AHA Science

Key updates to this guideline include: ➡️ The use of the American Heart Association PREVENT-ASCVD equations to guide primary-prevention and lipid-lowering therapy decisions. ➡️ Testing Lp(a) at least once in a lifetime and selective apolipoprotein B measurement to improve risk assessment and guide treatment ➡️ The return of LDL-C and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol treatment goals (with lower targets for higher-risk groups) ➡️ Expanded use of coronary artery calcium scoring to reclassify risk[ME1.1] ✍🏼 @rblument1 @tygluckman @RonBlankstein @PamelaBMorris @pnatarajanmd @AnnMarieNavar @SethShayMartin @APRN_CNS @nyulangone @DrMichaelShapir @kgradneyrd @eugeniagianos @virani_md @KellieMcLain1 @ijeomaheartdoc @SamiaMoraMD @DrHeatherJohn @dmljmd

View the paper and supplemental resources here: spr.ly/6013BBDdEl

Age-adjusted mortality rates of dementia increased 47% from 2004 to 2023, according to the 2026 Statistics Update. Better control of CVD risk factors is linked to younger brain age, less subclinical vascular disease, slower cognitive decline and reduced dementia risk.

2/ View the paper and supplemental resources here: spr.ly/6019BBPnqT

This advisory builds on American Heart Association’s longstanding policy foundation to ensure access to health care. In 2020, the Association published Principles for Adequate, Accessible and Affordable Healthcare. This Presidential Advisory builds on that work by defining core principles that should guide future solutions to the health care affordability crisis.

2/ View the paper and supplemental resources here: spr.ly/6018BBPnaQ

Published today: Health Care Affordability in the United States, From Crisis to Action: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association. The Association proposes five principles to ensure affordable health care while supporting long-term system sustainability. These principles include: ➡️ Access to high-quality care without financial hardship ➡️ Minimal cost-sharing for high-value care ➡️ Shared accountability among stakeholders ➡️ Investments in workforce, infrastructure, and data ➡️ Addressing the root causes of health inequities

@HopkinsMarshLab @CVSNHeart @NancyPikePhD @DrLavretsky @NKasparian 2/ View the paper and supplemental resources here: spr.ly/6012BBzlEe

✍🏼 @HopkinsMarshLab @CVSNHeart @NancyPikePhD @UCInursing @DrLavretsky @nkasparian

Published today, Brain Health Across the Life Span: A Framework for Future Studies A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. 📷 Recommendations to optimize brain health

@HopkinsMarshLab @CVSNHeart @NancyPikePhD @DrLavretsky @NKasparian 2/ View the paper and supplemental resources here: spr.ly/6012BBzYSY

✍🏼 @HopkinsMarshLab @CVSNHeart @NancyPikePhD @UCInursing @DrLavretsky @nkasparian

This focuses on the role of nonvascular physical and psychological risk factors that affect brain health, ranging from the exposures experienced during early development and childhood brain maturation to the influences leading to neurodegeneration and decline in older adults.

View the paper and supplemental resources here: spr.ly/6016BBDjCg

Awareness and control of hypertension and diabetes remain low and represent a critical opportunity to prioritize prevention and management, particularly among young adults. See what the 2026 Statistics Update reveals about cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic health.

@AANmember Dr. Kettlety, a postdoctoral researcher at @KennedyKrieger & @JohnsHopkins, will study the impact of childhood concussions on long-term health. Dr. McEntee, a postdoctoral researcher at @umichmedicine, will look at connections between exercise and brain health. @UMneurosciences

1/ Congratulations to the newest Sacco Scholars! Neuroscientists Sarah Kettlety and Cali McEntee. Each receive a $150,000 scholarship from the American Heart Association & @AANmember to support their research in brain health and carry on the legacy of Dr. Ralph Sacco.

2/ View the paper here: spr.ly/6012BBz32Y

Advancing baseline CKM syndrome stage, particularly Stages 3 & 4, was associated with ⬆️ cancer risk. This extends the clinical relevance of the CKM framework beyond CV & kidney outcomes, underscoring the need for integrated risk assessment & prevention in multimorbid individuals

2/ View the paper and supplemental resources here: spr.ly/6019B6fAW5

Published today, Physical Activity in Pediatric Cardiomyopathies: Moving for Health A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association Cardiomyopathy phenotypes and risk profiles evolve through childhood and adolescence, necessitating reassessment with history, imaging, and CPET. Health care professionals are encouraged to review physical activity participation, revisit shared decision-making decisions and adjust clinical guidance as children mature or disease changes. ✍🏼 @BarbaraCifra

2/ View the paper and supplemental resources here: spr.ly/6017B6fAdT

Physical activity supports cardiovascular fitness, social development, and emotional well-being in all children. In those with cardiomyopathy, traditional restrictions have been based on fear of arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, or disease progression. However, growing evidence shows these risks are often overstated, and inactivity itself contributes to cardiometabolic disease, obesity, and lower quality of life. ✍🏼 @BarbaraCifra