5 Cardiology Headlines You Missed in January 2026

Although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had a relatively quiet January, the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) made up for it with several significant guideline updates and statistics releases. Additionally, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030 provided a plethora of new government-backed suggestions, both supported and questioned by cardiologists and endocrinologists across the country.

With so many substantial publications over the last month, the HCPLive editorial team has collected 5 of the most impactful headlines of January 2026 – catch up on any news you might have missed below.

FDA Decisions

FDA Clears AI Program Powering Kardia 12L Electrogram for 5 New Cardiac Determinations

On January 13, 2026, the FDA approved KAI 12L, the AI program powering the Kardia 12L Electrocardiogram System, for 5 additional cardiac determinations – short PR interval, atrial bigeminy, ventricular bigeminy, left axis deviation, and right axis deviation. This approval brings the device’s total number of cleared determinations to 39. Kardia 12L is the first AI-powered handheld 12-lead electrocardiogram system – first launched in June 2024, the system has since identified over 4000 instances of myocardial infarction and ischemia, according to parent company AliveCor.

Guideline Updates

ADA’s Obesity Association Releases Guidelines for Use of Obesity Medications

On January 13, 2026, the Obesity Association, a subdivision of the ADA, published an additional section in the Standards of Care in Overweight and Obesity, highlighting pharmacotherapy’s role in reducing weight and improving weight maintenance. The guidelines suggest a target baseline body weight reduction of ≥5% after treatment with obesity medications, indicating substantial improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors. Additionally, the document spotlights certain treatments that promote weight gain for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, recommending alternative treatments to avoid this side effect.

New Dietary Guidelines Draw Criticism For High Fat Dairy, Protein Recommendations

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030, were released on January 7, 2026, by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture. The document promotes an increased focus on whole grains, full-fat dairy, and prioritizing protein at every meal, among other recommendations. The AHA released a statement commending the inclusion of science-based recommendations, including suggestions of vegetable, fruit, and whole gain intake increase while limiting added sugars, refined grains, and highly processed foods. However, the AHA also pointed out potentially misleading suggestions, such as the language regarding salt seasoning and red meat consumption.

AHA 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: Progress and Pitfalls, With Latha Palaniappan, MD, MS

The AHA released its 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics this month, which highlighted the beginning of a decline following a 5-year upward trend during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these conditions still kill more Americans annually than any other cause. The committee behind these statistics attributes a substantial amount of this mortality to declines in core health behaviors, such as physical activity, nutrition, sleep, smoking, and obesity, as well as health factors such as glucose control, cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome, and blood pressure.

Key Trial Results

SCOUT-HCM: Mavacamten Achieves Positive Results in Adolescents with Obstructive HCM

On January 12, 2026, Bristol Myers Squibb announced positive topline data from the phase 3 SCOUT-HCM trial, which evaluated mavacamten in patients aged 12 to <18 with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The trial demonstrated a substantial reduction in baseline Valsalva left ventricular outflow tract gradient by week 28 compared to placebo, as well as displaying safety results consistent with the drug’s established safety profile. The trial is still ongoing, continuing both active treatment and long-term extension periods. Bristol Myers Squibb has announced plans to present detailed data at an upcoming medical congress.