A study of more than 9 million individuals in South Korea and the US identified high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and past or present tobacco smoking as the primary risk factors for heart attack and stroke, preceding 99% of cardiovascular events. The research, published in JACC, highlights the importance of managing modifiable risk factors to prevent serious cardiovascular disease.

Women may need less exercise than men to protect against coronary heart disease, according to a study in Nature Cardiovascular Research. The study of more than 85,000 adults finds that women who engage in four hours of moderate exercise weekly lower their heart disease risk by 30%, whereas men need eight hours for similar benefits.

A study in JAMA Network Open suggests sleeping in total darkness may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Participants exposed to the brightest light at night had a significantly higher risk of heart failure, coronary artery disease and stroke. The study tracked nearly 89,000 people using wrist wearables to monitor light exposure.

High cholesterol affects nearly 10% of Americans, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing cholesterol levels, with specific nutrients like soluble fiber, unsaturated fats, omega-3 fats and plant sterols offering potential benefits, say registered dietitians Alison Kaplanes and Ashley Reaver. They explain how each of these nutrient affects cholesterol. "For reducing [unfavorable] LDL cholesterol, soluble fiber is particularly important as it can bind to cholesterol in the intestine and help remove it from the body," explains Kaplanes.

YorLabs has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its Zero-CapEx Intracardiac Imaging System. The system offers single-operator control and high-resolution, real-time imaging for a variety of procedures.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans are developing a health care plan as the government shutdown approaches one month. Expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies are a key issue in the shutdown. Johnson criticized the subsidies and called for reforms instead of extending what he sees as a flawed system.

Timothy Bateman, MD, MASNC, Panithaya Chareonthaitawee, MD, MASNC, and Wael A. Jaber, MD, FASNC, recently got together while the cameras were rolling for an informal debrief following ASNC’s 30th Annual Scientific Session and Exhibition. Dr. Bateman, who has attended all of the Society’s annual meetings, shared that ASNC2025 “really stood out” in part because “dynamic changes” coming in nuclear cardiology are motivating cardiac imagers at all career stages to stay current. In fact, Dr. Bateman said, the mood at ASNC2025 was reminiscent of conferences held in the 1980s. To find out why, WATCH ASNC INTERVIEW SERIES EPISODE 23.