Research on blood pressure and its control. Covers intensive control and dementia, cardiovascular benefits, wearable ICU monitoring, and self-measurement.
A new study published in CMAJ found that 1 in 20 patients experience critical events such as death or major resuscitation during urgent air-medical transport. Factors associated with these events include female sex, traumatic injuries, and cardiovascular disease.
A new endothelin type A antagonist, darusentan, provides significant reduction in blood pressure for patients with treatment-resistant hypertension. The study shows that darusentan is generally well-tolerated, but fluid retention is a main adverse effect.
A new study by the University of Florida combines socio-cultural and genetic data to reveal health disparities between different groups. The research suggests that social classification is a better predictor of disease status than genetic ancestry.
Chronic insomnia increases nighttime blood pressure, leading to cardiovascular risks and heart damage. Researchers found heightened blood pressure in insomniacs, particularly those with overt cardiac disease.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have found that deleting or mutating the gene PTP1B puts mice at risk for hypertension by interfering with an endogenous mechanism that should prevent it. The study suggests that PTP1B is a vulnerability gene, and its status could help identify individuals at risk for hypertension.
A study led by a University of North Carolina researcher found that black patients with high blood pressure experience poorer communication with their doctors compared to white patients. The results showed that black patients had shorter office visits, less biomedical and psychosocial exchange, and less rapport building with their doct...
Research published by the American Academy of Neurology links high blood pressure to cognitive impairment in people over 45. The study found that those with high diastolic blood pressure were more likely to experience memory and thinking problems.
Researchers identify a genetic mutation in the renin gene as a cause of inherited kidney disease, characterized by anemia and progressive kidney disease. The discovery provides insight into the role of renin in blood pressure regulation and offers potential treatment options.
Researchers found that ACE inhibitors and AT1R blockers suppressed immune cells promoting inflammation, while increasing anti-inflammatory immune cells, reversing neuroinflammation and paralysis in mice. Clinical trials are planned to investigate the efficacy of these medications in humans with multiple sclerosis.
A study found that miR-143 and miR-145 regulate the contractile nature of vascular smooth muscle cells, with their absence leading to increased tissue matrix production and signs of blood vessel disease. The findings suggest these microRNAs could serve as therapeutic targets for enhancing blood vessel repair.
A randomized trial found that targeting systolic blood pressure below 130 mmHg reduced left ventricular hypertrophy and clinical events, compared to a target of 140 mmHg. The study suggests that lowering systolic blood pressure in nondiabetic patients with hypertension may be beneficial.
A recent study found a strong association between sedentary behaviors like TV viewing and screen time, and elevated blood pressure in children. The researchers discovered that the risk was present even after adjusting for age, sex, height, and percentage of body fat.
A new general anesthetic called MOC-etomidate has been developed that maintains blood pressure stability while avoiding prolonged adrenal gland suppression. Animal studies verify its effectiveness in inducing anesthesia without adverse effects on blood pressure or adrenal activity.
Men who walk or bike to work are less likely to be overweight or obese and have healthier triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and insulin levels. Active commuting is also associated with improved fitness and reduced environmental impact.
Researchers found that treatment intensification can improve blood pressure control in patients with varying levels of adherence, challenging a widely held assumption. The study's lead author recommends further studies to determine the most effective management strategy for uncontrolled hypertension and suboptimal adherence.
Researchers discovered that music can induce moderate arousal with swelling crescendos and relaxation with decrescendos, modulating cardiovascular control. This study suggests a potential role for music in rehabilitative medicine, particularly for patients with heart and stroke conditions.
Researchers from Boston University compared three measures of treatment intensity in hypertension care and found that the standard-based method predicts blood pressure control most effectively. The norm-based method was not a valid predictor of blood pressure control due to its non-linear relationship with systolic blood pressure.
Middle-aged adults who sleep fewer hours are more likely to have high blood pressure and experience worsening blood pressure over time. The study, which included 578 adults, found that each hour of reduction in sleep duration was associated with a 37% increase in the odds of developing high blood pressure.
Over 30 years, middle-aged women's levels of perceived mental stress have increased significantly, while their blood pressure has decreased. This is according to a Swedish study that followed 1,462 women from the 1960s to the 2000s.
Researchers found elevated aldosterone levels in overweight male teens, associated with early signs of heart damage and thickened heart walls. Early intervention could prevent cardiovascular disease in these young people.
A simplified chart created by a pediatrician can help identify children with high blood pressure, improving diagnosis rates. The revised chart uses age and gender to determine abnormal readings, reducing the need for height percentile verification.
A new study suggests that cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a cause of high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. The virus can lead to the development of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, when coupled with other risk factors.
A large-scale genome-wide association study identified eight key genes associated with high blood pressure, including ATP2B1, CACNB2, and CYP17A1. The research provides new insights into blood pressure regulation and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine identified common genetic changes associated with blood pressure and hypertension, including ATP2B1 and SH2B3. The study may lead to advances in hypertension therapy and the formation of early detection systems.
A comprehensive international study has identified eight previously unknown genes affecting blood pressure in healthy individuals. The study, involving 34,433 Europeans, mapped the human genome using hundreds of thousands of genetic markers and found associations with several genes regulating salt metabolism and smooth muscle signaling.
A global research collaboration has identified eight DNA regions associated with blood pressure and hypertension, six of which have never been linked to the condition before. The study found that genetic variants in these regions may hold promise for new treatments or even prevention.
A recent study found that nearly one-third of healthy, young black adolescents have an impaired renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which regulates blood pressure. This dysfunction may lead to difficult hypertension in adulthood. Researchers hope to identify youth at risk using genetic mutations linked to hypertensive kidney disease.
A one-year study found that a computer-based system significantly lowered high blood pressure in participants, reducing systolic and diastolic pressures by an average of 11.9mmHg and 6.6mmHg, respectively. The system's regular feedback and automated alerts encouraged patients to take their medication as prescribed.
Researchers found that optimal levels of LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and blood pressure significantly reduce the risk of another stroke. People who reached optimal levels in all four risk factors were 65% less likely to have another stroke.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a new target for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Mice that lack the receptor for PG F2-alpha, a type of prostaglandin, have lower blood pressure and less atherosclerosis than their non-mutant counterparts.
A University of Michigan study found that grapes lowered blood pressure and reduced signs of heart damage by altering cellular activity. The researchers suggest that the phytochemicals in grapes turned on protective genes that reduce damage to the heart muscle.
A peer-reviewed journal highlights RESPeRATE's effectiveness in treating hypertension, emphasizing the importance of individualized attention and non-traditional methods. Nurse practitioners are encouraged to play a leading role in providing comprehensive care to hypertensive patients.
A new catheter-based treatment has been successfully trialled to reduce high blood pressure in patients who resist conventional drug treatments. The technique, which disrupts nerves around the kidneys, showed a large and persistent decrease in blood pressure.
A polypill containing a statin, aspirin, and three blood pressure-lowering drugs significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in healthy individuals. The formulation also lowered LDL cholesterol, heart rate, and urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B2, but to a lesser extent than with individual components alone.
A catheter-based technique deactivates nerves in the kidneys, reducing blood pressure and offering a new treatment option for patients with resistant hypertension. The study found significant blood-pressure reduction in treated patients, while non-treated patients experienced an increase in blood pressure.
A phase II study showed relaxin reduces cardiovascular mortality and shortness of breath in heart failure patients with high blood pressure. The drug also improves other clinical endpoints, including hospital stay and days alive out of hospital.
A study by Henry Ford Health found that energy drink consumption increased blood pressure and heart rate in healthy adults. However, the effects could be particularly concerning for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, highlighting the need to avoid energy drinks.
A study of 4,060 adult patients with diabetes found that on-demand scheduling did not improve outcomes compared to traditional scheduled visits. The study suggests that timely follow-up for chronic disease management may be compromised by on-demand scheduling.
Researchers found that patients with CAD who achieve very low LDL cholesterol levels (≤ 70 mg/dL) and normal systolic blood pressure (≤ 120 mmHg) experience the slowest progression of coronary disease. This study emphasizes the importance of aggressive control of all risk factors to prevent heart disease.
A Kansas State University researcher found a link between employee psychological well-being and cardiovascular health, using an efficiency-based measure called pulse product. Those with higher levels of psychological well-being had lower pulse product scores, indicating a lower risk for cardiovascular disease.
A debate between world-leading experts reveals conflicting views on blood pressure control, with some arguing the kidneys play a key role and others pointing to the brain's influence. The discussion highlights major issues in blood pressure control and will guide future studies.
A new study published in Journal of Human Hypertension demonstrates RESPeRATE's effectiveness in reducing office systolic blood pressure by -10.0 mm Hg in non-insulin dependent diabetics, with a full 88% of patients experiencing significant blood pressure reduction.
A systematic review of eight trials found that lowering blood pressure with medication reduced cardiovascular complications, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular deaths among dialysis patients. The protective effects were similar across different drug classes and were well-tolerated.
A combination of two antihypertensive drugs lowers the risk of kidney disease in diabetics, even among those with normal blood pressure. The study found a 21% lower rate of kidney disease events in patients receiving the combination therapy.
A study by UC Irvine researchers found that individuals with high systolic and low diastolic blood pressures are at a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. The combination of these two blood pressure components is a superior predictor of future adverse cardiovascular events.
A study of 1900 Chinese participants found that individuals with metabolic syndrome are more sensitive to salt intake, leading to increased blood pressure responses. This finding suggests that reducing sodium intake could be a crucial component in managing blood pressure for patients with multiple risk factors for metabolic syndrome.
Researchers have identified two common gene variants associated with increased blood pressure levels, which may lead to new therapies. The study, published in Nature Genetics, found that these variants affect proteins involved in cardiovascular response to stress, influencing blood pressure levels.
A study published in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association shows that high blood pressure control increased significantly in England between 2003 and 2006. In 2006, 53% of women and 52% of men achieved control, with awareness and treatment rates also increasing.
Researchers at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center have found a potential new target for hypertension treatment in the brain's Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). By blocking one of its receptors, AT1Rs, ACE2 activity increased, normalizing impaired baroreceptor reflex function and blood pressure.
A new study found that increasing potassium intake and reducing sodium consumption can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers analyzed 24-hour urine samples from over 2,900 participants and discovered a strong correlation between the ratio of sodium-to-potassium in urine and cardiovascular disease.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that reducing salt intake can have cardioprotective effects beyond lowering blood pressure. The research found benefits for people with normal blood pressure and those who are overweight or obese, starting as early as a few weeks after sodium reduction.
A French study of 8801 elderly participants found significant seasonal variations in systolic and diastolic blood pressure according to outdoor temperature. The authors advise careful monitoring and antihypertensive treatment during extreme temperatures, particularly in the elderly, who are at higher risk of cardiovascular events.
A study found that elderly individuals have a higher risk of hypertension during colder months, with average systolic blood pressure 5 millimeters of mercury higher in winter than summer. Blood pressure decreases over time are also strongly correlated with outdoor temperature, particularly in participants aged 80 and older.
Researchers at OHSU School of Dentistry discovered a molecule, BDNF, that plays a critical role in the development and regulation of blood pressure. The finding may contribute to the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and high blood pressure.
A new study by Yale University researchers identifies a mechanism behind stroke in patients with sleep apnea, revealing impaired cerebral autoregulation and increased risk of death. Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, pauses in breathing and excessive daytime fatigue.
A recent study published in JAMA found that skipping one hour of sleep per night can increase the risk of coronary artery calcification, a precursor to cardiovascular disease. The study, which followed 495 healthy volunteers, found that those who slept less than five hours per night were more likely to develop calcified arteries.
A study found that continuous blood pressure monitoring can help predict heart disease and related deaths among individuals with treatment-resistant hypertension. In contrast, blood pressure readings taken in a medical office do not appear to predict future heart risks.
A study found that pay for performance schemes improved coronary heart disease management across ethnic groups, with fewer disparities in care. The scheme also led to increased blood pressure control and statin prescriptions among South Asians and whites, but not among blacks.
Young African-American men have higher central blood pressure and stiffer blood vessels compared to their white counterparts, indicating early signs of hypertension. Central blood pressure is a key factor in detecting the problem, suggesting that it may be developing undetected in young African-American men.
A new study finds that air pollution has a significant impact on heart health, with personal exposure leading to increased blood pressure and systolic blood pressure. Community-level exposure is also associated with impaired blood vessel functioning, potentially contributing to sudden heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.