Alcohol’s relationship with health is complicated: The same pattern of drinking that can be associated with lower rates of cardiovascular events and death in a large study of U.S. veterans also was linked to increased cancer risk.
2026 Dyslipidemia Guideline Expanded Statin Recommendations to Another 21.5 Million Americans
The 2026 dyslipidemia guideline significantly expanded the U.S. population recommended for primary prevention statin therapy, especially in adults at lower risk.
Catheter Ablation Safe, Career-Preserving for Servicemembers with Tachycardia
Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is the most common supraventricular tachycardia, and treatment for U.S. active-duty servicemembers (ADSM) can have unique career implications and might affect military retention.
More Treatment of High LDL-C Critical at VA to Avoid ASCVD
Pointing out that elevated serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), a new study decried that only one-third of veterans with ASCVD have LDL-C treated to goal despite the availability of effective drugs to lower the condition.
Diabetes Staging System Improves Care for Type 2 Diabetes Patients In VA Primary Care Clinics
Guideline-concordant care for veteran Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients improved with use of the Diabetes Staging System to guide treatment, predict survival and create a shared language for care in VA primary care clinics.
About Half of Post-9/11 Veterans Found to Have High Blood Pressure, Often Undiagnosed, Untreated
High blood pressure, often undiagnosed and untreated, is widespread among post-9/11 U.S. veterans and is found at a much greater rate compared to the general public, according to a new study.
Short-Term Meal Delivery With Phone Dietitian Counseling Lowered BP in Veterans
In middle-aged and older veterans with hypertension and obesity, short-term meal delivery followed by telephone dietitian counseling improved DASH diet adherence and lowered blood pressure, showing promise as an intervention to improve health outcomes in this high-risk population, according to a recent study.
Agent Orange Exposure Linked to Higher Cardiovascular Risks for Veterans
Veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War era might face higher odds of requiring coronary artery bypass graft surgery after coronary stent procedures, along with a greater overall burden of cardiovascular risk factors, according to a retrospective analysis of VA data.
New Study Argues for Wider Implement of Warfarin Patient Self-Management in the US
Can patients in the U.S. healthcare system successfully transition to warfarin patient self-management (PSM)?
Hospital Discharge Leaves Many Older Adults Vulnerable to Medication Errors
Hospital discharge represents a critical transition point for older adults, particularly for those managing chronic cardiovascular and metabolic conditions.
Composition of Carotid Plaques Different Between Chinese, U.S. Patients
It is known that the clinical manifestations of cerebrovascular disease are known to differ between the Chinese and United States populations, as do the plaque features on imaging.
Hormone Therapy Use in Women Veterans Linked to CVD
Menopausal hormone therapy is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death in women veterans 45 years and older.
Urine Biomarkers of Kidney Tubular Function Linked to Risk of Death, Heart Failure Readmission
In patients admitted to the hospital with acute heart failure, five urine biomarkers of kidney tubular function were found to be associated with risk of death and heart failure readmission, according to a recent study.
Beta-Blockers Still Frequently Prescribed First-Line for Hypertension at VA
For more than a decade, national guidelines have discouraged first-line beta-blocker use among patients without compelling indications. Yet, according to a new study, the practice is still common at the VHA, and interventions are needed to improve guideline-concordant initial treatment for hypertension.
Assessing Germline POT1 Variants in a Pan-Cancer Cohort
An increased risk of several cancers have been identified in the presence of germline likely pathogenic and pathogenic variants (LPV/PVs) in POT1.
New Study Finds Strongest Links Yet Between PTSD, Cardiovascular Disease
Post-traumatic stress disorder has been determined to increase cardiovascular risk, but the connection is not fully understood.
Mental Stress Response in Women With Cardiac Dysfunction
Noting that coronary vascular dysfunction (CVaD) contributes to ischemia even in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease, a new study posited that abnormal autonomic reactivity to mental stress is a key pathophysiologic mechanism in CVaD compared to noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) and reference control (RC) groups.
AI Can Detect Hidden CVD Disease With Scans Stored in VA Patients Records
Another practical use of artificial intelligence to improve healthcare and save lives has been developed, and—not surprisingly—the VA played a key role in the effort.
Dietary Cholesterol Intake Directly Linked to Heart Attack Risk in Veterans
Veterans with a higher dietary intake of cholesterol are at increased risk of having a heart attack, according to a recent study that shows a direct link between dietary cholesterol intake and heart attack risk.
CVD, CKD Combine to Increase Surgical Mortality
What are the interactive effects of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) on long-term mortality following major operations?
Factors Linked to Major CVD Events in Veteran Postmenopausal Women
In contrast to the civilian population, certain indicators of socioeconomic status, such as education, occupation, household income and neighborhood socioeconomic status, aren’t significantly linked to major cardiovascular disease events in postmenopausal women veterans, according to a recent study.
A Quarter of U.S. Veterans Older Than 60 Have Been Diagnosed with CVD
One in 4 U.S. veterans age 60 and older have reported being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease at some point, which has potential implications for their physical and mental health, according to a recent study.
More Benefit From Intensive BP Control in Veterans With CKD Than Original SPRINT Participants
The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) found benefits of intensive vs. standard blood pressure (BP) control. But do those findings generalize to adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
VA’s Landmark Study Shifted Paradigm for Managing Diabetes
MEMPHIS, TN — As part of our ongoing series highlighting milestones in federal medicine as part of the 60th anniversary of U.S. Medicine, we spoke with William Cushman, MD, medical director, Department of Preventive Medicine, and professor of Preventive Medicine,...
Higher CVD Events in Older Adults Undergoing Chemotherapy, With Certain Cancers
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a greater risk for cancer survivors because of either their malignancy or its treatment.
Cholesterol Medication Ezetimibe Promising for Lowering Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
The mechanism through which heart disease elevates the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) has been investigated intensively.
Skin Disorders Such as Atopic Dermatitis Can Have Extracutaneous Effects
Aging can lead to the development of cutaneous symptoms and disorders, and in many older adults the effects often are not limited to the skin, according to a new VA study.
More Than 14 million U.S. Adults on Statins Might Not Really Need Them
Equations that estimate 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) appear to have overestimated the number of U.S. adults eligible for primary prevention statin therapy, according to a new study.
Is Chlorthalidone Better for Veterans With Past Cardiovascular Events?
Prior myocardial infarction or stroke should be taken into account when deciding to prescribe chlorthalidone (CTD) vs hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in older patients with hypertension.
Longer Deployment, Exposure to Burn Pits Linked to Respiratory, CV Disease
Servicemembers with prolonged deployment to military bases with open burn pits might have an increased risk for developing adverse health conditions, such as respiratory and cardiovascular disease, according to a recent study.