with PCa receiving GnRH agonists had an increased estimated 5-year CVD risk score compared with men without PCa (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25; 95% CI, 1.16-1.36) and compared with men with PCa not receiving GnRH agonists (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.35-1.74). Men receiving GnRH agonists had decreased blood pressure compared with men without PCa (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.61-0.80) and compared with men with PCa not receiving GnRH agonists (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56-0.82). In this population-based cohort study, there was an increased risk of CVD in men with type 2 diabetes who received a GnRH agonist for PCa. These findings highlight the need to closely control CVD risk factors in men with type 2 diabetes treated with GnRH agonists. The association between GnRH agonist use and decreased blood pressure levels warrants further study.

ManGuard an eHealth intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk in male taxi drivers: a pilot randomised controlled trial protocol

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland Background Men are at higher risk then women of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and male taxi drivers are a particularly high risk group because of their typically unhealthy behaviours, such as poor eating habits, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. However, only two studies of behavioural interventions targeting taxi drivers have been identified, one of which had a high attrition rate. Therefore, an eHealth intervention co-designed by taxi drivers may prove more user-friendly and effective. Purpose The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of an eHealth intervention – ManGuard – to reduce CVD risk in male taxi drivers. Methods A wait-list controlled trial of 30 male taxi drivers in Belfast, Northern Ireland, will be assigned randomly to an intervention or usual care group. The ManGuard Application comprises seven modules: i) introduction and goal setting, ii) being active iii) eating well, iv) managing stress, v) smoking, vi) alcohol and vii) keep accelerating, the latter to be used as a re-cap module. This trial will establish feasibility, including recruitment, engagement and retention rates, program usability and participant satisfaction, as well as preliminary efficacy of ManGuard in improving key outcomes. Primary outcome is to determine the feasibility of an eHealth intervention for reducing CVD risk in male taxi drivers by assessing the following outcome measures: o Acceptability, recruitment, retention and engagement rates o Usability and participant satisfaction, process evaluation and survey The secondary outcome is to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of ManGuard compared to usual care in improving the following outcomes: o Clinical indices: CVD biomarkers (cholesterol, glucose), blood pressure, anthropometry (BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage) o Physical activity o Psychosocial status: health related quality of life, self-efficacy, social support An in-depth qualitative process evaluation to explore acceptability of the intervention will also be conducted. Trial registration: This trial has been registered prospectively on the ISRCTN registry on 5 January 2022 Conclusion eHealth interventions have been shown to promote behaviour change and reduce CVD risk in men, but there is a lack of robust evidence for this in male taxi drivers, a high-risk group. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a future RCT assessing the impact of ManGuard on CVD risk in male taxi drivers. This study will inform a fully-powered trial that will provide robust evidence for eHealth interventions for this underserved population.

Identification of the Best Anthropometric Index for Predicting the 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease in Southwest China: A Large Single-Center, Cross-Sectional Study.

This population-based cross-sectional study aimed to identify the best predictor of the 10-year cardiovascular (CV) high risk among old and new anthropometric indices. We investigated 76,915 adults older than 18 years of age living in southwest China. Ten obesity indices were calculated. The 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk was estimated using the Framingham risk score. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess the ability of the anthropometric index to predict the 10-year high risk of CVD events. The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) had the highest area under the curve (AUC) value (0.711; sensitivity: 62.22%, specificity: 42.73%) in men, while the body fat index (BAI) had the lowest AUC value (0.624, sensitivity: 49.07%, specificity: 54.84%). The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and the body roundness index (BRI) showed the highest AUC value (0.751, sensitivity: 39.24%, 39.83%, specificity: 75.68%, 68.59%) in women, while the BAI showed the lowest AUC value (0.671, sensitivity: 53.15%, specificity: 57.14%). The WHR was the best anthropometric measure for assessing the 10-year high risk of CVD in men, while the WHtR and BRI were the best measures for women. In men, the WHR should be <0.88, and in women, the WHtR should be <0.502 or the BRI should be <3.41.

Visit-to-visit fasting blood glucose variability and lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease: a prospective study

AimsPrevious studies suggested an adverse association between higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) variability and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lifetime risk provides an absolute risk assessment during the remainder of an individual’s life. However, the association between FBG variability and the lifetime risk of CVD is uncertain.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the effect of the visit-to-visit FBG variability on the lifetime risk of CVD.MethodsThis study included participants from the Kailuan Study who did not have CVD at index ages 35, 45, and 55 years. The FBG variability was defined as the coefficient of variation (CV) of three FBG values that were measured during the examination periods of 2006–2007, 2008–2009, and 2010–2011. We used a modified Kaplan-Merrier method to estimate lifetime risk of CVD according to tertiles of FBG variability.ResultsAt index age 35 years, the study sample comprised 46,018 participants. During a median follow-up of 7.0 years, 1889 participants developed CVD events. For index age 35 years, participants with high FBG variability had higher lifetime risk of CVD (32.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 28.9–36.1%), compared with intermediate (28.3%; 95% CI: 25.5 –31.1%) and low (26.3%; 95% CI: 23.0–29.5%) FBG variability. We found that higher FBG variability was associated with increased lifetime risk of CVD in men but not women. Similar patterns were observed at index ages 45 and 55 years.ConclusionsHigher FBG variability was associated with increased lifetime risk of CVD at each index age. Focusing on the FBG variability may provide an insight to the clinical utility for reducing the lifetime risk of CVD.

Cardiovascular risk in the elderly population of Spain. The EPICARDIAN risk score

Background and objectivesCardiovascular risk estimation in people over 70 years of age is problematic. Most scores have been created based on cohorts of middle-aged people, with an underrepresentation of older adults. The predictive power of classical cardiovascular risk factors declines with age. The aim of this work is to develop a specific score for estimating cardiovascular risk among the elderly population in Spain. MethodsThis work is a population-based cohort established in 1995. Setting: Three geographical areas of Spain (Madrid, Ávila, and Lugo). Participants: 3,729 people older than 64 years with no cardiovascular diseases (CVD) at baseline. Measurements: Suspected fatal and nonfatal CVD (both coronary heart disease and stroke) were investigated annually and confirmed using the WHO-MONICA criteria. All participants were followed-up on until occurrence of a first CVD event, until death, or until December 31, 2015. ResultsAge was the strongest predictor of CVD at 10 years in both men and women. In men, variables associated with CVD were high blood pressure treatment (HR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.067–1.710), diabetes (HR: 1.359; 95% CI: 0.997–1.852), and smoking (HR: 1.207; 95% CI: 0.945–1.541) and in women, the variables were smoking (HR: 1.881; 95% CI: 1.356–2.609) and diabetes (HR: 1.285; 95% CI: 0.967–1.707). Total cholesterol did not increase the risk of CVD in men or women. However, total cholesterol levels >200 mg/dL were inversely associated with 10-year risk of CVD in men and women. ConclusionsIn elderly Spanish men, total CVD at 10 years is significantly increased by age, diabetes, and antihypertensive treatment and in elderly Spanish women by diabetes and smoking. Total cholesterol levels did not increase the risk of CVD, particularly in males.

An Oat β-Glucan Beverage Reduces LDL Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Men and Women with Borderline High Cholesterol: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

BackgroundHigh-molecular-weight (MW) oat β-glucan (OBG), consumed at 3–4 g/d, in solid foods reduces LDL cholesterol by a median of ∼6.5%. ObjectivesWe evaluated the effect of a beverage providing 3 g/d high-MW OBG on reduction of LDL cholesterol (primary endpoint) when compared with placebo. MethodsWe performed a parallel-design, randomized clinical trial at a contract research organization; participants, caregivers, and outcome assessors were blinded to treatment allocation. Participants with LDL cholesterol between 3.0 and 5.0 mmol/L, inclusive [n = 538 screened, n = 260 ineligible, n = 23 lost, n = 48 withdrawn (product safety); n = 207 randomly assigned, n = 7 dropped out, n = 9 withdrawn (protocol violation); n = 191 analyzed; n = 72 (37.7%) male, mean ± SD age: 43.3 ± 14.3 y, BMI: 29.7 ± 5.2 kg/m2], were randomly assigned to consume, 3 times daily for 4 wk, 1 g OBG (n = 104, n = 96 analyzed) or rice powder (Control, n = 103, n = 95 analyzed) mixed into 250 mL water. Treatment effects were assessed as change from baseline and differences analyzed using a 2-sided t test via ANOVA with baseline characteristics as covariates. ResultsAfter 4 wk, change from baseline least-squares-mean LDL cholesterol on OBG (−0.195 mmol/L) was less than on Control (0.012 mmol/L) by mean: 0.207 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.318, 0.096 mmol/L; P = 0.0003); the following secondary endpoints were also reduced as follows: total cholesterol (TC) (0.226 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.361, 0.091 mmol/L; P = 0.001), TC:HDL cholesterol ratio (0.147; 95% CI: 0.284, 0.010; P = 0.036), non-HDL cholesterol (0.194 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.314, 0.073 mmol/L; P = 0.002), and Framingham cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (0.474; 95% CI: 0.900, 0.049, P = 0.029). Changes in HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin did not differ between treatment groups (P > 0.05). Lipid treatment effects were not significantly modified by age, sex, BMI, or hypertension treatment. There were no major adverse events, but both treatments transiently increased gastrointestinal symptoms. ConclusionsConsuming a beverage containing 1 g high-MW OBG 3 times daily for 4 wk significantly reduced LDL cholesterol by ∼6% and CVD risk by ∼8% in healthy adults with LDL cholesterol between 3 and 5 mmol/L.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03911427.

Association Between Food Security and 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk Differs by Gender and Weight Status.

Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the association between food security (FS) and 10-year estimated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and whether the association differs by gender or weight status. Methods: Among 12,802 individuals 30-80 years of age without CVD history, who participated in the 2012-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, FS levels (high, marginal, and low), FS score, Framingham CVD risk score, BMI, and confounding factors (sociodemographic factors and lifestyle) were assessed. Complex sampling design logistic regression analysis was used. Results: In gender-specific analysis, lower FS level was associated with a high (≥20%) 10-year estimated CVD risk in men (OR [95% CI], 1.49[1.08-2.05] for marginal FS and 1.48[1.01-2.15] for low FS than high FS; 1.09[1.02-1.16]/1 point of FS score), whereas the association between FS level and high CVD risk in women was only significant for FS score (1.10[1.01-1.20]/1-point). In weight status-specific analysis, lower FS was associated with increase in high CVD risk in the nonoverweight group (1.10[1.02- 1.18]/1-point of FS score), but not in overweight group. When weight status and FS levels were combined, overweight men regardless of FS levels and nonoverweight men with marginal FS had increased odds of high CVD risk compared to nonoverweight men with high FS. In women, the overweight group with high FS and the nonoverweight group with low FS had increased odds of high CVD risk. Conclusion: Lower FS was associated with ≥20% 10-year estimated CVD risk and the association differed by gender and weight status in Koreans.

EHealth interventions for reducing cardiovascular disease risk in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Department for the Economy (DfE) studentships Background. Men remain at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) than women and behavioral risk factor modification is an important preventive measure. However, engaging men in behavior change interventions is challenging. eHealth interventions have the potential to address this gap, though their effectiveness for reducing CVD risk in men is unclear. Purpose. To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of eHealth interventions for reducing CVD risk in men. Methods. This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and principles laid out by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. A search of published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with no date restrictions up to July 2020 was conducted across five electronic databases: Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Medline, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO and SCOPUS. Reference lists of relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses were manually searched for additional trials not identified during the database search. Eligible studies were RCTs that focused on the use of eHealth to improve a minimum of two major CVD related risk factors in males aged 18 years or older. Results. A total of 3168 records were retrieved from the online database search, with nine trials meeting the inclusion criteria following screening and full-text assessment. Study quality ranged from low to unclear, with one trial at a high risk of bias. Compared to those in a control group or receiving printed materials, participants randomised to an eHealth intervention had statistically significant improvements in BMI (Z=-2.75, p = 0.01), body weight (Z=-3.25, p = 0.01), waist circumference (Z=-2.30, p = 0.02) and systolic (Z=-3.57, p = 0.01) and diastolic (Z=-3.56, p = 0.01) blood pressure. Though less evident, there were also improvements in physical activity and diet in favour of the intervention group. Conclusion. This was the first systematic review and meta-analysis conducted on the effectiveness of eHealth interventions for reducing CVD risk in men. This review suggests that eHealth interventions can reduce CVD risk in adult men through behavior change. However, we were unable to determine the association between intervention characteristics and outcomes. Also, overall, participant adherence to the intervention was poor. Both of these issues should be considered in future studies.