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Smoking, high blood pressure and being overweight top 3 preventable causes of death in the US

A new study found that smoking, high blood pressure, and being overweight are the leading preventable causes of death in the US, responsible for 467,000, 395,000, and 216,000 premature deaths annually. The study's findings highlight the importance of modifiable risk factors and call for increased public health efforts to address these ...

Medication may improve portal hypertension

A study found that sorafenib dramatically improved the condition of rats with portal hypertension, reducing new blood vessel growth and improving liver function. The results suggest that sorafenib may be an effective therapeutic agent for treating advanced portal hypertension.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateApr 1, 2009

Minority health-care clinics separate but unequal

Researchers found that clinics serving higher proportions of minority patients tend to have more challenging work environments and organizational characteristics. This can lead to unfavorable patient and physician outcomes, including lower job satisfaction, increased stress, and burnout.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 9, 2009

Get excess salt out of our diet

A Canadian Medical Association Journal editorial warns of the dangers of excessive salt intake, citing that populations with very low salt consumption have no hypertension. The authors recommend a maximum daily intake of 2.8g for active young people and 2.2g for older adults.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateFeb 2, 2009

Elderly may have higher blood pressure in cold weather

A study found that elderly individuals have a higher risk of hypertension during colder months, with average systolic blood pressure 5 millimeters of mercury higher in winter than summer. Blood pressure decreases over time are also strongly correlated with outdoor temperature, particularly in participants aged 80 and older.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJan 12, 2009

University of Maryland researchers identify common gene variant linked to high blood pressure

A study by University of Maryland researchers has identified a common gene variant associated with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. The STK39 gene produces a protein that helps regulate salt processing in the kidneys, which plays a key role in determining blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 29, 2008

F-MARC funds more 'soccer and health' research

The F-MARC project aims to investigate the long-term cardio-vascular and musculo-skeletal health effects of regular football and jogging participation. The research focuses on premenopausal untrained women and middle-aged men with hypertension, aiming to provide scientific recommendations for millions of soccer players worldwide.

Black and south Asian people benefiting less from interventions to reduce blood pressure, says study

A new UK study found that black and south Asian people are less likely to benefit from doctors' interventions to reduce their blood pressure. The study, which looked at over 8,800 patients with high blood pressure, found significant differences in treatment outcomes between white, black, and south Asian groups.

SourceImperial College London·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 10, 2008

November/December 2008 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Studies examine racial and ethnic disparities in hypertension care and control, finding that racial disparities contribute to nearly 8,000 preventable deaths from heart disease and stroke annually. Researchers also investigate how medication prescribing and blood pressure control vary between ethnic groups in England, revealing signifi...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 10, 2008

Crossing the digital divide

A new study by the Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center finds that patients are more likely to use interactive health IT systems when they perceive a real health benefit and receive tailored feedback. The most effective disease self-management systems provide a complete feedback loop with active participation from physicians, current ...

Pregnancy disorder signals need to screen for heart disease

Researchers found that high blood pressure during pregnancy can be an early warning sign of future cardiovascular problems. A study followed 400 Ontario women with pre-eclampsia and found they had higher rates of elevated blood pressure and lipids, suggesting a link between the condition and increased cardiovascular risk.

SourceQueen's University·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateNov 4, 2008

JCI online early table of contents: Nov. 3, 2008

A new role for the protein PrP has been identified in regulating food intake, with mice lacking PrP becoming obese in adulthood. Additionally, a protein FHL1 has been found to help heart muscle cells respond to high pressure, while a protein AIP1 regulates blood vessel formation under inflammatory conditions.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 3, 2008