Research on high blood pressure and its consequences. Covers heart-failure prediction, kidney-disease models, AI detection, and cardiovascular risk.
A remote monitoring program called DIG IT improved blood pressure control and reduced heart disease risk in underserved patients. The study found that patients who used the program had a 31-point average drop in systolic blood pressure and nearly 73% reached their blood pressure goals within three months.
Gestational carriers, also known as pregnancy surrogates, are at a higher risk for severe maternal morbidity, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and postpartum hemorrhage compared to women carrying their own pregnancies. The study found that these risks were nearly twice as high as in unassisted conception pregnancies.
The global stroke burden has increased significantly over the past three decades, driven by rising levels of air pollution, high temperatures, and metabolic risk factors. The study found that the number of people experiencing new strokes rose to 11.9 million in 2021, with an additional 93.8 million survivors and 7.3 million deaths.
Researchers argue that placental pathology is underutilized clinically and deserves routine obstetric and neonatal care, as well as more research attention.
A new study by University of Oklahoma researchers identifies key measurements of brain blood flow and ability to compensate as better predictors of mild cognitive impairment than traditional risk factors. The findings provide hope for preventing or treating memory problems early before they progress to dementia.
A new study estimates nearly 10.5 million U.S. adults have A-Fib, a three-fold increase from previous estimates. Early detection and treatment can reduce its adverse outcomes.
A cross-sectional study found that over 50% of adults with uncontrolled hypertension in the US are unaware of their condition and untreated. Despite treatment, 70.8% of patients experience persistent uncontrolled hypertension, highlighting a need for improved healthcare strategies to address this critical public health issue.
Researchers at Klick Labs developed an AI technique using vocal biomarkers to predict chronic high blood pressure with up to 84% accuracy. The study used machine learning to analyze hundreds of indiscernible vocal biomarkers, including pitch variability and speech energy distribution patterns.
Research found that maintaining good cardiovascular health during the first trimester of pregnancy can partially mitigate the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study's results suggest that preconception and early pregnancy cardiovascular health counseling is crucial for preventing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
A program combining remote blood pressure monitoring with pharmacist interactions helped improve blood pressure control in up to 74% of adults with treatment-resistant high blood pressure within one year. The ConnectedCare365 Hypertension Management program also reduced hospitalizations and improved patient engagement.
Research highlights the positive impact of bariatric surgery on controlling high blood pressure in people with obesity. Combining data from 18 randomized controlled trials involving over 1,300 participants, studies found that weight-loss surgery consistently improved blood pressure control and lowered cardiovascular disease risk.
Two studies highlight elevated blood pressure prevalence among 8-19 year-olds in the US, with social determinants impacting health outcomes. Addressing these factors through targeted public health strategies is essential to improve outcomes and prevent long-term heart disease.
A low-dose triple-pill protocol demonstrated improved blood pressure lowering and control, with good tolerability, compared to standard-care protocols for Black African adults with uncontrolled hypertension. The study results have significant implications for hypertension treatment in Nigeria.
A novel low-dose 3-in-1 blood pressure pill (GMRx2) significantly reduces blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. After six months treatment, the GMRx2 group achieved a 5.8mmHg lower systolic blood pressure compared to standard care.
The new guidelines recommend intensified BP targets, introducing a novel elevated blood pressure category to identify individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease. The updated recommendations also focus on 'frailty' rather than chronological age and introduce a new systolic BP treatment target range of 120-129 mmHg.
After three decades, perioperative mortality rates for living kidney donors have decreased substantially, from fewer than 1 event per 10,000 donations in the past decade to even lower numbers. Donor demographics, such as male donors and those with a history of hypertension, are identified as high-risk groups.
This study found that higher hypertension rates among Black adults persisted across levels of socioeconomic disadvantage. Living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods was associated with higher hypertension rates among people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
A UCLA-led study has identified a protective role for the asporin protein in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), suggesting potential new ways to treat this incurable disease. Asporin was found to inhibit pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and a key signaling pathway that occurs with PAH.
Researchers analyzed national Medicaid data to identify perinatal and postpartum outcomes among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Autistic pregnant people had significantly higher probability of postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression compared to other groups.
A meta-analysis of 31,250 people found that those with untreated high blood pressure had a 36% increased risk of Alzheimer's disease compared to those without the condition. Taking blood pressure medication was associated with decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease throughout later life.
A five-year randomized control trial found that diets high in fruits and vegetables lower blood pressure, reduce cardiovascular risk, and improve kidney health. The study also suggests that incorporating fruits and vegetables into treatment plans can be more effective than traditional medication approaches.
Uncontrolled hypertension is a leading cause of premature death and disability worldwide, with 54% of patients aware but only 21% actively controlled. Effective treatment requires lifestyle changes and medication, as well as regular blood pressure monitoring to adjust doses accordingly.
A recent study published in Environment International found that high levels of tellurium exposure are associated with increased blood pressure and a greater occurrence of hypertension. Tellurium, a contaminant transferred from mining and manufacturing activities, can be present in foods such as cereals and legumes.
A new study suggests that public health interventions, such as reformulating food products and introducing low emission zones, could yield significant cost savings and QALY gains in England. The interventions studied could save up to £4bn by reducing dementia rates and helping people live longer and healthier.
The AHA PREVENT equations could reduce eligibility for statin and antihypertensive therapy among 15.8 million US adults due to lower atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk predictions. This change may impact treatment guidelines and recommendations.
Rates of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy increased from 6.1% to 8.5%, while related health conditions declined, according to a Canadian study. The growing population of high-risk obstetrical patients highlights the need for easily accessible specialized care.
A new University of Michigan study found that over 82% of Americans aged 50-80 take one or more prescription medications, with 80% open to stopping certain drugs. However, researchers stress the importance of personalized guidance for deprescribing older adults, particularly those taking medication for cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
A recent study at the University of Missouri discovered that oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone cause the brainstem to become overactive, leading to hypertension. This finding can help develop targeted drugs to reduce high blood pressure in sleep apnea patients.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that years of high systolic blood pressure increase the risk of stroke, with Black and Hispanic patients facing a higher risk. Early diagnosis and controlled high blood pressure are crucial to preventing stroke, especially in these populations.
A new study has identified CCL27 and TNFRSF14 as genetic markers in inflammation that may contribute to stroke recurrence. These findings could lead to novel drug targets to mitigate disability and mortality after a first stroke.
A Tulane University study found that pharmacists have the best success rates in helping patients with high blood pressure get their hypertension under control. Pharmacists achieved the greatest improvements, followed by community health workers, who also saw significant reductions in blood pressure.
A Texas A&M University study found that stand-biased workstations led to more standing time, reduced sitting time, and fewer discomforts compared to traditional desks. However, the benefits were not statistically significant, and energy expenditure was higher in stand-biased groups.
Splenic venous hypertension is a rare condition characterized by upper GI bleeding without liver disease. It arises due to increased pressure in the splenic vein, leading to gastric varices. Diagnosis involves clinical suspicion, imaging studies, and endoscopic methods.
A new study suggests that lowering systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg over time may produce slight health-protective benefits against late-life dementia. The study found that middle-aged adults who lower their systolic blood pressure, particularly Black and Latino individuals, had a reduced risk of developing dementia.
A new study published in Hypertension journal suggests that both 30-year and 10-year risk predictions should be considered when making high blood pressure treatment decisions. The researchers compared two risk prediction tools and found that long-term, 30-year risk may be more important than short-term, 10-year risk for informing medic...
A Swedish researchers have created a questionnaire test that quickly identifies individuals at high risk of heart attack. The test has been shown to be as accurate as blood tests and blood pressure measurements, detecting 65% of those at the highest risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that facial temperatures are associated with chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure. They discovered specific regions of the face where temperatures correlate with age and health, including the nose, eyes, and cheeks.
A study found that a cuffless wrist monitor provides hundreds of readings in days, enabling clinicians to determine cardiovascular risk and improve hypertension care. The device's continuous readings help confirm diagnosis and guide medication titration, potentially revolutionizing hypertension management.
A new study led by UCL researchers found that cardiovascular health is a significant risk factor for future dementia rates. The study analyzed data from 27 papers and found that rates of obesity and diabetes have increased over time, contributing to higher dementia risk.
The HHS competition evaluated Ochsner Connected MOM's effectiveness in increasing blood pressure measurements among Black patients and rural populations. The program saw a statistically significant increase in blood pressure measurements, benefiting over 2,000 patients.
Researchers created an integrated cellular map of a mouse model heart, pinpointing cells and pathways involved in fibrosis. The study identified myofibroblasts as the major drivers of scarring, but also discovered a 'matrifibrocyte' form that may prevent scar resolution.
A large international study of 1,042 living kidney donors found no significant differences in health indicators compared to non-donors seven years after donation. The study also provides insights into recovery time from living kidney donation, suggesting a longer recovery period than previously thought.
A new study found that regular snoring is associated with elevated blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension, particularly in overweight middle-aged men. The research used multiple night home-based monitoring technologies and objective assessments to explore the connection between snoring and hypertension.
Research published in the European Heart Journal found that women diagnosed with perinatal depression are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. The study included data from around 600,000 women and found a strong link between perinatal depression and risks of high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure.
The number of US individuals with chronic hypertension in pregnancy increased significantly, while medication treatment remained low, according to a new study. The findings highlight the need for improved maternal health strategies to address high blood pressure and cardiovascular complications.
The prevalence of chronic hypertension in pregnancy in the US more than doubled from 1.8% to 3.7% between 2007 and 2021, despite only 60% of those with the condition being treated with antihypertensive medications. This increase is linked to rising maternal age, obesity rates, and other factors.
The WISEWOMAN program, funded by the CDC, improved blood pressure, diet, and physical activity among low-income, uninsured women in Nebraska. Lifestyle interventions led to significant weight loss, increased fruit and vegetable consumption, and improvements in cardiovascular disease risk factors.
A global meta-analysis of 1.8m women found COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of infection during pregnancy by 61% and hospitalization by 94%. Vaccination also lowers caesarean section risk by 9%, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy by 12%, and intensive care unit admission for newborns by 8%.
Low-income Black and Hispanic stroke survivors with uncontrolled hypertension experienced a more than two-fold reduction in blood pressure when tracked at home and sent readings to a nurse. Nurse case management enhanced telehealth programs showed significant benefits for this vulnerable population.
A study found that higher phthalate exposure is associated with increased risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia in pregnant women. Pregnancies involving female fetuses are more susceptible to these hypertensive disorders.
A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that vigorous physical activity can lower the risk of cognitive decline in high-risk patients with hypertension. People who engage in one or more sessions of vigorous exercise per week had lower rates of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
A recent study from the Women's Health Initiative found that both obesity and metabolic syndrome increase breast cancer risk, but in distinct ways for different subtypes. The research highlights the importance of controlling waist circumference and metabolic conditions to reduce breast cancer risk.
A substantial portion of young athletes are at risk of hypertension, with 21.3% meeting pre-HTN criteria and 8% diagnosed with Stage II HTN. Lifestyle interventions and screening for hypertension are crucial to prevent long-term health complications.
Researchers discuss Ibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor approved for chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment, noting 20-25% of patients experience dose-limiting cardiovascular toxicities. A recent study identifies genetic biomarkers, such as KCNQ1 and GATA4, associated with cardiotoxic events, which may improve risk stratification.
By 2050, at least 61% of US adults (184 million people) are projected to have some type of cardiovascular disease, with total costs tripling to $1.8 trillion. Population shifts, high blood pressure, and obesity will drive this increase.
A new study found that people exposed to higher levels of airplane noise were more likely to have a higher body mass index, an indicator for obesity that can lead to cardiometabolic diseases. The study highlights the role of environmental factors in shaping health outcomes.
A new study shows that a fully digital, AI-based lifestyle coaching program can effectively reduce blood pressure in adults with hypertension. The program, which leverages data from wearable activity trackers and BP monitors, also increases participant engagement and reduces the need for manual clinician outreach.
After living kidney donation, donors experience a slower rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline compared to non-donors. However, donors are more likely to have an eGFR between 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at least once during follow-up.
A study of 23 elderly patients with hypertension found that evening aerobic exercise improved baroreflex sensitivity, a mechanism that regulates blood pressure. This improvement led to better blood pressure regulation and reduced muscle sympathetic nerve activity, making evening exercise more effective than morning exercise.
The Global Burden of Diseases study reveals a 49.4% increase in global disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to metabolism-related risk factors between 2000 and 2021. High blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high BMI are key contributors to poor health and early death.