The European Union Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act was adopted in 2024 to protect public interests from AI-related harms. We aimed to determine whether the AI Act captures the most relevant values of stakeholders (understood as any person potentially affected by the AI system, including, but not limited to, the direct users) related to a high-risk AI Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) for cardiovascular disease. This system is intended to be implemented in primary care. A secondary analysis was carried out based on empirical data previously generated using ethics and design methodologies that had identified stakeholder values. These values were translated into the Trustworthy AI requirements of the High-Level Expert Group on AI and then contrasted with the AI Act. These requirements do not capture all identified stakeholder values. We describe three groups of untranslatable values and propose three additional complementary requirements. The AI Act mainly supports the requirements of human agency and oversight; transparency; and diversity, nondiscrimination, and fairness; but only partially, limited by its product safety nature. To address this gap, contractual strategies could provide a more legally robust ground for general practitioners to align the AI-CDSS with stakeholders’ values, comply with their duty of care, and promote trustworthy AI-CDSSs.

The consumption of hemp derived protein has shown potential to improve cardiovascular disease risk factors(1) For example, Samsamikor et al.(2) showed the efficacy of hemp seed protein in ameliorating high blood pressure in adults with hypertension. However, the effects of hemp seed protein consumption on arterial stiffening have not, to our knowledge, been investigated in humans. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of New Zealand hemp seed protein on blood pressure and measures of arterial stiffness in adults. Inclusion criteria were one or more risk factor for cardiovascular disease; a waist circumference greater than 102 cm (male) or 88 cm (female), fasting triglycerides ≥150mg/dL, high density lipoprotein cholesterol <40mg/dL (male) or <50mg/dL (female), SBP ≥130 mmHg and/or DBP ≥85 mmHg, fasting glucose greater than 110 mg/dL. A randomised control trial was conducted with 33 participants for 16 weeks in which the experimental group consumed 28 g of hemp seed protein extract for 5 days each week while 15 participants acted as a control group instructed to keep their regular daily diet over the experimental period. Blood pressure and arterial stiffness were measured at weeks 1, 8 and 16 using a SphygmoCor Excel device. A linear mixed model was used to analyse the repeated measures for affect differences between weeks, featuring Welches T-Test for uneven variance and an ANOVA test for p-values of the fixed effects. The model included a covariate analysis of the baseline measurement and used Tukey post hoc analysis for pairwise comparisons within and between the experimental and control groups. Results showed that compared to the control group, the experimental group decreased central systolic blood pressure -5.1 ± 2.4 mmHg (mean ± SE, 95% CI [-9.8, -0.3], p <0.05), mean arterial pressure -6.0 ± 2.3 mmHg (95% CI [-10.5, -1.5], p <0.05) ), augmentation index at 75 bpm -11.8 ± 1.8 mmHg (95% CI [-15.8, -7.9], p <0.05) augmented pressure -4.1 ± 0.6 mmHg (95% CI [-5.3, -3.0], p <0.05), and reflection magnitude -7.2 ± 1.7% (95% CI [-10.6, -3.8], p <0.05). However, no significant changes were observed in brachial blood pressures. These results suggest that hemp seed protein improves central arterial health in at risk adults after 16 weeks of supplementation.

Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database, we evaluated paediatric cardiovascular mortality across the United States from 2003 to 2023. The overall paediatric cardiovascular mortality declined from 4.73 to 3.17 per 100,000. There were reductions in mortality among large metropolitan, medium/small metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan counties with no rural–urban disparities. In addition, there were declines in mortality by age, sex, and racial/ethnic groups, highlighting geographic equity in paediatric cardiovascular outcomes.

We investigated associations between food liking and risk of health outcomes in a prospective cohort and explored if associations were potentially explained by BMI. We included 182 181 participants from UK Biobank. Food liking was measured using a nine-point hedonic scale, covering liking (points 6–9)/disliking (points 1–5) for high-fat savoury (HFSa), high-fat sweet (HFSw), vegetable, low-fat savoury (LFSa) and fruit-based, low-fat sweet (LFSw) foods. Cox proportional hazard models assessed associations with health outcomes, as hazard ratios (HR) with 95 % CI, adjusted for relevant confounders. Compared with disliking, liking HFSa was associated with higher risks of type-2-diabetes (T2D) (HR 1·14; 95 % CI: 1·09–1·19) and lung cancer (HR 1·10; 95 % CI: 1·01–1·20). Liking HFSw was associated with higher risks of all-cause mortality and cancer (HR range 1·03–1·07; 95 % CI range: 1·00–1·14). Liking LFSa was associated with lower risks of all-cause mortality, T2D, CVD, all-cause cancer and colorectal cancer (HR range 0·85–0·97; 95 % CI range: 0·79–0·99). Liking LFSw was associated with lower risks of T2D, CVD and colorectal cancer (HR range 0·91–0·96; 95 % CI range: 0·86–1·00). Associations between food liking and health outcomes differed between food groups, with most appearing not to be attenuated after adjusting for BMI. The key findings were that associations with adverse health outcomes were strongest for higher-fat containing food preference patterns, while sweet preference alone was not associated with increased risk. Our study highlighted the potential role of food liking in designing and targeting health promotion interventions.

Depression commonly coexists with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in older adults, worsening functional outcomes, medication adherence and survival. In Nigeria, nationally representative data on depression among older adults with CVD are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, identify key factors associated with depression and examine psychosocial and clinical correlates among older Nigerians receiving CVD care. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted (March 2024–July 2025) across 12 tertiary hospitals representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. A total of 918 adults aged ≥60 years with confirmed CVD were recruited using multistage sampling. Depression and functional status were assessed using a culturally adapted Depression Assessment Questionnaire incorporating the GDS-15 and Lawton IADL Scale. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. Depressive symptoms were prevalent in 89.7% of participants. Independent factors associated with depression included age ≥ 70 years (AOR = 2.55), Christian affiliation (AOR = 4.65), alcohol use (AOR = 2.98), CVD duration ≥5 years (AOR = 5.68), comorbidities (AOR = 2.49) and medication dependence (AOR = 9.10). Living with family was protective. Sex, education, residence, smoking and functional status were not significant factors associated with depression. Depression is highly prevalent among older Nigerians with CVD. Integrating routine depression screening and psychosocial support into cardiovascular care is urgently needed.

Body composition and fat distribution were found to display differential effects on the incidence and mortality of chronic disease. However, it remained unclear whether there is an interaction between lifestyle factors and genetic susceptibility on body composition and fat distribution. This study investigated the associations of lifestyle and genetic factors with body composition and fat distribution among 121 664 women from the UK Biobank cohort study. Women with a favourable lifestyle had lower BMI (BMI, –7·72 % (95 % CI: −7·93 %, −7·51 %)), fat mass index (FMI, −15·70 % (95 % CI: −16·09 %, −15·30 %)), fat-free mass index (FFMI, −2·86 % (95 % CI: −2·98 %, −2·74 %)), arm fat ratio (AFR, −5·19 %, (95 % CI: −5·38 %, −5·00 %)) and trunk fat ratio (TFR, −0·73 %, (95 % CI: −0·84 %, −0·62 %)) but higher leg fat ratio (LFR, 2·30 % (95 % CI: 2·16 %, 2·44 %)) than those with an unfavourable lifestyle. Significant interactions between lifestyle factors and genetic susceptibility on BMI, FMI and AFR were observed (Pinteraction < 0·05). Among women with a high genetic susceptibility to body composition or fat distribution, those with a healthy lifestyle still had a lower BMI, FMI, FFMI, AFR and TFR and higher LFR (Ptrend < 0·001). Women who adhere to a favourable lifestyle tend to have healthy body composition and fat distribution, and this association is consistent across all strata of genetic risk.

Optimal nutrition is essential for reducing both all-cause and CVD mortality. Existing research highlights the importance of macronutrient type and quality in this context, with limited evidence in non-Western populations. We aimed to determine the association between macronutrient distribution and all-cause and CVD mortality in an African population as well as the contribution of the respective food sources. This cohort consisted of 1737 African men and women with a median observational time of 13 years, resulting in 19 456·6 person-years. CVD-related international classification for diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) codes (I00–I99) were included when considering CVD mortality. Substitution analysis using partition and nutrient-density models assessed the relationship between macronutrient distribution and mortality. Higher intakes of complex carbohydrates (CHO), animal protein, total fat and MUFA were associated with decreased all-cause mortality risk. The partition model also revealed that substituting 200 calories (kcal) of plant protein with animal protein significantly reduced all-cause mortality risk by 39 % to 33 % (model 1–3). In addition, the isoenergetic substitution of 10 % total energy from total fat with total CHO led to a 17 % reduction in all-cause mortality risk (hazard ratio (HR) 0·83; 95 % CI 0·72, 0·96). No significant associations with CVD mortality were found. These findings partially agree with, yet also oppose, previous studies, emphasising the need for population-specific data. Research from high-income European populations may not directly apply to African contexts due to food insecurity, reliance on staple-based diets with low-quality plant proteins and lean, higher-quality animal protein sources, as well as differences in CVD disease aetiology.

This study aimed to explore whether health effects of dietary nitrate depend on its source, by investigating associations between plant and animal-sourced dietary nitrate groups with markers of inflammation and CVD risk factors. Among 100 non-smoking adults (mean age 49 (sd 13) years, 31 % male), dietary nitrate intake was assessed using FFQ (n 100) and 3-d food diary (n 89), combined with nitrate food composition databases. Nitrate intake was classified into plant, naturally occurring animal and additive-permitted meat-sourced groups. Associations between source-dependent nitrate intakes and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting plasma lipids, anthropometry and blood pressure were examined using multivariable linear regression, adjusted for socio-demographic, lifestyle and dietary confounders. Each 1 sd (∼57 mg/d) increment in plant-sourced nitrate intake was associated with a 0·191 sd lower LDL-cholesterol (β = −0·191, 95 % CI (–0·369, −0·004), P = 0·045; equivalent to −0·21 mmol/l) in primary models, though this association was attenuated in sensitivity analyses. Naturally occurring animal-sourced nitrate intake was not associated with any outcomes. A 1 sd (0·08 mg/d) increment in additive-permitted meat-sourced nitrate intake was associated with a 0·208 sd lower HDL-cholesterol (β = −0·208, (–0·362, −0·054), P = 0·009; equivalent to −0·10 mmol/l) and a 0·192 sd higher waist circumference (β = 0·192, (0·005, 0·380), P = 0·042; equivalent to +1·29 cm) but not with LDL-cholesterol, TAG, blood pressure, Lp-PLA2 or CRP. These preliminary findings suggest potential differential associations between nitrate source and cardiometabolic markers that warrant confirmation in larger studies.

High intake of processed foods, especially those with high sodium content, is a contributor to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to compare the sodium content of packaged foods and beverages in Nigeria to WHO Global Sodium Benchmarks and similar products in Kenya and South Africa. The study examined packaged foods from major retail stores in the capital cities of the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, and Ogun states in Nigeria from November 2020 to March 2021. Benchmark values were based on the 2021 WHO Global Sodium Benchmarks. We used secondary data from packaged food surveys conducted in South Africa (2015, 2016 and Kenya 2019). Approximately 40.0% (n = 36) of subcategories of packaged foods were captured in the WHO global sodium benchmark. Of these, 64.0% (n = 23) exceeded the benchmarks, including ‘processed meat’ (912.0 vs. 250.0 mg/100 g), cheese (776.0 vs. 190 mg/100 g), and ‘wholegrain chips’ (930.0 vs. 470 mg/100 g). Exactly 36.0% (n = 13) had lower sodium content, such as ‘rice-based snacks’ (113.0 vs. 520 mg/100 g) and ‘dried seafood’ (400 vs. 800 mg/100 g). In seven out of eleven main food categories (64%), Nigeria had a higher sodium content compared to Kenya. Similarly, Nigeria exhibited higher sodium content than South Africa in six out of eleven food categories (55.0%). With 64.0% of Nigerian subcategories exceeding WHO benchmarks and higher sodium levels than South Africa and Kenya in most categories. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted sodium reduction and product reformulation to align Nigeria’s packaged foods with international benchmarks.

In this nationwide cohort study, we assessed the long-term risk of major cardiovascular events following intensive care unit (ICU) treatment for community-acquired sepsis and septic shock, compared to the general population. We included 20313 adults admitted to Swedish ICUs between 2008 and 2019, identified through national healthcare registries, and matched each case to 20 randomly selected population controls. Entropy balancing adjusted for baseline co-morbidities, healthcare utilization, and socio-demographics. The association between sepsis and subsequent cardiovascular events (hospitalizations or deaths due to myocardial infarction, heart failure, or cerebral infarction) was analysed using Cox proportional hazards models. Sepsis was associated with increased cardiovascular risk, particularly during the first year (days 0–30 adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 6.1 (95% CI 4.7–7.9); days 31–90; aHR 2.4 (95% CI 1.8–3.2); days 91–365 aHR 1.4 (95% CI 1.2–1.6)), with risk persisting through years 2–5 (aHRs 1.1–1.3). Heart failure risk remained elevated across all intervals, while risks of myocardial and cerebral infarction were mainly short term. The highest relative risks were observed in patients without prior heart disease or with low baseline cardiovascular risk. These findings suggest that sepsis might be an independent and under-recognized driver of long-term cardiovascular disease, highlighting the need for preventive strategies.

The 2025 ESC (European Society of Cardiology) Clinical Consensus Statement on mental health and cardiovascular disease is a milestone for psychiatry as much as for cardiology. It recognizes mental disorders as major determinants of cardiovascular (CV) risk and explicitly calls for collaboration with the European Psychiatric Association (EPA). In parallel, the EPA Presidential Action Plan and its “Whole Person Health” task force promote lifestyle‑based, multimorbidity-focused care. From a psychiatric perspective, the challenge is now to translate these frameworks into everyday practice. In this Viewpoint, we propose three priorities. First, severe mental illness (SMI) and cardiac disease-induced post-traumatic stress disorder (CDI-PTSD) should be treated as high‑risk conditions that trigger proactive CV assessment and structured follow‑up. Second, mental‑health services should adopt a simple “safety bundle” for psychotropic medications in people with, or at high risk of, CV disease. Third, psychiatrists should use cardiac rehabilitation, structured physical activity and social prescribing as psychiatric interventions.

This scoping review provides an overview of the impact of fruit and vegetable (FAV) consumption on cognitive function in adolescents and young adults between January 2014 and February 2024. A comprehensive search across six databases, CINAHL, PubMed-MEDLINE, ProQuest, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase, identified 5,181 articles, of which six met the inclusion criteria after deduplication and screening. This scoping review focused on individuals aged 11–35 years in schools, colleges, universities, and communities. Following a descriptive and narrative synthesis of the data, tables and figures were used to present the findings. Across the six included studies, most consistently demonstrated a positive association between higher fruit and vegetable (FAV) intake and improved cognitive performance among adolescents and young adults. This association was evident in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, with stronger effects observed for whole fruits and vegetables high in fibre and polyphenols. Cognitive domains positively impacted included psychomotor speed, memory, attention, and mood. However, findings varied by type of food and cognitive domain; while whole FAVs were generally beneficial, results for fruit juice were mixed—some studies showed acute benefits. Differences in study designs, dietary assessment tools, and cognitive measures contributed to variability. Despite these inconsistencies, the overall trend supports a beneficial role of FAV consumption in promoting cognitive health during adolescence and early adulthood. This review demonstrates that increased fruit and vegetable consumption is consistently linked to improved cognitive function in adolescents and young adults. However, further research is needed to establish its long-term effects on cognitive ageing and disease prevention