The Medical clinics of North America
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Med. Clin. North Am. · Mar 2022
ReviewNoninvasive Imaging for the Asymptomatic Patient: How to Use Imaging to Guide Treatment Goals?
Imaging subclinical atherosclerosis identifies individuals at higher risk of cardiovascular disease through direct visualization before events occur so that preventative measures can be taken. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scans are the most widely used and studied to identify subclinical atherosclerosis and are most useful in men older than 40 years and women older than 50 years. Coronary computed tomography angiography has high prognostic value and might be the best modality for assessing subclinical atherosclerosis with incremental increase in predictive value over CAC. Ankle-brachial indexes are specific markers for cardiovascular risk but are a less sensitive tool for risk assessment.
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Med. Clin. North Am. · Mar 2022
ReviewWomen's Cardiovascular Health: Selecting the Best Contraception.
Basic knowledge about contraceptive types, efficacy, and indications is absolutely necessary for cardiologists caring for reproductive-age women for whom pregnancy could cause significant morbidity or mortality and for those on teratogenic medications. This summary provides a comprehensive overview of contraception options.
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Med. Clin. North Am. · Mar 2022
ReviewRace and Modifiable Factors Influencing Cardiovascular Disease.
A modern approach to mitigating the impact of cardiovascular disease on Americans demands not only an understanding of modifiable conditions that contribute to its development but also a greater appreciation of the heterogeneous distribution of these conditions based on race. As race is not a biological construct, further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms that contribute to these differences. The consequences of the differential impact of modifiable risk factors on cardiovascular disease outcomes among black Americans compared with white Americans cannot be understated.
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The treatment of elevated blood pressure (BP) can improve cardiovascular (CV) event rates. Current BP targets depend on expected CV event rates in individuals as assessed by concurrent medical conditions and other risk factors. Importantly, the means by which BP is measured has evolved. This evolution is driven by recognition that techniques different than routine office BP measurements can provide a better assessment of future CV risk.