Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) News and Research

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Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is a condition where the pressure of the blood flowing through the arteries of the body is higher than it should be. Much like the pressure of the air in a tire, if the pressure of the blood is too high it can damage the arteries and organs of the body. Just like the tire, if the pressure suddenly becomes very high, catastrophic events can happen. Similarly, if the pressure remains somewhat elevated for a long enough period of time, premature wear and failure can occur.

Hypertension has its worst effects on the heart, kidneys, eyes, and brain. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, hemorrhages of the retina of the eye, and generalized atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries all over the body).

Inadequate sleep linked to high blood pressure: Study

In the study, men with the lowest level of the deeper stages of slumber, known as slow-wave sleep, had an 80 percent higher chance of developing high blood pressure than men with the highest level of this restorative sleep. The link held regardless of other factors, such as obesity or how long the men slept.

31 Aug 2011

Comprehensive review on non-drug interventions for treatment of high blood pressure

More and more, patients show up to appointments with hypertension expert John Bisognano, M.D., Ph.D. carrying bags full of "natural" products that they hope will help lower their blood pressure. And like most physicians, Bisognano doesn't always know if these products will do any good, or if they will cause any harm.

31 Aug 2011

Yoga as therapy in neuropsychiatric disorders

Yoga is commonly seen as a practice beneficial to body and mind. Increasingly, yoga is being taken a step further and applied as a form of complementary and alternative medicine in treating psychiatric disorders.

31 Aug 2011

Study indicates large gap in use of proven therapies for heart attack or stroke

A global study in 17 countries led by McMaster University researchers has found too few patients are using drugs proven to give significant benefits in warding off a heart attack or stroke.

30 Aug 2011

Post myocardial infarction snus quitters have 44% lower risk of mortality

In this prospective cohort study, presented today at the ESC Congress 2011, discontinuation of smokeless tobacco after a myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with a lower risk of subsequent mortality. Investigators found that post MI snus quitters had a 44 % lower risk of total mortality.

29 Aug 2011

U-M's minimally invasive revascularization procedure can treat peripheral arterial disease

Henry Gibbs, 58, is a ballroom dance instructor, but he was forced to hang up his dancing shoes when a circulation condition, common among older adults, caused severe leg pain and cramping.

29 Aug 2011

Health Canada approves Bayer's STAXYN for treatment of erectile dysfunction

Today, Bayer Inc. announced the Health Canada approval of STAXYN, the first orally disintegrating tablet for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) that lasts up to eight hours.

29 Aug 2011

Post MI snus quitters have lower risk of mortality

29 Aug 2011

Strong link between leisure-time physical activity and AF among men

A Norwegian survey carried out between 1974 and 2003 showed that there was a graded independent increase in the risk of AF with increasing levels of physical activity in a population-based study among men with ostensibly no other heart disease. In women the data were inconclusive.

29 Aug 2011

New guidelines on management of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy

New ESC guidelines emphasise the importance of screening and risk assessment. Pre-existing heart disease is rarely a contraindication to pregnancy - indeed, many women with heart disorders tolerate pregnancy well - but it remains a "major concern" that complications are frequent and in some cases may be life-threatening for both the mother and her child. In Europe maternal heart disease has now become the major cause of maternal death during pregnancy.

26 Aug 2011

AHA announces new app for cardiologists to access Circulation journal

The American Heart Association (AHA) announced new digital tools that provide members and subscribers advanced access to its Circulation journal through the release of a mobile view website and iPad app.

26 Aug 2011

Hospitals in Libyan capital in urgent need of supplies, medications, MSF says

"Conditions in Tripoli's hospitals could become catastrophic without a rapid improvement in security in the Libyan capital, the emergency coordinator of aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) told Reuters on Wednesday."

26 Aug 2011

New guidance for blood pressure monitoring

Blood pressure has been measured and recorded in the same way for nearly a century. This is set to change. Researchers believe that the earlier way has led to the misdiagnosis of many. This could be due to a phenomenon called “white coat hypertension” or rise in the blood pressure due to nervousness on meeting the medical staff. It is seen that at least 25% of the population suffers from white coat hypertension.

25 Aug 2011

CVRx introduces CE Mark approved Barostim neo for treatment of uncontrolled hypertension

CVRx, Inc., a private medical device company, introduced today its second-generation implantable device, the Barostim neo, for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension. The Barostim neo features a new unilateral, 1mm electrode and a new smaller, more advanced stimulator to allow for more focused and efficient delivery of therapy. These improvements have led to shorter procedure times and extended longevity.

25 Aug 2011

Scientists discover mutant hypertension gene in chickens similar to that of humans

Scientists from the University of Abertay Dundee have discovered that a gene which, when severely mutated, causes blindness and kidney abnormalities in chickens, is the same as one that predisposes humans to hypertension.

25 Aug 2011

Heart failure risk rises in people with diastolic dysfunction: Study

New research suggests that a common form of heart trouble called diastolic dysfunction appears to worsen over time and may lead to an increased risk of heart failure. In people with diastolic dysfunction, which often comes with advancing age, the heart's left ventricle fills with blood in an abnormal way and is accompanied by elevated filling pressures.

24 Aug 2011

Major new guideline on treatment of high blood pressure

The way blood pressure is diagnosed and treated is set to be revolutionised following new guidelines for the medical profession issued by NICE and developed in conjunction with the British Hypertension Society (BHS).

24 Aug 2011

United Therapeutics completes treprostinil diethanolamine Phase 3 trial in PAH

United Therapeutics Corporation announced today the completion of its FREEDOM-C(2) Phase 3 trial of treprostinil diethanolamine, an investigational sustained release oral formulation of treprostinil, a stable synthetic form of prostacyclin, in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

24 Aug 2011

“Maggie Goes on a Diet” raises storm of protests among experts

A picture book for children in which a pudgy 14-year-old girl gets thin enough eventually to become her school's soccer star has come under attack. The book – “Maggie Goes on a Diet” won't be released until October, but Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com are among booksellers taking advance orders for the 44-page hardcover.

22 Aug 2011

High levels of calcium in coronary arteries increase risk of stroke, heart attack

The presence of calcium in coronary arteries is a much better predictor of heart attack and stroke than C-reactive protein among people with normal levels of LDL cholesterol, according to a study of more than 2,000 people led by a Johns Hopkins heart specialist.

19 Aug 2011