For the first quarter of 2015, the death rates for heart disease and stroke increased slightly compared with the same time period last year, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched the Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge, an initiative that recognizes physician practices that achieve hypertension control rates of 70 percent or higher.

Although the number of smartphone applications and wearable sensors has increased significantly in recent years, a group convened by the AHA found that research was lacking in terms of whether the applications or devices helped reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies found trans fats were associated with an increased risk for all cause mortality, total coronary heart disease and coronary heart disease mortality. However, the researchers from Canada also found that saturated fats were not associated with all cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, coronary hear disease, coronary heart disease mortality, ischemic stroke or type 2 diabetes.

A comparison of treatment options for older patients with atrial fibrillation who had an MI and underwent PCI found that the rates for major adverse cardiac events were similar among those receiving triple therapy or dual antiplatelet therapy. However, patients receiving triple therapy had higher rates of major bleeding.

After reviewing numerous clinical trials, the American Heart Association issued a scientific statement that mentioned children and adolescents with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases later in life. The statement was published online in Circulation on Aug. 10.

CVS Health has urged healthcare professionals to reconsider guidelines used in assessing which patients should use new cholesterol-lowering medications. Three top CVS medical officials expressed their opinion in a commentary published in JAMA on Aug. 10.

The Justice Department filed a civil complaint alleging BlueWave HealthCare Consultants paid doctors around $68 million in illegal kickbacks to order blood tests from Health Diagnostic Laboratory (HDL), the Wall Street Journal reports.