Research on blood pressure and its control. Covers intensive control and dementia, cardiovascular benefits, wearable ICU monitoring, and self-measurement.
Raised systolic blood pressures increase risk of intracerebral haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage, and stable angina, while diastolic pressure is linked to abdominal aortic aneurysm. Modern therapy still struggles to manage hypertension's substantial lifetime burden.
Researchers found that stiff arteries alone can lead to high blood pressure by preventing the body from sensing changes in blood pressure. This discovery could pave the way for new treatments targeting arterial stiffness as a key factor in developing high blood pressure.
The FDA has approved medications that raise blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, despite inadequate safety data. The agency is urged to establish guidelines and require pharmaceutical companies to provide cardiovascular safety data on these medications.
Researchers found pregnant women exhibit stronger physiological responses to music, particularly in blood pressure, compared to non-pregnant counterparts. Music appears to have a prenatal conditioning effect on the fetus, influencing heart rate and movement patterns.
Researchers found that clinicians playing an online game lowered their patients' blood pressure to target levels in 142 days, compared to 148 days for those who received traditional online posting information. The game used spaced education, a technique that engages learners and translates evidence-based guidelines into practice.
A study by King's College London found that combining unsaturated fats with vegetables rich in nitrites and nitrates can protect against hypertension. The Mediterranean diet, which includes olive oil and nuts, was shown to inhibit the enzyme responsible for blood pressure regulation.
A review and meta-analysis found that consuming higher amounts of added sugars increases blood pressure and lipids, contributing to cardiovascular risk. The study's findings support reduced sugar consumption as a measure to combat global cardiovascular disease burden.
New research finds that living near foreclosed properties increases risk of higher blood pressure, with each additional property within 100 meters associated with a 1.71 mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure. This association may be due to unhealthy stress from perception of decreased property value and neighborhood instability.
Researchers have developed an implantable device that successfully reduced blood pressure in rats by 40% without major side effects. The device targets the vagal nerve to stimulate baroreceptors, controlling short-term blood pressure fluctuations.
Researchers found that pharmacist-led interventions show a significant improvement in blood pressure and cholesterol levels compared to current standard of care. Nurse-led care saw a 30% improvement, while pharmacist-led care achieved a 43% improvement in improving patient outcomes.
A randomized controlled trial found that pharmacists significantly improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels in stroke patients, with a 43% absolute improvement compared to the control group. Pharmacists' active medication adjustment contributed to this effect, despite already taking antihypertensive or lipid-lowering medications.
Research published in BMJ Open found a 15% decrease in dietary salt intake between 2003-2011, likely contributing to a 40% decline in heart disease and stroke deaths. Despite progress, 70% of adults still consume excessive amounts of salt.
Children who engage in 'green exercise' while cycling experience lower post-activity blood pressure compared to those without visual stimulus. The study suggests that nature scenes promote positive health effects, potentially encouraging public health practitioners to prescribe outdoor exercise.
A new study by Florida State University Associate Professor Arturo Figueroa found that watermelon extract significantly reduced blood pressure in overweight individuals at rest and under stress. The study showed improvements in aortic blood pressure and cardiac stress while exposed to cold temperatures.
Researchers found that reducing blood pressure during surgery can increase the risk of brain damage due to reduced oxygen supply. The study advises a safer approach to hypotensive anesthesia to minimize risk while maintaining effective surgery.
Patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure treated with renal denervation had low rates of adverse events, including five procedural complications and nine hospitalizations. The procedure also showed significant lowering of office systolic blood pressure by 11.9mmHg at six months.
New relaxed blood pressure guidelines are expected to cut millions from needing hypertension medication. According to the study, the proportion of eligible patients for treatment would decrease from 40.6% to 31.7%, affecting approximately 13.5 million adults.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that obesity intervention programs lowered children's blood pressure, with healthy eating and physical activity promoting the most effective results. The study suggests that early intervention can help prevent long-term health consequences.
Researchers found that fewer than 30% of stroke survivors maintained consistent blood pressure control over time. Maintaining controlled blood pressure can reduce the rate of a second stroke by as much as 54% in individuals with elevated blood pressure at baseline.
A systematic review found that doctors' recorded blood pressure levels are 7/4mmHg higher than those taken by nurses. This phenomenon, known as the 'white coat effect,' can lead to unnecessary medication and anxiety for patients. The study suggests that using other healthcare professionals to take blood pressure readings could help red...
A meta-analysis of 19 studies involving over 760,000 participants found that people with pre-high blood pressure were 66% more likely to develop a stroke. The study also found that nearly 20% of strokes in the study population were due to pre-high blood pressure.
Research finds nicotine patches do not aid pregnant women in quitting smoking; behavioral support remains most effective approach. Average birth weights similar between groups, but nicotine patch linked to higher blood pressure.
The e-Care study found that secure online access to a dietitian increased patient satisfaction and weight loss in overweight patients with hypertension. Patients reported improved blood pressure and heart risk trended lower, but differences were not significant.
Eating a vegetarian diet is linked to reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to omnivorous diets. The analysis of 39 studies found that vegetarian diets can be an effective strategy for preventing and managing hypertension.
A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that blood pressure medication use is associated with a higher risk of serious fall injuries, similar to the impact of strokes and heart attacks. The study suggests that clinicians should weigh the potential harms and benefits of prescribing medications for older adults.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have identified 11 new genetic variants associated with high blood pressure and heart disease. These findings provide valuable insight into the body's regulation of blood pressure, potentially leading to the development of new treatments for hypertension.
A major study found that lowering blood pressure immediately after a stroke does not reduce the risk of death or major disability. The study included over 4,000 patients and showed no significant differences between groups in mortality or disability rates.
A randomized controlled double-blinded trial involving 213 healthy women showed that the DIVA System provided better systolic blood pressure control and reduced nausea incidence compared to manual vasopressor administration. The system's enhanced speed and accuracy deliver a safer and better birth experience for patients.
Researchers found that individuals with consistently elevated blood pressure levels throughout early adulthood had a higher risk of coronary artery calcification, a key indicator of heart disease. The study identified five distinct blood pressure trajectories, and those who exhibited increasing or elevated BP levels over time had large...
A large national study found that elevated blood pressure as young as age 18 is a warning sign of cardiovascular disease developing later in life. The study identified distinct blood pressure patterns from ages 18 to 55 that reveal people at high risk for calcification of coronary arteries, a marker for heart disease.
A meta-analysis of studies found that patients with normal blood pressure at home but elevated blood pressure when measured at a clinic have an increased risk of death and cardiovascular events. Home blood pressure monitoring refined risk stratification, particularly for individuals with high-normal or masked hypertension.
Research at the University of Southampton found that sunlight alters nitric oxide levels in the skin and blood, reducing blood vessel tone and lowering blood pressure. This could be beneficial for cardiovascular health, particularly during winter months when blood pressure tends to be higher.
Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, found that vitamin D deficiency stifferens blood vessels, leading to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The study used genetically modified mice to explore the effects of vitamin D deficiency on blood vessel flexibility.
Panel members of the Institute of Medicine's Eighth Joint National Committee opposed relaxing systolic blood pressure targets to 150 mmHg, citing insufficient evidence. The decision may reduce antihypertensive treatment intensity, potentially reversing declines in cardiovascular disease mortality rates.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that England's universal healthcare system manages blood pressure more equitably across socioeconomic groups compared to the US. In contrast, wealthier Americans are more likely to meet blood pressure targets than poorer patients.
Researchers are exploring methods to monitor and understand intracranial pressure through the ear, eye, and head. These non-invasive techniques aim to provide accurate and safer ways to determine the correlation between intracranial pressure and vision impairment.
A 12-week study found that CPAP treatment decreased 24-hour average and diastolic blood pressure, improving nocturnal blood pressure patterns in patients with resistant hypertension and OSA. Longer-term health outcomes warrant further research.
A study identified factors associated with uncomplicated pregnancies, including high fruit intake before pregnancy and being in paid employment during pregnancy. These findings suggest that targeted interventions promoting healthy choices may increase the likelihood of normal pregnancy outcomes.
Researchers found that lowering blood pressure within the first 48 hours after an acute ischemic stroke did not impact death and major disability outcomes. The study suggests individual clinical judgment should guide the decision to lower blood pressure in these patients.
Researchers at Scripps Translational Science Institute used wireless health sensors to collect data from meditators, studying the immediate effects of meditation on blood pressure and markers of stress. The study aims to guide better treatments for high blood pressure and other health conditions.
Researchers developed a saliva test for diagnosing acute kidney injury, found Mediterranean diet linked to reduced risk of chronic kidney disease, and explored mindfulness meditation's benefits on blood pressure in patients with kidney disease. Initiating dialysis can cause significant burdens and loss of independence in elderly patients.
A new approach to treating high blood pressure aims to reduce medication usage while preventing more heart attacks and strokes. Researchers found that considering multiple factors beyond just blood pressure levels can lead to more effective treatment.
A new study published in the British Medical Journal found that lowering blood pressure can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events among people with kidney disease. The study suggests that any type of blood pressure-lowering drug is effective in preventing these events, making it a simple and affordable treatment option.
Stroke cases among young and middle-aged people have increased by 25% over the last 20 years, with the total number projected to double by 2030. The global burden of stroke is expected to more than double worldwide due to rising disability and premature death.
A recent UCLA sleep apnea study uncovered that women with the condition are more likely to develop symptoms of heart disease and other health issues due to weaker autonomic responses. The study found that women with obstructive sleep apnea tend to have subtler symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis and potential long-term consequences.
A new study suggests that regular leisure-time exercise can significantly lower the risk of developing high blood pressure. Researchers found that individuals who exercised for four hours or more per week had a 19% lower risk compared to those who exercised less than one hour per week.
Remote ischemic conditioning using a blood pressure cuff reduces subsequent cardiac symptoms and mortality after acute heart attack. The procedure translates into a clinical benefit for patients, with new heart symptoms reduced by 51% and death caused by heart disease decreased by 61%.
Dr. David Pollock emphasizes the importance of considering the endothelin system in hypertension research, particularly in salt-sensitive patients. His studies have shown that the kidney's endothelin B receptor plays a critical role in eliminating both acute and chronic salt loads by activating nitric oxide.
Researchers have identified a simple method to detect patients who hold onto excess sodium, which may lead to high blood pressure. This method involves taking a second urine sample and blood pressure measure during a doctor's visit.
The landmark study discovered four novel gene variations linked to blood pressure in African-Americans, which also show associations across other populations. Genetic factors account for 40-50% of individuals' susceptibility to hypertension.
A study involving 83 physicians and 42 healthcare personnel found that modest monetary incentives resulted in a significant 8.36% increase in patients with controlled blood pressure. However, combined team incentives had no significant effect on physician behavior.
A new study published in JAMA found that a 'pay for performance' program rewarding doctors on quality of care yields better health outcomes than traditional fee-for-service models. The program improved blood pressure control rates among patients with diabetes, with significant benefits observed in high-risk populations.
A new study reveals significant gaps in hypertension management across the UK, US, and Canada, resulting in thousands of preventable deaths. Data from the three countries shows that high blood pressure is a leading risk factor for mortality, morbidity, quality of life, and health expenditures.
The AQUARIUS trial found that Aliskiren reduced major cardiovascular events and slowed atherosclerosis progression in patients with prehypertension. The study suggests these patients may benefit from more aggressive treatment of their blood pressure to reduce risk of death, stroke, and heart attack.
A recent study by the European Society of Cardiology found that aliskiren did not improve coronary artery disease progression in patients with prehypertension. However, exploratory findings suggested potential benefits for patients with pre-existing coronary artery disease and blood pressure levels treated to goal.
A large-scale study found that levels of several cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure and waist circumference, were higher in winter and lower in summer. This seasonal pattern may explain the observed seasonality in deaths from cardiovascular disease.
Research published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that low diastolic blood pressure may be a significant risk factor for mortality in patients with CKD. A study of over 651,000 veterans found that those with diastolic blood pressures below 70mmHg had higher mortality rates compared to those within the recommended range.
A new Northwestern University study has found that high financial debt is associated with higher diastolic blood pressure and poorer self-reported general and mental health in young adults. Individuals with high debt reported higher levels of perceived stress and depressive symptoms, as well as worse self-reported general health.
A study found that black patients with high levels of racial consciousness have higher blood pressures than those without. The researchers suggest that this hyper-vigilance could at least partly explain the disproportionately high rate of hypertension in black Americans.
A randomized clinical trial of 159 patients found no significant difference in office blood pressure or vascular health markers after one year of vitamin D supplementation. The study suggests that vitamin D may have non-blood pressure effects on cardiovascular health, but more research is needed to confirm this.