Cardio Round-up: NFL Players and AFib, Paleo Diet Problems, and More

This week’s edition looks at a new study of former NFL players and the risk for atrial fibrillation, new research highlighting a potential issue for fans of the Paleolithic (Paleo) diet, and an analysis of PCSK9 coverage and outcomes.

Former NFL Players Face Higher Risk for AFib

A new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association highlights an elevated risk for former NFL players in comparison to controls of comparable age and racial makeup. The researchers looked at 460 former NFL players and matched them with population-based controls of comparable age. The authors showed that former NFL athletes had a higher odds ratio (5.7; 95% CI, 2.1 to 15.9) of having AFib than the controls did. “Most former NFL athletes with AFib were unaware of any symptoms and yet should have been taking blood thinners to prevent stroke, highlighting the importance of being vigilant and intermittently checking for AFib in this group,” the lead author of the study said.

Patients Denied Access to PCSK9 Inhibitors Have Worse Cardiovascular Outcomes

New research in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes indicates that adverse cardiovascular outcomes are more prevalent among patients who with rejected or abandoned PCSK9 inhibitor prescriptions. The study, which included data on over 139,000 individuals prescribed PCSK9 inhibitors, divided the individuals into several subgroups (paid, rejected, or abandoned) and used propensity score matching to minimize confounding due to baseline characteristics. The results suggested that those who had “rejected” and “abandoned” PCSK9 inhibitor prescriptions had more adverse cardiovascular outcomes. “Rejection, abandonment, and disparities related to PCSK9 inhibitor prescriptions are related to higher cardiovascular outcome rates,” the authors wrote.

Cardiac Biomarker Linked with Long-term Paleolithic Diet

Long-term adherence to the Paleolithic (Paleo) diet is associated with an increased level of a key cardiovascular biomarker, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Nutrition. The 44-person study looked at individuals who strictly adhered to the Paleo diet, those who incorporated some grains and dairy foods, and those who had a normal diet. According ot the results, individuals who had a strict adherence to the Paleo diet had elevated serum levels of trimethylamie-N-Oxide (TMAO) compared to those who didn’t adhere as strictly, or who had normal diets. “The Paleolithic diet excludes all grains and we know that whole grains are a fantastic source of resistant starch and many other fermentable fibers that are vital to the health of your gut microbiome,” the lead author said.

3-D Printed Replacement Heart Valves Potentially Saving Lives

Take a peak at this research from a Swiss team creating 3-D silicone heart valves.