The American journal of medicine
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The impact of unhealthy lifestyles on clinical outcomes among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are at low risk of stroke remains uncertain. The study objective was to evaluate the association between unhealthy lifestyles and clinical outcomes among low-risk AF patients with 0-1 non-sex risk factor of the CHA2DS2-VASc (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 years, Diabetes mellitus, prior Stroke or transient ischemic attack [TIA], Vascular disease, Age 65-74 years, female Sex;) score. ⋯ Unhealthy lifestyles, including a sedentary lifestyle, drinking, and smoking, may synergistically impact poor clinical outcomes in AF patients who are deemed to be at low risk of stroke.
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Apparent resistant hypertension, defined as uncontrolled office blood pressure despite ≥ 3 antihypertensive medications including a diuretic or use of ≥ 4 medications regardless of blood pressure, occurs in ≤ 15% of treated hypertensives. Apparent refractory hypertension, defined as uncontrolled office pressure despite use of 5 or more medications including a diuretic, occurs in ≤ 10% of resistant cases. Both are associated with increased comorbidity and enhanced cardiovascular risk. ⋯ If significant albuminuria, finerenone is indicated. The optimal treatment of refractory hypertension is unclear, but sympathetic inhibition (α-β blockade, centrally acting sympathoinhibitors, or both) seems reasonable. Renal denervation has shown minimal benefit for resistance, but its role in refractory hypertension remains to be defined.
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Observational Study
Frank´s Sign and cardiovascular risk: an observational descriptive study.
This study was undertaken to analyze the relationship between the diagonal earlobe crease and the main indices of cardiovascular risk, considering the crease's anatomical variations. ⋯ The diagonal earlobe crease is independently associated with higher cardiovascular risk scores, especially when the crease is complete, bilateral, deep, and has accessory creases.