Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Renowned cardiologist says new blood pressure guidelines not good for all

A leading cardiologist has criticized the new hypertension guidelines, which he says could lead to more harm than benefit for certain individuals. The guidelines recommend intensive treatment for patients at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, but Dr. Robert Phillips argues that those with lower risk may face unnecessary harm.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 7, 2018

Diet, bugs and beating high blood pressure

Researchers found that three healthy diets generally reduced blood pressure in most participants, but some individuals responded less well due to differences in their gut bacteria. The study suggests a potential new approach for identifying an individual's clinical response to diet therapy and adherence to prescribed diets.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 1, 2018

Breastfeeding reduces hypertension risk

A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension found that longer periods of breastfeeding and more children breastfed are associated with a lower risk of hypertension in postmenopausal women. Breastfeeding is also linked to reduced risks of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalAmerican Journal of Hypertension·DateJan 30, 2018

New meta-analysis: Recreational football is broad-spectrum medicine

A new meta-analysis finds that 3-6 months of football training twice a week improves cardiovascular fitness by 3.51 mL/min/kg, lowers fat mass and resting heart rate, and reduces blood pressure in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Football is considered broad-spectrum medicine for lifestyle disease prevention.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateJan 24, 2018

Gestational diabetes points toward heightened risk of heart disease

A retrospective cohort study found that women diagnosed with GDM have a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension. The study highlights the importance of targeted risk factor management to improve long-term metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 16, 2018

Women who have gestational diabetes in pregnancy are at higher risk of future health issues

Research found that women diagnosed with GDM were over 20 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, nearly twice as likely to develop hypertension, and almost twice as likely to develop ischemic heart disease. The study highlights the need for targeted risk factor management to improve long-term metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 16, 2018

Research suggests new pathways for hyperaldosteronism

A study by Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute founds a previously unknown regulatory axis that controls aldosterone levels, offering new avenues for drug discovery of secondary hypertension. The findings suggest that the adrenal glands' structure and cholesterol biosynthesis play a crucial role in hyperaldosteronism.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalJCI Insight·DateDec 7, 2017

Low-salt & heart-healthy dash diet as effective as drugs for some adults with high blood pressure

A study of over 400 adults with prehypertension found that combining a low-salt diet with the DASH diet substantially lowers systolic blood pressure, especially in those with higher baseline readings. The combination diet resulted in reductions of up to 21mmHg in systolic blood pressure, surpassing the effect of prescription drugs.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 22, 2017