Research on blood pressure and its control. Covers intensive control and dementia, cardiovascular benefits, wearable ICU monitoring, and self-measurement.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Researchers examine if lowering blood pressure reduces kidney disease progression in a federally funded study. About half of the 100 patients will have their systolic pressure below 120 to measure its impact.
Researchers found a significant association between sugar-sweetened drink consumption and increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. Higher glucose and fructose intake also contributed to higher blood pressure levels, particularly when combined with sodium.
A study found that daytime sleep can facilitate cardiovascular recovery after mental stress, with participants who slept for at least 45 minutes experiencing lower average blood pressure. The researchers also noted a restorative effect of daytime sleep on sleepiness, with those who slept reporting lower scores.
A study found that patrons of black-owned barbershops who received regular blood pressure measurements and encouragement from barbers were nearly nine times more likely to see a physician than those who only received hypertension literature. The intervention led to a significant increase in men controlling their hypertension, with rate...
A new study reveals that education is inversely correlated with high blood pressure, with educated individuals experiencing a significant decrease in blood pressure over time. The research also found that higher levels of education are associated with lower BMI, smoking rates, and alcohol consumption.
A study led by Brown University researcher Eric Loucks found a significant correlation between advanced education and lower blood pressure in both men and women. Women who completed 17 years of schooling or more had systolic blood pressure readings that were on average 3.26 mmHg lower than those who did not finish high school.
A new blood pressure measurement device using CASP has been developed to provide more accurate readings than current methods. The device, invented by scientists at the University of Leicester and HealthSTATS International, measures pressure close to the heart, leading to better treatment decisions and patient outcomes.
A double-blind study found that high-caffeine consuming boys experience a greater rush and more energy from caffeine compared to girls. The study also revealed differences in response to caffeine between genders, including increased blood pressure and heart rate in males.
The SCAST study found that candesartan did not reduce the risk of vascular death, stroke, or heart attack in patients with acute stroke and high blood pressure. In fact, it increased the risk of poor outcomes and low blood pressure-related symptoms.
The prevalence of obesity has nearly doubled globally, with women more likely to be obese than men. Meanwhile, high-income countries have shown impressive reductions in mean blood pressure and cholesterol levels, with some countries performing better than others.
Scientists have discovered a new group of sensory neurons in the mouse liver that mediate blood pressure regulation and metabolism. Drinking water triggers an elevation in blood pressure in sick and elderly people, and this effect is mediated by the TRPV4 ion channel.
Researchers discovered that deep brain stimulation can lower blood pressure in people with difficult-to-control high blood pressure. The treatment used electrical pulses to send signals to the brain, resulting in a significant decrease in blood pressure and allowing some patients to stop taking all their blood pressure medications.
A new study suggests that a storytelling approach can help African-Americans with hypertension control their blood pressure through diet and medication adherence. The approach, which involves recognizable community members sharing positive messages, was found to be effective in improving blood pressure control among patients.
Scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio have discovered that sodium handling in the distal nephron is controlled by a local regulatory system. This system helps set blood pressure and its dysfunction leads to hypertension.
A recent study found that exposure to room light in the late evening can significantly suppress melatonin levels, leading to reduced sleep quality and increased risks of diabetes. The study's findings have important health implications for shift workers exposed to indoor lighting at night.
A new study published in The Lancet shows that starting treatment with two medicines instead of one produces better and faster results, and fewer side effects. This challenges popular medical practice and could change clinical practice worldwide.
Patients with high blood pressure respond better to combination therapy from the start of treatment, with a mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of 6.5 mm Hg. After switching to combination therapy, patients who initially received monotherapy show improvement but not to the same extent as those on combination therapy from the start.
Research suggests that breathing tobacco smoke can raise the blood pressure of children as young as 4 or 5 years old. Parents who smoke are more likely to have children with high blood pressure, even after adjusting for other risk factors.
A Washington State University study found that whey-based protein supplements can significantly reduce elevated blood pressure, resulting in a more than six-point reduction in average blood pressure. The study's findings have practical implications for personal health and the dairy industry.
A large study found implanted devices for heart failure patients are successful in 'real world' use, with survival rates comparable to those in clinical trials. Remote monitoring networks improved patient outcomes by providing earlier diagnoses and empowering patients to take charge of their health care.
The Symplicity HTN-2 trial shows that deactivating nerves in the kidneys using radiofrequency energy can significantly reduce blood pressure in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension. The study found a large reduction in systolic blood pressure, and the technique was applied without major complications.
A new study found that ICD patients often do not receive optimal medical therapy, while a promising anti-arrhythmic agent and mobile phone-based telemonitoring system showed significant improvements in heart rhythm and blood pressure control. The study also revealed no increased risk of cancer associated with statin use.
A new study found that automated remote patient monitoring did not improve outcomes for heart failure patients, despite daily interactions with healthcare clinicians. The system was compared to usual care based on national guidelines and showed no effect on hospitalization rates or mortality.
A new solar-powered device accurately measures systolic blood pressure with high accuracy, ideal for rural areas. The device costs $32 and has significant savings on battery usage, making it a promising tool to slow the rise in cardiovascular disease.
A study from Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute shows that barbers can improve hypertension control in African-American men by conducting monitoring, education and physician-referral programs. The intervention resulted in 20% more patients with controlled blood pressure compared to the comparison group.
Overweight children experience a stronger effect of body mass index (BMI) on blood pressure compared to normal-weight peers. Even modest reductions in BMI may have a substantial positive impact on blood pressure in overweight kids.
A study tracking over 1,000 children for 10 years found that increased BMI in overweight children doubles their blood pressure risk. Even a modest weight loss can lead to significant blood pressure reductions, while small increases can heighten the risk of hypertension.
A study of Caribbean families found that genetic factors influence aldosterone production and blood pressure in individuals of African descent. Genetic data revealed a strong association between aldosterone levels and diastolic blood pressure readings.
A recent study by CARDIAC in West Virginia found that nearly 20% of fifth-grade students have high blood pressure. The comprehensive screening program used upper-level students to help with readings and adapted to the chaotic school environment to measure blood pressure.
Researchers from Florida State University found that consuming watermelon daily can improve arterial function and lower aortic blood pressure in prehypertensive individuals. The study suggests that watermelon's natural source of L-citrulline may prevent the progression from prehypertension to hypertension.