Polypills Could Prevent Up to 72 Million Heart Disease Deaths
Polypills Could Prevent Up to 72 Million Heart Disease Deaths
Source:
Highlighted on: July 22, 2025
Published in: JACC, 14 July 2025
Key Findings:
1. What are polypills?
A polypill is a single pill that combines several heart-protecting medications such as:
• A statin (for cholesterol)
• One or more blood pressure drugs
• Sometimes aspirin (to prevent clotting)
2. Why are they important?
Many people at high risk of heart disease do not get the proper medications—even in wealthy countries. Polypills could make treatment easier and more accessible.
3. What did the researchers study?
Scientists modeled how giving polypills from 2023 to 2050 could impact heart disease globally. They looked at heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and deaths from cardiovas…
[4:04 pm, 25/07/2025] Dr Jamal Aldabbas Card Socity: Interest rising in CKM syndrome as connections become clearer
Date: Highlighted on 24 July 2025
In AHA articles on CKM syndrome and the PREVENT calculator.
1. What is CKM Syndrome?
• CKM stands for Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic syndrome.
• It is a progressive condition now officially recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA).
• It links heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic disorders (like diabetes and obesity) into one unified risk spectrum.
2. Disease Staging (According to the 2023 AHA Statement):
• Stage 1: Excess body fat, especially abdominal.
• Stage 2: Development of metabolic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, CKD).
• Stage 3: Subclinical cardiovascular disease (visible on imaging but without symptoms).
• Stage 4: Full cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, PAD, heart failure).
3. New Tool – PREVENT Calculator:
• Introduced by the AHA to help predict CKM progression.
• Uses lab values (HbA1C, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio) and social determinants of health.
4. Clinical Implications:
• Cardiologists may see CKM patients before nephrologists or endocrinologists.
• This highlights the need for interdisciplinary care and early risk detection.
5. Recent Studies (2024 AHA Scientific Sessions):
• Tighter BP control (targeting 120 mmHg) in diabetics reduces CV events.
• Tirzepatide, a GIP/GLP-1 agonist, improves outcomes in HFpEF patients.
6. Gender Disparities:
• Women with CKM syndrome have 38% higher mortality risk than men.
• Prevention and treatment must be more aggressive and tailored in women.
7. CKM as a Global Challenge:
• ~90% of the U.S. population is already at stage 1 or higher.
• About 50% are in stage 2.
• The worldwide burden is possibly in the billions.
8. Future of Care – Cardiometabolic Clinics:
• A growing model where cardiologists, endocrinologists, and nephrologists work together.
• More specialists will be trained in cardiometabolic medicine.
9. Call to Action for Cardiologists:
• Start screening for early CKD (UACR) and HbA1C.
• Consider SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists for prevention.
• Shift toward preventive and personalized care is essential.
