The American journal of medicine
-
Review
Human Papillomavirus as Non-Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Fact or Fiction? Part 2.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US and worldwide, with more than 42 million Americans infected with types of HPV that are known to cause disease. While the link between HPV and the development of a variety of cancers has been strongly established, recent literature has demonstrated a potential association between HPV and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. ⋯ In part 2, we focus on novel risk factors for HPV infection and cardiovascular disease including adverse childhood events, socioeconomic status, and immunosuppression. We conclude with potential prevention and treatment strategies for HPV-related cardiovascular disease, as well as the future direction of the research.
-
Review
Renal Artery Denervation for the Management of Hypertension: Current Trends and Future Direction.
Renal artery denervation has re-emerged as a potential therapeutic option for patients with hypertension, especially those resistant to conventional pharmacotherapy. This comprehensive review explores the importance of careful patient selection, procedural techniques, clinical efficacy, safety considerations, and future directions of renal artery denervation in hypertension management. Drawing upon a wide range of available evidence, this review aims to provide a thorough understanding of the procedure and its role in contemporary hypertension treatment paradigms.
-
Review
Inclusion of Dental Services in Medicare to Improve Oral and General Health for Older Americans.
Poor oral health negatively impacts overall health, quality of life, and well-being. Increasing evidence suggests that provision of basic dental care for elderly Americans would improve outcomes for a variety of systemic diseases and reduce the overall cost of healthcare. ⋯ This article outlines evidence, rationale, and approaches required for inclusion of dental benefits for more Americans through the Medicare program. Improving access to dental services through Medicare to help prevent and manage common chronic diseases is an important step toward integration of dental care with general healthcare to improve the overall health, quality of life, and well-being for many older Americans.
-
This communication, based on a review of the relevant literature on ratios deriving from blood pressure and heart rate measurements, and their conformance/nonconformance to the mathematical golden rule (ie, 1.681), proposes that such ratios, particularly emanating from large numbers of home blood pressure and heart rate measurements obtained by the patients themselves or their caretakers, may constitute new risk markers, useful in the assessment of health and cardiovascular pathologies, prognosis of morbidity and mortality, and implementation to clinical practice and research.