High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention最新文献

{"title":"Early Echocardiographic Predictors of Rapid Progression in Moderate Aortic Stenosis: a Multi-center Prospective Cohort Study of 650 Patients.","authors":"Matteo di Santis, Zeyad Hossam Atta Khalil, Chen Wei-Liang, Hesham Mouhamed, Samuel J Whitmore, Amira L Novak, Fatima Al-Mansouri, Rafael O Mendieta","doi":"10.1007/s40292-025-00723-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40292-025-00723-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Moderate aortic stenosis (AS) has traditionally been considered a stable condition, but recent evidence suggests that some patients progress rapidly to severe AS, leading to earlier symptom onset and worse outcomes. Current guidelines primarily focus on severe AS, leaving a gap in risk stratification for moderate cases. This study aims to identify echocardiographic and clinical predictors of rapid progression in moderate AS to refine patient selection for closer monitoring and early intervention.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To identify clinical, echocardiographic, and imaging predictors of progression in moderate aortic stenosis, with particular focus on diastolic function, ΔV/Δt, myocardial fibrosis, and the impact of comorbidities and medical therapy on disease trajectory.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective, multi-center cohort study enrolled 650 patients with moderate AS (AVA 1.0-1.5 cm², mean gradient 20-39 mmHg) across 10 cardiovascular centers in the Middle East between Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia (2021-2024). Patients with prior valve interventions, severe comorbidities, or poor echocardiographic windows were excluded. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed at baseline and every six months to assess GLS, peak aortic jet velocity acceleration (ΔV/Δt), diastolic dysfunction, and aortic calcification (Agatston score in 300 patients). NT-proBNP and hs-Troponin T were measured at baseline and follow-up. Moreover, a pre-specified sub-study investigated the association between specific genetic polymorphisms and medication response in a subset of 87 patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At 24 months, 31% of patients exhibited rapid AS progression. Independent predictors included GLS > - 16% (OR 3.2, p < 0.001), ΔV/Δt > 350 cm/s² (OR 2.8, p = 0.003), Agatston score > 2000 (HR 4.1, p < 0.001), E/e' > 15 (HR 2.3, p = 0.02), and NT-proBNP > 900 pg/mL (HR 3.0, p = 0.001). Patients with ≥ 3 risk factors had an 8-fold increased risk of rapid progression.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings provide novel evidence that GLS impairment, ΔV/Δt, aortic calcification burden, and diastolic dysfunction independently predict rapid AS progression. This supports the need for earlier echocardiographic surveillance and risk-based decision-making in moderate AS.</p>","PeriodicalId":12890,"journal":{"name":"High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144247542","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}

{"title":"\"Add Life to Years Besides Years to Life\" the Key Role of Prevention to Achieve a Valuable Health Objective.","authors":"Giovanna Gallo, Massimo Fini, Massimo Volpe","doi":"10.1007/s40292-025-00721-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40292-025-00721-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12890,"journal":{"name":"High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144247541","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}

{"title":"Novel Concepts for the Estimation of Lifetime Cardiovascular Risk.","authors":"Marco Zuin, Claudio Bilato, Pier Luigi Temporelli","doi":"10.1007/s40292-025-00724-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40292-025-00724-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Over the last two decades, different risk score models, generally assessing the short-term (10-year) risk estimates, have been developed to predict risk and to provide guidance for informed decision-making regarding initiation or intensification of CVD prevention strategies. However, the short-term risk estimation of CVD mortality/morbidity deeply underestimates the lifetime CVD risk, especially in younger age individuals and in women. Moreover, the greatest number of CV events occurs in subjects with low/moderate short-term risk because they are prevalent in the general population. By contrast, estimates of the lifetime risk of CVD may provide a more comprehensive assessment by considering both traditional and non-traditional CV risk factors as well as the potential competing risks, which leads to a more accurate and tailored assessment of the patient's health status. Aim of the present manuscript is to review the latest proposed strategies regarding the estimation of lifetime CV risk and how these strategies may be helpful in daily clinical practice both in primary and secondary prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":12890,"journal":{"name":"High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144257966","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}

{"title":"Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Triple Single Pill Combination Versus Standard Care in the Management of Hypertension in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Three Randomized Controlled Trials.","authors":"Umar G Adamu, Kabo Mojela, El-Ameen U Adamu, Dike Ojji, Nqoba Tsabedze","doi":"10.1007/s40292-025-00720-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40292-025-00720-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Low Low-dose triple single pill combination therapy is recommended for hypertension treatment. However, the efficacy and safety of these combinations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose triple single pill combination therapy in controlling blood pressure (BP) in LMICs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing low-dose triple single pill combination therapy with standard care for hypertension management up to 29 January 2025. Mean differences (MD) were computed for continuous outcomes and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for binary outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three RCTs comprising 1758 patients, of whom 752 (43%) received low-dose triple single pill combination therapy, were included. The proportion of patients that achieved target BP at six weeks was higher with this therapy (RR 1.89; 95% CI 1.29, 2.75; P < 0.001). Compared with standard care, it significantly reduced SBP (MD - 5.30 mmHg; 95% CI - 9.55, - 0.92; P = 0.017), DBP (MD - 3.50 mmHg; 95% CI - 4.95, - 2.05; P < 0.001), and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (RR 0.59; 95% CI 0.44, 0.80; P < 0.001). No significant differences in adherence, withdrawal, or adverse effects were observed between groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this meta-analysis, the use of a low-dose triple single pill combination in hypertensive patients in LMICs led to earlier and sustained blood pressure control and reduced urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, with a safety profile comparable to standard care. PROSPERO registration: Number: CRD42025647884, Date: 15 February 2025.</p>","PeriodicalId":12890,"journal":{"name":"High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144247543","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}

{"title":"Distribution of Cardiovascular Modifiable Risk Factors in a Corporate Wellness Program: A Case Study of Occupational Cardiology in the Ferrari Company.","authors":"Stefano Palermi, Marco Vecchiato, Sara Brusiani, Lorena De Martino, Mariarosaria De Luca, Fredrick Fernando, Elena Cavarretta, Josef Niebauer, Massimo Volpe, Alessandro Biffi","doi":"10.1007/s40292-025-00722-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40292-025-00722-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and preventive strategies are increasingly focusing on early detection and management of risk factors. Corporate Wellness Programs (CWPs) in workplaces play a crucial role in the primary prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases, especially for early CV modifiable risk detection and management in apparently healthy individuals.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study explores the prevalence and age-related distribution of CV modifiable risk factors in a large cohort of Ferrari car manufacturer employees evaluated through a CWP.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 1992 employees participating for the first time in the \"Ferrari Formula Benessere\" CWP in Maranello, Italy, throughout 2023. The program included a comprehensive medical evaluation, personal and family history, anthropometric measurements, blood testing, and blood pressure evaluation. Data on demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and CV modifiable risk factors were collected and analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most participants were males (82%), with a mean age of 40 ± 9 years. Findings revealed a notable prevalence of CV modifiable risk factors: 17.3% were active smokers, 43.2% reported physical inactivity, 34.8% were classified as overweight (body mass index ≥ 25), and 7.7% as obese. Early screening identified a significant proportion of employees with elevated CV risk according to the SCORE2 algorithm: 39% were categorized as having a high CV risk and 2% at a very high CV risk. In addition, 6.4% had impaired fasting glycemia (100-125 mg/dL), 3.8% had dyslipidemia and 6.8% had high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure 140-159 mmHg): almost none of them (98%) were on treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The \"Ferrari Formula Benessere\" identified a wide range of CV modifiable risk factors in a cohort of apparently healthy employees, not routinely screened, highlighting the essential role of CWPs in the early detection and management of CV health risks. These findings underscore the importance of integrating regular health assessments into corporate wellness strategies to mitigate CV risk and promote overall employee well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":12890,"journal":{"name":"High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144225310","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}

{"title":"Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach to Different Hypertensive Phenotypes According to the 2023 ESH Guidelines.","authors":"Guido Grassi, Cesare Cuspidi, Raffaella Dell'Oro, Fosca Quarti-Trevano","doi":"10.1007/s40292-025-00716-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40292-025-00716-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The European Society of Hypertension (ESH) in the guidelines document issued in 2023 made specific recommendations regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic approach for the different hypertensive phenotypes detectable in current clinical practice. The present paper will offer a critical review of these recommendations.The clinical hypertensive phenotypes of most frequent detection in current clinical practice, namely white-coat hypertension, masked hypertension, nocturnal hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension of the elderly will be reviewed. Other less common phenotypes will be also addressed. Recommendations for each clinical phenotype are made, emphasizing the need for an accurate diagnosis and treatment for specific clinical conditions, i.e. when target organ damage and/or high cardiovascular risk is detected. Areas of uncertainty related to clinical phenotypes in which pathophysiological and prognostic information are still lacking will be discussed. Future studies will allow to refine the guidelines recommendations, particularly for the clinical conditions for which pathophysiological and prognostic information are at present scanty.</p>","PeriodicalId":12890,"journal":{"name":"High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention","volume":" ","pages":"275-285"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12098205/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144005676","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}

{"title":"Renal Denervation as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Resistant Hypertension: Mechanisms, Efficacy and Future Directions.","authors":"Kristen Callender, Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieuhi, Victor Oluwatomiwa Ajekiigbe, Boluwaduro Abasiekem Adeyemi, Chinonyelum Emmanuel Agbo, Taiwo Ayokunle Falayi, Atinuke Oladejo, Joan Oluwadamilola Ajayi, Samuel Ajewole, Faith Temiloluwa Adetayo, Oluwatobiloba Samson Fakojo, Adewunmi Akingbola, Ganiyat Adekemi Adeshina","doi":"10.1007/s40292-024-00696-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40292-024-00696-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Resistant hypertension is a state characterized by sustained hypertension despite adherence to the standard pharmacological treatment with beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors or ARBs. Resistant hypertension is a problem now in cardiovascular medicine because of its association with increased stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and vision loss. Renal denervation (RDN) is an invasive treatment strategy for patients with hypertension who are unresponsive to pharmacological therapy. Therefore, this procedure has become a feasible alternative, and this review explores and compares with other possible novel options. RDN's mechanisms, efficacy, safety, and future directions are also discussed. No serious side effects have been reported in the short-term use of RDN, but some of the complications include renal stenosis and hypertensive urgencies in the long term. Despite this, RDN can benefit patients who are non-compliant with medications or are intolerant. However, it should also be pointed out that some clinical studies have not given consistent results. RDN may be employed as secondary therapy as opposed to the primary line of treatment in resistant hypertension. Subsequent studies should assess the technique's durability and establish customized approaches to deliver RDN safely while determining specific biomarkers that can predict patients' outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":12890,"journal":{"name":"High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention","volume":" ","pages":"227-254"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142695294","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}

{"title":"Sex Differences in Ambulatory Central Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Hemodialysis Patients.","authors":"Artemios G Karagiannidis, Marieta P Theodorakopoulou, Fotini Iatridi, Antonios Karpetas, Areti Georgiou, Sofia Manti, Panagiota Anyfanti, Eleni Gavriilaki, George Giannakoulas, Pantelis Sarafidis","doi":"10.1007/s40292-025-00713-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40292-025-00713-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Sex differences have a significant role on epidemiology of cardiovascular complications in chronic kidney disease. Among hemodialysis patients, central blood pressure (BP) levels and increased arterial stiffness parameters are independent predictors of cardiovascular and all-cause- mortality.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To examine the potential differences in ambulatory central BP and arterial stiffness parameters between male and female hemodialysis patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 129 male and 91 female hemodialysis patients were included in this analysis. All participants underwent 48-h ambulatory BP monitoring with Mobil-O-Graph-NG; indices of central hemodynamics (SBP, DBP and pulse pressure), wave reflection (augmentation pressure (AP) and augmentation index (AIx)) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were estimated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Age, dialysis vintage and history of major comorbidities did not differ between men and women. Male patients had higher 48-h cSBP (124.7±15.7 vs. 119.8±16.7 mmHg, p=0.027) and 48-h DBP (83.7±12.2 vs. 77.5±11.9 mmHg, p<0.001) compared to female patients; relevant differences were also evident during the 44-h (excluding hemodialysis), 1st 24-h and 2nd 24-h periods and the corresponding daytime and nighttime periods of the recording. Central pulse pressure did not differ between groups. Regarding wave reflection parameters, AP, AIx, and AIx(75) were significantly lower in males versus females during the 48-h (AIx, 25.6±8.2 vs. 32.3±8.6 mmHg, p<0.001), 44-h, 1st and 2nd 24-h and also during respective daytime and nighttime periods. The two groups displayed similar PWV during all studied intervals (48-h PWV, 9.6±1.9 vs 9.7±2.1 m/s, p=0.612).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Male hemodialysis patients present with higher levels of ambulatory central BP but significantly lower levels of AP, AIx and AIx(75) than females. PWV does not differ between sexes.</p>","PeriodicalId":12890,"journal":{"name":"High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention","volume":" ","pages":"323-333"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143763678","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}

{"title":"Stronger Association Between Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Older Women than Men: The Hordaland Health Study.","authors":"Annabel Eide Ohldieck, Helga Midtbø, Ester Kringeland, Arleen Aune, Eva Gerdts","doi":"10.1007/s40292-025-00719-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40292-025-00719-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Sex differences in the life course development of brachial blood pressure (Bi et al. N Engl J Med, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2412006 ) and the association between brachial and central BP are well documented.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To explore if the associations of brachial and central BP with the presence of increased arterial stiffness differ between older women and men.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from 1135 women and 943 men aged 68 in the Hordaland Health Study were used. Brachial BP was categorised as normal (BP< 130/85 mmHg), high-normal (BP 130-139/85-89 mmHg) or hypertension (BP≥140/90 mmHg). Arterial stiffness was assessed from carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), and central systolic BP from brachial pulse wave analysis. Sex-specific associations between BP and increased arterial stiffness (cfPWV >10 m/s) were tested in logistic regression analyses and reported as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In multivariable analyses, both hypertension and high-normal BP were more strongly associated with presence of increased arterial stiffness in women (OR 5.81 [95% CI 3.86-8.75] and OR 2.56 [95% CI 1.43-4.56], respectively) compared to men (OR 2.56 [95% CI 1.43-4.56] and OR 2.01 [95% CI 1.22-3.33], both p for sex-interaction <0.05). Additionally, central systolic BP showed a stronger association with increased arterial stiffness in women (OR 1.06 [95% CI 1.05-1.07]) than in men (OR 1.05 [95% CI 1.04-1.06], p for sex-interaction <0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In 68-year-old individuals, a high normal BP, hypertension and higher central systolic BP were all more strongly associated with the presence of increased arterial stiffness in women than in men.</p>","PeriodicalId":12890,"journal":{"name":"High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention","volume":" ","pages":"353-361"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12098465/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143989237","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}

{"title":"Pre-participation Cardiovascular Evaluation for Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Elite Athletes: The Italian Experience.","authors":"Maria Rosaria Squeo, Armando Ferrera, Giuseppe Di Gioia, Federica Mango, Viviana Maestrini, Sara Monosilio, Erika Lemme, Simone Crotta, Alessandro Spinelli, Andrea Serdoz, Roberto Fiore, Domenico Zampaglione, Cosimo Damiano Daniello, Massimo Volpe, Marco Bernardi, Antonio Pelliccia","doi":"10.1007/s40292-025-00709-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40292-025-00709-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Olympic athletes represent a special subset of the athletic population and deserve a specialized medical approach. In view of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, we developed and implemented a comprehensive medical protocol including (other than the standard screening with ECG, physical and history) cardiopulmonary exercise test, echocardiography and full blood and urine tests.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>Our aim was to assess the prevalence and type of cardiovascular abnormalities in athletes candidate to Paris 2024 Olympic Games, after implementation of this Olympic medical program.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We enrolled 772 elite athletes, who underwent a comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation, including full panel of blood and urine tests, electrocardiography, trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) and a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 772 elite athletes, 363 (47%) were female. A substantial subset of 145 athletes (18.8%) showed one or more abnormalities. Specifically, either abnormal basal ECG findings (n = 26, 17.9%), abnormal TTE results (n = 45, 31%), high blood pressure (n = 2, 1.4%) or exercise induced arrhythmias (n = 49, 33.8%) were detected. 10 athletes (6.9%) showed both abnormal ECGs and exercise induced arrhythmias, and 13 athletes (9%) showed both ECG and echocardiographic abnormal findings. After further and more detailed investigations, of the 145 athletes showing cardiovascular abnormalities at the initial screening, in 4 of them were cardiac conditions implying potential risk of sudden cardiac death were identified and therefore they were withdrawn from competitive sport. Full blood test analysis identified metabolic abnormalities in 200 subjects. Of these, 165 (21%) showed hypercholesterolemia.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Olympic athletes, despite the highest level of physical performance, are not exempt from cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including a small proportion of cardiac conditions at risk of SCD. More advanced diagnostic tools, including CPET, echocardiography and full blood tests, implemented in our protocol, were required to identify hidden cardiovascular abnormalities that could have jeopardized athlete's health and performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":12890,"journal":{"name":"High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention","volume":" ","pages":"299-309"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143624284","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}