Blood Pressure News and Research

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Blood Pressure is the force of circulating blood on the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is taken using two measurements: systolic (measured when the heart beats, when blood pressure is at its highest) and diastolic (measured between heart beats, when blood pressure is at its lowest). Blood pressure is written with the systolic blood pressure first, followed by the diastolic blood pressure (for example 120/80).

Gut bacteria may predict risk of pulmonary hypertension

A team of researchers has found that the microflora of bacteria within the gut of humans could be a contributor to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The study titled, "Altered Gut Microbiome Profile in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension," in the latest issue of the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.

24 Feb 2020

Stroke risk and food – large European study says what to eat and what to avoid

In one of the most extensive studies, researchers have found the connection between different types of food and types of stroke risk. The study titled, “The associations of major foods and fiber with risks of ischaemic and hemorrhagic stroke: a prospective study of 418,329 participants in the EPIC cohort across nine European countries,” was published in the latest issue of the journal European Heart Journal today.

24 Feb 2020

Specific gut bacteria may predict development of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Researchers have identified a distinct collection of bacteria found in the gut that may contribute to and predict the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.

24 Feb 2020

Different foods linked to different types of stroke, study finds

Different types of food are linked to risks of different types of stroke, according to the largest study to investigate this, published in the European Heart Journal today (Monday).

24 Feb 2020

Switching what heart cells consume could help them regenerate

Switching what the powerhouses of heart cells consume for energy could help the heart regenerate when cells die, a new study led by UT Southwestern researchers suggests.

23 Feb 2020

Telemonitoring plus phone counseling improves blood pressure control among minority stroke survivors

Adding phone-based lifestyle counseling to home blood pressure telemonitoring is an effective strategy to improve long-term blood pressure control among minority stroke survivors with uncontrolled high blood pressure, according to late breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2020.

23 Feb 2020

UTHealth Consortium On Aging leads movement to improve health care for older adults

When she asked an elderly patient, who had high blood pressure and diabetes, what was most important to her, Jessica Lee, MD, MS, was surprised by the answer.

20 Feb 2020

New insights about the 'extra' heartbeat in some people

People may feel a flip-flop in their chest when they're under stress, haven't slept well or even during normal activity.

20 Feb 2020

New understanding of neurovascular coupling

A new study published in the journal Nature in February 2020 reports the discovery of a control mechanism in mouse brains, which makes it possible to sensitively regulate the flow of blood to different areas of the brain, to supply enough to more active areas.

19 Feb 2020

Sophisticated genetic tests are not notably better than traditional risk factors at predicting heart disease

Traditional cardiovascular risk factors often assessed in an annual physical, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes, and smoking status, are at least as valuable in predicting who will develop coronary heart disease as a sophisticated genetic test that surveys millions of different points in DNA, a study led by a UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher suggests.

19 Feb 2020

Study finds declines in heart attacks to be greater among men than women

In a study published in the American Heart Association scientific journal Circulation, Kaiser Permanente research scientists report a steady decline in heart attacks for both men and women enrolled in the health system from 2000 to 2014, although that rate of decline slowed among women in the last 5 years of the study.

18 Feb 2020

AI-based approach may allow EKGs to be used for detecting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

An approach based on artificial intelligence may allow EKGs to be used to screen for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the future.

18 Feb 2020

Organs from hepatitis C-infected donors benefit many kidney patients

A new medical approach recommended by University of Cincinnati physician-researchers may reduce organ wait times, save money, boost quality of life and prolong life expectancy for kidney patients.

18 Feb 2020

Genetic tests to predict heart disease risk have limited benefit

Genetic tests to predict a person's risk of heart disease and heart attack have limited benefit over conventional testing.

18 Feb 2020

Antioxidant in mushrooms may relieve symptoms of pre-eclampsia

Pregnancy hypertension, or Pre-eclampsia, is a complex disorder of pregnancy. Treatment of elevated blood pressure can manage the condition in the mother, but in severe cases delivery is needed, which can present a major problem to the baby if it is born prematurely.

18 Feb 2020

Guideline-recommended diuretic linked to more side effects than similar antihypertensive drug

Chlorthalidone, the guideline-recommended diuretic for lowering blood pressure, causes more serious side effects than hydrochlorothiazide, a similarly effective diuretic, according to a new study led by researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

17 Feb 2020

Individual clinical judgments needed for prescribing aspirin in primary prevention

The most recent guidelines for primary prevention recommend aspirin use for individuals ages 40 to 70 years who are at higher risk of a first cardiovascular event, but not for those over 70. Yet, people over 70 are at increasingly higher risks of cardiovascular events than those under 70.

17 Feb 2020