Articles tagged with Blood Pressure
A two-year behavioral intervention program was associated with modest but sustained weight loss (-1.03 kg) and improved blood pressure control among obese, socioeconomically disadvantaged patients. The program included behavior change goals, self-monitoring, and community resources.
Research suggests that T cells play a role in stress-dependent hypertension, and that medications targeting the immune system may also help control anxiety disorders. Mice studies found that T cell deficiency led to reduced blood pressure sensitivity to stress.
Higher amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were associated with lower waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting insulin, and higher HDL cholesterol levels. Increasing daily MVPA by 20 minutes can improve cardiometabolic health in children.
A new study found that fructose intake over seven days does not increase blood pressure, but rather leads to a decrease in diastolic blood pressure in some individuals. Researchers aimed to determine whether fructose itself raises blood pressure or if the apparent harm is due to excessive calorie consumption.
Researchers developed a novel method to measure both blood pressure and arterial stiffness simultaneously using oscillometric measurements. The new index, API, accurately quantifies arterial stiffness and correlates with established methods, providing an early indicator of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that systolic blood pressure above 140/90 is associated with increased risk of end-stage renal disease in patients with chronic kidney disease. The study's findings challenge current guidelines, which recommend a systolic pressure of 130/80 or lower.
A study found that consuming 2-3 small purple potatoes per day reduces blood pressure by 4% without causing weight gain. This effect is attributed to the high levels of antioxidant compounds in these potatoes, which may have similar effects to ACE-inhibitor medications.
Researchers at Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry found that differences in systolic blood pressure between arms are associated with increased risk of vascular disease and mortality. A difference of 10mm Hg or more is linked to an increased risk of peripheral vascular disease, pre-existing cerebrovascular disease, and mortality.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that a difference of 15mm Hg or more between arms is associated with increased risk of peripheral vascular disease, pre-existing cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality. Measuring blood pressure in both arms should be part of routine care to identify patient...
Researchers found that delaying effective hypertension treatment for up to a year results in small-quality adjusted life expectancy loss, but longer delays cause significant damage. The study suggests patients and providers focus on diabetes self-management and lifestyle modification within the first year after diagnosis.
A new study suggests that home monitoring strategies, including self-care, phone calls from nurses, and telemedicine, can effectively track heart failure disease-management and early identification. The authors recommend a multi-pronged approach, combining monitoring with patient follow-up and feedback to improve outcomes.
A new study from Northwestern University finds that a significant increase in blood pressure during middle age increases the risk of heart attack or stroke. Maintaining low blood pressure early on can reduce this risk, with those who keep their blood pressure low having a significantly lower risk.
Inaccurate blood pressure measurements from faulty techniques result in misclassified patients and potentially different treatment decisions. A study published by the University of New Mexico found that 93% of patients have different blood pressure readings when using outdated versus updated guidelines.
New research published in The FASEB Journal found that EPO increases blood pressure by constricting arteries, reducing blood flow to the brain. This contradicts earlier evidence suggesting EPO may be a viable early treatment for stroke victims.
Scientists from Max Planck Institute discover gene SLC4A5 responsible for sodium dysregulation and hypertension. The study found that a genetic defect in this gene can lead to excessive renal retention of sodium and water, resulting in abnormal blood pressure levels.
Research suggests that systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels within the normal range may not be protective against recurrent stroke in patients who have experienced an ischemic stroke. The study found that SBP levels below 120 mmHg or above 140 mmHg were associated with a higher risk of subsequent stroke. Lowering SBP levels to less tha...
A new international study found that patients with very low systolic blood pressure levels may actually increase their chances of experiencing a recurrent stroke. The research, led by Bruce Ovbiagele, suggests that the relationship between blood pressure and stroke risk is more complicated than previously thought, with timing also play...
Two studies found that pomegranate juice can lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and the need for blood pressure medications in kidney disease patients. Meanwhile, over 15% of kidney disease patients take potentially harmful herbs or dietary supplements.
Research suggests a link between high blood pressure and reduced ability to recognize emotional faces and texts, potentially causing miscommunication and increased distress in social situations. This 'emotional dampening' can lead to distrust, risk-taking behavior, and worsened mental health conditions.
A recent study found that a childhood dietary intervention resulted in significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels and systolic blood pressure in young adulthood. The study suggests that reducing fat and increasing fiber intake during childhood may have long-term benefits for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
A study by the American Society of Nephrology found that taking blood pressure-lowering medications at bedtime improves blood pressure control and reduces the risk of heart problems. Patients who took their medications before bed had better outcomes than those who took them in the morning.
A study by Heart and Stroke Foundation researcher Dr. Robert Nolan found that e-counselling led to a twofold decrease in blood pressure levels compared to those who didn't participate, improving lifestyle and quality of life.
A commonly prescribed blood pressure-lowering medication appears to kick start recovery in the unaffected brain hemisphere after a stroke by boosting blood vessel growth. The study found that candesartan increased levels of growth factors and a 'pro-survival' protein, suggesting potential healing properties beyond the area of damage.
A new study from the University of California at Merced found that adolescent girls with obesity have a significantly higher risk of developing elevated systolic blood pressure than their non-obese peers. Obesity was not as strongly linked to high blood pressure in boys, who were still more likely to develop it but to a lesser extent.
A review of studies published in Neurology found that people with prehypertension are 50% more likely to develop stroke compared to those with normal blood pressure levels. Young and middle-aged individuals with prehypertension are also at higher risk, with nearly 80% increased likelihood of developing a stroke.
Research from the University of California - San Diego School of Medicine found that people with prehypertension have a 55% higher risk of experiencing a future stroke than those without. The study analyzed 12 prospective cohort studies involving over 518,000 participants and found that even high-but-normal blood pressure elevates stro...
Researchers found that patients who saw their doctors every two weeks had lower hemoglobin A1C levels, blood pressure and LDL cholesterol within a shorter timeframe compared to those who visited less frequently. This suggests that more frequent doctor-patient encounters can aid in achieving ideal treatment goals for diabetes.
Researchers have identified 16 new genetic variations that affect blood pressure, providing a significant step towards better diagnostics and treatment. The discovery was made using genetic data from over 200,000 Europeans and reveals new genetic risk groups to help predict the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Blacks with prehypertension have a 35 percent greater risk of progressing to high blood pressure than whites. Lifestyle changes such as weight loss and physical activity can reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure for those with prehypertension.
Researchers identified 16 new gene regions associated with blood pressure and confirmed 12 previously discovered ones, providing insights into the genetic mechanisms of hypertension. The study's findings could lead to new therapeutic drug development and improved treatment options for individuals with high blood pressure.
An international study identifies 28 new gene regions associated with blood pressure, including a previously unknown physiologic pathway involved in blood pressure control. The findings suggest potential targets for new hypertension drugs and may lead to improved treatment options for cardiovascular complications.
Researchers identified 29 DNA sequence variations linked to blood pressure, suggesting a complex genetic regulatory mechanism. The study pooled data from over 200,000 people worldwide and found common genetic variants in individuals of Asian and African ancestry.
A new study has found that retired racing greyhounds' blood pressure increases significantly when taken to a veterinary clinic, but returns to normal at home. The 'white-coat effect' was observed in 22 greyhounds, with systolic pressures averaging 30 points higher in the hospital than at home.
A new study by Joe Vinson found that consuming 6-8 purple potatoes twice daily for a month reduced diastolic blood pressure by 4.3% and systolic pressure by 3.5%. The majority of subjects taking anti-hypertensive drugs still showed a significant decrease in blood pressure.
Researchers recommend low-salt diets, exercise, and weight loss as primary treatments for hypertension. Alternative options like Coenzyme Q10, potassium supplements, and devices like RESPeRATE and Zona Plus may also be effective in managing blood pressure.
A UK study published in The Lancet concludes that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is the most cost-effective way to diagnose hypertension. This method, which involves repeated measurements throughout a 24-hour period, is more accurate and correlates better with cardiovascular outcomes than traditional clinic-based methods.
Researchers found a protein in mitochondria involved in energy regulation decreases with age, but is increased by losartan treatment, leading to lowered blood pressure and cellular energy usage. This discovery may lead to new treatments for mitochondrial-specific diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and frailty.
Patients with previously diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea who stop using CPAP machines experience a significant increase in symptoms within days, including higher heart rates and blood pressure. The researchers suggest that this finding could improve the efficiency of clinical trials on OSA.
A randomized controlled clinical trial found that soy and milk protein supplements lowered systolic blood pressure in adults with pre-hypertension and stage-1 high blood pressure. The study suggests replacing refined carbohydrates with foods or drinks high in soy or milk protein may help prevent and treat high blood pressure.
Researchers have discovered that a protein in blood vessel walls plays a key role in maintaining healthy blood pressure. Malfunctioning of this protein, Kv7.4, contributes to high blood pressure and can be targeted by new treatment strategies.
Researchers found a significant association between indoor air pollution and increased blood pressure among older women. Exposure to small-particle air pollution can cause premature death and lung disease, while cleaner fuels and stoves could cut cardiovascular risk by up to 22%.
A systematic review found that moderate salt reductions don't lower the likelihood of dying from cardiovascular disease. While reducing salt intake does lower blood pressure, it didn't significantly reduce the risk of heart disease or mortality. Experts call for more research to find effective ways to reduce salt intake.
Researchers analyzed data from over 30,000 individuals to identify four phases of blood pressure changes throughout life. The study found that midlife acceleration in blood pressure was more pronounced in men than women due to menopause-related effects, and body mass index had a strong link with blood pressure.
Chronic estrogen exposure has been linked to an increase in superoxide, a compound that causes stress in the body, leading to hypertension. Resveratrol has been shown to reverse this effect, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue for female patients using hormone replacement therapy.
A new Canadian blood pressure education program has shown promising results in reducing stroke risk by up to 40%. The program, launched in 11 primary care sites across Ontario, achieved sustained average blood pressure reductions of 6.4/3.8 mmHg after three years.
A recent study analyzing over 14,000 young adults found that nearly 19% have high blood pressure. The analysis contradicts previous estimates from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which reported only 4% of adults in this age group having high blood pressure.
Researchers found a composite index, Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), to be a better predictor of cardiac arrest than individual vital signs. The study suggests that MEWS, which includes variables with poor predictive power, is still more accurate than single vital signs in identifying patients at risk of cardiac arrest.
Researchers found that clot-busting drugs did not improve survival rates and may even worsen outcomes in patients with stable blood pressure. The study suggests thrombolytic agents should not be recommended for patients with normal blood pressure, highlighting the need for further research.
A surgical procedure to remove enlarged tonsils and adenoids may reduce blood pressure in children with OSA, preventing heart damage. In a study of 115 children, adenotonsillectomy resulted in lower blood pressure levels during sleep, restored the normal nighttime dip in blood pressure, and even reduced heart size in some cases.
Research found that exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with increased blood pressure in boys, while girls showed lower blood pressures. The study suggests that preventing children's exposure to tobacco smoke is an important cardiovascular health measure.
A recent study suggests that low vitamin D levels among black people may contribute to racial differences in hypertension. The research found that nearly 61% of blacks had vitamin D levels in the lowest one-fifth of the population sample, compared to 11% of whites.
A new study identifies vitamin D as a potential contributor to the racial disparity in blood pressure between Blacks and Whites. The research found that low vitamin D levels were associated with elevated blood pressure readings, accounting for a quarter of the difference between the two groups.
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association released the first expert consensus document to help clinicians reduce hypertension risks in older adults. The guidelines recommend targeted blood pressure control measures, including medication selection, dose titration, and lifestyle changes.
A study published in the American Heart Association journal found a strong link between excessive screen time in children and narrowed arteries in the back of their eyes. Children who spent more hours watching TV or playing video games had narrower retinal arteriolar caliber, indicating future cardiovascular risk.
Research from the Emory/Georgia Tech Predictive Health Institute found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with stiffer arteries and impaired blood vessel function. Participants who increased their vitamin D levels showed improvements in vascular health and lower blood pressure.
A case study reports that singing lowered a 76-year-old woman's blood pressure from 240/120 mm Hg to acceptable levels for knee replacement surgery. The patient's blood pressure remained lower after continued singing for several hours, and she was cleared for successful surgery.
A third of patients with resistant hypertension were found to have 'white coat' hypertension during ambulatory monitoring. The study suggests that those with true resistant hypertension show high blood pressure at work and during the night, but their cardiovascular outcomes are better than previously thought.
Researchers used catheter-based renal denervation to treat resistant hypertension in 106 adult patients, achieving significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after six months. The treatment has shown efficacy in lowering blood pressure and may have applicability in managing other diseases such as heart failure and ...
A University of Georgia study found a supervised, low-to-moderate intensity weight-lifting exercise program to be safe and beneficial for pregnant women. The research showed that participants increased their strength without experiencing musculoskeletal injuries or significant changes in blood pressure.
Researchers found that physically active participants experienced less increase in systolic blood pressure on high-salt diets compared to sedentary individuals. The study's findings suggest that increasing physical activity and reducing sodium intake can help lower blood pressure, particularly among those who are more sedentary.