Cardiovascular Diseases

Simvastatin 40 mg once daily was shown to attenuate increases in cardiorespiratory fitness in response to exercise training. Here, the lead author discusses details of the study and the clinical implications for primary care practice.

HAS-BLED, HEMORRHAGES, OBRI -- shorthand for the clinical elements that make up the 3 risk calculators used most frequently--but not often enough--in clinical and research settings.

Expanded options for anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation raise important questions about the safety of the newer agents during cardioablation and other common cardiac procedures.

Among many considerations when ordering or interpreting a stress test are the limitations and adequacy of the stress modality (exercise, vasodilator, ionotrope) as well as the imaging modality used. Here, top-line reminders for primary care practice.

Colesevelam helps reduce serum glucose levels and also lowers LDL-C in patients with type 2 diabetes. In patients on stable levels of antihyperglycemic medication, bromocriptine reduces the relative risk of cardiovascular events. Both are included in the 2013 AACE algorithm as add-on therapy in patients on dual or triple therapy for diabetes.

Landmark diabetes research, such as the UKPDS, raised hope that the drugs that lowered A1C could also help stave off the dreaded cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes. That was then. Where is the hope pinned now?

For patients who have stopped therapy as a result of intolerable side effects and have failed rechallenge with the same or a similar statin, the strategy seems to work well.

A call for intensified efforts to prevent and control hypertension is the theme of World Health Day 2013, observed this month to focus attention on reducing heart attacks and strokes.

A new link between heart disease and red meat offers an understanding of the cardiovascular health benefits of a vegetarian diet.

Heart disease and stroke risk prediction tools may be more useful in predicting cognitive decline in middle-aged patients than a dementia risk test, according to a new study.

An 18-year-old woman with no known medical history presented to the ED complaining of fever, chills, and rigors of a week’s duration. The patient appeared very ill with hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fever.

A recent commentary of mine regarding hypertension was entitled, “Are Prescribing Practices for Antihypertensives Primitive? The Truth Hurts."

A 48-year-old African-American man with no significant medical history sustained a gunshot wound to the face and shoulder.