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).

Findings shed light on the underlying mechanisms that cause hypertension

An enzyme known to cause hypertension increases blood pressure by activating tiny pores, or channels, in kidney cells that allow increased levels of sodium to be reabsorbed into the blood, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.

6 Jul 2005

Research discovers new deadly link to sickle cell disease

A new study led by a researcher at Children's Hospital & Research Center at Oakland is the first to find that an amino acid deficiency in sickle cell disease is the result of hemolysis, a process where red blood cells rupture and release their contents into the blood stream. Low availability of the amino acid arginine is associated with lung disease and death in adult sickle cell patients.

6 Jul 2005

Having normal blood pressure may prolong life

People in their 50s who have normal blood pressure could live up to five years longer than those with hypertension (high blood pressure), an international study has found.

6 Jul 2005

Women's health suffers under welfare reform

Women who are current and former welfare recipients suffer a whole host of health problems - and getting a job doesn't always help matters.

29 Jun 2005

High blood pressure reduces life expectancy

New research has found that the impact of high blood pressure on life expectancy may be far more significant than previously thought.

29 Jun 2005

Major study says for diabetics with high blood pressure diuretics are the best option

A major new study has found that for people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, cheaper diuretic medications may be the most cost-effective option in reducing hypertension.

29 Jun 2005

Diuretics work better than newer and more costly medicines for diabetics with high blood pressure

Diuretics (water pills) work better than newer and more costly medicines in the treatment of high blood pressure and prevention of some forms of heart disease in people with type 2 diabetes, according to results from the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT).

28 Jun 2005

How can the U.S. health-care system prepare for the huge wave of dementia patients expected by 2010?

How can the U.S. health-care system and more specifically, primary care doctors - the physicians from whom older adults receive most of their care - prepare for the huge wave of dementia patients expected to engulf us in 2010, the year the baby boomers begin to reach 65?

27 Jun 2005

British doctors question guidelines on blood pressure and cholesterol levels

A new study suggests that the thresholds for "normal" blood pressure and cholesterol levels have been set so low healthy people might be put on unnecessary medication.

27 Jun 2005

More women are choosing to becoming pregnant later in life

Although there are considerable risks to becoming pregnant later in life, more and more women are choosing to do it, a scientist told the 21st annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology today (Tuesday 21 June 2005).

21 Jun 2005

Researchers isolate substance most responsible for the tissue damage that follows initial spinal cord injury

Purdue University researchers may have isolated the substance most responsible for the tissue damage that follows initial spinal cord injury, a discovery that could also improve treatments for a host of other neurodegenerative conditions.

21 Jun 2005

Obesity is associated with an impairment of coronary circulatory function

A team of University of California, Los Angeles researchers found that positron emission tomography (PET) can provide important information on the relationship between heart function and obesity. Their findings were reported at the Society of Nuclear Medicine's 52nd Annual Meeting June 18–22 in Toronto.

20 Jun 2005

Proof that single embryo transfer (SET) produces babies that are healthier than those born after multiple implantations

Two studies presented today (Tuesday 21 June 2005) at the 21st annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology provide further proof that single embryo transfer (SET) produces babies that are healthier than those born after multiple implantations.

20 Jun 2005

Study shows why thiazolidinediones cause edema and helps understand role of kidneys in hypertension

In related discoveries with far-reaching implications for treating diabetes and understanding hypertension, University of Utah researchers have learned why thiazolidinediones (TZDs), a major anti-diabetes drug, cause edema and also have found a new pathway critical to fluid metabolism. Identification of this pathway may help understand fundamental mechanisms of blood pressure control.

19 Jun 2005

Two common gene variations are associated with the risk for developing chronic kidney disease

Two common gene variations are associated with the risk for developing chronic kidney disease, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and other institutions. One variant increases risk and the other decreases risk with a similar effect in whites, African-Americans, diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.

14 Jun 2005

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) News and Research

Further Reading

Findings shed light on the underlying mechanisms that cause hypertension

Research discovers new deadly link to sickle cell disease

Having normal blood pressure may prolong life

Women's health suffers under welfare reform

High blood pressure reduces life expectancy

Major study says for diabetics with high blood pressure diuretics are the best option

Diuretics work better than newer and more costly medicines for diabetics with high blood pressure

How can the U.S. health-care system prepare for the huge wave of dementia patients expected by 2010?

British doctors question guidelines on blood pressure and cholesterol levels

More women are choosing to becoming pregnant later in life

Researchers isolate substance most responsible for the tissue damage that follows initial spinal cord injury

Obesity is associated with an impairment of coronary circulatory function

Proof that single embryo transfer (SET) produces babies that are healthier than those born after multiple implantations

Study shows why thiazolidinediones cause edema and helps understand role of kidneys in hypertension

Two common gene variations are associated with the risk for developing chronic kidney disease

'Hazardous' drinking and drug use are much less severe but much more common than dependence

Viagra helps children with heart-lung condition achieve improved quality of life

Fewer diabetics end up in hospital

Short-term use of CPAP therapy may protect against cardiovascular disease

Ruboxistaurin shows favorable effects on kidney damage and function in people with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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