Research on high blood pressure and its consequences. Covers heart-failure prediction, kidney-disease models, AI detection, and cardiovascular risk.
Two large studies found a significant association between common pain-relieving medications and an increased risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) in men. Men who regularly took acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin were more likely to develop high blood pressure over four years.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that C-Reactive Protein (CRP) directly induces hypertension in mice. The study, which manipulated CRP levels in mice with an engineered gene, showed a direct correlation between CRP and blood pressure elevation.
Researchers found that surgically removing the vagus nerve in mice prevented or reversed insulin resistance and high blood pressure. The study suggests altering vagal nerve activity could provide a novel treatment approach for diabetes and hypertension.
Researchers found a strong association between high blood pressure during pregnancy and increased coronary calcification later in life. Women who developed hypertension during pregnancy were at a 57% higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including type-2 diabetes and heart disease.
Researchers at University College London have discovered the structure and function of a crucial gene regulating blood pressure. The study reveals that loss of activity in this gene leads to reduced nitric oxide production, a key player in cardiovascular health.
Researchers at Erasmus University found that inhaling iloprost, a pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment, inhibits the Th2 cell inflammatory response in mice with allergic asthma. This study suggests targeting dendritic cells via iloprost may provide a new treatment for individuals with asthma.
Individuals with diagnosed hypertension in the US have lower blood pressure readings and better control compared to those in five Western European countries. The study found that treatment thresholds are more aggressive in the US, resulting in higher rates of hypertension control.
US physicians tend to start treatment sooner and are more aggressive in controlling blood pressure, with 63% of patients having their blood pressure under control. However, vast room for improvement exists, with less than two-thirds of patients reaching guideline-set goals.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found significant differences between antihypertensive drugs and their risk of new-onset diabetes. ACE-inhibitors and ARBs prevent diabetes, while diuretics and beta-blockers increase the risk. The study analyzed 22 long-term randomized clinical trials and included 143,153 patients.
A new study finds that tanshinone IIA, an active ingredient in the Chinese herb danshen, significantly reduces blood pressure in hamsters. The treatment also enhances expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and increases production of nitric oxide.
Researchers link young adults with hypertension or prehypertension to an increased risk of heart enlargement. The study found that those with hypertension had a three times higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy compared to those with normal blood pressure.
A long-term study found that men with hypertension who consumed one to two drinks a day had a decreased risk of fatal and non-fatal heart attacks. Rates of stroke and death from heart disease and all causes did not differ for hypertensive men who drank moderately or those who drank no alcohol.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that moderate alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of heart attacks among men with hypertension. The study analyzed data from nearly 12,000 men and showed that drinking one or two drinks per day does not increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that men with high blood pressure can safely consume one or two drinks per day without increasing their risk of heart attack. Additionally, a three-year study discovered that daily folic acid supplementation slowed the decline in hearing for low-frequency sounds among older adu...
A new study by Michigan Medicine shows that 97% of children with pediatric renovascular hypertension respond positively to surgery, and 70% are cured completely. Surgery can help ease symptoms and improve quality of life for children with this rare but potentially fatal condition.
Research suggests that inflammatory genes may play a key role in salt-sensitive hypertension, which affects nearly one-third of Americans. The study investigates the connection between stress, inflammation, and sodium handling, with potential therapeutic implications for high blood pressure management.
Researchers found that genetic variations impact blood pressure differently in men and women, suggesting a need to consider gender when diagnosing and treating hypertension. The study identified six genes with varying frequency of variation between sexes and extreme blood pressure levels.
A device implanted in US patients with severe hypertension shows significant reduction in blood pressure, averaging 22mmHg systolic and 18mmHg diastolic. The Rheos System activates the body's baroreflex system to lower blood pressure through electrical stimulation.
A study of 5,820 Japanese-American men found that avoiding health risks like smoking and obesity can lead to a longer and healthier life. The researchers identified several risk factors associated with healthy survival, including high grip strength, physical fitness, and avoiding excessive drinking.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that aging blood vessels lose elasticity due to a breakdown in cellular signaling. A complex enzymatic process explains how this occurs, involving phosphorylation and ceramide synthesis. Diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help slow down this natural process.
Researchers have confirmed that veins stiffen as we age, a change that may contribute to high blood pressure. Regular exercise training may help maintain vein flexibility. The study, led by William Farquhar from the University of Delaware, recruited healthy young and older adults and monitored their blood flow.
Two editorials in the American Journal of Hypertension argue that the TROPHY study is flawed due to its unusual definition of incident hypertension. The studies caution that the treatment may not be effective in preventing the development of hypertension, and instead suggest that it could cause a slow unmasking of high blood pressure.
A study published in JAMA found that black patients in Medicare managed care health plans experience poorer treatment outcomes for common conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. The disparity in quality of care was largely attributed to within-plan disparities rather than differences across health plans.
A recent study from Brown Medical School and Harvard Medical School found significant racial disparities in Medicare managed care plans, even among high-performing plans. Blacks were more likely to have poor control of cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels compared to whites.
A new study from Harvard Medical School and Brown Medical School shows that racial disparities in care cannot be attributed to low-performing health plans. The research found that high-performing plans and low-performing plans have comparable levels of disparities in key health measures.
A study estimated 25% of Pakistan's population is overweight or obese, with 10% classified as obese. Lower BMI cutoff values may be needed to accurately identify conditions and healthy targets due to associated risks of hypertension and diabetes.
A recent study published by the American Heart Association found that children with high blood pressure are at risk for sleep breathing disorders. Researchers discovered that 60% of hypertensive children had sleep disordered breathing, which can lead to daytime fatigue, poor school performance, and increased blood pressure.
Researchers identified a gene mutation that regulates smooth muscle contraction and blood pressure in rats, leading to hypertension. The study may lead to improved treatments by targeting the proliferation of smooth muscle cells.
A study found that insulin resistance in early teens may predict a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Insulin resistance was linked to increased blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol levels.
Researchers found that high blood pressure causes hearts to have lower fat metabolism, relying more on carbohydrates for energy. This shift can lead to impaired heart function and increased risk of heart failure.
A study found that drinking flavanol-rich cocoa improved blood vessel function in both young and older adults. This suggests that flavanol-rich cocoa may be a useful dietary approach for maintaining endothelial vessel function, particularly in the aging population.
A Johns Hopkins study shows that moderate exercise has no negative impact on the heart's ability to pump blood or increase in size. Exercise improves heart function and reduces abdominal fat, benefiting those who make gains in physical fitness.
A new scoring system can help determine which patients are at the lowest risk of dying after gastric bypass surgery. The system is based on five easy-to-identify patient characteristics and provides a standardized way to compare outcomes among centers performing the surgery.
A study found that increased nighttime blood pressure may be associated with a higher risk of developing congestive heart failure. Analyzing data from 951 elderly men, researchers discovered that a 9–mm Hg increase in nighttime ambulatory diastolic blood pressure and non-dipping blood pressure patterns were significant predictors of CHF.
Researchers found that healthy black girls experience a significant drop in estrogen levels during stress, leading to increased blood pressure and elevated risk of heart disease. In contrast, white teens maintain consistent estrogen levels, reducing their blood pressure response to stress.
Researchers investigate sodium channel genes to identify genetic predictors of hypertension and develop screening methods for high blood pressure in the general population. A study involving 300 healthy youth will measure sodium handling after environmental stress and analyze their genes to correlate with impaired natriuresis.
A re-examination of beta-blocker efficacy for hypertension treatment found that the risk of stroke is more significant for patients over 60 years old. In contrast, younger patients under 60 show no increased stroke risk. The meta-analysis suggests a potential shift in beta-blocker usage guidelines.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive method to detect atherosclerosis by measuring coronary blood flow, allowing for early detection and treatment of high-risk patients. The study found that elevated levels of interleukin-6 are a major determinant of coronary endothelial dysfunction in individuals with hypertension.
Researchers found that intermittent stresses like high blood pressure cause cardiac abnormalities before the heart enlarges. Exercising mice showed enlarged hearts without damage, while hypertensive mice exhibited structural and cellular changes early on.
A study using RESPeRATE, a device-guided paced breathing system, found significant reductions in blood pressure and peripheral resistance in hypertensive patients. The treatment group showed a greater systolic BP reduction correlated with the total time spent in slow breathing.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has invested $900,000 over five years to fund the first Canadian Chair in Hypertension Prevention and Control. Dr. Norm Campbell will lead a multi-faceted approach to primary prevention and treatment of hypertension.
The World Hypertension League is calling for better awareness of high blood pressure patients reaching the internationally-recognised goal of 140/90mmHg or lower. Despite this, around 50-70% of people with high blood pressure worldwide remain above this goal, leaving them at significant risk of cardiovascular disease.
A study at Mayo Clinic found that patients treated with shock wave therapy for kidney stones were at higher risk of developing diabetes and hypertension, with risks nearly four times and one-and-a-half times respectively. The researchers believe the association may be due to damage inflicted on the pancreas or scarring in the kidneys.
Researchers have identified novel drug therapies, including endothelin antagonists and prostacyclin, that improve quality and quantity of life for patients with PAH. These treatments offer hope for patients who previously faced lung transplantation.
Researchers found that each year of treatment reduced the risk of developing dementia by about 3 percent. Long-term hypertension can damage brain blood vessels, but this study suggests benefits for cognitive function with proper treatment.
Scientists used RNA interference to block a mineralocorticoid receptor, which signals the body to absorb sodium and water into the bloodstream. The treatment kept blood pressure from worsening but did not eliminate it, and significantly reduced kidney damage in rats.
Research finds that short sleep duration is associated with a higher risk of developing hypertension, particularly among middle-aged adults. The study analyzed data from over 4,800 participants and found that those who slept for five or fewer hours per night had a 24% chance of developing high blood pressure.
A recent study by the American Heart Association found that people who slept for five or fewer hours per night were more likely to develop hypertension than those who slept seven or eight hours. This association was observed even after controlling for other risk factors, such as obesity and physical activity.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that participants who made multiple lifestyle changes, such as improving their diet and increasing physical activity, had a greater reduction in high blood pressure than those who did not make any changes. The intervention group that followed the DASH eating plan saw the most signi...
A recent study found that diabetes care has improved over the past decade, but two in five people with diabetes still have poor control of cholesterol and blood pressure. Lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease for those with mild hypertension.
A study found that sleep apnea treatment improved the shape and pumping action of the heart, reducing high blood pressure and daytime sleepiness. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices also reduced cardiovascular risks and improved overall health outcomes in patients.
A University of Chicago study found that lonely individuals have significantly higher blood pressures than non-lonely people, even after accounting for other factors. The researchers discovered a strong link between loneliness and increased blood pressure in aging adults, with the greatest differences observed among older participants.
A study by WHO found that haemorrhage was the leading cause of maternal death in Africa and Asia, while high blood pressure was responsible for most maternal deaths in Latin America and the Caribbean. The review highlights the need for increased emphasis on programs to prevent and treat postpartum haemorrhage.
A recent study by UC Davis researchers found that grape seed extract can significantly reduce blood pressure in individuals with metabolic syndrome. The one-month study involved 24 patients, who experienced an average drop of 12 millimeters in systolic and 8 millimeters in diastolic blood pressure.
A study of 347 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 1992 and 2001 found a significant reduction in blood pressure 18 months post-surgery. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased, with those without hypertension or taking antihypertensive medications experiencing smaller drops.
The study found that patients with extreme obesity who underwent gastric bypass surgery experienced significant reductions in blood pressure. The majority of these patients were able to reduce or eliminate their blood pressure medications after surgery, while those with normal blood pressure showed no significant changes.
A four-year study of over 800 patients with pre-hypertension found that treatment with candesartan cilexetil significantly reduced the risk of developing hypertension. The study suggests that early intervention may be an effective way to prevent the disease's progression.
A new salt substitute with high potassium content significantly reduced blood pressure in rural Northern China, comparable to single-drug therapy. The study suggests that a population-wide switch to this salt substitute could prevent hundreds of thousands of serious vascular events annually.
A four-year study of 772 people with pre-hypertension found that early blood pressure treatment can postpone true hypertension by 15.6%. The study suggests that drug treatment interrupted blood-vessel processes that raise blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The Trial of Preventing Hypertension study found that early treatment with candesartan reduced the risk of developing hypertension in patients with high normal blood pressure. The study showed a significant benefit from preventive therapy, but lifestyle modification had little effect on public health.