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).

Texas attemps to offer access to quality dialysis care

Local officials, physicians and patients in need of local dialysis care expressed encouragement over what appears to be a thawing of a certification logjam of dialysis facilities across the state of Texas, though remain concerned over 38 which still remain idling to many for more than a year – to the detriment of local jobs and patients in dire need of better access to quality dialysis care.

18 Sep 2009

Results from the BLOSSOM trial announced by Arena Pharmaceuticals

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARNA) reported today positive, highly significant top-line results from the BLOSSOM (Behavioral modification and LOrcaserin Second Study for Obesity Management) trial.

18 Sep 2009

Study compares annual healthcare costs of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals

Risk factors for metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and elevated blood lipid levels, can increase a person's healthcare costs nearly 1.6-fold, or about $2,000 per year. For each additional risk factor those costs rise an average of 24%, according to an illuminating article in a recent issue of Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

18 Sep 2009

FDA approves Valturna tablets for treating high blood pressure

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Valturna((R)) (aliskiren and valsartan) tablets, the first and only medicine to target two key points within the renin system, also known as the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), an important regulator of blood pressure.

18 Sep 2009

Health policy research roundup

Implementation Choices for the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 - This report examines two key areas of the implementation process of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) of 2009 - outreach and enrollment, and quality of care - and issues a set of recommendations. "Recommendations include: giving funding priority to states that will adopt or maintain key simplifications… ensuring quality measures focus on priority health needs for children, and building quality measurement and improvement capabilities into electronic health information systems, among others," according to a Commonwealth Fund description of the report (Simpson, Fairbrother, Touschner and Guyer, 9/10).

18 Sep 2009

Bayer HealthCare to present its clinical trial data at a joint Multidisciplinary Congress

Bayer HealthCare today announced that data from more than 30 clinical trials evaluating three products in the company's oncology portfolio - Nexavar(R) (sorafenib) tablets, regorafenib (BAY 73-4506) and Alpharadin(TM) - will be presented at the joint 15th European CanCer Organisation (ECCO) and 34th European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Multidisciplinary Congress, September 20-24, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.

17 Sep 2009

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource discusses myths and facts about ovarian cancer

But not all the news about ovarian cancer is grim. Incidence is declining. Doctors are learning more about early symptoms and more effective treatments. The September issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource looks at myths and facts about ovarian cancer.

17 Sep 2009

Study focuses on hypertension

How high blood pressure develops and the effects it has on the body are the focus of a two-part study underway at Penn State and Johns Hopkins University that will look at hypertension in the human body and in the laboratory.

17 Sep 2009

Study: Therapy addition reduces risk of stroke and other cardiovascular events

Data from the independent KYOTO HEART study, presented recently at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Barcelona, Spain, and published online in the European Heart Journal demonstrated the addition of the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) Diovan (valsartan) to a non-ARB-based treatment regimen for high blood pressure provided a significant 45% relative risk reduction in cardiovascular events(1) including stroke, compared to conventional non-ARB treatment regimen.(1)

17 Sep 2009

Study reveals ineffectiveness of insulin and metformin against inflammatory biomarkers

In patients with recent onset type-2 diabetes, treatment with insulin or the diabetes drug metformin did not reduce inflammatory biomarkers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, although the treatment did improve glucose control, according to a study in the September 16 issue of JAMA.

16 Sep 2009

Study shows 29 percent patients experienced angina chest pain once a week

The world's largest quality of life study of chronic angina patients has revealed that almost one in three experience frequent chest pain, which affects their daily life.

16 Sep 2009

Comprehensive CT scan gives better indication of significant coronary artery disease

A team of researchers led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) radiologists has developed a computed-tomography-based protocol that identifies both narrowing of coronary arteries and areas of myocardial ischemia - restricted blood flow to heart muscle tissue - giving a better indication of clinically significant coronary artery disease.

16 Sep 2009

HFSA meeting highlights increased risk of heart failure among childhood cancer survivors

The 13th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) today featured a discussion titled "Cardiovascular Disease in Survivors of Childhood Cancer" presented by Dr. Ming Hui Chen, Director, Stress Echocardiography Program and Program for Cardiac Health in Cancer Survivors, Children's Hospital Boston.

15 Sep 2009

Palatin Technologies to announce clinical trial results of PL-3994

Palatin Technologies, Inc. (NYSE Amex: PTN) announced that a poster on clinical trial results with PL-3994, its product for heart failure, will be presented today at the 13th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America in Boston.

15 Sep 2009

Mantra medicine tool helps patients in healing process

Dr. Mitchell Earl Gibson, a board-certified medical doctor in High Point, North Carolina, has formed a company that creates mantra and prayer-meditation-based recordings.

15 Sep 2009

"High Five" factors in overweight men impacts their energy and health: Building Healthier America

For overweight men ages 45 and older, the "High Five" factors of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar/glucose, poor diet and low testosterone may be impacting their energy and health, sabotaging efforts to lose weight, according to Building Healthier America, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the negative trends of overweight and obesity in the U.S.

15 Sep 2009

Critical event experienced by 1 in 20 acutely-ill patients during air-medical transport

During air-medical transport of acutely-ill patients, 1 in 20 experience a critical event such as death, major resuscitation or blood pressure deterioration according to a new study http://www.cmaj.ca/press/cmaj080886.pdf in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) www.cmaj.ca.

15 Sep 2009

New generation CPAP mask to aid sleep apnoea patients from ResMed

ResMed, a leading manufacturer of sleep and respiratory medical equipment, today announced that it has introduced a new generation continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask designed to improve the patient experience and compliance. With minimal contact on the face and a sleek design, Swift FX is expected to help sleep apnoea patients overcome issues related to wearing a mask at night and effectively providing them with a good night’s sleep.

From ResMed Corp 15 Sep 2009

HFSA's annual scientific meeting features four late breaking clinical trials

The 13th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) today featured four late breaking clinical trials at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.

15 Sep 2009

HFSA's 13th Annual Scientific Meeting focuses on causes and treatment of heart failure

The Heart Failure Society of America's (HFSA) 13th Annual Scientific Meeting convened Sunday, September 13, 2009 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. This three-day meeting -- a forum for heart failure specialists to present research findings and advances in treatment -- will address emerging trends in research and new developments in the approach to treating patients with this condition.

15 Sep 2009