tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract P1144: Changes in Dietary Intake, Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in University Students
Authors: Frederique Bernier-Bergeron, Jacques Plouffe, Patricia Blackburn
Journal: Circulation (2025)

It is well recognized that lifestyle habits are more critical during certain stages of life. For young adults, the transition to university appears to be one of these periods. Beginning university involves many changes for young adults. Several studies have described unhealthy student lifestyles with decreased physical activity and deterioration of eating habits. This lifestyle deterioration at the beginning of university has also been associated with weight gain which may impact cardiometabolic health. The purpose of the present study was to examine changes in physical activity, dietary intake and cardiometabolic risk factors in Canadian university students over the course of one academic year. Fifty university students (17 men and 33 women) from 18 to 27 years of age (21.0 ± 1.7 years for men and 20.2 ± 1.3 years for women) were selected to participate in this study. All measurements were performed at baseline and at the end of the academic year. Anthropometric parameters and metabolic risk variables were measured according to standardized procedures. Food intakes were assessed using a web-based food frequency questionnaire. Cardiorespiratory fitness capacity was estimated using the 20m shuttle run test. Over the university year, waist circumference significantly increased in both men (76.1 to 79.1 cm, p=0.0015) and women (69.6 to 71.8 cm, p=0.003) while body mass index was significantly increased only in men (22.5 to 23.1 kg/m 2 , p=0.0024). Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) B levels significantly increased in men over the study period (p &lt; 0.0175). In women, apo B levels increased significantly, while total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio decreased (p &lt; 0.027). There were small but statistically insignificant changes in total caloric intake during the study. However, daily servings of fruits and vegetables significantly decreased over the study in both men (11.1 to 7.64 servings per day, p=0.0085) and women (8.31 to 5.71, p=0.0202). These decreases seem to be mainly attributable to reduced vegetable consumption (p &lt; 0.04). Lastly, we found that cardiorespiratory fitness did not change significantly over the study period. In conclusion, our results demonstrated deterioration in some cardiometabolic risk factors as well as in some eating habits during the academic year. Targeted interventions should be developed to help university students achieve or maintain a healthy lifestyle during this period.
Abstract P2104: Prevalence of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Core Gene Variants in Hispanics/Latinos: A Study from The Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS-SOL)
Authors: Jorge Silva Enciso, Reniell Iniguez, Jee-young Moon, Yawen Yuan, Tamar Sofer, Priscilla Duran Luciano, Robert Kaplan, Gregory Talavera, Martha Daviglus, Barry Hurwitz, Sanjiv Shah, Bonnie Shook-Sa, Mayank Kansal, Mario Garcia, Scott Solomon, Susan Cheng, Carlos Rodriguez
Journal: Circulation (2025)

Introduction: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited disease associated with genetic variants in sarcomeric genes, mostly studied in White populations. There is a paucity of literature, especially Hispanics/Latinos (H/L) populations where HCM sarcomeric variant prevalence is unknown. Methods: We analyzed whole-genome sequencing data from the Hispanic Community Health Study to assess sarcomeric variants in a diverse H/L sample. We identified HCM variant carriers based on eight sarcomeric genes (MYBPC3, MYH7, TNNT2, TNNI3, MYL2, MYL3, TPM1, ACTC1). Carriers were defined according to predictions from the HumDiv model of PolyPhen-2, by having at least one nonsynonymous deleterious (category D) variant. The prevalence of HCM genetic carrier was estimated accounting for complex survey design. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were analyzed across HCM variant carrier/non-carrier carrier status, with sampling weights used to calculate weighted means, frequencies, and population estimates. Results: Among 7,724 individuals self-identified as H/L, the overall prevalence of HCM variant carrier was 6.08%. The most commonly detected variants were on MYBPC3 and MYH7 while ACTC1 was not observed. (Figure 1. A) HCM variant carriers had a mean age of 41.20 ± 1.00 years, 50.32% were female, and the mean BMI was 30.13 ± 0.36 kg/m^2. There was no difference in burden of comorbidities among carriers and non-carriers. HCM variant carrier status was more likely among the H/L of Dominican descent than any other H/L background group (p&lt;0.001). (Figure 1. B) Conclusions: The prevalence of HCM sarcomeric variants among H/L individuals was higher than previously reported in non-Hispanic populations. Among H/L, MYH7 and MYBPC3 were the most common, consistent with previous reports in non-Hispanic populations. HCM variant carrier prevalence varied across Hispanic background groups, likely due to different makeup of genetic ancestries. Our results identify the H/L population at possible elevated risk for developing clinical HCM, underscoring the need for inclusion of H/L in ongoing studies of HCM evaluation and management strategies. Authors: Jorge Silva Enciso and Reniell Iñiguez are co-first authors.
Abstract 049: Ultra-processed food consumption and MRI-based carotid plaque characteristics: results from the ARIC study
Authors: Shutong Du, Valerie Sullivan, Kunihiro Matsushita, Seamus Whelton, Lyn Steffen, Michael Fang, Lawrence Appel, Casey Rebholz
Journal: Circulation (2025)

Introduction: Ultra-processed food and beverage (UPF) consumption has been linked with several adverse cardiovascular outcomes, yet its association with detailed characterization of carotid atherosclerosis remains less explored. Objectives: To examine cross-sectional associations between UPF consumption and carotid artery plaque measurements assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A total of 895 white participants (mean age 71 years, 54% female) from the Carotid MRI visit (2004-2005) were stratified sampled from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study and were included in the analysis. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, with food processing levels categorized according to the NOVA classification. Carotid artery imaging was performed using MRI and analyzed with semiautomated software. Weighted multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between quartiles of UPF consumption and standardized plaque measurements or lipid core presence, adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Results: Higher UPF consumption was positively associated with total wall volume [beta-coefficient (β) = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08-0.48], total lipid core volume (β = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.16-0.90), maximum segmental wall thickness (β = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.44), and maximum lipid core area (β = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.11-0.85). UPF consumption was not significantly associated with the presence of lipid core ( Figure ). Conclusion: Higher intake of UPFs was associated with a greater burden of atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid artery. Dietary modifications to minimize UPFs should be considered to prevent vascular changes and future systemic vascular diseases.
Abstract P1134: Sedentary and Lighter-Intensity Activity Patterns across Trimesters of Pregnancy: the Pregnancy 24/7 Cohort
Authors: Bethany Barone Gibbs, Janet Catov, Maisa Feghali, Jacob Gallagher, Jaemyung Kim, Christopher Kline, Mark Santillan, Donna Santillan, M Bridget Zimmerman, Kara Whitaker
Journal: Circulation (2025)

Background: At least 150 minutes/week of moderate intensity physical activity is recommended during pregnancy, yet pregnancy presents barriers to achieving these guidelines. Some data suggest that activities such as standing, daily steps, and breaking up sedentary behavior may also improve pregnancy health. We aimed to describe and compare typical patterns of these lighter intensity behaviors across pregnancy in a large cohort of pregnant women using gold standard, device-based measures. Methods: Pregnancy 24/7 is an ongoing multi-site cohort study in 500 pregnant participants conducted at the University of Iowa, University of Pittsburgh, and West Virginia University. The study’s primary objective is to identify optimal 24-h behavior compositions associated with the lowest risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Herein, we describe patterns of lower-intensity behaviors across trimesters. Participants aged 18-45 years, not on medications for blood pressure or diabetes, and without physical or medical conditions that severely impact 24-h behaviors, were recruited in the first trimester. They were instructed to wear a thigh-worn activPAL3 micro for 24-h x 7 full days and complete a concurrent wear diary during each trimester of pregnancy. Accelerometer data were processed by PALTechnologies software and a customized R program that quantified average daily standing (h/day), steps, sit-stand transitions, and prolonged sedentary behavior accumulated in 30-min or 60-min bouts (h/day) each trimester. Linear mixed models compared accelerometer outcomes across trimesters of pregnancy. Results: Participants (n=474) with valid accelerometer data for least one visit (to date) had an average age of 30.8 years and 84% reported Non-Hispanic White race/ethnicity. Sedentary behavior and lighter-intensity activities all differed across trimesters (p≤0.002, see Table ), with optimal patterns in the second trimester. Pregnant women were least likely to engage in standing and break up prolonged sedentary behavior (lower sit-stand transitions and higher sedentary behavior in bouts) in the first trimester, while steps were lower by ~500 steps per day in the third trimester. Conclusions: Sedentary behaviors, standing, and daily steps vary differentially across pregnancy. These patterns, along with how these behaviors associate adverse pregnancy outcomes, will guide the design of comprehensive activity interventions to promote pregnancy health.
Abstract P3109: Exploring the Interplay of Plant-Based Diets, Microbiota, and Metabolites: Implications for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Authors: Catherine Ward, Erica Sonnenburg, Justin Sonnenburg, Christopher Gardner
Journal: Circulation (2025)

Introduction: Plant-based diets have gained attention for their potential to improve cardiovascular health through various mechanisms, including the modulation of gut microbiota and metabolites. To investigate the impact of plant-based diets on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, we conducted the Study with Appetizing Plantfoods - Meat Eating Alternatives Trial (SWAP-MEAT) (NCT03718988). Participants were assigned to consume either plant-based meats or animal meats for two consecutive 8-week phases, swapping from either plant-to-animal or vice versa at the 8-week midpoint. We previously reported improvements in several CVD risk factors, including a decrease in trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels in both plant-based diet groups. We found a diet-order effect: participants assigned a plant-based diet for phase 1 did not see an increase in TMAO during their subsequent animal-meat phase, suggesting differential effects on microbiome composition and production of trimethylamine (TMA), a precursor of TMAO, based on the sequence of dietary interventions. Our objective was to determine if the intestinal environment, made up of metabolites, microbiota, and the enzymes they secrete, were altered between groups 1 and 2 after phase 1, mediating the order effect we observed in our original SWAP-MEAT study. Methods: We investigated the expression of specific microbiome-encoded genes in relation to subsequent serum TMAO concentrations, as well as determined fecal metabolite differences that correspond to the different diets. We conducted 16S microbiome analysis, metabolomics analysis, and qRT-PCR analysis to measure the relative abundance of mRNA from genes involved in TMA production. We tested Spearman’s correlations of TMA enzymes, metabolites, and microbes with TMAO across groups to evaluate changes in the intestinal environment in groups 1 and 2. Results: We identified around 50 significant metabolites, and 12 significant microbiota genera correlated with TMAO. No significant correlation was found for the TMA ensues CntA, CutC, and GrdH with TMAO. Conclusions: By identifying trends associated with both dietary patterns and TMA production, we aim to advance personalized patient care and develop targeted therapies for CVD prevention. Ultimately, this research advances microbiome-based approaches for cardiovascular disease prevention and informs future interventions targeting gut microbiota and metabolites.
Abstract P2139: Prevalence and Trends in Pre-Pregnancy Hypertension Among Hispanic Ethnic Groups from 2018-2022
Authors: Reniell Iniguez, Nilay Shah, Matthew OBrien, Philip Greenland, William GROBMAN, Sadiya Khan, Natalie Cameron
Journal: Circulation (2025)

Introduction: Hispanic individuals are often grouped into a single ethnicity category despite representing a heterogeneous population. Prevalence of pre-pregnancy hypertension (HTN) nearly tripled among Hispanic individuals in the past decade. To guide public health interventions, we describe contemporary trends in pre-pregnancy HTN in individual Hispanic ethnic groups. Methods: This was a serial, cross-sectional analysis of maternal data from birth certificates in the Centers for Disease Control Natality Database. We included individuals aged 15-44 years who self-identified as Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black (NHB) or non-Hispanic White (NHW), and had available data on pre-pregnancy HTN from 2018-2022. We calculated the annual, age-standardized prevalence and average annual percent change (AAPC) in pre-pregnancy HTN per 100 live births by race and ethnicity, including within individual Hispanic ethnic groups. Results: Among 16,501,927 birthing people, prevalence of pre-pregnancy HTN was highest in the NHB group, followed by the NHW and Hispanic groups (FIGURE). Prevalence and trends in pre-pregnancy HTN varied significantly among Hispanic ethnic groups. In 2022, prevalence ranged from 1.5 ± 0.03 per 100 in the Central or South American group to 3.1 ± 0.07 per 100 and 3.0 ± 0.09 per 100 in the Puerto Rican and Dominican groups, respectively. The Dominican group had a significantly higher rate of increase (AAPC 10.6%± 0.1%/year) compared to NHB (5.4 ± 0.03%/year), NHW (9.9 ± 0.0%/year), and other Hispanic subgroups. Conclusion: From 2018 to 2022 among Hispanic individuals, prevalence of pre-pregnancy HTN was highest the in Puerto Rican group but increased most rapidly among the Dominican group. Aggregating Hispanic individuals masks clinically important variation in pre-pregnancy cardiovascular risk factors.
Abstract P1162: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measures of Atrial Cardiomyopathy and Adverse Clinical Outcomes in the UK Biobank
Authors: Vidhushei Yogeswaran, Kerri Wiggins, Colleen Sitlani, Jennifer Brody, Joshua Bis, James Floyd
Journal: Circulation (2025)

Introduction: Atrial cardiomyopathy precedes atrial fibrillation (AF) and is a strong risk factor for downstream adverse clinical outcomes, but there is no census about the optimal method for assessing it. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is the most accurate tool to assess atrial function and structure. Our objective was to evaluate the association between CMR measures of atrial cardiomyopathy, incident AF, and AF-related clinical complications. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that CMR measures of atrial cardiomyopathy are associated with AF, ischemic stroke, heart failure, and dementia, independent of established risk factors. Methods: In 44,591 participants who underwent CMR as part of UK Biobank Imaging Study and had no history of AF, we assessed atrial minimal and maximal volumes (indexed to body surface area) and ejection fraction. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association of these CMR measures with incident AF, ischemic stroke, heart failure, and dementia, adjusting for established risk factors. Results: During a median follow-up time of 4.0 [IQR 2.9-5.4] years, 834 (2%) participants developed AF, 197 (0.4%) developed ischemic stroke, 278 (0.6%) developed heart failure, and 61 (0.1%) developed dementia. The mean [standard deviation] age was 65 [8] years and 51% were female. When evaluated as continuous variables, left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF) was significantly associated with the risk of new-onset AF, ischemic stroke, and heart failure, while left atrial minimal volume (LAVI min ) and maximal volume (LAVI max ) were associated with these outcomes as well as the risk of dementia (Table). In comparison, right atrial measures were associated with only AF and heart failure, and the magnitude of the associations was generally smaller. After further adjustment for time-varying AF, these associations remained significant. When categorized by quintiles, participants in the highest LAVI min group had a HR of 3.67(95%CI 2.93-4.60) for AF, 1.51(95%CI 1.02-2.25) for ischemic stroke, 2.71(95%CI 1.86-3.96) for heart failure, and 2.43 (95%CI 1.11-5.31) for dementia, compared to those in the lowest. Conclusion: CMR measures of atrial structure and function were associated with AF-associated clinical outcomes independent of risk of AF. These findings suggest that atrial cardiomyopathy may be an important target of future research efforts, with potential implications for screening patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Abstract MP19: Indoor Radon Concentrations Are Associated With Incident Myocardial Infarction in the Women’s Health Initiative
Authors: Sophie Buchheit, Jason Collins, James Stewart, Mark Williamson, Daslyn Bozeman, Matthew Allison, JoAnn Manson, Jaymie Meliker, Mara Vitolins, Gary Schwartz, Richard Smith, Eric Whitsel
Journal: Circulation (2025)

Background: Radon is an emerging risk factor for stroke, but its relationship with common forms of coronary heart disease (CHD) is unclear. Methods: We studied the radon-myocardial infarction (MI) association among US women without a history of MI or coronary revascularization at the 1993-1998 screening visit of the Women’s Health Initiative Clinical Trials (CT) and Observational Study (OS). We paired their geocoded addresses with county-level, indoor, screening radon gas concentrations predicted by the US Environmental Protection Agency and classified as Zone 3 (&lt;2 pCi/L), Zone 2 (2-4 pCi/L), or Zone 1 (&gt;4 pCi/L). We used medical records to identify incident, physician-reviewed, classified, and adjudicated MI through 02/17/24 based on acute onset of cardiac pain, electrocardiographic abnormalities, and/or elevated cardiac biomarkers. We estimated the radon-MI association as a hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using a Cox proportional hazards model on an attained-age scale adjusting for CT/OS membership, race/ethnicity, education, homemaker status, US Census region, neighborhood socioeconomic status, annual mean concentration of ambient particulate matter &lt;2.5 um in diameter (PM 2.5 , ug/m 3 ), smoking, alcohol intake, sodium intake (g/day), Healthy Eating Index, recreational physical activity (metabolic equivalent-hr/wk), body mass index (kg/m 2 ), systolic blood pressure (mm Hg), as well as history of diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Results: Among 153,701 postmenopausal women examined at 40 US centers (mean age = 63.1 years; 83% white; 9% Black; 4% Hispanic/Latina; 4% other), we identified 5,925 incident MIs over a mean follow-up of 13.2 years. Incidence proportions and corresponding rates in Radon Zones 3, 2, and 1 were 36, 38, and 43 MIs per 10 3 women at risk and 278, 287, and 314 MIs per 10 5 woman-years, respectively. Relative to women in Zone 3, those in Zones 2 and 1 had higher hazards of incident MI: HR (95% CI) = 1.04 (0.97-1.11) and 1.18 (1.09-1.28). The association was robust after adjusting for center-level confounding, multiply imputing missing data, stratifying by smoking or PM 2.5 , and substituting related radon exposures and CHD outcomes. In contrast, it was attenuated after replacing MI with a negative outcome control, coronary revascularization. Conclusion: Exposure to radon gas—a residentially ubiquitous carcinogen previously associated with risk of stroke—may also be associated with risk of MI among postmenopausal women.
Abstract P3106: Association Between Diet Quality, Hypertension, And Hypertension Awareness Among Adults In Puerto Rico
Authors: Martha Tamez, Robert Kaplan, Jose F Rodriguez-Orengo, Katherine Tucker, Josiemer Mattei
Journal: Circulation (2025)

Background: Hypertension (HTN) prevalence in Puerto Rico (PR) is among the highest in the US. Few studies have objectively measured HTN prevalence compared to awareness (i.e., diagnosed) and how diet quality may influence these factors. Objective: Examine the association between diet quality, blood pressure (BP), HTN, and HTN awareness in adults in PR. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from 1050 adults (30-75 yrs) without diabetes in the Puerto Rico Observational Study of Psychosocial, Environmental, and Chronic Disease Trends (PROSPECT) cohort. Diet was assessed using food frequency questionnaires, with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI) to define diet quality. The AHEI score (0-110) includes 11 components; higher scores reflect a healthier diet. HTN was defined per ACC/AHA guidelines as medication use or average BP≥120/80 mmHg from 3 measurements. Participants self-reported HTN awareness as ‘ever told by a health professional’, sociodemographic and lifestyle behaviors. Adjusted linear models evaluated the association between AHEI and BP, and adjusted logistic models estimated the odds ratio (OR;95%CI) of HTN and HTN awareness per-10 unit AHEI score. Results: Of the 53% of participants with HTN, 38% were unaware of their disease. Mean(SD) diet quality was 57.1(10.7). Participants with HTN were older, male, retired, married, past smokers, and with lower education. AHEI was not associated with BP. However, higher fruit and omega-3 intake were significantly associated with lower systolic BP (β(S.E.):-1.16(6.8) and -0.85(0.42), respectively;p&lt;0.05). Lower sugary drink intake was linked to lower diastolic BP (-0.36(0.15);p &lt;0.05). A 10-unit AHEI increase was associated with lower odds of HTN (0.88;0.83,0.93) and higher odds of HTN awareness (1.06;1.02,1.10). Higher whole grain intake was associated with lower odds of HTN (0.91;0.84,0.98), while lower sodium intake was linked to higher odds of HTN awareness (1.07;1.01,1.14). Conclusions: A healthier diet, mainly one rich in whole grains, is associated with lower odds of HTN. In addition, higher fruit and omega-3 and lower sugary drink intake may keep lower BP levels. Participants with higher diet quality and lower sodium intake were more likely to be aware of their HTN status, suggesting HTN awareness may drive adherence to diet recommendations. These results should be confirmed with longitudinal data. Public health efforts in PR should focus on widespread HTN screening and healthy food programs.