Risk factors articles within Nature Reviews Cardiology

Featured

  • Research Highlight |

    Treatment for periodontal disease might reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing ablation, suggesting that periodontitis is a modifiable risk factor for AF.

    • Gregory B. Lim

  • Review Article |

    Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) have an increased risk of cancer, and patients with cancer have an increased risk of CVD. In this Review, the authors discuss the shared modifiable risk factors and the shared pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the bidirectional relationship between these two prevalent diseases.

    • Nicholas S. Wilcox
    • , Uri Amit
    •  & Bonnie Ky

  • Research Highlight |

    In patients with carotid artery disease, the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in the carotid plaque is associated with an increased risk of death or major cardiovascular events compared with patients in whom microplastics and nanoplastics were not detected.

    • Karina Huynh

  • Review Article |

    In this Review, Lakhal-Littleton and Cleland use the latest understanding of iron homeostasis to evaluate existing and emerging markers of iron status, describe the reciprocal relationship between iron status and heart failure, and mechanistically examine the benefits of oral and intravenous iron replacement therapies.

    • Samira Lakhal-Littleton
    •  & John G. F. Cleland

  • Review Article |

    Low socioeconomic position (SEP) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but whether this association is causal is uncertain. In this Review, Bann and colleagues discuss how evidence from divergent study designs can help in understanding the causal relationship between SEP and CVD and how this relationship might have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    • David Bann
    • , Liam Wright
    •  & Nish Chaturvedi

  • Comment |

    Despite the high consumption of fermented foods and beverages worldwide, their role in a healthy diet is still up for debate. Some fermented beverages have been demonstrated to protect against cardiovascular disease, but many aspects of the effects of fermented foods on cardiovascular health are uncertain. Better-designed studies are warranted.

    • Ramon Estruch
    •  & Rosa M. Lamuela-Raventós

  • Review Article |

    Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) has been the focus of an increasing number of studies in the past decade. In this Review, Tavella and colleagues detail the prevalence and clinical presentation of MINOCA, describe the mechanisms underlying the syndrome, and summarize the sex-specific and ethnicity-specific differences in the clinical features, pathophysiological mechanisms, treatment and prognosis of MINOCA.

    • Sarena La
    • , John Beltrame
    •  & Rosanna Tavella

  • Clinical Outlook |

    The link between migraine and cardiovascular disease is complex and involves overlapping mechanisms, such as endovascular disturbances. Challenges in measuring migraine, in distinguishing between causation and prediction, and in the understanding of clinical implications highlight the need for further research to guide treatment and cardiovascular risk assessment for the millions of individuals living with migraine.

    • Tobias Kurth
    •  & Pamela M. Rist

  • Review Article |

    In this Review, Gaillard and Jaddoe describe how maternal cardiovascular disorders, occurring before and during pregnancy, can influence cardiovascular health in the offspring from embryonic life until adulthood. Furthermore, the authors highlight critical periods for cardiovascular adaptations, including preconception, early pregnancy and infancy, and how the events occurring during these periods can have an effect on future cardiovascular health.

    • Romy Gaillard
    •  & Vincent W. V. Jaddoe

  • Clinical Outlook |

    Research consistently shows that gender-affirming practices improve markers of cardiovascular health. Consequently, the focus of the management of the cardiovascular health of transgender and non-binary populations should not be on their hormone therapies and surgical histories, but should instead be rooted in the routine screening of cardiovascular risk factors.

    • Arjee Restar
    •  & Carl G. Streed Jr

  • Review Article |

    In this Review, Lucia and colleagues explain why obesity is an evolutionarily novel condition, summarize the epidemiological evidence for its detrimental cardiometabolic consequences, discuss the major mechanisms involved in the association between obesity and the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, and examine the evidence for potential ‘healthy’ phenotypes associated with obesity.

    • Pedro L. Valenzuela
    • , Pedro Carrera-Bastos
    •  & Alejandro Lucia

  • Research Highlight |

    The non-nutritive sweetener erythritol, a widely used sugar substitute, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and stroke, according to a new study.

    • Irene Fernández-Ruiz

  • Review Article |

    In this Review, Redline and colleagues summarize our understanding of the shared risk factors and causal links between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and cardiovascular disease and emerging knowledge on the heterogeneity of OSA. They also explore the potential role of new biomarkers for cardiovascular risk stratification in patients with OSA.

    • Susan Redline
    • , Ali Azarbarzin
    •  & Yüksel Peker

  • Review Article |

    The prevalence of hypertension in China has risen steadily in the past two to three decades. In this Review, Wang and colleagues summarize the latest epidemiological data on hypertension in China, describe the risk factors for hypertension that are relevant to this population, and provide an overview of initiatives aimed at improving awareness, treatment and control of hypertension, especially in the low-resource rural setting.

    • Ji-Guang Wang
    • , Wei Zhang
    •  & Lisheng Liu

  • Review Article |

    The global prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasing, largely as a result of a rise in modifiable risk factors. In this Review, Sanders and colleagues summarize the epidemiology of AF and discuss lifestyle changes and risk factor interventions for the primary and secondary prevention of AF.

    • Adrian D. Elliott
    • , Melissa E. Middeldorp
    •  & Prashanthan Sanders

  • Research Highlight |

    High plasma levels of HDL cholesterol have been shown to be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. However, paradoxically, very high HDL-cholesterol levels are associated with increased mortality in patients with coronary artery disease, according to a new study.

    • Irene Fernández-Ruiz

  • Review Article |

    The relationship between climate change and health outcomes is complex. In this Review, Rajagopalan and colleagues describe the environmental exposures associated with climate change and provide an overview of the consequences of climate change, including air pollution and extreme temperatures, on cardiovascular health and disease.

    • Haitham Khraishah
    • , Barrak Alahmad
    •  & Sanjay Rajagopalan

  • Comment |

    Moderate coffee consumption (2–5 cups per day) has been consistently associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in epidemiological studies. For most individuals, a caffeine intake of up to 400 mg per day is safe and moderate coffee consumption can be included as part of a healthy lifestyle.

    • Rob M. van Dam
    •  & Frank B. Hu

  • Research Highlight |

    Use of hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal symptoms is associated with a modest reduction in plasma lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels but is not associated with a lower Lp(a)-associated risk of coronary heart disease compared with no HRT use, according to findings presented at ACC.22.

    • Irene Fernández-Ruiz

  • Review Article |

    In this Review, the authors explore metabolic dysregulation as an important theme in cardio-oncology. They discuss metabolic reprogramming in cardiovascular disease and cancer and the possibility that therapeutically targeting metabolic and immunometabolic changes in patients with cancer might also reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.

    • Anja Karlstaedt
    • , Javid Moslehi
    •  & Rudolf A. de Boer

  • News & Views |

    Cardiovascular disease is both a risk factor and potential outcome of the direct, indirect and long-term effects of COVID-19. A recent analysis in >150,000 survivors of COVID-19 demonstrates an increased 1-year risk of numerous cardiovascular diseases. Preventing and managing this new disease burden presents challenges to health systems and requires a learning health system approach.

    • Mohamed O. Mohamed
    •  & Amitava Banerjee

  • Review Article |

    In this Review, Borén and colleagues provide an overview of the pathways involved in triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) assembly and intravascular processing, and discuss how the dysregulation of triglyceride transport can result in hypertriglyceridaemia.

    • Jan Borén
    • , Marja-Riitta Taskinen
    •  & Chris J. Packard

  • Review Article |

    Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of heart failure that presents in late pregnancy or early in the postpartum period. In this Review, Hoes and colleagues discuss the known risk factors for PPCM, including genetic variants and pre-eclampsia, and describe the potential pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of PPCM such as disrupted metabolic homeostasis in the heart owing to pregnancy-induced hormone fluctuations.

    • Martijn F. Hoes
    • , Zoltan Arany
    •  & Peter van der Meer

  • Review Article |

    In this Review, Raitakari and colleagues discuss the importance of initiating the prevention of atherosclerosis in early life and summarize the major paediatric programmes for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

    • Olli Raitakari
    • , Katja Pahkala
    •  & Costan G. Magnussen

  • Comment |

    Large differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality exist between migrant populations and host populations. Understanding the drivers behind these disparities may help to mitigate the unequal burden of CVD and identify new causal pathways that contribute to CVD risk in the population at large.

    • Charles Agyemang
    •  & Bert-Jan van den Born

  • Review Article |

    In this Review, Klarin and Natarajan discuss the implementation of polygenic risk scores in clinical medicine for risk prediction and screening algorithms for coronary artery disease, prioritization of patient subgroups that are likely to derive benefit from treatment, and efficient prospective clinical trial designs.

    • Derek Klarin
    •  & Pradeep Natarajan

  • Research Highlight |

    Patients with cardiovascular disease who live with socioeconomic disadvantage face barriers to healthy living. A new study assessing social disadvantage burden reveals that this patient population has poor adherence to COVID-19 risk-mitigation recommendations.

    • Ciarán Martin Fitzpatrick

  • Review Article |

    In this Review, Essien and colleagues discuss the contributions of social determinants, including race/ethnicity, financial resources, and rural or residential environment, to the evaluation, treatment and management of atrial fibrillation, identify gaps in the literature, and propose future directions to investigate and address social determinants of atrial fibrillation.

    • Utibe R. Essien
    • , Jelena Kornej
    •  & Jared W. Magnani

  • Review Article |

    Epidemiological studies indicate a genetic component to the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). In this Review, Behr and colleagues evaluate monogenic and polygenic contributions to the risk of SCD in the young and SCD associated with drug therapy and analyse the potential clinical role of genomic testing in the prevention of SCD in the general population.

    • Chiara Scrocco
    • , Connie R. Bezzina
    •  & Elijah R. Behr

  • Review Article |

    Dyslipidaemias, particularly hypercholesterolaemia, are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In this Review, Catapano and colleagues summarize the latest data on plasma lipid levels and associated deaths and trends in these parameters over the past four decades in different regions of the world.

    • Angela Pirillo
    • , Manuela Casula
    •  & Alberico L. Catapano

  • Review Article |

    In this Review, Münzel and colleagues summarize the epidemiological evidence on transportation noise pollution as a cardiovascular risk factor, discussing mechanistic insights for the adverse cardiovascular effects of noise pollution and highlighting new risk markers of noise-induced cardiovascular effects as well as promising noise-mitigation strategies.

    • Thomas Münzel
    • , Mette Sørensen
    •  & Andreas Daiber

  • Comment |

    Improper management of carotid artery disease for stroke prevention is prevalent. Accumulating misconceptions (‘furphies’) drive the overuse of carotid artery procedures and the inappropriate use of medicines. Recognition of these furphies is essential to improve disease management and optimize patient outcomes.

    • Anne L. Abbott

  • Comment |

    Uncertainties remain about the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy to prevent left ventricular thrombus formation after myocardial infarction. In particular, the roles of predisposing factors and prophylactic anticoagulation have not been sufficiently considered. We propose an ‘uncertainties flowchart’ with the aim of stimulating research on the topic.

    • Luca A. F. Di Odoardo
    • , Giulio G. Stefanini
    •  & Marco Vicenzi

  • Research Highlight |

    A new machine learning risk-stratification model accurately predicts the 1-year risk of ischaemic and major bleeding events in patients with an acute coronary syndrome and might be useful to guide clinical decision-making and optimize the quality of care of these patients.

    • Irene Fernández-Ruiz

  • Comment |

    Growing evidence indicates that sexual and gender minority populations might be at greater risk of cardiovascular disease than the general population. Additional population and clinical health research is needed to inform the development of tailored, evidence-based interventions to promote the cardiovascular health of sexual and gender minority populations.

    • Billy A. Caceres
    •  & Carl G. Streed Jr

  • Comment |

    Extreme heat events are now more frequent in many parts of the world as a result of climate change. The combined effects of heat, air pollution, individual age, and socioeconomic and health status are responsible for avoidable acute events of cardiovascular disease and need to be considered in order to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases effectively.

    • Annette Peters
    •  & Alexandra Schneider

  • Comment |

    In this Comment, Nikki Gillum Posnack discusses how the increasing use of plastics in everyday life has potentially harmful effects on cardiovascular health.

    • Nikki Gillum Posnack

  • Review Article |

    Effective stroke prevention with oral anticoagulation is a cornerstone of the management of patients with atrial fibrillation. Caution is required in patients with atrial fibrillation at high risk of stroke and bleeding. In this Review, Lip and colleague discuss strategies for reducing the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

    • Agnieszka Kotalczyk
    • , Michał Mazurek
    •  & Gregory Y. H. Lip

  • Review Article |

    In this Review, Lucia and colleagues discuss the epidemiological evidence on the benefits of major lifestyle interventions in the prevention and adjuvant treatment of hypertension, including regular physical exercise, body weight management, healthy diet, adequate sleep patterns, circadian entrainment and stress management. The authors also describe the main physiological mechanisms underlying these benefits.

    • Pedro L. Valenzuela
    • , Pedro Carrera-Bastos
    •  & Alejandro Lucia

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