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Objective: Estimate the incremental costs and benefits of scaling up hypertension care in adults in 24 select countries, using three different systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment cut-off points-≥140, ≥150 and ≥160 mm Hg., Intervention: Strengthening the hypertension care cascade compared with status quo levels, with pharmacological treatment administered at different cut-points depending on the scenario., Target Population: Adults aged 30+ in 24 low-income and middle-income countries spanning all world regions., Perspective: Societal., Time Horizon: 30 years., Discount Rate: 4%., Costing Year: 2020 USD., Study Design: DATA SOURCES: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation's Epi Visualisations database-country-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence, prevalence and death rates. Mean SBP and prevalence-National surveys and NCD-RisC. Treatment protocols-WHO HEARTS. Treatment impact-academic literature. Costs-national and international databases., Outcome Measures: Health outcomes-averted stroke and myocardial infarction events, deaths and disability-adjusted life-years; economic outcomes-averted health expenditures, value of averted mortality and workplace productivity losses., Results of Analysis: Across 24 countries, over 30 years, incremental scale-up of hypertension care for adults with SBP≥140 mm Hg led to 2.6 million averted CVD events and 1.2 million averted deaths (7% of expected CVD deaths). 68% of benefits resulted from treating those with very high SBP (≥160 mm Hg). 10 of the 12 highest-income countries projected positive net benefits at one or more treatment cut-points, compared with 3 of the 12 lowest-income countries. Treating hypertension at SBP≥160 mm Hg maximised the net economic benefit in the lowest-income countries., Limitations: The model only included a few hypertension-attributable diseases and did not account for comorbid risk factors. Modelled scenarios assumed ambitious progress on strengthening the care cascade., Conclusions: In areas where economic considerations might play an outsized role, such as very low-income countries, prioritising treatment to populations with severe hypertension can maximise benefits net of economic costs., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

We aimed to determine absolute and relative risks of either symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection for late cardiovascular (CV) events and all-cause mortality. We conducted a retrospective double cohort study of patients with either symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19+ cohort) and its documented absence (COVID-19- cohort). The study investigators drew a simple random sample of records from all patients under the Oregon Health & Science University Healthcare (n = 65,585), with available COVID-19 test results, performed March 1, 2020 to September 13, 2020. Exclusion criteria were age <18 years and no established Oregon Health & Science University care. The primary outcome was a composite of CV morbidity and mortality. All-cause mortality was the secondary outcome. The study population included 1,355 patients (mean age 48.7 ± 20.5 years; 770 women [57%], 977 White non-Hispanic [72%]; 1,072 ensured [79%]; 563 with CV disease history [42%]). During a median 6 months at risk, the primary composite outcome was observed in 38 of 319 patients who were COVID-19+ (12%) and 65 of 1,036 patients who were COVID-19- (6%). In the Cox regression, adjusted for demographics, health insurance, and reason for COVID-19 testing, SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with the risk for primary composite outcome (hazard ratio 1.71, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 2.78, p = 0.029). Inverse probability-weighted estimation, conditioned for 31 covariates, showed that for every patient who was COVID-19+, the average time to all-cause death was 65.5 days less than when all these patients were COVID-19-: average treatment effect on the treated -65.5 (95% confidence interval -125.4 to -5.61) days, p = 0.032. In conclusion, either symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with an increased risk for late CV outcomes and has a causal effect on all-cause mortality in a late post-COVID-19 period., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) are two diseases that affect millions around the globe. Hepatitis C affects more than 70 million individuals globally. ASCVD is commonly encountered and remains the top cause of death worldwide. A link has been identified between HCV and atherosclerosis., Recent Findings: A review of recent studies which define the association between HCV infection and an increased risk of subclinical ASCVD and experiencing cardiovascular (CV) events. It is now recognized that there is an increased burden of atherosclerosis in individuals infected with HCV that translates into increased cardiovascular events. An increase in the number of diagnosed cases of HCV is expected as screening recommendations for the virus have expanded. Strategies to educate healthcare professionals about this increased CV risk will need to be considered as well as the optimal strategy to lower CV risk in this growing population.

Low rates of cardiovascular preventive therapy with statin medications is a significant public health problem in Canada. There is a pressing need for public health interventions to increase the use of statin medications, especially among high-risk patients. In this article, we present the results of a quality assurance pilot program to provide laboratory-reported Framingham Risk Score (FRS) to physicians. This work was performed in a mixed urban and rural setting in southern Alberta. We provided FRSs and, for high-risk patients, statin treatment recommendations in conjunction with laboratory lipid panel requests. Adhesive labels were supplied to primary care physicians, and space was provided for information necessary for the calculation of the FRS by a laboratory information system. In total, 16 physicians from 4 different clinics participated in the pilot program. Data were collected from October 25, 2014-November 5, 2015, during which time 1266 patients had FRSs from the laboratory. Three hundred twenty-four individuals were identified as high risk for coronary heart disease (≥ 20% 10-year risk) and received a recommendation for treatment with a statin medication in the laboratory result report. These individuals had a 26% relative and a 6.4% absolute increase in statin prescriptions compared with before the pilot program. The laboratory-based provision of FRSs with statin treatment recommendations for high-risk individuals has the potential to significantly increase the use of statin drugs., (Copyright © 2017 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Cardiovascular disease is a global epidemic, which is largely preventable. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is demonstrated to be cost-effective and efficacious in high-income countries. CR could represent an important approach to mitigate the epidemic of cardiovascular disease in lower-resource settings. The purpose of this consensus statement was to review low-cost approaches to delivering the core components of CR, to propose a testable model of CR which could feasibly be delivered in middle-income countries., Methods: A literature review regarding delivery of each core CR component, namely: (1) lifestyle risk factor management (ie, physical activity, diet, tobacco and mental health), (2) medical risk factor management (eg, lipid control, blood pressure control), (3) education for self-management and (4) return to work, in low-resource settings was undertaken. Recommendations were developed based on identified articles, using a modified GRADE approach where evidence in a low-resource setting was available, or consensus where evidence was not., Results: Available data on cost of CR delivery in low-resource settings suggests it is not feasible to deliver CR in low-resource settings as is delivered in high-resource ones. Strategies which can be implemented to deliver all of the core CR components in low-resource settings were summarised in practice recommendations, and approaches to patient assessment proffered. It is suggested that CR be adapted by delivery by non-physician healthcare workers, in non-clinical settings., Conclusions: Advocacy to achieve political commitment for broad delivery of adapted CR services in low-resource settings is needed., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

Background: It is unclear whether blood pressure control varies across the spectrum of atherosclerotic risk., Methods: We used data from nonpregnant adults who had fasted laboratory samples drawn for the 2007-2009 cycle of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) or the 2005-2008 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)., Results: The 1692 CHMS subjects and 3541 NHANES participants were demographically similar (aged a mean of 45 years), although NHANES participants exhibited higher obesity rates (33.8% vs. 22.2%, P < 0.001). Over 80% of CHMS and NHANES subjects with hypertension had at least 1 other cardiovascular risk factor. As the number of atherosclerotic risk factors increased, hypertension prevalence increased, but blood pressure control rates improved (from 48% among hypertensives with no other risk factors in CHMS to 77% among those with 3 or more risk factors, and from 35% to 53% in NHANES). However, the converse was not true: The distribution of Framingham risk scores for those subjects with "controlled hypertension" was nearly identical to the distribution among those adults with uncontrolled hypertension in both CHMS and NHANES and substantially higher than scores in normotensive subjects., Conclusions: Although control of blood pressure was better in patients with multiple atherosclerotic risk factors, hypertensives with controlled blood pressures exhibited risk-factor profiles similar to those of participants with uncontrolled blood pressures. This suggests the need, in educational messaging and therapy decision making, for an increased focus on total atherosclerotic risk rather than just blood pressure control., (Copyright © 2013 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. All rights reserved.)

Background: South Asian Canadians experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The goal of this qualitative study was to determine the feasibility of implementing a sustainable, culturally adapted, community-based CVD risk factor screening program for this population., Methods: South Asians (≥ 45 years) in Calgary, Alberta underwent opportunistic cardiovascular risk factor screening by lay trained volunteers at local religious facilities. Those with elevated blood pressure (BP) or ≥ 1 risk factor underwent point of care cholesterol testing, 10-year CVD risk calculation, counseling, and referral to family physicians and local culturally tailored chronic disease management (CDM) programs. Participants were invited for re-screening and were surveyed about health system follow-up, satisfaction with the program and suggestions for improvement. Changes in risk factors from baseline were estimated using McNemar's test (proportions) and paired t-tests (continuous measures)., Results: Baseline assessment was completed for 238 participants (median age 64 years, 51% female). Mean TC, HDL and TC/HDL were 5.41 mmol/L, 1.12 mmol/L and 4.7, respectively. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures (mmHg) were 129 and 75 respectively. Blood pressure and TC/HDL ratios exceeded recommended targets in 36% and 58%, respectively, and 76% were at high risk for CVD. Ninety-nine participants (47% female) attended re-screening. 82% had accessed health care providers, 22% reported medication changes and 3.5% had attended the CDM programs. While BP remained unchanged, TC and TC/HDL decreased and HDL increased significantly (mean differences: -0.52 mmol/L, -1.04 and +0.07 mmol/L, respectively). Participants were very satisfied (80%) or satisfied (20%) with the project. Participants suggested screening sessions and CDM programs be more accessible by: delivering evening or weekends programs at more sites, providing transportation, offering multilingual programs/translation assistance, reducing screening wait times and increasing numbers of project staff., Conclusions: SA-CHAMP demonstrated the feasibility and value of implementing a lay volunteer-led, culturally adapted, sustainable community-based CVD risk factor screening program in South Asian places of worship in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Subsequent screening and CDM programs were refined based on the learnings from this study. Further research is needed to determine physician and patient factors associated with uptake of and adherence to risk reduction strategies.

Recent reports of selected observational studies and a meta-analysis have stirred controversy and have become the impetus for calls to abandon recommendations for reduced sodium intake by the US general population. A detailed review of these studies documents substantial methodological concerns that limit the usefulness of these studies in setting, much less reversing, dietary recommendations. Indeed, the evidence base supporting recommendations for reduced sodium intake in the general population remains robust and persuasive. The American Heart Association is committed to improving the health of all Americans through implementation of national goals for health promotion and disease prevention, including its recommendation to reduce dietary sodium intake to <1500 mg/d.

This paper is a Position Statement from an 'ad hoc' Scientific Review Subcommittee of the PAHO/WHO Regional Expert Group on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention through Dietary Salt Reduction. It is produced in response to requests from representatives of countries of the Pan-American Region of WHO needing clarification on two recent publications casting doubts on the appropriateness of population wide policies to reduce salt intake for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The paper provides a brief background, a critical appraisal of the recent reports and explanations as why the implications have been mis-interpreted. The paper concludes that the benefits of salt reduction are clear and consistent, and reinforces the recommendations outlined by PAHO/WHO and other organizations worldwide for a population reduction in salt intake to prevent strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular events., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: The management of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidemia is poorly described in many communities, and the benefits associated with tighter control remain unknown. We used data from the 2007 MyHealthCheckup survey to document the treatment gaps and estimated the potential benefits of better adherence to recommended guidelines., Methods: Cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle habits, and prescribed medications were evaluated among Canadian adults recruited primarily in pharmacies. The Cardiovascular Life Expectancy Model was used to estimate the potential benefits of optimally treating hypertension or dyslipidemia (defined as not smoking, regular physical activity, an acceptable body weight, and maximal medication as needed)., Results: Among 2674 screened individuals, 1266 (47%) were receiving pharmacotherapy for either dyslipidemia or hypertension, including 772 (61%) and 656 (63%), respectively, who remained above treatment targets. Among those above lipid or blood pressure targets, 27% and 22%, respectively, were optimally treated. The average increased life expectancy or life-years gained associated with making appropriate lifestyle changes included 2.2 to 4.7 years from smoking cessation, 0.7 to 1.1 years from regular exercise, and 0.4 to 0.7 years from weight reduction. The life-years gained following better risk factor treatment included maximal pharmacotherapy for elevated blood pressure (0.6-0.8), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.5-0.6), and the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.3-0.4). Years of life free of cardiovascular disease would be similarly increased., Conclusions: Better treatment of cardiovascular risk factors could result in a substantial reduction in morbidity and mortality among Canadians. Given current physician prescribing and patient habits, lifestyle modification should be considered a priority before additional medications are prescribed., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The present article represents the 2009 update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease in the adult.

Objective: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and assessment of high blood pressure in adults., Options: For people with high blood pressure, the assignment of a diagnosis of hypertension depends on the appropriate measurement of blood pressure, the level of the blood pressure elevation, the duration of follow-up and the presence of concomitant vascular risk factors, target organ damage and established atherosclerotic diseases. For people diagnosed with hypertension, defining the overall risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes requires laboratory testing, a search for target organ damage and an assessment of the modifiable causes of hypertension. Out-of-clinic blood pressure assessment and echocardiography are options for selected patients., Outcomes: People at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and were identified and quantified., Evidence: Medline searches were conducted from the period of the last revision of the Canadian recommendations for the management of hypertension (May 1998 to October 2000). Reference lists were scanned, experts were polled, and the personal files of the subgroup members and authors were used to identify other studies. All relevant articles were reviewed and appraised, using prespecified levels of evidence, by content experts and methodological experts., Values: A high value was placed on the identification of people at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality., Benefits, Harms and Costs: The identification of people at higher risk of cardiovascular disease will permit counselling for lifestyle manoeuvres and the introduction of antihypertensive drugs to reduce blood pressure for patients with sustained hypertension. In certain settings, and for specific classes of drugs, blood pressure lowering has been associated with reduced cardiovascular morbidity and/or mortality., Recommendations: The present document contains detailed recommendations pertaining to aspects of the diagnosis and assessment of patients with hypertension, including the accurate measurement of blood pressure, criteria for the diagnosis of hypertension and recommendations for follow-up, routine and optional laboratory testing, assessment for renovascular hypertension, home and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and the role of echocardiography in hypertension., Validation: All recommendations were graded according to strength of the evidence and voted on by the Canadian Hypertension Recommendations Working Group. Only the recommendations achieving high levels of consensus are reported here. These guidelines will be updated annually., Endorsement: These recommendations are endorsed by the Canadian Hypertension Society, The Canadian Coalition for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control, The College of Family Physicians of Canada, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, The Adult Disease Division and Bureau of Cardio-Respiratory Diseases and Diabetes at the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control of Health Canada.

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the prescribing of non-ASA non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NANSAID) and the prescribing of select cardiovascular (CV) medications. We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of the prescribed use of these medications between December 1, 1990 and June 30, 1991 by Albertans 65 years of age and older utilizing data from the publically-funded drug benefit plan. Variables examined were: the number of individuals prescribed NANSAID and CV medications; mean daily dose for these medications; calculated relative dose; the proportion of NANSAID users prescribed CV medications compared to non-users; and the relative proportions of users of specific NANSAID prescribed CV medication. We found that 33.4% and 19.6% of Albertan seniors were prescribed CV medications and NANSAID, respectively. NANSAID users were twice as likely to be prescribed CV medications as compared to non-users. Intermediate/high dose NANSAID users were more likely to be prescribed a CV medication as compared to low-dose users. The risk of being prescribed a CV medication was highest for indomethacin and users of multiple NANSAID, while ibuprofen users had the lowest risk. We conclude that NANSAID users are more likely to be also prescribed CV medications. Subjects who consume a lower dose of NANSAID are less likely to be prescribed CV medications. For different NANSAID, there is a spectrum of risk.

We examined the relationship between carotid iiitima-media] thickness (IMT) and blood pressure (BP) measured either by auscultation or by oscillo-inclry in 176 firefighters. The automated oscillo-metric BP readings were related to carotid IMT (systolic P = O.O23, ^ = 0.407 and diastolic P = 0.007, /[=—0.372, respectively) but auscultatory BP readings were not related (systolic P = 0.859, /I =-0.028 and diastolic P = 0.754, /I =-0.04) in a multiple linear regression analysis. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that automated oscillometric BP better relates to cardiovascular prognosis than auscultatory BP but the clinical implications of this hypothesis needs to be tested in a definitive study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]