Research on high blood pressure and its consequences. Covers heart-failure prediction, kidney-disease models, AI detection, and cardiovascular risk.
Higher blood pressure during young adulthood may lead to an increased risk of heart and kidney disease later in life, even with a low predicted 10-year risk. Maintaining healthy blood pressure is critical for preventing or reducing the risk of these diseases.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered that targeting the CNP/GC-B signal pathway may provide a promising approach for treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). The study reveals that CNP/GC-B signaling plays a protective role against PAH, and administration of CNP ameliorates experimental pulmonary hypertension.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a high-quality diet, moderate exercise, and low alcohol consumption, was associated with lower cardiometabolic disease risk. The study found that adhering to these healthy behaviors reduced the risk of major cardiometabolic diseases independent of medication use.
Researchers discovered that changes in breathing patterns, specifically strong abdominal muscle contractions during exhalation, can trigger hypertension. Targeting neurons in the lateral parafacial region, a potential therapeutic approach to treat hypertension has been identified.
A concerning rise in adolescent obesity has been found, with overall rates climbing to 15.9% in 2023. Obesity patterns also reveal a decline in weight-loss attempts, with females more likely to attempt weight loss but fewer adolescents reporting efforts in 2023.
Researchers from the University of Waterloo have identified the key factor behind estrogen's protective effects against high blood pressure, finding vasodilation to be the crucial mechanism. This discovery holds promise for more effective treatment options for women after menopause, when estrogen levels naturally decline.
Polytherapy significantly improves survival outcomes in women with metastatic breast cancer, reducing all-cause mortality by 38% compared to monotherapy. Regular blood pressure medicine adherence also increases survival, especially among Black and Hispanic patients.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement projects that nearly 6 in 10 US women will have some type of cardiovascular disease by 2050, driven by rising rates in high blood pressure and other health factors. The economic burden is expected to be at least $200 billion annually.
Researchers found that a bacterial metabolite regulates heart function through specific brain cells, revealing a new gut-brain-heart axis. This discovery points to potential therapies for hypertension and heart failure, and may serve as a biomarker for identifying patients at high risk.
A new study found that adding one avocado and a cup of mango to daily meals and snacks for eight weeks improved vascular function among adults with prediabetes, while also reducing diastolic blood pressure. The Avocado-Mango diet showed significant increases in flow-mediated dilation and nutrient-dense nutrients without changes in calo...
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that adhering to healthy dietary patterns, such as the DASH diet, is associated with lower subjective cognitive decline and better cognitive function. The findings highlight the importance of a balanced diet for maintaining long-term brain health.
A new NIH study links maternal smoking during pregnancy to increased risk of hypertension and high blood pressure in children. The ECHO Cohort study examined the relationship between prenatal smoking exposure and childhood blood pressure.
A large cohort study found that air pollution exposure increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in individuals who have experienced a stroke. The study suggests that improving air quality could be an important way to prevent dementia and protect older adults.
A special issue of Circulation highlights progress in women's cardiovascular health, featuring sex-specific research on prevention, diagnosis and management. The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women initiative supports over 200,000 healthcare professionals with educational tools to improve women's health.
A nationwide cohort study found that chronic kidney disease significantly heightens mortality risk, even at moderate levels, and exceeds traditional metabolic risk factors. Maintaining renal function and early detection of CKD are critical for reducing both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
A new position statement from CSANZ and ACRA highlights telehealth as a critical tool for increasing access to quality cardiovascular care. The guidance provides best practice guidance for safe use by clinicians while emphasizing patient-centered, culturally inclusive multidisciplinary care.
A new analysis found that wearing an Apple Watch with hypertension notifications can increase the probability of having hypertension in younger adults, while decreasing it in older adults. The study also revealed racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular health, highlighting the need for targeted screening and treatment.
A cross-sectional study investigates the effect of a smartwatch feature that alerts users about high blood pressure, impacting a significant portion of U.S. adults without diagnosed hypertension. The study reveals that nearly 1 in 5 participants received notifications and subsequently sought medical attention.
US adults with uncontrolled blood pressure are often not taking antihypertensive medication, yet many have blood pressures within 10mmHg of the 2025 goal. Most adults with uncontrolled BP could achieve control through initiation of medication and lifestyle modification
A cohort study of 47,000 adults found that males had a 63% greater risk of all-cause mortality compared to females after adjusting for demographic and behavioral factors. The study suggests intrinsic biological factors, such as sex hormones or immune response, may contribute to these sex differences in mortality.
A study published in BMJ Global Health found that higher salinity in drinking water is associated with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of hypertension. Researchers analyzed data from 27 population-based studies involving over 74,000 participants across several countries.
Researchers identify circulating extracellular vesicles produced in diseased kidneys as the culprit behind toxicity in the heart. The discovery could lead to the development of a blood test to identify patients at high risk for serious heart problems and novel treatments to prevent and treat heart failure.
A 12-year longitudinal study found that nearly three-quarters of older adults in Ireland have high blood pressure not optimally managed. The study highlights the urgent need to improve recognition and treatment of hypertension, which can cause serious health risks like heart disease and dementia.
Researchers found that the loss of beige fat increases the sensitivity of blood vessels to angiotensin II, leading to hypertension. The team identified QSOX1 as a key enzyme involved in this process, which is normally kept off by beige fat.
A new study from the ECHO Program found that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) before and after birth may influence childhood blood pressure patterns. High blood pressure in children is a growing concern worldwide, with nearly 80% increase over two decades.
The Global Centre for Asian Women’s Health has partnered with NUS Medicine to host the Women’s Health Impact Tracking (WHIT) platform, which measures progress on closing the women’s health gap across a set of conditions and countries. The platform provides clear, comparative insights to support decision-making and inform policies.
The Baveno VII consensus guidelines have reshaped portal hypertension management, focusing on early intervention and noninvasive diagnostics. Nonselective beta-blockers and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) are recommended for clinically significant portal hypertension diagnosis.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement suggests that combination pills combining two or more medications may help adults with high blood pressure achieve optimal blood pressure goals more quickly, reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke, and improve long-term health. Currently, most people need two or more medicatio...
Cuffless devices, such as smartwatches and patches, have shown promise in measuring blood pressure but require standardized validation for medical decision-making. The American Heart Association has outlined key limitations and recommended further research to establish their accuracy.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that older adults with chronic kidney disease or cerebrovascular disease are at double the risk for developing neuroinvasive West Nile virus infection, which can lead to paralysis and death. The study identified several risk factors, including male sex, immune suppressants, and multiple scle...
A case report warns that heavy energy drink consumption may pose a serious stroke risk due to high caffeine and sugar content. The study highlights the potential cardiovascular risks associated with energy drinks and proposes increased regulation of sales and advertising campaigns to protect public health.
A daily multivitamin may be beneficial for reducing the risk of hypertension in people with poorer nutritional intake. Multivitamins lowered risk of hypertension in participants with comparatively lower diet quality, as measured by Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) scores.
A Cochrane review found no significant effect of calcium supplementation on pre-eclampsia, contradicting long-held assumptions. The review excluded small and unreliable studies that previously suggested benefits of calcium supplementation.
A new study warns of a sharp decline in high blood pressure control in England, with the rates plateauing since 2011 and deteriorating post-pandemic. The study reveals that an estimated five million adults may now be living with undiagnosed hypertension.
A new 10-minute PET-CT scan reveals overactivity in adrenal glands, allowing for precise targeting of treatment. The test has huge potential to completely change the way high blood pressure is diagnosed and treated.
Researchers have identified a distinct type of frailty in younger people driven by cardiovascular and metabolic illnesses, leading to poor outcomes and premature death. The study calls for routine frailty assessments in all heart attack patients, regardless of age.
A study found that women with obesity who stopped using GLP-1 receptor agonists experienced more gestational weight gain and a higher risk of preterm delivery, gestational diabetes, and hypertensive disorders. The research suggests that discontinuation of these medications may impact pregnancy outcomes.
A new study by UC San Francisco combines genetic risk with cardiovascular disease risk factors to predict who is more likely to develop dementia. The expanded view may help those worried about dementia, as lifestyle changes and improved control of illnesses can reduce brain damage and potentially delay or prevent symptoms.
A recent study published in JAMA Cardiology found that high blood pressure during adolescence can increase the risk of atherosclerosis in middle age. The study analyzed data from over 15,000 men and found that even mild hypertension at age 18 was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
A new study published in the Hypertension Journal found that chronic pain in adults may increase their risk of developing high blood pressure, with depression playing a significant role. The study analyzed data from over 200,000 adults and found that widespread pain was associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure.
A study of nearly 4,000 middle-aged adults found that combined sleep apnea and insomnia increase the risk of uncontrolled hypertension. The strongest risk factor was identified as the combination of both conditions, with 10.2% of participants experiencing high blood pressure.
A preclinical study from Weill Cornell Medicine investigators found that hypertension impairs blood vessels, neurons and white matter in the brain before causing a measurable rise in blood pressure. Gene expression changes in individual brain cells could interfere with thinking and memory.
The prevalence of high blood pressure among children and adolescents increased from 3.2% to 6.2% between 2000 and 2020, with obesity identified as a substantial driver. Early detection and prevention efforts are crucial to control high blood pressure in children and reduce the risks of future health complications.
A new study from Intermountain Health found that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and death within five years after giving birth. Women with chronic hypertension and severe forms of HDP had the greatest risk of future cardiovascular events.
A nationwide study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that adolescents with migraines are three times more likely to have high blood pressure. The research suggests that early blood pressure screening for teens with migraines could help detect cardiovascular risks before they develop into chronic disease.
A new study by Mass General Brigham reveals that patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries are at a higher risk of developing chronic health problems, including hypertension, stroke, depression, and diabetes. The study highlights the need for proactive and multidisciplinary long-term care strategies to address these issues.
A recent study from Houston Methodist reveals how Alzheimer's can disrupt the connection between nerves and blood vessels in fat tissue, worsening heart and metabolic conditions. The research highlights a potential link between neurodegeneration and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
Cardiac rehabilitation significantly improves short and long-term recovery for heart surgery patients, but women participate less than men due to barriers such as lower referral rates, clinician bias, and caregiving responsibilities. The American Heart Association scientific statement calls for targeted interventions to improve enrollm...
The Lehigh University team created a computational model to predict the hemodynamic response of patients with AFib, helping tailor neurostimulation dosages. The model validated against clinical data and predicted accurate effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and stroke volume.
A study found that longer accumulations of steps in one go have a greater health benefit than short bouts spread out across the day. Walking continuously for 10-15 minutes per day was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events and mortality.
A large-scale cohort study found that stopping drinking even at low levels can lead to clinically meaningful reductions in blood pressure. Researchers analyzed data from over 359,000 adults and discovered that quantity of alcohol intake is the primary driver of blood pressure changes.
Researchers identified a set of biomarkers that can predict blood pressure outcomes five years after adolescents underwent metabolic bariatric surgery. The study found that blood-based biomarkers were more accurate than traditional risk factors, suggesting a potential new approach to predicting long-term blood pressure outcomes.
Researchers developed innovative blood-based biomarkers to predict long-term blood pressure improvements after bariatric surgery. The study analyzed pre-surgery blood tests and identified top 10 molecules linked to improved blood pressure outcomes.
A recent study published in JAMA found that intraoperative blood pressure management with mean arterial pressure goals did not improve functional disability at 6 months postoperatively. The study suggests standard intraoperative blood pressure management may be sufficient for patients undergoing surgery.
A repeated cross-sectional study shows that cardiometabolic risk factors in Spanish children have improved over the last 30 years, with decreases in excess weight, lipid parameters, and blood pressure. The study provides valuable insights into the evolution of cardiometabolic risk in children.
Risk factors for portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in liver cirrhosis include hemodynamic disturbances, vascular endothelial injury with hypercoagulable states, severity of cirrhosis, and thrombophilic genetic factors. Early identification and timely intervention are crucial to improve prognosis.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that sotatercept significantly reduces the likelihood of worsening disease in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension when added to standard treatment within the first year after diagnosis. The medication reduced the risk of deterioration by 76% and hospitalizations by nearly half.
Dr. Megan McLaughlin's research highlighted critical gaps in postpartum care for individuals with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, a major risk factor for future cardiovascular disease. Her study confirms missed opportunities to improve long-term heart health in a high-risk population.
A new study by the University of Washington found that universal free meals in schools are associated with a 2.71% decrease in the proportion of students with high blood pressure. The study also showed a decrease in students' average diastolic blood pressure. Improved nutrition of school meals may have played a role in these findings.
A large-scale study analyzing health records for over 9 million adults in South Korea and nearly 7,000 people in the U.S. found that more than 99% had at least one risk factor before their first cardiac event. High blood pressure was the most common culprit, affecting over 95% of patients.