Primary care
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In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, cardiovascular disease (CVD) was the leading cause of death. Since 2020, the pandemic has had far-reaching effects on the landscape of health care including CVD prevention and management. ⋯ This article reviews the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the accompanying pandemic on CVD risk factor prevention and management in the United States. Potential solutions are also proposed for these patients.
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The link between elevated LDL-C, low HDL-C, elevated triglycerides, and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease has solidified over the past decades. Concomitantly, the number of agents to treat dyslipidemia proliferated in clinical trials, proving or refuting their clinical efficacy. ⋯ Recently, there has been an explosion in emerging therapeutics for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease through the control of dyslipidemia. This article reviews standard, new, and emerging treatments for hyperlipidemia.
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Valvular heart disease is a common abnormality seen in the primary care setting. There are many causes of valvular heart disease including congenital, degenerative, infectious, traumatic, and many more. ⋯ All these complexities make diagnosis and management of valvular heart disease complicated, especially in the context of comorbidities. For this reason, it is important for primary care physicians to have a thorough understanding of how these diseases present and when interventions are indicated.