An upward revision of the blood pressure numbers used to identify risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) might actually help doctors provide better care for their patients, said the authors of a study in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The researchers found that systolic blood pressure – the “upper number” in a blood pressure reading – was the key variable…
Read rest of story »
For Kidney Disease Patients, Goals For Blood Pressure May Be Unrealistic
February 5th, 2012Potatoes Lower Blood Pressure In Those With Obesity And Hypertension Without Increasing Weight
February 4th, 2012The first study to check the effects of eating potatoes on blood pressure in humans has concluded that two small helpings of purple potatoes (Purple Majesty) a day decreases blood pressure by about 4 percent without causing weight gain…
Read rest of story »
Two-Arm Blood Pressure Checks May Spot "Silent" Risks
January 31st, 2012A new study appears to support the idea that blood pressure checks should be done in both arms…
Read rest of story »
Hypertensive Drug Compliance Improves With Positive Affirmation In African-Americans
January 28th, 2012African-American patients with high blood pressure follow their medication regimen more effectively with a combination of positive affirmations and patient education, concludes a study published Online First in the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. In comparison to white people, African-Americans are disproportionately affected by hypertension…
Read rest of story »
Children With A Genetic Variation Who Are Prescribed Antipsychotics At Increased Risk Of Metabolic Side Effects
January 26th, 2012Researchers have found a genetic variation predisposing children to six-times greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome when taking second-generation anti-psychotic medications. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease…
Read rest of story »
Swimming Lowered Blood Pressure In Sedentary Over 50s
January 26th, 2012Older adults who don’t do much exercise, and whose blood pressure is getting to the point where they may need treatment, should perhaps consider swimming as a way to help bring it back down, at least that is what a small US study of sedentary over-50-year-olds might suggest. The study was published early online in The American Journal of Cardiology earlier this month…
Read rest of story »
Encouraging Patients To Take Moments To Enjoy Life Helps Them Make Better Health Decisions
January 26th, 2012The experience of daily positive affect — a mild, happy feeling — and self-affirmation helps some patients with chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and asthma, make better decisions about their health…
Read rest of story »
The Biggest Killers Of Japanese Adults Are Tobacco Smoking And High Blood Pressure
January 26th, 2012The life expectancy of a person born in Japan is among the highest in the world (82…
Read rest of story »
How Salt, Potassium Levels Are Moderated Revealed By Study Of Rare Kidney Disease
January 25th, 2012High blood pressure (hypertension) is a principal risk factor for heart disease and affects 1 billion people. At least half of them are estimated to be salt-sensitive; their blood pressure rises with sodium intake. New research shows important aspects of how sodium and potassium are regulated in the kidney…
Read rest of story »
Common Mechanism Of Hypertension Revealed By Sweeping Genetic Analysis Of Rare Disease
January 23rd, 2012Analyzing all the genes of dozens of people suffering from a rare form of hypertension, Yale University researchers have discovered a new mechanism that regulates the blood pressure of all humans. The findings by an international research team headed by Yale scientists, published online Jan…
Read rest of story »