Aldosterone Synthase Inhibitors for Resistant Hypertension: Pharmacological Insights - A Systematic Review.

Background: Resistant hypertension (RHT) is a challenging clinical condition characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure despite adherence to lifestyle modifications and the use of at least three antihypertensive agents, including a high-dose diuretic. RHT is a heterogeneous condition, influenced by multiple pathophysiological mechanisms such as sodium retention, sympathetic overactivity, and vascular dysfunction. Among these, hyperaldosteronism plays a pivotal role in a subset of patients.

Retrospective Evaluation of L-Acetyl Carnitine and Palmitoylethanolamide as Add-On Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia and Small Fiber Neuropathy.

Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain and a variety of related symptoms. Growing evidence suggests that the central and peripheral nervous systems are involved, with small fiber neuropathy playing a key role in its development. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 100 patients diagnosed with primary fibromyalgia.

A 360° perspective on cardiovascular prevention: the International Lipid Expert Panel SiMple tIps for the heaLthy hEart (ILEP-SMILE).

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), is the most common cause of death worldwide. Despite decades of research into lifestyle factors and medications, we still cannot effectively prevent the occurrence of ASCVD or the many incident CVD events and their complications. Yet, in most countries, only a small percentage of the healthcare budget is allocated to (primary) prevention, and only a few nations have introduced effective integrated (coordinated) programmes in primary prevention to promote health education, invest in health as early as possible, and prevent adverse CVD events.

Crystal clear - part I: The role of uric acid in cardiorenal disease.

This review opens a two-part series by exploring the evolutionary origins, vascular implications, renal pathophysiology, and prognosis related to serum uric acid (SUA). We begin by examining the ancestral loss of uricase in hominoids, which conferred elevated SUA-initially advantageous for sodium retention and antioxidant defense, yet maladaptive in today's purine- and fructose-abundant diet. UA thus re-emerges as a biologically active molecule, exhibiting both protective antioxidant effects and harmful pro-inflammatory actions.

Incidence, Associated Abnormalities, and Outcomes of Dextrocardia: A Registry-based Study in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: Dextrocardia refers to the right-sided positioning of the heart during embryonic development and may occur in isolation or in association with visceral malposition or other malformations. However, few studies have investigated this condition. This study aimed to determine the incidence of cardiac and non-cardiac malformations, as well as to analyze long-term follow-up and survival outcomes in patients with dextrocardia.

Non-Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Tailored Assessment and Clinical Implications.

Non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors (RFs) are increasingly emerging as important modifiers of cardiovascular risk (CVR), offering insights beyond traditional metrics like hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. These include novel biomarkers, chronic conditions (e.g.

The effect of highly bioavailable forms of curcumin on lipoprotein(a) plasma levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical studies.

Curcumin is a bioactive compound derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric) that has garnered increasing attention for its potential health benefits. However, its use in clinical practice is limited due to its generally poor bioavailability. This issue can be overcome using novel delivery systems that enhance curcumin's solubility, extend its residence time in plasma, improve its pharmacokinetic profile, and increase its cellular uptake.

Reliability of different formulas for estimating plasma Apolipoprotein B levels in a large cohort of South European individuals.

Background And Aims: Direct measurement of apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is not always standardized and is relatively expensive, making it unavailable in several low-income settings. To address this issue, several formulas have been developed to estimate ApoB levels. Therefore, our study aims to compare the reliability of 23 formulas for estimating ApoB levels in a large cohort of South-European individuals.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9: a promising marker of cardiovascular risk in post-menopausal diabetic women in primary prevention.

Background And Aims: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) increases circulating LDL levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; its levels may be related to the dysregulation of glycemic control and may be affected by estrogens. The aim of this study was to assess factors related to PCSK9 levels, and to evaluate the correlation between PCSK9 levels and CV parameters in post-menopausal diabetic women in primary prevention.

Methods: Generalized linear models (GLM) were adopted to evaluate predictors of PCSK9 levels as well as factors related to CV outcomes, such as pulse wave velocity (PWV), pulse pressure (PP), and augmentation index (AI).

Exercise Training and Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Comprehensive Assessment and Prescription.

Current guidelines on acute and chronic coronary syndromes recommend comprehensive and multidisciplinary exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in Class I. Indeed, in patients after a percutaneous coronary intervention, this supervised and structured rehabilitation program improves cardiovascular risk and reduces adverse events and mortality. After an initial assessment, including a peak exercise capacity evaluation, patients follow a tailored multidisciplinary program consisting of aerobic and resistance exercise training, risk factor management, dietary counselling, physical activity counselling, weight control management, psychosocial support, and education.

Palmitoylethanolamide in Postmenopausal Metabolic Syndrome: Current Evidence and Clinical Perspectives.

Menopause leads to a decline in estrogen levels, resulting in significant metabolic alterations that increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome-a cluster of conditions including central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Traditional interventions such as hormone replacement therapy carry potential adverse effects, and lifestyle modifications alone may not suffice for all women. This review explores the potential role of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an endogenous fatty acid amide, in managing metabolic syndrome during the postmenopausal period.

Role of nutrition and healthy lifestyle, for individuals in primary prevention: recent data, gaps in evidence and future directions.

All recent guidelines on cardiovascular prevention have highlighted the role of a healthy diet and lifestyle advocating an holistic approach to reduce the cardiovascular burden among the population. Despite these efforts, registries have reported that only a minority of healthcare professionals provide advice on diet and lifestyle, and, in most cases, counseling is suboptimal for several reasons. Cardiovascular benefits linked to lifestyle and nutrition seem to be underestimated by many patients and doctors.

Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) as a novel biomarker in the era of cardiometabolic medicine.

In the period of increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes, healthcare professionals are facing significant challenges. Therefore, an accurate global assessment of insulin resistance is of utmost importance. Current medical research is focused on identifying an easily accessible and reproducible gold-standard surrogate marker for insulin resistance.

Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals to Reduce the Risk of Cardiometabolic Disease: Where We Are, and Where We Are Going.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs) remain leading causes of mortality and disability in Western countries [...

Healthy Eating beyond Whole Grains-Insight on Associations between Diet Quality and Arterial Stiffness in the Brisighella Heart Study Cohort.

Although whole grains have well-recognized protective effects against the development of cardiometabolic diseases, whole grain foods are poorly consumed by the general population. The aim of our study was to establish, at a population level, the vascular impact of a low intake of whole grain foods. From the initial cohort of the Brisighella Heart Study, we identified a population sample of 1503 individuals-including 720 men (47.

Effect of Supplementation of a Butyrate-Based Formula in Individuals with Liver Steatosis and Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Postbiotics could exert different metabolic activities in animal models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and in humans affected by metabolic syndrome. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial that enrolled a sample of 50 Caucasian healthy individuals with NAFLD, defined as liver steatosis, and metabolic syndrome. After a 4-week run-in, the enrolled individuals were randomized to take a food for special medical purposes with functional release, one tablet a day, containing calcium butyrate (500 mg/tablet), zinc gluconate (zinc 5 mg/tablet), and vitamin D3 (500 IU/tablet), or an identical placebo for 3 months.

Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Bisoprolol/Hydrochlorothiazide Combination for the Treatment of Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect and the safety profile of low-dose bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide combination treatment in patients with hypertension. Multiple electronic databases were systematically searched, and five clinical studies were included in the meta-analysis. Treatment with bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide significantly reduced systolic BP (SBP) [mean difference (MD): -8.