Heart Disease

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have found that erythritol, a common sugar substitute, disrupts brain blood vessel cells in ways that could elevate stroke risk. The study exposed cells to levels from a single sugar-free drink and observed reduced vessel relaxation, impaired clot breakdown, and increased oxidative stress. The findings appear in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

21 Mwezi wa tatu, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

An experimental oral pill called enlicitide lowered LDL cholesterol by about 60% in a large phase three clinical trial, according to results published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The trial, led by Dr. Ann Marie Navar at UT Southwestern Medical Center and sponsored by Merck, involved 2,909 participants mostly already on statins. If approved, the daily pill could improve access to effective cholesterol treatment.

Researchers have developed a non-invasive imaging tool called fast-RSOM that visualizes the body's smallest blood vessels through the skin. This technology identifies early microvascular endothelial dysfunction, a precursor to cardiovascular disease, allowing for earlier interventions. The portable device could integrate into routine checkups to improve heart health outcomes.

30 Mwezi wa kwanza, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI Imethibitishwa ukweli

Men’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease begins rising faster than women’s starting in the mid-30s, according to an analysis of the long-running CARDIA cohort. Researchers found men reached a 5% cumulative incidence of cardiovascular disease about seven years earlier than women, with coronary heart disease driving most of the gap; traditional risk factors explained only part of the difference.

A Cedars-Sinai analysis of its emergency department data found that visits for general illness, heart attacks and pulmonary illness rose sharply in the 90 days after the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires began in January 2025, even as overall ER volume stayed roughly in line with prior years. Researchers said fine particles in wildfire smoke and stress could be contributing factors, and reported that abnormal blood test results linked to general illness more than doubled during the same period.

15 Mwezi wa kumi na mbili, 2025 Imeripotiwa na AI Imethibitishwa ukweli

An analysis of more than 63,000 French adults from the long-running NutriNet-Santé cohort found that plant-based diets built around minimally processed, nutritionally high-quality foods were associated with about a 40% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, while diets heavy in ultra-processed plant products could erase this benefit and were tied to substantially higher risk, according to researchers from INRAE and partner institutions.