Cardiovascular Risk Management

Transthyretin (TTR) gene variants may increase the risk of heart failure and other cardiac complications. A specific TTR gene variant at position 122 (V142I) is particularly common among middle-aged Black patients. The TTR V142I variant is characterized by a valine-to-isoleucine substitution and is a significant cause of cardiac amyloidosis. Although research is ongoing, one particular...

The number of older patients in the United States is expected to increase by 69% between 2020 and 2060. In addition, ethnic and racial groups are expected to become the racial majority within the next 35 years. However, heart failure disparities and comorbidity disparities span across different ethnic groups. Socioeconomic factors, race, and conditions associated...

Light chain (AL) amyloidosis develops from precursor plasma cells that produce clonal free light chains. These clonal free light chains can lead to the formation of fibril deposits in the heart tissue and disrupt the function of the heart. AL amyloidosis is a progressive disease with signs and symptoms that can develop slowly over months...

Researchers have not extensively studied cardiac amyloidosis expressions, phenotype, and all-cause mortality differences between men and women. Women may show different cardiac amyloidosis expressions due to genetic and physical factors, such as a smaller heart size. There is especially concern about the risk of mortality attributed to transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). Evaluating these differences may...

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a progressive atherosclerotic disease in which one or more peripheral arteries, typically in the lower limbs, are partially or completely obstructed, reducing blood perfusion to the limb. Overall, PAD affects approximately 8.5 million Americans, most of them age 65 and older. A recent analysis of Medicare inpatient and outpatient claims...

Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease. Atherosclerosis causes the arteries to narrow and harden, cutting off blood supply to the heart.  Not only is coronary artery disease more prevalent in African-Americans, it also starts at an earlier age. Studies have shown that African-Americans also have the highest mortality rates from...

A Baylor University study found that a significantly higher number of African Americans had peripheral artery disease (PAD) compared to Hispanics and whites in patients over the age of 55. Peripheral artery disease is defined as atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and the arteries in the legs. PAD can be asymptomatic or symptomatic. Symptoms of...