Pub Date : 2023-01-01Epub Date: 2023-09-30DOI: 10.1007/s12170-023-00728-z
Zahra Azizi, Demilade Adedinsewo, Fatima Rodriguez, Jennifer Lewey, Raina M Merchant, LaPrincess C Brewer
Purpose of review: In this review, we present a comprehensive discussion on the population-level implications of digital health interventions (DHIs) to improve cardiovascular health (CVH) through sex- and gender-specific prevention strategies among women.
Recent findings: Over the past 30 years, there have been significant advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among men and women worldwide. However, women are often underdiagnosed, undertreated, and underrepresented in cardiovascular clinical trials, which all contribute to disparities within this population. One approach to address this is through DHIs, particularly among racial and ethnic minoritized groups. Implementation of telemedicine has shown promise in increasing adherence to healthcare visits, improving BP monitoring, weight control, physical activity, and the adoption of healthy behaviors. Furthermore, the use of mobile health applications facilitated by smart devices, wearables, and other eHealth (defined as electronically delivered health services) modalities has also promoted CVH among women in general, as well as during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Overall, utilizing a digital health approach for healthcare delivery, decentralized clinical trials, and incorporation into daily lifestyle activities has the potential to improve CVH among women by mitigating geographical, structural, and financial barriers to care.
Summary: Leveraging digital technologies and strategies introduces novel methods to address sex- and gender-specific health and healthcare disparities and improve the quality of care provided to women. However, it is imperative to be mindful of the digital divide in specific populations, which may hinder accessibility to these novel technologies and inadvertently widen preexisting inequities.
{"title":"Leveraging Digital Health to Improve the Cardiovascular Health of Women.","authors":"Zahra Azizi, Demilade Adedinsewo, Fatima Rodriguez, Jennifer Lewey, Raina M Merchant, LaPrincess C Brewer","doi":"10.1007/s12170-023-00728-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12170-023-00728-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>In this review, we present a comprehensive discussion on the population-level implications of digital health interventions (DHIs) to improve cardiovascular health (CVH) through sex- and gender-specific prevention strategies among women.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Over the past 30 years, there have been significant advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among men and women worldwide. However, women are often underdiagnosed, undertreated, and underrepresented in cardiovascular clinical trials, which all contribute to disparities within this population. One approach to address this is through DHIs, particularly among racial and ethnic minoritized groups. Implementation of telemedicine has shown promise in increasing adherence to healthcare visits, improving BP monitoring, weight control, physical activity, and the adoption of healthy behaviors. Furthermore, the use of mobile health applications facilitated by smart devices, wearables, and other eHealth (defined as electronically delivered health services) modalities has also promoted CVH among women in general, as well as during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Overall, utilizing a digital health approach for healthcare delivery, decentralized clinical trials, and incorporation into daily lifestyle activities has the potential to improve CVH among women by mitigating geographical, structural, and financial barriers to care.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Leveraging digital technologies and strategies introduces novel methods to address sex- and gender-specific health and healthcare disparities and improve the quality of care provided to women. However, it is imperative to be mindful of the digital divide in specific populations, which may hinder accessibility to these novel technologies and inadvertently widen preexisting inequities.</p>","PeriodicalId":46144,"journal":{"name":"Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports","volume":"17 11","pages":"205-214"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10587029/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49692945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.1007/s12170-023-00717-2
Kelsey Ufholz, James Werner
Purpose of review: A variety of mobile-based applications aimed at weight loss have become popular in recent years. This review describes the features and effectiveness of mobile weight loss apps.
Recent findings: Overall, mobile apps can help patients lose weight either as well as or better than traditional paper-and-pencil weight loss interventions and often better than minimal intervention control groups. Mobile apps promote multiple strategies, including self-monitoring of diet, exercise, and weight, as well as social support and educational content. Significant variation exists in app types, which makes it difficult to conclude which features drive program effectiveness. Intervention success varies based on patients' level of engagement with the app. There is a deficit of apps and app-based studies of older, less tech-savvy adults, ethnic/racial minorities, and low-income individuals, as well as longer-term studies.
Summary: Mobile apps can successfully help patients lose weight and represent a cost-effective, accessible alternative to intensive in-person weight loss programs. More research is needed into their long-term potential, especially for hard-to-reach populations.
{"title":"The Efficacy of Mobile Applications for Weight Loss.","authors":"Kelsey Ufholz, James Werner","doi":"10.1007/s12170-023-00717-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-023-00717-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>A variety of mobile-based applications aimed at weight loss have become popular in recent years. This review describes the features and effectiveness of mobile weight loss apps.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Overall, mobile apps can help patients lose weight either as well as or better than traditional paper-and-pencil weight loss interventions and often better than minimal intervention control groups. Mobile apps promote multiple strategies, including self-monitoring of diet, exercise, and weight, as well as social support and educational content. Significant variation exists in app types, which makes it difficult to conclude which features drive program effectiveness. Intervention success varies based on patients' level of engagement with the app. There is a deficit of apps and app-based studies of older, less tech-savvy adults, ethnic/racial minorities, and low-income individuals, as well as longer-term studies.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Mobile apps can successfully help patients lose weight and represent a cost-effective, accessible alternative to intensive in-person weight loss programs. More research is needed into their long-term potential, especially for hard-to-reach populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":46144,"journal":{"name":"Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports","volume":"17 4","pages":"83-90"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10034244/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9252764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.1007/s12170-022-00711-0
Mario Funes Hernandez, Fatima Rodriguez
Purpose of review: In this review, we define health equity, disparities, and social determinants of health; the different components of digital health; the barriers to digital health equity; and cardiovascular digital health trials and possible solutions to improve health equity through digital health.
Recent findings: Digital health interventions show incredible potential to improve cardiovascular diseases by obtaining longitudinal, continuous, and actionable patient data; increasing access to care; and by decreasing delivery barriers and cost. However, certain populations have experienced decreased access to digital health innovations and decreased representation in cardiovascular digital health trials.
Summary: Special efforts will need to be made to expand access to the different elements of digital health, ensuring that the digital divide does not exacerbate health disparities. As the expansion of digital health technologies continues, it is vital to increase representation of minoritized groups in all stages of the process: product development (needs findings and screening, concept generation, product creation, and testing), clinical research (pilot studies, feasibility studies, and randomized control trials), and finally health services deployment.
{"title":"Health Techequity: Opportunities for Digital Health Innovations to Improve Equity and Diversity in Cardiovascular Care.","authors":"Mario Funes Hernandez, Fatima Rodriguez","doi":"10.1007/s12170-022-00711-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-022-00711-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>In this review, we define health equity, disparities, and social determinants of health; the different components of digital health; the barriers to digital health equity; and cardiovascular digital health trials and possible solutions to improve health equity through digital health.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Digital health interventions show incredible potential to improve cardiovascular diseases by obtaining longitudinal, continuous, and actionable patient data; increasing access to care; and by decreasing delivery barriers and cost. However, certain populations have experienced decreased access to digital health innovations and decreased representation in cardiovascular digital health trials.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Special efforts will need to be made to expand access to the different elements of digital health, ensuring that the digital divide does not exacerbate health disparities. As the expansion of digital health technologies continues, it is vital to increase representation of minoritized groups in all stages of the process: product development (needs findings and screening, concept generation, product creation, and testing), clinical research (pilot studies, feasibility studies, and randomized control trials), and finally health services deployment.</p>","PeriodicalId":46144,"journal":{"name":"Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports","volume":"17 1","pages":"1-20"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9703416/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10868411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01Epub Date: 2023-05-29DOI: 10.1007/s12170-023-00719-0
Gauranga Mahalwar, Ashish Kumar, Ankur Kalra
Purpose of review: Through this review, we attempt to explore the role of telemedicine and virtual visits in the field of cardiology pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 pandemic, their limitations and their future scope for delivery of care.
Recent findings: Telemedicine, which rose to prominence during COVID-19 pandemic, helped not only in reducing the burden on the healthcare system during a time of crisis but also in improving patient outcomes. Patients and physicians also favored virtual visits when feasible. Virtual visits were found to have the potential to be continued beyond the pandemic and play a significant role in patient care alongside conventional face-to-face visits.
Summary: Although tele-cardiology has proven beneficial in terms of patient care, convenience, and access, it comes with its fair share of limitations-both logistical and medical. Whilst there remains a great scope for improvement in the quality of patient care provided through telemedicine, it has shown the potential to become an integral part of medical practice in the future.
Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12170-023-00719-0.
{"title":"Virtual Cardiology: Past, Present, Future Directions, and Considerations.","authors":"Gauranga Mahalwar, Ashish Kumar, Ankur Kalra","doi":"10.1007/s12170-023-00719-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12170-023-00719-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Through this review, we attempt to explore the role of telemedicine and virtual visits in the field of cardiology pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 pandemic, their limitations and their future scope for delivery of care.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Telemedicine, which rose to prominence during COVID-19 pandemic, helped not only in reducing the burden on the healthcare system during a time of crisis but also in improving patient outcomes. Patients and physicians also favored virtual visits when feasible. Virtual visits were found to have the potential to be continued beyond the pandemic and play a significant role in patient care alongside conventional face-to-face visits.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Although tele-cardiology has proven beneficial in terms of patient care, convenience, and access, it comes with its fair share of limitations-both logistical and medical. Whilst there remains a great scope for improvement in the quality of patient care provided through telemedicine, it has shown the potential to become an integral part of medical practice in the future.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12170-023-00719-0.</p>","PeriodicalId":46144,"journal":{"name":"Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports","volume":"17 6","pages":"117-122"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10225773/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9993513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-19DOI: 10.1007/s12170-022-00712-z
P. Futyma, Łukasz Zarębski, Shaojie Chen, A. Enriquez, H. Pürerfellner, P. Santangeli
{"title":"Risk Assessment and Management of Outflow Tract Arrhythmias Refractory to Prior Treatments","authors":"P. Futyma, Łukasz Zarębski, Shaojie Chen, A. Enriquez, H. Pürerfellner, P. Santangeli","doi":"10.1007/s12170-022-00712-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-022-00712-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46144,"journal":{"name":"Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports","volume":"17 1","pages":"21-26"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49561185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-01DOI: 10.1007/s12170-022-00709-8
Julio C Nunes, Shayena Shah, M. Fazal, Sofia E. Gomez, Chen Wei, Paul J. Wang, R. Stafford, T. Baykaner
{"title":"Patient Education Strategies to Improve Risk of Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation","authors":"Julio C Nunes, Shayena Shah, M. Fazal, Sofia E. Gomez, Chen Wei, Paul J. Wang, R. Stafford, T. Baykaner","doi":"10.1007/s12170-022-00709-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-022-00709-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46144,"journal":{"name":"Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports","volume":"16 1","pages":"249-258"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48227467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-11-07DOI: 10.1007/s12170-022-00710-1
Bianca Cherestal, Z. Hudson, Keila N. Lopez
{"title":"Applying Interventions to Address the Social Determinants of Health and Reduce Health Disparities in Congenital Heart Disease Patients","authors":"Bianca Cherestal, Z. Hudson, Keila N. Lopez","doi":"10.1007/s12170-022-00710-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-022-00710-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46144,"journal":{"name":"Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41927887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-11-03DOI: 10.1007/s12170-022-00708-9
Cheryl L. Woods-Giscombe, Jamie Conklin, Adam Dodd, Louise F. Barthold, Yvonne Perry, J. Brooks, Andrew Bradford, Sierra Vines, Raven Smith, E. Ikharo, Erum Agha, Aisha Chilcoat, Karen Sheffield-Abdullah, S. Gaylord
{"title":"Workplace Meditation Interventions for Reducing Psychological Stress and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Workplace Wellness Policy Implications","authors":"Cheryl L. Woods-Giscombe, Jamie Conklin, Adam Dodd, Louise F. Barthold, Yvonne Perry, J. Brooks, Andrew Bradford, Sierra Vines, Raven Smith, E. Ikharo, Erum Agha, Aisha Chilcoat, Karen Sheffield-Abdullah, S. Gaylord","doi":"10.1007/s12170-022-00708-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-022-00708-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46144,"journal":{"name":"Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43734631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-10-24DOI: 10.1007/s12170-022-00705-y
G. Wilkie, Ekaterina Skaritanov, Micaela Tobin, Angela Essa, A. Gubala, L. Ferraro, Lara C Kovell
{"title":"Hypertension in Women: Impact of Contraception, Fertility, and Hormone Treatment","authors":"G. Wilkie, Ekaterina Skaritanov, Micaela Tobin, Angela Essa, A. Gubala, L. Ferraro, Lara C Kovell","doi":"10.1007/s12170-022-00705-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-022-00705-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46144,"journal":{"name":"Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48915527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-10-06DOI: 10.1007/s12170-022-00707-w
K. Tamirisa, C. Dye, I. Ekeruo, A. Volgman
{"title":"Atrial Fibrillation in Women: from Epidemiology to Treatment","authors":"K. Tamirisa, C. Dye, I. Ekeruo, A. Volgman","doi":"10.1007/s12170-022-00707-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-022-00707-w","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46144,"journal":{"name":"Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41801256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}