Research on high blood pressure and its consequences. Covers heart-failure prediction, kidney-disease models, AI detection, and cardiovascular risk.
Dr. Annet Kirabo's research revealed how immune activation and inflammation contribute to high blood pressure, identifying potential therapeutic targets for preventing and treating hypertension. Her work has reshaped the understanding of cardiovascular disease, opening exciting possibilities for new treatments.
A new study has found that faith leaders in Nigeria are willing to partner on hypertension screenings and education, despite past challenges. The study suggests that faith institutions can play a crucial role in addressing the growing health crisis, but requires genuine partnerships and commitment from all stakeholders.
A study in pediatric critical care found adopting permissive blood pressure targets resulted in no significant difference in mortality and duration of invasive ventilation at 30 days compared to usual care. The study suggests that a more permissive approach to blood pressure management may be safe for pediatric patients in critical care.
A new non-invasive technique that stimulates nerves through the ear has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated for patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure. The study found that the treatment reduced blood pressure in patients with more severe hypertension, suggesting further investigation is needed to determine its effectiveness.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that a small mismatch in kidney salt processing timing can cause blood pressure to remain elevated overnight. This effect is strongest in individuals with high salt intake and those who are sensitive to salt.
A preliminary study led by UC San Francisco found that reducing ultra-processed food intake significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety in participants, who reduced their intake by over 85%.
Dr. Mark Walker led a seminar on pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects 2-4% of pregnancies and can be life-threatening. The seminar reviews current knowledge, strategies for prevention, and highlights a critical global health challenge, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries.
A new calculator predicts the impact of different treatment combinations on blood pressure, kidney function, and serum potassium levels. The calculator provides personalized estimates based on patient characteristics, which can help clinicians overcome uncertainty and prescribe effective therapies.
A study found that AI analysis of mammograms can identify features indicative of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, and stroke in women. This could lead to early detection and prevention of cardiovascular diseases in midlife women who undergo routine breast cancer screening.
Txn1 mutant rats exhibit severe kidney deterioration, with hallmarks of human CKD, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. The study identifies a link between chronic thioredoxin deficiency and CKD progression, suggesting promising therapeutic approaches.
A study led by Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that children of centenarians live longer and have lower risks of cardiovascular disease and hypertension. The research, analyzing data from three geographically diverse studies, suggests that inherited biological factors beyond lifestyle contribute to exceptional healthy aging.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop mental health conditions, while men experience more cardiovascular and renal complications. The researchers analyzed data from 28,720 men and women in the UK, revealing significant sex differences in disease trajectories.
The global burden of chronic kidney disease in women has grown, with 359 million cases in 2021, driving increasing mortality rates and disability-adjusted life years. Postmenopausal women and women of reproductive age are particularly vulnerable to metabolic and behavioral drivers that can be modified to reduce risk.
Research shows a link between dollar store food quality and higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Traditional grocery store access is associated with better health metrics, according to a new study published in BMC Public Health.
A meta-analysis of nearly 1,900 studies found that climbing stairs significantly reduces the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Regular stair climbing was associated with lower risks of heart-related problems and major cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
A meta-analysis of four randomised controlled trials involving 2,944 adults with intracerebral haemorrhage found that intensive blood pressure-lowering reduced recurrent stroke risk by 38%. The treatment strategy was consistent across all studies, with no observed increase in serious adverse events.
A new review highlights how molecular biology advances are reframing PAH as a complex vascular remodeling disease driven by endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and genetic susceptibility. Emerging therapies target the BMP/TGF-β pathway, growth factor signaling, and inflammatory pathways.
Non-invasive approaches are expanding options for assessing portal hypertension, with elastography techniques and biochemical markers showing high sensitivity and specificity. AI-powered predictive models combine clinical data to improve diagnosis, but should not replace invasive HVPG, which remains the gold standard.
A health coaching intervention combined with self-measured blood pressure monitoring increased healthcare engagement and BP control by 12 months postpartum. This strategy supports reducing long-term uncontrolled hypertension among patients with high blood pressure during pregnancy.
A new study found that hypertension patients are more likely to follow doctors' recommendations for medication than make lifestyle changes. The Health Belief Model suggests that perceptions of personal risk and disease severity influence treatment intentions.
Researchers from Pennington Biomedical Research Center propose a new framework for defining and diagnosing obesity, which considers the effects of excess adiposity on organs and tissues. This approach provides a more biologically grounded and clinically actionable method for guiding treatment decisions.
Hepatic encephalopathy recurrence can be reduced through education on precipitants correction and pharmacotherapy with lactulose and rifaximin. Nutritional support with protein-rich diets improves QOL and reduces episodes.
Nearly 23 million Americans with high blood pressure may be eligible for treatment according to the 2025 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guideline. Lifestyle changes are key, but medication can save thousands of lives if prescribed and combined with lifestyle modifications.
Researchers uncover CXCR4's role in suppressing aldosterone production by upregulating ID3, a transcription regulator that halts CYP11B2 expression. This novel signaling axis offers a new strategy to combat autonomous hormonal overproduction and severe secondary hypertension.
Researchers found that individuals with higher modifiable risk factors, such as high blood pressure and obesity, have more widespread plaque buildup and unstable plaques prone to rupture. The study's findings highlight the importance of early intervention to control these risk factors and prevent future events.
Heart failure affects over 60 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of hospitalization among older adults. The new expert statement highlights the importance of prevention and early intervention in reducing risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
A long-term study of 1,200 women in eastern Massachusetts found that those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods faced faster declines in heart health and worse cardiovascular risk before menopause. The research highlights the importance of addressing socioeconomic factors in preventing heart disease.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that British Bangladeshi and British Pakistani individuals are more likely to develop multimorbidity, a condition where people experience multiple chronic illnesses simultaneously. The research identified sociodemographic and genetic factors that increase the risk of developing these conditions,...
A new study shows that a telehealth navigator program can significantly improve blood pressure control among Black patients with hypertension cared for at federally qualified health centers. The program was associated with a 31.4 percentage point increase in the likelihood of having controlled blood pressure.
A new study from Aarhus University reveals that women with pre-eclampsia during pregnancy have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease later in life. High protein levels in the urine during pre-eclampsia are linked to an increased risk of these conditions.
A new AI model analyzed 30 years of EHR data to identify patients with primary aldosteronism, a common cause of high blood pressure. The model correctly flagged over 90% of cases while missing fewer than 10%, suggesting it could improve screening for this condition.
Dr. Samantha Parker Kelleher and researchers will examine the role of postpartum hypertension on recurrent hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. The team aims to identify ways to decrease HDP rates among mothers and develop new prevention strategies.
The Phase III FIND-CKD trial found that finerenone significantly slowed kidney function decline and reduced the risk of cardiovascular-kidney outcomes in adults with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease. Finerenone also demonstrated a consistent effect across prespecified subgroups, supporting its broad applicability in these patients.
A study published in JAMA found that sitting less with greater light-intensity movement and steps was associated with significantly lower risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Adverse pregnancy outcomes include hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and small for gestational age
A recent study found that consuming common preservative food additives increases the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Non-antioxidant preservatives, in particular, were linked to a higher risk of hypertension.
A new Cochrane review finds planned early birth for pregnant women with high blood pressure cuts maternal complications by nearly half and reduces the risk of stillbirth. The practice is found to be safe across both high- and low-income settings, without increasing the likelihood of caesarean section.
Researchers developed a new class of stretchy bioelectronics that can stick to biological tissue and relieve hypertension while causing less damage to surrounding tissue. The CaroFlex device uses gentle electrical frequencies to modulate the baroreceptor reflex, providing effective treatment for drug-resistant hypertension.
A longitudinal study found that mothers with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy had children with suboptimal cardiovascular health and arterial injury in early adulthood. Optimizing pregnancy health may support offspring cardiovascular well-being.
A major international study has identified ways to detect patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at serious risk of sudden death, heart failure or other dangerous outcomes. The findings will help save lives by improving the ability to determine who is at greatest risk and spare low-risk patients from unneeded heart implants.
A new global analysis found that nearly 90% of the increase in adults with hypertension occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Global hypertension prevalence has risen to 33%, affecting 1.7 billion people, with control rates being only about 40% globally.
Researchers found that amiloride, a common blood pressure medication, improves artery flexibility and lowers blood sugar levels in patients with obesity. The study suggests that amiloride could be a potential strategy to reduce arterial stiffening and cardiovascular risk in these patients.
A multicenter cross-sectional study found hypertension significantly associated with extrahepatic cancers in the MASLD population. Metabolism-based treatments may have a protective role against extrahepatic cancers in individuals with FIB-4 scores ≥ 1.3.
A European Society of Cardiology consensus report suggests that ultra processed food consumption is linked to cardiovascular disease and death. The report calls for doctors to advise patients on limiting UPF intake to prevent cardiovascular risks.
A new study suggests that both very low and very high resting heart rates are associated with an increased risk of stroke. The research found a U-shaped pattern, with stroke risk lowest at heart rates of 60-69 bpm and highest at below 50 bpm or above 90 bpm.
A coordinated 10-year plan to improve long-term wellbeing and reverse child obesity trends is underway. The GenHEART program, spearheaded by Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, targets heart health, diet, exercise, sleep, and more.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that small abnormalities in blood sugar, lipids, and inflammation years before pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. The findings may contribute to earlier risk assessment and preventive measures.
Researchers developed a new polygenic risk score (PRS) that estimates a person's inherited risk for eight common cardiovascular conditions. The test combines information from many genetic variants and evaluates a person's risk for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, and more.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects approximately 32% of the US adult population. Obesity was identified as the strongest independent MRF among Asians, Whites, and Hispanics, particularly in individuals younger than 50 years, whereas hypertension was the strongest independent MRF in Blacks.
A global trial involving 1,670 patients with intracerebral haemorrhage found that treatment with a single pill combination of three low-dose blood pressure medicines reduced the risk of another stroke by 39%. The study showed significant benefits in reducing major cardiovascular events and improving blood pressure control.
Research suggests that exercising at a time that matches an individual's natural chronotype (morning or evening alertness) can lower cardiovascular disease risk. The study found that chronotype-aligned exercise improved blood pressure, fasting glucose, cholesterol levels, and sleep quality more effectively than mismatched timing.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland and Rutgers University found that waist-to-height ratio predicted the risk of hypertension better than body mass index. Waist-to-height ratio-assessed high fat mass was associated with a 50% increased likelihood of elevated blood pressure and an 82% increased likelihood of hypertension.
A team-based program in community health clinics helped low-income patients reduce their blood pressure more than standard care alone. After 18 months, patients in the team-based program saw a significant drop in systolic blood pressure and showed better adherence to hypertension treatment.
Research published in Ethnicity & Disease found that self-employed Hispanic women report less high blood pressure, obesity, and poor health compared to their salaried counterparts. They were also more likely to exercise, with a nearly 11% higher rate of physical activity.
Researchers have created a detailed molecular map of the thromboxane A2 receptor, which could lead to the development of safer and more effective therapies targeting this clinically important signalling system. The study reveals an unusual activation switch and provides insights into how signalling molecules interact with the receptor.
Researchers found a clear connection between oral health and kidney health, with immune dysregulation and systemic inflammation driving the relationship. The study highlights the need for physicians to integrate oral and renal health into clinical care systems.
The MOMENTUM study found that 27% of patients with resistant hypertension have hypercortisolism, a condition characterized by elevated cortisol levels. This finding suggests that hypercortisolism may be an underlying cause of resistant hypertension, which impacts nearly 10 million patients in the US.
A UTEP study reveals that six weeks of boxing training can reduce blood pressure and improve vascular function in young adults with elevated blood pressure or Stage 1 hypertension. The results show significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, comparable to those achieved through medication.
A study found that late sleep schedules are linked to unhealthy eating habits, including increased calorie intake and snacking, as well as reduced physical activity, particularly during school hours. The researchers suggest that parents should pay attention to their children's sleep timing during adolescence.
A cluster randomized controlled trial found integrating social risk alerts improved blood pressure control by increasing screenings for social risks. Intervention clinics showed a modest increase in odds of blood pressure control over time.
Children with metabolically healthy obesity at treatment initiation have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Reduction in BMI z score is associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk, suggesting treatment should be recommended for these children as well.