WARNING: The hype around telemedicine and exercise apps for diabetes and coronary heart disease might be overblown, according to a massive study led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM)!
The Study in a Nutshell
A large study involving 502 patients aimed to see if telemedicine and exercise apps could improve the health of people with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. The findings? The positive effects were minimal, prompting study leader Prof. Martin Halle to stress that the value of these apps needs a reality check.
Key Findings
Minimal Improvement: After six months, the intervention group saw a slight improvement in blood glucose levels (-0.13 percentage points). However, the training had no effect on other risk factors like blood pressure or cholesterol.
Participation Struggles: Only 41% of participants met the exercise regimen criteria, and many found using the apps and devices challenging.
High Effort, Low Return: Despite the significant time and effort involved, the benefits were modest. Senior author Martin Halle emphasizes that personal care from medical professionals remains crucial.
Expert Opinions
Dr. Stephan Müller, the study’s lead author, notes, “While there was a small improvement, the overall impact on other health factors was minimal.” Prof. Martin Halle adds, “The considerable effort required for these apps yielded low returns, particularly for older adults who struggle with new technologies.”
Conclusion
This study highlights the importance of direct medical care and suggests that telemedicine apps might not be the silver bullet they’re often touted to be. The findings urge a more balanced approach, recognizing that personal care remains essential for managing chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
The study taking place in one of the University’s labs. L-R: Krist Feka (previous MSc student), study participant (on the bike), and Claire Edwards (previous MSc student). Credit University of Portsmouth
For individuals managing type 2 diabetes (T2D), maintaining heart health is often an additional concern. Excitingly, a new small-scale study from the University of Portsmouth offers hopeful news: drinking ketones may improve heart health for those with T2D.
This pioneering study marks the first instance where people with type 2 diabetes have been given a ketone ester drink—designed to induce ketosis—to assess its impact on heart function. Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body burns fats instead of carbohydrates for energy.
The research was inspired by observations from a new drug treatment aimed at lowering sugar levels in people with T2D, which also appeared to reduce cardiovascular disease deaths. However, the mechanisms behind this heart protection remained unclear.
The Study’s Findings
Dr. Maria Perissiou from the University of Portsmouth’s School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences, who authored the study, remarked, “It’s still early days, but these results are promising. Compared to a placebo drink, we saw an improvement in cardiac efficiency after the participants had the ketone drink.”
The study involved 13 participants, each given a ketone drink and, a week later, a placebo drink. Cardiovascular function was measured 30 minutes post-consumption using non-invasive techniques such as ECG-like monitoring, ultrasound to assess microvascular health, and infrared spectroscopy to evaluate blood flow into small vessels.
Dr. Perissiou added, “In all 13 participants, their hearts worked more efficiently after the ketone drink, both at rest and during moderate-intensity exercise, compared to the placebo drink. I’m feeling very positive about the results, but more research is needed because we only assessed participants on the day, which means we have no idea what the chronic impact of drinking ketones would be.”
Understanding the Connection
The discovery of ketones’ beneficial effects on heart health was somewhat serendipitous. Patients treated with a drug known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) for diabetes were experiencing improved cardiovascular health, prompting researchers to investigate further. The hypothesis was that the drug-induced ketosis, leading to heart health improvements through the use of ketones.
Our bodies have two primary fuel sources: glucose and free fatty acids. While healthy individuals use glucose for its efficiency, those with diabetes often rely on free fatty acids due to insulin resistance, which prevents effective glucose breakdown.
Dr. Perissiou explained, “For patients with diabetes, glucose can remain in the bloodstream and act like rust—gradually damaging blood vessels. In type-2 diabetes, the heart relies on fatty acids, working harder and harder, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.”
The Road Ahead
Dr. Perissiou emphasizes the need for further research, particularly long-term studies to understand the chronic effects of ketone consumption on heart health. Nevertheless, these initial findings provide a promising avenue for improving cardiovascular health in diabetics.
The study offers a glimpse of hope for personalized treatments that leverage ketosis to protect heart health in people with type 2 diabetes. As researchers continue to delve into the complex interactions between metabolism and cardiovascular health, this study underscores the potential for innovative approaches to manage and improve the health outcomes of those living with diabetes.
For now, the message is clear: the journey towards understanding and improving diabetics’ heart health is just beginning, with ketone drinks marking a significant step forward.
A study from the University of Toronto reveals that older adults who experienced parental divorce during childhood have a 60% higher risk of stroke compared to those who grew up in intact families, regardless of childhood abuse history.
Researchers found that among Americans aged 65 and older, 1 in 9 individuals with divorced parents reported having a stroke, whereas it was 1 in 15 for those whose parents stayed together. This elevated stroke risk remained significant even after considering other stroke factors like smoking, physical inactivity, low income, lower education, diabetes, depression, and low social support.
The correlation between parental divorce and stroke is comparable to well-known risk factors such as diabetes and depression. Previous studies also found strong links between childhood parental divorce and adult stroke risk, supporting these recent findings.
Although the exact reasons behind this link remain unclear, experts suggest it may involve both biological and social factors. One theory is that the stress from parental divorce during childhood may lead to persistently high levels of stress hormones, which can affect brain development and stress response.
This research underscores the need for future studies to explore the reasons behind this connection and develop targeted stroke prevention strategies for individuals with a history of parental divorce.
Credit The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
A recent survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center reveals that while many Americans use devices to monitor their heart health, only a few share this crucial data with their doctors. This trend highlights a missed opportunity for early intervention and better management of heart conditions.
The Findings
Technology advancements have made it easier than ever for people to monitor their heart health using smart devices like watches, fitness apps, and blood pressure monitors. The survey of 1,008 Americans found that nearly two-thirds regularly use such devices, with smartwatches (32%), portable blood pressure machines (31%), and fitness apps (19%) being the most popular. However, only 1 in 4 users share this data with their doctors.
The Importance of Sharing Data
Dr. Laxmi Mehta, director of Preventative Cardiology at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, emphasizes the importance of sharing self-monitoring data with healthcare providers. These devices can catch early warning signs, such as rising blood pressure or irregular heart rhythms, much sooner than during a routine check-up. For example, a patient named Sue VanWassenhove used her smartwatch to detect a drop in her heart rate, prompting her to set up an appointment with Dr. Mehta.
Understanding Heart Rates
A normal heart rate ranges between 60 to 100 beats per minute without exercise. Various factors, including heart conditions, infections, dehydration, anxiety, or thyroid disorders, can cause heart rate fluctuations. Dr. Mehta advises patients to speak with their doctors if they notice unusual changes in their heart rate or rhythm.
Exercise Recommendations
The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week to maintain a healthy heart. During exercise, the maximum heart rate can be calculated by subtracting a person’s age from 220. The goal is to reach 50-75% of that number for moderate intensity and 70-85% for vigorous exercise.
Empowerment Through Technology
Self-monitoring devices empower patients to take an active role in their healthcare. VanWassenhove, who monitors her heart health due to sleep apnea, found her smartwatch’s ability to perform an EKG particularly useful. She can send the results to Dr. Mehta through her electronic medical chart, ensuring timely and effective communication.
Conclusion
Dr. Mehta highlights the need for patients to discuss any health issues detected by their devices with their doctors. Regular physical activity and a healthy balanced diet remain essential for maintaining heart health. The potential benefits of self-monitoring devices can only be fully realized when patients and doctors work together.
Stay informed and proactive about your heart health by sharing your device data with your healthcare provider. Early intervention can make a significant difference!
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension or DASH Diet, developed by scientists at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has been recognized as the best heart-healthy diet and the second-best diet overall in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Diets Rankings.
These rankings are released yearly, just in time for New Year’s resolutions when many people are looking for healthy eating options. The rankings examine 38 diets across 21 categories.
Why the DASH Diet Stands Out:
Health Benefits: The DASH Diet is well-researched and backed by science for its health benefits. It’s praised for being nutritionally complete, versatile, filling, and nonrestrictive.
History: Developed by Pennington Biomedical pioneers like Dr. George Bray, Dr. Donna Ryan, and Dr. Catherine Champagne, the DASH Diet has proven effective for over 30 years.
2025 Rankings Highlights:
Best Heart-Healthy Diets (No. 1)
Best Diets Overall (No. 2)
Best Diets for High Blood Pressure (No. 1)
Best Diets for High Cholesterol (No. 2)
Best Diabetes Diets (No. 3)
Best Diets for Prediabetes (No. 2)
Best Diets for Healthy Eating (No. 2)
Best Diets for Gut Health (No. 2)
Easiest Diets to Follow (No. 3)
Best Diets for Mental Health (No. 4)
Best Diets for Menopause (No. 4)
Best Diets for Arthritis (No. 4)
Best Diets for Brain Health (No. 4)
What Makes DASH Diet Unique: The DASH Diet focuses on reducing saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. It includes whole grains, fish, poultry, and nuts while limiting lean red meat, sweets, added sugars, and sugar-laden beverages. It’s rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, protein, and fiber.
Developed with support from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the DASH Diet has been proven to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke and cardiovascular events, and improve metabolism.
Dr. Catherine Champagne highlights, “The DASH Diet is easy to follow, works for the whole family, and has been consistently ranked at the top due to its scientifically proven benefits.”
Evaluations for U.S. News’ rankings involve a methodology developed with The Harris Poll, considering inputs from 69 expert panelists, including doctors, dietitians, and weight loss researchers.
By choosing the DASH Diet, individuals can embrace a heart-healthy eating plan that’s stood the test of time and continues to deliver impressive health benefits.
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