Despite continuous therapeutic innovations and management strategies, diabetes remains a major public health concern affecting an estimated 34 million Americans with an ever-increasing prevalence. Of the factors known to influence diabetes risk and development, tobacco use is an established cause of type 2 diabetes and there is a growing consensus that alcohol use contributes to the condition due to its ability to alter insulin sensitivity.  Although rates of tobacco use have drastically decreased in recent years, smoking remains a significant risk factor for the development of type ..read more

In an attempt to discover efficacious and safe treatments for COVID-19, the scientific community has been repurposing existing medications with proven track records. One of these established medication classes is statins – which have an excellent record as safe and affordable therapies. Ongoing research is examining the broader use of statins in COVID-19 patients with current evidence suggesting they may lower mortality rates and the incidence of severe complications. Opposing Viewpoints on Statin Benefits Currently, medical experts hold two opposing viewpoints on the effects of statins on the ..read more

Women who have experienced hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) face a doubled risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those who have had normotensive pregnancies – and their risk factor levels remain higher through age 50 and beyond. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and cardiovascular disease share a host of common modifiable risk factors including adiposity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Although it is not known how much of the excess pregnancy-related CVD risk is associated with these elevated risk factors, they may be an important target for prevention in wome ..read more

Although the prevalence of cigarette smoking has significantly declined from nearly 21% of the U.S. adult population identifying as smokers in 2005 to only 14% today, an estimated 34.1 million adults still currently smoke cigarettes. In addition, many have transitioned to the use of electronic cigarettes in hopes of reducing cardiometabolic risks. However, the cardiovascular toxicity of electronic cigarettes is not well understood and comprehensive population data assessing their adverse effects remains sparse. Researchers continue to investigate the repercussions of both cigarette and e-cigar ..read more

The chemical N-Nitrosodimethylamine, also referred to as NDMA, is a noxious, odorless compound that dissolves in water. It has been found to cause cancer in animals and potentially even humans, most commonly having detrimental effects on the liver. NDMA can mutate cells and stimulate tumor growth in mice at the very low dose of only a milligram, while 2 grams can kill a person within days of contamination. Once present in rocket fuel, the chemical can still be found in tobacco smoke, cured meat, and even drinking water. Although the FDA has deemed it “reasonably safe”  to consume a microg ..read more

Used in the treatment of autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and tissue injuries, the potential healing power of extracellular vesicles (EVs) may have beneficial implications for the treatment of cardiovascular conditions as well. The nanometer-sized messengers travel between cells with the capacity to revive cells after myocardial infarction, keeping them functioning while deprived of oxygen during a heart attack. While extracellular vesicles derived from stem cells have been shown to help recover heart cells following heart attacks, the underlying mechanisms and the scope of t ..read more

At the beginning of the pandemic, the trends predicted by public health officials forecasted an increase in the proportion of individuals using substances alone, widespread toxification of the drug supply, and markedly reduced access to treatment, all of which could increase the lethality of overdose incidents. In addition, experts warned against the negative implications of social isolation which was likely to drive a surge in overdoses as people increasingly began using drugs alone without a person to call emergency medical services (EMS) or administer naloxone in the event of an overdose. T ..read more

Approximately 1.5 million cases of myocardial infarction (MI) occur in the United States per year and despite significant declines in age-adjusted mortality rates attributable to acute MI since the 1970s, the overall rate of MI-related deaths has not declined.  Heart disease remains the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in the nation, killing approximately 650,000 U.S. adults per year. While prompt recognition of MI symptoms is essential to improving health outcomes and ensuring timely access to emergency cardiac care, MI patients continue to have a delayed presentation in the h ..read more

Several of the leading causes of death across the globe are diseases related to the obesity epidemic, such as ischemic heart disease, cancer, and stroke. High-calorie diets, sedentary lifestyles, and recently, pandemic lockdown measures have contributed to a continuous rise in obesity prevalence. Widespread stay-at-home orders and a shift toward remote life have had a negative impact on a range of weight management practices causing experts to forecast a significant worsening of the obesity epidemic in coming years. The current approach toward obesity care, which prioritizes weight loss as par ..read more

Previous studies in the general population suggest that both green tea and coffee can contribute to health benefits, preventing chronic diseases, and even reducing mortality risks. However, limited evidence is currently available regarding the consumption of these beverages on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is significant potential for reduced all-cause mortality associated with drinking both coffee and green tea in patients with type 2 diabetes, per results of a recent study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.   Coffee, Green Tea Consumption in Cohort ..read more