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Top 5 Most-Read Cardiovascular Content of 2025
New treatments, care gaps, and cardiac monitoring were major focuses in cardiovascular news this year.
The top cardiovascular managed care news of 2025 covered the full range of care, from research to drug approvals to patient monitoring.
Among this year’s top content, a pair of studies published in The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) demonstrated the positive effects of remote patient monitoring for patients with hypertension and the variation in outcomes across types of ambulatory cardiac monitors (ACMs). Expert interviews highlighted the major cardiovascular disparities across rural Louisiana and findings in atrial fibrillation, and the FDA expanded the label for semaglutide.
Here are the top 5 cardiovascular articles and interviews from 2025.
5. Effect of Remote Patient Monitoring on Stage 2 Hypertension
A quasi-experimental study of 1594 Medicare beneficiaries published in AJMC found that a remote patient monitoring program paired with monthly nurse care coaching substantially reduced blood pressure among participants with stage 2 hypertension. Over 12 months, mean systolic/diastolic pressure fell from 152/85 mm Hg to 132/74 mm Hg; the proportion of patients meeting stage 2 criteria dropped from 100% to 25%, with even nonresponders experiencing meaningful reductions. These findings suggest remote patient monitoring combined with structured coaching can improve adherence, enable timely treatment adjustments, and significantly decrease uncontrolled hypertension in older adults.
Research associated long-term continuous monitors with several improved outcomes. | Image credit: inthasone – stock.adobe.com
4. Abelacimab, a “Game Changer” for High-Risk Patients With AFib: Dr Ruff and Dr Bloomfield Elaborate on Latest Data From AZALEA-TIMI 71 Trial
In the AZALEA-TIMI 71 trial, abelacimab reduced major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding by 62% compared with rivaroxaban, including an 89% reduction in gastrointestinal bleeding, the most common cause of bleeding-related hospitalization in atrial fibrillation. In an interview with AJMC, Christian Ruff, MD, MPH, and Dan Bloomfield, MD, explained the characteristics that could make this treatment especially valuable for older, multimorbid patients who struggle with existing anticoagulants. They also emphasized at the beginning of the year that large-scale trials are still needed to confirm efficacy in stroke prevention before the drug can move toward approval.
3. "The Barriers Are Real": Antoine Keller, MD, on Geography and Cardiovascular Health
Antoine Keller, MD, founder of HeartSense, described to AJMC how geographic barriers, clinician shortages, and policy gaps drive major cardiovascular disparities across rural Louisiana and the broader South. He emphasized that food insecurity, transportation challenges, and inconsistent insurance coverage worsen disease severity and delay lifesaving care, particularly with advanced heart failure therapies. Keller said improving cardiovascular health and closing care gaps in underserved regions will require coordinated community engagement, workforce investment, and policy reform.
2. Assessment of Variation in Ambulatory Cardiac Monitoring Among Commercially Insured Patients
A retrospective cohort study of 428,707 commercially insured patients demonstrated substantial variation in clinical and economic outcomes across ACM types. According to the AJMC study, long-term continuous monitors were associated with higher rates of new arrhythmia diagnoses, fewer retests, lower odds of cardiovascular events, and reduced downstream health care utilization compared with Holters and external event monitors. Findings suggest choice of ACM manufacturer meaningfully affects diagnostic yield, follow-up testing needs, and overall costs.
1. FDA Expands Semaglutide Use for CV, Kidney Risks in T2D, CKD
In January 2025, the FDA expanded the label of semaglutide (Ozempic; Novo Nordisk) to include patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The decision was based on the phase 3 FLOW trial, which found a correlation between once-weekly semaglutide injections and a subsequent reduced risk of both cardiovascular disease and adverse kidney outcomes. This approval made semaglutide the first GLP-1 receptor agonist indicated for mitigating cardiovascular disease risk and advanced kidney disease.
