 |
|
Dieting and medication may reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension
March 25, 2008CHICAGO - Adults with hypertension may be able to lower their weight and their blood pressure by following a weight-loss diet or using the medication orlistat, according to a meta-analysis of previously published studies reported in the March 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is responsible for approximately 7 million deaths worldwide each year, according to background information in the article. Lowering blood pressure levels in those with hypertension has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk, with corresponding decreases in illness and death. "Weight reduction is recommended in major guidelines as an initial intervention in the treatment of hypertensive patients," the authors write. "Among the possible means of reducing body weight are lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic and invasive interventions."
Karl Horvath, M.D., of the Medical University of Graz, Australia, and colleagues performed a meta-analysis of 48 articles that were published before March 2007 and analyzed weight-loss interventions for patients with hypertension. Of those studies, 38 assessed diet and 10 focused on medications for weight loss, including five evaluating orlistat and five assessing sibutramine. No relevant articles were located regarding the weight loss drug rimonabant or evaluating surgical weight reduction.
"Patients assigned to weight loss diets, orlistat or sibutramine reduced their body weight more effectively than did patients in the usual care/placebo groups," the authors write. "Reduction of blood pressure was higher in patients treated with weight loss diets or orlistat." Sibutramine treatment, however, did not lower overall blood pressure and appeared to increase systolic (top number) blood pressure.
"A reduction in body weight of approximately 4 kilograms [8.8 pounds] was necessary to achieve a reduction of approximately 6 milligrams of mercury in systolic blood pressure with dietary treatment and of approximately 2.5 milligrams of mercury with orlistat," the authors write. "None of the studies provided data to answer the question whether risk of mortality [death] or other patient-relevant end points can be lowered by weight reduction."
JAMA and Archives Journals
"Patients assigned to weight loss diets, orlistat or sibutramine reduced their body weight more effectively than did patients in the usual care/placebo groups," the authors write. "Reduction of blood pressure was higher in patients treated with weight loss diets or orlistat." Sibutramine treatment, however, did not lower overall blood pressure and appeared to increase systolic (top number) blood pressure.
"A reduction in body weight of approximately 4 kilograms [8.8 pounds] was necessary to achieve a reduction of approximately 6 milligrams of mercury in systolic blood pressure with dietary treatment and of approximately 2.5 milligrams of mercury with orlistat," the authors write. "None of the studies provided data to answer the question whether risk of mortality [death] or other patient-relevant end points can be lowered by weight reduction."
JAMA and Archives Journals
Blood Pressure Current Events and Blood Pressure News RSSResearchers discover that SLC2A9 is a high-capacity urate transporter in humans
An international team of researchers led by Professors Mark Caulfield and Patricia Munroe, from the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry with Chris Cheeseman at the University of Alberta in Canada and Kelle Moley at the University of Washington in USA, have shown that the SLC2A9 gene, which encodes a glucose transporter, is also a high-capacity urate transporter, and thus possibly a new drug target for gout.
New light on link between snoring and cognitive deficits in children
About two-thirds of children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)- snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)- have some degree of cognitive deficit, but the severity of the cognitive deficit has been notoriously difficult to correlate to the severity of the SDB.
Metabolic syndrome ups colorectal cancer risk
In a large U.S. population-based study presented at the 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, metabolic syndrome patients had a 75 percent higher risk of colorectal cancer compared to those without metabolic syndrome.
Research underway to give sleep apnea sufferers relief and rest
For some, a full night's rest can be anything but restful. That's because they have sleep apnea, which causes them to struggle for breath in bouts throughout the night. Six percent of the population is affected by the condition-but many don't even know they have it.
Researchers Investigate Impact of Stress on Police Officers' Physical and Mental Health
Policing is dangerous work, and the danger lurks not on the streets alone.
Dark chocolate: Half a bar per week to keep at bay the risk of heart attack
Maybe gourmands are not jumping for joy. Probably they would have preferred bigger amounts to sup-port their passion. Though the news is still good for them: 6.7 grams of chocolate per day represent the ideal amount for a protective effect against inflammation and subsequent cardiovascular disease.
Step back to move forward emotionally, study suggests
When you're upset or depressed, should you analyze your feelings to figure out what's wrong? Or should you just forget about it and move on?
Secondhand smoke linked to peripheral artery disease in women
Secondhand smoke significantly increased the risk of women developing peripheral artery disease (PAD) in a Chinese study, researchers reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Indian spice reduces size of hemorrhagic stroke
You might want to make curcumin part of your daily diet. This active ingredient of the Indian curry spice, turmeric, not only lowers your chances of getting cancer and Alzheimer's disease, but may reduce the size of a hemorrhagic stroke, say Medical College of Georgia researchers.
People with type 2 diabetes can put fatty livers on a diet with moderate exercise
Weekly bouts of moderate aerobic exercise on a bike or treadmill, or a brisk walk, combined with some weightlifting, may cut down levels of fat in the liver by up to 40 percent in people with type 2 diabetes, a study by physical fitness experts at Johns Hopkins shows.
More Blood Pressure Current Events and Blood Pressure News Articles
 | The Blood Pressure Cure: 8 Weeks to Lower Blood Pressure without Prescription Drugs by Robert E. Kowalski "The book is exceptional in its clarity and depth. I would recommend it to anyone with a tendency to hypertension." —Charles Keenan Jr., M.D., Associate Professor of Family Practice, UCLA "Hypertension is an important member of the quartet of risk factors for cardiovascular disease--the other three are elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes, and cigarette smoking. Robert Kowalski... |
 | High Blood Pressure for Dummies (For Dummies (Health & Fitness)) by Alan L., MD Rubin New info on high blood pressure in women, children, and the elderly The fun and easy way to take charge of hypertension and add years to your life! Are you battling high blood pressure? This updated guide explains all the latest breakthroughs in the detection, treatment, and prevention of high blood pressure, helping you determine whether you're at risk and develop a diet and... |
 | Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure (Harvard Medical School Guides) by Aggie Casey, Herbert Benson An innovative approach to lowering blood pressure that builds on the national bestseller The Relaxation Response For the 100 million people worldwide dealing with high blood pressure, bestselling author Dr. Herbert Benson and cardiac wellness expert Aggie Casey have created a proven plan for lowering blood pressure. Based on the groundbreaking work done at the Mind/Body Medical Institute, the... |
 | Lower Your Blood Pressure in Eight Weeks: A Revolutionary Program for a Longer, Healthier Life by Stephen T. Sinatra The numbers speak for themselves. More than 50 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure—and yet despite the billions we spend on medication, the death rate from high blood pressure has risen 36 percent in the past decade. Clearly, the time has come for a radical new treatment plan. And that’s exactly what Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra delivers in this invaluable new book. All too often... |
 | Controlling High Blood Pressure the Natural Way by David Carroll, Wahida S. Karmally Of the countless ailments that rack the human machine,high blood pressure is one of the easiest to preventand one of the most responsive to treatment.Who gets high blood pressure? Should you panic if you or someone you love develops hypertension? How can you help yourself, even if you're in a high-risk group?High blood pressure is commonly the result of an unhealthy lifestyle, and it can almost... |
 | What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM): Hypertension: The Revolutionary Nutrition and Lifestyle Program to Help Fight High Blood Pressure (What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About...) by Mark C. Houston, Barry Fox, Nadine Taylor A revolutionary, all- natural treatment program for reversing the 'silent killer' affecting more than 50 million Americans. Hypertension is a dangerous and deadly disease. There are no symptoms, so most sufferers have no idea anything is wrong-making more than 45 million Americans ticking time bombs. And while there are many drugs on the market that combat this condition, the costs and side... |
 | Eat to Beat High Blood Pressure by Reader's Digest Editors Lower your blood pressure in just two weeks with more than 300 flavorful easy recipes and an innovative diet plan. With over 200 stunning full-color photos, this comprehensive guide will help you quickly and easily lower your blood pressure. Each recipe includes a nutritional analysis, cooking tips, flavor substitutions, and health... |
 | Control High Blood Pressure Without Drugs: A Complete Hypertension Handbook by Robert Rowan Now completely revised and updated, the proven hypertension treatment plan that reduces your reliance on potentially harmful medicationsHypertension is called the silent disease because it often gives no warning signs or symptoms. Its impact can be devastating: Both coronary heart disease and strokes are closely related to hypertension. But there is hope. In this fully updated and revised edition... |
 | The High Blood Pressure Solution: Natural Prevention and Cure With the K Factor One of America's foremost researchers in biophysics outlines a new approach to preventing and managing high blood pressure without depending on drugs or suffering their side effects. Dr. Richard Moore explains the basic nutrient ratio regulating blood pressure at the cellular level, that is the key to keeping high blood pressure under control-and even reversing the condition. By using... |
 | In 12 weeks You Can Control Your High Blood Pressure Without Drugs by Cleaves M. Bennett |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |