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Melatonin has become a popular choice for managing insomnia and sleep-related issues due to its effectiveness in promoting sleep and its minimal risk of side effects. This has led many individuals to opt for over-the-counter melatonin as an alternative to traditional sleep medications. Recent research indicates that melatonin not only aids in addressing sleep problems but also enhances muscle recovery and performance, thereby improving daytime functioning, particularly among athletes. In the United States, the prevalence of melatonin supplement usage has risen significantly from 0.08% in 2005-2006 to 0.28% in 2017-2018. Individuals with conditions such as heart failure, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes and obesity typically exhibit lower levels of melatonin in their blood at night. This deficiency increases the likelihood of experiencing adverse cardiac events. Studies have highlighted melatonin's role not only in regulating sleep but also in safeguarding against cardiovascular diseases by influencing various cardiovascular functions. In summary, the increasing utilization of melatonin underscores its recognized efficacy in mitigating sleep disturbances, with emerging evidence suggesting potential benefits for cardiovascular health. As ongoing research explores additional therapeutic avenues, the multifaceted impact of melatonin emphasizes its significance in promoting overall well-being., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The environment of the submariner is inherently endowed with several health risk factors, namely confinement, inactivity, caloric excess, and circadian disruption, among others, during deployment. Metabolic disturbances, increased cardiovascular risk, and sleep deprivation are associated with interrupting circadian rhythms due to routines contributing to physiological and cognitive abnormalities. Additionally, submariners face vitamin deficits of vitamin D and vitamin B12 due to little exposure to sunlight and poor nutrition. It is associated with cardiovascular dysfunctions, endothelial dysfunctions, metabolic abnormalities, and a greater cardiovascular risk. Moreover, high obesity prevalence has been noted among submariners. Such cases were attributed to leptin resistance, body fat deposits, and lifestyle statistics. Other risk factors to the cardiovascular system, like changes in heart rate variability and heart functions, have been witnessed. These health challenges can be mitigated by adopting proactive steps to address submariners' specific health needs. Such measures should include the prevention of stable circadian rhythms, vitamin intake, lifestyle, and cardiovascular health. By addressing these issues, submariners' well-being will be upheld, and their vulnerability to cardiovascular diseases and other health-related complications will be lessened., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Music therapy (MT) is a music intervention involving a credentialed professional and a client, which has gained increasing recognition in current practices as an adjunct therapy for various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). MT demonstrates notable physiological as well as psychological effects leading to lowered anxiety, depression, and systolic blood pressure in patients with CVDs as well as having effects on heart rate and heart rate variability in healthy subjects. MT emerges as a promising adjunct in the prevention and rehabilitation of CVDs and its holistic impact on physiological and psychological parameters underscores its potential as a noninvasive, cost-effective intervention. Existing literature shows heterogeneity in methods in the studies such as the genre and quality of music utilized as well outcomes. While further research is warranted to optimize protocols and assess long-term effects, the current evidence highlights MT's substantial benefits in cardiovascular health care, making it a promising asset in modern therapeutic approaches. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted role of MT in CVDs, discussing its mechanisms and clinical applications., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The use of e-cigarettes has tremendously increased in recent times due to the widespread availability of e-cigarettes in diverse flavors, reduced cost compared to regular cigarettes, and misconception of being comparatively safe, which have led to around 2.55 million US middle and high school students smoking e-cigarettes. These devices use a nicotine-rich liquid, which is aerosolized electronically, producing vapors that may also include hazardous chemicals and heavy metals. E-cigarettes are associated with e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury, which presents as an acute respiratory ailment mirroring various pulmonary diseases. Additionally, it causes endothelial dysfunction, alters blood lipid profile by elevating circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increases sympathetic tone, and is found to correlate with arterial stiffening, hence negatively affecting respiratory, cardiovascular, and overall health. We aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of the data on e-cigarettes and their harmful effects on health in comparison to conventional cigarette use by highlighting the pathophysiology of e-cigarette-induced adverse effects and critically analyzing the data both in favor and against its use. Our review concludes that no matter how much nicotine an e-cigarette contains, evidence shows that using it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, albeit maybe not as much as smoking regular tobacco. Nonetheless, it is crucial to note that the long-term effects of e-cigarette usage are still not fully understood, and existing data have provided opposing viewpoints., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

A plant-based diet (PBD) includes multiple dietary patterns such as vegetarianism, veganism, lacto-ovo-vegetarianism, etc. A well-balanced PBD has positive effects on body mass index, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes, and it is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Due to its high fiber content, which lowers levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high antioxidant content, which prevents capillary wall damage; the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, improvement in glucose homeostasis through improved insulin sensitivity, and impact on the gut microbiota, it has been proven to be beneficial for the heart. Despite their possible benefits, PBDs can be low in essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, zinc, vitamin D, iodine, and amino acids. This review aims to analyze the influence of PBDs on the cardiovascular system and associated disease progression., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)