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).

Double the weight-loss when counseling is combined with diet drugs

According to a new study, obese patients who took the diet drug Meridia and received intensive weight-loss counseling, lost twice as much weight as patients who only took the drug.

20 Nov 2005

Animal-assisted therapy beneficial

When it comes to health care, "going to the dogs" is a good thing, according to new research reported at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2005.

16 Nov 2005

Decaffeinated coffee may cause an increase in harmful LDL cholesterol

Decaffeinated -- not caffeinated -- coffee may cause an increase in harmful LDL cholesterol by increasing a specific type of blood fat linked to the metabolic syndrome, hints a new study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2005.

16 Nov 2005

Lack of aggressive treatment for clogged leg blood vessels means missed heart attack prevention opportunity

Despite the fact that clogged arteries in the legs usually mean clogged arteries near the heart, doctors often fail to give heart-protecting drugs to people with severe leg blood vessel blockages, a new University of Michigan-led study finds.

15 Nov 2005

Study suggests that some patients on beta blockers should not be

A Johns Hopkins study has raised doubts about a long-accepted notion of what's going on in many cases of heart failure, suggesting that nearly half of patients with the disorder may be getting the wrong treatment for their disease.

15 Nov 2005

Torcetrapib - Lipitor drug combo shows promise

According to drug company Pfizer the results of two mid-stage studies on its experimental cholesterol drug torcetrapib, combined with its cholesterol drug Lipitor, were so promising that the company will continue into the final stage.

15 Nov 2005

Good fitness levels may extend the lives of women with metabolic syndrome

A high level of fitness may extend the lives of women with metabolic syndrome, according to new findings presented today by a cardiologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital at the annual American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

15 Nov 2005

Blood pressure near the heart is more predictive of cardiovascular outcomes than blood pressure measured in the arm

Results from a new study show that amlodipine-based (calcium channel blocker) treatment is much more effective at reducing blood pressure near the heart than a conventional atenolol-based (beta blocker) regimen.

14 Nov 2005

Norvasc better than beta blockers for lowering blood pressure

According to a study presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association, Norvasc, was more effective at reducing blood pressure near the heart than standard, older treatments such as beta blockers.

14 Nov 2005

Fundamental flaws in many medical studies must be fixed in order to catch signs of harm

Only by analyzing results using a statistical method that considers several factors at once -- for instance, overall heart attack risk, rather than just individual risk factors such as age -- will researchers truly be able to see how the risks and benefits of a treatment vary from patient to patient, the study suggests.

14 Nov 2005

Habitual coffee drinking is not associated with an increased risk of hypertension in women

Habitual coffee drinking is not associated with an increased risk of hypertension in women, although an association was found with the consumption of sugared or diet colas, according to a study in the November 9 issue of JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.

13 Nov 2005

Phenolic compounds in olive oil may explain cardiovascular health benefits associated with Mediterranean Diet

Phenolic compounds in olive oil, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties, may explain cardiovascular health benefits associated with the so-called Mediterranean Diet, according to a new study in the Nov. 15, 2005, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

13 Nov 2005