Recent news and analysis on Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular news covering heart disease, stroke, blood pressure, cholesterol, and cardiac treatment advances.

• Thomas R Frieden, Renu Garg, Andrew E Moran, Paul K Whelton: "[Correspondence] Facility-based blood pressure measurement and treatment"

  The authors contend that facility-based blood pressure measurement is more effective than community-based screening for hypertension control. They argue that mass screening campaigns give a false impression of progress while avoiding the necessary strengthening of primary care.

• "Rohtak cardiologist dies of sudden cardiac arrest at 45: How long work hours and chronic stress can trigger heart emergencies"

  This commentary argues that chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and burnout among doctors create a sustained inflammatory state that increases the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. It contends that physicians often dismiss early warning signs, and that regular exercise alone cannot mitigate risks from prolonged stress and poor lifestyle habits.

• Alarming high blood pressure rates found in Australian children

  A study has revealed alarming rates of high blood pressure in Australian children, described as a silent health crisis. The number of affected children is rising, attributed to inactivity and poor diets.

• Ultra-processed foods linked to up to 38% of Canadian heart disease deaths

  A study presented at the International Congress on Obesity found ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are linked to 23-38% of cardiovascular disease events and deaths in Canada in 2019. Reducing UPF consumption by 20-50% could have prevented up to 45,900 new cases and 8,300 deaths. Researchers called for structural measures including food taxes and front-of-package labelling.