Preventive Cardiology

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Featured Reviews

Association of Depression and Cardiovascular Disease

This meta-analysis of 26 studies involving 1,957,621 individuals demonstrates that depression is significantly associated with higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and worse outcomes. Depression increased the risk of incident stroke, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and overall CVD, as well as higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Featured Reviews

Exercise and cardiovascular health: A state-of-the-art review

This state-of-the-art review comprehensively examines the benefits of exercise on cardiovascular health. It details how regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, improves risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity), enhances cardiac function, and lowers mortality. The paper also covers exercise prescription, types of training (aerobic, resistance, high-intensity), and special populations.

Featured Reviews

PM2.5 and cardiovascular diseases: State-of-the-Art review

This state-of-the-art review examines the strong link between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) — a major air pollutant — and cardiovascular diseases. It summarizes evidence showing that both short-term and long-term PM2.5 exposure significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmias through mechanisms like systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and autonomic imbalance.

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Oral Health and Cardiovascular Disease

This review examines the strong bidirectional link between poor oral health (particularly periodontal disease) and cardiovascular disease. It highlights how chronic gum inflammation and oral bacteria contribute to systemic inflammation, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure. The paper discusses evidence for improved cardiovascular outcomes with periodontal treatment and emphasizes the importance of oral health as part of comprehensive cardiovascular prevention.

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Lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice: A guide for the clinician

This practical review serves as a clinician’s guide to Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] — an independent and causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and calcific aortic valve stenosis. It covers epidemiology, genetic basis, pathogenic mechanisms, risk assessment, and current/future management strategies, including emerging therapies to lower Lp(a) levels.

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The Association Between Race, Ethnicity and Sleep Quality and Duration: A National Health Interview Survey Study

This large national study (National Health Interview Survey) examined differences in sleep duration and quality across racial/ethnic groups, with a detailed focus on Asian American subgroups. Significant variations were found between White and Asian groups, as well as among Asian subgroups (e.g., Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese). The findings highlight sleep disparities that may contribute to cardiovascular health differences.

Featured Reviews

The Effect of Yoga on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: A Meta-Analysis

This review evaluates the impact of yoga on major cardiovascular risk factors. It shows that regular yoga practice has a modest but positive effect on reducing blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), improving lipid profile, and lowering HbA1c. Yoga can serve as a safe, accessible adjunctive intervention for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Featured Reviews

Association of Optimism With Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality

This meta-analysis shows that optimism is associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events and death. People with higher optimism had reduced rates of cardiovascular disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, and overall mortality. The findings suggest that fostering optimism could be a valuable addition to cardiovascular prevention strategies.

Featured Reviews

Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Health

This comprehensive review and systematic analysis examines the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular health. Moderate wine intake (1–4 drinks per week) was associated with lower cardiovascular mortality compared to beer or spirits. However, heavier consumption of any alcoholic beverage increases the risk of cardiovascular disease events and mortality. The authors caution that observed benefits may be confounded by lifestyle and socioeconomic factors.

Featured Reviews

Strength training and cardiovascular health: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of strength (resistance) training on cardiovascular health. It demonstrates that regular strength training is associated with significant improvements in multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including reductions in blood pressure, body fat, and improvements in muscle strength, metabolic health, and overall cardiovascular fitness. The findings support strength training as an important component of exercise recommendations for cardiovascular disease prevention and management.

Featured Reviews

Sugar Sweetened and Artificially Sweetened Beverages Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Health

This systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies shows that higher consumption of both sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. The findings suggest that neither sugary nor artificially sweetened drinks are safe alternatives for cardiovascular health.

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Association Between Cinnamon Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates whether cinnamon consumption is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It found that regular cinnamon intake was linked to modest improvements in some cardiometabolic markers and a potential reduction in CVD risk, though evidence quality is moderate and more high-quality studies are needed.

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Social media and predictive analysis regarding dietary approaches to stop hypertension

This perspective article explores how social media can be leveraged with predictive analytics to promote the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. It discusses the potential of social networks to influence dietary behaviors, spread awareness, and use data-driven tools to predict and encourage adherence to the DASH diet for better blood pressure control and cardiovascular health at a population level.

Featured Reviews

Meditation and Cardiovascular Health in the US

This national study (using 2012 and 2017 National Health Interview Survey data) found that people who practice meditation had significantly lower prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. After adjustments, meditators showed lower odds of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease compared to non-meditators.

Featured Reviews

Sleep Duration and Cardiovascular Health in A Representative Community Population

This large NHANES study analyzed the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and cardiovascular health in a representative U.S. adult population. Both short (<7 hours) and long (>9 hours) sleep durations were associated with worse cardiovascular health, including higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and overall poorer cardiovascular profiles compared to optimal 7–9 hours of sleep.

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Pet Ownership and Cardiovascular Health in the US General Population

This large national study (using NHANES data) found that pet ownership — particularly dog ownership — is associated with better cardiovascular health in the U.S. general population. Pet owners had lower rates of cardiovascular disease risk factors and events, supporting the idea that pets may contribute to reduced cardiovascular risk through increased physical activity and stress reduction.

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Association between chocolate consumption and risk of coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that regular chocolate consumption (more than once per week) is associated with an 8% lower risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The protective effect was consistent across studies and supports moderate chocolate intake as potentially beneficial for heart health, likely due to its flavanol content improving endothelial function and reducing inflammation.

Featured Reviews

Association Between Egg Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Outcomes

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 prospective studies (over 1.4 million participants) found that consuming more than 1 egg per day was not associated with increased risk of overall cardiovascular disease events. Interestingly, higher egg intake was linked to a significant reduction in coronary artery disease risk (HR 0.89).