Blood Pressure News and Research

RSS

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).

First Edition: July 1, 2010

Today's health policy headlines highlight news about the launch of a government health insurance web site and the start of the high-risk health insurance pools mandated in the health reform law.

1 Jul 2010

Babies born after IVM fertility treatment more likely to be born larger than normal

A review of studies of babies born after in vitro maturation (IVM) fertility treatment has suggested that they are more likely to be born larger than normal and to have more difficult births requiring more obstetric interventions such as caesareans.

1 Jul 2010

Study results of triple combination therapy in patients with diabetes and hypertension presented at ADA 2010

Preliminary results of a pre-specified subgroup study analysis of patients with diabetes and hypertension demonstrated that the investigational triple combination therapy of olmesartan medoxomil / amlodipine / hydrochlorothiazide (40/10/25 mg) resulted in a statistically significant greater Least Squares mean reduction in blood pressure from baseline at week 12 (37.9/22.0 mm Hg versus 26.4-28.0/14.7-17.6 mm Hg, P less than or equal to 0.0013) as compared to corresponding dual combination therapy [olmesartan medoxomil (40 mg) / amlodipine (10 mg); olmesartan medoxomil (40 mg) / hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg); or amlodipine (10 mg) and hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg)].

1 Jul 2010

Biospherics acquires worldwide patent rights to Dtagatose from UKRF

Spherix Incorporated, an innovator in biotechnology for therapy in diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis; and providers of technical and regulatory consulting services to food, supplement, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Biospherics Incorporated, has signed a license agreement with the University of Kentucky Research Foundation (UKRF).

1 Jul 2010

Chelsea completes enrollment in Northera Phase III Study 301 for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension

Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd. has successfully reached its target enrollment of 150 patients in its Northera™ (Droxidopa) pivotal Phase III Study 301 for the treatment of symptomatic, neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH). Results from the trial are expected in September 2010 and the full registration program is on track to initiate a new drug application (NDA) in the first half of 2011.

30 Jun 2010

Study: Near-normal glucose control does not delay risk of organ damage in diabetes patients

In people with longstanding type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for heart attack and stroke, lowering blood sugar to near-normal levels did not delay the combined risk of diabetic damage to kidneys, eyes, or nerves, but did delay several other signs of diabetic damage, a study has found. The intensive glucose treatment was compared with standard glucose control.

30 Jun 2010

Study highlights importance of individualized, patient-centered therapies

In an analysis from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial, one of the largest studies of its kind to determine whether intensive blood glucose (sugar) control worked better than standard blood sugar control among diabetics, results show that the benefits of intensive therapy need to be balanced against the increase in total and cardiovascular disease-related death, increased weight gain, and high risk for severe low blood sugar.

30 Jun 2010

Study indicates two treatment strategies can reduce progression of diabetic retinopathy

In high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes, researchers have found that two therapies may slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age Americans.

30 Jun 2010

BBD reports analyze effectiveness and safety of statin use

A series of new reports from Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs (BBD) caution that the benefits of statin use by children and some women may not outweigh the risks. Drugs to lower cholesterol - including statins - are the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. and garnered more than $14 billion in sales last year.

29 Jun 2010

Chelsea initiates NORTHERA Phase III trial for symptomatic NOH associated with PD

Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd. announced the initiation of Study 306, a pivotal Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy of NORTHERA™, an oral synthetic precursor of norepinephrine, for the treatment of symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH) associated with Parkinson's disease.

29 Jun 2010

Vitae earns $14M milestone payment from Boehringer Ingelheim

Vitae Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an integrated discovery and development company, today announced that it has earned a $14 million clinical milestone payment from Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Vitae's 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD)-1 is targeted for the treatment of diabetes and metabolic syndrome-related diseases in a strategic alliance with Boehringer Ingelheim. The payment recognizes Boehringer Ingelheim's recent advancement of a small molecule inhibitor of 11beta-HSD-1 into Phase I clinical trials.

29 Jun 2010

Phytonutrient-based medical food and heart-healthy diet reduce CVD risk factors: Study

New research presented at the American Diabetes Association's 70th Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida on June 27, 2010 suggests that a medical food developed by Metagenics, Inc. called UltraMeal® PLUS 360° enhances the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-lowering benefits of a Mediterranean-style low-glycemic-load diet.

29 Jun 2010

Dapagliflozin in addition to insulin improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetics

Results from a 24-week Phase 3 clinical study demonstrated that the addition of the investigational drug dapagliflozin achieved reductions in the primary endpoint, glycosylated hemoglobin level (HbA1c), in inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes patients who were treated with insulin (with or without oral anti-diabetes medications (OADs)), compared to placebo plus insulin (with or without OADs).

29 Jun 2010

Aggressive pursuit of low blood pressure, cholesterol levels may not benefit patients with diabetes

A mathematical model suggests that aggressively pursuing low blood pressure and cholesterol levels may not benefit, and could even harm, some patients with diabetes, according to a report in the June 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

29 Jun 2010

School-based program lowers obesity and risk factors for type 2 diabetes in high risk youth

An intervention in middle schools lowered the obesity rate in students at highest risk for type 2 diabetes, those who started out overweight or obese in sixth grade, an NIH-funded study has found. However, schools that implemented the program did not differ from comparison schools in the study's primary outcome-the prevalence of overweight and obesity combined-which had declined 4 percent in both groups of schools by the end of the three-year study.

29 Jun 2010

Researchers study mechanism of human brain

Because of its intricate organization, figuring out the wiring diagram that explains how the billions of neurons in the brain are connected, and determining how they work together, remains a formidable task.

29 Jun 2010

High-phenolic-content olive oil modifies genes that promote inflammation

Health conscious consumers have long known that virgin olive oil is a good choice when it comes to preparing meals and dipping breads. Now, a team of researchers, including one with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), has found that phenolic components in olive oil actually modify genes that are involved in the inflammatory response.

29 Jun 2010

Intarcia presents ITCA 650 Phase 2 study results at 70th ADA

Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. presented today the results of a phase 2 clinical study of ITCA 650 (DUROS® continuous subcutaneous delivery of exenatide) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes as a late-breaker at the Annual Conference of the American Diabetes Association in Orlando, FL (June 25-29, 2010). Results of the phase 2 study demonstrated substantial reductions in HbA1c and body weight during the 12 weeks of treatment with ITCA 650 at both the 20 mcg/day and 40 mcg/day doses.

28 Jun 2010

Over 90% of U.S. adults consume twice the recommended limit for sodium intake

Less than 10 percent of U.S. adults limit their daily sodium intake to recommended levels, according to a new report, "Sodium Intake in Adults – United States, 2005-2006," published today in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The report also finds that most sodium in the American diet comes from processed grains such as pizza and cookies, and meats, including poultry and luncheon meats.

28 Jun 2010

Pittsburgh companies using wellness to try to keep health costs down

Pittsburgh companies are using wellness incentives in the workplace to trim their health care costs as "small businesses prepare for a lift in their efforts to keep workers healthy, courtesy of health care reform," the Pittsburgh Business Times reports.

28 Jun 2010

Blood Pressure News and Research

Further Reading

First Edition: July 1, 2010

Babies born after IVM fertility treatment more likely to be born larger than normal

Study results of triple combination therapy in patients with diabetes and hypertension presented at ADA 2010

Biospherics acquires worldwide patent rights to Dtagatose from UKRF

Chelsea completes enrollment in Northera Phase III Study 301 for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension

Study: Near-normal glucose control does not delay risk of organ damage in diabetes patients

Study highlights importance of individualized, patient-centered therapies

Study indicates two treatment strategies can reduce progression of diabetic retinopathy

BBD reports analyze effectiveness and safety of statin use

Chelsea initiates NORTHERA Phase III trial for symptomatic NOH associated with PD

Vitae earns $14M milestone payment from Boehringer Ingelheim

Phytonutrient-based medical food and heart-healthy diet reduce CVD risk factors: Study

Dapagliflozin in addition to insulin improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetics

Aggressive pursuit of low blood pressure, cholesterol levels may not benefit patients with diabetes

School-based program lowers obesity and risk factors for type 2 diabetes in high risk youth

Researchers study mechanism of human brain

High-phenolic-content olive oil modifies genes that promote inflammation

Intarcia presents ITCA 650 Phase 2 study results at 70th ADA

Over 90% of U.S. adults consume twice the recommended limit for sodium intake

Pittsburgh companies using wellness to try to keep health costs down

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

Latest News